Abstract: A one-time flare mechanism system for use with an aerial payload system is described which uses minimal actuation force to produce a reliable flare with minimal shock to the payload, parafoil and rigging.

Abstract: An above-bed, gooseneck hitch and component mounting system is described. The system includes a pair of intersecting rails which overlap via an interlocking and/or coping joint, thereby forming an X-shape frame. The gooseneck connection is disposed at the central intersection of the rails, and optional quick connect/disconnect safety chain hooks and/or component ports may be integrated on one or more of the legs emanating from the central intersection.

Abstract: An under bed hitch mounting apparatus is shown and described. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may comprise a first bracket attachable to a frame of a vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle and a second bracket attachable to the frame of the vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle, the second bracket transversely spaced from the first bracket. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may also include a first receiving member attached with the first bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage an accessory member, where at least a portion of the first receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle, and a second receiving member attached with the second bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage the accessory member, where at least a portion of the second receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hitch mount configured to be selectively attached to a vehicle, the vehicle having an under bed hitch mounting system is shown and described. The hitch mount may include at least one transverse member, at least one longitudinal member attached with the at least one transverse member, the at least one longitudinal member including first and second apertures, the first and second apertures of different size, and first and second fastening devices configured to selectively engage the under bed hitch mounting system and the first and second apertures, respectively. The hitch mount may also include first and second biasing members operatively engaged with the first and second fastening, the biasing members applying a load against the under bed hitch mounting system, and first and second handles pivotally and rotatably attached with the first and second fastening devices, the handles having a camming surface configured to engage the first and second biasing members.

Abstract: A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a locking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the locking member may extend therethrough. The locking member may selectively engage the receiving member. The locking member may include a head that engages with a safety chain member positioned on the tie down apparatus to prevent disengagement between the locking member and the receiving member.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying utility usage from a historical utility file is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a file containing historical utility consumption of a dwelling over a time period; processing the file through optical character recognition (OCR); identifying contextual data from the OCR processed file; identifying chart data from the OCR processed file; extracting one or more values from the chart data, wherein the values correspond to one or more elements of the chart data; and contextualizing the extracted values from the chart data by applying the contextual data to the extracted value to obtain utility usage data.

Abstract: Peptide analogs of oxyntomodulin (OXM, glucagon-37), which have been modified to be resistant to cleavage and inactivation by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and to increase in vivo half-life of the peptide analog while enabling the peptide analog to act as a dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor (GCGR) agonist are described. The peptide analogs are useful for treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: A hitch mount configured to be selectively attached to a vehicle, the vehicle having an under bed hitch mounting system is shown and described. The hitch mount may include at least one transverse member, at least one longitudinal member attached with the at least one transverse member, the at least one longitudinal member including first and second apertures, the first and second apertures of different size, and first and second fastening devices configured to selectively engage the under bed hitch mounting system and the first and second apertures, respectively. The hitch mount may also include first and second biasing members operatively engaged with the first and second fastening, the biasing members applying a load against the under bed hitch mounting system, and first and second handles pivotally and rotatably attached with the first and second fastening devices, the handles having a camming surface configured to engage the first and second biasing members.

Abstract: A system is described to control the flight path of a parafoil. The physical control mechanism is a series of actuators embedded within the parafoil canopy that open a series of meshed venting systems in the upper surface of the parafoil canopy. Opening and closing the meshed venting system changes the forces and moments acting on the parafoil canopy in a consistent manner such that it can be used for flight control. The meshed venting system includes an internal sealing flap and a mesh member.

Abstract: A crossbar assembly for a roof rack configured to be selectively attached to a vehicle, the crossbar assembly is shown and described. The crossbar includes a body having a length and cross-sectional profile with a generally aerofoil shape. The cross-sectional profile may include a base portion attached to a nose portion. The nose portion may include a leading edge having a rounded profile. A first plane surface may extend rearwardly from the leading edge at an upward angle and terminate at a first shoulder. A second plane surface may extend rearwardly from the leading edge at a downward angle and terminate at a second shoulder. The crossbar may be configured to be mounted to an associated vehicle and reduce wind noise across the nose portion and base portion of the body.

Abstract: A hitch mount configured to be selectively attached to a vehicle, the vehicle having an under bed hitch mounting system is shown and described. The hitch mount may include at least one transverse member, at least one longitudinal member attached with the at least one transverse member, the at least one longitudinal member including first and second apertures, the first and second apertures of different size, and first and second fastening devices configured to selectively engage the under bed hitch mounting system and the first and second apertures, respectively. The hitch mount may also include first and second biasing members operatively engaged with the first and second fastening, the biasing members applying a load against the under bed hitch mounting system, and first and second handles pivotally and rotatably attached with the first and second fastening devices, the handles having a camming surface configured to engage the first and second biasing members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to kinase inhibiting compositions and uses thereof. The invention further provides isolated kinase inhibiting peptides and uses thereof for inhibiting hyperplasia, for inhibiting the growth of neoplasms, and for inducing programmed cell death in a cell population.

Abstract: A method for caching targeted webpage content is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes dividing a cacheable content pertaining to a website into a static portion and a dynamic frame for displaying visitor targeted content. The method determines a result for one or more targeting rules applied to a visitor's activity on a portion of the website and provides the result to the visitor's browser. The method further includes loading the dynamic frame of the cacheable content with visitor targeted content based on the provided result. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is described to control the flight path of a parafoil. The physical control mechanism is a series of actuators embedded within the parafoil canopy that open a series of holes via slits in the upper surface of the parafoil canopy. Opening and closing the holes changes the forces and moments acting on the parafoil canopy in a consistent manner such that it can be used for flight control. The embedded actuator is attached to a structural cell wall of the parafoil canopy. A control line from the actuator extends through a ring attached to the leading edge of the slit in the upper surface of the parafoil canopy and back down to the lower surface of the parafoil canopy along the opposite side non-structural cell wall.

Abstract: In a method of hydraulically fracturing a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation, a proppant stage is introduced into the fracture which contains a gaseous fluid and an ultra lightweight proppant suspended in a viscosified aqueous fluid. The gaseous fluid of the proppant stage contains at least about 90 volume percent of the combination of gaseous fluid and aqueous fluid. A pad fluid may first be introduced into the formation, the pad fluid containing a gaseous fluid and, optionally, an aqueous fluid. The gaseous fluid of the pad fluid mixture typically contains at least 70 volume percent of the mixture.

Abstract: A photon source comprising a semiconductor heterostructure, said semiconductor heterostructure comprising a quantum well, a barrier region adjacent said quantum well and a quantum dot provided in said quantum well, the photon source further comprising electrical contacts and a power supply coupled to first and second electrical contacts configured to apply a tuneable electric field across said quantum dot to control the emission energy of said quantum dot, said electric field being tuneable across an operating range an wherein the tunneling time of carriers from said quantum dot to said first electrical contact and the tunneling time of carriers from said quantum dot to said second electrical contact are greater than the radiative decay time of an exciton in said quantum dot over said operating range for controlling the emission energy, said photon source being configured such that emission from a single quantum dot exits said photon source.

Abstract: Peptide analogs of oxyntomodulin (OXM, glucagon-37), which have been modified to be resistant to cleavage and inactivation by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and to increase in vivo half-life of the peptide analog while enabling the peptide analog to act as a dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor (GCGR) agonist are described. The peptide analogs are useful for treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of a shingle includes a substrate, a surface layer of granules, a backdust layer, and hydrophobic material. The substrate is infiltrated with asphalt to form a first asphalt coating on the top or upper surface of the substrate and a second asphalt coating on the bottom or lower surface of the substrate. A surface layer of granules is embedded in the first asphalt coating. A backdust layer of particles is embedded in the second asphalt coating. A hydrophobic material is applied to at least one of the surface layer and the backdust layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of oligonucleotides comprising a semi-random sequence, wherein the semi-random sequence comprises degenerate nucleotides that are substantially non-complementary. Also provided are methods for using the plurality of oligonucleotides to amplify a population of target nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to kinase inhibiting compositions and uses thereof. The invention further provides isolated kinase inhibiting peptides and uses thereof for inhibiting hyperplasia, for inhibiting the growth of neoplasms, and for inducing programmed cell death in a cell population.