Abstract: Fluid compositions and methods of making and using same are described, one composition comprising a well treatment fluid and an additive combined with the well treatment fluid, wherein the additive is selected from solids, liquids and combinations thereof, the additive having a surface shape, at least one property of the surface shape enabling it to change under influence of a controllable parameter after the composition is deployed into a hydraulic fracture or gravel pack. In methods of the disclosure, the additive exists initially in a first state, and then is changed to a second state. The first state may increase proppant flowback efficiency, while the second state may increase hydraulic conductivity. In certain embodiments, the additive may change back to its first state.

Abstract: A container incorporating an integral roller surface for use with a roller-type liquid applicator. The roller surface may be movable from a first, operational position to a second, access position. The floor of the container may be sloped so that a well forms at a particular location, e.g., at or near one end of the container. The roller surface preferably provides access to the well during use. When the roller surface is moved to the second, access position, the sloped floor of the container may provide a second roller surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including siderophore receptor polypeptides from gram negative microbes, and preferably, lipopolysaccarhide at a concentration of no greater than about 10.0 endotoxin units per milliliter. The present invention also provides methods of making and methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: Microbial production of pyruvate and metabolites derived from pyruvate in cells exhibiting reduced pyruvate dehydrogenase activity compared to wild-type cells. Acetate and glucose are supplied as a carbon sources.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including siderophore receptor polypeptides and porins from gram negative microbes, and preferably, lipopolysaccarhide at a concentration of no greater than about 10.0 endotoxin units per milliliter. The present invention also provides methods of making and methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: Magnetic shift tracks or magnetic strips, to which application of a rotating magnetic field or by rotation of the strip itself allows accurate determination of domain wall movement. One particular embodiment is a method of determining a position of a domain wall in a magnetic strip. The method includes applying a rotating magnetic field to the magnetic strip, the magnetic field rotating around a longitudinal axis of the magnetic strip, and after applying the magnetic field, determining a displacement of the domain wall to a second position.

Abstract: The formation of a device using block copolymer lithography is provided. The formation of the device includes forming a block copolymer structure. The block copolymer structure includes a first polymer and a second polymer. The block copolymer structure also includes a first component deposited between adjacent blocks of the first polymer and a second component deposited between adjacent blocks of the second polymer. A template is developed by removing either the first and second polymers or the first and second components from the block copolymer structure. The formation of the device also includes lithographically patterning the device utilizing the block copolymer structure template. The device may be a data storage medium.

Abstract: A low sidestream smoke cigarette comprises a conventional tobacco rod, and a combustible treatment paper having a sidestream smoke treatment composition. The treatment composition comprises in combination, an oxygen storage and donor metal oxide oxidation catalyst and an essentially non-combustible finely divided porous particulate adjunct for said catalyst.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing ratiometric data, e.g., ratiometric image data such as fluorescent image data, may generate a correlation matrix for the ratiometric data, generate a plurality of eigenvalues and a plurality of eigenvectors based on the correlation matrix, select a set of eigenvectors from the plurality of eigenvectors, and reconstruct a set of enhanced ratiometric data for use in analysis.

Abstract: A magnetic device that includes a write pole having a write pole tip; a read pole having a read pole tip; an optical near field transducer; and a contact pad. The contact pad includes Ni100-aXa, wherein X is chosen from Ru, Re, Zr, Cr, and Cu; and a is the atomic percent of the element X, and can range from about 20 to about 90. The optical near field transducer is positioned between the read pole and the write pole and the contact pad is positioned adjacent the write pole opposite the optical near field transducer.

Abstract: Cyclic alkynes (e.g., cyclooctynes such as dibenzocyclooctynes) can be photochemically generated from cyclopropenones as disclosed herein. The cyclic alkynes can be reacted (e.g., in situ) with materials having alkyne-reactive groups (e.g., azide groups in a “click” reaction). In preferred embodiments, the generation and reaction of the cyclic alkyne can proceed in the absence of a catalyst (e.g., Cu(I)). These reactions can be useful, for example, for the selective labeling of living cells that are metabolically modified with azido-containing surface monosaccharides, or for light-directed surface patterning.

Abstract: Robotic vehicle systems and methods regarding such systems, such as, e.g., methods of movement for such robotic vehicle systems (e.g., movement across varying terrain including steps).

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a repeat region of an isolated spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) coding sequence, the coding sequence located within the long arm of chromosome 13, and the complement of the nucleic acid molecule. Diagnostic methods based on identification of this repeat region are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides cell free preparations of protozoan microsomes, wherein the cell free preparation of protozoan microsomes demonstrate the ability to translocate a protozoan polypeptide into the microsome, methods of preparing cell free preparations of protozoan microsomes, and methods of using cell free preparations of protozoan microsomes.

Abstract: A test battery method and system (10, 100, 200, 225) for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control (426) static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.

Abstract: An all-wheel steering system and vehicle, e.g., riding lawn mower, incorporating the same. The system may include a linkage system that operatively connects the vehicle wheels for simultaneous turning. The system, in one embodiment, includes a power steering unit having fixed or variable output for a given steering input. The system may further include a mechanism for reducing speed based upon mower steering angle.

Abstract: A benefit management system and method provides a portal-based information management and collaborative business process application. Preferably, the system and method is focused at the benefit broker/consultant and is configured to capture employee benefit management data, such as demographic data and plan data. Further, preferably, one or more users are provided with customized user access to the centralized application for use in performing one or more various benefit plan management functions, such as, for example, marketing, plan design; enrollment; administration; and communication between one or more application users.

Abstract: A memory unit includes a magnetic tunnel junction data cell electrically coupled to a bit line and a word line. The magnetic tunnel junction data cell is configured to switch between a high resistance state and a low resistance state by passing a unipolar voltage across the magnetic tunnel junction data cell. A diode is electrically coupled between the magnetic tunnel junction data cell and the word line or bit line. A voltage source provides the unipolar voltage across the magnetic tunnel junction data cell that writes the high resistance state and the low resistance state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved transposons and transposases. The present invention also includes gene transfer systems, methods of using the transposons and transposases, and compositions including the transposons and transposases.

Abstract: A resistive sense memory cell includes a layer of crystalline praseodymium calcium manganese oxide and a layer of amorphous praseodymium calcium manganese oxide disposed on the layer of crystalline praseodymium calcium manganese oxide forming a resistive sense memory stack. A first and second electrode are separated by the resistive sense memory stack. The resistive sense memory cell can further include an oxygen diffusion barrier layer separating the layer of crystalline praseodymium calcium manganese oxide from the layer of amorphous praseodymium calcium manganese oxide a layer. Methods include depositing an amorphous praseodymium calcium manganese oxide disposed on the layer of crystalline praseodymium calcium manganese oxide forming a resistive sense memory stack.