Abstract: A spacer for use in spacing a cladding component from a building component has a support member, a base spaced apart from the support member, the base having a contact surface facing away from the support member, a web connected between the support member and the base, and a guide configured to locate the cladding component on the support member. A plurality of the spacers can be used by resiliently deforming them to accommodate and retain by restorative bias force a corresponding plurality of portions of the cladding component. Thereafter, the spacers are secured to the building component.

Abstract: An immunogen-specific is adjuvant for a vaccine or inoculum is disclosed. The adjuvant is comprised of particulate recombinant protein body-like assemblies (RPBLAs) that contain a recombinant fusion protein that contains two portions peptide-linked together. A first portion is a protein body-inducing sequence (PBIS) and a second portion is a T-cell stimulating immunogenic polypeptide whose sequence is that of a pathogenic polypeptide sequence present in or induced by a vaccine or inoculum. The adjuvant, when used as an inoculum in a host animal without a prior priming vaccination or inoculation, does not induce production of antibodies or T cell activation to the pathogenic sequence.

Abstract: A spacer for use in spacing a cladding component from a building component has a support member, a base spaced apart from the support member, the base having a contact surface facing away from the support member, a web connected between the support member and the base, and a guide configured to locate the cladding component on the support member. A plurality of the spacers can be used by resiliently deforming them to accommodate and retain by restorative bias force a corresponding plurality of portions of the cladding component. Thereafter, the spacers are secured to the building component.

Abstract: A subsea energy storage for well control equipment, wherein stored energy near a well on the sea floor monitors and activates well control equipment independently of, or in conjunction with, hydraulic energy. Energy to the subsea energy storage can be supplied by surface umbilical, remotely-operated vehicle, or by subsea electrical generation from stored hydraulic energy. Stored electrical energy may also recharge stored hydraulic energy. A subsea control system is configured to record data, compare the data to predetermined event signatures, and operate the well control equipment with stored electrical energy.

Abstract: An adsorber material element is used relieve a vacuum that results from cooling of heated contents in a sealed container. An interior volume of that container may be filled or partially filled with a heated material. After the at least partially filled container is sealed, one or more gases may be released from an adsorber material and into the interior volume of the sealed container. As the contents of the container cool, the release of gas(es) from the adsorber material relieves vacuum that would otherwise develop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing drill pipe motion compensation are disclosed. A system may include a drill pipe and a marine riser pipe, and the marine riser pipe may be configured to support the weight of a drill pipe. A pipe holder may be coupled to the drill pipe and the marine riser pipe and may be configured to suspend the drill pipe on the marine riser pipe. A drill pipe support system may be coupled to the pipe holder and the marine riser pipe. The drill pipe support system, together with the pipe holder, may be configured to transfer the weight of the drill pipe to the marine riser pipe. The system may also include a plurality of wires coupled to the marine riser pipe. One or more tensioners may be configured to compensate for motion on the drill pipe by controlling tension on one or more of the plurality of wires coupled to the marine riser pipe.

Abstract: Methods and structures for providing single-color or multi-color photo-detectors leveraging plasmon resonance for performance benefits. In one example, a radiation detector includes a semiconductor absorber layer having a first electrical conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a first spectral region, a semiconductor collector layer coupled to the absorber layer and having a second electrical conductivity type, and a plasmonic resonator coupled to the collector layer and having a periodic structure including a plurality of features arranged in a regularly repeating pattern.

Abstract: A hybrid power plant is characterized by a substantially constant load on generators regardless of momentary swings in power load. Short changes in power load are accommodated by DC components such as capacitors, batteries, resistors, or a combination thereof. Resistors are used to consume power when loads in the power plant are generating excess power. Capacitors are used to store and deliver power when the loads in the power plant demand additional power. Reducing rapid changes in power load as seen by the generators allows the generators to operate at higher efficiencies and with reduced emissions. Additionally, power plants employing combinations of generators, loads, and energy storage devices have increased dynamic performance.

Abstract: An immunogen-specific is adjuvant for a vaccine or inoculum is disclosed. The adjuvant is comprised of particulate recombinant protein body-like assemblies (RPBLAs) that contain a recombinant fusion protein that contains two portions peptide-linked together. A first portion is a protein body-inducing sequence (PBIS) and a second portion is a T-cell stimulating immunogenic polypeptide whose sequence is that of a pathogenic polypeptide sequence present in or induced by a vaccine or inoculum. The adjuvant, when used as an inoculum in a host animal without a prior priming vaccination or inoculation, does not induce production of antibodies or T cell activation to the pathogenic sequence.

Abstract: A system for autonomous protection from fires and electrical shock of components used in construction of photovoltaic arrays is disclosed. The system detects conditions that left unattended will result in conflagration of combustible materials and unwanted electrification. The disclosed system provides an active control mechanism that operates to take defective components off line and thus provide protection from fire and electrification hazards that otherwise could arise. The system also provides means for annunciation and notification when actions are taken. The system can be used, for example, to determine that a photovoltaic (PV) module is at risk of conflagration of its flammable structural elements due to intense heat of plasma produced by a direct current (DC) arc at a point in the grid of conductors that collect and carry current from photovoltaic cells exposed to solar irradiation.

Abstract: An enhanced riser control system may employ electrical tensioners coupled to a drilling riser by wires. The electrical tensioners may provide quick response to a tension controller to handle positioning of the drilling riser. The electrical tensioners of the enhanced riser control system may be combined with hydro-pneumatic tensioners in a riser hybrid tensioning system. A controller within the enhanced riser control system may be configured to distribute tension to electrical tensioners and to control electrical tensioners to adjust the length of the first and second wires. Energy from an electrical tensioner may be transferred to an energy storage system or to power dissipaters for dissipating the energy generated by the electrical tensioner. The energy transferred from an electrical tensioner may be energy that has been generated by the electrical tensioner.

Abstract: Methods and structures for providing single-color or multi-color photo-detectors leveraging plasmon resonance for performance benefits. In one example, a radiation detector includes a semiconductor absorber layer having a first electrical conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a first spectral region, a semiconductor collector layer coupled to the absorber layer and having a second electrical conductivity type, and a plasmonic resonator coupled to the collector layer and having a periodic structure including a plurality of features arranged in a regularly repeating pattern.

Abstract: A riser data logging system can be installed on the riser top to provide real time information of the riser, instead of or in addition to relying on sensors installed on a tensioner. The riser recoil detection system can thus be made independent of any motion of the vessel. This logging system can feedback the riser top acceleration, velocity, position, and the wire-line tensions into a controller. By comparing the acceleration difference between the riser top and the vessel body, the controller can provide more reliable and faster detection of events occurring on a vessel, potentially detecting the condition within one second. If the acceleration exceeds a certain limit, the electrical tensioners are able to reduce the wire-line tension nearly instantaneously, providing a much more effective anti-recoil control that conventional hydro-pneumatic tensioners.

Abstract: A method for forming a molded fiber bottle by pressurizing a flexible plastic bag in a molded pulp bottle preform to press the bag against the inner wall of the molded pulp bottle preform and thereby assist dewatering of the preform and form an internal plastic liner in the molded pulp bottle preform such that the liner provides a barrier function for the bottle and the resulting bottle produced by the method.

Abstract: A method of producing a virus-like particle (VLP) in a plant is provided. The method comprises introducing a first nucleic acid into the plant, or portion of the plant. The first nucleic acid comprising a first regulatory region active in the plant operatively linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more rotavirus structural protein for example but not limited to rotavirus protein VP2. The nucleotide sequence may further comprise one or more than one amplification element and/or a compartment targeting sequence. A second nucleic acid might be introduced into the plant, or portion of the plant. The second nucleic acid comprises a second regulatory region active in the plant and operatively linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding one or more rotavirus structural protein, for example but not limited to rotavirus protein VP6. Optionally, a third nucleic acid and/or fourth nucleic acid might be introduced into the plant, or portion of the plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an influenza virus H5 polypeptide in a plant comprising the steps of cloning an influenza H5 gene or nucleic acid encoding its functional equivalent into a vector adapted to target components present in the plant, infiltrating at least a portion of the plant with the vector or transforming plant tissue with the vector so as to transiently express the influenza virus H5 polypeptide, and/or to create a transgenic plant; and recover the influenza virus H5 polypeptide expressed by the plant. The invention further relates to vectors, transgenic plants or parts thereof and the progeny of such plants used in or which come about as a result of the method.

Abstract: Methods and structures for providing single-color or multi-color photo-detectors leveraging plasmon resonance for performance benefits. In one example, a radiation detector includes a semiconductor absorber layer having a first electrical conductivity type and an energy bandgap responsive to radiation in a first spectral region, a semiconductor collector layer coupled to the absorber layer and having a second electrical conductivity type, and a plasmonic resonator coupled to the collector layer and having a periodic structure including a plurality of features arranged in a regularly repeating pattern.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chimaeric human papillomavirus (HPV) virus like particle (VLP) having a diameter of about 30 nm. The invention further relates to methods of treatment and/or prophylaxis of HPV infection and/or cervical cancer by administration of the chimaeric HPV VLP of the invention to a subject.

Abstract: An autonomous breaker can apply a current through a high impedance source to a bus coupled to either end of a breaker in order to measure an impedance of the bus. The status of the bus can be determined from the measurement. Based on the determined status, a fault detection procedure can be selected and implemented to determine if a fault exists on the bus. When the fault detection procedure has been implemented and no fault has been detected, the breaker can close, and thus couple the bus to another bus.