Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for identifying and tracking objects (e.g., debris, particles, space vehicles, etc.) using one or more light detection and ranging (LIDAR)-based sensors are disclosed. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be particularly beneficial for detecting millimeter scale and/or sub-millimeter scale objects. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be used for detection of objects in space, in the atmosphere, or in the ocean, for example.

Abstract: A drain cleaner is disclosed having a housing with an interior region for storing a flexible drain cleaning cable. The drain cleaning cable can be extended from the drain cleaner and includes a rotatable member within a non-rotating sheath. The drain cleaner includes an engageable drive shaft coupled to the rotatable member. In certain versions, the drive shaft is coupled to the rotatable member through a torque limiting device such as a clutch. Upon engagement of the drive shaft with a rotary power source, a rotating distal end of the flexible cable can be used to dislodge obstructions in pipes. The interior region of the drain cleaner is configured to promote efficient coiling of the drain cleaning cable. The drain cleaner includes additional features for reducing wear of cable and components, and securely retaining the cable to the drain cleaner.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for identifying and tracking objects (e.g., debris, particles, space vehicles, etc.) using one or more light detection and ranging (LIDAR)-based sensors are disclosed. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be particularly beneficial for detecting millimeter scale and/or sub-millimeter scale objects. Such systems, apparatuses, and methods may be used for detection of objects in space, in the atmosphere, or in the ocean, for example.

Abstract: An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes are alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocyte biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

Abstract: An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes arc alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocye biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

Abstract: An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes arc alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocye biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

Abstract: An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes are alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocye biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

Abstract: An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes are alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocye biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

Abstract: An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes are alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocyte biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

Abstract: An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes are alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocye biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods for modulating adenoviral tropism for hepatocytes and other cell types such as splenocytes. It relates to the findings that hypervariable regions (HVRs) of the viral hexon protein interact with the Gla domain of the blood clotting factor FX as part of the infective process in vivo. The invention provides means to disrupt the interaction between hexon and FX, thus reducing infection of hepatocytes and splenocytes, as well as use of targeting agents comprising the Gla domain or a fragment thereof to direct adenoviral vectors to desired target cell or tissue types.

Abstract: A Hall effect thruster for propelling spacecraft and satellites includes at least two acceleration channels, each of the channels has a closed end and an open end, and a plurality of flux guides adjacent each of the channels. The plurality of flux guides includes an innermost flux guide, an outermost flux guide, and at least one intermediate flux guide. Each intermediate flux guide helps provide a magnetic field to each of two adjacent acceleration channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in a peristaltic pump 20 which prevents an inadvertent free flow condition prior to loading or after removal of an I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20 and which also prevents the inadvertent occlusion of a loaded I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20. A standard I.V. tube 26 has a slide clamp 109 provided thereon. The apparatus includes an I.V. tube groove 29 into which the I.V. tube 26 is positioned, a slide clamp receiving area 62 into which the slide clamp 109 is inserted, and a biased sliding member 81 which the inserted slide clamp 109 engages such that the I.V. tube 26 cannot be loaded into the apparatus without the slide clamp 109 occluding the I.V. tube 26. The present invention also contemplates a slide clamp 109, compatible with the apparatus having a surface pad 125 for facilitating automated identification of the slide clamp 109, in cooperation with a nonobstructive sensor 85 in the safety apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in a peristaltic pump 20 which prevents an inadvertent free flow condition prior to loading or after removal of an I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20 and which also prevents the inadvertent occlusion of a loaded I.V. tube 26 in the peristaltic pump 20. A standard I.V. tube 26 has a slide clamp 109 provided thereon. The apparatus includes an I.V. tube groove 29 into which the I.V. tube 26 is positioned, a slide clamp receiving area 62 into which the slide clamp 109 is inserted, and a biased sliding member 81 which the inserted slide clamp 109 engages such that the I.V. tube 26 cannot be loaded into the apparatus without the slide clamp 109 occluding the I.V. tube 26. The present invention also contemplates a slide clamp 109' compatible with the apparatus having a surface pad 125 for facilitating automated identification of the slide clamp 109' in cooperation with a non-obstructive sensor 85 in the safety apparatus.

Abstract: In forming flemish eyes at the ends of wire ropes to produce e.g. slings, serious difficulties arise when forming the anchorage for the spliced loops if the rope is of large diameter. The terminal end of the rope material has its component strands naturally laid on the rope, and it has been proposed to enclose the naturally laid strands in a cylindrical sleeve adjacent to the loop and introduce a hardenable anchoring material such as a resin into the sleeve to complete the anchorage.It is now found that improved loading distribution on a wire rope can be obtained through providing an anchorage for the loop in the form of a sleeve comprising a socket, and flaring-out into the socket the component wires of portions of the strands remote from the loop, the strand portions adjacent to the loop remaining naturally laid on the rope.