Abstract: An agricultural implement wear monitoring system that monitors a first component of an agricultural implement. A sensor detects and emits a signal indicative of a first geometric dimension of the first component and/or a second geometric dimension of the first component relative to a second component. A controller couples to the sensor. The controller monitors the first geometric dimension and/or the second geometric dimension, and in response to a detected change in the first geometric dimension and/or the second geometric dimension determines a remaining service life of the first component.

Abstract: A method for controlling a material flow rate from a metering system of an agricultural system includes receiving at a controller, a weight of a material in a storage tank. The method also includes receiving, at the controller, a volume of the material in the storage tank. The method also includes determining, via the controller, a density of the material in the storage tank using the weight of the material in the storage tank and the volume of the material in the storage tank. The method further includes determining, via the controller, a calibration of the metering system based on the density of the material in the storage tank.

Abstract: An agricultural implement wear monitoring system that monitors a first component of an agricultural implement. A sensor detects and emits a signal indicative of a first geometric dimension of the first component and/or a second geometric dimension of the first component relative to a second component. A controller couples to the sensor. The controller monitors the first geometric dimension and/or the second geometric dimension, and in response to a detected change in the first geometric dimension and/or the second geometric dimension determines a remaining service life of the first component.

Abstract: A wing locking assembly for an agricultural implement is provided. One agricultural implement includes a first frame section having a mounted bracket and a second frame section pivotally coupled to the first frame section. A cam is mounted to the second frame section. The implement includes an actuating cylinder having a first end pivotally coupled to the second frame section, and a second end disposed within a slot of the bracket. The implement also includes a locking mechanism rotatably coupled to the bracket. The locking mechanism includes a first end configured to engage the second end of the actuating cylinder, and a second end configured to abut the cam. The locking mechanism is configured to drive the second end of the actuating cylinder into a desired position within the slot upon contact between the cam and the second end of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for purging containers for the storage of sensitive materials is described. It includes means to connect a source of compressed purge gas to a purge gas inlet (2) on a container (1), including a pneumatically operated valve (6) adapted to allow purge gas to pass from the source to the inlet and a timing device (9) associated with the valve (6) and adapted to turn off the gas flow after a given time, and including means to vary the time between commencement and cessation of gas flow. The timing device is preferably one which operates on a pneumatic or clockwork basis, enabling the apparatus to operate without any electrical power supply, driven by the purge gas pressure alone. This enables the construction of a simple reliable unit, at a cost even enabling the unit to be incorporated into the container itself if desired. The use of a pneumatically operated valve enables portable apparatus to be designed with low power use if it includes e.g.

Abstract: A double shoot coulter assembly for an agricultural implement includes a packer wheel. The packer wheel is disposed behind a soil engaging blade. The packer wheel is configured to press soil displaced by the soil engaging blade into trenches formed by the soil engaging blade and a disc blade. A centerline of the packer wheel extends adjacent to a soil displacing side of the soil engaging blade.

Abstract: A scraper for a coulter assembly is provided. One coulter assembly includes a scraper having an upper leading edge section positioned adjacent to a central portion of a disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected, and a lower leading edge section positioned adjacent to an outer portion of the disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected. The upper leading edge section and the lower leading edge section are configured to maintain contact with the disc blade as the outer portion of the disc blade is deflected relative to the central portion of the disc blade along a substantially arcuate path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of monitoring the efficacy of an immunotherapy in a mammalian subject, wherein the subject has been administered an immunotherapy, wherein the immunotherapy comprises a viral vector containing a polynucleotide encoding an antigen, wherein the viral vector is capable of transducing cells in the mammalian subject to cause the cells to express the antigen; the method comprising: (b) measuring, from a biological sample isolated from the subject, an immune response of the subject to the antigen and comparing the immune response of the subject to the antigen to a reference measurement of immune response to the antigen; (c) measuring, from a biological sample isolated from the subject, an immune response of the subject to the viral vector and comparing the immune response of the subject to the viral vector to a reference measurement of immune response to the viral vector; and (d) determining efficacy based on the comparisons of (b) and (c), wherein an elevated immune response

Abstract: A double shoot coulter assembly for an agricultural implement includes a packer wheel. The packer wheel is disposed behind a soil engaging blade. The packer wheel is configured to press soil displaced by the soil engaging blade into trenches formed by the soil engaging blade and a disc blade. A centerline of the packer wheel extends adjacent to a soil displacing side of the soil engaging blade.

Abstract: A wing locking assembly for an agricultural implement is provided. One agricultural implement includes a first frame section having a mounted bracket and a second frame section pivotally coupled to the first frame section. A cam is mounted to the second frame section. The implement includes an actuating cylinder having a first end pivotally coupled to the second frame section, and a second end disposed within a slot of the bracket. The implement also includes a locking mechanism rotatably coupled to the bracket. The locking mechanism includes a first end configured to engage the second end of the actuating cylinder, and a second end configured to abut the cam. The locking mechanism is configured to drive the second end of the actuating cylinder into a desired position within the slot upon contact between the cam and the second end of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A scraper for a coulter assembly is provided. One coulter assembly includes a scraper having an upper leading edge section positioned adjacent to a central portion of a disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected, and a lower leading edge section positioned adjacent to an outer portion of the disc blade and configured to contact the disc blade while the disc blade is substantially undeflected. The upper leading edge section and the lower leading edge section are configured to maintain contact with the disc blade as the outer portion of the disc blade is deflected relative to the central portion of the disc blade along a substantially arcuate path.

Abstract: Apparatus for purging containers for the storage of sensitive materials is described. It includes means to connect a source of compressed purge gas to a purge gas inlet (2) on a container (1), including a pneumatically operated valve (6) adapted to allow purge gas to pass from the source to the inlet and a timing device (9) associated with the valve (6) and adapted to turn off the gas flow after a given time, and including means to vary the time between commencement and cessation of gas flow. The timing device is preferably one which operates on a pneumatic or clockwork basis, enabling the apparatus to operate without any electrical power supply, driven by the purge gas pressure alone. This enables the construction of a simple reliable unit, at a cost even enabling the unit to be incorporated into the container itself if desired. The use of a pneumatically operated valve enables portable apparatus to be designed with low power use if it includes e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for storing sensitive materials in containers (32) which are sealed and in which the internal atmosphere may be purged by flushing with an inert gas fed in from a purger unit (30) via a suitable feed lead (35). The gas exhausted from inside the container (32) is fed back into the purge unit (30) and then checked against a desired parameter, for example oxygen concentration, until the value of that parameter reaches a desired level. Purging may then be stopped and the container left sealed, preferably at a slight over pressure relative to the ambient atmosphere. The use of a separate purge unit enables many containers to be sequentially and effectively processed. The containers are particularly useful for storing sensitive chemical and biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of monitoring the efficacy of an immunotherapy in a mammalian subject, wherein the subject has been administered an immunotherapy, wherein the immunotherapy comprises a viral vector containing a polynucleotide encoding an antigen, wherein the viral vector is capable of transducing cells in the mammalian subject to cause the cells to express the antigen; the method comprising: (b) measuring, from a biological sample isolated from the subject, an immune response of the subject to the antigen and comparing the immune response of the subject to the antigen to a reference measurement of immune response to the antigen; (c) measuring, from a biological sample isolated from the subject, an immune response of the subject to the viral vector and comparing the immune response of the subject to the viral vector to a reference measurement of immune response to the viral vector; and (d) determining efficacy based on the comparisons of (b) and (c), wherein an elevated immune response

Abstract: Disclosed is a viral vector containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding erythropoietin (Epo), in operable linkage with an HRE expression control sequence, as well as uses of the vector; for instance, in preparing a medicament. Also provided are methods for treating anemia, can involve administering the vector to a patient, wherein expression of Epo is physiologically regulated such that hematocrit levels of the patient are corrected and maintained.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for storing sensitive materials in containers (32) which are sealed and in which the internal atmosphere may be purged by flushing with an inert gas fed in from a purger unit (30) via a suitable feed lead (35). The gas exhausted from inside the container (32) is fed back into the purge unit (30) and then checked against a desired parameter, for example oxygen concentration, until the value of that parameter reaches a desired level. Purging may then be stopped and the container left sealed, preferably at a slight over pressure relative to the ambient atmosphere. The use of a separate purge unit enables many containers to be sequentially and effectively processed. The containers are particularly useful for storing sensitive chemical and biological samples.

Abstract: Disclosed is a viral vector containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding erythropoietin (Epo), in operable linkage with an HRE expression control sequence, as well as uses of the vector; for instance, in preparing a medicament. Also provided are methods for treating anemia, can involve administering the vector to a patient, wherein expression of Epo is physiologically regulated such that hematocrit levels of the patient are corrected and maintained.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treating ocular neovascularization by delivering a vector, preferably a viral vector, to target cells in the eye of a subject. The vector contains a a polynucleotide sequence encoding an angiostatic gene product, under the control of a promoter sequence. The angiostatic gene product is expressed in the target cells, thereby treating the ocular neovascularization in the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are methods for treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases, conditions or maladies or symptoms or physiology associated therewith, such as treating or preventing Parkinson's disease or symptoms or physiology associated therewith such as motor deficits or nigrostriatal degeneration; or, for inducing nigrostriatal regeneration. Advantageously, the methods involve administering a lentiviral vector that expresses GDNF, such as human GDNF, or a variant, homolog, analog or derivative thereof.