Abstract: In the various aspects and embodiments, this disclosure provides messenger RNA (mRNA) constructs for therapeutic delivery, as well as methods for making such mRNA constructs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same (including mRNA vaccine compositions). In still other aspects, the invention provides methods for treating patients by expression of therapeutic proteins, including for preventing or reducing probability of infection by, or illness involving, a virus. Exemplary viruses include coronaviruses (such as SARS-CoV-2 and variants therefore) and influenza viruses, among others.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator or other machine comprises a powered actuator for actuating a locking member into and out of said locking state, a first power coupling unit, and a second actuator for moving the power coupling unit into and out of an engaging position in which it is engagable with a corresponding second power coupling unit of the attachment. The coupler is configured to cause the first power coupling unit to move into the engaging position after said latching member adopts the locking state and, when decoupling the attachment from the coupler, to cause said latching member to remain in its locking state until after the first power coupling unit is moved out of its engaging position.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and techniques for locating objects using machine learning algorithms. In one example, a method may include receiving at least one radio frequency signal from an electronic identification tag associated with an object. In some aspects, one or more parameters associated with the at least one RF signal can be determined. In some cases, the one or more parameters can be processed with a machine learning algorithm to determine a position of the object. In some examples, the machine learning algorithm can be trained using a position vector dataset that includes a plurality of position vectors associated with at least one signal parameter obtained using a known position of the object.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator. The coupler has first and second spaced-apart coupling formations for coupling with respective corresponding coupling formation of the attachment. The coupler also has a power actuated locking member for retaining the respective attachment coupling formation in engagement with the first coupling formation. A detection system is capable of detecting if the respective attachment coupling formation is in a desired position with respect to the first coupling formation, wherein the detecting means comprises at least one non-contact sensor, preferably an ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: Electronic identification tagging systems, methods, applicators, and tapes for tracking and managing medical equipment and other objects are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system includes electronic identification tag readers distributed within predetermined areas of an environment. The system also includes electronic identification tags attached to respective medical equipment within the environment. Further, the system includes a computing device comprising an object use analyzer configured to receive, from the electronic identification tag readers, information indicating presence of the electronic identification tags within the predetermined areas. The object use analyzer also analyzes usage of the medical equipment within the environment based on the received information. Further, the object use analyzer manages one of medical equipment supply or usage of the medical equipment during a medical procedure based on the analyzed usage of the medical equipment.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator or other machine comprises a powered actuator for actuating a locking member into and out of said locking state, a first power coupling unit, and a second actuator for moving the power coupling unit into and out of an engaging position in which it is engagable with a corresponding second power coupling unit of the attachment. The coupler is configured to cause the first power coupling unit to move into the engaging position after said latching member adopts the locking state and, when decoupling the attachment from the coupler, to cause said latching member to remain in its locking state until after the first power coupling unit is moved out of its engaging position.

Abstract: Radiation dosimeters are disclosed whereby a passive multilayer substrate is provided to confer tissue equivalence. In an example embodiment, a multilayer substrate is formed over a semiconductor-based radiation sensing layer, where the multilayer substrate includes at least one low-atomic-number layer of having an effective atomic number that is smaller than that of water, and at least one high-atomic-number layer having an effective atomic number that is greater than that of water. The low-atomic-number layers and high-atomic-number layers are provided with respective thicknesses and compositions for modulating the dependence of the signal produced by the radiation dosimeter on photon energy, such that the signal, when calibrated to provide a measure of dose, exhibits approximate tissue-equivalence over a prescribed photon energy range.

Abstract: Radiation dosimeters are disclosed whereby a passive multilayer substrate is provided to confer tissue equivalence. In an example embodiment, a multilayer substrate is formed over a semiconductor-based radiation sensing layer, where the multilayer substrate includes at least one low-atomic-number layer of having an effective atomic number that is smaller than that of water, and at least one high-atomic-number layer having an effective atomic number that is greater than that of water. The low-atomic-number layers and high-atomic-number layers are provided with respective thicknesses and compositions for modulating the dependence of the signal produced by the radiation dosimeter on photon energy, such that the signal, when calibrated to provide a measure of dose, exhibits approximate tissue-equivalence over a prescribed photon energy range.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator. The coupler has first and second spaced-apart coupling formations for coupling with respective corresponding coupling formation of the attachment. The coupler also has a power actuated locking member for retaining the respective attachment coupling formation in engagement with the first coupling formation. A detection system is capable of detecting if the respective attachment coupling formation is in a desired position with respect to the first coupling formation, wherein the detecting means comprises at least one non-contact sensor, preferably an ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling an attachment to an excavator having a latching member for retaining a rear pin of the attachment and a blocking member for retaining the front pin of the attachment. A hydraulic actuator and spring are provided for holding the latching and blocking members in their closed states. In the event of a failure of the actuator, the spring, the latching member and the blocking member together hold the front and rear pins in their respective recesses to allow continued operation of the coupler, while allowing the pins to move with respect to the coupler to create a rattling movement that can indicate to the operator that a failure has occurred.

Abstract: A coupler for an excavator or other apparatus comprising a body for receiving an excavator attachment; a first latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the attachment on the body. The first latch member being movable into and out of the latching state by an actuator, wherein a gravity operated valve is associated with the actuator. The valve has a first state wherein fluid can flow through the valve as the latch member is moved out of its latching state, and a second state, wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve thus preventing operation of the actuator to move the latch member out of its latching state. The valve is adapted to adopt the first state when the coupler is in a non-working orientation and the second state when the coupling is in a working orientation.

Abstract: A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern.

Abstract: A control system for extending and retracting a ram of a hydraulic coupler for coupling an attachment to an arm of an excavator or back hoe, said control system being adapted to provide an audible and/or visual alert to an operator to indicate a leak of fluid or loss of fluid pressure from said ram and/or from a hydraulic circuit supplying said fluid to the ram. Preferably the control system further comprises a flow sensor for sensing the flow of fluid in a feed line for supplying pressurized fluid to the ram and/or a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of fluid in said feed line, said control system including at least one indication device for providing said audible and/or visual alert to an operator to indicate a leak of fluid or loss of fluid pressure in response to, or as a function of, the output of the flow sensor and/or the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A coupler for an excavator or other apparatus comprising a body for receiving an excavator attachment; a first latch member movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining the attachment on the body. The first latch member being movable into and out of the latching state by an actuator, wherein a gravity operated valve is associated with the actuator. The valve has a first state wherein fluid can flow through the valve as the latch member is moved out of its latching state, and a second state, wherein fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve thus preventing operation of the actuator to move the latch member out of its latching state. The valve is adapted to adopt the first state when the coupler is in a non-working orientation and the second state when the coupling is in a working orientation.

Abstract: A coupler for an excavator, the coupler having a body with first and second spaced-apart recesses for receiving respective pins of an excavator attachment. A first latching hook is movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in the first recess. A second latching hook is movable into and out of a latching state in which it is capable of retaining a respective attachment pin in the second recess. A blocking member may be provided that is movable into and out of a blocking state in which it lies in the path of the second latching member to prevent the second latching member from leaving its latching state. The blocking member may be movable into and out of the blocking state under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines. The set of nodes defining a regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern.

Abstract: A method for determining a sail plan for a towed-array marine seismic survey, includes: dividing a survey area into a regular grid of tiles; and identifying a subset of the tiles as nodes around which continuously curved sail lines are defined. The nodes define regular pattern further including: a first subpattern of nodes; and a second subpattern of nodes offset from the first subpattern. In alternative aspects, a computer-readable program storage medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method, or a computing apparatus may be programmed to perform the method. A method for conducting a towed array marine survey includes: traversing a plurality of continuously curved sail lines across a survey area, each sail line being relative to a node; and acquiring seismic data while traversing the continuously curved sail lines.