Abstract: Micro-electro-mechanical systems lost circulation materials (MEMS-LCMs) of various sizes, shapes, and specific gravities may be used in a drilling fluid to determine the preferred LCMs for use in wellbore strengthening of the wellbore. For example, a method may include drilling at least a portion of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a drilling fluid that comprises a base fluid, a plurality of MEMS-LCMs, and a plurality of LCMs, wherein the MEMS-LCMs and the LCMs are substantially similar in size, shape, and specific gravity; measuring a first concentration of the MEMS-LCMs in the drilling fluid before circulating the drilling fluid through the wellbore; measuring a second concentration of the MEMS-LCMs in the drilling fluid after circulating the drilling fluid through the wellbore; performing a comparison of the first and second concentrations of the MEMS-LCMs; and changing a composition of the drilling fluid based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutting element used as drill bit cutting elements (10). The method includes leaching a PCD body formed from diamond particles (202) using a binder-catalyzing material so as to remove substantially all of the binder-catalyzing material from portions of a cutting surface of the PCD body. A portion (24) of the cutting surface is identified as a cutting area which, in use of the cutting element to cut material, is heated by the cutting action of the cutting element. Leaching of the PCD body includes performing a relatively deep leach in the portion of the cutting surface identified as the cutting area and performing a relatively shallow leach in at least the portion (26) of the cutting surface surrounding the identified cutting area.

Abstract: A bed status system includes a patient support apparatus having a status, a location unit configured to provide a location to the patient support apparatus, and a bed status module coupled to the location unit and the patient support apparatus to receive the status and the location.

Abstract: A siderail assembly comprises a siderail and a medical line manager. The siderail includes a siderail body having a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface extending between about the first surface and about the second surface. The medical line manager is integrated into at least one of the first surface, the second surface, and the side surface of the siderail. The medical line manager includes a first side, a second side, and a bottom extending between about the first side and the second side. The medical line manager is configured to receive and removably retain at least one medical line therein.

Abstract: A process for detecting Neisseria meningitidis nucleic acid in a sample is provided including producing an amplification product by amplifying Neisseria meningitidis nucleotide sequence of the sodC gene or mRNA using a forward primer of SEQ ID NO: 1, and a reverse primer of SEQ ID NO: 2, and detecting the amplification product to detect Neisseria meningitidis in the sample. Also provided are reagents and methods for detecting and distinguishing Neisseria meningitidis from other infectious agents. A kit is provided for detecting and quantifying Neisseria meningitidis in a sample.

Abstract: Active MRI compatible interventional devices, such as catheters, include at least one RF antenna so that they are visible under MRI analysis. However, metallic structures within intravascular devices may heat up significantly during interventional MRI procedures due to eddy current formation over the conductive transmission lines. The electrical field coupling that occurs between interventional devices and RF signals depend on the position and orientation of interventional device within the bore and the insertion length of the interventional device. The system detects an induced current signal during RF transmission phase and selectively adjusts the impedance value associated with the interventional device by using a varactor and integrated circuit components in such a manner that the currents induced in the interventional device are below a threshold current level, thereby controlling current levels and heating in the interventional device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are isolated immunogens including variant hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAgs). In an example, a variant HBsAg includes a HBsAg with one or more transmembrane domains of the HBsAg replaced with a gp41 antigenic insert. The antigenic insert can include an antigenic polypeptide fragment of gp41 including the membrane proximal region of gp41 and a transmembrane membrane region of gp41. The replacement of a membrane spanning domain of HBsAg with a membrane spanning domain of gp41 anchors gp41 into HBsAg in virtually the identical orientation as on HIV virions and correctly orients the nearby MPR on the lipid layer. Thus, the disclosed variant HBsAgs display the neutralization-sensitive MPR in association with a lipid layer, while presenting it at the most immunogenic site on HBsAg. Also disclosed are uses of these variant HBsAgs, and nucleic acids encoding variant HBsAgs, such as to induce an immune response to HIV-1.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed at an enhanced data interface (EDI) for contactless communications between a mobile application operating on a mobile device and an access device (e.g., contactless reader) that allows for enhanced verification between the mobile device and access device. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method. The method comprises a mobile device receiving a request for available applets from an access device and providing a list of available applets including trusted applet identifiers and untrusted applet identifiers to the access device. The method further comprises receiving a selection of an untrusted applet identifier from the list and an entity identifier associated with the access device, validating that the access device is authorized to access credentials associated with the selected untrusted applet identifier using the entity identifier, and providing the credentials associated with the selected untrusted applet identifier to the access device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying a specific yeast species in patient tissue or body fluid. The method comprises the steps of extracting and recovering DNA of the yeast species from the patient tissue or body fluid, amplifying the DNA, hybridizing a probe to the DNA to specifically identify the yeast species, and specifically identifying the yeast species. The invention also relates to a method of identifying a yeast mycotoxin in patient tissue or body fluid. The method comprises the steps of extracting and recovering the yeast mycotoxin from the patient tissue or body fluid, contacting the yeast mycotoxin with an antibody directed against the yeast mycotoxin, and identifying the yeast myocotoxin. Both of these methods can be used to determine if a patient is at risk for or has developed a disease state related to a yeast infection, and to develop an effective treatment regimen for the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Cognitive Map-Based Tactical Decision Simulation for Training (CMDST) uses fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM's) to: 1) model high-stress tactical problems or engagements and their causal relationships; 2) simulate situational activities immediately prior to, during, and following the occurrence of a tactical problem or engagement; 3) calculate the relative values of different courses of action; 4) perform individual performance and comparative analysis of selected courses of action; 5) conduct after action reviews to solidify lessons learned from the simulation; and 6) develop individual decision making action plans to outline specific actions to be undertaken to improve future decision making performance.

Abstract: Particular aspects of the invention provide methods for decreasing the amount of fluid present in the subretinal space of the eye by administering interferon gamma to the basolateral side of the retinal pigment epithelium. Adverse ocular conditions associated with the accumulation of fluid in the subretinal space can be treated by administering an amount of interferon gamma to the basolateral side of the retinal pigment epithelium effective to remove excess fluid from the subretinal space.

Abstract: Methods for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Micro-seismic events are generated by particles introduced into the fractures which are capable of explosive or chemical reaction. In one method, treated proppant having a reactive coating is positioned in the formation during fracturing and reactive particles are introduced. In another method, reactive particles having a reactive core and a non-reactive coating are positioned in the fractures and react upon removal of the non-reactive coating, such as by dissolving, and reaction with a reactive particle. The waves generated by the micro-seismic events are used to map fracture space.

Abstract: A swellable packer with enhanced sealing capability. A packer assembly includes multiple seal elements, each seal element being swellable downhole, each seal element having at least one face inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the assembly, and the inclined faces of adjacent seal elements contacting each other. A method of constructing a packer assembly having a desired differential pressure sealing capability includes: providing a base pipe and multiple seal elements, each seal element being swellable in a downhole environment, and each seal element having a predetermined differential pressure sealing capability less than the desired sealing capability; and after the desired sealing capability is determined, installing a selected number of the seal elements on the base pipe, so that the combined predetermined differential pressure sealing capabilities of the installed seal elements is at least as great as the desired sealing capability.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates in general to system and method of content management and content life cycle management on a digital publishing platform. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to methods and systems for publishing, collaborating, distributing, managing, and subscribing digital contents and rights using a content-centric approach. Some such embodiments include receiving an electronic data item including at least one content item and based on a type of the electronic data item, identifying in a configuration-setting repository, a normalized data type for which the electronic data item is to be stored in. The electronic data item may then be transformed to the identified normalized form. Such embodiments may further extract content items from the electronic data item and performing a semantic analysis on each extracted content item to generate metadata descriptive of each respective content item. The extracted content items and metadata may then be stored.

Abstract: A seal assembly comprises a first ring and a second ring which are rotatable relative to each other about a longitudinal axis (A-A). A first annular seal surface is formed on the first ring and is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis and a second annular seal surface is formed on the second ring and is complementarily inclined to, and in abutment with, said first annular seal surface on the first ring. An annular groove is formed in at least one of said first and second seal rings adjacent to the seal surface on said seal ring and preferably a portion of the other ring projects into, or to a location adjacent to, the annular groove.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a first small defect response at a given frequency of a first small defect on a first wellbore pipe positioned within a wellbore. A Fourier transform of the first small defect response is then calculated, and a first measured response at the given frequency of a first arbitrary metal loss defect in the first wellbore pipe is obtained with a sensor of a pipe inspection tool. A Fourier transform of the first measured response is then calculated, and a magnitude of the first arbitrary metal loss based on the Fourier transform of the first small defect response and the Fourier transform of the first measured response is then estimated.

Abstract: The invention features modified alphavirus or flavivirus virus-like particles (VLPs). The invention provides methods, compositions, and kits featuring the modified VLPs. The invention also features methods for enhancing production of modified VLPs for use in the prevention or treatment of alphavirus and flavivirus-mediated diseases. The invention also provides methods for delivering agents to a cell using the modified VLPs.

Abstract: A rotating control device can include a rotatably mounted seal which sealingly engages a drill string, and a gripping device which grips the drill string and thereby forces the seal to rotate with the drill string. A drilling method can include positioning a drill string in a rotating control device, gripping the drill string with a gripping device of the rotating control device, and rotating the drill string, gripping engagement between the gripping device and the drill string causing a seal of the rotating control device to rotate along with the drill string. A well system can include a drill string, and a rotating control device including a seal which sealingly engages the drill string and a gripping device which grippingly engages the drill string.