Abstract: Combinations of compounds utilized to minimize the sensory irritating character of non-smokeable tobacco products or non-smokeable products containing tobacco extracts or materials derived from tobacco.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention broadly described, introduce systems and methods for enabling the searching of encrypted data. One embodiment of the invention discloses a method for generating a searchable encrypted database. The method comprises receiving a plurality of sensitive data records comprising personal information of different users, identifying one or more searchable fields for the sensitive data records, wherein each searchable field is associated with a subset of the personal information for a user, generating a searchable field index for each of the one or more searchable fields, and encrypting the sensitive data records using a database encryption key.

Abstract: The rotogravure cylinder comprising a rotary gravure base and thereon a copper engraving layer is refurbished to contain a zinc layer between a gravure base and a layer package suitable for engraving and printing. This layer package for instance comprises a metallic support layer, a copper engraving layer and suitably a protection layer. Deposition of the zinc layer may be tuned for thickness variation, in combination with deposition of the layer package in a fixed thickness.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods/techniques and apparatus for displaying an angulation of a cassette and thus a patient at a time when an x-ray image is taken to provide for a better comparison of day to day improvement of the patient. More specifically, the present invention, allows a movable object to roll freely within in a passageway within an enclosure in relation to an angulation of a cassette. In order to correlate the position of the movable object in the enclosure with the angle at which the cassette is currently placed, a plurality of markers are disposed in or protruded from the inner surface of the passageway. Based upon the position of the movable object in relation to a particular marker at the time an x-ray is taken, the user can identify the angulation at which the cassette is currently positioned.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression are described. More specifically, the invention demonstrates that intranasal administration of ketamine is effective to ameliorate the symptoms of depression in a patient who has not responded to an adequate trial of one antidepressant in the current episode and has recurrent or chronic depressive symptoms (>2 years).

Abstract: There is provided a process for operating a coal-fired furnace to generate heat. The process has the steps of a) providing the coal to the furnace and b) combusting the coal in the presence of a first slag-reducing ingredient and a second slag-reducing ingredient in amounts effective to reduce slag formation in the furnace. In one embodiment, the first slag-reducing ingredient is one or more oxygenated magnesium compounds and the second slag-reducing ingredient is selected from the group consisting of one or more oxygenated calcium compounds, one or more oxygenated silicon compounds, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the first slag-reducing ingredient is one or more oxygenated silicon compounds, and wherein the second slag-reducing ingredient is one or more oxygenated aluminum compounds. There are also provided methods for reducing slag formation in a coal-fired furnace. There are also provided methods for treating coal. There are also treated coals.

Abstract: A method for acidizing subterranean formations may include providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous carrier fluid, an acid, and a chelating agent comprising N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, the treatment fluid having a pH at or below that at which carboxylic or phosphonic acid groups of the N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid are protonated and the chelating agent is ineffective for complexing a metal ion; introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprising a carbonate mineral; reacting the acid with the carbonate mineral in the presence of the chelating agent, such that the acid at least partially spends as the pH of the treatment fluid rises; and complexing a metal ion with the chelating agent once the pH of the treatment fluid rises above a pKa value for one or more of the carboxylic or phosphonic acid groups of the N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nitric oxide-releasing polyvinylpyrrolidone-based polymer derived from N-vinylpyrrolidone monomer and at least one nitric oxide releasing N2O2? group, in which the N2O2? group is attached to a 2 pyrrolidinone group or a group derived therefrom in the N-vinylpyrrolidone monomer, and the polymer is optionally in combination with a substrate. The NO-releasing polymer can be part of a medical device or pharmaceutical composition and is useful for treating a biological disorder, such as healing a wound, restenosis, and/or promoting angiogenesis.

Abstract: Architectures and implementations of a transceiver system for wireless communications are presented, the system including one or more antennas supporting a single frequency band or multiple frequency bands, a transmit circuit, a receive circuit, and an isolation circuit that is coupled to the one or more antennas and the transmit and receive circuits and provides adequate isolation between the transmit circuit and the receive circuit.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a switch extension device and method of installing such a device on a unit of electrical equipment with a closable housing containing a switch and electrically charged components, such as a transformer with a rotary oil safety switch inside the transformer terminal cabinet. The device includes a switch coupling member for mechanically manipulating a switch between at least a first switch position and a second switch position. The switch is disposed inside the closed housing containing components that are electrically charged when the switch is in the first position and not electrically charged when the switch is in the second position. The device also has an extension member with an external portion that extends outside of the closed housing for access by the user without opening the closed housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses device and method for detecting objects placed at multiple ranges from vehicle. Images of the objects may be captured by an image capturing unit housed in the vehicle. The image may be splitted into plurality of sub-images. Further, one or more features may be extracted from the plurality of sub-images. Further, each of the plurality of sub-images may be simultaneously processed for computing gradients associated with the plurality of sub-images. Further, a cell histogram may be created by casting weighted vote for an orientation based histogram channel based on values associated with the gradient. The gradients computed may be normalized by grouping the cells in spatial blocks. Further, a Support vector Machine (SVM) linear classifier may be applied on the plurality of sub-images in order to classify the near object and the far object in a category of a pedestrian or a vehicle.

Abstract: A wireless actuation system comprises a transmitter, an actuation system comprising a receiving antenna, and one or more sliding members transitional from a first position to a second position. The transmitter is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal, and the sliding member prevents a route of fluid communication via one or more ports of a housing when the sliding member is in the first position. The sliding member allows fluid communication via the one or more ports of the housing when the sliding member is in the second position, and the actuation system is configured to allow the sliding member to transition from the first position to the second position in response to recognition of the electromagnetic signal by the receiving antenna.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for actuating a differential pressure firing head to actuate a perforating gun at a downhole location in a subterranean wellbore adjacent a formation. An exemplary method includes positioning the perforating gun and the differential pressure firing head at a downhole location on a tubing string and then communicating an applied fluid pressure to a wellbore annulus, a first chamber which communicates the applied fluid pressure to a low-pressure side of the firing head assembly, and a second fluid chamber which communicates the applied fluid pressure to a high-pressure side of the firing head assembly. The applied fluid pressure is then trapped within the second fluid chamber. When the applied pressure in the annulus is subsequently removed, a pressure differential is created across the firing head by the low pressure in the first chamber and the trapped applied pressure in the second chamber.

Abstract: A system includes a patient support apparatus that has one or more therapies. The therapies are optionally available depending on the acuity of the patient. A request for enablement of a therapy is transferred to a service provider for approval and, when approved, the therapy is enabled by the service provider. The patient support apparatus may be in communication with a server that is in communication with multiple patient support apparatuses so that the server is operable to selectively enable therapies on various patient support apparatuses.

Abstract: Cable and satellite television systems, televisions, and universal remotes are used to provide interactive financial self-services to users. The cable or satellite system provides a connection between a user and a financial services company. A television or other display device connects to the cable or satellite system and displays content from the financial services company to a user. The user may enter data and navigate through the content via a back channel using a universal remote or other input device. The user may thus complete the content, such as completing a loan application, opening a bank account, or purchasing insurance. The user may provide authentication information to receive personalized content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.

Abstract: Disclosed are inhibitors of the farnesoid X receptor, for example of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R4, X, Y, Z, m, and n are as defined herein, which are useful in treating or preventing obesity, type 2 diabetes/insulin resistance and non alcoholic fatty liver disease in a mammal in need thereof. Also disclosed is a composition comprising a pharmaceutically suitable carrier and at least Cone compound of the invention, a method of method of inhibiting a farnesoid X receptor in a mammal, and a method of treating or preventing obesity in a mammal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting and tallying pipe in a well completion system. In one embodiment, at least one sensor determines the length of a pipe and/or at least one thread protector sensor determines whether the thread protectors are removed from both ends of the pipe. The sensors may be located in a mast assembly, a pipe arm, a walkway adjacent said pipe arm used to urge pipe towards the pipe arm, or various other places as desired. A moveable control van with a control system receives signals from the sensors. The control van comprises a system which also keeps a tally of the total amount of pipe currently in the wellbore. In one embodiment, memory chips may be used on the pipe to store a history of the pipe. The sensors then communicate this information back to the control system.

Abstract: Methods including providing a hydrajetting tool comprising a housing having a top end and a bottom end and having a plurality of jetting nozzles disposed thereon, the top end of the housing fluidly coupled to a tool string; providing at least one sub-soil-surface cavity adjacent to or in unstable soil, the unstable soil having a plurality of channels therein; introducing the hydrajetting tool into the at least one sub-soil-surface cavity; injecting a cement slurry through at least one of the jetting nozzles and into the sub-soil-surface cavity; permeating the cement slurry into the plurality of channels in the unstable soil; filling the at least one sub-soil-surface cavity with the cement slurry; and curing the cement slurry, thereby forming a stable soil and a cement pillar in the at least one sub-soil-surface cavity.