Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for determining the binding of an antibody to the complement component 1q (C1q). The process according to the invention makes it possible to measure the binding of an antibody to the C1q in a Homogeneous Proximity Assay (HAS).

Abstract: A polishing system includes a robotic polishing assembly, a belt removal assembly, and a controller. The robotic polishing assembly includes an end effector. The end effector includes a polishing arm, a motor, and a tool head. The tool head extends along a lengthwise axis between and to an inner end and a tip end. The tool head includes a belt tensioner, a roller, and an abrasive belt. The belt tensioner is configured to bias the tip end outward from the inner end. The abrasive belt is disposed on the motor and the roller. The belt removal assembly includes a first lateral arm, a second lateral arm, and a back stop. The controller includes a processor in communication with a non-transitory memory storing instructions, which instructions when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: identify an end-of-life condition is present for the abrasive belt and remove the abrasive belt from the tool head.

Abstract: A polishing system includes an end effector and a controller. The end effector includes a polishing arm, a motor, and a tool head. The motor includes a rotatable shaft. The tool head extends along a lengthwise axis between and to an inner end and a tip end. The inner end is disposed on the polishing arm at the motor. The tool head includes a belt tensioner and a roller. The belt tensioner is configured to bias the tip end outward from the inner end along the lengthwise axis. The tool head is configured to retain an abrasive belt extending between the rotatable shaft and the roller. The controller is configured to measure a usage of the abrasive belt for polishing one or more workpieces and compare the measured usage to a threshold usage value to identify an end-of-life condition is present or absent for the abrasive belt.

Abstract: A polishing system includes an end effector and a controller. The end effector includes a polishing arm, a motor, a tool head, and a belt sensor. The polishing arm includes a motor housing at a distal end of the polishing arm. The tool head includes a belt tensioner and a roller. The belt tensioner includes a tool extension including the roller. The tool head is configured to retain an abrasive belt extending between the motor and the roller. The belt sensor includes a proximity sensor and a lateral tab. The proximity sensor is disposed at the motor housing. The lateral tab disposed at the tool extension. The proximity sensor is configured to measure a distance between the proximity sensor and the lateral tab and generate a proximity sensor signal. The controller is configured to cause the processor to identify an installation configuration for the abrasive belt by comparing the measured distance to a distance threshold value.

Abstract: A polishing system includes an end effector, a calibration system, and a controller. The end effector includes a polishing arm, a motor, and a tool head. The tool head extends along a lengthwise axis between and to an inner end and a tip end. The tool head includes a belt tensioner and a roller. The roller is rotatable about a tool center point of the tool head at the tip end. The tool head is configured to retain an abrasive belt extending between the motor and the roller. The calibration system includes an imaging device. The controller includes a processor in communication with a non-transitory memory storing instructions, which instructions when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the imaging device to acquire image data for the tool head, identify a position of the tool center point using the image data, and store the identified position in the memory.

Abstract: A belt loading device for loading an abrasive belt in a closed loop configuration on a machining tool is disclosed. The device includes a base support and a movable part engaged to the base support. The movable part is movable relative to the base support between a biased position and a belt releasing position, the base support and the movable part, while in the biased position, cooperating to maintain the abrasive belt in a fixed position defining a tool engaging area circumscribed by an inner surface of the abrasive belt. A biasing member interfaces between the base support and the movable part to bias the movable part into the biased position.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies or antibody fragments capable of binding to G-protein alpha, nucleic acid sequences coding for the antibody, vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequence, cells comprising the vector or the nucleic acid sequence and a kit-of-parts comprising (i) the antibody or antibody fragment or the composition and (ii) a source of GTP labeled with a member of a pair of RET partners.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula: in which X, Y, L and Ln3+ are as defined in the description.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the ability of a molecule to modulate the activation of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), said method comprising the following steps: a) introducing, in a first container: a membrane preparation bearing one or more GPCRs and one or more alpha G-proteins, a source of nonhydrolyzable or slowly hydrolyzable GTP labeled with a first member of a pair of RET partners, a ligand of the alpha subunit of a G protein (alpha G-protein) labeled with a second member of the pair of RET partners, said ligand being capable of binding to the full alpha G-protein bound to the nonhydrolyzable or slowly hydrolyzable GTP labeled with the first member of a pair of RET partners, optionally a GPCR agonist; b) measuring the RET signal emitted in the first container; c) introducing (i) in a second container, the same reagents as in step a) and the molecule to be assayed or (ii) in the first container, the molecule to be assayed; d) measuring the RET signal emitted in the second