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: Recombinant Mycobacterium strains with improved vaccinal properties for use as vaccinating agents are provided. The parent strains of the recombinant Mycobacterium strains are selected for their potent immunogenicity. The Mycobacterium strains do not display antibiotic resistance, and do not exhibit horizontal transfer to gram-negative bacteria.

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: 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 endosomolytic 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: Recombinant Mycobacterium strains with improved vaccinal properties for use as vaccinating agents are provided. The parent strains of the recombinant Mycobacterium strains are selected for their potent immunogenicity. The Mycobacterium strains do not display antibiotic resistance, and do not exhibit horizontal transfer to gram-negative bacteria.

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: In methods according to the invention, subsurface formations below the surface of the earth are detected by introducing a condensable material in vapor form into the subsurface formation, measuring radiation of the condensable material, increasing the concentration of the condensable material through condensation, measuring radiation of the condensable material of increased concentration, and comparing the radiation of the condensable material of increased concentration to the radiation of the condensable material in vapor form to identity the presence of the condensable material.

Abstract: HIV envelope immunogens that display multivalent epitopes are provided. The immunogens are aggregated, “webbed” HIV envelope immunogens in which native envelope structures are stabilized due to interactions with multimeric derivatives of M9 scorpion toxin.

Abstract: In methods according to the invention, subsurface formations below the surface of the earth are detected by introducing a condensable material in vapor form into the subsurface formation, measuring radiation of the condensable material, increasing the concentration of the condensable material through condensation, measuring radiation of the condensable material of increased concentration, and comparing the radiation of the condensable material of increased concentration to the radiation of the condensable material in vapor form to identity the presence of the condensable material.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing perforations, holes, cracks or the like in a tube or pipe and particularly in an oil well casing. The apparatus including a delivery tool for delivery of a coiled patch composed of spring-like material to the location of a damaged portion within a pipe. The patch consisting of a flat sheet of spring-like material where the length and width of the patch are comparatively large with respect to the thickness of the patch. The delivery tool comprising a hydraulicly activated plunger assembly and barrel. Prior to use, the patch is wound into the form of a coiled cylinder by means of a rolling tool and is loaded into the barrel of the delivery tool. To deploy the patch, hydraulic pressure is applied to the plunger assembly causing the plunger to move downwardly within the barrel and push the patch out of the barrel. Upon deployment, the patch unwinds within the pipe or tube and seals the damaged area against the infiltration or exfiltration of fluids or gasses.

Abstract: In a well an instrumentation line can be introduced down the well bore by a control line having at least a portion outside of intermediate casing and set in cement slurry between the intermediate casing and the surrounding rock and reaching to a zone of interest. A primary member accepts the distal end of the control line at the end of the intermediate casing. A secondary member has a terminal control line (sealed at its far end) attached on its outer surface. When in place, the secondary member extends into and through the zone of interest. When the secondary member is lowered through the primary member, its top end is lowered onto the bottom end of the primary member. Couplings engage and angularly orientate so that the top of the terminal control line couples to and seals with the distal end of the control line to form a conduit through which a fibre optic instrumentation line can be threaded.

Abstract: A liquid vaporizing and feeding apparatus, having high heat transfer efficiency and capable of producing a large flow of vaporized gas from a small amount of liquid, utilizes an inclined vaporization plate which is held at a set temperature by a heater. Liquid, discharged by a nozzle in the vicinity of the upper end of the vaporization plate, is vaporized as it flows down an inclined upper face of the vaporization plate. When the volume of the liquid collected on the vaporization plate 20 reaches a designated amount, a level sensor 40 stops the inflow of liquid through the nozzle. Then, as vaporization continues, and the liquid level falls, the sensor causes inflow of liquid to resume. The cycle of stopping and resuming flow of liquid is repeated to maintain a constant liquid level.

Abstract: A fiber optic instrumentation line is introduced down a hydrocarbon (oil) well bore 12 by control line 16 formed by pressure tubing conduit fixed on the outside of intermediate casing 14 and set in cement slurry 21 between casing 14 and surrounding rock 13 and reaching to the hydrocarbon production zone 15. Hollow primary member 18 accepts distal end of control line 16 at the end of casing 14. Secondary member 22 having sealed terminal control line 27 on its outer surface is lowered through primary member 18 to zone 15, automatically angularly aligning and engaging respective top and bottom end couplings 24 and 20, sealing together a respective top and end of terminal control lines 27, 16 forming a continuous, high pressure, fiber optic receiving tube, from well head 10 to well bottom. Alternatively, two lines 16 linked by loop 26 provide a continuous control line returning to the surface.

Abstract: A method of installing multiple strings within a wellbore. The method utilizes a carrier string having carrier string joints, a plurality of side strings each having side string joints, and a carrier tool for transferring the weight of the side strings to the carrier string permitting the side strings to be held, raised, and lowered within the wellbore by holding, raising, and lowering the carrier string. The carrier tool includes a body having a threaded through bore extending through the body and at least one threaded blind bore on the body. The method comprises the steps of engaging the carrier string joint into the carrier tool at the through bore so that the carrier string extends vertically upward and downward from the carrier tool, and engaging side string joints into the carrier tool at the at least one threaded blind bore.

Abstract: An exhauster pressure control system capable of keeping the gas pressure constant regardless of variation in the flow rate of the gas to be controlled. An inlet port 22 and an outlet port 24 are formed in a main body 20 and a spool 40 is held against sliding surfaces 29a and 29b by a spring 28. A pilot chamber 30 is located below the spool 40 and an internal pressure of the pilot chamber is held above a gas pressure at the inlet port 22. A pressure sensor S to detect the gas pressure at the inlet port 22, a control valve V to supply regulating gas to the pilot chamber 30 and a control circuit C to drive the control valve V according to an output of the pressure sensor are provided outside the main body 20, wherein the gas pressure at the inlet port 22 as detected by the pressure sensor S is fed back to the control circuit C, thereby actuating the control valve V to supply regulating gas to the pilot chamber.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a vaporizer in a liquid material vaporizing and feeding apparatus for allowing a liquid to absorb heat efficiently and vaporizing it thereby without pulsation of the liquid or formation of air bubbles.In a lower end face of an upper member 20 is formed a recess 24 into which a liquid material inlet 22 opens, and a valve member 50 is disposed so as to cover the recess 24.With a spring S, the valve member 50 is urged in a direction in which it comes into close contact with the lower end face of the upper member 20. A vaporizing portion 26 is formed between an upper surface of the valve member 50 and the upper member 20, and a pressure intensifying portion 58 is formed by both the upper surface of the valve member 50 and the recess 24.A liquid material fed from the liquid material inlet 22 depresses the valve member 50 through the pressure intensifying portion 58, and when the liquid material is diffused in the vaporizing portion 26, it is heated and vaporizes in an instant.

Abstract: A flow control valve for a semiconductor manufacturing process, which valve utilizes a pressure sensor between the flow control valve and a subsequent sonic nozzle to detect the gas pressure which is fed back to the valve to control the flow through the valve.

Abstract: A connecting member connected to an extension of a massflow controller has attached thereto a gatelike member to hold the connecting member from opposite sides thereof. The gatelike member has a pressing member for pressing the extension against the connecting member from immediately above a seal portion between the extension and the connecting member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device designed to more efficiently aerate a body of liquid. The aeration device generally includes a nozzle, a liquid delivery means, and an air delivery means. The nozzle is submersed within the body of liquid and directed substantially laterally relative to the surface of the body of liquid. The nozzle includes a liquid delivery tube, which defines an upstream end of the nozzle, a coaxially aligned contraction member having a converging profile, a coaxially aligned throat member having a uniform diameter, and a coaxially aligned diffuser member having a diverging profile and an exit facing downstream, and a coaxially aligned focus member having a uniform diameter all of which are in fluid communication in series relative to one another. The liquid delivery tube is in fluid communication with the liquid delivery means, which draws liquid from the body of liquid and delivers it under pressure to the liquid delivery tube.

Abstract: A door for railroad boxcars has a balsa core sandwich construction in which a balsa core is sandwiched between thin fiberglass skins and reinforced at the perimeter by steel tubes to provide an economical and lightweight door that exhibits the requisite structural strength. The door has a concavo-convex configuration that prevents thermally induced warpage from deforming the door in a manner to cause significant interference in its opening and closing movement.