Abstract: A multi-channel source assembly for downhole spectroscopy has individual sources that generate optical signals across a spectral range of wavelengths. A combining assembly optically combines the generated signals into a combined signal and a routing assembly that splits the combined signal into a reference channel and a measurement channel. Control circuitry electrically coupled to the sources modulates each of the sources at unique or independent frequencies during operation.

Abstract: A central-axis rotary piston internal combustion engine has a rotor housing closed off by housing covers, has an outer rotor which rotates in the rotor housing with uniform speed, and has an inner rotor which rotates in the interior of the outer rotor with non-uniform speed. The outer rotor has three inwardly pointing pistons rigidly connected to one another and arranged at uniform angular intervals from one another. The inner rotor has a corresponding number of radially outwardly pointing mating pistons which are rigidly connected to one another and which engage between in each case two pistons of the outer rotor so as to delimit in each case two working chambers. Each working chamber is assigned a combustion chamber and each combustion chamber communicates via a control window with stationary inlet and outlet openings.

Abstract: The High LCM Positive Pulse MWD Component is designed to reduce the entry of LCM and debris into traditional positive pulse MWD systems by utilizing a screen positioned over the fluid ports. The component modifies the traditional poppet housing utilized in positive pulse MWD systems without changing the parameters of the fluid ports or changing the operation or need to recalibrate standard positive pulse MWD systems.

Abstract: A bed includes bed status indicators, such as a pair of spaced lamp modules that are illuminated to signify a satisfactory status or an unsatisfactory status of the bed.

Abstract: An online card-present transaction system facilitates card-present type transactions with a merchant over a public network. A host system is configured to accept authentication data from a user via an authentication device. The host system, after authenticating a user is configured to retrieve the user's account information from a user database system and translate a user account number into a temporary transaction number. The temporary transaction number is then transmitted directly from the host system to the merchant, thereby eliminating the need for the user to send to the merchant over the internet, the user's transaction account number.

Abstract: A modular amine plant having a front-end module and a back-end module in fluid communication with each other. The front-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of various equipment including: a filter, an absorption tower, and a flash tank. The back-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of other various equipment including: a heat exchanger, a distillation tower, and a reboiler. The modular amine plant capable of being installed at a site in less than about 5 days. The modular amine plant further having moment forces sufficient to withstand wind speeds of about 100 miles per hour.

Abstract: A particle including at least one aliphatic polymer having anti-microbially active quaternary ammonium groups chemically bound thereto, is provided. The particle may be used to inhibit populations of microorganisms and biofilms. Also provided are methods for the preparation of such particles and uses thereof for the inhibition of microorganisms.

Abstract: A wellbore ball valve includes a ball-type valve closure having an interior, central bore. A lower ball carrying assembly defines a first annular, sealing seat surface in contact with and adapted to seal with the exterior of the valve closure. The first seat surface defines a first through hole. An upper assembly defines a second annular seat surface in contact with the exterior of the valve closure. The second seat surface defines a second through hole. The second through hole is shaped differently from the first through hole in that it at least partially overlaps with the central bore while the first through hole is sealed from the central bore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the conductivity of borehole fluid. Based on the fluid conductivity, the fluid type may also be identified. The apparatus and method can be useful in differentiating between native water and injected water in oil recovery operations. The apparatus and method presented can also be used to calibrate testing and production equipment allowing for more reliable and accurate measurements. The apparatus and method presented can further be used to better characterize water to oil ratio in reservoirs.

Abstract: There is provided an identifier authentication system in which information requesting users can share all predetermined information held in a plurality of information providing servers. In the identifier authentication system, when an identifier holding user 19 presents an identifier to an information requesting server 15, the information requesting server 15 asks a location management server 13 about a location of an information providing server 14 corresponding to the presented identifier, the location management server 13 returns the confirmed IP address of the information providing server 15 corresponding to the presented identifier to the information requesting server 15 based on the location information, the information requesting server 15 accesses the information providing server 14 corresponding to the confirmed IP address by using the confirmed IP address, and receives predetermined information corresponding to the presented identifier from the accessed information providing server 14.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing messages are described. The apparatus may include an interaction engine to enable interactions between a customer and an agent, a user interface module to display a listing of life events and a life event engine to retrieve the listing from a data store. The method may include receiving a life event indication and playing one of a plurality of life event messages using at least the life event indication.

Abstract: A modular system for providing bicycles at a given location according to a desired configuration, the system comprising at least one bicycle rack for storing a bicycle, each bicycle rack comprising an electronic lock for removably securing a corresponding bicycle thereto, each bicycle rack further comprising a corresponding attaching means having an electrical connector operatively coupled to the electronic lock, an energy providing means for providing energy to each electronic lock, the energy providing means comprising a corresponding attaching means having a connector operatively coupled thereto and a structure to be installed at the given location, the structure comprising an elongated base, a plurality of spaced-apart receiving means located on the base, each of the spaced-apart receiving means being adapted for receiving a selected attaching means from the at least one bicycle rack and the energy providing means according to the desired configuration and an electric network interconnecting each of the s

Abstract: A system for use in a healthcare facility having a nurse call system with a nurse call computer located remotely from patient rooms is provided. The system includes a hospital bed having communication circuitry configured for communicating data from the hospital bed. An interface unit is spaced from the hospital bed. The interface unit has a first connector to which the hospital bed couples via a wired connection, a second connector which is communicatively coupled to the nurse call system, and circuitry comprising a third connector for connection to an external device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving a group of data messages via a network is provided. A data message is received via the network (402, 602). A determination is made regarding whether the data message has an associated valid integrity check value (404, 604). When the data message is determined to have the associated valid integrity check value, a determination is made regarding whether a specific number of data messages has been received with associated valid integrity check values (418, 616). When the specific number of the data messages is determined to have been received with associated valid integrity check values, the data message is accepted (422, 618).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses involve selecting an aperture geometry to filter solids from fluid from a subterranean zone, the aperture geometry selected based on a distribution of sizes of particles in the fluid from the subterranean zone. A laser can be used to form slots with the selected aperture geometry in a casing installed in a well in the subterranean zone, the aperture geometry having a size selected based on the distribution of sizes of the particles.

Abstract: Account shadowing is provided such that when a charge is made on a first credit card (e.g., a high interest rate credit card) of a user, a transfer of funds is made from a second credit card (e.g., a low interest rate credit card) of the user to pay the charge made to the first credit card. This may transfer the balance from a user's high interest rate credit card to a user's low interest rate credit card. In this manner, the user may receive the reward incentives of a high interest rate credit card while using a low interest rate credit card to satisfy balances due.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for sequencing of nucleic acid molecules. A nucleic acid molecule is exposed to a polymerase in the presence of nucleotides. The polymerase carries a donor fluorophore, and each type of nucleotide carries a distinguishable acceptor fluorophore characteristic of the particular type of nucleotide. As the polymerase incorporates individual nucleic acid molecules into a complementary strand, a laser continuously irradiates the donor fluorophore, at a wavelength that causes it to emit an emission signal. The emission signal from the polymerase can stimulate any of the donor fluorophores (but not acceptor fluorophores), so that as a nucleotide is added, the acceptor fluorophore emits a signal associated with the type of nucleotide added to the complementary strand. The series of emission signals from the acceptor fluorophores is detected, and correlated with a sequence of nucleotides that correspond to the sequence of emission signals.

Abstract: A computer system and method of using a service oriented architecture (SOA) which runs business service application in a distributed network. The system has a channel dependent client layer containing a presentation layer and an application control layer, a channel independent service layer containing a business service layer and a data service layer and an integration layer. The integration layer can receive requests for service from the client layer and has a message generator for sending a request message to the service layer which is adapted to read the request message and in response, to run the business service application.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for remotely monitoring an environment may include receiving sensor data from a sensor placed in an environment. The sensor data may be processed to obtain monitoring information for the environment. The monitoring information may be transmitted over a network.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides humanized CC49 monoclonal antibodies that bind TAG-72 with high binding affinity and that are minimally immunogenic. In one embodiment, a humanized CC49 antibody includes a non-conservative amino acid substitution in a light chain complementarity determining region 3 of the CC49 antibody. In a further embodiment, the humanized CC49 antibody includes a non-conservative substitution of a first residue in a light chain complementarity determining region 3 and a substitution of a second residue in a complementarity determining region of the humanized CC49 antibody. In several of the embodiments, methods are disclosed for the use of a humanized CC49 antibody.