Abstract: A system may include a platform proximate to an operator cab of the vehicle. A system may include a staircase, the staircase selectively moveable between a retracted state and an extended state, the staircase including a plurality of steps including a retractable step, at least one support segment coupling together the steps of the plurality of steps, a first inclination angle and a first step angle in the retracted state, a second inclination angle and a second step angle in the extended state, wherein the first inclination angle is steeper than the second inclination angle and the first step angle is larger than the second step angle. A system may include a linkage system coupling the staircase to the platform, the linkage system including an actuator configured to selectively move the staircase from the retracted state to the extended state; and a moveable extension bracket coupling the staircase to the platform.

Abstract: A device includes a platform and a staircase moveable between a retracted state and an extended state. The staircase has steps including a retractable step and a support segment. A linkage system includes an actuator that moves the staircase from the retracted and extended state, a sensor detecting the staircase state and a vehicle condition, and an extension bracket coupling the staircase and platform. A controller determines the staircase state, determines an articulation angle, compares the articulation angle to an articulation angle threshold, in response to the articulation angle exceeding the threshold, causes the staircase to move to the retracted state, detects a vehicle operation event, in response to detecting the operation event, causes the staircase to move to the retracted state, detects a vehicle shut-down event, and in response to detecting the shut-down event causes the staircase to move to the extended state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating products, such as products from original manufacturers and/or resellers, that provide a trusted and reliable mechanism for buyers and sellers to prove the authenticity of a product and for authenticators to establish an authentication that can be relied on during downstream transactions is provided. In some embodiments, a blockchain-based product authentication system is provided that allows entities within a chain of commerce (e.g., suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retails, consumers, consignors, resellers) to verify the authenticity of items by way of trusted authenticators and trusted audit processes. The product authentication system enables users to rely on product authentications via off-channel sales with the use of cryptography, blockchain, digital assets, and tagging hardware and software.

Abstract: A bipod robotic walking apparatus consisting of two feet on the coupler link of a spherical four-bar linkage, for movement in a forward or rearward direction by repeated motions of the four-bar linkage. Three four-bar linkages may be connected in tandem to form a hexapod with three points of contact with the ground.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transgenic plants having a recombinant DNA construct which expresses a Hap3 transcription factor which provides enhanced resistance and/or tolerance to water deficit. More specifically the DNA constructs comprise a polynucleotide which encodes at least a functional part of a transcription factor that is a CCAAT-box DNA binding subunit or a homologous transcription factor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transgenic plants having a recombinant DNA construct which expresses a Hap3 transcription factor which provides enhanced resistance and/or tolerance to water deficit. More specifically the DNA constructs comprise a polynucleotide which encodes at least a functional part of a transcription factor that is a CCAAT-box DNA binding subunit or a homologous transcription factor.

Abstract: Plant nitrogen use efficiency in corn has been improved by transformation with a flavohemoglobin gene. Plants comprising a flavohemoglobin gene have decreased nitric oxide (NO) levels, increased biomass accumulation under a sufficient nitrogen growth condition, and increased chlorophyll content under a limiting nitrogen growth condition. Additionally, these transformed plants evidence higher levels of yield.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transgenic plants having a recombinant DNA construct which expresses a Hap3 transcription factor which provides enhanced resistance and/or tolerance to water deficit. More specifically the DNA constructs comprise a polynucleotide which encodes at least a functional part of a transcription factor that is a CCAAT-box DNA binding subunit or a homologous transcription factor.

Abstract: A laser heated cautery cap assembly includes a catheter assembly adapted to be introduced into a lumen, such as an arterial opening. The catheter assembly includes at least one optical fiber connected to a laser light source adapted to produce short output bursts. A cautery cap at the catheter distal end includes a transparent substrate member disposed to receive the laser energy from the optical fiber(s). The substrate member preferably is formed of a crystalline solid having a smooth, curved outer surface, with a central guidewire bore extending therethrough. One end of the bore is provided with a tapering counterbore, and the opposite end of the substrate member is an input surface disposed to receive laser energy from the optical fiber. A nose piece includes a central guidewire bore coaxial with the substrate member bore, the nose piece including a tapered proximal end dimensioned to fit within the counterbore of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively directing a laser beam into a plurality of optical fibers and for selectively shifting the laser beam among the fibers includes a connector member having a plurality of passages extending longitudinally therethrough, the passages being disposed in a nominal common plane. The input end of each optical fiber extends through a respective passage, with the axes of the input ends spaced closely together and oriented parallel to the axis of a laser beam directed toward the input ends. The laser beam passes through a positive lens having a focal plane coincident with the input ends of the optical fibers. An axially translatable shaft extends generally perpendicular to the nominal plane and to the beam axis, and is coupled to drive means to shift the axial position of the shaft selectively, rapidly, and reiteratively.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including a first catheter having distal and proximal ends, and a second catheter which is positionable within the first catheter. The second catheter has a smaller diameter and is more flexible than the first catheter. The second catheter is positionable within the first catheter so that its distal end is extendable beyond the distal end of the first catheter. An expandable balloon or inflatable means is affixed to the outer surface of either the first or second catheters near the distal end thereof. When inflated, the inflatable means sealingly engages the interior walls of a body channel into which the catheter assembly has been inserted. The catheter assembly may also include associated fiber optics for viewing and removing obstructions.

Abstract: An improved laser heated intravascular cautery cap construction includes a generally cylindrical outersidewall, and a tappered, annular, distal end wall joining the two sidewalls and defining a closed annular space therebetween. A bore extending axially through the inner sidewall is dimentioned to receive in freely sliding fashion an arterial guidewire or other device such as a doppler flow sensor or an optical bundle for viewing. A unitary or multi-segment annular target element is received within the distal portion of the annular space, and is secured to the outer sidewall adjacent to the end wall with a gap defined between the target element and the inner sidewall. A plurality of holes extend through a connector member parallel to the axis of the sidewalls, each hole receiving therethrough one of a plurality of optical fibers extending through the arterial catheter to a laser light source.