Abstract: A method comprising providing a centralizer disposed about a wellbore tubular, wherein the centralizer comprises a first collar, a second collar, a plurality of bow springs coupling the first collar to the second collar, and a plurality of particulates disposed on an outer surface of at least one bow spring, wherein one or more of the first collar, the second collar, and the bow springs comprise a composite material, and placing the wellbore tubular in a wellbore disposed in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for treating a catalyst base that comprises a contact area of porous material. A fluid, such as a flue gas stream, can be conducted along the contact area. A catalytically relevant substance is introduced into pores of the catalyst base using a transport fluid and remains on pore wall areas after removal of the transport fluid. The introduction is carried out such that an amount of the catalytically relevant substance relative to the surface remains on the pore wall areas as a function of location within the pore and decreases within the pore after exceeding a specific pore depth. A blocking fluid can first be introduced into pore regions beyond the specific pore depth, thus blocking these regions when transport fluid containing the catalytically relevant substance is introduced.

Abstract: A method and system to render a graphic display that includes a color-coded risk indicator to facilitate the steering of a drill string during subterranean drilling. The system comprises a receiver to receive measurement data from downhole instrumentation forming part of the drill string during the drilling of a well bore in a geological formation, and an exit risk determining module to determine an exit risk value based at least in part on the measurement data. The exit risk value is indicative of a risk of exiting of the formation by the drill string. A display module is provided to render the graphic display of decision information, to assist steering of the drill string. The color-coded exit risk indicator comprises a colored area having a color indicative of the exit risk value, the color of the colored area being changeable in response to changes in the exit risk value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for building competence in employees of an organization are described herein. In one implementation, a competence building system includes a deliverable definition module to identify a one or more deliverable slices associated with a work product based on a deliverable definition. The deliverable definition indicates a plurality of tasks that need to be completed for building the deliverable slices. Further, a competence identification module of the competence building system identifies a one or more competencies associated with the deliverable slices. Furthermore, the competence identification module identities a one or more resources to be provided to a one or more employee, wherein the employee possesses a minimum level of competence.

Abstract: A design assistant tool may automatically generate a functional design diagram representative of a system based on a processed requirements specification including a plurality of processed requirement statements and use cases. The design assistant tool may apply heuristic rules to the processed requirement statements and/or the processed use cases to determine various components of a functional design diagram. The design assistant tool may generate a technical design module based on the functional design diagram. The design assistant tool may allow various aspects of the functional design diagram to be modified to generate the technical design diagram.

Abstract: To provide a hybrid power supply device capable of properly controlling an operation of an engine generator and also preventing the device from increasing in size. The power supply device including an engine generator 11 and a capacitor 15 comprises: a DC bus La having the engine generator 11 and the capacitor 15 connected in parallel and supplying electric power to an outside; a step-up converter 13 provided between the DC bus La and the engine generator 11; and a control section 17 controlling the step-up converter 13 and regulating electric power supplied from the engine generator 11 to the DC bus La. Since both of the engine generator 11 and the capacitor 15 can supply electric power to the outside, the engine generator 11 can be downsized.

Abstract: A method and system are used to identify industry segments with highest potential for new customers or new spending for current customers. This includes receiving data, segregated into each of a plurality of industries, relating to a number of small businesses, cost of goods sold for each of the small businesses, and percentage of cost of goods sold that is spent on raw materials and inventory for each of the small businesses. Capturing data, segregated into each of the plurality of industries, relating to average amount charged per current card member, percentage of the current card members charging the raw materials and the inventory, percentage of card member penetration, and total estimated charging for the current card members. Determining which of the plurality of industries or segments of the plurality of the industries are available for a highest potential for new card members or that are available for a greatest amount of incremental increased charging by the current card members.

Abstract: A method can include receiving a plurality of unperfected logs via a network, storing the plurality of unperfected logs in a database based on the anticipated broadcast schedule, transmitting at least one unperfected log by the electronic hub, receiving an inquiry into one or more spots in the available inventory, transmitting data associated with the one or more spots the data to be displayed on a graphical user interface in response to the inquiry, receiving a selection of one or more spots in the available inventory in response, and requesting content related to the selected one or more spots. The method can include receiving and associating advertising content with the selection of the one or more spots, creating a perfected log based on the unperfected log and the received content, monitoring a broadcast of the media outlet, detecting a difference between the perfected log and the broadcast, and transmitting status information.

Abstract: Optical splitter assemblies are provided. An assembly may include a housing, one or more fanout elements, an optical splitter element, an input fiber and a plurality of output fibers. The input fiber extends from an input opening of the housing to the optical splitter element. The input fiber carries an input signal to the optical splitter element and the optical splitter element splits the input signal into a plurality of output signals to be carried by the plurality of output fibers. Each of the output fibers extends from the optical splitter element to beyond a plurality of output openings of the housing. Each of the fanout elements defines one or more channels for supporting the input or output fibers. The assembly may further include tubular members for further support to the fibers. The fibers extend from the openings of the housing to the optical splitter element free of any loops.

Abstract: A HFCWO system includes an air pulse generator having a blower inlet in communication with a blower and an air port in communication with an inflatable garment. The air pulse generator includes a housing and an air pulse assembly coupled to the housing. The air pulse assembly has at least one diaphragm, at least one driver operable to move the at least one diaphragm and at least one spring arranged to bias the at least one diaphragm away from a portion of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods to process overhead imagery received from overhead image sources are described herein. In one example, the method may include receiving an overhead image, detecting features on a property and deriving business information using the features. In another example, the system may include an overhead imagery module to positionally correlate images and an image analyzer to determine one or more features on a property. In a further example, the method may include receiving an overhead image, correlating the image with land maps, parsing individual properties, determining the property's values and aggregating the values across the image to derive a risk.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods of tracking customer spending and income are provided. The methods may comprise aggregating spending transactions by estimating income to a customer during a first time period. The methods may also comprise displaying a user interface to the customer. The user interface may comprise a first bar indicating customer income and a second bar indicating customer spending.

Abstract: A computer-based test creation system and method for generating test items. The test creation process includes creating items in electronic form and allowing access by a plurality of reviewers via a network. The reviewers may review the item for content, fairness and format, and collaborate with each other before indicating that the item is acceptable for inclusion in a test. After the administration of the items to test takers, item performance may be evaluated on-line by reviewing electronic feedback from the administrations and creating electronic evaluation reports. Since the items are created in an electronic form, the items may further include new forms of stimuli such as graphics and multimedia.

Abstract: Utilization of information in a closed loop data system further augments modeling while at the same time enabling customization of offers based on spend patterns. Data mining techniques are leveraged to identify rules to determine higher response rate populations. These rules are referred to herein as “triggers,” in that the presence of particular attributes will trigger a cardholder as being more likely to respond to a particular offer. The benefit yielded by this approach is a greater acceptance rate to an offer provided by a transactional account company. To identify the triggers, records of cardmembers who already utilize a given product are analyzed to determine their spend patterns. The spend histories of customers who are eligible to use the product are analyzed according to the identified triggers. Customers whose spend patterns most closely correspond to the triggers are then targeted with offers for the given product.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards including financial account identifying data, and to cause financial transfers responsive to the card data. The automated banking machine includes a sheet accepting device. The sheet accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack through operation of a picker. Each sheet is aligned with the sheet path and analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager and/or a validation device. Sheets determined not to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are returned to a user of the machine. Sheets determined to have at least one property of genuine sheets are processed and stored in the machine. At least one image sensor is used to determine sheet movement data in a sheet path within the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and processing mail using an identification code on a mailpiece as a redundant source of identification information in a mail sorting system. In one embodiment, this information is stored in a temporary database and used for the identification and processing of mail in a Remote Bar Code System (RBCS). In this embodiment, the identification code enables the automation of mail sorting and other processing tasks, reducing costs and delays in mail delivery services. In another embodiment, the identification and processing of mail occurs in an Identification Code Sorting (ICS) system. In this embodiment, a long-term database allows for mail sorting and other processing tasks on a national or global level.

Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit including a variable gain amplifier (11) adapted to receive a received signal (R) and to output an amplified signal (A) to an analog to digital converter (20), and a gain controller (12) which is connected to said variable gain amplifier (11) for receiving said amplified signal (A) and for controlling a gain of said variable gain amplifier (11). The gain controller (12) is adapted to determine an occurrence of a threshold event each time the amplified signal (A) has reached a predetermined threshold, decrease the gain of the variable gain amplifier (11) at each occurrence of a threshold event, measure a delay since the last threshold event, increase the gain of the variable gain amplifier (11) if the delay is greater than a delay specified value and if the gain of the variable gain amplifier (11) is not maximum.

Abstract: Systems and methods to process overhead imagery received from overhead image sources are described herein. In one example, the method may include receiving an overhead image, detecting features on a property and deriving business information using the features. In another example, the system may include an overheard imagery module to positionally correlate images and an image analyzer to determine one or more features on a property. In a further example, the method may include receiving an overhead image, correlating the image with land maps, parsing individual properties, determining the property's values and aggregating the values across the image to derive a risk.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conducting a transaction that includes receiving a pseudo account identifier that corresponds to a primary account identifier. The pseudo account identifier may be received at a portable wireless device and may be generated by a remote server computer. The portable wireless device can receive the pseudo account identifier over a first network and provide the pseudo account identifier to an access device. The access devices generally comprises a reader that can receive the pseudo account identifier, and thereafter send a message to request authorization of a transaction. The authorization request message may include the pseudo account identifier and is sent to a payment processing network. The authorization request message is sent to the payment processing network over a second network. The payment processing network may then process the authorization message and return a response that indicates if the transaction is authorized or not.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a mattress supported by the frame. The frame includes a deck support and a deck supporting the mattress.