Abstract: In some aspects, techniques and systems for operating a subterranean region model are described. Sub-matrices and entries outside the sub-matrices in a first band matrix are identified. The first band matrix includes flow variable coefficients based on governing flow equations of a model representing well system fluid flow in a subterranean region. For each of the sub-matrices, a reduced-size matrix is generated based on the sub-matrix and a subset of the entries that are associated with the sub-matrix. A second band matrix is generated based on the reduced-size matrices. The model is operated based on the second band matrix.

Abstract: Computing device and method for calculating time-shifts associated with travel-times of seismic waves emitted by a source and recorded by plural seismic detectors after reflection from a subsurface structure. The method includes receiving seismic data (d) that includes plural traces related to a subsurface, wherein the seismic data (d) is in a time-space domain; transforming with a processor the seismic data (d) from the time-space domain to a radon domain; picking linear events from the seismic data in the radon domain; calculating the time-shifts associated with the picked linear events; correcting the seismic data (d) based on the time-shifts to obtain new seismic data (d?); and computing an image of the subsurface based on the new seismic data (d?). The time-shifts are calculated per trace and per event.

Abstract: In a pulsed-electric drilling system, a nonrotating bit is given a noncircular shape to drill a correspondingly-shaped borehole, e.g., triangular, rectangular, polygonal, oval, or a more complex shape. Some embodiments employ a reconfigurable bit that deploys extensions as needed to dynamically vary the cross-section of the borehole at selected locations. In this fashion, a driller is able to create borehole with a preferred cross-sectional shape to, e.g., drill the smallest possible hole while simultaneously providing additional clearance for equipment or instrumentation, additional surface area for well inflow, channels for improved borehole cleaning, teeth for improved cementing, reduced contact area to reduce drag on the drillstring, or any other benefits achievable by customizing the borehole cross-section.

Abstract: A system for determining a depth in a wellbore of a reference point associated with a coiled tubing. The system comprises a sensor coupled to a coiled tubing spool, wherein the sensor coupled to the coiled tubing spool is configured to determine an angular position of the spool, a processor coupled to the sensor, a memory coupled to the processor, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, determines the depth in the wellbore of the reference point of the coiled tubing based on an input from the sensor coupled to the coiled tubing spool.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for treating sulfur-containing waste, resulting in recovered pure sulfur and a sulfur-free ash for landfilling. In regards to a process, a sulfur-containing waste is heated in a receptacle at between 120 and 160° C. to obtain a mixture including raw molten sulfur. The process optionally separates solids, by rough screening, from the mixture and transfers the mixture, following optional screening, to a separating reactor heated at between 450 and 500° C. to create sulfur vapor and sulfur-free solid phase. The process transfers the sulfur vapor to a condenser cooled to between 120 and 140° C. to obtain molten sulfur and transfers the solid phase to a cooling conveyor, with the solid phase being collected as ash for landfilling. The process further removes gases from the condenser with an off-gas cleaner and collects from the condenser essentially pure sulfur.

Abstract: A hard composite composition comprises a binder, and a polymodal blend of matrix powder In an embodiment, the polymodal blend of matrix powder has at least one local maxima at a particle size of 30 ?m or less, at least one local maxima at a particle size of 200 ?m or more, and at least one local minima between a particle size of about 30 ?m to about 200 ?m that has a value that is less than the local maxima at a particle size of 30 ?m or less.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scoring a non-scripted speech sample. A system includes one or more data processors and one or more computer-readable mediums. The computer-readable mediums are encoded with a non-scripted speech sample data structure, where the non-scripted speech sample data structure includes: a speech sample identifier that identifies a non-scripted speech sample, a content feature extracted from the non-scripted speech sample, and a content-based speech score for the non-scripted speech sample. The computer-readable mediums further include instructions for commanding the one or more data processors to extract the content feature from a set of words automatically recognized in the non-scripted speech sample and to score the non-scripted speech sample by providing the extracted content feature to a scoring model to generate the content-based speech score.

Abstract: A method of allowing listeners to participate in broadcast programming is provided, the method generally comprising one or more of providing a library of media elements accessible by a plurality of listeners; receiving from each of at least two of the listeners a playlist of media elements, wherein at least one of the media elements in each playlist is from the library of media elements; editing the playlists using broadcast scheduling software; providing the edited playlists to the plurality of listeners for playback, and for feedback regarding the playlists; and receiving feedback from at least one of the listeners regarding the playlists. A system and apparatus are similarly provided.

Abstract: A method including providing a lottery terminal that includes a graphical user interface and a motion capture device to facilitate a user to play in a lottery. The method further includes displaying, on the graphical user interface, a first image with content that includes drawing lottery tickets, instant lottery tickets, lottery games, dynamically-generated animations, and advertisements and detecting, by the motion capture device, a gesture of the user in a three dimensional space surrounding the lottery terminal. The method may further includes displaying, on the graphical user interface, a second image with content based, at least in part, on the gesture of the user; receiving, by the lottery terminal, a payment from the user for playing the lottery; and distributing, by the lottery terminal, a lottery ticket, based, at least in part, on the gesture of the user.

Abstract: This invention provides improved replication-competent adenoviral vectors. The improved vectors have both a hybrid regulatory unit that provides for high level transgene expression. The vectors can be use, e.g., for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes.

Abstract: A method of generating a category model for classifying medical images. The method comprises providing a plurality of medical images each categorized as one of a plurality of categorized groups, generating an index of a plurality of visual words according to a distribution of a plurality of local descriptors in each the image, modeling a category model mapping a relation between each visual word and at least one of the categorized groups according to the index, and outputting the category model for facilitating the categorization of an image based on local descriptors thereof.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for maintaining Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of a new data center constant or within narrow range around efficient level during ramping up stage of the data center. The method comprises of capturing a plurality of design and operational parameters of the data center, computing an efficient design for the data center at full occupancy, and maintaining the Power Usage Effectiveness constant or within narrow range around efficient level at a current occupancy during a ramp up period of the data center.

Abstract: A VoIP relay integration management system including a service management application and a VoIP phone server that monitor and gather client interaction data between a client and a field agent. The system accepts a selection of service phone method, from a plurality of selection methods, for the field agent to use to call the client, and enables or disables the selection per the field agent. The system accepts, stores and schedules a task to be dispatched to the field agent, and calculates and displays a response time that includes a time from when the task is dispatched to the field agent to when the field agent generates a call. The system calculates and displays an average response time of all calls generated by the field agent, based on one or more of the field agent, an area of the task, a date of the task and a type of task.

Abstract: In one aspect, described herein are cyclical administration regimens for the administration of complexes comprising interleukin-15 (“IL-15”) covalently or noncovalently bound to IL-15 receptor alpha (“IL-15Ra”) to patients in order to enhance IL-15-mediated immune function. In one aspect, these cyclical administration regimens achieve plasma levels of IL-15 above basal levels while minimizing the toxicity associated with IL-15 administration. In a specific aspect, the cyclical administration regimens are useful in the prevention, treatment, and/or management of disorders in which enhancing IL-15-mediated function is beneficial, such as cancer, infectious diseases, immunodeficiencies and lymphopenia. Also described herein are purified soluble forms of IL-15Ra, cells that recombinantly express soluble forms of IL-15Ra, and compositions comprising complexes of IL-15 covalently or non-covalently bound to soluble forms of IL-15Ra.

Abstract: An example drilling turbine includes a turbine power section having a turbine shaft and a plurality of turbine stages axially arranged along the turbine shaft. A turbine bearing section is coupled to the turbine power section and has a drive shaft operatively coupled to the turbine shaft such that rotation of the turbine shaft rotates the drive shaft. The turbine bearing section includes a lower mandrel that houses a portion of the drive shaft rotatable with respect to the lower mandrel, one or more magnets disposed on an inner surface of the lower mandrel, a generator coil coupled to the drive shaft and aligned with the magnets, and one or more sensors coupled to the drive shaft and in electrical communication with the generator coil. The turbine shaft rotates the drive shaft, which rotates the generator coil with respect to the magnets, and thereby generates electrical power for the sensors.

Abstract: A cocrystal of CL-20 (2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane) and DNMT (1-methyl-3,5-dinitro-1,2,4-triazole) was formed through a resonant acoustic mixing process. The resulting cocrystal comprised an essentially 1:1 stoichiometric ratio between these coformers. The cocrystal advantageously has decreased sensitivity when compared with a pure CL-20 sample, and maintains thermal stability and comparable energetic performance.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that viruses coated in silica retain infectivity and the capacity to induce an immune response in an infected host. In addition, silicified virus is remarkably resistant to desiccation. Provided herein are methods of inducing a virus-specific immune response in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of silicified virus or silicified virus particles. Methods of enhancing a virus-specific cell-mediated immune response (such as a T cell-mediated immune response) in a subject by administering to the subject a silicified virus or silicified virus particles are also described herein. Further provided are immunogenic compositions comprising silicified virus or silicified virus particles, such as compositions useful as vaccines. The immunogenic compositions include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or an adjuvant.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the amount of water produced from a subterranean formation can include the use of a gellable treatment fluid that comprises a quaternary ammonium salt as a gel-time modifier. The gellable treatment fluids can comprise an aqueous base fluid, a base polymer comprising an acrylamide monomer unit, an organic crosslinking agent, and a gel-time modifier comprising a quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for implementing a response to one or more security incidents in a computing network. One of the methods includes identifying a security incident based on detecting one or more indicators of compromise associated with the security incident, comparing the security incident with a predefined ontology that maps the security incident to one or more courses of action, selecting a response strategy that includes one or more of the courses of action, and implementing the response strategy as an automated response.

Abstract: A laser device, finder of range(s), and an inclinometer are used to figure a sound producing device's position adjustment(s). Laser beam(s) of the laser device and the inclinometer characterize direction(s) of sound produced by the sound producing device. The laser beam(s) can be one or more colors or patterns each characterizing the general direction of sound produced by the sound producing device. A stadium can have many speaker housings each including a speaker, the laser, range finder and the inclinometer. Each speaker housing is mounted on, and remotely adjustable with respect to, an structural member as to the general direction of sound emitted from the speaker housing into the area for stadium seating. The inclinometer's output can be rendered by a monitor seen by an audio engineer who also uses the laser beam's direction to make adjustments to the position of the speaker housing relative to its structural member.