Abstract: Methods and compositions for treatment fluids that include carbonate and bicarbonate to control pH for use in subterranean treatments are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid; a crosslinkable polymer; a crosslinking agent; and an amount of carbonate and an amount of bicarbonate, wherein the molar ratio of the amount of carbonate to the amount of bicarbonate is in the range of from about 1:2.3 to about 1:2.7; and introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A granular lost circulation material for use in a wellbore during drilling operations to minimize loss of drilling fluid at a lost circulation area is disclosed. The granular lost circulation material comprises a granular material and a non-hardening tackifying agent. The granular material is coated with the non-hardening tackifying agent. The granular lost circulation material forms agglomerated particles, which form a filter cake at the lost circulation area.

Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating system may be configured to detect adverse conditions (e.g., a dry heater). The system may comprise an electric heater comprising at least one heating element for heating an aerosol-forming substrate, a power supply, and electric circuitry connected to the electric heater and to the power supply and comprising a memory. The electric circuitry may be configured to measure an initial electrical resistance (R1) of the electric heater; measure a subsequent electrical resistance of the electric heater after the measurement of the initial electrical resistance; determine the difference (?R) between the initial electrical resistance and the subsequent electrical resistance; determine that an adverse condition is present if the difference is greater than a maximum threshold value (?Rmax) or less than a minimum threshold value (?Rmin) stored in the memory; and control a power to the electric heater and/or provide an indication if the adverse condition is present.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for blending multi-component granular compositions such as proppant used in hydraulic fracturing in well drilling. The system includes the control and management of an on-site storage system for each of the components, regulating the delivery of specified quantities of each component to a blender, and coordinating the flow of materials into and out of the blender.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a running operation includes an interface to equipment and sensors for performing the running operation. The interface supplies control signals to the equipment and obtains measurement signals from the sensors. The system further includes a short-term optimizer that derives a current job state based at least in part on the measurement signals, and that further adjusts the control signals to optimize a short-term cost function. The short-term cost function includes a difference between the current job state and a desired job state derived from optimized values of a set of decision variables. The system further includes a long-term optimizer module that determines the optimized values based on a long-term cost function, the long-term cost function accounting for at least a long-term reward and a final state cost.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating and/or selecting formation stabilization treatments for subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: subjecting a test formation sample to stress loads, wherein sample comprises: two wafers of a formation material from a subterranean formation, and a plurality of proppant particulates between and in contact with the two wafers; measuring a conductivity of a test fluid through the test formation sample, wherein an eluted test fluid is collected after passing through the test formation sample; determining one or more damage properties of the test formation sample using computed tomography images; determining one or more properties of the eluted test fluid; and selecting a formation stabilization treatment for the subterranean formation based at least in part on the conductivity of the test fluid through the test formation sample, the damage properties of the test formation sample, and/or the properties of the eluted test fluid.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a unit test in a self-contained environment. The system may include using an object relationship mapping file to generate data objects that can be used for code for a unit test without having to refer to a database to perform a unit test. The data objects may further provide for simultaneous unit tests and a self-contained environment to perform the unit tests to improve the quality and resources required to perform such unit tests. The system may perform the unit tests independent of access to a database.

Abstract: A memristor element is used to create a spectrally programmable optical device. An electromagnetic field is applied across the memristor element in order to alter its spectral properties. In turn, the spectral properties of the electromagnetic radiation optically interacting with the memristor element are also altered. This alteration in spectral properties allows the memristor to be “programmed” to achieve a variety of transmission/reflection/absorption functions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, composition, and system for inhibiting sulfide stress cracking of metal that is exposed to aqueous sulfide and aqueous acid, and optionally brine, where the composition comprises a thietane compound, a thiirane compound, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information gathering method. The information gathering method includes identifying a location of a package, the location associated with one or more location-based restrictions on collecting data. The information gathering method also includes restricting access to sensor-collectable data associated with the package in accordance with the one or more location-based restrictions.

Abstract: A fluidic device that can emulate a fracture is provided and includes a body with a first region that can emulate a propped fracture and a second region that can emulate an earth formation material. A test fluid flows into the device at a test pressure and temperature, and substantially fills the first and second regions. A portion of the test fluid flows back out of the device when the pressure is reduced. A method of emulating fluid flow through a fracture is provided, the method including a fluidic device that includes a body, a first region that emulates the fracture, and a second region that emulates an earth formation material. Flowing a test fluid at a test pressure and temperature into the first region, and reducing a pressure of the test fluid, thereby allowing some of the test fluid to flow from the device.

Abstract: Methods of inducing an immune response in a subject to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are provided. In several embodiments, the immune response is a protective immune response that inhibits or prevents MERS-CoV infection in the subject. Recombinant MERS-CoV polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding same are also provided. Additionally, neutralizing antibodies that specifically bind to MERS-CoV S protein and antigen binding fragments thereof are disclosed. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments are useful, for example, in methods of detecting MERS-CoV S protein in a sample or in a subject, as well as methods of preventing and treating a MERS-CoV infection in a subject.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compounds for reducing the prevalence of the perinucleolar compartment in cells, for example, of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined herein, that are useful in treating a disease or disorder associated with increased prevalence of the perinucleolar compartment, such as cancer. Also disclosed is a composition containing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and at least one compound embodying the principles of the invention, and a method of treating or preventing cancer in a mammal.

Abstract: An optical analysis tool includes an integrated computational element (ICE). The ICE includes a first hollow-core fiber. The first hollow-core fiber has a structure configured such that a spectrum of light guided by the first hollow-core fiber is related, over a wavelength range, to a characteristic of the sample.

Abstract: An example method may include computing a database for an ideal representation of a galvanic tool, and determining internal coupling impedance between at least one monitor electrode of the galvanic tool and a reference. Voltage and current measurements from the galvanic tool positioned within a formation may be received. A formation resistivity from the voltage and current measurements may be calculated based, at least in part, on the database and the determined internal coupling impedances.

Abstract: A method of making a flavored beverage includes combining water and a plurality of flavor compounds in an amount sufficient to impart the flavor of a wine, a whiskey or a beer. A kit for making a flavored beverage can include a plurality of flavor compounds, a quantity of yeast, a quantity of sugar and a container.

Abstract: A fluid composition comprising: (A) a liquid hardenable resin component comprising an epoxy resin; (B) a hardening agent component comprising a hardening agent for the epoxy resin; (C) an impact modifier component comprising an impact modifier selected to impart an increased impact resistance after hardening of the epoxy resin. A method of treating a treatment zone of a well, the method comprising: introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore; and allowing the treatment fluid to form a hardened mass the well bore.

Abstract: Sweet taste modulators for enhancing sweetness of an oral consumer product having a sweetener are described. The sweet taste modulators include 5-ethoxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, syringic aldehyde, sinapic aldehyde, ester of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and vanillic acid, 4-hydrozybenzaldehyde, and 5-methoxymethylfurfural. A method of making 5-ethoxymethyl-2-furaldehyde and a method of making an oral consumer product are also described.

Abstract: Described are systems, devices, and methods related to a confocal laser method (CLM) for accurately measuring dioptric powers and other critical optical properties of intraocular lenses (IOLs), such as toric IOLs. Described test results demonstrate that the described CLM systems and methods can be used to measure the spherical equivalent and cylinder powers of toric IOLs with high accuracy. Furthermore, some described systems include a rotating rectangular slit aperture that can be used for precise differentiation of the two focal planes and isolation of the two focal points, and thus, for accurate measurement of the anterior cylinder axis of toric IOLs.

Abstract: Apparatuses for engaging an actuator of a subsurface tool are disclosed, comprising: a valve closure device; a plurality of actuation assemblies, comprising: an actuation device; an actuation rod, wherein the actuation device is configured to axially translate the actuation rod; an actuation platform, wherein the actuation rod engages the actuation platform; a plurality of actuation heads, configured to engage the actuation platform; and wherein the plurality of actuation heads engage an actuation member and are configured to transfer mechanical force to the actuation member, thereby axially translating the actuation member; and wherein axial translation of the actuation member exerts a downward force on the valve closure device to move the valve closure device from a closed position to an open position.