Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chain monitoring systems and methods. In particular, the chain monitoring system is configured to mount onto a portion of a chain and measure one or more parameters associated with one or more characteristics of the chain. The measured parameters are processed by the chain monitoring system and/or transmitted to a remote system for analysis. The analysis may be used to determine a characteristic and/or change in the characteristic of the chain. In some examples, the characteristic is an elongation value associated with the chain, which can be transmitted to a networked system for analysis, display, and/or control. In some examples, a sensor can be employed to measure one or more characteristics of the chain. The sensor may include, but is not limited to, a strain gauge, an accelerometer, an optical, a sonic, and/or a magnetic sensor.

Abstract: This disclosure provides modified recombinant retroviruses comprisings containing a 2A-peptide or peptide-like coding sequence operably linked to a heterologous polynucleotide. The disclosure further relates to cells and vector expressing or comprising such vectors and methods of using such modified vectors in the treatment of disease and disorders.

Abstract: This disclosure provides modified recombinant retroviruses comprisings containing a 2A-peptide or peptide-like coding sequence operably linked to a heterologous polynucleotide. The disclosure further relates to cells and vector expressing or comprising such vectors and methods of using such modified vectors in the treatment of disease and disorders.

Abstract: A linear sensor array is deployed horizontally on the ocean floor by first deploying a vertical array, between an anchor and a float from which the array is suspended, and then decreasing the buoyancy of the float gradually as the float is carried away from the anchor by ocean currents. The float is comprised of a suitably large volume of buoyant material such as hollow glass microspheres freely floating inside a liquid filled plastic container. To gradually reduce buoyancy, the microspheres are allowed to flow out through a neck near the top of the container while water is allowed to enter the bottom of the container through a liquid permeable membrane. The diameter of the neck is selected for optimum sinking rate of the float.