Abstract: A cartridge for an e-vaping device includes a reservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation and a channel structure that includes a channel surface with one or more open-microchannels. An open-microchannel in the channel structure may be in fluid communication with the reservoir and may transport pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir to a heating element based on capillary action of the pre-vapor formulation through the open-microchannels. The heating element may vaporize the pre-vapor formulation drawn through one or more open-microchannels. The cartridge may be independent of fibrous dispensing interfaces, including one or more wicks. Fabrication of such a cartridge may be simplified, faster, cheaper, some combination thereof, or the like relative to fabrication of a cartridge that includes a fibrous or soft dispensing interface to draw pre-vapor formulation from a reservoir to a heating element.

Abstract: Example embodiments of systems, methods, and devices for transaction card alignment are provided. In one example embodiment, a mobile device may include a first component and a second component foldable with respect to one another between a first configuration and a second configuration. The mobile device may further include a screen interface on an interior side of the first component, and an alignment feature along the interior side, the alignment feature providing alignment for a contactless card with respect to the screen interface, wherein the contactless card is uncovered by the second component in the first configuration and covered by the second component in the second configuration.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing approved financing in advance of a purchase to a buyer of an item, such as an automobile, and allowing the prospective buyer to maintain control over the financing throughout the sales process. According to disclosed embodiments, a financial service system configures a financing website for the buyer, and receives personal information as well as information relating to the desired item. The financial service system approves loan parameters for the buyer, and provides the user with a link to access the financing website on a mobile device while at a dealership. Financing parameters can thus be edited throughout the process until the final sales agreement, providing the buyer with confidence and flexibility in the buying process.

Abstract: Compounds (such as peptides or peptide mimetics) that bind to HIV RRE RNA are provided. In some examples, the compounds inhibit (for example, decrease) binding of Rev to the RRE RNA. In some embodiments, the compounds include two moieties, each of which bind to one of the Rev binding sites in the RRE. In some examples, the moieties include peptides or small molecules. In some examples, the peptides include an arginine-rich motif. The RRE binding compounds may be further linked to a detectable label or cargo moiety. Also provided are methods of treating or inhibiting HIV including administering one or more of the RRE binding compounds to a subject.

Abstract: A ranging system includes a drill string comprising a bottom hole assembly (BHA). A plurality of ranging devices are positioned in a spaced-apart orientation on the drill string and are operable to provide a conducting contact with a formation. At least one insulator member is positioned on the drill string between the plurality of ranging devices and is operable to provide a non-conducting contact with the formation. During drilling operations, the plurality of ranging devices provide conducting contact with a formation while the at least one insulator member provides non-conducting contact with the formation so to enhancing ranging operations while drilling. A method of modeling and simulating drill string response is provided to identify locations along the drill string for positioning insulator members.

Abstract: A magnetic field measurement device includes an excitation circuit including an excitation coil that is coupled to a resonation control circuit. The excitation coil is wound around an amorphous soft magnetic core. The magnetic field measurement device includes a detection circuit including a detection coil that is wound around the amorphous soft magnetic core. The resonation control circuit is coupled to the excitation circuit and to the detection circuit to adjust a resonant frequency of the detection circuit responsive to temperature variations of the amorphous soft magnetic core.

Abstract: A system for use in completing a wellbore includes a portion of a workstring extending into the wellbore such that a first annulus is created between the workstring and a portion of the wellbore. The portion of the workstring is inserted to a depth corresponding to a base, such as a sump packer that defines a lower boundary of the completion zone. The zone of deployment may be sealed uphole by a second packer included in the workstring. A service tool having an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a rotating mandrel positioned therebetween is provided to deliver fluids and execute completion operations as facilitated by rotation of the mandrel. Rotation of the mandrel allows for control of multiple fluid flow paths, each of which may correspond to a completion process within the zone, without displacement of the service tool in an uphole or downhole direction.

Abstract: A cartridge of an electronic vaping device includes a housing extending in a longitudinal direction. The housing includes a sidewall, a transverse wall at the first end of the sidewall, and an inner tube integrally formed with the housing. The sidewall is generally cylindrical and a first end and a second end. The transverse wall includes at least one outlet therein. The inner tube extends in the longitudinal direction. The inner tube is concentrically positioned with respect to the sidewall. The inner tube communicates with the at least one outlet. The cartridge also includes a reservoir between the sidewall and the inner tube. The reservoir is configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating logistics zones. The apparatus may include at least one memory and at least one processor configured to generate logistics zones responsive to receipt of a selection of a geographic area. The logistics zones are generated based on street segment attribute data. The logistics zones include a geo-fenced right zone on a right side of corresponding street segments and a geo-fenced left zone on a left side of the street segments. The processor is also configured to determine addresses in the logistics zones based on analyzing the street segment attribute data. The processor is further configured to generate a route for delivery or pickup of packages within the logistics zones based on a trace order of the logistics zones specifying a sequential order to travel within the logistics zones responsive to determining a shortest travel path. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A rotor catch assembly for connection in a workstring in a wellbore is provided. The rotor catch assembly is connected to a downhole motor assembly that includes a rotor that is driven by a fluid. In the normal operating state of the rotor catch assembly, fluid flows through the catch assembly and causes the rotor to rotate. In this state, the catch assembly generates pressure pulses in the fluid in the workstring to facilitate advancement of the workstring in the wellbore. In the event of a failure of a mechanical connection in the motor assembly, the rotor catch assembly shifts to a catch-activated state in which the motor assembly is disabled.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing diverse excitation sources in single well electromagnetic ranging. A method may include disposing an electromagnetic ranging tool in a wellbore, wherein the electromagnetic ranging tool may comprise one or more receivers, a coil source and an electrode source; performing a measurement with the one or more receivers of at least one component of a coil-induced magnetic field from the target wellbore to provide a coil measurement, wherein the coil-induced magnetic field may be induced by the coil source; performing a measurement with the one or more receivers of at least component of an electrode-induced electromagnetic field to provide an electrode measurement, wherein the electrode-induced electromagnetic field may be induced by the electrode source; and calculating at least one ranging parameter using, at least in part, the coil measurement and the electrode measurement.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to character detection and recognition, and more particularly to a method and system for container code recognition via Spatial Transformer Networks and Connected Component. The method comprises capturing an image of a container using an image capture device which is pre-processed using an image preprocessing module. The method further comprises extracting and filtering region proposals from the pre-processed image using a region extraction module to generate regrouped region proposals.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques of generating a unique biometric key, hashing and salting the key, and storing it. Embodiments include techniques to analyze biological information associated with a user and determine one or more biological characteristics from the analyzed information. The biological characteristics may be used to generate a character string unique to the user, which may be used to generate the biometric key based on a cryptographic algorithm. The hash values, salt values, or the hash function may be changed at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A system for tracking an object in oil and gas wellbore operations wherein a releasable object carrying a first signal system is released into tube system associated with a wellbore. The first signal system communicates with one or more second signal systems positioned along the travel path of the object; along the surface of the formation; and/or throughout the wellbore. First signal system and the second signal system may communicate by RF signals. First signal system and any second signal systems positioned on the surface communicate by through-the-earth or very low frequency signals. A global positioning system may be utilized in conjunction with any second signal systems on the surface to identify the absolute location of the object in the underground wellbore. The first signal system carried by the object may be a piezoelectric system disposed to transmit a signal when the object experiences a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a thrust washer and a diffuser for use in a downhole electrical submersible pump are disclosed. The pump may include a shaft and a motor communicatively coupled to the shaft. The motor may be operable to rotate the shaft. The pump may further include an impeller coupled to the shaft. The impeller may contain a balance ring, a balance hole, and a hub. The pump may further include a diffuser disposed adjacent to the impeller. The pump may further include a thrust washer coupled to the impeller. The thrust washer may be located between the balance ring and the hub without blocking the balance hole to allow fluid flow through the impeller and the diffuser. The pump may further include a discharge operable to direct fluid flow out of the multi-stage electrical submersible pump.

Abstract: A system having a downhole sensor device and a compression device to obtain a sparse representation of data in downhole telemetry applications is described. The downhole sensor device can collect sensor data while the downhole sensor device is within a borehole. The compression device is coupled to the downhole sensor device and configured to receive the sensor data. The compression device can determine a wavelet coefficient vector for at least one row of n-tuple vectors. The wavelet coefficient vector can have a sparse representation of one or more nonzero elements. The compression device can process the wavelet coefficient vector through a set of compression algorithms, and determine a minimal bit cost of the processed wavelet coefficient vector. The compression device can select a compression algorithm from the set of compression algorithms corresponding to the minimal bit cost. The compression device can generate compressed data based on the selected compression algorithm.

Abstract: A system that provides a safety rating for a driver or a vehicle to a rider of the vehicle. Information including diagnostic information such as sensor information and location information is used to determine the safety rating. By having a high safety rating, the rider of the vehicle has some level of assurance that the vehicle will arrive at a designated location.

Abstract: A device may determine that a verification method associated with a transaction card is to be modified from a first verification method to a second verification method. The first verification method and the second verification method may use different types of verification information. The device may provide a set of instructions to the transaction card after determining that the verification method is to be modified. The set of instructions may cause the transaction card to modify the verification method from the first verification method to the second verification method. The device may provide information identifying a modification to the verification method to a transaction backend device to notify the transaction backend device that the verification method associated with the transaction card has been modified from the first verification method to the second verification method.

Abstract: A heating system includes a first pipe portion configured to connect to piping that returns water from a heat exchanger in a building back to a boiler in the building. A longitudinal axis of the first pipe portion can extend vertically. A second pipe portion can have a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The first end of the second pipe portion can be configured to connect to piping that supplies water to the heat exchanger. The second end of the second pipe portion can be configured to connect to the second end of the first pipe portion. The longitudinal axis of the second pipe portion can extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first pipe portion. The second pipe portion can be spaced-apart from the first pipe portion. The system can be in the form of an installation kit for a heating appliance.