Abstract: An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing and a locating profile and optionally a sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus when subsequent attachment of an expanded liner is intended and the expanded liner is to be cemented in place. A barrier sleeve, nose, and outer sleeve define a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside that covers the mounting location on the casing. A locating profile and an optional sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus can be provided. The cementing of the casing takes place through the barrier sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve and nose are drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A liner is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing and a locating profile and optionally a sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus when subsequent attachment of an expanded liner is intended and the expanded liner is to be cemented in place. A barrier sleeve, nose, and outer sleeve define a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside that covers the mounting location on the casing. A locating profile and an optional sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus can be provided. The cementing of the casing takes place through the barrier sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve and nose are drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A liner is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing and a locating profile and optionally a sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus when subsequent attachment of an expanded liner is intended and the expanded liner is to be cemented in place. A barrier sleeve, nose, and outer sleeve define a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside that covers the mounting location on the casing. A locating profile and an optional sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus can be provided. The cementing of the casing takes place through the barrier sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve and nose are drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A liner is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing and a locating profile and optionally a sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus when subsequent attachment of an expanded liner is intended and the expanded liner is to be cemented in place. A barrier sleeve, nose, and outer sleeve define a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside that covers the mounting location on the casing. A locating profile and an optional sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus can be provided. The cementing of the casing takes place through the barrier sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve and nose are drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A liner is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing.

Abstract: A patient support and software evaluate spinal instability by controlled isocentric rotation of the spine and measurement of rotation among vertebra to detect damaged vertebra having disproportionately large rotations.

Abstract: A vascular stent comprising a drug-eluting outer layer of a porous sputtered columnar metal having each column capped with a biocompatible carbon-containing material is described. This is done by placing the stent over a close-fitting mandrel and rotating the assembly in a sputter flux. The result is a coating that is evenly distributed over the outward-facing side of the stent's wire mesh while preventing the sputtered columnar coating from reaching the inward facing side where a smooth hemocompatible surface is required. The stent is then removed from the mandrel, exposing all surfaces, and finally coated with a layer of carbon such as amorphous carbon or diamond-like carbon. The carbonaceous coating enhances biocompatibility without preventing elutriation of a therapeutic drug provided in the porosity formed between the columnar structures. The result is a stent that is adapted to both the hemodynamic and the immune response requirements of its vascular environment.

Abstract: Magnetoelectrolysis cells known to operate successfully without utilizing a non-electrogenerated paramagnetic additive added to an aqueous electrolyte solution of such a cell may in some instances be further enhanced by utilizing such an additive. However, excessive amounts of additive are impracticable and formerly proposed transition metal salts used as paramagnetic additives were never demonstrated as effective except when used in large amounts. Now it is disclosed that small amounts of a salt of a paramagnetic lanthanide solve the problem, if methodically applied to enhancing the magnetoelectrolysis cell in accordance with the specified steps of the invention.

Abstract: A slip for an expanding hanger or patch is disclosed. The slip is mounted over the hanger body and has an internal profile that nests within a mating profile on the exterior of the hanger. When a compressive force is applied to the hanger, it shrinks longitudinally and as a result the slip is cammed radially to the extent the inside diameter of the surrounding tubing permits. When the swage is advanced, the diameter of the hanger increases forcing the slip into preferably penetrating contact with the inside wall of the surrounding tubular.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing samples, such as gas samples, are described. One method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Also disclosed are systems for gas analysis, including systems for analysis of pneumatically focused, and thereby concentrated, gas samples and for analysis of particulate matter in gas samples. Analytical systems constructed within personal computer cases also are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an aqueous coating composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of an epoxy acrylate resin and a polymerized reactive diluent. The aqueous coating composition preferably has a volatile organic compound content of no greater than 0.4 kilogram per liter of solids.

Abstract: A method for producing a high surface area iron material starting with a low surface area iron metal is disclosed. The iron material of the present invention has a surface area of at least about 200 m2/g, and is prepared via a method which comprises reacting a low surface area iron metal with oxygen and an organic acid. The high surface area iron material formed via this method is essentially free of contaminants.

Abstract: A coating composition for a food or beverage can that includes an emulsion polymerized latex polymer formed by combining an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component with an aqueous dispersion of a salt of an acid- or anhydride-functional polymer and an amine, preferably, a tertiary amine.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel packaging articles, e.g., food and beverage cans. Preferred cans typically comprise a body portion and an end portion, wherein at least one of the body and end portions are aluminum and are coated on at least one major surface with a coating composition of the present invention. Suitable coating compositions of the present invention comprise: one or more polyester resins, wherein at least one of the polyester resins has a glass transition temperature (“Tg”) less than about 50° C., and wherein the polyester resin is formed by the reaction of one or more polyacid molecules and one or more polyol molecules; and a crosslinker, Preferred compositions are substantially free of mobile BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds, e.g., BADGE, BFDGE and epoxy novalacs (e.g., NOGE) and more preferred compositions are also substantially free of bound BPA and aromatic glycidyl ether compounds. In more preferred embodiments (e.g.

Abstract: A high temperature water gas shift catalyst comprising iron and at least one promoter is prepared via a method which comprises the preparation of a high purity iron precursor and which uses a nominal amount of water in the catalyst production. The catalyst prepared according to the inventive method is more efficient in hydrogen production under the high temperature water gas shift reaction conditions in a fixed bed test than prior art catalysts of similar composition.

Abstract: A method for producing a cobalt on alumina catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst is prepared by thoroughly mixing cobalt nitrate into a peptized alumina slurry, and then spray-drying the slurry to form attrition resistant microspheres. The cobalt prepared by this invention is fully reducible. Optionally, metals such as ruthenium can be added to the cobalt/alumina catalyst by impregnation or methods known in the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making evaporation suppressing monolayers. More specifically, the present invention provides methods for making a coated powder suitable for dispersing onto the surface of a body of water as an evaporation suppressing monolayer. The coated powder is safely made by mixing amphiphilic compounds with powder particles of ionic compounds under mild conditions in good yield.

Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An expandable tubular pin and box connection is described having a feature of trapping the pin nose after preferably deforming the pin nose plastically in an outward direction away from the longitudinal axis of the connection. The box end is held away from the pin wall before expansion so that its tendency to curl inwardly upon expansion causes it to bend against the pin wall for sealing with it. The thread profile is also optimized to reduce flank separation as a result of expansion.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a gas sample is described. The method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Pneumatic Focusing generally means increasing the pressure of the sample, column or cell to a pressure of from about 100 psi to about 15,000 psi, more typically from about 200 psi to about 2,000 psi. Examples including gas chromatography and absorption spectroscopy are illustrated herein. Numerous other examples could be given. The method is well suited for analyzing gaseous samples, such as ambient air samples, both continuously, and remotely, using computer control. Continuously sampling ambient air provides a method for real-time monitoring of air quality. Continuous monitoring allows for pollutant exposure and allows for the identification of emission sources.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing a communications channel for inter-object communication are provided. According to the method, a request may be received from a first object executing within a managed code environment to transmit data to a second object. In response thereto, an instant message (“IM”) including the data may be transmitted to an IM server computer. The IM may be forwarded to the managed code environment in which the second object is executing. The IM may then be received by the managed code environment, the data contained therein may be extracted, and the data may be presented to the second object. A reverse path may also be utilized for return communication between objects.