Abstract: The present application discloses an acid labile lipophilic molecular conjugate of cancer chemotherapeutic agents and methods for reducing or substantially eliminating the side effects of chemotherapy associated with the administration of a cancer chemotherapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: Antigenic isolates and vaccines for Infectious Bursal Disease Virus include variants of the molecular Group 6 family of IBDV isolates, in particular the 28-1 isolate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing benchmarking analysis for power plant operations comprise electronically accessing power plant operational data within at least one type of operation within a power plant, electronically analyzing data from one or more power plant components within one or more different power plant units in one or more collections of multiple power plant units to identify cycles and key events on one or more of a component level, a unit level and a collective level of multiple power plants, generating at least one scorecard summary of calculated power plant operational characteristics on selected levels of operation comprising one or more of a component level, unit level and collective level of power plant units, and providing the at least one scorecard summary as electronic output to a user. Additional optional steps include using the data from the scorecard summary to detect outliers and/or to cluster selected components, units or fleets having similar operational characteristics.

Abstract: A multi-sensor method and system for imaging and inspecting a storage tank that holds a liquid. The system includes an infrared sensor including a scanning vertical mount positioned outside the storage tank, an ultrasonic sensor array positioned outside the storage tank, and at least one of an ultrasonic sensor positioned inside the storage tank and a phased array radar positioned inside the storage tank secured to an interior top surface of the storage tank. The system further includes a processor coupled to receive multi-sensor data from the infrared sensor, ultrasonic sensor array and at least one of the ultrasonic sensor in the tank and the phased array radar. The processor fuses the multi-sensor data to generate a sludge level image profile for sludge in the storage tank, a liquid level image for liquid in the storage tank, and optionally an integrity profile for a shell of the storage tank.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing power plant data include accessing data for one or more monitored parameters, generating a continuous time-series profile model (e.g., by generalized additive model and/or principal curves techniques) of selected parameters during instances of at least one given type of power plant operation, and conducting shape analysis by comparing the continuous time-series profile model of selected monitored parameters to an entitlement curve representing ideal performance for the at least one given type of power plant operation. Data associated with the profile modeling and shape analysis techniques may be provided as electronic output to a user. Additional steps or features may involve determining a capability index for selected monitored parameters, clustering together identified groups of profile models having similar profiles, monitoring and/or optimizing parameters to identify and improve power plant performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides live, attenuated Mycoplasma gallisepticum bacteria that exhibit reduced expression of a protein identified as MGA_0621. In certain embodiments, the attenuated bacteria may additionally exhibit reduced expression of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of pyruvate dehydrogenase, phosphopyruvate hydratase, 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, and ribosomal protein L35, relative to a wild-type M. gallisepticum bacterium. Also provided are vaccines and vaccination methods involving the use of the live, attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria, and methods for making live attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria. An exemplary live, attenuated strain of M. gallisepticum is provided, designated MGx+47, which was shown by proteomics analysis to exhibit significantly reduced expression of MGA_0621, and was shown to be safe and effective when administered as a vaccine against M. gallisepticum infection in chickens.

Abstract: Methods and devices for balancing voltages of capacitors in an electronic circuit are provided. The device includes a chopper circuit having a chopper inductor. Further, the chopper circuit may detect voltages across capacitors as well as an output current of the electronic circuit. In addition, the device may include a chopper control unit receiving the output current then generating a signal representing charging of the chopper inductor based on the output current. Also, the chopper control unit may receive the voltages across the capacitors and detect an imbalance between the voltages based on a polarity of the output current. Additionally, the chopper control unit may transfer of charge between the two capacitors, using the chopper inductor. Further, the chopper inductor is substantially discharged, during the transfer of charge between the capacitors.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying an available runway length is provided. The method may include receiving, by a processor, a digital notice to airmen including an available runway length, receiving, by the processor, takeoff data or landing data including a length of runway needed by an aircraft in any configuration, and verifying, by the processor, and alerting the pilot if that the available runway length is greater than or equal to the length of runway needed by the aircraft in the configuration.

Abstract: A pendant controller for a patient bed includes a housing sized to be held in a user's hand and a liquid crystal display carried by the housing and viewable by the user. The pendant controller has a set of manual buttons carried by the housing adjacent the LCD. The set of manual buttons is arranged in a row and the buttons are n in number, with n being an integer greater than 1. The pendant controller further includes control circuitry situated in the housing and configured to drive the LCD to display a table that is m columns wide, with m being equal to n. The table contains indicia with each indicia corresponding to a function associated with a respective one of the manual buttons.

Abstract: A method for automatically identifying defects in turbine engine blades is provided. The method comprises acquiring one or more radiographic images corresponding to one or more turbine engine blades and identifying one or more regions of interest from the one or more radiographic images. The method then comprises extracting one or more geometric features based on the one or more regions of interest and analyzing the one or more geometric features to identify one or more defects in the turbine engine blades.

Abstract: An ignition key switch apparatus having a compact size, high current capability, and a snap action mechanism. A pre-loaded snap spring can be configured to include a fixed end attached to an anchor and a free end attached to a movable contact operable between normal and actuated positions. A cam can be utilized to convert a rotary motion at a key interface into a linear movement of a plunger for snap spring blade actuation. The unique pre-loaded snap spring generates a fast (e.g., instantaneous) movement from an open to a closed position and vice versa upon application/removal of a load to reduce the effect of arcing on associated contacts and conductors. The pre-loaded snap spring also ensures that the movable contact does not remain in any intermittent position, other than the two extreme positions given at any position of the plunger.

Abstract: A method is presented for enhancing an image from an initial image, comprising computing a first luminance level frequency distribution corresponding to plurality of pixel constructing said initial image, representing said first luminance level frequency distribution as a resultant of Gaussian model mixtures to assess relative utilization of overall luminance level across said initial image, computing a desired luminance level frequency distribution as a function of the relative utilization, computing a transfer function to adjust the first luminance level frequency distribution to an enhanced luminance level as a function of desired level frequency distribution estimation, and applying said transfer function globally to said initial image to provide an enhanced image is. The first luminance level can be adapted to be linearized in a logarithmic form. In one embodiment, the model comprises one or more Gaussian functions. The initial image can be a background image estimated from a sequence of images.

Abstract: The present invention provides live, attenuated Mycoplasma bacteria that exhibit reduced expression of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of pyruvate dehydrogenase, phosphopyruvate hydratase, 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, and ribosomal protein L35, relative to a wild-type Mycoplasma bacterium of the same species. Also provided are vaccines and vaccination methods involving the use of the live, attenuated Mycoplasma bacteria, and methods for making live attenuated Mycoplasma bacteria.

Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing images of interest to a user, so far as they relate to recent, current or upcoming events, to generate custom search engine home pages are provided. Upon receiving a request from the user to view the search engine home page, it is determined whether any indicators of the user's interests are available. If one or more interest indicators is available, the indicator(s) are compared to interest indicators (or categories of indicators) associated with recent, current and/or upcoming events to determine if there is a common interest indicator/category there between. Upon determining that there is a common interest indicator/category between one or more events and the user, a custom image is selected for presentation in association with the search engine home page based upon the common interest indicator/category. The search engine home page with the custom-selected image is then presented to the user.

Abstract: A vaccine composition and method which is effective in preventing or ameliorating Avian Influenza Virus infection is set forth herein. The vaccine contains at least two inactivated strains of avian influenza virus, wherein the combined haemoagglutinin (HA) total is at least about 200 HA/dose of the vaccine composition, and wherein each of the strains presents at least about 128 HA/dose, and further wherein one of the strains has the same HA subtype as that of a challenge virus, and wherein at least one of the strains has a different NA subtype than the challenge virus.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for the automatic assessment and presentation of data on a display device that describes the operational impact on mission critical parameters resulting from a change in a vehicle's mission plan. The change in mission plan may be inputted manually by the vehicle operator but may also be received electronically and automatically over a data up link from an outside authority.

Abstract: Methods and devices for balancing voltages of capacitors in an electronic circuit are provided. The device includes a chopper circuit having a chopper inductor. Further, the chopper circuit may detect voltages across capacitors as well as an output current of the electronic circuit. In addition, the device may include a chopper control unit receiving the output current then generating a signal representing charging of the chopper inductor based on the output current. Also, the chopper control unit may receive the voltages across the capacitors and detect an imbalance between the voltages based on a polarity of the output current. Additionally, the chopper control unit may transfer of charge between the two capacitors, using the chopper inductor. Further, the chopper inductor is substantially discharged, during the transfer of charge between the capacitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides live, attenuated Mycoplasma gallisepticum bacteria that exhibit reduced expression of a protein identified as MGA_0621. In certain embodiments, the attenuated bacteria may additionally exhibit reduced expression of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of pyruvate dehydrogenase, phosphopyruvate hydratase, 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, and ribosomal protein L35, relative to a wild-type M. gallisepticum bacterium. Also provided are vaccines and vaccination methods involving the use of the live, attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria, and methods for making live attenuated M. gallisepticum bacteria. An exemplary live, attenuated strain of M. gallisepticum is provided, designated MGx+47, which was shown by proteomics analysis to exhibit significantly reduced expression of MGA_0621, and was shown to be safe and effective when administered as a vaccine against M. gallisepticum infection in chickens.

Abstract: A method is presented for enhancing an image from an initial image, comprising computing a first luminance level frequency distribution corresponding to plurality of pixel constructing said initial image, representing said first luminance level frequency distribution as a resultant of Gaussian model mixtures to assess relative utilization of overall luminance level across said initial image, computing a desired luminance level frequency distribution as a function of the relative utilization, computing a transfer function to adjust the first luminance level frequency distribution to an enhanced luminance level as a function of desired level frequency distribution estimation, and applying said transfer function globally to said initial image to provide an enhanced image is. The first luminance level can be adapted to be linearized in a logarithmic form. In one embodiment, the model comprises one or more Gaussian functions. The initial image can be a background image estimated from a sequence of images.

Abstract: Antigenic isolates and vaccines for Infectious Bursal Disease Virus include variants of the molecular Group 6 family of IBDV isolates, in particular the 28-1 isolate.