Abstract: The present invention pertains to vaccines suitable for administering systemically that comprise live aro mutant bacteria, an adjuvant, an aromatic supplement, or both an adjuvant and an aromatic supplement. The present invention also pertains to the manufacture of such a vaccine and a method of protecting an animal by administration of the vaccine.

Abstract: A seismic survey method including determining an expected time when an actuation step will be performed by a seismic source device, transmitting a signal from the seismic source device to a source control system thereby alerting the source control system of the expected time when the actuation step will be performed by the seismic source device; and in response to the signal from the seismic source device, providing a communication from the source control system to the seismic source device.

Abstract: Vaccine and/or immunogenic compositions that comprise an effective immunizing amount of an E. canis bacterin are described. In addition, methods of immunizing a subject against E. canis by providing the vaccine and/or immunogenic compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A seismic cable for use in land applications is described. The cable includes seismic sensors for measuring seismic signals reflected from subterranean or subsea formations. The cable may be deployed in trenches dug in the survey region to provide adequate sensor coupling to ground. Sensor units may be inline with the cable and may further be disposed in slim casings, thus facilitating handling and deployment.

Abstract: A technique includes during a seismic acquisition, selectively forming groups of at least one seismic source from a plurality of seismic sources as the seismic sources become available based at least in part on a minimum source spacing distance. The technique also includes selectively activating the groups. Each group responds to being activated by substantially simultaneously initiating a sweep for the seismic source(s) of the group. The technique further includes regulating a timing of the group activations based at least in part on a slip time and a minimum group spacing distance.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention may extend the range of wireless communications in a seismic acquisition survey. The embodiment may leverage the infrastructure of a hard-wired communications backbone by appending wireless cells to the hard-wired communications. This may allow, for example, a recording truck to control remotely located seismic sources via wireless communications in the spread. Another embodiment includes a communication system for servicing field equipment. The embodiment provides for a fully or semi automated process for communicating equipment failures between survey personnel (e.g., recording truck operators and line observers). The embodiment establishes an end-to-end channel between, for example, the recording truck and field crew members. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An energy efficient cooking set with separate cooking regions for diverse foods is disclosed. A cooking pan has a flat major surface surrounded by a perimeter side wall. A plate nests into the pan, with standoffs spacing the plate from the major surface of the pan. The plate has receiving areas, which may include slots and may include alignment protrusions. A first partition has projections which may include tabs. The projections fit into respective receiving areas on the plate. In an embodiment, a second partition has projections fitting into respective receiving areas on the plate. In a further embodiment; tabs on a lower edge of each partition insert into respective slots on the plate, removably affixing the partition perpendicularly to and spanning the plate. A selected partition divides the plate into separate cooking regions for simultaneously cooking separated foods in cooperation with the perimeter side wall.

Abstract: The present invention describes vaccines that comprise C. perfringens Type alpha toxoids, antigenic fragments thereof, inactivated antigenic fragments of C. perfringens Type alpha toxins, or any combination thereof. The present invention further describes methods of using with these vaccines to protect animals against clostridial diseases. The present invention also describes methods of making these vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments of a system and a process for updating e-mail and other forms of electronic messages via a change of address network. In one embodiment, the system includes a Sponsor Database (containing mailbox/address information utilized by a Sponsor to send information to a recipient) connected to a Network Server which receives updates of mailbox/address changes from recipients and, in certain embodiments, other Sponsors. In other embodiments, a Reconnection Manager facilitates the exchange of information between the Sponsors and the Network Server. Also, one embodiment of the process provides updated mailbox/address information to those Sponsors which a recipient has previously identified to the Network Server as being acceptable for receiving the update information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing error propagation in digital video signals using random forced intra-refresh of macroblocks. One or more predetermined regions are defined for each digital video frame. Within each predetermined region, a number of macroblocks are selected according to a random permutation of the macroblocks within the region. The selected macroblocks are intra-coded, while the remaining macroblocks are coded according to a standard video compression protocol. This approach provides an efficient method for mitigating error propagation in a decoder. Interior regions may be smaller than exterior regions, providing higher quality for the interior regions, where sensitivity to errors is higher.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method to detect candidate errors within the picture start code, picture header, and picture timestamp. Upon detection, these errors may be confirmed and the impacts mitigated. An error within the timestamp bit field is adaptively detected by the use of a threshold comparison, and a mechanism for concealing the timestamp information leaves only a small timestamp anomaly. An error within the picture start code (PSC) is determined by adaptively analyzing the number of bits and the macro-block location of the next slice or GOB. If a PSC is suspected to have been overrun due to an error, this method allows for data beyond the first GOB or slice to be recovered in the frame. Depending on the extent of use of slices and GOBs, the method can recover a majority of the frame that otherwise would have been completely lost.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method to detect candidate errors within the picture start code, picture header, and picture timestamp. Upon detection, these errors may be confirmed and the impacts mitigated. An error within the timestamp bit field is adaptively detected by the use of a threshold comparison, and a mechanism for concealing the timestamp information leaves only a small timestamp anomaly. An error within the picture start code (PSC) is determined by adaptively analyzing the number of bits and the macro-block location of the next slice or GOB. If a PSC is suspected to have been overrun due to an error, this method allows for data beyond the first GOB or slice to be recovered in the frame. Depending on the extent of use of slices and GOBs, the method can recover a majority of the frame that otherwise would have been completely lost.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing error propagation in digital video signals using random forced intra-refresh of macroblocks. One or more predetermined regions are defined for each digital video frame. Within each predetermined region, a number of macroblocks are selected according to a random permutation of the macroblocks within the region. The selected macroblocks are intra-coded, while the remaining macroblocks are coded according to a standard video compression protocol. This approach provides an efficient method for mitigating error propagation in a decoder. Interior regions may be smaller than exterior regions, providing higher quality for the interior regions, where sensitivity to errors is higher.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting errors in a digital video signal comprising a sequence of image frames, each image frame comprising a sequence of image slices, each image slice comprising a sequence of macroblocks and each macroblock comprising a plurality of pixels. A macroblock decoder includes an error detection unit that operates to calculate an error metric between pixel values on at least part of the boundary between a current macroblock and one or more adjoining macroblocks and to label the current macroblock as suspicious if the error metric is greater than a threshold level. The threshold level is adjusted according to a weighted average error metric from one or more previous image frames. Suspicious macroblocks and subsequent inter-coded macroblocks may be regenerated according to a concealment strategy if a syntax error is found within the current image slice.

Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments of a system and a process for updating e-mail and other forms of electronic messages via a change of address network. In one embodiment, the system includes a Sponsor Database (containing mailbox/address information utilized by a Sponsor to send information to a recipient) connected to a Network Server which receives updates of mailbox/address changes from recipients and, in certain embodiments, other Sponsors. In other embodiments, a Reconnection Manager facilitates the exchange of information between the Sponsors and the Network Server. Also, one embodiment of the process provides updated mailbox/address information to those Sponsors which a recipient has previously identified to the Network Server as being acceptable for receiving the update information.