Abstract: Herein are provided isolated, humanized, anti-S100A4 antibody molecules and methods of producing said antibodies. Also provided are nucleic acids, vectors, isolated host cells and pharmaceutical compositions containing the antibody, and methods of treatment comprising administering said antibody.

Abstract: The systems and methods provide assistance in employee interactions. The systems and methods automatically schedule meetings between a manager and a report in response to changes in human resource data. The systems and methods track the meetings between the manager and the report during a time period and obtain meeting minutes for the meetings. The systems and methods analyze the meeting minutes and automatically generate feedback based on the analysis of the meeting minutes. The feedback is provided to the report or the manager.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed anti-S100A4 neutralizing antibodies useful for the treatment of the disease systemic sclerosis. The disclosure also provides isolated polynucleotides, vectors, isolated host cells, compositions and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of systemic sclerosis.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle for moving above ground while fabricating a subsurface polymer layer to protect an underground structure is provided. The robotic vehicle includes: a body; a rotational member that contacts the ground and moves the body over the ground; a ripper assembly having a proximal end that moves with the body, and a distal end that moves underground at a fabrication depth in response to the movement of the proximal end while fabricating the polymer layer; a ground penetrating radar (GPR) that locates and measures a depth of the underground structure below the ground; and a computerized control system that controls the rotational member, the distal end of the ripper assembly, and the GPR to move the body over the located underground structure while tracking the location of the underground structure and fabricating the polymer layer at the fabrication depth and above the measured depth of the underground structure.

Abstract: A subsurface impact protection system for protecting an underground asset is provided. The protection system includes a subsurface polymer layer provided above the asset to prevent impact forces from reaching the asset. A sensor network is embedded in the polymer layer. The sensor network comprises optical fibers each including one or more fiber optic sensors. The optical fibers receive an input signal from a source and transmit it through the fiber. At the output end of the fiber is an optical detector that measures light properties of the output optical signal indicative of environmental conditions near the polymer layer. The sensor network transmits a signal including measured light or environmental parameters to a monitoring computing system. In some embodiments, the polymer layer includes a protective mesh made up of a plurality of high density polyethylene strands in a woven pattern. A method of protecting an underground asset is also provided.

Abstract: A subsurface impact protection system for protecting an underground structure is provided. The protection system includes a subsurface polymer layer above the underground structure which is configured to absorb above-ground impact force from reaching the underground structure. A sensor network is embedded in the polymer layer. The sensor network includes a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the polymer layer by generating a corresponding plurality of sensor signals of conditions near the polymer layer and transmitting the generated sensor signals to one or more external receivers. In some embodiments, the polymer layer includes a protective mesh made up of a plurality of high density polyethylene (HDPE) strands in a woven pattern. In one such embodiment, the sensors occupy gaps in the protective mesh. A method of protecting an underground structure is also provided.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle for moving above ground while fabricating a subsurface polymer layer to protect an underground structure is provided. The robotic vehicle includes: a body; a rotational member that contacts the ground and moves the body over the ground; a ripper assembly having a proximal end that moves with the body, and a distal end that moves underground at a fabrication depth in response to the movement of the proximal end while fabricating the polymer layer; a ground penetrating radar (GPR) that locates and measures a depth of the underground structure below the ground; and a computerized control system that controls the rotational member, the distal end of the ripper assembly, and the GPR to move the body over the located underground structure while tracking the location of the underground structure and fabricating the polymer layer at the fabrication depth and above the measured depth of the underground structure.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle for moving above ground while fabricating a subsurface polymer layer to protect an underground structure is provided. The robotic vehicle includes: a body; a rotational member that contacts the ground and moves the body over the ground; a ripper assembly having a proximal end that moves with the body, and a distal end that moves underground at a fabrication depth in response to the movement of the proximal end while fabricating the polymer layer; a ground penetrating radar (GPR) that locates and measures a depth of the underground structure below the ground; and a computerized control system that controls the rotational member, the distal end of the ripper assembly, and the GPR to move the body over the located underground structure while tracking the location of the underground structure and fabricating the polymer layer at the fabrication depth and above the measured depth of the underground structure.

Abstract: A polymer geo-injection apparatus for protecting an underground structure is provided. The apparatus includes: a mechanized vehicle for moving on the ground in order to transport the apparatus while the apparatus forms a subsurface polymer layer that protects the underground structure; a polymer supply tank coupled to the mechanized vehicle and configured to supply solid polymer during the forming of the polymer layer; a polymer melting unit coupled to the mechanized vehicle and configured to receive and melt the supplied solid polymer and to supply the molten polymer during the forming of the polymer layer; and a subsurface ripper coupled to the mechanized vehicle and configured to move through the ground in response to the movement of the mechanized vehicle while receiving and injecting the supplied molten polymer into the ground above the underground structure in order to form the polymer layer and protect the underground structure.

Abstract: A trenchless system for subsurface delivery of a polymer-based mesh to protect an underground structure is provided. The system includes: a body for moving above the ground and over the underground structure while the system delivers the mesh below the ground; a polymer mesh supply coupled to the body and configured to supply the mesh during the moving of the body; and a ripper assembly coupled to the body and configured to move through the ground in response to the moving of the body without digging a trench and while receiving and delivering the supplied mesh below the ground and above the underground structure to protect the underground structure. In an embodiment, the polymer mesh supply includes a polymer mesh spool configured to rotate during the moving of the body in order to supply the mesh. A method of trenchless subsurface delivery of the mesh is also provided.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle for moving above ground while fabricating a subsurface polymer layer to protect an underground structure is provided. The robotic vehicle includes: a body; a rotational member that contacts the ground and moves the body over the ground; a ripper assembly having a proximal end that moves with the body, and a distal end that moves underground at a fabrication depth in response to the movement of the proximal end while fabricating the polymer layer; a ground penetrating radar (GPR) that locates and measures a depth of the underground structure below the ground; and a computerized control system that controls the rotational member, the distal end of the ripper assembly, and the GPR to move the body over the located underground structure while tracking the location of the underground structure and fabricating the polymer layer at the fabrication depth and above the measured depth of the underground structure.

Abstract: A polymer geo-injection apparatus for protecting an underground structure is provided. The apparatus includes: a mechanized vehicle for moving on the ground in order to transport the apparatus while the apparatus forms a subsurface polymer layer that protects the underground structure; a polymer supply tank coupled to the mechanized vehicle and configured to supply solid polymer during the forming of the polymer layer; a polymer melting unit coupled to the mechanized vehicle and configured to receive and melt the supplied solid polymer and to supply the molten polymer during the forming of the polymer layer; and a subsurface ripper coupled to the mechanized vehicle and configured to move through the ground in response to the movement of the mechanized vehicle while receiving and injecting the supplied molten polymer into the ground above the underground structure in order to form the polymer layer and protect the underground structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for trenchless placement of an underground protective network of intertwined cables for protecting buried assets from accidental damage are disclosed. The system includes an apparatus for towing behind a vehicle and laying a plurality of continuous cables directly underground and interweaving the cables to form a cable network. The apparatus includes a plurality of soil rippers mounted at respective radial positions to a rotating carrier. The rotating carrier rotates about an axis that is at least partially normal to the ground surface. The rippers plow through the ground in the direction of vehicle travel and include a cable-feeding guide for directly and continuously feeding cable out underground during operation. In operation, the combined movement of the soil rippers from rotating the carrier and movement in the direction of travel serves to intertwine the cables deposited by respective rippers forming the protective network of intertwined cables.

Abstract: A subsurface impact protection system for protecting an underground structure is provided. The protection system includes a subsurface polymer layer above the underground structure which is configured to absorb above-ground impact force from reaching the underground structure. A sensor network is embedded in the polymer layer. The sensor network includes a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the polymer layer by generating a corresponding plurality of sensor signals of conditions near the polymer layer and transmitting the generated sensor signals to one or more external receivers. In some embodiments, the polymer layer includes a protective mesh made up of a plurality of high density polyethylene (HDPE) strands in a woven pattern. In one such embodiment, the sensors occupy gaps in the protective mesh. A method of protecting an underground structure is also provided.

Abstract: A polymer geo-injection apparatus for protecting an underground structure is provided. The apparatus includes: a drill bit configured to drill a path through the ground to a desired depth that is above the underground structure; an injection nozzle coupled to the drill bit and configured to insert into and withdraw from the ground along the drilled path, and to create a corresponding cavity in the ground at the desired depth by injecting compressed air into the ground at the desired depth; and a polymer melting and injection unit configured to fuse or melt one or more components of a solid polymer into a liquid form of the solid polymer, and supply the liquid polymer to the injection nozzle. The injection nozzle is further configured to fabricate a corresponding protection slab of the solid polymer at the desired depth by injecting the supplied liquid polymer into the corresponding cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for trenchless placement of an underground protective network of intertwined cables for protecting buried assets from accidental damage are disclosed. The system includes an apparatus for towing behind a vehicle and laying a plurality of continuous cables directly underground and interweaving the cables to form a cable network. The apparatus includes a plurality of soil rippers mounted at respective radial positions to a rotating carrier. The rotating carrier rotates about an axis that is at least partially normal to the ground surface. The rippers plow through the ground in the direction of vehicle travel and include a cable-feeding guide for directly and continuously feeding cable out underground during operation. In operation, the combined movement of the soil rippers from rotating the carrier and movement in the direction of travel serves to intertwine the cables deposited by respective rippers forming the protective network of intertwined cables.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing friction between cables and surrounding soil is disclosed. In particular, a cable apparatus for use in a sub-surface protective network of intertwined cables is provided which comprises an elongate reinforced polymer cable body having a length. The cable apparatus also includes a plurality of elongate barbs provided along the length of the cable body. The barbs extend from the cable body to a respective free end in both a lengthwise direction and radially. Additionally, the barbs are spaced apart in one or more of the lengthwise direction along the length of the cable body and circumferentially about the cable body. Moreover, according to a further aspect, a plurality of such cables can be provided underground and intertwined to define a protective network cables for protecting buried assets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for trenchless placement of an underground protective network of intertwined cables for protecting buried assets from accidental damage are disclosed. The system includes an apparatus for towing behind a vehicle and laying a plurality of continuous cables directly underground and interweaving the cables to form a cable network. The apparatus includes a plurality of soil rippers mounted at respective radial positions to a rotating carrier. The rotating carrier rotates about an axis that is at least partially normal to the ground surface. The rippers plow through the ground in the direction of vehicle travel and include a cable-feeding guide for directly and continuously feeding cable out underground during operation. In operation, the combined movement of the soil rippers from rotating the carrier and movement in the direction of travel serves to intertwine the cables deposited by respective rippers forming the protective network of intertwined cables.

Abstract: An unpartitioned high-speed 8B/10B encoder and corresponding methods use only one edge or level of the clock signal per clock cycle to encode a set of 8B to a corresponding set of 10B data, and thus is not limited to a 50% clock duty cycle. The encoder includes an unpartitioned encoding circuit that receives 8B data and a special character signal and generates 10B intermediate data, a disparity control that receives the 8B data and the special character sign in parallel with that information being received by the encoding circuit, and also receives a clock signal, and generates two control signals; and logic circuitry that receives the intermediate output data and the two control signals and generates the 10B output data. The encoder may be embodied in a high-speed encoding system in which the processing speed of the encoder is greater than 250 MHz.

Abstract: A method of amplification of one or more DNA sequences in a DNA containing sample, and methods of investigating such samples are provided in which an improved amplification cycling regime is used. The regime features a first phase and a second phase, the first phase including a denaturation temperature step, followed by an annealing temperature step, followed by a corrected annealed primer extension temperature step, these steps being followed by an annealing temperature step, corrected annealed primer extension temperature step prior to any further denaturation temperature steps being applied. Increased amplification from a given number of amplification cycles and maximised sensitivity for the DNA amplification process is achieved as a result.