Abstract: A system for georeferencing of markers and using the georeferenced position of the markers for detecting potential movement of the ground including a data capture subsystem mounted to an aerial vehicle and comprising mapping capture equipment and positioning equipment acquiring respectively mapping data and position data as they move over a region of interest, a marker identification module configured identifying markers located in the region of interest from the mapping data, a marker georeferencing module georeferencing at least a portion of the identified marker, a marker data source receiving and storing the marker georeferenced data, and a movement detection module receiving marker georeferenced data associated to markers identified based on the mapping data and position data acquired at different points in time and compare the marker georeferenced data to detect if a movement or a movement trend of the markers.

Abstract: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus replicon particles (VRP) are described. These VRP are capable of undergoing a single round of virus replication, but are unable to produce new particles or spread to neighboring cells due to the lack of the glycoprotein-encoding M genome segment. In some instances, the VRP contains one or more mutations in the viral ovarian tumor domain protease encoded by the L genome segment or heterologous antigens within its S genome segment. These VRP are shown to elicit a protective immune response against lethal CCHF virus challenge in an animal model.

Abstract: A method and system for determining an indication of a presence of a leak of hazardous material includes displacing a first sensor system over a monitored geographical region, capturing first sensed data of the monitored geographic region using the sensor system during the displacement, and classifying the sensed data using a classification module to identify sensed samples having an indication of presence of leak of hazardous material. The classification module is trained according to a training dataset that is automatically annotated based on a detection method applied to second sensed data captured by a second sensor system of the monitored geographic region. In a training phase, the first and second sensor system are displaced over the monitored geographic area, and for each of the second samples, the indication of presence of a leak is automatically determined and used to automatically annotate a corresponding sample captured by the first sensor system.

Abstract: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus replicon particles (VRP) are described. These VRP are capable of undergoing a single round of virus replication, but are unable to produce new particles or spread to neighboring cells due to the lack of the glycoprotein-encoding M genome segment. In some instances, the VRP contain one or more mutations in the viral ovarian tumor domain protease encoded by the L genome segment or heterologous antigens within its S genome segment. The VRP are shown to elicit a protective immune response against lethal CCHF virus challenge in an animal model.

Abstract: The genetically modified nairoviruses of this invention possesses a viral ovarian tumor protease with decreased ability to remove ubiquitin (Ub) and ISG15 tags that the human organism uses to label proteins for removal. Exemplary are Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and Erve virus. Unlike complete knockout strains, the modified virus retains enough activity for replication in a human cell line. This creates an immunogenic and non-pathogenic virus that can be used as an effective live vaccine agent for prophylaxis and treatment.

Abstract: The genetically modified hemorrhagic fever virus of this invention possesses a viral ovarian tumor protease with decreased ability to remove ubiquitin (Ub) and ISG15 tags that the human organism uses to label proteins for removal. Unlike complete knockout strains, the modified virus retains enough activity for replication in a human cell line. This creates an immunogenic and non-pathogenic virus that can be used as an effective live vaccine agent.

Abstract: The genetically modified nairoviruses of this invention possesses a viral ovarian tumor protease with decreased ability to remove ubiquitin (Ub) and ISG15 tags that the human organism uses to label proteins for removal. Exemplary are Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and Erve virus. Unlike complete knockout strains, the modified virus retains enough activity for replication in a human cell line. This creates an immunogenic and non-pathogenic virus that can be used as an effective live vaccine agent for prophylaxis and treatment.

Abstract: The genetically modified hemorrhagic fever virus of this invention possesses a viral ovarian tumor protease with decreased ability to remove ubiquitin (Ub) and ISG15 tags that the human organism uses to label proteins for removal. Unlike complete knockout strains, the modified virus retains enough activity for replication in a human cell line. This creates an immunogenic and non-pathogenic virus that can be used as an effective live vaccine agent.

Abstract: A position controlled drive mechanism and a control method for positioning a drive mechanism are introduced. A sensor generates a displacement signal indicative of a displacement of a movable stop driven by an electric motor. A controller controls rotation of the electric motor. The controller also calculates a position of the movable stop based on the displacement signal. The controller includes at least two modes of operation in which the controller controls the electric motor to rotate its shaft to reach a selected position of the movable stop; controls a voltage or current supplied to the electric motor to maintain a current position of the movable stop; controls the electric motor to rotate the rotatable shaft in a selected direction until an external object hinders the rotation of the rotatable shaft; and controls the electric motor to assist an externally initiated rotation movement detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus suitable for screening a receptacle are provided. An image signal conveying an input image related to contents of the receptacle is received, the image signal having been produced by a device that is characterized by introducing distortion into the input image. A distortion correction process is applied to the image signal to remove at least part of the distortion from the input image, thereby to generate a corrected image signal conveying at least one corrected image. The corrected image signal is processed in combination with a plurality of data elements associated with a plurality of target objects in an attempt to detect a presence of at least one of the target objects in the receptacle. A detection signal is generated in response to detection of the presence of at least one target object in the receptacle.

Abstract: A system for screening cargo containers is provided including an image generation device, an apparatus for screening cargo containers and an output module. The image generation device generates an image signal conveying information related to the contents of the cargo container. The apparatus receives the image signal and a list of objects conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container. A processing unit processes the image signal in combination with the list of objects and a group of target images associated with objects to derive mismatch information data. The mismatch information data conveys at least one distinction between the list of objects and the information related to the contents of the cargo container conveyed by the image signal. Information conveying the mismatch information data is released and conveyed to a user of the system by an output module.

Abstract: A method of performing soil decontamination including mechanically mixing the soil with solid oxidant prior to any addition of water and until an exothermic reaction between the oxidant and contaminants within the soil occur, adding only necessary water to obtain an homogeneous mix between the soil and the oxidant, and mechanically mixing the soil with the oxidant and the water for a predetermined period of time to allow the oxidant to at least partially oxidize the contaminants.

Abstract: A system for screening luggage items, which includes an image generation device suitable for generating an image signal associated with a luggage item where the image signal conveys information related to the contents of the luggage item. The system also includes an apparatus having an input for receiving the image signal and a processing unit. The processing unit processes the image signal in combination with a plurality of target images associated with target objects to detect a presence of at least one target object in the luggage item. The processing unit generates a detection signal in response to detection of the presence of at least one target object in the luggage item. An output module conveys information derived at least in part on the basis of the detection signal to a user of the system. In alternative embodiments, the system may also be used to screen cargo containers and persons.

Abstract: A position controlled drive mechanism including an electric motor, an encoder associated with the rotatable shaft of the electric motor and a controller connected to both the electric motor and the encoder is described herein. The controller includes at least two of the following modes of operation in which the controller is configured as to: a) control the electric motor to rotate the rotatable shaft to a selected position; b) control the electric motor to maintain a current position; c) control the electric motor to rotate the rotatable shaft in a selected direction until an external object hinders the rotation of the rotatable shaft; and d) control the electric motor so as to assist an externally initiated rotation movement of the rotatable shaft detected by the encoder.

Abstract: A method of performing soil decontamination including mechanically mixing the soil with solid oxidant prior to any addition of water and until an exothermic reaction between the oxidant and contaminants within the soil occur, adding only necessary water to obtain an homogeneous mix between the soil and the oxidant, and mechanically mixing the soil with the oxidant and the water for a predetermined period of time to allow the oxidant to at least partially oxidize the contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a security screening operation on receptacles to detect presence of one or more prohibited objects in the receptacles. The apparatus may comprise an input for receiving image data conveying an image of contents of a receptacle, the image data being derived from a device that scans the receptacle with penetrating radiation. The apparatus may also comprise a processing unit for determining whether the image depicts at least one prohibited object. The apparatus may also comprise a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying a representation of the contents of the receptacle on a basis of the image data. The GUI may also display a representation of the contents of each of one or more receptacles previously screened by the apparatus. When a detection of depiction of at least one prohibited object is made, the GUI may display information conveying a level of confidence in the detection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing a user interface module for use in screening a receptacle to detect therein the presence of one or more prohibited objects is provided. An image signal associated with the receptacle conveying information related to the receptacle's contents and a detection signal conveying a presence of at least one prohibited object in the receptacle are received. A user interface module is adapted for displaying first information conveying an image associated with the receptacle on the basis of the image signal. The user interface module is also adapted for displaying, simultaneously with the first information, second information conveying the presence of the prohibited object in the receptacle. The second information is derived at least in part on the basis of the detection signal. As a variant, the user interface module is adapted for providing a control allowing a user to cause third information to be displayed.

Abstract: A database of target objects suitable for use in detecting the presence of one or more target objects in a receptacle is provided. The database of target objects comprises a plurality of entries, each entry being associated to a respective target object whose presence in a receptacle it is desirable to detect during security screening. An entry for a given target object comprises a group of sub-entries, each sub-entry being associated to the given target object in a respective orientation. At least part of each sub-entry is suitable for being processed by a processing unit implementing an optical correlation operation to attempt to detect a representation of the given target object in an image of the receptacle. A method, an apparatus and a system for generating entries for the database of target objects are also provided.

Abstract: A system for screening cargo containers is provided including an image generation device, an apparatus for screening cargo containers and an output module. The image generation device generates an image signal conveying information related to the contents of the cargo container. The apparatus receives the image signal and a list of objects conveying objects expected to be present in the cargo container. A processing unit processes the image signal in combination with the list of objects and a group of target images associated with objects to derive mismatch information data. The mismatch information data conveys at least one distinction between the list of objects and the information related to the contents of the cargo container conveyed by the image signal. Information conveying the mismatch information data is released and conveyed to a user of the system by an output module.