Abstract: A contour-adjustable toothbrush is a device that provides a more thorough brushing experience while eliminating the need to remove the device from the mouth during brushing. A first brushing assembly and a second brushing assembly are slidably engaged into a housing handle that may be grasped by the user. The first brushing assembly and the second brushing assembly each include a flexible brush head with a concave surface. The concave surface of the first brushing assembly is oriented away from the concave surface of the second brushing assembly, enabling the first brushing assembly and the second brushing assembly to clean the upper teeth and lower teeth simultaneously. The first brushing assembly and the second brushing assembly are independently adjustable in order to adjust the length of the device. An electronic variant of the device includes a power supply and at least one actuator.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a hydrocarbon production well. The downhole tool has a housing defining a flowpath around a longitudinal axis and a seat radially expandable between an unstressed state and an expanded state. The seat has a frame comprising at least one annular sealing element and a plurality of unconnected seat segments. The seat segments are engaged with the frame. The annular sealing element are engaged with an outer surface of each of the plurality of seat segments. The seat forms a tubular structure in the unstressed state.

Abstract: A plant comprising a modified Flowering Locus (FT) polynucleotide expressing a modified polypeptide exhibits altered flowering time, floral numbers and/or increased seed production. Different mutant sequences conferring different phenotypes are disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprising a first section having an internal sidewall defining at least a portion of a flowpath, and a ported outer sidewall and an explosive having at least a portion within said first section. An annular portion has at least one chamber having an end positioned adjacent to the explosive and an inlet providing a communication path to said flowpath. A detonator assembly is located within each chamber proximal to the explosive such that detonation of the assembly causes detonation of the explosive. A firing pin is propelled toward the detonation assembly by providing communication between the chamber and the flow path, causing a pressure differential between the pressure isolated ends of the firing pin.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprising a housing having at least one flow port disposed providing a communication path between the interior and exterior of the sleeve. A sleeve assembly has an expandable seat and an inner sleeve, and is moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the sleeve assembly is radially positioned between the flow ports and the flowpath to substantially prevent fluid communication. Shearable port inserts are positioned within the flow ports, with each port insert having a shearable portion extending into the interior of the housing and engaging the sleeve assembly when the inner sleeve is in said first position.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprising a housing having at least one flow port disposed providing a communication path between the interior and exterior of the sleeve. A sleeve assembly has an expandable seat and an inner sleeve, and is moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the sleeve assembly is radially positioned between the flow ports and the flowpath to substantially prevent fluid communication. Shearable port inserts are positioned within the flow ports, with each port insert having a shearable portion extending into the interior of the housing and engaging the sleeve assembly when the inner sleeve is in said first position.

Abstract: A shifting tool and method of shifting a downhole device that requires only a minimal profile or no profile to engage and move the movable portion of the tool. The invention comprises a ported housing assembly and at least one friction pad alignable with said at least one port and radially movable through the port between a first pad position and a second pad position. In the second pad position, the friction pad extends outside said outer diameter of said housing assembly to engage the targeted downhole device. A mandrel positioned through the ported housing has a first section with a first outer diameter and a second section with a second outer diameter, said second outer diameter being greater than said first outer diameter. The mandrel is movable between a first mandrel position and a second mandrel position. In the second mandrel position, the second outer diameter supports the friction pads in the second pad position.

Abstract: A system for scanning paper media includes at least one microprocessor and a scanner connected to the microprocessor. The scanner is configured to simultaneously scan two or more printed pages using nuclear magnetic resonance and wherein the scanner is configured to send a three-dimensional data set to the microprocessor representing the printed pages.

Abstract: A system and method comprising at least one ported sleeve assembly and a flapper assembly positioned downwell of the ported sleeve assembly. The system provides for the use of multiple ported sleeve assemblies for each stage of a hydrocarbon producing well that can be opened with a single element, and multiple stages, each have the ability to be opened with a single element size.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprising a housing having at least one flow port disposed providing a communication path between the interior and exterior of the sleeve. A sleeve assembly has an expandable seat and an inner sleeve, and is moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the sleeve assembly is radially positioned between the flow ports and the flowpath to substantially prevent fluid communication. Shearable port inserts are positioned within the flow ports, with each port insert having a shearable portion extending into the interior of the housing and engaging the sleeve assembly when the inner sleeve is in said first position.

Abstract: A system and method comprising at least one ported sleeve assembly and a flapper assembly positioned downwell of the ported sleeve assembly. The system provides for the use of multiple ported sleeve assemblies for each stage of a hydrocarbon producing well that can be opened with a single element, and multiple stages, each have the ability to be opened with a single element size.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprising a housing having at least one flow port disposed providing a communication path between the interior and exterior of the sleeve. A sleeve assembly has an expandable seat and an inner sleeve, and is moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the sleeve assembly is radially positioned between the flow ports and the flowpath to substantially prevent fluid communication. Shearable port inserts are positioned within the flow ports, with each port insert having a shearable portion extending into the interior of the housing and engaging the sleeve assembly when the inner sleeve is in said first position.

Abstract: A plant comprising a modified Flowering Locus (FT) polynucleotide expressing a modified polypeptide exhibits altered flowering time, floral numbers and/or increased seed production. Different mutant sequences conferring different phenotypes are disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated propellant stimulation downhole tool for hydrocarbon wells. According to one embodiment of the invention, the tool comprises a first section having an internal sidewall defining at least a portion of a flowpath, and a ported outer sidewall. A propellant volume having at least a portion within said first section. An annular portion has at least one pressure chamber having an end positioned adjacent to the propellant volume and an inlet providing a communication path to said flowpath. A detonator assembly is located within each pressure chamber proximal to the propellant volume such that detonation of the assembly causes detonation of the propellant volume. A firing pin is propelled toward the detonation assembly by providing communication between the pressure chamber and the flow path, causing a pressure differential between the pressure isolated ends of the firing pin.

Abstract: A shifting tool and method of shifting a downhole device that requires only a minimal profile or no profile to engage and move the movable portion of the tool. The invention comprises a ported housing assembly and at least one friction pad alignable with said at least one port and radially movable through the port between a first pad position and a second pad position. In the second pad position, the friction pad extends outside said outer diameter of said housing assembly to engage the targeted downhole device. A mandrel positioned through the ported housing has a first section with a first outer diameter and a second section with a second outer diameter, said second outer diameter being greater than said first outer diameter. The mandrel is movable between a first mandrel position and a second mandrel position. In the second mandrel position, the second outer diameter supports the friction pads in the second pad position.

Abstract: A temperature measurement system is provided for a light emitting diode (LED) assembly that includes an LED having two semiconductors joined together at an LED junction. The system includes a temperature sensor operatively connected to the LED assembly at a remote location that is remote from the LED junction. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the LED assembly at the remote location. A temperature calculation module is operatively connected to the temperature sensor for receiving the measured temperature at the remote location from the temperature sensor. The temperature calculation module is configured to determine a junction temperature at the LED junction based on the measured temperature a the remote location.

Abstract: A system for scanning paper media includes at least one microprocessor and a scanner connected to the microprocessor. The scanner is configured to simultaneously scan o or more printed pages using nuclear magnetic resonance and wherein the scanner is configured to send a three-dimensional data set to the microprocessor representing the printed pages.

Abstract: A self-orientating fracturing system locatable in a tubing string, the system comprising a swivel sub having a top connection and a lower connection radially rotatable relative to said top connection; at least one ported sleeve positionable downwell of said swivel sub, said at least one ported sleeve defining a flowpath and comprising a ported housing having an outer surface with at least one planar engagement surface and at least one port providing a communication path to the interior of said housing; and an insert moveable within said ported housing between a first position and a second position, wherein in said first position said insert is positioned radially between said at least one port and said flowpath. The system further comprises a centralizer having a outer surface with at least one flute formed therein, said centralizer positionable downwell of said swivel sub.

Abstract: A system and method for fracturing a stage of a multiple stage hydrocarbon production well. One embodiment of the system comprises at least one ported sleeve assembly and a flapper assembly positioned downwell of the ported sleeve assembly. Each ported sleeve assembly comprises a ported housing having a plurality of ports disposed radially therethrough; a first sleeve at least partially within the ported housing and moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the first sleeve is radially positioned between the plurality of ports and the flowpath. The first sleeve has an exterior surface, a first slot formed in the first exterior surface, and a first engagement surface having a first inner diameter. A first guiding member is fixed relative to the ported housing and positionable within the first slot.

Abstract: A system for scanning paper media is disclosed and may include at least one microprocessor. The system may also include a scanner connected to the microprocessor. The scanner may simultaneously scan two or more printed pages using computed tomography and send a three-dimensional data set to the microprocessor that represents the printed pages.