Abstract: In one form there is disclosed an internally balanced involute-type speed reducer; the reducer comprising a stator stage, an input stage, an output stage, and a plurality of gear sets in mesh. In a further form there is disclosed an actuator assembly for a robot; said actuator assembly comprising a stator core located within an outer housing and subtended by inner and outer mounting hubs; said hub supporting a drive train and bearings within the actuator assembly. In a further form there is disclosed a transducer system operable in conjunction with the reducer or actuator assembly.

Abstract: In one form there is disclosed an internally balanced involute-type speed reducer; the reducer comprising a stator stage, an input stage, an output stage, and a plurality of gear sets in mesh. In a further form there is disclosed an actuator assembly for a robot; said actuator assembly comprising a stator core located within an outer housing and subtended by inner and outer mounting hubs; said hub supporting a drive train and bearings within the actuator assembly. In a further form there is disclosed a transducer system operable in conjunction with the reducer or actuator assembly.

Abstract: In one form there is disclosed an internally balanced involute-type speed reducer; the reducer comprising a stator stage, an input stage, an output stage, and a plurality of gear sets in mesh. In a further form there is disclosed an actuator assembly for a robot; said actuator assembly comprising a stator core located within an outer housing and subtended by inner and outer mounting hubs; said hub supporting a drive train and bearings within the actuator assembly. In a further form there is disclosed a transducer system operable in conjunction with the reducer or actuator assembly.

Abstract: The best results are produced by approaching the insect 13 with the open end of inner tube 10B of the apparatus pointing towards the insect 13, from a distance which does not frighten the insect into flying or crawling away, such that the positive airflow indicated by the arrows A approach the surface 12 on which the insect 13 rests. In the same movement the open end of inner tube 10B is brought closer and closer to the insect 13, thus increasing the positive air-pressure on insect 13. The insect 13 that is pinned to the surface 12 on which it has rested due to the positive air-pressure indicated by the arrows A, is then vacuumed into inner tube 10B, due to the vacuum effect of the negative air-pressure indicated by the arrows B.

Abstract: A connector for holding the modules of a palletless packaging system in assembled relation, the module of the palletless packaging system having a pair of opposed end walls and a pair of opposed, substantially parallel brace members extending between the pair of opposed end walls. The connector comprises a lower channel, an upper channel, and an end portion. The lower channel is dimensioned to straddle the top edge of and connect to the end wall. The upper channel extends along some portion of the connector and is dimensioned to receive the bottom edge of an end wall when one palletless packaging module is stacked upon another. The end portion of the connector is positioned to connect with a brace member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inductible promoters for use in the control of heterologous genes in transformed plants. Suitable inducible promoters art those which are responsive to low levels of an environmentally acceptable and non-phytoxic inducing agent, and which also demonstrates a low level of developmentally or environmentally induced expression. A preferred prompter naturally drives the expression of a 21.3 kDa protein in Asparagus officinalis or an equivalent protein from the Lillaceae or Amaryllidaceae families. Under the control of a promoter of the invention, a gene will be expressed upon induction by SA or BTH, but preferably will not be developmentally expressed, systemically activated upon pathogen infection, or in response to ABA, ethylene, oxidative or osmotic stresses, or wounding.