Abstract: A system and method for use in raising the height of railroad structures. Railroad structures are defined as the structures where two or more railway tracks merge, cross, or divide. The method utilizes excavating an opening beneath a railway track at or adjacent to a railroad structure. A hydraulic jack is positioned within the opening. This is repeated until sufficient hydraulic jacks have been positioned around the structure. The hydraulic jacks are then actuated to raise the railroad structure to a desired height. Generally this height provides a slight crown to the structure. Ballast is then positioned beneath the raised railway. The hydraulic jacks can be disconnected from the hydraulic lines and left in position, or removed. Preferably the hydraulic jacks are positioned on hydraulic jack sleds for improved ease in transporting the hydraulic jacks and to provide a platform on which the hydraulic jack is slid into and out of the opening beneath the railway.

Abstract: A cell culture microdevice for maintaining and culturing a cell therein comprising a cell culture unit having at least a first cell carrier unit defining a cell culture chamber formed therein, the first cell carrier unit formed from at least, a chamber base shaped to support the cell thereon, and one or more chamber walls having one or more chamber wall surfaces enclosing the cell culture chamber about a chamber boundary, the first cell carrier unit further providing a guiding surface to guide instruments or fluids into the cell culture chamber located at an aperture through a chamber wall, wherein the cell culture microdevice is configured at a scale to substantially enclose a single cell or cell mass therein. Embodiments of the cell culture microdevice may be suitable for in vitro fertilisation procedures and drug efficacy testing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to navigation of an underground mining machine. A laser range finder captures first and second 3D point clouds of first and second overlapping parts of the underground mine from first and second positions of the mining machine respectively. A processor determines a first set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the first 3D point cloud; determines a second set of candidates for rock bolts as point feature objects from the second 3D point cloud; determines an alignment between first shapes defined by at least two of the first set of candidates for rock bolts and second shapes defined by at least two of the second set of candidates for rock bolts; and determines relative location information between the first position of the mining machine and the second position of the mining machine based on the alignment.

Abstract: A cell culture microdevice for maintaining and culturing a cell therein comprising a cell culture unit having at least a first cell carrier unit defining a cell culture chamber formed therein, the first cell carrier unit formed from at least, a chamber base shaped to support the cell thereon, and one or more chamber walls having one or more chamber wall surfaces enclosing the cell culture chamber about a chamber boundary, the first cell carrier unit further providing a guiding surface to guide instruments or fluids into the cell culture chamber located at an aperture through a chamber wall, wherein the cell culture microdevice is configured at a scale to substantially enclose a single cell or cell mass therein. Embodiments of the cell culture microdevice may be suitable for in vitro fertilisation procedures and drug efficacy testing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling a mining machine within an underground mine. A rotatable laser source sends laser light and return light sensor receives reflected laser light and provides an indication of distance and return light intensity at multiple different rotation angles. A co-ordinate reference point comprises a pattern of varying reflectivity and provides at least a 2D co-ordinate position. A processor determines an absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine as the mining machine moves through the underground mine. The processor collects intensity values of reflected laser light for multiple respective rotation angles and detects the pattern of the reference point in the multiple intensity values of reflected laser light, and determines the absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine based on spatial information of the detected pattern.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for non-invasive pregnancy testing. The systems, devices, and methods can be used to provide pregnancy status information of a subject by detecting cardiovascular activity of a fetus in the subject. Subjects can include ruminants, ungulates, and humans.

Abstract: A system and method for use in raising the height of railroad structures. Railroad structures are defined as the structures where two or mor railway tracks merge, cross, or divide. The method utilizes excavating an opening beneath a railway track at or adjacent to a railroad structure. A hydraulic jack is positioned within the opening. This is repeated until sufficient hydraulic jacks have been positioned around the structure. The hydraulic jacks are then actuated to raise the railroad structure to a desired height. Generally this height provides a slight crown to the structure. Ballast is then positioned beneath the raised railway. The hydraulic jacks can be disconnected from the hydraulic lines and left in position, or removed. Preferably the hydraulic jacks are positioned on hydraulic jack sleds for improved ease in transporting the hydraulic jacks and to provide a platform on which the hydraulic jack is slid into and out of the opening beneath the railway.

Abstract: A method for managing radio communications between a gateway and a plurality of sensors of a system for tracking assets is disclosed. The method includes: obtaining properties of a currently tracked asset; determining a current connection configuration for radio connections between the gateway and the plurality of sensors; identifying a preferred connection configuration for radio connections between the gateway and the plurality of sensors based on the properties of the currently tracked asset, the preferred connection configuration having at least one physical layer characteristic that is different from the current connection configuration; and in response to the identifying, causing the gateway and at least one of the plurality of sensors to switch from the current connection configuration to the preferred connection configuration for establishing a new radio connection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling a mining machine within an underground mine. A rotatable laser source sends laser light and return light sensor receives reflected laser light and provides an indication of distance and return light intensity at multiple different rotation angles. A co-ordinate reference point comprises a pattern of varying reflectivity and provides at least a 2D co-ordinate position. A processor determines an absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine as the mining machine moves through the underground mine. The processor collects intensity values of reflected laser light for multiple respective rotation angles and detects the pattern of the reference point in the multiple intensity values of reflected laser light, and determines the absolute co-ordinate position in space of the mining machine based on spatial information of the detected pattern.

Abstract: A method for managing radio communications between a gateway and a plurality of sensors of a system for tracking assets is disclosed. The method includes: obtaining properties of a currently tracked asset; determining a current connection configuration for radio connections between the gateway and the plurality of sensors; identifying a preferred connection configuration for radio connections between the gateway and the plurality of sensors based on the properties of the currently tracked asset, the preferred connection configuration having at least one physical layer characteristic that is different from the current connection configuration; and in response to the identifying, causing the gateway and at least one of the plurality of sensors to switch from the current connection configuration to the preferred connection configuration for establishing a new radio connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to testing tools that comprises: a cable-head assembly for connecting the testing tool to an end of a length of coiled tubing; a pump assembly comprising a downhole pump; an upper packer-assembly comprising an upper packer-element; a lower packer-assembly comprising a lower packer-element; a sensor assembly comprising one or more sensors with the sensor assembly positioned in fluid communication with a plenum between the upper and lower packer assemblies; and a testing port that is adjacent the sensor assembly. The testing tool is moveable between a first configuration where the upper and lower packer-elements are unset and a second position where the upper and lower packer-elements are set and the testing port is in fluid communication with the downhole pump. Methods of using the testing tools is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to testing tools that comprises: a cable-head assembly for connecting the testing tool to an end of a length of coiled tubing; a pump assembly comprising a downhole pump; an upper packer-assembly comprising an upper packer-element; a lower packer-assembly comprising a lower packer-element; a sensor assembly comprising one or more sensors with the sensor assembly positioned in fluid communication with a plenum between the upper and lower packer assemblies; and a testing port that is adjacent the sensor assembly. The testing tool is moveable between a first configuration where the upper and lower packer-elements are unset and a second position where the upper and lower packer-elements are set and the testing port is in fluid communication with the downhole pump. Methods of using the testing tools is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a back-off timer having different retry time classes, the method checking whether a connection establishment attempt for a first service on a connection slot is in a back-off time that equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold; and if yes, allowing a second service access to the connection slot.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel is disclosed having a spoke, a nipple coupled to the spoke, and a rim coupled to the nipple and having an annular panel with inner and outer surfaces and an access hole. A plug is positioned over the access hole and includes a cap that is larger than the access hole, a leg extending from the cap and through the access hole, and a barb protruding radially from the leg to at least partially engage the inner surface of the annular panel. The plug can further include a resilient member compressed between the cap and the outer surface of the annular panel. On some rims, the annular panel has a non-planar contour. For these rims, the resilient member and/or the cap can be shaped to match the non-planar contour of the annular panel.

Abstract: A luminous syringe comprises a syringe main body with a hollow chamber formed inside. A mezzanine space is formed between an outer wall of the syringe main body and the hollow chamber, and a light emitting agent and at least one catalyst tube are received within the mezzanine space. A cap is used to close the opening formed on the mezzanine space, and a plunger is provided within the hollow chamber. When in use, a force is applied to press a locating rib on the outside wall of the syringe main body to break the catalyst tube, so that a catalyst came out from the tube is mixed up with the light emitting agent to emit fluorescent light. Then, the syringe is used to draw beverage like coke, cocktail into the hollow chamber and the plunger is pushed by hand to inject the beverage out for drinking.

Abstract: A luminous syringe comprises a syringe main body with a hollow chamber formed inside. A mezzanine space is formed between an outer wall of the syringe main body and the hollow chamber, and a light emitting agent and at least one catalyst tube are received within the mezzanine space. A cap is used to close the opening formed on the mezzanine space, and a plunger is provided within the hollow chamber. When in use, a force is applied to press a locating rib on the outside wall of the syringe main body to break the catalyst tube, so that a catalyst came out from the tube is mixed up with the light emitting agent to emit fluorescent light. Then, the syringe is used to draw beverage like coke, cocktail into the hollow chamber and the plunger is pushed by hand to inject the beverage out for drinking.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle that includes a frame that is specifically design to accommodate different axle configurations. The bicycle includes a wheel including a wheel axle and a bicycle frame comprising a wheel support including an axle opening having a first width and an axle slot contiguous with the axle opening and having a second width less than the first width. Preferably, a portion of the wheel axle positioned in the axle opening has a diameter that substantially matches the first width. The present invention also provides a method of changing an original wheel of a bicycle. The method comprises removing the original wheel from the wheel support, positioning a converter in the axle opening, providing a replacement wheel having a replacement hub that has a replacement axle, and sliding the replacement axle through the axle slot and into the receiving area defined by the converter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically powering on and off one or more radios in a mobile device according to a schedule generated automatically for each of the one or more radios. To generate the schedules, each of the one or more radios are powered on for a designated period of time. During the designated period of time, information is recorded specifying the availability of network coverage for each of the radios. A schedule for each of the radios is then generated according to this information. Each radio is subsequently automatically powered on and off according its schedule.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel is disclosed having a spoke, a nipple coupled to the spoke, and a rim coupled to the nipple and having an annular panel with inner and outer surfaces and an access hole. A plug is positioned over the access hole and includes a cap that is larger than the access hole, a leg extending from the cap and through the access hole, and a barb protruding radially from the leg to at least partially engage the inner surface of the annular panel. The plug can further include a resilient member compressed between the cap and the outer surface of the annular panel. On some rims, the annular panel has a non-planar contour. For these rims, the resilient member and/or the cap can be shaped to match the non-planar contour of the annular panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for customizing foreground application inactivity timer values based on network maximum tunnel count conditions, the method determining a maximum tunnel count value at a mobile device; and configuring at least one tunnel inactivity timer value based on the maximum tunnel count value.