Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting roots is installed on a hand-carried weed cutter or hand-carried side walk edger. The blade assembly has a central blade support that supports a central blade. A plurality of cutting blades are stacked on both sides of the central blade to form a stack of blades. The stack of blades is secured together by fasteners that pass through openings in the blades. The central blade and each of the plurality of cutting blades has a plurality of teeth. Outermost blades in the stack of blades are smaller in diameter than the blades directly adjacent to the outermost blades.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and a method for managing access permissions associated with data resources. Example embodiments involve evaluating user access permissions with respect to shared data resources of a group of network applications. The method includes receiving a request, from one of the network applications, to access a particular data resource. The request includes an identifier of a requesting user. The method further includes accessing a policy object associated with the data resource that includes policy information specifying operations the user is authorized to perform with respect to the data resource based on satisfaction of one or more conditions. The method further includes evaluating the user's access permissions with respect to the data resource based on the policy object, and communicating a response to the network application that includes the access permission of the user.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for an article, the apparatus including a surrounding sidewall having a first end portion and an opposing second end portion, the sidewall also having a perpendicularly oriented first margin portion and an opposing second margin portion, also with a primary interior. The interior includes a plurality of flexible longwise channels that are attached in a juxtapose position to one another. In addition, included is a plurality of particulate items loosely disposed within each of the flexible longwise channels and a structure for removable engagement positioned adjacent to the first and second margins. The removable engagement structure facilitates the first and second margins to be removably engaged allowing the surrounding sidewall to envelope the article. The primary interior can be evacuated, thus removing the air spaces between the particulate items and in the interior resulting in rigidifying the surrounding sidewall partially encompassing the article to protect the article.

Abstract: A method of monitoring shared user event at a user terminal, including identifying one or more shared user events of which the user of the terminal is not a participant and obtaining information about the content and/or participants of said shared user event without becoming a participant of the shared user event. Based on said obtained information a display is caused to render at least one portal object representing said shared experience, the portal object providing a view of the content and/or participants of said shared experience.

Abstract: A communication method comprising receiving input from a participant of a communication event and obtaining an activity metric of said at least one participant in a communication event based on received inputs. A visual theme is varied dynamically in dependence upon the activity metric, to provide a visual indication of the activity of said participant.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus including a first and a second arm moveable between a closed position in which a contacting surface of the first arm is adjacent a contacting surface of the second arm and an open position in which the contacting surfaces of each arm are spaced apart, whereby the contacting surfaces of each arm have complementary profiles so that, in use, a section of hair is clamped between the contacting surfaces when the arms are in the closed position, and where a heating zone on at least one of the contacting surfaces is provided to heat the section of hair between the contacting surfaces, a cooling zone on at least one of the contacting surfaces is provided for cooling the section of hair after the section of hair has been heated, and the cooling zone is curved whereby, in use, as the hair styling apparatus is moved along the section of hair in a generally linear fashion, the section of hair is curled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing proliferative disorders, especially brain cancers (e.g. gliomas). In particular, the present invention provides a means to conveniently detect malignant tumours merely by assaying or analysing blood (particularly blood serum). Cytokines and/or angiogenesis factors in blood serum have been found to be surprisingly powerful at indicating the presence of brain cancers in a subject. Moreover, spectroscopic analysis, especially ATR-FTIR analysis, of a blood sample has been demonstrated to be surprisingly effective at producing a signature that can be correlated with the presence, extent, severity, or aggressiveness of malignant tumours in a subject.

Abstract: A thinned metal can end having a non-uniform thickness profile is provided. The can end has a central panel having at least a first thickness, a middle portion having at least a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and an end portion having at least a third thickness greater than the first and second thicknesses. The can end is configured to be joined to a can wall by a double seam.

Abstract: A tracking system for a solar collector is disclosed. The tracking system includes at least two polarization cameras and a tracking controller configured to: determine orientations of maximal intensity of polarized light received from the at least one heliostat mirror; generate radial lines based on the orientation of maximal intensity of polarized light from the at least one heliostat mirror; determine a position of the sun based on an intersection of the radial lines; and re-orient the at least one heliostat mirror based on the determined position of the sun. In the preferred embodiment, the sun position may be determined based on radial lines corresponding to three or more cameras mounted around the receiver aperture.

Abstract: Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating natural and artificial surfaces that contain bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy or enhancing effects between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide formulations including antiseptic formulations. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-negative bacterial infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing proliferative disorders, especially brain cancers (e.g. gliomas). In particular, the present invention provides a means to conveniently detect malignant tumours merely by assaying or analysing blood (particularly blood serum). Cytokines and/or angiogenesis factors in blood serum have been found to be surprisingly powerful at indicating the presence of brain cancers in a subject. Moreover, spectroscopic analysis, especially ATR-FTIR analysis, of a blood sample has been demonstrated to be surprisingly effective at producing a signature that can be correlated with the presence, extent, severity, or aggressiveness of malignant tumours in a subject.

Abstract: A device for projecting images from a video generating device such as a computer, television receiver, or similar device onto a screen or other surface is described in this invention. The device uses a rotating disk containing numerous lenses to direct a light beam from a laser or other light source towards the screen. In one embodiment, a pulsed laser light from red, green, and blue lasers are combined into a single light pulse that is transmitted through the rotating disk that transmit each light pulse to a specific location on the screen.

Abstract: A pointer assembly includes a guide, a helical drive member supported in the guide, a motor for axially rotating the helical drive member, a follower carried by the helical drive member, and a pointer coupled to the follower and movable relative to the guide for indicating a measured value, wherein axial rotation of the helical drive member in a clockwise rotation causes the follower and the pointer to move in a first direction relative to the guide and axial rotation of the helical drive member in a counterclockwise rotation causes the follower and the pointer to move in a second direction relative to the guide.

Abstract: A blade assembly for cutting roots is installed on a hand-carried weed cutter or hand-carried side walk edger. The blade assembly comprises a central blade support that supports a central blade. A plurality of cutting blades are stacked on both sides of the central blade to form a stack of blades. The stack of blades is secured together by fasteners that pass through openings in the blades. The central blade and each of the plurality of cutting blades comprises a plurality of teeth. Outermost blades in the stack of blades are smaller in diameter than the blades directly adjacent to the outermost blades.

Abstract: Compositions and methods, including novel homogeneous microparticulate suspensions, are described for treating natural surfaces that contain bacterial biofilm, including unexpected synergy or enhancing effects between bismuth-thiol (BT) compounds and certain antibiotics, to provide formulations including antiseptic formulations. Previously unpredicted antibacterial properties and anti-biofilm properties of disclosed BT compounds and BT compound-plus-antibiotic combinations are also described, including preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-positive bacterial infections, and distinct preferential efficacies of certain such compositions for treating certain gram-negative bacterial infections.

Abstract: A gas-powered, pneumatic ventilator (1) is driven by compressed air from a compressor (2) and its outlet (11) is connected via corrugated tubing (30) to a patient valve (34) and face mask or the like. A source (4) of pure oxygen, such as from an oxygen cylinder (40), is connected via small bore tubing (38) to a gas inlet (37) adjacent the air inlet (33) of the patient valve (34) so that supplementary oxygen is mixed with the air. The patient valve (34) closes and a patient dump valve (16) in the ventilator opens during the exhalation phase to allow oxygen supplied to the patient valve (34) to fill the corrugated tubing (30) from the patient end (32) and displace air in the tubing out of the patient dump valve (16) so that a volume of oxygen is collected in the tubing and is dispensed to the patient during the next inspiratory phase.

Abstract: A heliostat array comprising a modular grid is disclosed. The array comprises a plurality of grid members; a plurality of stanchions connected to six of the plurality of the grid members; a plurality of heliostats mounted on stanchions and grid members. Each stanchion may consist of a threaded rod and locking mechanism for rigidly affixing the six grid members to the threaded rod. Each of the plurality of heliostats comprises a mirror, a circular track, and a carousel for rotating the mirror about the circular track. The circular track is concentric with a stanchion and mounted to three grid members that are 120 degrees apart. Each of the carousels may be operably coupled to and biased toward the corresponding circular track.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus comprising a pair of closable jaws (20,22) to engage a user's hair. Said jaws (20,22) have complementary shapes with, a first said jaw (20) defining a curved ridge and a second said jaw (22) defining a curved recess. One or both of said jaws (20,22) includes a heater such that, when said jaws are closed, hair is heated in a heating region (16) between the ridge of said first jaw (20) and the recess of said second jaw (22). Said second jaw (22) has a curved longitudinal surface having an active cooling region (14). A transverse cross section through said second jaw (22) defines at least one S-shaped curve having a forward curve into which said ridge of said first jaw (20) fits, and a linked reverse curve bearing said active cooling region (14) on which hair may be cooled and curved. Said heating region (16) is located on said forward curve; and said active cooling region (14) is located on said reverse curve.

Abstract: A splice device for electromagnetically sealing a junction or bond between a plurality of cables is provided. A first and second cable each has a conductive core wire, an inner insulation, a braided sleeve, and an insulating cover. The junction or bond fixes and electrically connects the core wire of the second cable to the core wire of the first cable. A plurality of ferrules overlays the braided sleeve and the insulating cover of the first cable and the braided sleeve and the insulating cover of the second cable. A plurality of ring collars overlays the plurality of ferrules and is fixed to the plurality of ferrules. A splice cover or shield overlays the first cable, second cable, plurality of ferrules, and plurality of ring collars and electromagnetically seals the junction/bond between the core wires of the first cable and the second cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing proliferative disorders, especially brain cancers (e.g. gliomas). In particular, the present invention provides a means to conveniently detect malignant tumours merely by as saying or analysing blood (particularly blood serum). Cytokines and/or angiogenesis factors in blood serum have been found to be surprisingly powerful at indicating the presence of brain cancers in a subject. Moreover, spectroscopic analysis, especially ATR-FTIR analysis, of a blood sample has been demonstrated to be surprisingly effective at producing a signature that can be correlated with the presence, extent, severity, or aggressiveness of malignant tumours in a subject.