Abstract: TOOL TRACKING A system for determining the location of a toolpiece, wherein: the toolpiece is carried by a tool and the tool comprises an imaging device for capturing images of the environment around the tool; and the system comprises an image processor communicatively coupled to the imaging device for receiving images therefrom and having access to one or more reference images of an expected environment, the image processor being configured to compare an image captured by the imaging device with at least one reference image to identify a match therebetween and to determine in dependence on characteristics of that match the location of the toolpiece.

Abstract: An article comprising a substrate which carries a material of formula (I) M1aM2bWcOd(P(O)nRm)e?? (I) wherein each of M1 and M2 is independently ammonium or a metal cation; a is 0.01 to 0.5; b is 0 to 0.5; c is 1; d is 2.5 to 3; e is 0.01 to 0.75; n is 1, 2 or 3; m is 1, 2 or 3; and R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group.

Abstract: A pipe bursting system and method, and components thereof, are described wherein a bursting head assembly pulled by a cable employs a relatively small pneumatic impactor (hammer) and a relatively large cable tension to impose a cyclical stress on the pipe being burst to cause fatigue failure of the pipe, resulting in lower size and power requirements, and higher efficiency for a given set of job requirements.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of a toolpiece, the system comprising: a tool carrying a toolpiece and comprising an imaging device for capturing images of the environment around the tool, the tool being actuable to manipulate the toolpiece to work on a workpiece; and an image processor remote from the tool and communicatively coupled to the imaging device for receiving images therefrom and having access to reference data representing an expected environment, the image processor being configured to compare an image captured by the imaging device with the reference data to identify a match therebetween and to determine in dependence on characteristics of that match the location of the toolpiece; wherein the system is configured to cause the tool to transmit images captured by the imaging device to the image processor in response to actuation of the tool.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of a toolpiece, wherein: the toolpiece is carried by a tool and the tool comprises an imaging device for capturing images of the environment around the tool; and the system comprises an image processor communicatively coupled to the imaging device for receiving images therefrom and having access to one or more reference images of an expected environment, the image processor being configured to compare an image captured by the imaging device with at least one reference image to identify a match therebetween and to determine in dependence on characteristics of that match the location of the toolpiece.

Abstract: A sampling device and a method for taking samples. The sampling device includes a cap having two ends and a collection sponge attached on one end, wherein a collection sponge diameter is greater than a collection sponge height. A lid is removably attached to a first end of the cap to cover the collection sponge; and a bowl is removably attached to a second and opposite end of the cap. The bowl can contain an enrichment broth.

Abstract: A pipe bursting system and method, and components thereof, are described wherein a bursting head assembly pulled by a cable employs a relatively small pneumatic impactor (hammer) and a relatively large cable tension to impose a cyclical stress on the pipe being burst to cause fatigue failure of the pipe, resulting in lower size and power requirements, and higher efficiency for a given set of job requirements.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of a toolpiece, wherein: the toolpiece is carried by a tool and the tool comprises an imaging device for capturing images of the environment around the tool; and the system comprises an image processor communicatively coupled to the imaging device for receiving images therefrom and having access to one or more reference images of an expected environment, the image processor being configured to compare an image captured by the imaging device with at least one reference image to identify a match therebetween and to determine in dependence on characteristics of that match the location of the toolpiece.

Abstract: An intra-oral simultaneous bilateral inter arch isolation appliance features a generally W-shaped body having first and second cheek retractor wings, and first and second transitions respectively joining the cheek retractor wings to a tongue crib of generally U-shaped configuration with an open posterior end. In a patient worn position, each cheek retractor wing runs buccally along a respective half of a patient's dental arches to retract and isolate buccal mucosa, while the transitions curve posteriorly around the rear molars between the maxillary tuberosity and retromolar pad to carry the tongue crib inside the dental arches, where it shields and isolates the tongue. Commissure cradles at anterior ends of the cheek retractor wings hook around the patient's oral commissures at terminal ends of the appliance. Inner passageways within the body accommodate fluid extraction and/or light transmission through the appliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for removing a significant amount of bacteria (e.g., gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria, including bacteria with no or low affinity for heparan sulfate) from whole blood, serum or plasma using an adsorption media. The method can be used in extracorporeal treatments involving high volumetric flow rates and high linear flow rates.

Abstract: In one form the invention provides a method of modifying a data file for transmission over a data network. The method comprises the steps of receiving the original data file and creating a header file, the header file including the length in bytes of the original data file. At least one repetition byte sequence is identified within the original data file, the repetition byte sequence comprising a byte value that is repeated consecutively within the repetition byte sequence. A modified data file is created by replacing the repetition byte sequence with a repetition marker, the repeated byte value, and a repeat frequency value representing the number of times the repeated byte value occurs within the repetition byte sequence. The repetition marker is added to the header file. The invention further provides a method of transmitting a data file to a remote device over a data network.

Abstract: A blood filtration method, system, device and media for removing gram negative bacteria from the blood wherein the media includes a substrate coated with mannose optionally in constitution with substrate coated with heparin.

Abstract: A payment card processing system and method includes a computing device in communication with a multi-party payment processing system and network for processing payment card transactions. The computing device accepts a foreign currency deposit into a virtual foreign currency account linked to a cardholder account designated for payment in a home currency, receives payment card transaction data, identifies a foreign exchange transaction between the cardholder and a merchant designated for payment in a foreign currency, and applies at least a portion of the foreign currency deposit in the virtual foreign currency account to satisfy the payment for the transaction.

Abstract: An article comprising a substrate which carries a material of formula (I) M1aM2bWcOd(P(O)nRm)e?? (I) wherein each of M1 and M2 is independently ammonium or a metal cation; a is 0.01 to 0.5; b is 0 to 0.5; c is 1; d is 2.5 to 3; e is 0.01 to 0.75; n is 1, 2 or 3; m is 1, 2 or 3; and R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group.

Abstract: A pipe bursting system and method are described wherein a bursting head pulled by a cable employs a relatively small pneumatic hammer and a relatively large cable tension to impose a cyclical hoop stress on the pipe being burst to cause fatigue failure of the pipe, resulting in lower size and power requirements, and higher efficiency for a given set of job requirements.

Abstract: An intra-oral simultaneous bilateral inter arch isolation appliance features a generally W-shaped body having first and second cheek retractor wings, and first and second transitions respectively joining the cheek retractor wings to a tongue crib of generally U-shaped configuration with an open posterior end. In a patient worn position, each cheek retractor wing runs buccally along a respective half of a patient's dental arches to retract and isolate buccal mucosa, while the transitions curve posteriorly around the rear molars between the maxillary tuberosity and retromolar pad to carry the tongue crib inside the dental arches, where it shields and isolates the tongue. Commissure cradles at anterior ends of the cheek retractor wings hook around the patient's oral commissures at terminal ends of the appliance. Inner passageways within the body accommodate fluid extraction and/or light transmission through the appliance.

Abstract: An adjustable segmental distalization appliance for orthodontic treatments features elongated first and second components that cooperatively define a central body of the appliance spanning longitudinally between an anterior end of the first component and a distal end of the second component. First and second terminal heads are respectively carried at the anterior and distal ends and adapted for attachment to first and second teeth of a dental arch. The first and second components are arranged for selective longitudinal displacement relative to one another to adjust an overall length of the central body to adapt to a patient-specific mesial-distal distance between the first and second teeth of the dental arch. In one embodiment, one component is a tubular female component carrying a ratchet pawl, and the other component is an insertable male component with cooperating ratchet teeth for incremental extension of the central body.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of a toolpiece, wherein: the toolpiece is carried by a tool and the tool comprises an imaging device for capturing images of the environment around the tool; and the system comprises an image processor communicatively coupled to the imaging device for receiving images therefrom and having access to one or more reference images of an expected environment, the image processor being configured to compare an image captured by the imaging device with at least one reference image to identify a match therebetween and to determine in dependence on characteristics of that match the location of the toolpiece.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of quantum information processing using quantum dots are provided. Electrons from a 2DEG are confined to the quantum dots and subjected to a magnetic field having a component directed parallel to the interface. Due to interfacial asymmetries, there is created an effective magnetic field that perturbs the energies of the spin states via an interfacial spin-orbit (SO) interaction. This SO interaction is utilized to controllably produce rotations of the electronic spin state, such as X-rotations of the electronic spin state in a double quantum dot (DQD) singlet-triplet (ST) qubit. The desired state rotations are controlled solely by the use of electrical pulses.

Abstract: In one form the invention provides a method of modifying a data file for transmission over a data network. The method comprises the steps of receiving the original data file and creating a header file, the header file including the length in bytes of the original data file. At least one repetition byte sequence is identified within the original data file, the repetition byte sequence comprising a byte value that is repeated consecutively within the repetition byte sequence. A modified data file is created by replacing the repetition byte sequence with a repetition marker, the repeated byte value, and a repeat frequency value representing the number of times the repeated byte value occurs within the repetition byte sequence. The repetition marker is added to the header file. The invention further provides a method of transmitting a data file to a remote device over a data network.