Abstract: The invention provides a scissor jack which includes a threaded ball screw drive shaft with a working end secured to an output connector of a planetary gearbox at the first elbow and extending through a corresponding ball screw nut assembly at a second elbow. An operating shaft is slidably engaged with and locked for rotation of an input connector of the planetary gearbox. A lock mechanism is provided to include a first mating component supported on and for rotation with the operating shaft and a second mating component fixed in relation to a housing of the planetary gearbox. The first and second mating components are provided with cooperating formations that movable into overlapping engagement to lock the operating shaft in relation to the planetary gearbox housing.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot and a processor configured to autonomously generate a master plan for movement of an end effector of the robot for operating on an operating surface of a workpiece in a physical environment. The master plan is based on a computer aided design (CAD) model of the workpiece and defines movement paths of the end effector based on a reach distance of a robotic arm of the robot at each of a plurality of working waypoints defined in the master plan and corresponding to fiducial markers on the workpiece. The processor registers the robot to the workpiece, iteratively adjusts an approximate workpiece position in a world map until matching an actual workpiece position in the physical environment, and constructs and executes a robotic arm trajectory causing the end effector to operate on the operating surface along the movement paths defined in the master plan.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a contact lens, the method comprising identifying the eccentricity of a lens produced in a mold half, lathing the lens and adjusting the path of the lathe to take account of the eccentricity, and a computer program for controlling the lathe.

Abstract: In one aspect, provided herein is a polypeptide comprising a modified angiopoietin receptor or fragment thereof, wherein the polypeptide binds preferentially to angiopoietin-2 compared to angiopoeitin-1. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide, as well as pharmaceutical uses of the polypeptide in treating diseases such as cancer and inflammation are also provided.

Abstract: A linear friction welding machine having a two-piece collet for holding a workpiece. The two-piece collet includes first and second halves that can be separated for loading the workpiece in a transverse direction, and brought together about the workpiece and locked in place to both secure the workpiece against axial movement as well as support the workpiece against transverse loads.

Abstract: In one aspect, provided herein is a polypeptide comprising a modified angiopoietin receptor or fragment thereof, wherein the polypeptide binds preferentially to angiopoietin-2 compared to angiopoietin-1. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide, as well as pharmaceutical uses of the polypeptide in treating diseases such as cancer and inflammation are also provided.

Abstract: A network node, during setup of a communication session between a calling party and at least a called party, receives a first provisional response message from a first device comprising first session description protocol (SDP) data; and forwards it on to a calling party device associated with the calling party, the forwarded first provisional response message comprising at least a part of the first SDP data. The network node receives a second provisional response message comprising second SDP data from a second device. Responsive to receipt of the second provisional response message, the network node transmits, during communication session setup, a message to the calling party device which offers to update the SDP data; removes the second SDP data from the second provisional response message; and transmits the second provisional response message from which the second SDP data has been removed to the calling party device.

Abstract: Measures for use in routing data in a data communications network. A request to route data to a given destination in the network is received. A route to the given destination is first selected from a plurality of routes to the given destination stored in a routing table. Routing the data to the given destination using the first selected route is attempted. In response to receipt of an indication that routing the data to the given destination via the first route failed, a second, different route to the given destination is second selected from the plurality of routes to the given destination stored in the routing table. The second selecting includes omitting, for the purposes of the second selection, at least one route to the given destination from the plurality of routes to the given destination stored in the routing table.

Abstract: A network node, during setup of a communication session between a calling party and at least a called party, receives a first provisional response message from a first device comprising first session description protocol (SDP) data; and forwards it on to a calling party device associated with the calling party, the forwarded first provisional response message comprising at least a part of the first SDP data. The network node receives a second provisional response message comprising second SDP data from a second device. Responsive to receipt of the second provisional response message, the network node transmits, during communication session setup, a message to the calling party device which offers to update the SDP data; removes the second SDP data from the second provisional response message; and transmits the second provisional response message from which the second SDP data has been removed to the calling party device.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include an articulated plow that displaces water within a pool to create water wave energy. The articulated plow may include blades that are vertically engaged and coplanar during a wave energy stroke, thereby forcing water in front of the plow to be displaced. During the wave energy stroke, the static water plane behind the plow may be maintained at a predetermined elevation. During a reset stroke, the blades may rotate through their respective centroidal axis simultaneously to a horizontal attitude, thereby gliding through the static water.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a geographic information system (GIS) for collecting data for future usage. In operation, a spatial server receives an image request to a client device, applies a hash function to the image request to generate a standardized identifier. The GIS client device uses the standardized identifier, attributes of GIS data associated with the standardized identifier or the GIS data, or attributes of GIS data associated with a stored identifier that corresponds to the standardized identifier to determine whether to retrieve or cache a GIS data associated with the standardized or stored identifier for display on the client device.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding and dispensing streaking applicators for an automated streaking apparatus having a cartridge holder, the cartridge including: a case with a dispensing end, a longitudinal axis and an elongate slot generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the dispensing end including an applicator dispensing position where one applicator can be at least partially accessible from outside the case; and an applicator support member constrained within the case for longitudinal movement therein and being able to carry a stack of applicators; the elongate slot being capable of operatively receiving a biasing member when the cartridge is in the cartridge holder to urge the support member towards the dispensing end and an applicator into the dispensing position.

Abstract: An apparatus for inoculating and streaking a solid growth culture medium in a plate, the streaking using a streaking applicator having a line of resiliently and flexibly supported spaced apart contact surfaces, the apparatus including: (a) an inoculating and streaking station including: a plate work position having a notional action line fixed in two dimensions (x,y) in a predetermined position; and a plate rotation device for rotating a positioned plate to cause streaking; (b) a sensor capable of locating the surface of the medium in a positioned plate to thereby determine for that plate, prior to inoculation and streaking of that plate, the third dimension (z) of the action line; (c) an inoculating device capable of dispensing inoculum, along the action line, on the surface of the medium in the positioned plate; and (d) a streaking device capable of moving the streaking applicator such that its line of spaced apart contact surfaces contacts, along the action line, the surface of the medium in the positi

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention for which protection is sought there is provided reader apparatus for reading an identification code carried by a surface feature device, the surface feature device having a plurality of respective surface feature portions each provided at respective lateral locations over a lateral surface at one of a plurality of predetermined distances from a lateral reference plane, the apparatus comprising a light source and a light detector, the apparatus being configured to direct light from the light source onto the respective surface feature portions of the surface feature device and to detect by means of the detector light scattered by the respective surface feature portions, the detector being configured to output a detector signal indicative of the intensity of light incident thereon, the apparatus being configured to generate a reader signal responsive to the distance of each of the respective surface feature portions of the surface feature device from the reference plane in depende

Abstract: A process for improving the grade and optical quality of zircon, comprising: baking a mixture of a zircon feed and concentrated sulphuric acid at a baking temperature in the range of from 200 up to 400° C., and for a time to form water leachable sulphates with impurities therein including at least iron and titanium; leaching the baked mixture to dissolve the leachable sulphates; and separating the zircon from the leachate containing the leached sulphates, which separated zircon is thereby of improved grade and optical quality.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to N-substituted-5-substituted phthalamic acids which of formula (A). The compounds are considered useful for the treatment of diseases treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, psychiatric disease, motoneuron disease, peripheral neuropathies, pain, neuroinflammation or atherosclerosis such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include an articulated plow that displaces water within a pool to create water wave energy. The articulated plow may include blades that are vertically engaged and coplanar during a wave energy stroke, thereby forcing water in front of the plow to be displaced. During the wave energy stroke, the static water plane behind the plow may be maintained at a predetermined elevation thereby promoting equilibrium in hydrostatic pressure in front of and behind the plow, resulting in less force required during the plow reciprocation. During a reset stroke, the blades may rotate through their respective centroidal axis simultaneously to a horizontal attitude, thereby gliding through the static water without creating turbulence. Disclosed embodiments may be used to create a nature-like board surfing experience when combined with a downstream reef option and a downstream inclined pool floor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, among other things, a radiator system, its components, as well as methods of mounting and/or installing thereof. Provided components include radiating fins arranged around a water pipe to form a core assembly. The radiating fins may include a collar and/or reflare and are spaced in the core assembly to permit airflow through the system. The core assembly may be mounted by support elements on hangers from a back plate which is wall mountable. The support elements may create space for airflow between the core assembly and a front casing and/or the back panel. Provided systems, components and methods are useful in commercial and residential baseboard radiators.