Abstract: Oncolytic viral vectors that incorporate one or more of the following features: viral replication restriction by insertion of microRNA (miRNA) target sequences into the viral genome; disruption of oncogenic miRNA function; cancer microenvironment remodeling; and cancer cell targeting by incorporation of protease-activated antibodies into the viral particle. Such viral vectors can be used for the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multipurpose drill system, the multipurpose drill system comprising: a drilling rig adapted to drive a drilling assembly; and two or more power sources, wherein at least one of the two or more power sources is a high pressure power source, wherein the drilling assembly is adapted to be in communication with either or both of the two or more power sources.

Abstract: The updating of a definition layer or schema for a large distributed database can be accomplished using a plurality of data store tiers. A distributed database can be made up of many individual data stores, and these data stores can be allocated across a set of tiers based on business logic or other allocation criteria. The update can be applied sequentially to the individual tiers, such that only data stores for a single tier are being updated at any given time. This can help to minimize downtime for the database as a whole, and can help to minimize problems that may result from an unsuccessful update. Such an approach can also allow for simplified error detection and rollback, as well as providing control over a rate at which the update is applied to the various data stores of the distributed database.

Abstract: Oncolytic viral vectors that incorporate one or more of the following features: viral replication restriction by insertion of microRNA (miRNA) target sequences into the viral genome; disruption of oncogenic miRNA function; cancer microenvironment remodeling; and cancer cell targeting by incorporation of protease-activated antibodies into the viral particle. Such viral vectors can be used for the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and systems to measure and calibrate an optical particle spectrometer for reporting mass concentration. In one embodiment, an optical particle spectrometer is used to measure a concentration of particulate matter in a sampled particle-laden airstream. A particle diverter, in fluid communication with the spectrometer, diverts at least a portion of the particle-laden airstream at predetermined intervals. In one example, a mass filter receives the portion of the particle-laden airstream and filters a fraction of the particles within the airstream that are above a predetermined particle size. A mass sensor measures a mass of the fraction of the particles received from the mass filter or from the particle diverter and uses a calibration communication loop to provide the measured mass to the spectrometer to apply a correction factor to report mass concentration from the optical particle spectrometer. Other methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A key distribution host determines a trust level of a user authentication server, wherein the trust level is based, at least in part, on one or more attributes of the user authentication server and provides one or more authentication keys to the user authentication server only if the trust level of the user authentication server is above a threshold value.

Abstract: A policy management service receives a request to associate a version of a computing resource policy as a default version of the policy. In response to the request, the service identifies, from a policy database, an entry for the default version of the policy. The service updates the entry in order to associate the version specified in the request as the default version of the policy. This results in the version of the policy becoming applicable to control access to the computing resources associated with principals associated with the default version of the policy.

Abstract: A consistent view of associations between independently replicated data objects may be provided. Data objects may be stored in separate data stores. Copies of the data stores may also store the data objects. The copies of the data stores may independently receive the data objects to be stored as part of independently replicating data stores to one or more copies of the data stores. An association can be created between objects in the different data store. If when the association is created it is determined that a referenced object is not yet stored in a copy of a data store, then both the association and the referenced object may be stored in the same data store so that the association and the referenced object are replicated together to a copy of the same data store.

Abstract: A security token service receives a request for a token. The request indicates a set of access control policies that define a set of permissions for access to a resource. The security token service generates the token to comprise a set of identifiers of the set of access control policies. The security token service provides the token in response to the request to enable the token to be used to access the resource in accordance with the set of access control policies.

Abstract: A key distribution host determines a trust level of a user authentication server, wherein the trust level is based, at least in part, on one or more attributes of the user authentication server and provides one or more authentication keys to the user authentication server only if the trust level of the user authentication server is above a threshold value.

Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and systems to measure and calibrate an optical particle spectrometer for reporting mass concentration. In one embodiment, an optical particle spectrometer is used to measure a concentration of particulate matter in a sampled particle-laden airstream. A particle diverter, in fluid communication with the spectrometer, diverts at least a portion of the particle-laden airstream at predetermined intervals. In one example, a mass filter receives the portion of the particle-laden airstream and filters a fraction of the particles within the airstream that are above a predetermined particle size. A mass sensor measures a mass of the fraction of the particles received from the mass filter or from the particle diverter and uses a calibration communication loop to provide the measured mass to the spectrometer to apply a correction factor to report mass concentration from the optical particle spectrometer. Other methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A fishing lure imitating a bird has a body having a central long axis with equal longitudinal buoyancy, a set of two simulated eyes, groups of buoyant flexible strands each joined at one end to the body simulating extended bird wings, and a hook element disposed longitudinally through the cylindrical body with a shank extending rearward in the body along the long axis, the shank exiting the body in an upward-facing lengthwise recess, then bending forward to present a hook point.

Abstract: A fishing lure imitating a bird has a body having a central long axis with equal longitudinal buoyancy, a set of two simulated eyes, groups of buoyant flexible strands each joined at one end to the body simulating extended bird wings, and a hook element disposed longitudinally through the cylindrical body with a shank extending rearward in the body along the long axis, the shank exiting the body in an upward-facing lengthwise recess, then bending forward to present a hook point.

Abstract: A fishing lure imitating a winged prey has a cylindrical body having a conical front end and a rounded rear end, one or more first groupings of flexible strands, the multi-strand groupings disposed transversely through walls of the cylindrical body and secured thereto, the free ends of each multi-strand group protruding substantially orthogonally from the cylindrical body on opposite sides to imitate bird wings, one or more second groupings of flexible strands disposed through a rear wall of the cylindrical body and secured thereto, the free end of each multi-strand grouping protruding from the rear of the cylindrical body to imitate a bird tail, and a hook assembly disposed longitudinally through the cylindrical body, the hook assembly including a shank having a closed front eyelet and a partially open rear eyelet, and a hook attached to the shank at the rear eyelet.

Abstract: A fishing lure imitating a winged prey has a cylindrical body having a conical front end and a rounded rear end, one or more first groupings of flexible strands, the multi-strand groupings disposed transversely through walls of the cylindrical body and secured thereto, the free ends of each multi-strand group protruding substantially orthogonally from the cylindrical body on opposite sides to imitate bird wings, one or more second groupings of flexible strands disposed through a rear wall of the cylindrical body and secured thereto, the free end of each multi-strand grouping protruding from the rear of the cylindrical body to imitate a bird tail, and a hook assembly disposed longitudinally through the cylindrical body, the hook assembly including a shank having a closed front eyelet and a partially open rear eyelet, and a hook attached to the shank at the rear eyelet.

Abstract: As part of handling a large amount of error information generated on a mainframe system associated, for example, with a telephone billing system, a utility software program allows a user to easily process the error information. The information is generated by the mainframe in flat file format and converted into spreadsheet format. This compilation of error messages is then sent electronically as a spreadsheet to an operator responsible for processing the error messages. The utility software automatically opens the spreadsheet and saves then information locally in a relational database. The operator then opens the database and disposes of the error messages. Upon completion, the utility software appends the disposed information to an SQL database residing on a network. The utility software then establishes communication with a mainframe and transfers the error message disposition to the mainframe where this information is merged with the existing error messages and disposed of accordingly.

Abstract: The present application is generally directed to an arrangement of first and second articles of footwear which may be used in a system or method for teaching a user a plurality of individual units according to a predetermined order. The arrangement is configured to sense movement of the feet of a user and to provide one of the individual units in response to each movement sensed of the first and second foot of a user. In an exemplary form, the arrangement may provide to the user, in proper order, the letters of the alphabet as the user walks or moves while wearing the articles of footwear.

Abstract: A system and method for automating an unbillable study are disclosed. Account information relating to an unbillable call is received from an unbillable study database. At least one database is searched to retrieve records corresponding to the account information. A single report comprising records retrieved from all of the searched databases is generated. The report may be stored in a query-able database.

Abstract: As part of handling a large amount of error information generated on a mainframe system associated, for example, with a telephone billing system, a utility software program allows a user to easily process the error information. The information is generated by the mainframe in flat file format and converted into spreadsheet format. This compilation of error messages is then sent electronically as a spreadsheet to an operator responsible for processing the error messages. The utility software automatically opens the spreadsheet and saves then information locally in a relational database. The operator then opens the database and disposes of the error messages. Upon completion, the utility software appends the disposed information to an SQL database residing on a network. The utility software then establishes communication with a mainframe and transfers the error message disposition to the mainframe where this information is merged with the existing error messages and disposed of accordingly.

Abstract: A control system to control the descent of a seafaring vessel, such as a lifeboat, into water is disclosed herein. The control system, and an accompanying method, control the descent speed of the seafaring vessel to minimise the possibility of setback after splashdown, and thus increase the probability of a safe and orderly launch.