Abstract: Techniques for a network-accessible cognitive automation platform for a self-driving application are provided. The platform includes a cognitive operating system, which includes a data crawler configured to discover and extract data stored in internal systems and external third-party systems, a data processing engine configured to cleanse, correlate, link, etc., transactional and unstructured data, and a cognitive data layer (CDL) configured to process the transformed crawled data with various models and algorithmic libraries of metrics, trends, and metadata to identify a root cause of an issue and prescribe actions to mitigate or overcome risks related to the issue. A cognitive development kit is configured to build a specific skill application on top of the cognitive operating system, the specific skill application generating recommendations, actions, and predictions. A search processor and GUI are configured to perform a search request of the data in the CDL and display the results in the GUI.

Abstract: A method for detecting leaks in a casing involves running a fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing cable into a well casing to obtain at least one trace in real time. The method includes thermally conditioning the well by inert gas injection and utilizing a trace to calculate moving average temperature gradients at predetermined intervals, determine the mean and standard deviation of these gradients, and establish a lower control limit based on the mean and standard deviation. By identifying any moving average temperature gradient below the lower control limit, the method enables the determination of the depth associated with leaks in the casing.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, apparatus, and a system for creating business navigation maps comprising a host module linked to at least one computer, and at least one data base and/or data storage device, the host module being adapted to receive data point markers about at least one data point of interest to a user and including a data input link for receiving information about at least one data point of interest, a first logic processing module programmed to associate at least one data point of interest with at least one business report, wherein the logic processing module uses predefined criteria to tag the at least one data point of interest as relevant to the at least one business report; and a database module, the database module being adapted to store and obtain the at least one data point of interest, data point markers, and the at least one business report.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, apparatus, and a system for creating business navigation maps comprising a host module linked to at least one computer, and at least one data base and/or data storage device, the host module being adapted to receive data point markers about at least one data point of interest to a user and including a data input link for receiving information about at least one data point of interest, a first logic processing module programmed to associate at least one data point of interest with at least one business report, wherein the logic processing module uses predefined criteria to tag the at least one data point of interest as relevant to the at least one business report; and a database module, the database module being adapted to store and obtain the at least one data point of interest, data point markers, and the at least one business report.

Abstract: Modern steam generators typically include a radiant section and a convection section. Due to differing performance requirements of the radiant and convection sections, the radiant section often has a round cross-section, while the convection section often has a rectangular cross-section. Previous designs utilized a target wall to effect the transition. An angled transition section is disclosed herein that substantially eliminates the target wall and/or the reverse target and provides a corresponding improvement in steam generator efficiency.

Abstract: Recombinant Mycobacteria (rMyc) which contain sequences encoding a heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) fusion protein are provided, as are methods of making and using the rMyc and the fusion protein. The fusion protein includes an amino terminal mycobacterial antigen Ag85B leader peptide and transcription of the fusion protein is driven by an Ag85B promoter sequence. The recombinant fusion protein is produced in abundance by the rMyc, is post-translationally methylated, and is highly antigenic.

Abstract: Viruses, and particularly genetically engineered, replication deficient viruses such as adenoviruses, poxviruses, MVA viruses, and baculoviruses which encode one or more antigens of interest, such as TB, malarial, and HIV antigens, are spray dried with a mannitol-cyclodextrin-trehalose-dextran (MCTD) to form a powder where the viability of the viruses are maintained at a suitable level for mass vaccinations after spray drying, and where the viability of the viruses are maintained at suitable level over a period of storage time, even in the presence of humidity.

Abstract: Recombinant Mycobacteria (rMyc) which contain sequences encoding a heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) fusion protein are provided, as are methods of making and using the rMyc and the fusion protein. The fusion protein includes an amino terminal mycobacterial antigen Ag85B leader peptide and transcription of the fusion protein is driven by an Ag85B promoter sequence. The recombinant fusion protein is produced in abundance by the rMyc, is post-translationally methylated, and is highly antigenic.

Abstract: Modern steam generators typically include a radiant section and a convection section. Due to differing performance requirements of the radiant and convection sections, the radiant section often has a round cross-section, while the convection section often has a rectangular cross-section. Previous designs utilized a target wall to effect the transition. An angled transition section is disclosed herein that substantially eliminates the target wall and/or the reverse target and provides a corresponding improvement in steam generator efficiency.

Abstract: Malaria vaccines based on polyepitope constructs that elicit cell-mediated immunity against a broad spectrum of malaria parasites and which cover the majority of HLA alleles are provided. Epitopes in the polyepitope constructs are from regions of the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) known to contain CD4 and CD8 T cell epitopes, and include both epitopes from highly variable and highly conserved regions of CSP.

Abstract: Bacterial delivery systems with improved transgene expression are provided. The recombinant bacterial delivery systems deliver transgenes of interest and suppressors of the eukaryotic Type I interferon response to eukaryotic cells. Suppression of the eukaryotic Type I interferon response allows improved expression of the encoded transgene.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding for at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. Also described is the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. Further described is the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.

Abstract: Bacterial delivery systems with improved transgene expression are provided. The recombinant bacterial delivery systems deliver transgenes of interest and suppressors of the eukaryotic Type I interferon response to eukaryotic cells. Suppression of the eukaryotic Type I interferon response allows improved expression of the encoded transgene.

Abstract: Bacterial delivery systems with improved transgene expression are provided. The recombinant bacterial delivery systems deliver transgenes of interest and suppressors of the eukaryotic Type I interferon response to eukaryotic cells. Suppression of the eukaryotic Type I interferon response allows improved expression of the encoded transgene.

Abstract: A vaccine against Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Mtb) is provided. The vaccine comprises a recombinant Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) subunit-based vaccine in which one or more Mtb antigens and one or more Mtb resuscitation or reactivation antigens are overexpressed, and in which at least a portion of the DosR regulon is up-regulated. The vaccine is protective against active Mtb infection both pre- and post-exposure to Mtb, and thus prevents disease symptoms due to the recurrence of a latent Mtb infection.

Abstract: Described are vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. Also described is the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. Also described is the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.

Abstract: Bacterial packaging strains useful for generating recombinant double-stranded RNA nucleocapsids (rdsRNs) are provided. The packaging strains are useful for the production of RNA encoding vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs in eukaryotic cells or tissues. Recombinant ssRNA is introduced into the strains and packaged to form rdsRNs de novo.

Abstract: Mycobacterium strains that have an enhanced ability to elicit a MHC-Class I-restricted CD8+ T cell immune response are provided. The Mycobacterium strains are genetically engineered to express: a endosomalytic protein that is active at neutral pH (e.g. Perfringolysin O), permitting escape of the Mycobacterium from endosomes into the cytoplasm of the cell; and antigens of interest, such as tuberculosis antigens. The invention also provides vaccine preparations containing such Mycobacterium strains.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccines comprising recombinant vectors, such as recombinant adenoviruses. The vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acids encoding for at least two antigens from one or more tuberculosis-causing bacilli. The invention also relates to the use of specific protease recognition sites linking antigens through which the encoded antigens are separated upon cleavage. After cleavage, the antigens contribute to the immune response in a separate manner. The recombinant vectors may comprise a nucleic acid encoding the protease cleaving the linkers and separating the antigens. The invention furthermore relates to the use of genetic adjuvants encoded by the recombinant vectors, wherein such genetic adjuvants may also be cleaved through the presence of the cleavable linkers and the specific protease.

Abstract: A vaccine for treating or preventing the establishment of latent tuberculosis infections is provided. The vaccine comprises a recombinant mycobacterium that overexpresses the transcription factor DosR, at a level sufficient to induce production of the dosR regulon genes or proteins. A host to whom the vaccine is administered mounts an immune response to the dosR regulon proteins and is thus protected from the establishment, persistence or reactivation of latent tuberculosis.