Abstract: A passive spacer system may include a racking board comprising a slot and a spacer arranged along the slot such that a portion of the spacer impinges on the slot. The spacer may be biased in a neutral position and configured to move to a spacing position due to motion of tubulars into and out of the racking board, which interact with the portion of the spacer that impinges on the slot.

Abstract: An example non-transitory machine-readable medium includes instructions that cause a processor of a computing device to create a first virtual machine using a hypervisor, execute a trusted basic input/output system (BIOS) in the first virtual machine, create a second virtual machine using the hypervisor, and execute an untrusted BIOS component in the second virtual machine. The first virtual machine is executed with a greater privilege to access a resource of the computing device than the second virtual machine.

Abstract: A quick connect pipe connection for drill pipe may include a box end having an annular end surface that gives way internally to a receiving portion and externally to an engagement portion. The connection may also include a pin end configured for rotationally and longitudinally engaging the box end. The pin end may include a tapered portion configured for longitudinal insertion into the receiving portion and resisting relative rotation between the box end and the pin end. The pin end may also include a collar configured for sleeving over the engagement portion of the box end and resisting relative longitudinal motion between the box end and the pin end.

Abstract: A horizontal pipe storing and stand building system may include a pipe rack and a horizontal stand building system arranged adjacent to the pipe rack and configured to receive tubulars from the pipe rack and construct pipe stands in a horizontal orientation. The system may also include a delivery system arranged adjacent the horizontal stand building system and opposite the pipe rack. The delivery system may be configured to receive horizontally arranged pipe stands from the horizontal stand building system and deliver them to a drill rig.

Abstract: A passive spacer system may include a racking board comprising a slot and a spacer arranged along the slot such that a portion of the spacer impinges on the slot. The spacer may be biased in a neutral position and configured to move to a spacing position due to motion of tubulars into and out of the racking board, which interact with the portion of the spacer that impinges on the slot.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automated drill pipe handling operations, such as trip in, trip out, and stand building operations. A pipe handling system of the present disclosure may include a lifting system for handling a load of a pipe stand, a pipe handling robot configured for engaging with the pipe stand and manipulating a position of the pipe stand, and a feedback device configured to provide information about a condition of the pipe stand, the lifting system, or the pipe handling robot. In some embodiments, the pipe handling robot may be a first robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a first end of the pipe stand, and the system may include a second pipe handling robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a second end of the pipe stand.

Abstract: A dual activity top drive may include a mechanized system configured for suspension from a traveling block of a drill rig and for engaging and rotating a drill string from the top of the drill string. The dual activity top drive may also include a primary pipe handling system suspended from the mechanized system and configured for handling a pipe string and an auxiliary pipe handling system suspended from the mechanized system and configured for handling a segment of pipe to be added or removed from the pipe string.

Abstract: A pipe handling system for handling drill pipe on a drill rig may include a lifting system configured for handling a load of a pipe stand and a first pipe handling robot arranged at or near a drill floor of the drill rig and configured for manipulating a bottom end of the pipe stand between a setback area on the drill floor and well center. The system may also include a second pipe handling robot arranged at or near a racking board of the drill rig and configured for manipulating a top end of the pipe stand between the racking board and well center. The first pipe handling robot may have a base that is supported from a location outside a plan view envelope of the setback area of the drill floor.

Abstract: A pipe handling system for handling drill pipe on a drill rig may include a lifting system configured for handling a load of a pipe stand and a first pipe handling robot arranged at or near a drill floor of the drill rig and configured for manipulating a bottom end of the pipe stand between a setback area on the drill floor and well center. The system may also include a second pipe handling robot arranged at or near a racking board of the drill rig and configured for manipulating a top end of the pipe stand between the racking board and well center. The first pipe handling robot may have a base that is supported from a location outside a plan view envelope of the setback area of the drill floor.

Abstract: A quick connect pipe connection for drill pipe may include a box end having an annular end surface that gives way internally to a receiving portion and externally to an engagement portion. The connection may also include a pin end configured for rotationally and longitudinally engaging the box end. The pin end may include a tapered portion configured for longitudinal insertion into the receiving portion and resisting relative rotation between the box end and the pin end. The pin end may also include a collar configured for sleeving over the engagement portion of the box end and resisting relative longitudinal motion between the box end and the pin end.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automated drill pipe handling operations, such as trip in, trip out, and stand building operations. A pipe handling system of the present disclosure may include a lifting system for handling a load of a pipe stand, a pipe handling robot configured for engaging with the pipe stand and manipulating a position of the pipe stand, and a feedback device configured to provide information about a condition of the pipe stand, the lifting system, or the pipe handling robot. In some embodiments, the pipe handling robot may be a first robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a first end of the pipe stand, and the system may include a second pipe handling robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a second end of the pipe stand.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of effecting a merchant funded reward when a consumer purchases goods and/or services from a merchant using an electronic payment, including a processor executing instruction code causing collection of transaction details of the consumer purchase, processing of the transaction details to calculate any associated reward, and notification of the entire reward to be collected from the merchant.

Abstract: Use of (S,S)- or racemic reboxetine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a pain condition selected from neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, cancer pain, back pain, inflammatory pain, musculo-skeletal disorders, visceral pain, pain from strains/sprains, post-operative pain, posttraumatic pain, burns, renal colic, acute pain, central nervous system trauma, head pain, and orofacial pain, is disclosed. Use of (S,S)-reboxetine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of pain in a patient refractory to an alpha-2-delta ligand, and use of (S,S)- or racemic reboxetine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for use as a mental performance or mood enhancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for a user to operate accounts with a user device when the user device is operably connected to a communications network, the user having at least one transaction account, the method including the steps of: (a) the user establishing any number of linked transaction accounts and associating same with the at least one transaction account; (b) the user establishing account operating rules for the at least one transaction account and any linked transaction accounts; and (c) the user operating a user device to access the at least one transaction account and/or any linked transaction accounts.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids which encode glycosyltransferase and are useful in producing cells and organs from one species which may be used for transplantation into a recipient of another species. It also relates to the production of nucleic acids which, when present in cells of a transplanted organ, result in reduced levels of antibody recognition of the transplanted organ.

Abstract: A cell-specific delivery method of genetic material for the purposes of providing polynucleotide- or oligonucleotide-based genetic vaccines or a means for gene therapy. The delivery method involves the use of a compound comprising a conjugate of a polynucleotide or oligonucleotide molecule, a carrier comprising at least one aldehyde group and, optionally, a suitable linker molecule.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for isolating skin derived precursor stem cells from hair follicles or dermal papillae and also describes the use of these cells for inducing hair growth.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling engine braking horsepower for a power transmission mechanism in a vehicle powertrain. The transmission mechanism has multiple-ratio gearing and a continuously variable transmission unit arranged in parallel disposition. A target engine speed during an engine braking mode is maintained by controlling the ratio of the continuously variable transmission unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising a conjugate between an antigen and an oxidized mannan comprising mannose units and aldehyde groups, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of eliciting a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to an antigen in an animal, the method comprising pulsing mannose receptor-bearing antigen presenting cells in vitro or ex vivo with a conjugate comprising an antigen and a carbohydrate polymer comprising mannose, wherein said carbohydrate polymer is a fully oxidized carbohydrate polymer comprising free aldehydes; and administering the pulsed antigen presenting cells to an animal.