Abstract: A method for treating a disease comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of immune-mediated disorders, immune-associated disorders, inflammatory diseases, coronary disease, insulin resistance and liver-related diseases. In a preferred embodiment, the Hoodia is Hoodia parviflora. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for treating the above diseases comprising an effective dosage of an extract of a plant of the genus Hoodia.

Abstract: A flow restriction tool can include a closure device having positions in which flow is permitted through the tool, in one position a flow passage is open to the flow and the closure device blocks flow through another flow passage, and in another position both passages are open to the flow, and a biasing device which displaces the closure device to the former position in response to a flow rate being less than a predetermined level. A well tool string can include an orientation tool that intermittently permits flow through a wall of the tool string to transmit orientation data via pressure pulses in a flow passage through the string, and a flow restriction tool that permits flow through one flow area when a flow rate of the flow is less than a predetermined level, and permits flow through a larger flow area when the flow rate is increased.

Abstract: A vehicle image capture and labeling system operates to enable a user to capture vehicle photos, pictures, and/or images that are automatically labeled, i.e., annotated. In particular, the captured vehicle photos, pictures, or images are automatically labeled with certain vehicle identifier information, like a vehicle identification number (VIN), and pose information, that identifies a portion or view of the vehicle depicted within the image of the vehicle. The vehicle images may also be automatically labeled with one or more other image attributes or indicia, such as geospatial information corresponding to a location at which the photo or image was captured (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) data), time and date of image capture data, etc. The captured vehicle image and its label(s) may then be stored and used by other applications such as vehicle insurance claim applications, automobile repair estimate applications, etc.

Abstract: A well system can include a completion string adjacent to a target formation and a service tool extending within the completion string. When the service tool is in an aligned position with respect to the completion string, the service tool can prevent fluid communication between the target formation and a return conduit to facilitate fluid slurry injection. In such an alignment, a reader of the service tool is positioned within a threshold distance of a tag of the completion string to receive an indicator from the tag. From the tag, the reader receives confirmation that the service tool and the completion string are properly aligned. A pulser of the service tool transmits a signal to a surface location to convey the confirmation. A user may then pump the fluid slurry through an internal fluid flow passage of the service tool to the target formation.

Abstract: Improved containment mats and systems of containment mats may include multiple adjoining mats with a top surface and a bottom surface. The multiple mats may provide a modular structural mat system that may be installed at a drill site, with multiple mats placed adjacent to each other with a lap joint connecting adjacent mats. A geotextile may be used to cover the lap joints and a coating applied to the geotextile. Such a system may provide containment of potential spills, a reliable working surface for drilling operations, and relatively fast and less expensive installation.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a main casing, driving wheels, a control unit, a cleaning unit, cameras, and a depth calculation part. The driving wheels enable the main casing to travel. The control unit controls drive of the driving wheels to make the main casing autonomously travel. The cleaning unit cleans a floor surface. The cameras are disposed apart from each other in the main casing to pick up images on a traveling-direction side of the main casing with their fields of view overlapping with each other. The depth calculation part calculates a depth of an object distanced from the cameras based on images picked up by the cameras. The vacuum cleaner has improved obstacle detection precision.

Abstract: The PAYMENT PLATFORM INTERFACE WIDGET GENERATION APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“API-Tool”) transforms developer credentials, codes and parameter inputs via the API-Tool component into buy widgets, payment acceptance and purchase transaction outputs. In one embodiment, the API-Tool may facilitate obtaining a plurality of authentication parameters and widget customization parameters. The API-Tool may authenticate a user using a parameter derived from the plurality of authentication parameters and may dynamically generate a purchase widget for the authenticated user using the plurality of widget customization parameters.

Abstract: A service deployment manager may receive a service request that includes data identifying a service to be deployed in a cloud computing environment, data identifying an execution environment in which the service is to be deployed, data identifying a framework on which the service is to be deployed, and data identifying a version strategy to be applied to the service. The service deployment manager may receive data identifying a user account associated with the service request, and may determine that the user account has permission to deploy the requested service. The service deployment manager may identify a service template, based on the service, that specifies a virtual hardware configuration, and may provide, to a service deployment platform, instructions to deploy the service using the virtual hardware configuration. The instructions may include the data identifying the execution environment, the data identifying the framework, and the data identifying the version strategy.

Abstract: Provided are methods of producing an isolated T memory stem cell population, the method comprising a) isolating nave T cells from a mammal, wherein the mammal is not a mouse; b) activating the nave T cells and expanding the numbers of nave T cells in the presence of one or more non-specific T cell stimuli, one or more cytokines, and a GSK-3beta inhibitor. Also provided are methods of producing an isolated T memory stem cell population, the method comprising a) isolating lymphocytes from a mammal; b) sorting the lymphocytes using flow cytometry into a population comprising a phenotype comprising i) CD95+, CD45RO?, and CCR7+; and ii) CD62L+ or one or more of CD27+, CD28+, CD45RA+, and CD127+ to produce an isolated T memory stem cell population. Further embodiments of the invention provide related cells, populations of cells, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating or preventing cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product comprising a core, a plurality of protrusions projecting from the core to form a brush, and a spatula situated in the continuation of the core. The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for cosmetic product, comprising: a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above and suitable for being attached to the container, so that the applicator is accommodated inside the reservoir.

Abstract: Illustrative logging methods, systems, and software, provide for correction of cross-coupling error via a complex-plane extrapolation technique. Frequency-dependent measurements at each given borehole position will trace out a dependence of a quadrature signal component on the in-phase component. With linear or curve-fit extrapolation to the real axis, the cross-coupling error is readily compensated, enabling more accurate formation property logs to be derived over greater range of operating environments. The technique is particularly suitable for use with laterolog resistivity tools, where cross-coupling between current and voltage conductors might otherwise be problematic.

Abstract: A method includes introducing a resistivity logging tool including one or more transmitter coils and one or more receiver coils into a wellbore. First and second signals are then transmitted with a first transmitter coil at first and second frequencies, respectively, and a first receiver coil receives first and second response signals based on the first and second signals. A ratio between the first and second response signals is then calculated to obtain a ratio signal, and the ratio signal is processed in an inversion algorithm. One or more formation characteristics of the subterranean formation may then be determined based on the ratio signal as processed by the inversion algorithm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for monitoring one or more quality control activities to be performed during development of a software application. The system may receive information related to sub-applications. The sub-application may correspond to a module of the software application. The system may create groups of quality control activities. The quality control activities may need to be performed during different stages of development of the software application. The system may allow assigning quality control managers related to the quality control activities. The quality control manager may thus monitor the quality control activities to be performed for a successful integration of the software application.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for determining the status and renewing a vehicle registration and/or inspection while a vehicle is located in proximity to a fuel dispensing apparatus. Data communication is established between the fuel dispensing apparatus and a vehicle located in proximity to the fuel dispensing apparatus. Data is received from the vehicle located in proximity to the fuel dispensing apparatus providing one or more identification characteristics of the vehicle. Analysis is performed using the one or more identification characteristics to determine a status of a vehicle registration and/or inspection for the vehicle located in proximity to the fuel dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: The method for test data management may comprise receiving a test data characteristic; retrieving a master copy data from a master copy database; generating a secondary copy data, wherein the secondary copy data comprises a subset of the master copy data corresponding to the test data characteristic; generating a test copy data, wherein the test copy data is a copy of the secondary copy data; and transmitting the test copy data to a test environment. In this manner, the efficiency and resiliency of the system may be enhanced, and the test copy data may be improved so that the network may function according to approved parameters.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a method of monitoring a fluid pump that includes receiving time domain measurement data indicating vibrations occurring in a fluid pump, and filtering the measurement data to remove measurement data components having frequencies below a threshold frequency, the removed measurement data components associated with cyclical motions of the fluid pump. The method also includes dividing the filtered measurement data into a plurality of subsets, each subset corresponding to a pump cycle, and estimating a peak count for each subset, the peak count being a number of peaks having an amplitude that exceeds a selected amplitude threshold, the amplitude threshold associated with impacts between internal components of the pump. The method further includes comparing the peak count with an expected peak count, and determining whether the pump is in a condition selected from at least one of a wear condition and a failure condition based on the comparison.

Abstract: The e-vaping device includes a housing, and a vaporizing heater within the housing. A cartridge within the device defines a reservoir containing a pre-vapor formulation. A chip on an end of the cartridge defines a via in fluid communication with the reservoir. The chip includes an ejector in fluid communication with the via, where the ejector is configured to eject droplets of the pre-vapor formulation towards the vaporizing heater. The method of making the device includes connecting a chip to an end of the cartridge, where the ejector ejects droplets of the pre-vapor formulation towards the vaporizing heater. The method of operating the device includes supplying a first electrical current to the vaporizing heater to energize the vaporizing heater and supplying a second electrical current to the ejector to energize the ejector and eject droplets of a pre-vapor formulation from the ejector towards the vaporizing heater.

Abstract: An anchor comprises a substantially non-conducting housing including a series of collet apertures; flexible strands; collets; and a water bed engaging part. Each collet is adapted to engage one of the flexible strands and secure it in a respective one of the collet apertures of the housing. The anchor formed such that when it is in use the water bed engaging part can be located on the bed of a body of water with the strands extending upwards for use in securing an item at or near the surface of the water, the strands being able to expand and contract lengthwise to resist breaking due to pulling of the item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for making disbursements to one or more consumers via a hosted disbursement system. In accordance with an embodiment, a method can comprise receiving, at a merchant service provider, a request to make a disbursement to a consumer from a merchant. The request can be received from a merchant server and include disbursement information corresponding to the disbursement. The method can further comprise receiving, at the merchant service provider, a selection of a distribution option from the user, which corresponds to a type of account to receive the disbursement. The method can further comprise receiving, at the merchant service provider, account information from the consumer. The account information is sent to the merchant service provider from a user device, bypassing the merchant server. The method can further comprise processing the disbursement using the account information to transfer funds corresponding to the disbursement to the consumer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating subterranean formations. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation including placing a first aqueous composition and a second aqueous composition in a subterranean formation. The placing includes injecting the first aqueous composition through a tubular passage in a wellbore. The placing also includes injecting the second aqueous composition through an annular passage in the wellbore.