Abstract: Fracturing methods include introducing a relatively high concentration of a surfactant in an initial portion of one or more fluids used in a fracturing treatment and then cutting or ramping back to a relatively low concentration of the surfactant in the remaining fluid used in the treatment. By using such a method, the volume of surfactant to provide superior treatment can be reduced significantly from the normal recommendations, leading to a high cost savings while still obtaining the desired effect upon cleanup.

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: A latching assembly for wellbore logging tools includes a bottom hole assembly to be disposed on a distal end of a drill string. The bottom hole assembly includes a landing sub having a bore with a latching mechanism that includes latch jaws and bias springs. The latch jaws can receive a landing shoulder. The biasing spring has a closing arm and an opening arm to respectively close and open the latch jaws. The bottom hole assembly includes a tool string that includes the landing shoulder for engaging with the latch jaw of the landing sub, the biasing spring, and a logging assembly that includes at least one logging tool for obtaining and storing data about at least one geologic formation penetrated by the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a sand control screen assembly includes determining an anatomy of a facsimile sand control screen assembly, the sand control screen assembly including one or more component parts. A virtual three-dimensional (3D) model of the facsimile sand control screen assembly is then generated based on the anatomy. The virtual 3D model of the facsimile sand control screen assembly is provided to a 3D printer, and the 3D printer forms at least a portion of the facsimile sand control screen assembly based on the virtual 3D model.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a vehicle lift comprises at least one lifting assembly, a control unit, and a control pendant. The control pendant is configured to remotely control the motion of the vehicle lift through the control unit. The control pendant is configured to permit the lifting of a vehicle by the push of a single button on the control pendant. To permit lifting of a vehicle with a single button, the control pendant comprises a menu screen and a plurality of menu buttons. The menu screen and the plurality of menu buttons may be used together by a user to select one vehicle profile of a plurality of vehicle profiles. The selected vehicle profile may correspond to the vehicle being lifted. The selected vehicle profile provides specific data with respect to how the at least one lifting assembly should be moved for the particular vehicle being lifted.

Abstract: A system for use with a subterranean well can include a tubular string with a fluid discharge apparatus, the fluid discharge apparatus including a curved flow path which directs a fluid to flow less toward a structure external to the tubular string. A fluid discharge apparatus can include a generally tubular housing having a longitudinal axis, and at least one curved flow path which directs fluid to flow more parallel to the longitudinal axis from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing. A method of mitigating erosion of a structure external to a discharge port in a well can include directing a fluid to flow through a curved flow path, thereby reducing impingement of the fluid on the structure in the well.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system for a vehicle including an electronic control unit (ECU) and an associated diagnostic port includes a dongle, an imaging device, and a single wireless device. The dongle is configured to mate with the diagnostic port to enable the dongle to establish a wired communication link with the ECU. The imaging device is configured to generate imaging data. The single wireless device includes a display unit, an input unit, a memory storing program instructions, and a processor. The processor is configured to execute the program instructions to establish a wireless communication link with the ECU via the dongle, to receive diagnostic data from the ECU, to render the received diagnostic data on the display unit, to receive user input data from the input unit based on the rendered diagnostic data, and to transmit the user input data to the ECU.

Abstract: A disclosed fracture characterization method includes: collecting three-dimensional resistivity measurements of a volume surrounding an open borehole; analyzing the measurements to determine parameters describing fractures in the volume; and providing a report to a user based at least in part on said parameters. A fluid with a contrasting resistivity is employed to make the fractures detectable by a directional electromagnetic logging tool in the borehole. Illustrative parameters include fracture direction, height, extent, length, and thickness. The resistivity measurements can be augmented using a borehole wall image logging tool. Also disclosed are fracturing methods that include: positioning a directional electromagnetic logging tool proximate to a formation; fracturing the formation; monitoring fracture progression with said tool; and halting the fracturing when measurements by said tool indicate that a predetermined set of criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating individual Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors in a multiplexed acoustic sensor system, the system comprising: a broadband pulsed source; a circulator that passes a laser pulse to a multiplexed series of N FBG sensors and one reference Fresnel reflector, wherein said circulator also receives a return N+1 reflection pulse train from the N FBG sensors and one reference Fresnel reflector; and an optical switch that receives the return N+1 reflection pulse train from the N FBG sensors and one reference Fresnel reflector.

Abstract: A nonintegrated mattress topper comprises a cover at least part of which comprises a fabric having a variable vapor transfer property. When the fabric temperature is within a first range consistent with the presence of an occupant on the mattress the fabric exhibits a first vapor transfer rate sufficiently high that the fabric is permeable to vapor transport across the fabric, and when the fabric temperature is lower than the first temperature range and consistent with the absence of an occupant the fabric exhibits a second vapor transfer rate lower than that of the first vapor transfer rate. Also disclosed is an occupant support assembly comprising a mattress and a nonintegrated topper having the variable vapor transfer property. Also disclosed is an occupant support system comprising a mattress and an integrated topper at least part of which is made of a fabric having the temperature dependent vapor permeability.

Abstract: A flapper valve includes a body having first and second end, and a flapper pivotably coupled to the body and movable between a closed position, where the flapper prevents fluid flow through the body, and an open position, where fluid flow is allowed through the body. A first torsion spring is coupled to the body at the second end and provides a spring arm that engages and urges the flapper to the closed position. A support beam is coupled to the body and includes an axial extension that extends axially past the second end. A closure beam having a first beam end is pivotably coupled to the axial extension and a second beam end is engageable with the flapper. A second torsion spring is coupled to the axial extension and engageable with the closure beam to urge the closure beam into engagement with the flapper.

Abstract: A sensing subassembly for use with a downhole tool comprises a housing, a cavity disposed within the housing, an electronic board disposed within the cavity, a stiffening member engaging the electronic board and configured to limit flexing of the electronic board, and a spring member configured to provide an isolation mount for the electronic board within the cavity.

Abstract: Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to a semi-autonomous insert valve. The semi-autonomous insert valve includes a body, a closure mechanism coupled to the body, an autonomous actuation mechanism coupled to the body, and a control system disposed in the body. The body engages an inner wall of a subsurface safety valve and causes a subsurface safety valve closure mechanism to open, allowing fluid to flow toward the surface of the wellbore. The closure mechanism selectively allows fluid to flow toward the surface of the wellbore. The autonomous actuation mechanism actuates the closure mechanism independently from a subsurface safety valve actuation mechanism that actuates the subsurface safety valve closure mechanism. The control sub-system includes one or more transceiving devices that can wirelessly communicate signals. The control sub-system closes the closure mechanism in response to losing signal communication between the transceiving devices and a signal source.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for a treatment fluid composition are disclosed for use within a subterranean formation, comprising: a degradable diverting agent, and a Schiff base comprising a degradation accelerator. The treatment fluid may be introduced into a formation and the Schiff base allowed to hydrolytically release the degradation accelerator, allowing the degradation accelerator to degrade the degradable diverting agent.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and processor-readable media for the detection and classification of license plates. In an example embodiment, an image of a vehicle can be captured with an image-capturing unit. A license plate region can then be located in the captured image of the vehicle by extracting a set of candidate regions from the image utilizing a weak classifier. A set of candidate regions can be ranked utilizing a secondary strong classifier. The captured image can then be classified according to a confidence driven classification based on classification criteria determined by the weak classifier and the secondary strong classifier.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating and authorizing electronic transactions with various devices and systems are disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention utilize audio messages to initiate, process and complete transactions between two or more parties, allowing users to efficiently and effectively enter into and complete financial transactions with businesses and other users. The need to utilize text-based entry as part of the verification process—an inefficient, error-prone and insecure authorization mechanism—is minimized and, in some embodiments, avoided altogether. Unlike recently developed authorization methods, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using any number of existing devices including, analog or digital televisions, radios, smartphones, tablets computers, and other devices.

Abstract: Power control circuitry, power systems, and related methods are disclosed. A power system includes power control circuitry including a first power switch configured to couple a supplemental grid-synchronized power generator to a main grid power source, and a second power switch configured to couple the supplemental grid-synchronized power generator to a distribution unit configured to distribute electrical power to loads. The power control circuitry also includes time delay circuitry configured to control the first power switch and the second power switch. A method includes maintaining a supplemental grid-synchronized power generator coupled to a main grid power source while main electrical power is provided thereby, and decoupling the supplemental grid-synchronized power generator therefrom responsive to a cease in the main electrical power.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking a viewer's focus and attention by displaying an object on a screen and instructing the user to look at such object. A camera captures an image of an eye of the user as he looks at the object, and then captures one or more further images of the eye of the user to determine when or if the user looked away from the object. A duration of time during which the user looked at the object may be used as a measure of focus or attention of the user.

Abstract: Digital content can be broadcast in a sideband of an analog broadcast channel using multiple digital in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers connected in a mesh configuration to form an IBOC mesh network. The digital IBOC transceivers are positioned at various geographic locations, so that unlike traditional “HD” radio broadcasts, the IBOC broadcast transmission is spread out over a wide area, using multiple low power digital IBOC transceivers rather than being broadcast from the same location as the analog signal. An edge transceiver associated with the mesh network can deliver different broadcast content to different transceivers, or nodes, within the mesh network, by delivering content to an intermediate node and relying on the intermediate node to propagate the content through the mesh network. The mesh network provides bi-directional communication between a mesh transceiver and a user device.