Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses compositions and methods for targeted cytokine delivery. The compositions disclosed herein comprise a cytokine linked to an NKG2D ligand or PD1 ligand and may improve immunotherapy by limiting side effects associated with immunotherapy. The present disclosure also encompasses compositions and methods for recruiting cytotoxic lymphocytes to target cells using NKG2D receptor ligands or PD1 ligands. The compositions disclosed herein comprise a NKG2D receptor ligand and a targeting molecule and may improve immunotherapy by limiting side effects associated with immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses compositions and methods for targeted cytokine delivery. The compositions disclosed herein comprise a cytokine linked to a ligand and may improve immunotherapy by limiting side effects associated with immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a ladder attachment system for securing a ladder within a tower of a wind turbine. The ladder has parallel legs and a plurality of rungs arranged perpendicularly between the parallel legs. The ladder attachment system includes at least one external stiffener configured at a top end of each of the parallel legs. Each of the external stiffeners includes a longitudinal body having an open cross-section configured to receive one of the parallel legs along a length thereof. Further, the ladder attachment system also includes a load-bearing bracket assembly configured with each of the external stiffeners. In addition, the ladder attachment system includes at least one support arm arranged in a horizontal plane and configured with each of the parallel legs, with the support arms being spaced apart from the load-bearing bracket assembly along a height of the ladder.

Abstract: A method enables a portable communication device to redirect a call initiated from the portable communication device and to execute a visual interactive voice response application for interfacing with a user. The method includes screening calls initiated from the portable communication device by a communication application resident on the portable communication device, and redirecting a call initiated from the portable communication device when the screening determines that the call matches predetermined criteria. The method also includes authenticating an account corresponding to the portable communication device that initiated the call by communicating with a service provider communication network, and executing a visual interactive voice response application that visually interacts with the user of the portable communication device upon authentication of the account by the service provider communication network.

Abstract: A host vehicle may include: motor(s), brakes, sensors, processor(s) configured to: (a) predict a target path of a target vehicle based on lane boundaries of a virtual map; (b) compare the target path to a predicted host path of the host vehicle; (c) apply the brakes based on the comparison; (d) predict the target path and the host path as shapes, each having a two-dimensional surface area; (e) determine whether the shapes intersect, and based on the determination, (f) calculate a first timespan where the target vehicle reaches the intersection, and (g) a second timespan where the host vehicle reaches the intersection.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is presented having a pressure fitting at an end of the cable. The pressure fitting can create a pressure and/or chemical seal to prevent migration of environmental elements into or out of the cable. The fiber optic cable can advantageously be configured for use in varied environments including, for example, one or more of caustic, high-pressure, or low-pressure environments.

Abstract: A method enables a portable communication device to redirect a call initiated from the portable communication device and to execute a visual interactive voice response application for interfacing with a user. The method includes screening calls initiated from the portable communication device by a communication application resident on the portable communication device, and redirecting a call initiated from the portable communication device when the screening determines that the call matches predetermined criteria. The method also includes authenticating an account corresponding to the portable communication device that initiated the call by communicating with a service provider communication network, and executing a visual interactive voice response application that visually interacts with the user of the portable communication device upon authentication of the account by the service provider communication network.

Abstract: A method is provided for redirecting a call initiated from a portable communication device. The method includes screening calls initiated from the portable communication device, and on the portable communication device, automatically redirecting the call initiated from the portable communication device from a normal communication network to a specified service provider communication network when the screening determines that the call matches predetermined criteria. The method also includes authenticating a user account, executing a visual IVR application that visually interacts with a user of the portable communication device upon authentication of the account, and forwarding the redirected call via a communication network to an alternate system when the authentication of the account fails.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a ladder attachment system for securing a ladder within a tower of a wind turbine. The ladder has parallel legs and a plurality of rungs arranged perpendicularly between the parallel legs. The ladder attachment system includes at least one external stiffener configured at a top end of each of the parallel legs. Each of the external stiffeners includes a longitudinal body having an open cross-section configured to receive one of the parallel legs along a length thereof. Further, the ladder attachment system also includes a load-bearing bracket assembly configured with each of the external stiffeners. In addition, the ladder attachment system includes at least one support arm arranged in a horizontal plane and configured with each of the parallel legs, with the support arms being spaced apart from the load-bearing bracket assembly along a height of the ladder.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is presented having a pressure fitting at an end of the cable. The pressure fitting can create a pressure and/or chemical seal to prevent migration of environmental elements into or out of the cable. The fiber optic cable can advantageously be configured for use in varied environments including, for example, one or more of caustic, high-pressure, or low-pressure environments.

Abstract: A method is provided for redirecting a call initiated from a portable communication device. The method includes screening calls initiated from the portable communication device, and on the portable communication device, automatically redirecting the call initiated from the portable communication device from a normal communication network to a specified service provider communication network when the screening determines that the call matches predetermined criteria. The method also includes authenticating a user account, executing a visual IVR application that visually interacts with a user of the portable communication device upon authentication of the account, and forwarding the redirected call via a communication network to an alternate system when the authentication of the account fails.

Abstract: A reach back secure communications terminal includes a modem to satellite interconnect board that captures DTMF tones, demodulates encrypted modem information, and converts both into an ASCII string for presentation to a data port of a satellite phone, allowing out-of-band control of a non-secure satellite system (e.g., AT command control of a data port) by a user on a secure side of an encryption device, by including the ability to interpret control signals and control the satellite system appropriately. A false dial tone is presented to the encryption device, and the data stream coming from the encryption device is monitored for the presence of dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) tones representing control signals, the DTMF tones are converted to ASCII characters, which are in turn received as control signals by the satellite phone, allowing control of the functions of the satellite system directly from the secure side of the encryption device.

Abstract: A method enables a portable communication device to redirect a call initiated from the portable communication device and to execute a visual interactive voice response application for interfacing with a user. The method includes screening calls initiated from the portable communication device by a communication application resident on the portable communication device, and redirecting a call initiated from the portable communication device when the screening determines that the call matches predetermined criteria. The method also includes authenticating an account corresponding to the portable communication device that initiated the call by communicating with a service provider communication network, and executing a visual interactive voice response application that visually interacts with the user of the portable communication device upon authentication of the account by the service provider communication network.

Abstract: A reach back secure communications terminal includes a modem to satellite interconnect board that captures DTMF tones, demodulates encrypted modem information, and converts both into an ASCII string for presentation to a data port of a satellite phone, allowing out-of-band control of a non-secure satellite system (e.g., AT command control of a data port) by a user on a secure side of an encryption device, by including the ability to interpret control signals and control the satellite system appropriately. A false dial tone is presented to the encryption device, and the data stream coming from the encryption device is monitored for the presence of dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) tones representing control signals, the DTMF tones are converted to ASCII characters, which are in turn received as control signals by the satellite phone, allowing control of the functions of the satellite system directly from the secure side of the encryption device.

Abstract: An enclosure associated with a wind turbine tower includes a plurality of pre-assembled sections configured to be attached to a section of the wind turbine tower. The plurality of pre-assembled sections form an enclosure around the section. The enclosure is configured for storage of electrical components associated with a wind turbine. The enclosure is also configured to increase available space within the wind turbine tower by storage of the electrical components in the enclosure.

Abstract: A method enables a portable communication device to redirect a call initiated from the portable communication device and to execute a visual interactive voice response application for interfacing with a user. The method includes screening calls initiated from the portable communication device by a communication application resident on the portable communication device, and redirecting a call initiated from the portable communication device when the screening determines that the call matches predetermined criteria. The method also includes authenticating an account corresponding to the portable communication device that initiated the call by communicating with a service provider communication network, and executing a visual interactive voice response application that visually interacts with the user of the portable communication device upon authentication of the account by the service provider communication network.

Abstract: A reach back secure communications terminal includes a digital PBX adapter that offers immediate and secure voice, data and video connectivity over any of various commercially available PBX systems. In addition to use with a PBX system, integrated components simplify access to varied networks allowing deployed users to select and connect quickly to a network that best supports their present mission. Commercial or optional NSA Type 1 encryption may be implemented. Networking options include any of PSTN, PBX, GSM (or CDMA or other cell telephone standard), SAT, IP and WiFi. The digital PBX adapter includes an audio mixer that converts a 4-wire input from a handset jack of a PBX handset base, into a 2-wire output destined for an encryption unit (FNBDT). The user determines a necessary gain of the audio mixer for the particular PBX system by trial and error using a multi-position switch.

Abstract: A hosted application server system and method are disclosed. The hosted application server system includes an interface for receiving a request from one of a plurality of users, a runtime environment for running a plurality of independent applications, a core configured to receive and respond to a request from one of the applications, and an interface for sending a response to the user. The core can have access to a shared data model.

Abstract: The stabilized controllable drogue for an inflight aerial refueling system includes a reception coupling, a paradrogue frame, a drogue canopy, and a plurality of actuators for moving the drogue canopy in a desired direction to control, steer and stabilize the stabilized controllable drogue during turbulent conditions.

Abstract: A reach back secure communications terminal capable of GSM network connectivity includes a GSM fixed cellular terminal, and a single whip antenna adapted for user selectable use at any of four distinct frequency bands, e.g., 850, 900, 1800, or 1900. Immediate and secure voice, data and video connectivity is provided to multiple telecommunications networks. Integrated components simplify access to varied networks allowing deployed users to select and connect quickly to a network that best supports their present mission. Networking options include any of PSTN, PBX, GSM (or CDMA or other cell telephone standard), SAT, IP and WiFi. During secure call setup, the reach-back communications terminal exchanges public keys with a remote terminal using FNBDT signaling. Traffic encryption is performed using the NIST approved Advanced Encryption System (AES) standard (Rijndael) and a 128-bit random key (2^128 possible keys).