Abstract: Seismic shear-wave survey systems and methods that employ inclined borehole pairs with directional detonations. If the boreholes have substantially equal inclinations in opposite azimuthal directions, the resulting signal traces can be combined to isolate shear wave energy contributions, thereby offering potentially enhanced resolution and reduced-complexity interpretation. The boreholes may be cased to ensure repeatability for, e.g., monitoring of reservoir fracturing, treatments, and/or drainage. The directional charges may be immersed to improve coupling of seismic energy into the formation.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present application is directed to a computer-implemented method, a mobile device, a computer network system, and a computer-program product for optimized audio data provision. In an aspect, a computer-implemented method for optimized audio data provision on mobile devices is provided. The method may comprise: evaluating one or more parameters of a network connection of a mobile device; and depending on said evaluation, automatically switching between downloading audio data in an audio file from a server in real-time and downloading audio data in a text file from the server and performing a text-to-speech application of audio data on the mobile device.

Abstract: A shooting simulation system and method for training personnel in targeting visual and non-line-of-sight targets. The firearm simulation system has a plurality of participants each having a firearm and each being equipped to transmit their location to a remote computer server for storage and use with other transmitted data to determine which participant was a Shooter and which participant was the Shooter's target and for determining a simulated hit or miss of the target and assessing the simulated damage to the target.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to an e-vaping device including a mouth-end insert, a reservoir connectable to the mouth-end insert, the reservoir including a hollow portion along a longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device, a plurality of orifices distributed along an interior surface of the reservoir, and a power portion connectable to the reservoir. The e-vaping further includes a portion configured to direct an amount of pre-vapor formulation onto the heater.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that measure thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity of a emulsified drilling fluid may be used to indirectly measure the salinity and the average specific gravity of the solids in the emulsified drilling fluid. For example, a drilling assembly may comprise a drill string extending into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; a pump configured to circulate a drilling fluid through the drilling assembly; a first flow line fluidly coupling the wellbore to a retention pit; a second flow line fluidly coupling the retention pit to the pump; a third flow line fluidly coupling the pump to the drill string; and an in-line analysis system fluidly coupled to the retention pit, fluidly coupled to the second flow line, or fluidly coupled to the third flow line, the in-line analysis system comprising a thermal conductivity meter and/or an electrical conductivity meter to a sample container.

Abstract: Methods including introducing a solids-free high-viscosity fracturing fluid (HVFF) into a subterranean formation to create or enhance at least one dominate fracture, introducing a low-viscosity pad fluid (LVPadF) into the subterranean formation above the fracture gradient pressure to create or enhance at least one first microfracture, wherein the LVPadF comprises micro-proppant, and placing at least a portion of the micro-proppant into the at least one first microfracture. Alternatingly introducing a first low-viscosity proppant fluid (LVPropF) and a high-viscosity crosslinked spacer fluid (HVCSF) into the subterranean formation, wherein the first LVPropF comprises proppant aggregates and the HVCSF comprises a gelling agent, a crosslinking agent, and a breaker, and placing at least a portion of the proppant aggregates into the dominate fracture, where the HVCSF separates clusters of proppant aggregates in the dominate fracture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to tokenization of a co-network account. A co-network account, as used herein, refers to an account associated with a first transaction processing network for processing transactions initiated using the account and a second transaction processing network for processing transactions initiated using the account. During provisioning of a co-network account onto a user device, a first token is generated for use with the first transaction processing network and a second token is generated for use with the second transaction processing network. Embodiments use the authentication result generated during the provisioning of the first token for the provisioning of the second token. Embodiments automatically provision multiple payment tokens on the user device upon determining that the account is associated with more than one transaction processing networks (e.g. the account is a co-network account).

Abstract: A method for installing a production string in a wellbore and a production assembly for deployment in a wellbore are disclosed. An upper completion portion including a tubular and an upper circulation valve and a lower completion portion including a screen assembly and a lower circulation valve are together deployed into a wellbore at the same time. The upper circulation valve is movable between a closed position to block fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the tubular and an open position to establish fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the tubular. The lower circulation valve is movable between an open position to establish fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of a base pipe deployed adjacent the screen assembly and a closed position to block fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the base pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling hybridization in plants and producing hybrid plants. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding amino acid sequences for self-incompatibility (SI) proteins in plants, and the use thereof for the manipulation of SI, including seed production, in plants, particularly of the Poaceae family. The present invention also relates to kits, compositions, constructs and vectors including such nucleic acids, and related polypeptides, regulatory elements and methods. The present invention also relates to expression of self-gamete recognition genes in plants and to related nucleic acids, constructs, molecular markers and methods.

Abstract: An integrated communications network may be integrated with existing payment systems to provide for more efficient and secure payment related communications. The integrated communications network may use mobile network protocol encapsulation to provide more efficient, faster, and more robust payment related communications to a payment processor across a mobile network. The integrated communications network may implement a location-aware network communications system that may allow a payment processor to obtain additional information about a consumer using a location-aware header of a network communication.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns the discovery of (R,R)- and (R,S)-fenoterol analogs which are highly effective at binding ?2-adrenergic receptors. Exemplary chemical structures for these analogs are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions including the disclosed (R,R)-fenoterol and fenoterol analogs, and methods of using such compounds and compositions for the treatment of cardiac disorders such as congestive heart failure and pulmonary disorders such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant respiratory syncytial viruses that contain mutations that make the disclosed viruses attractive vaccine candidates. The viruses disclosed contain attenuating mutations designed to have increased genetic and phenotypic stability. Desired combinations of these mutations can be made to achieve desired levels of attenation. Exemplary vaccine candidates are described. Also provided are polynucleotides capable of encoding the described viruses, as wells as methods for producing the viruses and methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to stabilized compositions comprising at least one macrocyclic lactone, or derivative thereof, in combination with levamisole, and an amino sugar stabilizing agent, optionally an additional antiparasitic agent, and a method for treating or controlling a parasitic infection or infestation in an animal by administering said composition.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to detecting and recognizing coatings on articles. A captured image and/or video of an article includes source light reflections associated with each major surface of that article. A color coordinate characterization for each source light reflection is calculated. Detection and recognition of any coatings formed on the major surfaces of the article is performable by comparing the calculated color coordinate characterizations and/or changes between calculated color coordinate characterizations to information stored in a data store including known color coordinate characterizations and/or known changes between color coordinate characterizations for different known coatings.

Abstract: A downhole distributor valve includes a housing that includes a housing fluid port therethrough, a mandrel that defines a bore and is positioned radially within the housing, and a fluid chamber radially defined between the housing and the mandrel and configured to contain a fluid at a particular pressure. The mandrel includes a mandrel fluid port therethrough. The mandrel is moveable from a first position with the bore fluidly decoupled from the housing fluid port to a second position with the bore fluidly coupled with the housing fluid port through the mandrel fluid port. The mandrel is moveable based on a hydrostatic pressure in the bore greater than the particular pressure of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: The present invention supplies partitioned water treatment systems that possess a plurality of chambers and vertical filtration units, and are operative to control and filter surface runoff water. Such systems are typically placed inline with surface runoff water conveyance system infrastructure, such as pipes, channels, and water storage units.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for protecting identity in an authenticated data transmission. For example, a contactless transaction between a portable user device and an access device may be conducted without exposing the portable user device's public key in cleartext. In one embodiment, an access device may send an access device public key to a portable user device. The user device may return a blinded user device public key and encrypted user device data. The access device may determine a shared secret using the blinded user device public key and an access device private key. The access device may then decrypt the encrypted user device data using the shared secret.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of detecting physiological attributes of a wearer of a computerized wearable device having one or more sensors comprises (1) using the information from the one or more sensors to assess the physiology of the wearer; and (2) notifying the wearer of the wearer's physiology. In various embodiments, the method involves using the wearable device to determine the wearer's current posture, balance, alertness, and/or physical state and comparing the current posture, balance, alertness and/or physical state to at least one baseline measurement. For example, the system may measure a baseline posture to determine when the wearer's current posture deviates from the baseline posture, and notify the wearer so that the wearer may improve his or her posture. In other embodiments, the computerized wearable device may detect one or more of the wearer's physiological characteristics (e.g., oxygen levels, pulse rate, pupil size, etc.) and determine the wearer's alertness level.

Abstract: A method and a system for receiving targeted content are disclosed. In an embodiment, in a mobile device at least a first metadata corresponding to a first content displayed on a digital signage board is received, based on a predetermined action performed by the mobile device. The first metadata comprises at least a location of the digital signage board. A second metadata corresponding to one or more product categories associated with one or more products in vicinity of the digital signage board is determined, based on the location of the digital signage board. One or more user preferences are determined based on the first metadata and the second metadata. The targeted content is received on the mobile device based on the one or more user preferences.