Abstract: A data acquisition system (DAS) includes a plurality of processors comprising at least one first processor and a plurality of second processors. The at least one first processor is configured to receive at least one configuration file and generate at least one measurement data application from the at least one configuration file. The DAS also includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) coupled to the plurality of processors. The FPGA is configured to receive the at least one measurement data application and allocate at least a portion of one of the FPGA and at least one second processor of the plurality of second processors to calculate measurement data at least partially based on the at least one measurement data application and an availability of the at least a portion of the FPGA.

Abstract: Equipment for the placement or positioning of one or more items in or on the ground is provided. In one form, an apparatus includes a toolbar, a container, a metering unit configured to selectively control release of one or more items from the container and an application member configured to deliver the one or more items released from the container to the ground. In one aspect of this form, the metering unit is configured to selectively control release of one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches, and more particularly, but not exclusively, in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, from the container to the application member. In another more particular aspect, the spherical items are capsules that include a shell wall encapsulating a pesticide composition and including a gelatin material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting anomalous behavior in one of a fleet of machines are provided. Data regarding a single characteristic representative of operation of the mechanical system is collected from each machine in a fleet. The systems and methods are configured for processing of the data to determine and indicate when significant deviations from normal operating conditions are occurring that represent the departure from normal operation condition by one or more of the machines in the fleet.

Abstract: A method of automatically detecting a rolling-element bearing fault in a rotating machine is provided. The method includes receiving, from at least one sensor, a sensor signal that includes at least one frequency, converting the sensor signal to a digital vibration signal, modifying the vibration signal to generate an envelope signal, and applying a transform to the enveloped signal to generate an envelope spectrum. The method uses certain relationships among envelope spectral line amplitudes and their harmonics to detect bearing faults. As such, the method detects a bearing fault without reference to predefined fault frequencies. Systems for implementing the method are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for fumigating soil include providing a fumigant including at least one volatile substance into or onto soil and applying over the soil a multilayer polymeric film to form a vapor barrier between the fumigant-treated soil and the atmosphere to at least partially contain the fumigant. The multilayer film includes at least one barrier layer comprising at least one vinylidene chloride polymer and protecting layers on each side of the barrier layer. The multilayer film preferably has at least one UV protecting layer and optionally at least one reflective layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assessing deterioration in a gearbox. Data is obtained from an operating gearbox regarding harmonic frequencies and their related sidebands generated as a consequence of the gearbox operation. In a first embodiment, a Sideband Energy Ratio (SER) is calculated by dividing the amplitude of the sum of sideband signals associated with a harmonic to the amplitude of the harmonic. In a second embodiment, a SER is calculated based on sideband amplitudes associated with adjacent harmonics. The ratio may be monitored over time or compared to one or more values to provide an indication of deterioration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assessing deterioration in a gearbox. Data is obtained from an operating gearbox regarding harmonic frequencies and their related sidebands generated as a consequence of the gearbox operation. In a first embodiment, a Sideband Energy Ratio (SER) is calculated by dividing the amplitude of the sum of sideband signals associated with a harmonic to the amplitude of the harmonic. In a second embodiment, a SER is calculated based on sideband amplitudes associated with adjacent harmonics. The ratio may be monitored over time or compared to one or more values to provide an indication of deterioration.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to amino acid sequences that are directed against and/or that can specifically bind to an envelope protein of a virus, as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences.

Abstract: A method for programming logic in a field programmable gate array (FPGA) comprising, receiving a logic process including a logic node, and associating the node with a logic descriptor, and saving the logic descriptor in a memory of the FPGA. The logic descriptor including: a unique identifier of the node, an enabling indicator operative to indicate if the node is enabled, a function indicator operative to define a logic function performed by the node, an input number indicator operative to define a number of inputs of the node, an output indicator operative to indicate a logic state of an output of the node, and an input indicator operative to indicate a unique identifier of an input of the node.

Abstract: Biocompatible materials suitable for use in vascular applications have been engineered, combining human recombinant tropoelastin with other synthetic or natural biomaterials to form protoelastin. The materials can be in the form of elastin films on metal, bone, ceramic or polymer substrates, laminates of alternating polymer and elastin, blends of polymer and elastin, or elastin crosslinked with or tethered to polymer. The flexibility in engineering and design makes protoelastin biomaterials suited not only to the production of conduits but any number of other vascular applications that require blood contacting surfaces. Tropoelastin and the subsequently engineered biomaterial protoelastin provide the opportunity to satisfy a large unmet need for a biocompatible material adaptable enough to meet a range of diverse vascular uses. These are mechanically stable, elastic, strong and biocompatible (i.e., not thrombogenic and promoting adhesion of cells, especially human endothelial cells.

Abstract: The manipulation of the amino acid sequence of tropoelastin, particularly human tropoelastin, to modify its protease susceptibility is described. The modified tropoelastins include tropoelastin derivatives having modified protease susceptibility, peptidomimetic molecules which contain amino acid sequences which correspond to or incorporate the protease susceptible sequences of tropoelastin. Uses of these tropoelastin derivatives and peptidomimetic molecules are provided. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules and genetic constructs encoding the amino acid sequences of the derivatives and peptidomimetic molecules of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to derivatives of tropoelastin and variants of those derivatives. The invention further provides expression products and hybrid molecules of the derivatives and variants of the invention. The invention further provides methods for the production of the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules. Further provided are formulations, cross-linked structures and implants comprising the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules of the invention. Further provided are uses of the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules of the invention.

Abstract: The use of 2-methyl-benzoic acid methyl ester as a fragrance chemical, suitable for use in creating fragrance, and scents in items such as perfumes, colognes and personal care products is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to derivatives of tropoelastin and variants of those derivatives. The invention further provides expression products and hybrid molecules of the derivatives and variants of the invention. The invention further provides methods for the production of the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules. Further provided are formulations, cross-linked structures and implants comprising the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules of the invention. Further provided are uses of the derivatives, variants, expression products and hybrid molecules of the invention.

Abstract: The novel compound, cyclohexanbutanol, 4-(hydroxymethyl)-alpha, alpha-dimethyl- having the structure: and the use of the compound in creating fragrances, and scents in items such as perfumes, colognes and personal care products is disclosed.

Abstract: The use of 4-ethyloctanal as a flavor or fragrance chemical, suitable for use in creating fragrance and scents in items such as perfumes, colognes and personal care products, as well as a flavor ingredient for various products is disclosed.

Abstract: The use of 4-ethyloctanal as a fragrance chemical, suitable for use in creating fragrance, and scents in items such as perfumes, colognes and personal care products is disclosed.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a reference base station which collects one or more signal features of a mobile station signal. The reference base station determines a first location parameter of the mobile station signal it receives. The reference base station forwards the signal features to an auxiliary base station. Using the signal features, the auxiliary base station creates a replica of the mobile station signal as transmitted by the mobile station. The auxiliary base station correlates the replica with a same mobile station signal as received at the auxiliary base station in order to determine a second set of signal features. The auxiliary base station uses the second set of signal features to determine a second location parameter. The position of the mobile station is determined using the first and second location parameters.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a reference base station which collects one or more signal features of a mobile station signal. The reference base station determines a first location parameter of the mobile station signal it receives. The reference base station forwards the signal features to an auxiliary base station. Using the signal features, the auxiliary base station creates a replica of the mobile station signal as transmitted by the mobile station. The auxiliary base station correlates the replica with a same mobile station signal as received at the auxiliary base station in order to determine a second set of signal features. The auxiliary base station uses the second set of signal features to determine a second location parameter. The position of the mobile station is determined using the first and second location parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to new expression systems and in particular to an expression system in which a gene of interest is expressed at an optimal level. The invention provides a recombinant expression vector comprising a gene of interest and a selectable marker gene, wherein the selectable marker gene is arranged downstream of the gene of interest and a stop codon associated with the gene of interest is spaced from a start codon of said selectable marker gene at a distance which is sufficient to ensure that translation reinitiation is required before said selectable marker protein is expressed from the corresponding mRNA. Examples of such expression systems are vector viral packaging cell lines and a number of preferred cell lines have been identified.