Abstract: A method for aircraft brake wear optimization includes processes by which the actual instantaneous temperature of brakes can be determined during taxi braking operations. The invention is particularly applicable to carbon disc brakes in aircraft. In the system, the energy absorbed by the carbon disc brakes during taxiing operation is calculated and a conversion made from energy absorbed to disc temperature is made. The system uses less than a full complement of brakes during taxiing such that the brakes actually employed during taxiing are at elevated temperatures, which are characterized by improved brake wear. The system provides substantially instantaneous thermal information, in contrast to the prior art relying upon thermal measurements rather than energy calculations.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the use of attenuated Coxsackievirus cardiotropic virus vectors as efficient gene transfer vectors to deliver immunomodulatory or other biologically active proteins and/or antigenic epitopes in transient infections to aid in preventing, ameliorating, and/or ablating infectious viral heart disease and reducing, or ablating entirely, heart transplant rejection. Additionally, other organs or tissues may be targeted with specific picornaviruses. In particular, an attenuated CVB3 viral vector able to express a cytokine is provided. This cytokine-expressing viral vector is able to deliver the cytokine to a target tissue and reduce disease symptoms.

Abstract: An artificial limb which is designed primarily for temporary use, such as for sports, while taking a shower, where the artificial limb is subjected to dirt, sand, or water. The artificial limb is constructed of a plastic tubular member which is split or bifurcated at one end to form a group of projecting fingers which define a cup-shaped region. A socket is formed of wrapped casting tape with the fingers being embedded in the socket walls during the wrapping operation.