Abstract: Concrete wall blocks are described with features facilitating use of the wall blocks to construct each of: a wall section with set back; and, a vertical wall without set back. Wall blocks, kits or sets of wall blocks, and wall sections with various sized blocks are described. Further methods of assembly and use are described. Also, features selectively usable in various types of wall blocks are described.

Abstract: A fluid assay system comprises a swab having an absorbent portion for receiving and retaining a fluid sample. The system also comprises an electrode module having at least one electrode, arranged so that it can be selectively placed over the absorbent portion of the swab in order to contact the electrode with the fluid sample. The system further comprises a reader module configured to process signals from the electrode module, with the electrode and reading modules arranged such that they can be coupled together for communication of the signals from the electrode module to the reader module.

Abstract: A method of receiving an instruction by an airplane from a control system includes facilitating, by the airplane, a user of a system of the airplane in accepting or rejecting the instruction. The instruction may be received by the airplane via a data link between the control system and the airplane system. If the instruction is accepted, the method may further include loading, by the airplane, the instruction into the airplane system and/or adjusting, by the airplane, at least one airplane control to correspond to the instruction.

Abstract: A method for controlling a variable speed transport system for moving a plurality of documentary items at a predetermined speed, acceleration and deceleration the method comprising: determining a mass of each pack of documents; using the determined mass to determine a maximum speed, acceleration and deceleration; and adjusting the predetermined speed acceleration and deceleration in dependence upon the determined maximum speed, acceleration and deceleration.

Abstract: A paper handling apparatus comprising: a plurality of feeder stations, for feeding documents to a conveyer, means for collating documents into packs, and means for collating packs into groups of documents, and an inserter module for inserting each group into an envelope, further comprising: means for monitoring the cycling and working times of sections of the inserter module, and means for determining at least one of: a first desired gap being the minimum gap between trailing edges of consecutive groups; a second desired gap being the minimum gap between the trailing edge of one pack and the leading edge of the following pack; a third desired gap being the minimum gap between the trailing edge of one group to the leading edge of the following group; and means for controlling at least one of the feeder stations to achieve at least one of the respective desired gaps.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fiber or an article suitable for use in defending against a biological or a chemical contaminant, and the fiber or article resulting from the method thereof, is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a fiber such as a capillary-channeled fiber with a surface having grooves or channels thereon and modifying the surface of the fiber with an active agent so as to provide the fiber with the ability to defend against a biological or a chemical contaminant.

Abstract: A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members.

Abstract: X-ray apparatus comprises a linear accelerator adapted to produce a beam of electrons at one of at least two selectable energies and being controlled to change the selected energy on a periodic basis, and a target to which the beam is directed thereby to produce a beam of x-radiation, the target being non-homogenous and being driven to move periodically in synchrony with the change of the selected energy. In this way, the target can move so that a different part is exposed to the electron beam when different pulses arrive. This enables the appropriate target material to be employed depending on the selected energy. The easiest form of periodic movement for the target is likely to be a rotational movement. The target can be immersed in a coolant fluid such as water. The linear accelerator can be of the type disclosed in WO2006/097697A1. The target preferably contains at least one exposed area of tungsten and/or at least one exposed area of carbon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for receiving, by an airplane, one or more clearances and/or instructions from a control system via a data link between the control system and a system of the airplane, are described herein. The system of the airplane may then facilitate a user in accepting or rejecting at least one of the received one or more clearances and/or instructions, and if accepted, may load the clearance and/or instructions and/or adjust controls to correspond to the clearance and/or instructions. Further, the system of the airplane may be adapted to display at least instructions indicia of whether the received instructions are met to a user.

Abstract: A method of performing a frequency correction of a radio module. Multiple samples of frequency data during a quiescent portion of the base station transmission is taken to estimate the amount of frequency correction needed. An embodiment applies the frequency data to a median filter to eliminate invalid data. Next, a new reference frequency is applied to a radio transceiver in the radio module to provide the frequency correction. If the frequency was corrected by greater than a pre-determined amount, the process performs a large shift frequency correction, including verifying that the first frequency correction was satisfactory and verifying that the radio transceiver is able to receive data after the frequency correction has been performed. If the frequency was corrected by smaller than a pre-determined amount, the process performs a small shift frequency correction, including updating a total of all frequency corrections made since a stored reference frequency was updated.

Abstract: A method of performing a frequency correction of a radio module. Multiple samples of frequency data during a quiescent portion of the base station transmission is taken to estimate the amount of frequency correction needed. An embodiment applies the frequency data to a median filter to eliminate invalid data. Next, a new reference frequency is applied to a radio transceiver in the radio module to provide the frequency correction. If the frequency was corrected by greater than a pre-determined amount, the process performs a large shift frequency correction, including verifying that the first frequency correction was satisfactory and verifying that the radio transceiver is able to receive data after the frequency correction has been performed. If the frequency was corrected by smaller than a pre-determined amount, the process performs a small shift frequency correction, including updating a total of all frequency corrections made since a stored reference frequency was updated.

Abstract: A pair of shoes is provided that includes a left and a right shoe. The left shoe includes an upper having a left forefoot portion, the left forefoot portion having a lateral side with a portion thereof made of a first material and a medial side with a portion thereof made of a second material. The right shoe includes an upper having a right forefoot, the right forefoot having a medial side with a portion thereof made of the first material and a lateral side with a portion thereof made of the second material, wherein one of the first material and the second material provides more support than the other. The more supportive first material can include a polyurethane, such as TPU, a non-stretch synthetic material, or ceraprene. The second, less supportable material can be a light weight breathable mesh.

Abstract: A system for curing a binders applied to glass fibers is disclosed. The curing of the binder is accomplished by passing the binder coated glass fibers through a curing oven having one or more temperature zones. The temperature of the binder coated glass fibers is monitored and the temperature in the curing oven is adjusted to ensure proper heating of the glass fibers thereby ensuring uniform curing of the binder composition. Temperature measurements are made either as the product traverses the oven or as the cured product exits the curing oven. The invention is particularly useful for curing acrylic thermoset binders and formaldehyde-free binders.

Abstract: Concrete wall blocks are described with features facilitating use of the wall blocks to construct each of: a wall section with set back; and, a vertical wall without set back. Wall blocks, kits or sets of wall blocks, and wall sections with various sized blocks are described. Further methods of assembly and use are described. Also, features selectively usable in various types of wall blocks are described.

Abstract: A process for transitioning between Ziegler Natta (Z/N) polymerization catalysts and Second Polymerization catalysts in a polymerization system which includes at least two polymerization reactors. During the transition, the Z/N catalyst is used in the “downstream” reactor, thereby providing a flow of polymer to finishing operations. This eliminates the need for lengthy shutdowns of finishing equipment and thereby improves the efficiency of the plant operations.

Abstract: A highly compact, high-performance volumetric imaging system is proposed, that is integrated with a multi-source Cobalt-60 gamma irradiator for high throughput, high accuracy and minimally invasive fractioned treatments of intracranial, orbital and head-and-neck targets.

Abstract: A treatment planning apparatus for radiation treatment is described, adapted to accept a treatment plan comprising (i) a prior image of a region to be treated and a plurality of dose locations within the prior image, and (ii) a current image of the region to be treated, the apparatus comprising an associating means arranged, for each dose location, to locate an anatomical structure in the prior image proximate that dose location; a comparator for comparing the prior image and the current image, locating in the current image at least those anatomical structures that are associated with a dose location, and determining a transformation between the prior image and the current image for each anatomical structure; and a processing means for determining a current dose location by applying to each dose location the transformation determined in respect of the associated anatomical structure.

Abstract: A cap including a head attachment portion having a front section, a rear section and two side sections; a visor pivotally connected to said head attachment portion and being selectively moveable between a first position adjacent said front section and a second position; and movement limiting means, formed of a flexible material, having a first end attached to said visor and a second end attached to said head attachment portion intermediate said front and rear sections, said movement limiting means being adapted to inhibit movement of said visor beyond said second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in vivo and in vitro methods, agents and compound screening assays for inducing differentiation of undifferentiated mammalian cells into osteoblasts, including bone formation enhancing pharmaceutical compositions, and the use thereof in treating and/or preventing a disease involving a systemic or local decrease in mean bone density in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, agents and compound screening assays for inducing differentiation of undifferentiated mammalian cells into osteoblasts. The invention thus provides a method, comprising contacting a compound with a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No: 194-309; and measuring a compound-polypeptide property related to the differentiation of said cells. The invention further relates to a bone formation enhancing pharmaceutical composition, and the use thereof in treating and/or preventing a disease involving a systemic or local decrease in mean bone density in a subject. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the in vitro production of bone tissue.