Abstract: A method for determining spatial distribution of properties of formations in a subsurface volume using geophysical sensor signals recorded proximate the volume includes inversion processing an initial model of the spatial distribution. The inversion processing comprises at least second order optimizing. The second order optimizing comprises calculating a scalar for the identity matrix in limited memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (L-BFGS) optimization, modifying the scalar using an adaptive gradient type scheme to estimate an inverse Hessian matrix, and using the modified plurality of scalars to optimize the inversion processing. The method of estimating the inverse Hessian matrix in L-BFGS can be further extended to include convolutional operators.

Abstract: A system and method for installing and removing a porous plug relative to a port of metallurgic ladle includes an extendable boom rotatable about vertical axis and pivotable up and down at a first end of the boom. A mast is coupled to a second end of the boom and rotatable about multiple axes relative to the boom to position or maintain the mast in a given orientation, such as in alignment with the port of the ladle in response to rotatable or pivotable movement of the boom. The mast includes a slider mast that is translatable along the length of the mast to insert the plug or retract the plug. The mast may also include jaw grippers to secure the plug and may be configured to rotate the plug relative to the mast. The system may automatically control the position and orientation of the boom, mast, and slider mast.

Abstract: A system and method for installing and removing a porous plug relative to a port of metallurgic ladle includes an extendable boom rotatable about vertical axis and pivotable up and down at a first end of the boom. A mast is coupled to a second end of the boom and rotatable about multiple axes relative to the boom to position or maintain the mast in a given orientation, such as in alignment with the port of the ladle in response to rotatable or pivotable movement of the boom. The mast includes a slider mast that is translatable along the length of the mast to insert the plug or retract the plug. The mast may also include jaw grippers to secure the plug and may be configured to rotate the plug relative to the mast. The system may automatically control the position and orientation of the boom, mast, and slider mast.

Abstract: A method for modelling and migrating seismic data, that includes using an acoustic wave equation and a spatial distribution of one or more earth-model parameters. The acoustic wave equation is modified by including at least one secondary source term, and based on a seismic acquisition configuration, either calculating the seismic signals that would be detected from the modelled wavefield or migrating observed seismic signals or migrating residual signals as part of an inversion.

Abstract: A culture chamber for use in a method of culturing microbiological material, which comprises a wall or at least a portion of a wall consisting of a gas-permeable membrane, a textured interior growth surface arranged for contact with the microbiological material being cultured and at least a portion of the external surface gas-permeable membrane being textured to enhance gas permeability. Preferably, the gas-permeable membrane is textured over the majority of both of its surfaces. This culture chamber provides enhanced gaseous exchange between the interior and exterior of the culture chamber and increased surface area within the culture chamber for cell attachment.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for diagnosing dengue invention early after dengue virus infection. The method comprises binding dengue virus contained in sera from infected patients with dentritic cell-specific intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) or liver/lymph node-specific intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 3-grabbing nonintegrin (L-SIGN). DC-SIGN or L-SIGN can be expressed in transfected B cells or adhered to other surfaces. Measurement of binding is by immunocytometry, microscopy or other antibody based methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of detecting dengue infection by detecting anti-dengue neutralizing substances including anti-dengue antibody by measuring inhibition of dengue binding to dentritic cell-specific intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) or liver/lymph node-specific intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) 3-grabbing nonintegrin (L-SIGN). DC-SIGN or L-SIGN can be used expressed in transfected cell lines that normally are not infected by dengue virus. The invention also concerns a method of detecting anti-dengue drugs by their ability to inhibit binding of dengue virus to DC-SIGN or L-SIGN.

Abstract: A method of making a silicone rubber having a structure adapted for growth of cells or living tissue, which comprises contacting a silicone rubber precursor with a biologically-acceptable sacrificial filler, curing the resultant mixture and removing the sacrificial filler to form a structured silicone rubber. The sacrificial filler is preferably an inorganic salt that has been ground, and the salt is selected from metal halides, metal carbonates and metal bicarbonates.

Abstract: A drilling or bolting unit for selective use with either a vehicle or a panline of a face conveyor associated with a longwall miner or mining machine is disclosed. In one embodiment, the unit comprises a base adapted for engaging the panline and a plurality of receivers. Each receiver may be adapted for receiving one of the pair of forks of the vehicle, such that the unit may be used as either a panline drilling or bolting unit or as a utility drilling or bolting unit with the vehicle apart from the panline. Related methods are also described.