Abstract: The present invention provides vectors that contain and express in vivo or in vitro sand fly Lu. longipalpis salivary antigens that elicit an immune response in animal or human against Leishmania, vaccine compositions comprising said vectors and/or Lu. longipalpis salivary polypeptides, methods of vaccination against Leishmania, and kits for use with such methods and compositions.

Abstract: A banking system that utilizes metrics in acquiring and processing event data related to financial transaction activity at a plurality of automated banking machines. Automated banking machine include sensors able to detect event data during a transaction. The event data can include transaction data related to the type of transaction, time analysis data related to duration of the transaction, and operational data related to machine components used in carrying out the transaction. The event data for automated banking machines can be obtained, analyzed, and stored. Statistical averages associated with the banking system machines can be determined in real time. The averages allow a respective machine to be compared to other machines with respect to operational efficiency. An alert can be issued concerning a statistical anomaly regarding the respective machine.

Abstract: An example method includes introducing a movable inline inspection device into a pipeline, the movable inline inspection device having a housing that defines a conduit therein which provides fluid communication through the movable inline inspection device in the form of a bypass fluid, the conduit having one or more optical computing devices arranged thereon for monitoring the bypass fluid, wherein each optical computing device has at least one integrated computational element arranged therein, generating an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the bypass fluid with at least one detector arranged within each optical computing device, receiving the output signal from each optical computing device with a signal processor communicably coupled to the at least one detector of each optical computing device, and determining with the signal processor the characteristic of the bypass fluid detected by each optical computing device.

Abstract: Methods and cement compositions are provided that utilize treated polyolefin fibers for lost circulation and/or mechanical property enhancement. Disclosed is a method comprising: providing a cement composition comprising: a hydraulic cement; water; and treated polyolefin fibers that are rod-shaped and have a length in a range from about 0.0625 inches to about 0.25 inches, wherein the treated polyolefin fibers have been treated with a surfactant to make the treated polyolefin fibers hydrophilic; placing the cement composition in a selected location; and allowing the cement composition to set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the fraudulent receipt of credit for the goods or services provided by a coin-operated device is disclosed. A coin acceptor with an anti-fraud feature comprises a coin-accept channel comprising a lip to block the introduction of a non-coin object to a coin sensor and a coin-guiding surface to guide a coin downstream the lip to the coin sensor. The coin-accept channel may further comprise a blocking area, a deflection surface, and a protrusion to prevent the upstream movement of a tethered coin-like object, thereby preventing a single tethered coin-like object from receiving multiple credits for the goods or services provided by a coin-operated device.

Abstract: To expedite electronic delivery and return of a document, the document is sent to an electronic mail system and stored in an electronic form thereat. The recipient is informed that the document is available thereto at any of a plurality of merchants where the document may be retrieved. The recipient visits one of the plurality of merchants and at the visited merchant retrieves the document in the electronic form from the mail system to a computing device at the visited merchant. The recipient then reviews and executes the document at the visited merchant, and sends the executed document in an electronic form to the organization by way of the visited merchant and the computing device thereat.

Abstract: Storage apparatus includes a supporting base (11) supporting silos (14) having a lower conical portion (15) and silo port (16) controlled by an outlet knifegate valve (17), and a charging port (20) controlled by an inlet knifegate valve (21). An upper portion (22) of the silo is closed by a domed top (18). The silo ports (16) are manifolded to a common outlet (not shown). A charge manifold (25) interconnects the respective upper charging ports (20) and connects the ports to the cuttings source conduit (26). A pressure/vacuum port (27) is connected via cycle control valve (30) to an ejector assembly (not shown) valved to be able to cycle between a vacuum phase and a pressure phase of about 16 psig using a compressed air source. Control means is selectively operable to control the outlet valve (17), inlet valve (21) and cycle control valve (30).

Abstract: The invention provides a stairlift device which comprises passenger carrying means, guide means and transporting means, wherein the stairlift additionally comprises means for the detection of vital health data of passengers and transmittal of said data to remote locations. Typically, the passenger carrying means comprises a chair which is connected to the guide means by way of mounting means, and the guide means comprises a close fitting channel into which said mounting means may be inserted, and which defines the path of travel of said passenger carrying means. The stairlift device of the invention allows for the remote monitoring of the health of users, by sending vital health data to designated recipients, such as health professionals, carers and family members.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for treating wastestream, particularly a liquid or aqueous radwaste, for safe disposal and, in final processing, converting it into one or both forms including an aqueous form for safe discharge to the environment and a solidified form for safe disposal. Another aspect provides the capacity to employ a step where a specific target element strategy can be set up synchronizing sorbent substance choices and multiple recycle options to remove target substances from wastestream as a part of its Sorption or Powder Sorbent Isotopic Reduction step (II). Other steps cooperate with Sorption step (II) including Oxidation (I) to inactivate or destroy existing chelants, Solid-Liquid separation (III), and Selective Ion Exchange (IV) to deliver the wastestream to final processing. Still further aspects of the invention address the recovery and safe handling of substances such as C-14.

Abstract: Disclosed are wellbore flow control devices that allow on-site field adjustments to flow characteristics. One autonomous inflow control device (AICD) assembly includes a base pipe defining one or more flow ports and an interior, at least one AICD arranged on the base pipe and having at least one fluid inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one of the one or more flow ports, and a fluid barrier configured to be arranged about the at least one AICD by a well operator on-site and configured to isolate the at least one AICD from an influx of fluid during operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information gathering method. The information gathering method includes identifying a location of a package, the location associated with one or more location-based restrictions on collecting data. The information gathering method also includes restricting access to sensor-collectable data associated with the package in accordance with the one or more location-based restrictions.

Abstract: A connectivity contextual services ecosystem management system may comprise a connectivity contextual services connectivity system, one or more user devices, and one or more merchant devices. The connectivity contextual services connectivity system may deliver different connectivity contextual services to a user device and/or a merchant device in response to a context environment, in order to provide a user with a customized experience, such as allowing that user to enter into conversations with merchants, view inventory of merchants, and search for merchants with relevant products without entering a physical store.

Abstract: A drilling assembly positionable in a well bore includes a turbine motor couplable to a drill string and a harmonic drive transmission coupled to the turbine motor. The harmonic drive transmission includes a circular spline, a wave generator, a flexspline, and a sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem defines a substantially sealed volume containing the circular spline, wave generator, and flexspline, and isolates the circular spline, wave generator, and flexspline from drilling fluid exiting the turbine motor and flowing through the harmonic drive transmission.

Abstract: A wellbore system comprising an autofill and circulation assembly comprising a housing defining a flowbore and comprising a first port and a second port, and a first sleeve slidable within the housing from a first position to a second position and from the second position to a third position, when the first sleeve is in the first position, the assembly allows fluid communication from an exterior of the housing to the flowbore via the first port and does not allow fluid communication from the flowbore to the exterior of the housing via the first port, when the first sleeve is in the second position, the assembly allows bidirectional fluid communication between the exterior of the housing and the flowbore via the second port, and, when the first sleeve is in the third position, the assembly disallows fluid communication between the exterior of the housing and the flowbore.

Abstract: Disclosed are sand control screen assemblies that include one or more erosion-resistant modules. One sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe defining one or more flow ports that provide fluid communication into an interior of the base pipe, a well screen arranged about the base pipe and in fluid communication with the one or more flow ports via a flow path extending between the well screen and the one or more flow ports, and an erosion module arranged within the flow path and comprising an erosion-resistant material, the erosion-resistant material being configured to filter a fluid prior to the fluid entering the interior of the base pipe.

Abstract: It is sometimes desirable to regulate fluid flow using autonomous inflow control devices (AICDs), but they are not readily configurable in the field. Wellbore systems providing adjustable flow control may comprise: a wellbore pipe having an interior space, an outer surface, and one or more orifices defined in the wellbore pipe and extending between the interior space and the outer surface; a flow control assembly fixedly coupled to the wellbore pipe and comprising one or more flow chambers defined on the outer surface of the wellbore pipe that are in fluid communication with the one or more orifices; a movable cover configured to provide access to the one or more flow chambers; and a bung arranged within at least one of the one or more orifices, the bung being configured to accept an insert therein, the insert being at least one of an AICD, a blank, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of testing mechanical properties of an earth formation can include disposing a probe in a wellbore, impacting the probe against a wall of the wellbore, and measuring a parameter related to at least one of a displacement, displacement rate, strain, and strain rate, of at least one of the probe and the formation. Another method can include disposing a probe and a known material in a wellbore, and after the disposing, penetrating the known material with the probe. Another method can include disposing a probe in a wellbore, measuring a displacement of the probe into a wall of the wellbore while measuring a load applied to the probe, and applying fluid pressure to the formation via the probe.

Abstract: A liner (18) for a shaped-charge (10) that is compressively formed from a mixture of powdered metal, powdered metal binder, and a selected quantity of nanoparticle material, is used to achieve improved penetration depths during perforation of a wellbore. Exemplary nanoparticles include lead, tin, copper, molybdenum, etc. Such nanoparticles increase the density, sound speed, or acoustic impedance of the liner. In another embodiment, the added nanoparticles comprise reactive materials which, after penetration into the formation, cause secondary reactions in the perforations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a release tool used to separate portions of a tool string. One release tool includes a main body, a bolt housing coupled to the main body and defining a bore for receipt of a separation bolt therein, the separation bolt being configured to couple the bolt housing to a lower sub, and a trigger mechanism communicably coupled to the separation bolt and configured to send an electrical signal to the separation bolt whereupon the separation bolt breaks and thereby allows the lower sub to separate from the bolt housing.