Abstract: Compositions and methods for isolating polypeptides having antibiotic activity are provided. In some aspects, bacterial cell populations are provided that express a surface-displayed library of candidate polypeptide sequences under the control of an inducible promoter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermode for connecting at least two components, comprising a tip having a body portion with at least two contact surface portions connected to and spaced apart from one another by a recess configured to receive a portion of one of the at least two components; and a support portion having at least one supporting surface portion configured to support a further component (being the other of the at least two components, wherein the contact surface portions and the supporting surface portion are configured to receive the at least two components between them and wherein one or both of the contact surface portions and the supporting surface portion are moveable relative to and towards one another to exert heat and/or pressure on the at least two components located between the contact surface portions and the supporting portion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products related to a distributed ledger platform/system for managing large capital projects are provided. In an example embodiment, the distributed ledger platform/system includes a plurality of nodes, wherein each node is in data communication with the other nodes; a ledger stored in each node; and a transaction verification to verify the at least one transaction information/data. The ledger contains transaction information related to at least one of the following: vendor payments, intellectual property licensing; construction certifications, equipment inspections, vendor qualification, vendor selection criteria, document access, and regulatory compliance.

Abstract: Socially provided context-based messaging can include receiving a message content in a messaging system from a user, wherein the content includes objects; matching one or more objects of the message content to socially provided context information, which the socially provided context information is information relevant to an object obtained from a social network to which the user belongs; and displaying the socially provided context information with the message content for a recipient user to receive.

Abstract: A battery pack (10) comprising a plurality of boards (12) having contacts thereon for contacting terminal of a plurality of cells (14). A plurality of cell guides (18) are provided to each receive a plurality of the cells (18). A plurality of tensioning members (32) are provided wherein the tensioning members (32) pass through holes (20) in the boards (12) to engage with first and second endmost boards (12) in order to pull together the boards (12) and thereby engage the terminal of the cells (14) with the contacts on the boards (12).

Abstract: A system and method for voice based social networking is disclosed. The system receives a voice message (and frequently an image) and ultimately delivers it to one or multiple users, placing it within an ongoing context of conversations. The voice and image may be recorded by various devices and the data transmitted in a variety of formats. An alternative implementation places some system functionality in a mobile device such as a smartphone or wearable device, with the remaining functionality resident in system servers attached to the internet. The system can apply rules to select and limit the voice data flowing to each user; rules prioritize the messages using context information such as user interest and user state. An image is fused to the voice message to form a comment. Additional image or voice annotation (or both) identifying the sender may be attached to the comment. Fused image(s) and voice annotation allow the user to quickly deduce the context of the comment.

Abstract: A brake device for braking rotation of an input shaft, comprises a selectively operable trigger brake comprising a preloaded torsion spring rotationally coupled to the input shaft but permitting a limited rotational movement between the trigger brake and the input shaft; and a roller jamming mechanism operable upon the relative rotation between the trigger brake and the input shaft exceeding a predetermined amount to stop rotation of the input shaft upon operation of the trigger brake.

Abstract: A re-circulating ballscrew assembly comprises a plurality of balls. A ballnut has a ballnut body with a radially inner surface and a helical ballnut groove formed on the radially inner surface. A ballscrew is disposed within the ballnut, the ballscrew comprising a radially outer surface and a ballscrew groove formed on the outer surface, the ballscrew groove cooperating with the ballnut groove to define a helical raceway for the plurality of balls, the helical raceway having a start point and an end point. The ballscrew assembly comprises a return track for the plurality of balls, the return track disposed radially outward of the radially inner surface of the ballnut and connecting the start point and the end point of the helical raceway. The return track extends at least in part through an annular lubricant bath.

Abstract: A ballscrew assembly comprises a ballnut having a first helical groove and a ballscrew comprising a second helical groove opposed to the first helical groove so as to form a helical raceway. A plurality of balls is disposed in the helical raceway. A first seal is disposed at a first axial end of the ballnut to seal between the ballscrew and the ballnut. A second seal is provided for selectively sealing between the ballscrew and a second axial end of the ballnut, the second seal comprising a ballscrew seal mounted for axial movement with the ballscrew, and configured to make sealing engagement with the ballnut when the ballscrew is in a first axial position relative to the ballnut to form a chamber between the first and second seals, but not to make sealing engagement with the ballnut when the ballscrew assembly is in a second axial position relative thereto.

Abstract: An epicyclic gear system having an epicyclic gear stage that includes a sun gear; a carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of planet gear axles; a plurality of planet gears, each planet gear being located on one of the planet gear axles; a ring gear. The stage also includes an output shaft, wherein the output shaft is connected to the carrier via a biasing mechanism positioned between the carrier and the output shaft, the biasing mechanism being configured to urge the carrier and the output shaft away from one another.

Abstract: An actuator operable to drive a thrust reverser in a gas turbine engine, wherein the thrust reverser comprises first and second translatable sleeves. The actuator comprises a first actuating member moveable so as to translate the first sleeve and a second actuating member moveable so as to translate the second sleeve. The actuator further comprises an interlock arrangement operable in a locked mode in which the first actuating member and second actuating member are locked so as to move together and in an unlocked mode in which at least one of the first actuating member and second actuator member is free to move independently of the other. Operation of the actuator to open or close the thrust reverser comprises a first mode wherein the interlock arrangement is in the locked mode and a second mode wherein the interlock arrangement is in the unlocked mode.

Abstract: An imaging assembly for an intraluminal imaging device is provided. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes an imaging array positioned at a distal portion of the intraluminal imaging device. The imaging array may have a plurality of imaging elements arranged into subarrays. The imaging assembly also may include a micro-beam-former integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the imaging array at the distal portion of the intraluminal imaging device. The micro-beam-former IC includes a plurality of microchannels that may separately beam-form signals received from imaging elements of at least two subarrays. The imaging assembly further includes two or more signal lines that may couple to the micro beam-former IC. Each signal line may correspond to a specific subarray and may receive the beam-formed signals specific to corresponding subarray.

Abstract: Socially provided context-based messaging can include receiving a message content in a messaging system from a user, wherein the content includes objects; matching one or more objects of the message content to socially provided context information, which the socially provided context information is information relevant to an object obtained from a social network to which the user belongs; and displaying the socially provided context information with the message content for a recipient user to receive.

Abstract: A rotary geared actuator, having an input gear, an output gear, a plurality of pinions) arranged in an annular configuration about a central axis (A), each pinion including an input gear element and an output gear element, the input gear element meshingly engaged with the input gear and the output gear element meshingly engaged with the output gear, a static ring gear arranged radially outwardly of the pinions and meshingly engaged with the input gear elements of the pinions, a first support ring gear arranged radially inwardly of the pinions and meshingly engaged with the input gear element, and a second support ring gear arranged radially inwardly of the pinions and meshingly engaged with the output gear element.

Abstract: A torque limiting device comprises an input shaft, an output shaft and a machined torsion spring having a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end of the torsion spring are coupled to the both the input shaft and the output shaft, whereby torque is transmitted between the input shaft and output shaft via the torsion spring. The couplings between the torsion spring and the input shaft and the output shaft permit limited relative rotation between the input shaft and the output shaft. The device further comprises a jamming mechanism operable in response to relative rotation between the input shaft and output shaft to stop rotation of both the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: A housing (10) comprising a main body including first and second side walls (16, 17) and first and second end walls (18, 19) extending between ends of the first and second side walls (16, 17). A plurality of mounting portions (26) are provided adjacent junction between the side walls (16, 17) and the end walls (18, 19). Bores (28) are provided in each of the mounting portions (26 and slots (36) are provided extending through outer surfaces of the mounting portions (26) into the bore (28). An elongate member of a frame (13) is receivable in the slots (28) of two or more of the mounting portions (26) such that fasteners (34) received in the bores (28) of said mounting portions (26) engage with the elongate member to secure the housing (12) to the frame (13).

Abstract: Socially provided context-based messaging can include receiving a message content in a messaging system from a user, wherein the content includes objects; matching one or more objects of the message content to socially provided context information, which the socially provided context information is information relevant to an object obtained from a social network to which the user belongs; and displaying the socially provided context information with the message content for a recipient user to receive.

Abstract: Systems and methods of making a diagnostic test strip, the method including marking a machine-readable pattern onto the diagnostic test strip which contains information that allows a meter designed to work with the test strip to convert raw signal data from the diagnostic test strip into a meaningful concentration value for an analyte of interest. The method further includes printing the machine-readable pattern having a modified based code that is different from a base code of the diagnostic test strip being produced, wherein the modified based code is based on a strip geometry parameter, a chemistry parameter or both the strip geometry and chemistry parameters that are measured for the diagnostic test strip.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a ballscrew comprises a seal body. The seal body comprises a helical body portion having a central axis and extending through substantially a single helical turn about the central axis from a first end to a second end axially spaced from the first end. A connecting portion extends generally parallel to the central axis (A) and connects the first and second ends of the helical body portion. A channel is formed in a radially outer surface of the seal body, the channel extending continuously around the helical body portion and the connecting portion. An arcuate scraper seal portion extends inwardly from a radially inner surface of the connecting portion for sealing engagement within a helical groove of the ballscrew.

Abstract: A client device receives from a user, in an application associated with a social networking service provided by a server system, a first user input for creating a first post on a social networking system. In response to the first user input, a plurality of icons for selection by the user are displayed. A selection of a first icon from the plurality of icons is received from the user. The first post including a first image associated with the user is posted to the social networking system. The first image includes the first icon overlaying at least a portion of a profile picture of the user.