Abstract: A composite drill gun for use in a wellbore environment can include a detonation housing containing a detonation source, a composite carrier containing one or more encapsulated charges, and a detonation train connecting the detonation source to the encapsulated charges. The detonation source and each individual encapsulated charge are all sealed with respect to the wellbore environment, and thus the carrier need not be sealed with respect to the wellbore environment. The carrier can be made out of composite materials without worry of leaks into the interior of the carrier, as the detonation source and encapsulated charges are all sealed with respect to the wellbore environment. The composite carrier can be easily drilled out of the wellbore after detonation.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating lysosomal storage disorders are disclosed. The methods involve administering a genus of benzenesulfonamides, particularly N-[3-(aminosulfonyl)phenyl]-benzamides and heteroarylamides.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the treatment of oil and/or gas wells are generally provided. In some embodiments, a reservoir comprising oil and/or gas may contain regions that differ in permeability to the drive fluid used to displace the oil and/or gas. The higher permeability region(s) may limit oil and/or gas recovery from lower permeability regions. A method of enhancing oil and/or gas recovery in such a reservoir may comprise injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir prior to obstructing one or more region (e.g., higher permeability regions) of the reservoir. The use of a microemulsion prior to obstructing one or more region of the reservoir may enhance the barrier properties of the resulting obstruction. In some embodiments, injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir may also increase the overall production of the oil and/or gas well lacking the microemulsion treatment.

Abstract: Diverting fluids may include a solids-free diverting agent having a non-dissolved suspended solids content of less than about 0.01% by weight of the solids-free diverting agent and comprising degradable polyesters dissolved in a water-miscible solvent. Method of utilizing such diverting fluids in subterranean operations may include providing a subterranean formation that comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion has a higher permeability than the second portion; introducing the diverting fluid into the first portion; precipitating the degradable polyester in the diverting fluid by contacting at least a portion of the diverting fluid in the first portion with an aqueous fluid to form a precipitated degradable polyester, thereby reducing fluid flow into the first portion; diverting at least a portion of a treatment fluid to the second portion; and treating at least a portion of the second portion with the treatment fluid.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and more particularly to system and a method for landing of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). In one embodiment, the method includes estimating a 3-dimensional (3D) location of at least one media sensor mounted on the UAV relative to a marker representative of a landing location of the UAV. The marker comprises a recursive geometrical pattern. The landing of the UAV on the marker at the landing location is facilitated based on the 3D location of the at least one media sensor mounted on the UAV relative to the marker.

Abstract: An air conditioning service system includes an inlet port configured to connect to an air conditioning system to receive refrigerant, a discharge circuit, a pressure transducer, and a controller. The discharge circuit includes a plurality of discharge lines arranged in parallel with one another, each of the plurality of discharge lines fluidly connecting the inlet port to the atmosphere through an associated orifice to vent the refrigerant to atmosphere, and a plurality of discharge valves, each of which is configured to open and close an associated one of the plurality of discharge lines. The controller is configured to obtain the pressure at the inlet port and determine a theoretical mass flow rate through each of the plurality of discharge lines based upon the pressure and the cross-sectional area of the associated orifice, and to operate selected ones of the discharge valves based upon the determined theoretical mass flow rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the modification of fructan biosynthesis in plants and, more particularly, to methods of manipulating fructan biosynthesis in photosynthetic cells, and to related nucleic acids and constructs. The present invention also relates to increasing plant biomass and, more particularly, to methods of enhancing biomass yield and/or yield stability, including shoot and/or root growth in a plant, and to related nucleic acids and constructs. The present invention also relates to methods of enhancing the productivity of biochemical pathways and, more particularly, to fusion proteins in plants, and to related nucleic acids and constructs.

Abstract: The present invention, referred to as Oasis is Automated Statistical Inference for Segmentation (OASIS), is a fully automated and robust statistical method for cross-sectional MS lesion segmentation. Using intensity information from multiple modalities of MRI, a logistic regression model assigns voxel-level probabilities of lesion presence. The OASIS model produces interpretable results in the form of regression coefficients that can be applied to imaging studies quickly and easily. OASIS uses intensity-normalized brain MRI volumes, enabling the model to be robust to changes in scanner and acquisition sequence. OASIS also adjusts for intensity inhomogeneities that preprocessing bias field correction procedures do not remove, using BLUR volumes. This allows for more accurate segmentation of brain areas that are highly distorted by inhomogeneities, such as the cerebellum.

Abstract: An image of a check may be presented for payment in a banking system in place of the physical paper check. The check to be deposited can be collected from a depositor using a scanner. A web site, accessed through a depositor's web browser, can be used to drive the process of collecting the check, but in some contexts (e.g., in less popular computing environments, such as those that do not run the most popular operating systems), it is economically infeasible to obtain the certificates that would be used to allow a program executing in the web browser to control the scanner. Thus, a depositor can be instructed to capture and upload images of the check in the form of files, where the image files are then presented for payment through a banking system.

Abstract: A mechanically activated bypass valve apparatus for allowing fluid being pumped through the pipe or coiled tubing string to be bypassed around a tool string and into the wellbore. Activation of the bypass valve is accomplished by applying weight-on-bit to the apparatus to shear a set of shear screws, allowing the mandrel to move axially relative to the tubular housing. Lowering the pipe string and setting down weigh on bit misaligns fluid bypass ports in the mandrel and housing, thus forcing fluid to continue to flow through the bore of the tool and to the toolstring below the bypass tool. Picking up on the pipe string aligns corresponding ports in the mandrel and housing and allows fluid to flow from the bore of the tool to the wellbore annulus, thus bypassing other tools downhole of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for determining the biochemical fitness of a biochemical species in a mutant replicating biological entity relative to its predecessor. The present invention further provides a continuous fluorogenic assay for measuring the anti-HIV protease activity of protease inhibitor. The present invention also provides a method of administering a therapeutic compound that reduces the chances of the emergence of drug resistance in therapy.

Abstract: The disclosure addresses multiple embodiments of an acoustic isolator, and an acoustic logging tool which incorporates the acoustic isolator. The acoustic isolator is configured to minimize acoustic transmissions which could otherwise adversely affect acoustical measurements being made by an acoustic receiver. The described acoustic isolators include a plurality of longitudinally arranged mass members coupled to a central supporting structure, in a configuration to reduce acoustic transmissions in at least selected frequency ranges.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the treatment of oil and/or gas wells are generally provided. In some embodiments, a reservoir comprising oil and/or gas may contain regions that differ in permeability to the drive fluid used to displace the oil and/or gas. The higher permeability region(s) may limit oil and/or gas recovery from lower permeability regions. A method of enhancing oil and/or gas recovery in such a reservoir may comprise injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir prior to obstructing one or more region (e.g., higher permeability regions) of the reservoir. The use of a microemulsion prior to obstructing one or more region of the reservoir may enhance the barrier properties of the resulting obstruction. In some embodiments, injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir may also increase the overall production of the oil and/or gas well lacking the microemulsion treatment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for receiving from responders conversation selection criteria and mode of communication information. A request for a conversation is received, from an initiator using a first communication mode that identifies a topic, but does not identify any responders. A conversation identifier is created. Possible responders are determined based on the topic and the conversation selection criteria. The topic of the conversation is sent to the possible responders, without identifying the initiator. A first response from a first responder is received using a second communication mode that is different than the first communication mode. The first response is mapped to the conversation based in part on the conversation identifier. The response is sent to the initiator using the first communication mode.

Abstract: A restraint system for use in securing temporary flow lines that include multiple pipe sections, each pair of pipe sections connected together with a fitting or coupling such as a hammer joint coupling. The system includes multiple pluralities of endless loop slings connected end to end with a cow hitch or girth hitch knot. Disconnectable fittings (e.g., shackles) are placed every three or more slings so that easy disassembly is afforded in case of leakage or other failure.

Abstract: A plurality of institutions (such as financial institutions) contribute data to a data analysis and linking system. The system analyzes the data to create data nodes (records) associated with an entity, where the entity may be, for example, a person/individual, business, organization, account, address, telephone number, etc. After data is linked, and in order to retrieve linked data, a requester may provide to the system an identifier associated with an entity. The linked data provided by the system in response to the identifier may be in the form of a network of data nodes associated with the entity and for use in assessing risk, such as risk associated with a transaction being conducted by a person. The linked data may also be analyzed at the system to score risk associated with the entity, and the risk score provided in conjunction with or in lieu of the network of data nodes.

Abstract: Various embodiments include systems and methods to provide selectable variable gain to signals in measurements using incident radiation. The selectable variable gain may be used to normalize signals modulated in measurements using incident radiation. The selectable variable gain may be attained using a number of different techniques or various combinations of these techniques. These techniques may include modulating a modulator having modulating elements in which at least one modulating element acts on incident radiation differently from another modulating element of the modulator, modulating the use of electronic components in electronic circuitry of a detector, modulating a source of radiation or combinations thereof. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for parallelizing grid search technique facilitating determination of PK-PD parameters. The method may comprise determining number of grids. The method may further comprise creating grid points based upon the number of grids (N) and a number of parameters (p). The method may further comprise distributing the grid points amongst number of threads. The method may further comprise evaluating an objective function value corresponding to each grid point in order to compute an objective function value associated with each of the grid points. Further, the method may comprise identifying a grid point having minimum objective function value. The grid point having the least objective function value may indicate the estimated initial PK-PD parameters.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system may include a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well at a high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the subterranean formation and fractures the subterranean formation; at least one generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps; and at least one switchgear electrically coupled to the at least one generator and configured to distribute an electrical load between the plurality of electric pumps and the at least one generator.

Abstract: Device component status detection and illustration apparatuses, methods, and systems determine and generate visualizations of updates timelines indicating device components associated with a remote connected device at different times. A device component status detection and illustration apparatus may include a memory and processor with instructions to: obtain device selection parameters, determine one or more remote connected devices that satisfy the device selection parameters, and identify a remote connected device selected from one or more remote connected devices by a user. The instructions may further be executed to generate visualizations of updates timelines associated with the remote connected device, including information regarding device components associated with the identified remote connected device as of selected update times. This allows the apparatus to present information regarding the status of a particular device at different points in time.