Abstract: A wind and sand barrier for shielding beach-goers and the like. The barrier comprises an elongated panel of flexible material that is supported a plurality of stakes extending through sleeves on the panel and then into the ground. Each stake is topped by an inverted dish-shaped handle to facilitate pushing the stakes into the ground with the user's hand. A plurality of slits are cut into the panel to define flaps for relieving wind pressure against the panel.

Abstract: At least one surface characteristic of a sample, e.g. gloss, refractive index, micro-roughness, macroroughness, colour shift, is determined by illuminating a surface of the sample with a collimated beam of light at an angle to the plane of the surface and using an imaging detector to record an intensity and angular distribution image of the light from the beam reflected from the surface.

Abstract: A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism, a sensor positioned to determine mail piece movement speed, and a measurement device determines belt movement speed during operation of the pickoff belt mechanism. A vacuum system includes a vacuum pump and a vacuum manifold positioned to apply suction to the mail piece in a direction that tends to hold the mail piece against the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism. A controller is configured to compare the belt movement speed and the mail piece movement speed during operation, and when mail piece movement speed is slower than belt movement speed, indicating slipping of the mail piece relative to the belt of the pickoff belt mechanism, the controller temporarily increases suction force applied to a mail piece being transported by the pickoff belt mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and business methods for processing and publishing business information, and for networked procurement and tracking of data such as cost, charge, and budget analysis, from a secure hub, based on the use of time sheets as the single source, for collection to a single location, for processing to produce reports which are then distributable to, buyers and suppliers of casual and permanent labour in a secure environment. The invention allows multiple buyers (e.g. companies), suppliers (e.g. agents) and workers to transact with multiple discrete levels or customised secure access levels, from only one database and requires no proprietary software at the user end apart from a web browser.

Abstract: A method for the selective elevation and separation of tissues comprised of multiple layers and a surgical instrument for performing the method. The method may be performed without the requirement of a solid mechanical device insertion or transection through the mucosal layer. In particular, the method and surgical instrument may be used for the selected separation and/or resection of selected portions of benign or malignant tissues (e.g. defining tissue planes, polyp elevation and removal, submucosal tissue tunneling, endoscopic mucosa resection, etc).

Abstract: A block having at least one front face, at least one back face, sides connecting the front and back faces, a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one cavity passing through the entire height of the block from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the cavity is positioned so that the centre of mass of the block lies closer to the back face than does the geometric centre of the block.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition which comprises N-(3-methoxy-5-methylpyrazin-2-yl)-2-(4-[1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]phenyl)pyridine-3-sulphonamide with mannitol and/or microcrystalline cellulose is described.

Abstract: At least one surface characteristic of a sample, e.g. gloss, refractive index, micro-roughness, macroroughness, colour shift, is determined by illuminating a surface of the sample with a collimated beam of light at an angle to the plane of the surface and using an imaging detector to record an intensity and angular distribution image of the light from the beam reflected from the surface.

Abstract: A method for acquiring data regarding operation of a mail processing system includes the steps of configuring a diagnostic module as a mail piece, inserting the diagnostic module into a stream of mail being processed by the mail processing system, and collecting data with the diagnostic module as it travels through the mail processing machine.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for improved information transfer across networks, including network protocols with invariant structure, topological addressing, and recursive network structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods that include analyzing an SCA5 polynucleotide, and determining whether the SCA5 polynucleotide includes a mutation. The methods may be used to identify a subject that is at risk or not at risk for developing spinocerebellar ataxia type 5. The present invention also provides isolated polynucleotides having a mutation present in an SCA5 polynucleotide.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an exhaust gas sensor includes providing a sensor element having an open end, a closed end, and an inner surface defining a chamber between the open and closed ends. The method further includes inserting a nozzle into the chamber, supplying an electrode material to the nozzle, and without substantially any relative movement between the nozzle and the sensor element, atomizing the electrode material to form a mist of electrode material that substantially surrounds the tip of the nozzle and deposits onto the inner surface of the sensor element to form an inner electrode.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible call processing. In one embodiment, an inbound call from a calling party is received at a call processing system. The inbound call is intended for a called party. A determination is made that a first condition has occurred and/or is occurring. The called party's location is determined via a location based service associated with the mobile device of the called party. Based at least in part on the called party's mobile device location, a phone number stored in computer readable memory is selected. The calling party is connected to a communication device associated with the selected phone number.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a ramp to a cargo carrier having a receiver hitch and a loading surface are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an engaging member configured to engage the receiver hitch of the cargo carrier; a cross support attached to the engaging member, wherein the cross support has a plurality of mounting brackets mounted thereto; at least two locking members attached to opposite ends of the cross support and extend vertically therefrom, wherein each locking member has an aperture configured to slideably receive a ramp locking pin; and a plurality of telescopic arms attached to the mounting brackets, wherein each telescopic arm has an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the outer portion and inner portion have at least one set of apertures for slideably receiving a ramp locking pin, wherein the inner portion is configured to attach to at least one ramp.

Abstract: An automated harvesting system for crustaceans comprising: (a) baskets (10) to individually house each crustacean and operationally complementary trays (17) to support one or more of these baskets (10) (b) harvesting means for harvesting each crustacean (c) monitoring means (33) for monitoring the moulting stage of each crustacean, the means including (i) an automated robotic camera adapted to periodically take images of a crustacean in its basket (10) (ii) a processor with software which can receive and analyze the images to determine whether a crustacean has moulted, where a moulted crustacean is indicated by the presence of two bodies in a basket (10), the processor also providing instructions to the harvesting means to remove a moulted crustacean from its basket (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunications, and in particular, to systems and processes for processing telephone calls and providing telephony services. In one embodiment, a call processing system, compromises a first telephony interface configured to receive a call from a caller, a storage device configured to store a greeting, and a call answering system. The call answering system is configured to play the greeting in response to receiving the call, record a voice message from the caller, determine when the caller has completed recording the voice message, after determining that the caller has completed recording the voice message, play a prompt regarding the caller becoming a subscriber to call services provided by the call processing system, receive from the caller information used to establish a call services account, and establish a call services account for the caller.

Abstract: An unheated planar sensor element for determining the concentration of a gas component in a gas mixture, in particular the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, has a sensor foil made of a solid electrolyte with an outer electrode exposed to the measuring gas, and an inner electrode exposed to a reference gas, as well as a reference-gas channel, which is covered by the sensor foil on one side and accommodates the inner electrode. To produce a small-volume, cost-effective unheated sensor element for use in small combustion engines having low power output yet sufficiently satisfactory measuring accuracy, the reference-gas channel is sealed on the underside by an additional sensor foil made of a solid electrolyte, and covered by an inner electrode lying inside the reference-gas channel and an outer electrode exposed to the measuring gas.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring performance of a program using global metric variables to provide the support in an symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system. A Java virtual machine (Jvm) either calls the profiler whenever bytes are allocated or provides an interface to allow the profiler to determine the value of the change in the metric for the current thread. The profiler then applies the changes to a metric for the current thread. Alternatively, per processor data areas are maintained for storing per processor metric values. Whenever a thread switch occurs or there is a request for the metric on a specified thread, an operating system kernel updates the thread level metric values with changes in the values per processor metrics.

Abstract: An unheated planar sensor element for determining the concentration of a gas component in a gas mixture, in particular the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, has a sensor foil made of a solid electrolyte with an outer electrode exposed to the measuring gas, and an inner electrode exposed to a reference gas, as well as a reference-gas channel, which is covered by the sensor foil on one side and accommodates the inner electrode. To produce a small-volume, cost-effective unheated sensor element for use in small combustion engines having low power output yet sufficiently satisfactory measuring accuracy, the reference-gas channel is sealed on the underside by an additional sensor foil made of a solid electrolyte, and covered by an inner electrode lying inside the reference-gas channel and an outer electrode exposed to the measuring gas.

Abstract: A method for measuring intracellular ATP and/or gene expression, which method comprises transforming a cell with a construct which encodes a luciferase and a luciferin recycling protein, introducing luciferin into said cell, and monitoring biolominescent signals from said cell. Novel luciferin recycling proteins are also described and these, together with their use in the production of optically active enzyme substrates are claimed.