Abstract: A management and delivery method and system for a distributed marketing network. Access to one or more network service gateways associated with a distributed marketing network can be authorized, if particular criteria are satisfied. A business transaction may be coordinated with the distributed marketing network through network service gateways in a near real time fashion and without manual intervention, in response to authorizing the access to the network service gateways. The network service gateways may include a partner interface, a centralized hub that communicates with the partner interfaces, and/or a local market integrated service layer that communicates with the centralized hub and the partner interface. The distributed marketing network may be, for example, a network of radio stations.

Abstract: An example embodiment of the present invention provides a pole cap for covering an end of a pole. The pole cap comprises a sheet that includes a central portion, a first strip, and a flap that has a slit. The central portion is configured to cover a base surface of an end of a pole. The first strip is configured to fold over an edge of the base surface and circumferentially wrap around a portion of a curved surface of the pole. The flap is configured to fold over the edge of the base surface.

Abstract: A method of replacing a native cardiac valve with a prosthetic cardiac valve, the method comprising: expanding a wire mesh scaffolding in a chamber of the heart on a retrograde side of the native cardiac valve; while the scaffolding is expanded on the retrograde side of the valve positioning the prosthetic cardiac valve at the site of the native cardiac valve; expanding the prosthetic cardiac valve to replace the native cardiac valve; and collapsing the scaffolding to a collapsed state and removing the collapsed scaffolding from the chamber of the heart.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biopolymer-based biocidal coatings. The coatings have excellent antimicrobial and antifungal properties, and retain their activity over substantially prolonged periods of time.

Abstract: Tools, systems, and methods are disclosed for multi-component induction logging with iterative analytical conversion of tool measurements to formation parameters. At least some system embodiments include a logging tool and at least one processor. The logging tool provides transmitter-receiver coupling measurements that include at least diagonal coupling measurements (Hzz, Hxx, and/or Hyy) and cross-coupling measurements (Hxy, Hxz, and Hyz). The processor employs an iterative analytical conversion of the cross-coupling measurements into formation resistive anisotropy and dip information. The processor may further provide one or more logs of the resistive anisotropy and/or dip information.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) is implemented on a computing device that includes a processor and associated memory. The GUI includes a graphical presentation pane configured to display a graph including at least one plot representing listenership information along a Y axis of the graph, and a period of time along an X axis of the graph. The listenership information is associated with at least one selected station, and the period of time is determined based on a user-selection of the period of time. The GUI also includes a marker that can be positioned over different portions of the plot in response to user input, and a media log pane linked to a current portion of the plot over which the marker is positioned. the media log pane displays media items corresponding to both the at least one selected station and a time indicated by the current portion of the plot.

Abstract: Systems and method for injection a chemical into a wellbore. A chemical injection system may comprise a first valve, a chemical line, a pilot line, an injection line, and a backflow prevention valve disposable in the injection line. A production fluid recovery system may comprise a chemical injection system, a first valve, a pilot line, an injection line, a backflow prevention valve, a production tree, a wellhead, and production tubing. A method for actuating a valve in a chemical injection system may comprise pushing a fluid into a chemical line, pressurizing a pilot line to open a first valve, pushing the fluid through the first valve, increasing pressure in the pilot line to open a second valve, pushing the fluid through the second valve, pushing the fluid through a chemical line, and injecting fluid into a wellbore from the chemical line.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying account information. The systems and methods may include a portable smart display device in short-range communication with a mobile device. The smart display device may be configured to provide a user with quick and easy yet secure access to account information, without the need for multi-step login and verification processes. The smart display device may be sized to fit within a wallet and within quick, easy reach of a user. The smart display device may receive up-to-date account information from the mobile device, and display the account information on-demand upon detecting an activation event, thereby providing an enjoyable user experience and a useful tool for quickly informing the user of their financial situation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for mixing proppant and other solids with one or more fracturing fluids to form a fracturing slurry, and for delivering the fracturing slurry to a wellbore. In the example systems as described herein, the proppant is mixed with the fracturing fluids through an assembly that limits the number of pumps that are required to move the relatively abrasive proppant]containing fluids. Additionally, in the example systems, the proppant is mixed within enclosed structures, thereby minimizing the escape of dust and other particulates into the surrounding atmosphere and onto the equipment at the well site.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods, systems, and computer-readable media configured to, for example, authenticate a transaction using an item at a mobile device. An example method comprises receiving an indication to start an application on the mobile device, displaying a user interface, by the application, a request for a capture of a pattern on an item, receiving, by the application, a pattern capture from the item, determining whether the pattern capture is complete, and sending the pattern capture to a first remote system for authenticating a transaction. Disclosed embodiments also include a card comprising visible first information about an account associated with the card, a machine-readable item comprising second information (which may have information in common with the first information), and a pattern comprising at least one marking including at least one of invisible ink or capacitive ink, that does not include the first information or the second information.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a retrievable bridge plug assembly. The retrievable bridge plug assembly includes a sealing element that is elastically deformable to expand radially outward when the sealing element experiences axial compression and at least one anti-extrusion device positioned downhole from the sealing element. The at least one anti-extrusion device includes a shoulder that in operation maintains contact with the sealing element. Also included in the at least one anti-extrusion device is a plurality of anti-extrusion petals positioned downhole from the shoulder that expand radially outward from the anti-extrusion device. Additionally, the at least one anti-extrusion device includes an expandable sleeve surrounding the plurality of anti-extrusion petals that covers extrusion gaps of the plurality of anti-extrusion petals when the plurality of anti-extrusion petals expand radially outward from the anti-extrusion device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for computing and evaluating internet of things (IoT) readiness of a product. The traditional systems and methods provide for the IoT maturity check methodologies but they are based more upon cultural view point rather than on an accurate quantified assessment. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for computing and evaluating the IoT readiness of the product by providing for a set of information on a plurality of IoT compatible products and target IoT integration platform and infrastructure for configuring and connecting the plurality IoT compatible products, computing and assigning a set of scores to the plurality IoT compatible products using a scoring engine module, computing revenue potential and one or more optimal methods of integrating and deploying the plurality of IoT compatible products on a comparison of the set of assigned scores, the performance potential and the potential revenue value of the plurality of IoT compatible products.

Abstract: A system and method for sample analysis using sub-atmospheric pressure (sub-AP) laser ionization. The sub-AP ion source includes a holder with a sample containing analyte molecules, a pulsed laser beam configured to generate ionized species from the sample, an ion extractor adjacent to the holder configured to extract analyte ions from the ionized species by an extraction electric field Es near the sample, an ion funnel structure composed of orifice electrodes located along an ion funnel pathway direction z. The ion funnel structure has an entrance and an exit, the exit being the electrode with the smallest aperture in the structure. This structure is configured for accepting the analyte ions from the ion extractor at the entrance and dragging them toward the exit using an axial electric field Ez along the direction z. The extraction electric field Es is at least partly electrically shielded from the axial electric field Ez.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure facilitate rigid point cloud registration with characteristics including shape constraint, translation proportional to distance and spatial point-set distribution model for handling scale. The method of the present disclosure enables registration of a rigid template point cloud to a given reference point cloud. Shape-constrained gravitation, as induced by the reference point cloud, controls movement of the template point cloud such that at each iteration, the template point cloud better aligns with the reference point cloud in terms of shape. This enables alignment in difficult conditions introduced by change such as presence of outliers and/or missing parts, translation, rotation and scaling. Also, systems and methods of the present disclosure provide an automated method as against conventional methods that depended on manually adjusted parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides metabolic signatures and genetic markers for tracking enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency phenotypes in tobacco plants and for introgressing enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency phenotypes into tobacco plants. The disclosure also provides tobacco plants comprising enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency and methods to the creation of tobacco plants comprising enhanced nitrogen utilization efficiency. The disclosure also provides recombinant polynucleotides and polypeptides for enhancing nitrogen utilization efficiency in modified tobacco plants and tobacco plants comprising the provided recombinant polynucleotides and polypeptides.

Abstract: A transaction card is provided. The transaction card includes a card frame having a card inlay and a card housing. The transaction card also includes a magnetic stripe disposed inside the card frame between the card inlay and the card housing.

Abstract: Neutralizing antibodies and antigen binding fragments that specifically bind to Ebola virus glycoprotein are disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors and host cells are also provided. Methods for detecting Ebola virus using the antibodies and antigen binding fragments are disclosed. The antibodies, antigen binding fragments, nucleic acids, and vectors, can be used, for example, to prevent and/or treat Ebola virus infection in a subject.

Abstract: The systems, methods, and computer readable mediums described herein provide a secure method for a transaction account issuer to issue a digital pass to an existing transaction account holder (e.g., an existing user) that may be shared and/or provided to a prospective transaction account holder (e.g., a new user). The digital pass may be sharable from an existing user's user device to a new user's user device. The systems, methods, and computer readable mediums described herein may also employ an adaptive web design solution to increase application completion rates by capturing minimal viable information from a prospective member.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a subject transfer apparatus including a base unit comprising a lifting mechanism, a body unit coupled to the lifting mechanism, a subject support platform coupled to the body unit, and a slide assembly coupling the subject support platform to the base unit such that the subject support platform is slidable between a first position in which the subject support platform positioned over the base unit and a second position in which the subject support platform is cantilevered from the base unit. The subject support platform includes a first extension platform and a second extension platform slidably disposed within the subject support platform. In various embodiments, the first extension platform and the second extension platform are extendable away from the subject support platform opposite one another. Methods of transferring a subject using the subject transfer apparatus are also described.