Abstract: Methods are provided for automatically performing atmospheric compensation of a multi or hyper spectral image. One method comprises transforming at least two endmembers extracted from an image into at-ground reflectance. The transformation may be approximate and/or only in certain spectral bands in order to reduce processing time. A matching component is then located in a spectral library for each of the at least two extracted endmembers. Gain and offset values are then calculated using the at least two matched extracted endmember and spectral library component pairs. At least part of the image is then compensated using the calculated gain and offset values. Another method uses at least one endmember extracted from the image and a black level. Methods for atmospheric compensation using water vapor content of pixels are also provided. In addition, methods for shadow correction of hyper and multi spectral images are provided.

Abstract: A system using hybrid Rankine cycles is provided. The system includes a first Rankine cycle system using a first working fluid, the first system producing exergy loss and residual energy from at least one of turbine extraction, turbine condensation and boiler flue gas; and a second Rankine cycle system using a second working fluid to recover the exergy loss and residual energy. The second working fluid comprises a first stream and a second stream, wherein the first stream exchanges heat with the first system via at least one first heat exchanger, and the second stream exchanges heat with the first system via the at least one first heat exchanger and at least one second heat exchanger. A turbine of the first system is configured to allow the first working fluid to exit at a sufficiently high pressure and temperature to provide heat to the second system instead of expanding to a low pressure and temperature and discharging heat to ambient using a condenser.

Abstract: A combustion system for operational connection to an energy conversion system and a method of providing thermal energy to the energy conversion system. The system comprises a combustor to be oxy-fired at above atmospheric pressure, using solid, liquid or gaseous fuels, with a supply of oxygen and supercritical carbon dioxide. The combustion gases from the combustor are delivered to a heat exchanger which interfaces with the energy conversion system. Temperatures in the combustor, and the delivery temperature to the heat exchanger, are controlled by selective recirculation of at least part of the combustion gases to the combustor, and by modulating the supply of oxygen and fuel to the combustor. Any combustion gases which are not recirculated are processed to separate carbon dioxide for use or sequestration. The system and method substantially eliminate emissions of carbon dioxide, while providing a highly efficient supply of thermal energy to the energy conversion system.

Abstract: A passive dry deposit (Pas-DD) air sampling device and method for sampling volatile, semi-volatile, or particulate matter in air. The Pas-DD device comprises a top cover plate, a bottom plate connected to and spaced a distance apart from the top cover plate, and at least one sampling media supported by the bottom plate and positioned within the device in an orientation accessible for collecting particles in the environment. The top cover plate and bottom plate may be oriented in parallel, and spaced apart a distanced that can be optimized for air sampling a broad size-range of depositing particles. The passive air sampling device and method disclosed are particularly useful for sampling air in regions where access to electricity is difficult, and for estimating atmospheric loadings of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other semi-volatile compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflective telescopic system, to control the generation of filamentation of ultrashort and intense laser pulses that includes: a flat mirror, an adaptive reflective mirror, a dichroic convex mirror, an off-axis parabolic mirror, and a first laser source. The convex mirror and the adaptive reflective mirror are mounted on an independent breadboard and set on a translation stage. The propagation axis of the laser beam reflected by the mirror should correspond to the off-axis of the parabolic mirror. The parabolic mirror reflects the beam at a specific angle. Finally, the propagation axis between the dichroic convex mirror and the off-axis parabolic mirror, the propagation axis between the flat mirror and the adaptive reflective mirror, and the axis of the translation stage should be substantially parallel to each other. The present invention also contemplates the boresighting of a weak laser beam from a second laser source.

Abstract: Systems and devices relating to a biconical antenna. The antenna has a top cone assembly and a bottom cone assembly, each cone assembly being coupled to a dielectric spacer at its apex. Each cone assembly has a cone section and a truncated cone section. The cone section is a cone with an apex which forms the apex of the cone assembly. The truncated cone section is coupled to the cone of the cone section at the cone's rim. The cone has an opening angle which is larger than the opening angle of the truncated cone. The biconical antenna can be fed by way of a coaxial cable with the outer cable feeding the bottom cone assembly and the inner cable feeding the top cone assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct contact steam generation for a variety of industrial processes including heavy oil recovery, power generation and pulp and paper applications. The steam generation system consists of a combustor (10) and a steam generator (70) and is constructed to be operable at elevated pressures. The fuel, at least one oxidant and a fluid supply including water are supplied at pressure to the combustor. Flue gas from the combustor (10) is delivered to the direct contact steam generator (70) at pressure, and upon direct contact with water, produces a flue gas stream consisting primarily of steam. This product stream can then be cleansed and used for industrial applications. The combustor (10) can be operated with low grade fuel and low quality water with high solids and hydrocarbon contents. The apparatus and method reduce the environmental footprint by reducing air emission, concentrating CO2 to enable capture and reducing clean water requirements.

Abstract: A system has a first transmitter for transmitting a first wireless signal within a first frequency. A second transmitter is for transmitting a second wireless signal with overlapping frequency. The first transmitter and the second transmitter are disposed sufficiently proximate to another such that the wireless signals substantially interfere resulting in a combined wireless signal with negative SNR for each of the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal, the negative SNR being a result of at least the other of the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal. A receiver is located for receiving a received wireless signal comprising substantially interfering encoded data signals having negative SNR. The receiver is for selecting from the substantially interfering encoded data signals a signal of interest and for decoding said signal of interest relative to at least the other substantially interfering data signal within the received wireless signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring lay length of a wire rope having a number or external strands to form a rope having spiral grooves in the surface between the strands. A magnetic flux circuit is generated, part of which is formed within a region of the advancing wire rope. Variations of magnetic field around the region of the rope or variations of magnetic flux entering or leaving the rope are sensed by at least two sensors arranged around the rope. Signals from the sensors are subtractively combined to eliminate variations due to off-axis movements of the rope, and the combined signals reveal an oscillating pattern due to the undulating surface of the rope. Linking the oscillating pattern to distance along the rope reveals the lay length, which corresponds to a number of oscillations which is the same as the number of strands at the surface.

Abstract: The present description relates to a process for the psychrophilic anaerobic digestion of ammonia-rich waste, such as farm manure or municipal waste, comprising the steps of contacting the ammonia-rich waste to an inoculum comprising anaerobic bacteria in a digester and reacting the ammonia-rich waste with the inoculum at a temperature below 25° C. to allow digestion of the ammonia-rich waste.

Abstract: The present description relates to a process for the psychrophilic anaerobic digestion of high organic solids content waste, such as farm manure or municipal waste, comprising the steps of contacting the high organic solids content waste to an inoculum comprising anaerobic bacteria in a digester and reacting the high organic solids content waste with the inoculum at a temperature below 25° C. to allow digestion of the high organic solids content waste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-ricin antibodies and uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to anti-ricin antibodies and fragments thereof as well as their use in therapy or prophylaxis.

Abstract: Methods are provided for automatically performing atmospheric compensation of a multi or hyper spectral image. One method comprises transforming at least two endmembers extracted from an image into at-ground reflectance. The transformation may be approximate and/or only in certain spectral bands in order to reduce processing time. A matching component is then located in a spectral library for each of the at least two extracted endmembers. Gain and offset values are then calculated using the at least two matched extracted endmember and spectral library component pairs. At least part of the image is then compensated using the calculated gain and offset values. Another method uses at least one endmember extracted from the image and a black level. Methods for atmospheric compensation using water vapor content of pixels are also provided. In addition, methods for shadow correction of hyper and multi spectral images are provided.

Abstract: A method and system for improving high excess air combustion system efficiency, including induration furnaces, using a re-routing of flue gas within the system by gas recirculation. Flue gas is drawn from hot system zones including zones near the stack, for re-introduction into the process whereby the heat recovery partially replaces fuel input. At least one pre-combustion drying zone, at least one combustion zone, and at least a first cooling zone exist in these furnaces. At least one exhaust gas outlet is provided to each pre-combustion drying and combustion zone. At least part of the gaseous flow from each system zone exhaust outlet is selectively delivered to an overall system exhaust, the remaining flow being selectively delivered via recirculation to cooling zones. Recirculation flow is adjusted to meet required system temperatures and pressures. The method and system provide efficiency improvements, reducing fuel requirements and greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract: Two universally conserved sequences from influenza type A neuraminidases were identified by large scale sequence analysis then chemically modified and conjugated to carrier proteins to generate mono-specific and monoclonal antibodies. The two antibodies, one targeting the N-terminus of the type A neuraminidase and the other sequence close to enzymatic active site, were capable of binding to all 9 subtypes of neuraminidase while demonstrating remarkable specificity against the viral neuraminidase sequences since no cross-reactivity against allantoic proteins was observed. Quantitative analyses of NA using slot blot suggest that the antibodies can be used for NA antigen quantitation in vaccines. These represent the first time the antibody-based immunoassay can be used for NA quantitative determination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the bioupgrading of crude oil is directed to a process for decreasing the acidity of an acidic crude oil, comprising contacting an acidic crude oil with a mixture nitrogen containing compounds selected from the group comprising ammonia, ammonia hydroxide, amines and the salts thereof, and in the presence of lipase enzyme, under conditions of suitable temperature and pressure sufficient to form the corresponding amide. The resulting naphthenic acid derived amides can then be processed normally in a refinery using such processes as cracking or hydrotreating and converted to hydrocarbon, ammonia and carbon dioxide without causing damage to the refinery infrastructure. This enzyme process is done at reduced temperatures (40-60° C.) and pressures requiring less energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-ricin antibodies and uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to anti-ricin antibodies and fragments thereof as well as their use in therapy or prophylaxis.

Abstract: Derivatives of dillapiol, sesamol and related monolignans having the following general formula: These compounds have synergistic properties, inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes such as human CYP3A4, and can be used as pesticide synergists or pharmaco-enhancers. Accordingly, methods for increasing the efficacy and/or bioavailability of a pharmaceutically active agent and for increasing the potency of a pesticide are described, as are synergistic pesticidal and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A new cultivar of sweet cherry tree named ‘SPC243’, that is characterized by its upright growth habit with semi-erect one year-old shoots and sparse crown density, its small fruit that is elongated kidney shaped, its fruit skin that is yellow in color with an orange-red over-color, its fruit flesh that is yellow in color, its moderate to high fruiting precocity, its flowers that are self-fertile, and its late to very late fruit harvest season.

Abstract: A new cultivar of apple tree, ‘SPA493’, that is characterized by its spreading tree habit that is easy to manage, its moderate growth rate, its medium sized fruit that is globose in shape, its fruit with a sweet-tart flavor, its fruit with skin that is yellow in color heavily blushed with red, its fruit that has a very long storage period, and its mid to late harvest period in British Columbia, Canada.