Abstract: A device includes a processor configured to obtain flight data of one or more aircraft of an aircraft type. The processor is configured to identify a first portion of the flight data as first phase flight data associated with a first phase of one or more flights of the one or more aircraft, and to apply a first aircraft performance model to the first phase flight data to determine first parameter values. The processor is configured to identify a second portion of the flight data as second phase flight data associated with a second phase of the one or more flights, and to apply the first aircraft performance model to the second phase flight data to determine second parameter values. The processor is configured to generate, based on the first parameter values and the second parameter values, a second aircraft performance model of a particular aircraft of the aircraft type.

Abstract: Cell based sensor. The present invention relates to a novel cell based sensor useful for drug discovery that comprises a cell line with professional regulated exocytosis of secretory granules transfected with a non-protease hydrolase as a reporter polypeptide stored in the regulated secretory granules of the cell line with professional regulated exocytosis and having either an endogenous or a heterologous molecule as a modulator of regulated secretory granules exocytosis. Said granule stored non protease-hydrolase reporter having at least: a high resistance to conditions already present inside the granules such as low pH and proteolysis by other proteases; enzymatic activity after exocytosis; a highly specific substrate; absence of toxicity when cell thawing; a very low level of secretion under unstimulated or basal conditions; and a high signal to background activity in a media compatible with cell culture viability and granule exocytosis for a high throughput robust and sensitive detection.

Abstract: The present invention surprisingly shows that the addition of a heterologous viral-GPCR (G protein-coupled receptor) derived sequence at the amino terminal end of GPCRs improves cell surface expression of such receptors in eukaryotic cells. Transfected cells expressing the above heterologous viral GPCRs on their surface are useful for cell based assays to identify test compounds that increases or modulate activity of a GPCR or a ligand of a GPCR for example for drug discovery, development of novel flavors in the food industry or development of sensors based on odor GPCRs. In addition, membrane extracts derived from transfected cells may be used for example for assays of compounds in drug discovery or for development of sensors comprising such membrane extracts for identification and/or quantification of volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: A method for improving flow conditions in a porous media while servicing a well penetrating to the porous media includes: stopping drilling or production activities on the well; introducing a well control fluid into the well and the porous media, the well control fluid comprising a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid; holding the well control fluid in the well and the porous media in the presence of water while the well is being serviced, such that the fluid penetrates the porous media and forms a water film on surfaces of the porous media; and when well servicing is finished, resuming drilling or production activities on the well.

Abstract: Cell based sensor. The present invention relates to a novel cell based sensor useful for drug discovery that comprises a cell line with professional regulated exocytosis of secretory granules transfected with a non-protease hydrolase as a reporter polypeptide stored in the regulated secretory granules of the cell line with professional regulated exocytosis and having either an endogenous or a heterologous molecule as a modulator of regulated secretory granules exocytosis. Said granule stored non protease-hydrolase reporter having at least: a high resistance to conditions already present inside the granules such as low pH and proteolysis by other proteases; enzymatic activity after exocytosis; a highly specific substrate; absence of toxicity when cell thawing; a very low level of secretion under unstimulated or basal conditions; and a high signal to background activity in a media compatible with cell culture viability and granule exocytosis for a high throughput robust and sensitive detection.

Abstract: A combined injection and production method includes establishing a production well and an injection well into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; introducing a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid into each of the production well and the injection well so that the mixture flows into porous media surrounding the production well and the injection well; holding the mixture in the porous media surrounding the production well in the presence of water for a period of time sufficient to form a water film on surfaces of the porous media surrounding the production well; and injecting an injection fluid into the injection well while producing from the production well, whereby hydrocarbons flow from the porous media around the injection well toward the production well.

Abstract: The present invention surprisingly shows that the addition of a heterologous viral-GPCR (G protein-coupled receptor) derived sequence at the amino terminal end of GPCRs improves cell surface expression of such receptors in eukaryotic cells. Transfected cells expressing the above heterologous viral GPCRs on their surface are useful for cell based assays to identify test compounds that increases or modulate activity of a GPCR or a ligand of a GPCR for example for drug discovery, development of novel flavors in the food industry or development of sensors based on odor GPCRs. In addition, membrane extracts derived from transfected cells may be used for example for assays of compounds in drug discovery or for development of sensors comprising such membrane extracts for identification and/or quantification of volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: A method for improving flow conditions in a porous media while servicing a well penetrating to the porous media includes the steps of: stopping drilling or production activities on the well; introducing a well control fluid into the well and the porous media, the well control fluid comprising a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid; holding the well control fluid in the well and the porous media in the presence of water while the well is being serviced, such that the fluid penetrates the porous media and forms a water film on surfaces of the porous media; and when well servicing is finished, resuming drilling or production activities on the well.

Abstract: A combined injection and production method includes the steps of: establishing a production well and an injection well into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; introducing a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid into each of the production well and the injection well so that the mixture flows into porous media surrounding the production well and the injection well; holding the mixture in the porous media surrounding the production well in the presence of water for a period of time sufficient to form a water film on surfaces of the porous media surrounding the production well; and injecting an injection fluid into the injection well while producing from the production well, whereby hydrocarbons flow from the porous media around the injection well toward the production well.

Abstract: A multi-terrain child carriage having a body portion that has a bottom surface adapted to sliding over snow or ice. The body is provided with at least one wheel, each such wheel rotatably mounted on an axle so as to be rotatably connected to the body. The wheels are positioned in a manner which allows a lowermost portion of the wheels to extend slightly below the bottom surface of the body, so that the bottom periphery of the one or more wheels may contact the surface over which the carriage is moving, but so that enough of the wheel extends downward from the bottom surface of the body so as to allow the wheels to bear the weight of the carriage when the carriage is moved from a snowy surface to a solid, snow-free surface, such as a dry or clear paved surface, without the need for adjustment or attachments. The carriage also comprises a child seat or bed affixed to the body, a means for pushing or pulling the carriage, and means for holding ski equipment, such as skis and ski poles, and parcels.