Abstract: A system of soil carbon measurement is provided. The system includes a multimodal sensor payload that includes multiple sensors that are each a different sensor type and that are configured to estimate quantities of carbon stored in a soil area. The sensors include multiple stand-off sensor technologies.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for mobile detection of soil compaction and soil characteristic data are provided. Operations include causing a subsurface portion of soil at a compaction detection location to be disrupted using compressed air, generating disruption data corresponding to the disruption of the subsurface portion of the soil at the compaction detection location, generating geographic location data corresponding to the compaction detection location, receiving the geographic location data from the location device and the disruption data from the disruption sensor and associating the geographic location data with the disruption data.

Abstract: A non-contact tool measurement apparatus is used in a machine tool environment. The apparatus includes a transmitter including a first aperture and a laser for generating light that is emitted from the transmitter through the first aperture towards a tool-sensing region. A receiver includes an optical detector and is arranged to receive light from the tool-sensing region. A processor analyses the light detected by the optical detector to enable the measurement of tools in the tool-sensing region. The laser is capable of generating light having a wavelength of less than 590 nm thereby enabling the size of the first aperture to be reduced resulting in a reduction in contaminant ingress. In one embodiment, the laser generates blue light.

Abstract: A wad (4, 9) for a shotgun cartridge (20) is described. The wad (4, 9) comprises a cup-shaped member (4) and a separation member (9) located inside the cup-shaped member (4) adjacent a base of the cup-shaped member (4). The cup-shaped member (4) and the separation member (9) each comprise at least one biodegradable fibrous material.

Abstract: A method for automatic target configuration in a conveyor system, the method including: perform a pallet-flow analysis for a station; generate target and move configurations for the station; determine if there are more stations and perform the pallet flow analysis and the generate target and move configurations until all stations are completed; finalize routing targets' configurations; and finalize exit move configurations. A system for automatic target configuration in a conveyor system, the system including: a processor; a processor readable memory storing computer instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: perform a pallet-flow analysis for a station; generate target and move configurations for the station; determine if there are more stations and perform the pallet flow analysis and the generate target and move configurations until all stations are completed; finalize routing targets' configurations; and finalize exit move configurations.

Abstract: A system includes an upper connection having a ring shape with an external surface, where upper splines are formed on the external surface and the upper connection is fixed to the upper section. The system also includes a lower connection having a ring shape with an internal surface, where lower splines are formed on the internal surface and the lower splines are configured to mate with the upper splines of the upper connection. Further, the system includes a fishing sub having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, where the first lateral end is fixed to the lower connection by shear pins configured to shear when a pre-determined tension is applied to the system, and the second lateral end is fixed to the lower section. The upper connection is inserted into the lower connection to form an engagement between the upper section and the lower section.

Abstract: A coin payout apparatus 100 is provided. The coin payout apparatus 100 includes a coin canister 101. The coin canister 101 includes a tube 102 for storing coins. The coin canister 101 also includes a coin ejector 202 operable to eject a coin from the tube 102. The coin canister 101 further includes a hopping disc 318 operable to rotate and engage the coin ejector 202 to eject the coin from the tube 102 when the tube 102 is moved into position with the hopping disc 318.

Abstract: A method, and related apparatus, involves providing one or more drill pipe segments and disposing a quantity of lost circulation material objects within the one or more drill pipe segments. A retention element is provided to retain the lost circulation material objects within the one or more drill pipe segments. The one or more drill pipe segments are connected to a drill string at a wellbore, and drilling fluid is flowed through the drill string. The flowing of drilling fluid through the drill string causes the retention element to release the lost circulation material objects to propagate further.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating anatomical data associated with a musculoskeletal joint, the method comprising: receiving as input variation data representing change with time of a musculoskeletal joint of interest caused by a condition; receiving as input patient data representing the musculoskeletal joint of interest of a patient at a current time; and processing the variation data and the patient data to generate said anatomical data, wherein said anatomical data comprises data indicating the musculoskeletal joint of interest of the patient at a predetermined time different to the current time.

Abstract: A non-contact tool measurement apparatus is used in a machine tool environment. The apparatus includes a transmitter including a first aperture and a laser for generating light that is emitted from the transmitter through the first aperture towards a tool-sensing region. A receiver includes an optical detector and is arranged to receive light from the tool-sensing region. A processor analyses the light detected by the optical detector to enable the measurement of tools in the tool-sensing region. The laser is capable of generating light having a wavelength of less than 590 nm thereby enabling the size of the first aperture to be reduced resulting in a reduction in contaminant ingress. In one embodiment, the laser generates blue light.

Abstract: A system includes an upper connection having a ring shape with an external surface, where upper splines are formed on the external surface and the upper connection is fixed to the upper section. The system also includes a lower connection having a ring shape with an internal surface, where lower splines are formed on the internal surface and the lower splines are configured to mate with the upper splines of the upper connection. Further, the system includes a fishing sub having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, where the first lateral end is fixed to the lower connection by shear pins configured to shear when a pre-determined tension is applied to the system, and the second lateral end is fixed to the lower section. The upper connection is inserted into the lower connection to form an engagement between the upper section and the lower section.

Abstract: A non-contact tool measurement apparatus is used in a machine tool environment. The apparatus includes a transmitter including a first aperture and a laser for generating light that is emitted from the transmitter through the first aperture towards a tool-sensing region. A receiver includes an optical detector and is arranged to receive light from the tool-sensing region. A processor analyses the light detected by the optical detector to enable the measurement of tools in the tool-sensing region. The laser is capable of generating light having a wavelength of less than 590 nm thereby enabling the size of the first aperture to be reduced resulting in a reduction in contaminant ingress. In one embodiment, the laser generates blue light.

Abstract: A wad (4, 9) for a shotgun cartridge (20) is described. The wad (4, 9) comprises a cup-shaped member (4) and a separation member (9) located inside the cup-shaped member (4) adjacent a base of the cup-shaped member (4). The cup-shaped member (4) and the separation member (9) each comprise at least one biodegradable fibrous material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a core drill guide apparatus for providing a guide for a core drill apparatus to drill into a substrate to form a removable core. The apparatus includes an elongate body with an outer surface and inner space, having an entrance end, an exit end and side walls, a distance between the ends defining a length or height of the elongate body and a width. An passageway extends through the elongate body from entrance to exit end, adapted so that in use, it provides sliding receipt of a fastening system to clamp the apparatus to an outer surface surrounding a first hole in a substrate, allowing the apparatus to abut the outer surface and drill out a core in the substrate underneath and surrounding the first hole. A corresponding guide method and fastening system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method (500) of processing an environmental impact associated with a product in a supply chain formed of a plurality of entities, comprising: providing (510), at an environmental impact database (310), data related to environmental impacts of one or more operations associated with one or more products; at an entity (210-2) in a supply chain, receiving (520) a product from an upstream entity (210-1) in the supply chain; logging (530) an identity of the product by means of an electronic ledger (120-2) associated with the entity; identifying (540), from the electronic ledger, by means of a data extractor (132) an identity of the product; accessing (550) an environmental impact certificate (160-1) associated with the identified product from a certificate database (320), the certificate database being mutually accessible to entities in the supply chain; determining (560) an environmental impact associated with one or more operations on the product by the entity by associating the data related to environmental im

Abstract: An optical tool measurement device for a machine tool is described. The device includes a light source for directing light towards a tool-sensing region and a sensor for detecting light from the tool-sensing region. A shutter assembly for selectively protecting the sensor from contamination is also provided. The shutter assembly is to provide a closed configuration in which the sensor is covered by the shutter assembly thereby preventing contamination of the sensor and an open configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a first aperture of the shutter assembly. Furthermore, the shutter assembly is configured to additionally provide a constricted configuration in which light can pass to the sensor through a second aperture of the shutter assembly, the second aperture being smaller than the first aperture. In this manner, the device has enhanced resistance to contaminants, such as swarf and coolant, present in the machine tool environment.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for mounting within an enclosure of a machine is described. The apparatus includes a measurement device and a protection means for protecting the measurement device from contaminants present within the machine enclosure. The protection means is switchable between at least a first mode that protects the measurement device from contaminants and a second mode that provides less protection of the measurement device from contaminants than the first mode. A contaminant sensor is used for sensing contamination within the machine enclosure and thereby determining when the protection means can adopt the second mode. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: A non-contact tool measurement apparatus is used in a machine tool environment. The apparatus includes a transmitter including a first aperture and a laser for generating light that is emitted from the transmitter through the first aperture towards a tool-sensing region. A receiver includes an optical detector and is arranged to receive light from the tool-sensing region. A processor analyses the light detected by the optical detector to enable the measurement of tools in the tool-sensing region. The laser is capable of generating light having a wavelength of less than 590 nm thereby enabling the size of the first aperture to be reduced resulting in a reduction in contaminant ingress. In one embodiment, the laser generates blue light.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of inhibiting bone resorption. The method comprises administering to a human an amount of sclerostin inhibitor that reduces a bone resorption marker level for at least 2 weeks. The invention also provides a method of monitoring anti-sclerostin therapy comprising measuring one or more bone resorption marker levels, administering a sclerostin binding agent, then measuring the bone resorption marker levels. Also provided is a method of increasing bone mineral density; a method of ameliorating the effects of an osteoclast-related disorder; a method of treating a bone-related disorder by maintaining bone density; and a method of treating a bone-related disorder in a human suffering from or at risk of hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia, a human in which treatment with a parathyroid hormone or analog thereof is contraindicated, or a human in which treatment with a bisphosphonate is contraindicated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of inhibiting bone resorption. The method comprises administering to a human an amount of sclerostin inhibitor that reduces a bone resorption marker level for at least 2 weeks. The invention also provides a method of monitoring anti-sclerostin therapy comprising measuring one or more bone resorption marker levels, administering a sclerostin binding agent, then measuring the bone resorption marker levels. Also provided is a method of increasing bone mineral density; a method of ameliorating the effects of an osteoclast-related disorder; a method of treating a bone-related disorder by maintaining bone density; and a method of treating a bone-related disorder in a human suffering from or at risk of hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia, a human in which treatment with a parathyroid hormone or analog thereof is contraindicated, or a human in which treatment with a bisphosphonate is contraindicated.