Abstract: A continuum arm robot section, in which the section comprises at least three segments, featuring a base, at least one middle segment and a tip segment. Each segment corresponding to at least one interconnecting portion between pairs of neighbouring discs that form a backbone of the section of the continuum arm robot. The base segment having a greater stiffness than the at least one middle segment and tip segment and the at least one middle segment having a greater stiffness than the tip segment. Also provided is a method of adjusting the stiffness of a continuum arm. The method comprising the steps applying a first stiffening component to a segment. Applying a second stiffening component to a different segment. The first stiffening means results in the base segment having a greater stiffness than the middle segment, and the second stiffening means results in the middle segment having lower stiffness than the base segment, but higher than the tip segment.

Abstract: A hand-mounted inspection system, configured to be mounted on a user's hand, comprising: an imaging unit, configured to provide images from at least one point of view located on the user's hand; and a measuring unit, configured to provide data relating to a physical property measured at a measurement location on the user's hand. The measuring unit includes a sensor configured to provide a measurement between two measurement locations, each of the two measurement locations being located on a digit of the user's hand, a tip of a digit of the user's hand, on the phalanges of a digit of a user's hand, on the palm of the user's hand or on the back of the user's hand.

Abstract: A hyper redundant robot comprising: a first disk; a second disk positioned adjacent to the first disk, the first disk and the second disk having a longitudinal axis; a first joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the first disk and/or the second disk being in sliding contact with the first joint arrangement to enable the first disk and the second disk to rotate relative to one another; and a second joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the second joint arrangement being less stiff than the first joint arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds according to formula, (R2R3)-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-A10-R1, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof that act as ligands for one or more of the melanocortin receptors, to methods of using such compounds to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.

Abstract: A hyper redundant robot comprising: a first disk; a second disk positioned adjacent to the first disk, the first disk and the second disk having a longitudinal axis; a first joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the first disk and/or the second disk being in sliding contact with the first joint arrangement to enable the first disk and the second disk to rotate relative to one another; and a second joint arrangement positioned between the first disk and the second disk, the second joint arrangement being less stiff than the first joint arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptide and peptidomimetic compounds generally according to formula (I) that are useful as GHRP analogs: R1-A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-R2??(I) wherein: A1 is Aib, Apc or Inp; A2 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A3 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A4 is 2Fua, Orn, 2Pal, 3Pal, 4Pal, Pff, Phe, Pim, Taz, 2Thi, 3Thi, Thr(Bzl); A5 is Apc, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, or deleted; R1 is hydrogen, (C1-6)alkyl, (C5-14)aryl, (C1-6)alkyl(C5-14)aryl, (C3-8)cycloakyl, or (C2-10)acyl; and R2 is OH or NH2; and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A LED lamp for use in a lamp housing of a vehicle comprises a bulb body and a base. The bulb body comprises one or more light-emitting diodes. The base comprises a mounting portion and a heatsink portion. The mounting portion comprises a collar configured to attachably accept one end of the bulb body, and one or more mounting tabs configured to engage with the lamp housing to secure the LED lamp in place within the lamp housing. The mounting portion is integrally formed with the heatsink portion, and the bulb body is configured to be rotatable within the collar about a longitudinal axis of the LED lamp.

Abstract: Provided herein is a human monoclonal antibody 8D6 against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The antibody binds to the E2 subunit of HCV capsid protein, and can prevent HCV from infecting susceptible host cells. By using the antibody variable region gene or the complementary determining region (CDR) gene, different forms of genetic engineering antibodies have been transformed and produced in any expression system of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells as therapeutics to prevent or treat HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a transient impairment of the motility of the gastrointestinal system resulting from postoperative ileus in a patient wherein said method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a peptidyl analog of ghrelin to said patient.

Abstract: A broken conductor detection method and apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a measurement module to measure, at a node of a distribution system, a voltage value of each distribution feeder of the distribution system; a check module to check whether the measured voltage value of each distribution feeder is less than a voltage threshold used for the distribution feeder, the voltage threshold used for the distribution feeder being calculated based on a mean value of measured voltage values of other distribution feeders in the distribution system; a generating module to, upon a checking result indicating that a measured voltage value of a distribution feeder of the distribution system is less than the voltage threshold used for the distribution feeder, generate a signal indicating that the distribution feeder of the distribution system has a broken conductor; and a sending module to send the generated signal.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods relating to generating a unified determination based on subdetermination, and in particular, generating a unified score based on respective scores. For example, the invention provides a method for generating a unified determination based on subdeterminations, the method including generating a first subdetermination based on first criteria; generating a second subdetermination based on second criteria; and generating a unified determination based on the first subdetermination and the second subdetermination.

Abstract: A vibration-assisted positioning stage comprising a stage, a roller bearing, an compliant joint interconnecting the roller bearing to the stage such that the compliant joint is sufficiently compliant in a direction of movement to permit reliable alignment of the stage and further permit dithering, and a dithering force actuator applying a dithering force directly to the roller bearing to permit the dithering of the stage. The dithering forces can be applied out of phase to minimize vibration of the stage. Furthermore, the controller of the stage can be employed to suppress any remnant vibrations of the stage due to dithering. A supervisory control system can intelligently adapt the parameters of the dithering signal to optimize the performance of the stage as friction changes.

Abstract: Provided are a high-quality, lithium-rich and manganese-based positive electrode material for a lithium ion battery and a method for synthesizing same. The method comprises the following steps: preparing a precursor by complexing an amino acid and a nickel-cobalt-manganese metal, mixing the above-mentioned precursor with a lithium salt, and subjecting same to ball-milling, drying and calcination to obtain a finished product. The amino acid is used as a complexing agent, benefiting the coprecipitation of the three transition metals, achieving the uniform distribution of each metal element in a material, improving the comprehensive electrochemical performance of a lithium-rich and manganese-based material, and improving the quality of the material. The lithium-rich and manganese-based material prepared by the method has characteristics such as a high tapped density, a high compaction density, and a better electrochemical performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide ligands of the melanocortin receptors, in particular the melancortin-4 receptor, and as such, are useful in the treatment of disorders responsive to the activation of this receptor, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus and sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: A flexible tool comprising: a plurality of rigid members spaced along a longitudinal axis; a plurality of flexible members extending between the plurality of rigid members and being arranged to enable the plurality of rigid members to diverge from the longitudinal axis and define a work volume for the flexible tool, at least some of the plurality of flexible members being unevenly spaced around the longitudinal axis, and/or a physical characteristic of at least some of the plurality of flexible members varying along the longitudinal axis, to cause the work volume and/or stiffness of the flexible tool to be asymmetric relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A hyper-redundant manipulator for insertion into an area of interest through an aperture is shown. The hyper-redundant manipulator comprises a plurality of individually-lockable sections, each of which comprise a plurality of segments having positions that are adjustable relative to each other so as to adopt a pose. A respective locking mechanism is located in each section and is configured to switch between a locked condition in which the pose of the segments in the respective section is locked, and an unlocked condition in which the pose of the segments in the respective section is not locked. A plurality of actuators common to all of the sections are provided to adjust the pose of the segments in sections with a locking mechanism in an unlocked condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for receiving a selection of disks in a storage system for simulation in a simulator of a server cache application, receiving simulation parameters, running a simulation for the disk selection, and examining results of the simulation. After examination of the results, simulation parameters can be adjusted and the simulation re-run for a disk selection.

Abstract: An axially compliant rolling bearing for precision motion stages having a stage, at least one bearing member slidably disposed along a rail, and a compliant joint interconnecting the at least one roller bearing to the stage. The compliant joint is sufficiently compliant to permit movement of the stage in the axial direction while remaining stiff in other directions orthogonal to the axial direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds according to formula, (R2R3)-A1-c(A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7-A8-A9)-A10-R1, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof that act as ligands for one or more of the melanocortin receptors, to methods of using such compounds to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds.

Abstract: A broken conductor detection method and apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a measurement module to measure, at a node of a distribution system, a voltage value of each distribution feeder of the distribution system; a check module to check whether the measured voltage value of each distribution feeder is less than a voltage threshold used for the distribution feeder, the voltage threshold used for the distribution feeder being calculated based on a mean value of measured voltage values of other distribution feeders in the distribution system; a generating module to, upon a checking result indicating that a measured voltage value of a distribution feeder of the distribution system is less than the voltage threshold used for the distribution feeder, generate a signal indicating that the distribution feeder of the distribution system has a broken conductor; and a sending module to send the generated signal.