Abstract: A threader power adapter includes a power shaft having a first longitudinal axis extending through proximal and distal ends and an adapter shaft having a second longitudinal axis coupled to the distal end of the power shaft. The adapter is configured for insertion into a threader handle socket along a first axis and insertion into a driver along a second axis such that application of a torque to the adapter about the second axis causes rotation of the threader assembly about a third axis. With a disclosed method, the threader power adapter is coupled with a threader assembly and the threader assembly is placed on the cylindrical member. A driver is coupled with the threader adapter and a torque is applied to the threader adapter with the driver to turn the threader assembly about a central axis to cut threads in the exterior surface of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: Treatment fluids comprising hydrofluoric acid, a hydrofluoric acid-generating compound, or any combination thereof can be used in conjunction with acidizing a subterranean formation that contains a siliceous material. Inclusion of a salt block inhibitor in the treatment fluids may eliminate or reduce the formation of insoluble fluorosilicates and aluminosilicates that can occur when an acidizing operation is conducted. Methods for treating a subterranean formation can comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a salt block inhibitor comprising a fructan, and hydrofluoric acid, a hydrofluoric acid-generating compound, or any combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Treatment fluids comprising a silicate complexing agent can be used in conjunction with acidizing a subterranean formation that contains a siliceous material. Inclusion of the silicate complexing agent in the treatment fluids may eliminate or reduce the production of insoluble fluorosilicates and aluminosilicates that can occur when an acidizing operation is conducted. Methods for treating a subterranean formation can comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a silicate complexing agent comprising a tertiary amine compound, a functionalized pyridine compound, any salt thereof, or any combination thereof; and hydrofluoric acid, a hydrofluoric acid-generating compound, or any combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: Present disclosure provides a process for the synthesis of doped titania nanoparticle having photocatalytic activity greater than 90% at 2 hours under sunlight irradiation. The process involves step a) milling a mixture containing anatase titania and a precursor compound, the compound selected from the group consisting of metal and non-metal salts, in the presence of water and oxide milling media, at a temperature in the range of 20 to 50° C. for a period of 60-120 minutes, to form a slurry, wherein the amount of water is in the range of 15 to 25% by weight of the total mixture; and b) filtering the slurry to separate the oxide milling media and obtain a filtrate containing doped titania nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method is provided comprising receiving tradeline data associated with a consumer related to a tradeline, determining payment terms of the tradeline by selecting the greatest of a minimum potential payment amount, a fixed percentage potential payment amount, and a fixed percentage plus finance charge potential payment amount, and calculating (in response to selection of the fixed percentage plus finance charge potential payment amount) an APR of the tradeline.

Abstract: Processes for identifying optimal mass spectrometer settings to produce the greatest confidence in sample constituent detection are provided. Data obtained on a mass spectrometer are analyzed by a quadratic variance function which accurately represents intensity variation as a variation of peak intensity. This function is then used to identify intensities that possess a minimum coefficient of variation that is useful for identifying optimal mass spectrometer settings. Inventive processes involve using a general purpose computer to identify optimal mass spectrometer settings for use in biomarker analyses, for optimizing peak detection and biomarker identification in a biological sample. The inventive processes provide for improved methods of identifying new biomarkers as well as screening subjects for the presence or absence of disease or biological condition.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an exit assembly comprises: a first fluid inlet; a first fluid outlet; and at least one fluid director, wherein the fluid enters the exit assembly in one direction, in another direction, or combinations thereof, and wherein the at least one fluid director induces flow of the fluid rotationally about the assembly when the fluid enters in the one direction and impedes flow of the fluid rotationally about the assembly when the fluid enters in the another direction. In another embodiment, the exit assembly includes two or more fluid inlets. According to another embodiment, a flow rate restrictor comprises: a fluid switch; and the exit assembly. According to another embodiment, the flow rate restrictor is for use in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The method provides for the fitting of a different distribution to the tail of a distribution of continuous data, than that distribution fitting to the rest of the distribution. By fitting a distribution to this set of occurrences only, better distributions shapes are obtained for that part of a distribution which might otherwise be overly sensitive to individual or small numbers of occurrences. Over sensitivity can make such distributions unreliable in situations where their value is compared with the value of another distribution. A distribution which does not decline quickly to zero is preferred for the tail, for instance a heavy tailed distribution.

Abstract: A method and system for managing transaction card accounts involves providing a customer a transaction card account by a financial institution against which the customer can charge predetermined types of transactions during predefined account statement periods and sending a statement of charges against the account to the customer at an end of each account statement period specifying a due date, after which a predefined late fee is assessed on the account if the statement is not paid. However, the late fee is automatically waived on the account within specified products if the customer makes a purchase or secures a cash advance during the account statement period for which the payment is due. Further, a voice response unit of the financial institution gives the customer a first menu option to opt out of a voice response unit scripted call and speak directly to a live representative about the account at any time during the call.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a device for tracking one or more items. The device may include a plurality of sensors for detecting light, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration. The device may also include a memory for storing information received from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A casket comprises a casket shell adapted to receive the remains of a deceased and a casket cap closable on the casket shell. The cap includes a dish assembly mounted to an underside thereof including a cap panel of a sheet of magnetic material. At least one medallion is removably mounted on the cap panel. The medallion comprises a medallion blank having at least one magnet on a rear side thereof and having a recess on a front side thereof, and a button removably received in the recess of the medallion blank. The button comprises a button front, a magnetic metallic button back, and a two-dimensional image overlying an upper surface of the button front.

Abstract: An insurance policy names therein a number of named insureds. In response to a request to delete a particular person as a named insured from the policy, the requestor is interrogated by a computer service based on an accessed predetermined set of rules for deleting the identified named insured and also based on accessed relevant data regarding the policy and the identified named insured. Thereafter, the requestor is supplied with one of an approval and a denial of the request to delete the identified named insured.

Abstract: A fixturing system (10) for use with a frame-straightening repair bench (30) that assists in properly positioning fixture bases and providing verification of repairs. The fixturing system includes fixture bases, support assemblies (14), locating members (16), designed to couple with specific control points, and securing mechanisms to secure the vehicle during repair. The alignment targets and verification system provide proof that the fixturing system and replacement parts are properly positioned. If a repair cannot be made by pulling, the damaged areas of the vehicle can be removed and the fixturing system can help position and hold replacement parts until the repair is made substantially permanent, and the alignment targets and verification system provide proof that the repair is accurately made.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing payment transactions electronically involve interrogating by computer logic each payment transaction received by a payments interface processor to identify a payment destination and a payment source and to determine, according to pre-defined parameters, whether the payment transaction is eligible for processing via an internal payment transaction processor of the financial institution that minimizes processing costs. Eligible payment transactions may be routed, for example, to an internal debit or credit card processor or ACH processor, and ineligible payment transactions may be routed to external card processing networks.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an improved package for a bi-directional and reverse blocking battery switch. According to one embodiment, two switches are oriented side-by-side, rather than end-to-end, in a die package. This configuration reduces the total switch resistance for a given die area, often reducing the resistance enough to avoid the use of backmetal in order to meet resistance specifications. Elimination of backmetal reduces the overall cost of the die package and removes the potential failure modes associated with the manufacture of backmetal. Embodiments of the present invention may also allow for more pin connections and an increased pin pitch. This results in redundant connections for higher current connections, thereby reducing electrical and thermal resistance and minimizing the costs of manufacture or implementation of the die package.

Abstract: A styptic device (10) for substantially hemostatically sealing a percutaneous puncture (12) in a blood vessel (14) of a patient (11), the styptic device (10) comprising: a base (16); a main compression element (18) extending from the base (16), the main compression element (18) defining a main compression surface (24) compressible against the patient (11); and an auxiliary compression element (20) removably attachable to the base (16), the auxiliary compression element (20) defining an auxiliary compression surface (26) compressible against the patient (11).

Abstract: A downhole oilfield tool assembly is provided. The tool assembly comprises a mandrel, a valve oriented to block downwards flow through the mandrel in a closed position, a first piston located above the valve and at least partly around an outside of the mandrel. The first piston is configured to develop motive force from a pressure differential between an interior of the mandrel and an exterior of the downhole oilfield tool assembly.

Abstract: A performance management system and method for generating a plurality of forecasts for one or more electronic devices is presented. The forecasts are generated from stored performance data and analyzed to determine which devices are likely to experience performance degradation within a predetermined period of time. A single forecast is extracted for further analysis such that computer modeling may be performed upon the performance data to enable the user to predict when device performance will begin to degrade. In one embodiment, graphical displays are created for those devices forecasted to perform at an undesirable level such that suspect devices may be subjected to further analysis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cementing operations, including a method of cementing that may comprise providing a settable composition that may comprise wollastonite, pumice, a calcium-ion source, and water, wherein the wollastonite may be present in an amount in a range of from about 25% to about 75% by combined weight of the wollastonite and pumice, and wherein the pumice may present in an amount in a range of from about 25% to about 75% by combined weight of the wollastonite and pumice. Embodiments of the method further may comprise allowing the settable composition to set.