Abstract: A retaining wall block including a pair of curved engagement surfaces extending convexly from a rear side of the block and being symmetrical about a transverse axis are configured to engage a planar surface of a setback lip of similar overlying blocks when stacked in successive courses to form a wall structure, where the curved engagement surfaces maintain a desired setback distance successive courses for straight, convex, and concave wall structures.

Abstract: A retaining wall block including a pair of curved engagement surfaces extending convexly from a rear side of the block and being symmetrical about a transverse axis are configured to engage a planar surface of a setback lip of similar overlying blocks when stacked in successive courses to form a wall structure, where the curved engagement surfaces maintain a desired setback distance successive courses for straight, convex, and concave wall structures.

Abstract: A retaining wall block including a pair of curved engagement surfaces extending convexly from a rear side of the block and being symmetrical about a transverse axis are configured to engage a planar surface of a setback lip of similar overlying blocks when stacked in successive courses to form a wall structure, where the curved engagement surfaces maintain a desired setback distance successive courses for straight, convex, and concave wall structures.

Abstract: A retaining wall block including a pair of curved engagement surfaces extending convexly from a rear side of the block and being symmetrical about a transverse axis are configured to engage a planar surface of a setback lip of similar overlying blocks when stacked in successive courses to form a wall structure, where the curved engagement surfaces maintain a desired setback distance successive courses for straight, convex, and concave wall structures.

Abstract: A retaining wall block including a pair of curved engagement surfaces extending convexly from a rear side of the block and being symmetrical about a transverse axis are configured to engage a planar surface of a setback lip of similar overlying blocks when stacked in successive courses to form a wall structure, where the curved engagement surfaces maintain a desired setback distance successive courses for straight, convex, and concave wall structures.

Abstract: A dual-acting linear actuator including a hollow body and a stationary hollow rod. The stationary hollow rod includes a first rod segment separated from a second rod segment by a separator plate, the stationary hollow rod extending through the hollow body such that the separator plate forms a first chamber and a second chamber within the hollow body, wherein the first rod segment is configured to transmit a power medium to the first chamber to cause the hollow body to move along the stationary hollow rod toward the first rod segment and the second rod segment is configured to transmit the power medium to the second chamber to cause the hollow body to move along the stationary hollow rod toward the second rod segment.

Abstract: A mold assembly for manufacturing concrete blocks and which is adapted for use in a concrete block machine. The mold assembly includes a plurality of liner plates forming at least a first mold cavity, wherein at least a first liner plate is moveable, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a first drive element having a first end and coupled to the first moveable liner plate proximate to a second end, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a second drive element selectively coupled to the first drive element proximate to the first end, wherein the actuator assembly is configured to drive the second drive element along a first axis so as to cause at least the second end of the first drive element to move along a second axis and cause the first moveable liner plate to move toward and away from an interior of the first mold cavity.

Abstract: A novel class or family of TGF-? binding proteins is disclosed. Also disclosed are assays for selecting molecules for increasing bone mineralization and methods for utilizing such molecules. In particular, compositions and methods relating to antibodies that specifically bind to TGF-beta binding proteins are provided. These methods and compositions relate to altering bone mineral density by interfering with the interaction between a TGF-beta binding protein sclerostin and a TGF-beta superfamily member, particularly a bone morphogenic protein. Increasing bone mineral density has uses in diseases and conditions in which low bone mineral density typifies the condition, such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone fractures.

Abstract: A masonry block molded by a masonry block machine employing a mold assembly having a plurality of liner plates, at least one of which is moveable; the masonry block including a first transverse face, a second transverse face opposing the first transverse face, a first major face joining the first transverse face to the second transverse face, a second major face opposing the first major face and joining the first transverse face to the second transverse face, a first end face joining the first major face to the second major face, and a second end face opposing the first end face and joining the first major face to the second major face, wherein the first end face comprises a non-planar face configured to engage and overlap with a non-planar end face of a similar masonry block and is formed during a molding process through action of a moveable liner plate having a negative of the non-planar end face.

Abstract: A mold assembly including a plurality of mold components configured to form a mold cavity having a desired shape, at least one of the mold components having a notch configured to form a set-back flange in a masonry block formed in the mold cavity, the notch having a depth. The mold assembly further includes a moveable flange plate and a drive assembly configured to extend the moveable flange plate into and retract the moveable flange plate from the notch within a desired range of distances so as to adjust the depth of the notch.

Abstract: A method of producing a masonry block having a front face, a rear face, an upper face, a lower face, and a pair of opposed side faces. The method includes providing a mold assembly having a plurality of liner plates that form a mold cavity having an open top and an open bottom, wherein at least a first liner plate is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, the first liner plate including a flange element. The first liner plate is moved to the extended position, the bottom of the mold cavity is closed with a pallet, dry cast concrete is placed in the mold cavity via the open top, the top of the mold cavity is closed with a moveable head shoe assembly, the head shoe assembly including a notch element.

Abstract: A mold assembly for producing masonry blocks and adapted for use in a masonry block machine. The mold assembly includes a plurality of liner plates, each liner plate having a major surface, the liner plates positioned within a mold box and configured such that the major surfaces form a mold cavity having a desired form, wherein at least one of the liner plates is moveable between a retracted position and a desired extended position toward an interior of the mold cavity. A gear drive assembly selectively coupled to the at least one moveable liner plate and configured to move the at least one moveable liner plate between the retracted position and the extended position, wherein the gear drive assembly is positioned substantially external to the mold box when the at least one moveable liner plate is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A method of producing a masonry block including providing a mold assembly having a plurality of liner plates that together form a mold cavity having an open top and an open bottom, wherein at least one of the liner plates is moveable between a retracted position and a desired extend position relative to an interior of the mold cavity with a gear drive assembly. The at least one moveable liner plate is moved to the desired extended position, the bottom of the mold cavity is closed with a pallet, dry cast concrete is placed in the mold cavity via the open top, the top of the mold cavity is closed with a moveable head shoe assembly, and the dry cast concrete is compacted to form a pre-cured masonry block. The at least one moveable liner plate is moved to the retracted position, the pre-cured masonry block is expelled from the mold cavity and cured.

Abstract: A method of producing a concrete block having a front face, a rear face, an upper face, a lower face, and a pair of opposed side faces. The method includes providing a mold assembly having a plurality of liner plates that together form a mold cavity having an open top and an open bottom, wherein at least a first liner plate is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position with a gear drive assembly, and wherein the first liner plate is angled such that when the first liner plate is in the extended position the bottom of the mold cavity is narrower than the top by a predetermined distance.