Abstract: A technique for determining conditions downhole in a well, particularly load conditions acting on a well tool, e.g. a bottom hole assembly. The loads acting on a bottom hole assembly or other well tool during a well related operation are measured. Load data is collected and may be transmitted uphole in real time for evaluation at a surface control unit. Based on the load data and other possible data related to the downhole operation, corrective actions can be taken to improve the operation.

Abstract: A technique for determining conditions downhole in a well, particularly load conditions acting on a well tool, e.g. a bottom hole assembly. The loads acting on a bottom hole assembly or other well tool during a well related operation are measured. Load data is collected and may be transmitted uphole in real time for evaluation at a surface control unit. Based on the load data and other possible data related to the downhole operation, corrective actions can be taken to improve the operation.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a grip for a hand held instrument such as a tattoo tube designed to ergonomically enhance the finger and thumb placement, which grip is adjustable and therefore customizable by the user and characterized by a housing featuring a series of circumferential grooves spaced along the exterior of the housing and removable flexible o-rings adjustably situated within the grooves such that the user's fingers and thumb can comfortably and safely grip the tattoo tube with less pressure and reduce repetitive stress injuries.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated circuit comprising a succession of N identical elementary circuits, juxtaposed in the order of their rank j varying from 1 to N, N being at least equal to 50, and all having to receive two reference potentials Vref and V0 supplied by two conductors. The upstream input of the second conductor is situated geographically on the side of the rank 1 of the succession of juxtaposed circuits, and the upstream input of the first conductor is situated geographically on the side of the rank N of the succession of juxtaposed circuits. This reduces the error in the potential difference applied to the elementary circuits all along the succession, an error that originates from the non-zero resistance of the conductors. Application to analog-digital converters or digital-analog converters with high resolution (10 bits or more).

Abstract: The present invention provides a packer cup system for use inside a wellbore comprising a packer cup and a backup component coupled thereto. In one configuration, the backup component further comprises an angled support member and a rubber ring disposed between the angled support member and the packer cup. The support member is configured to facilitate uniform expansion of the rubber ring.

Abstract: A closet and cabinet cleat system as described in which a cleat is connected between at least two studs and provides a surface which receives a foot from a cutout of a panel. The panel may be connected to other panels in the form of a cabinet such as a bookshelf structure or other cabinet structure. Furthermore, the cleat is also useful to support a shelf extending away from the panel internal to cabinets. Other cleats may be useful to assist in supporting shelving and supporting brackets for hanging closet rods thereon. With the applicant's system, a closet can be installed in an extremely little time while still providing an excellent quality product to the marketplace.

Abstract: The invention relates to fast, high resolution, analog digital converters, and more particularly those which possess at least one conversion stage of “flash” type. The converter according to the invention uses N differential amplifiers with four inputs. The amplifier of rank j receives the input voltage to be converted Vep?Ven on two first inputs, and a reference potential difference on two other inputs. The reference potential difference is obtained between two taps of networks of resistors that are identical operating in parallel and supplied between a high voltage source and a low current source; the taps for an amplifier are respectively a tap Pj of rank j of a first network and a tap P?N?j+1 of rank N?j+1 of a second network. This reduces the first and second order non-linearity effects due to the fact that the differential amplifiers consume an input current tapped off from the networks of resistors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine composition including a nucleic acid that encodes an amoeba-derived antigen (or a peptide molecule encoded thereby), or fragments or variants thereof. The present invention also provides for the use of such vaccine compositions in eliciting an immune response and/or protective immunity in a host against amoebic infection and screening a sample for the presence of amoebae.

Abstract: A technique for determining conditions downhole in a well, particularly load conditions acting on a well tool, e.g. a bottom hole assembly. The loads acting on a bottom hole assembly or other well tool during a well related operation are measured. Load data is collected and may be transmitted uphole in real time for evaluation at a surface control unit. Based on the load data and other possible data related to the downhole operation, corrective actions can be taken to improve the operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a packer cup system for use inside a wellbore comprising a packer cup and a backup component coupled thereto. In one configuration, the backup component further comprises an angled support member and a rubber ring disposed between the angled support member and the packer cup. The support member is configured to facilitate uniform expansion of the rubber ring.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for collecting bank account information from an individual and authenticating the individual prior to allow the bank account to receive an electronic fund transfer, comprising providing a website; allowing the individual to obtain a password protected user account at the website; allowing the individual to sign on at the website using credentials previously obtained; allowing the individual to enter banking information to which funds will be transferred; delivering application forms with a unique bar-coded identifier over the internet to the individual: receiving and storing the application forms after being completed by the individual via a fax and linking the bar coded identifier with the individual's payee record; visually comparing by at least first and second customer support representatives information provided on the forms with information provided at step d) to verify the identity of the individual; and validating payment to the individual if the individual's identity is

Abstract: An improved micro-machined relay is disclosed. The relay includes a micro-machined beam capable of carrying an electric signal and having a contact point on a closure side of the beam. The beam is electrically coupled to a first electrical transmission path and suspended above a second electrical transmission path. An insulation layer resides on a portion of the closure side of the beam and an electrical conductor is coupled to a least a portion of the insulation layer. A potential creator creates a potential between the electrical conductor and the potential creator that is capable of deflecting the beam, so that the contact point comes into contact with the second electrical transmission path. In such an embodiment, the potential creator need not account for the possible signal in the transmission path because the potential creator, which may be a voltage source, is decoupled from the transmission path.

Abstract: A cartridge is used in a fluid treatment system. The cartridge may comprise a water insoluble container having holes on at least two surfaces of the container; a solid liquid treatment material within the container that can be exposed to water entering said holes; and a strippable film covering said holes. The fluid treatment system may comprise a housing with an S-Tube fluid exhaust outlet of have a securable cover with a floating retainer or neck collar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that facilitate analysis of the intended flow of logical signals between key points in a design. According to one aspect of the present invention, a comprehensive set of design verification checks may be formulated by applying predetermined properties to an annotated hardware design representation. Information regarding the intended flow of logical signals in the hardware design is received by way of annotations in a control file or annotations embedded in the hardware design representation itself. The annotations include (1) an indication of one or more variables in the representation of the hardware design through which the logical signals pass, and (2) an indication of one or more conditions under which each of the one or more variables are to be associated with each of a set of states. Checks are then automatically formulated based upon a predetermined set of properties that must hold true in order for the hardware design to operate in accordance with the intended flow.

Abstract: An isolated microorganism capable of selectively degrading epichlorohydrin or related halopropanol compounds is described. The microorganism is a representative of Agrobacterium spp and comprises a nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide having enantioselective epoxide hydrolase activity.

Abstract: An electronic test system used for scan testing of a device under test (DUT) is disclosed that includes a standard Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) tester and an additional test vector source apparatus called a Scanbox. The Scanbox enhances the scan pattern vector depth of any ATE system without requiring significant modifications to either its software or hardware. The Scanbox consists of a memory, an address counter, compare logic, control logic, and interface circuits. The scan vector data for the test data in (TDI) and expected test data out (ETDO) signals are stored within the Scanbox. These TDI signals are sent to the DUT during the test mode of operation while the tester provides the DUT with the test clock (TCLK), test mode select (TMS), and RESET signals. The tester further provides the Scanbox with BOXCLOCK and BOXRESET signals and the Scanbox provides the tester with a BOXERROR signal that is triggered high when the scan pattern vector data from the DUT does not match the corresponding ETDO signal.

Abstract: A device for receiving needlepoint embroidery includes a base, which includes a first layer of an elastic material, and a second layer of an elastic material underlying and coupled to the first layer. The second layer is thicker than the first layer to support the first layer and the second layer. A plurality of wedge type slots is defined by the first layer and the second layer for receiving the embroidery material. The slots are disposed in approximately parallel rows with adjacent rows of the slots staggered and overlapping with respect to each other. The device also includes a third layer of penetrable yieldable cellular material underlying and coupled to the second layer, and a fourth layer of substantially rigid material underlying and coupled to the third layer for supporting and protecting the third layer. A way for identifying the locations of the slots is provided.

Abstract: The compounds N-[[2'-[[(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)amino]sulfonyl]-4-(2-oxazolyl)[1,1'-bi phenyl]-2-yl]methyl]-N,3,3-trimethylbutanamide and N-(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2'-[(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)methy l]-4'-(2-oxazolyl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-sulfonamide, and salts thereof, useful as endothelin antagonists.