Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to acquire data representing a plurality of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) echo trains associated with a material, such as a geological formation. Additional operations may include inverting a model of at least one of the plurality of NMR echo trains to provide an estimated distribution of transverse relaxation time constants, inverting models of selected ones of the plurality of NMR echo trains using the estimated distribution of transverse relaxation time constants to provide an estimated diffusion distribution, and inverting a model of selected ones of the plurality of NMR echo trains, using the estimated distributions of transverse relaxation time constants and diffusion, to provide an apparent and an intrinsic probability density function to identify fluid types in the material.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Carl-Magnus Fransson, Carla B. Hara Fransson, legal representative, Ronald E. Cherry
Abstract: Systems and methods for determining security requirements for an information resource may comprise determining a sensitivity level and a criticality level associated with the information resource. In addition, the systems and methods may include determining the security requirements for the information resource based on at least one of the sensitivity level and the criticality level. Moreover, the systems and methods may include determining a recovery time objective for the information resource and insuring that information used in determining the security requirements adheres to privacy requirements. The sensitivity level may be derived from privacy requirements of information maintained by the information resource. For example, the sensitivity level and resulting security requirements may be based on a need to meet privacy requirements by protecting confidentiality or integrity of the information resource.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 2004
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
United States Postal Service
Inventors:
Peter Myo Khin, Zoë Camilla Claire Strickland, James Leslie Golden, Raymond J. Iandolo, Kevin J. Ryan
Abstract: A test method for Internet-Protocol packet networks that verifies the proper functioning of a dynamic pinhole filtering implementation as well as quantifying network vulnerability statistically, as pinholes are opened and closed is described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 23, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Verizon Services Corp.
Inventors:
Gaston S. Ormazabal, Edward P. Harvey, James E. Sylvester
Abstract: When the deposit of a negotiable instrument, such as a check, is done electronically by using a digital image of the negotiable instrument rather than the negotiable instrument itself, during the process, at least two negotiable instruments may exist: the physical negotiable instrument and the digital image of the negotiable instrument. To change the physical negotiable instrument to a non-negotiable instrument, a bank or other financial institution may send a transmission to modify the appearance of the negotiable instrument, thus effectively “voiding” the physical negotiable instrument. The negotiable instrument may have various inks or mechanisms that facilitate the modification of the appearance through the application of a stimulus, such as heat or light. The financial institution may cause the application of the stimulus to modify the appearance of the negotiable instrument.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
Inventors:
Arthur Quentin Smith, John Chandler Hopkins, III, Reynaldo Medina, III, Bradly Jay Billman
Abstract: A method and system of managing business transactions includes receiving at least one business transaction, determining whether the business transaction satisfies at least one configurable business rule, and establishing a subsequent business transaction based on the results.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 20, 2001
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Accenture Global Services Limited
Inventors:
Stuart J. Solomon, Burrell G. Kilmer, Casey C. Wells, Kyle K. Jordan, Matthew W. Mehok, Timothy J. Saffell, Benjamin J. Hendershot, Stewart J. J. Anderson
Abstract: A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging small fissures and large fractures and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The material has an optimized bimodal particle distribution and optionally has a polymer flocculent or water swellable polymer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 29, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
Inventors:
Donald L. Whitfill, Cindy C. Fang, Matthew Miller
Abstract: The present invention relates to a conditioning and shine enhancing composition for keratin fibers especially human hair. Accordingly the subject of the present invention is an aqueous composition comprising at least one mono alkyl quaternary ammonium surfactant at a concentration of 0.01 to 10% by weight, and at least one arylated silicone at a concentration of 0.001 to 5% by weight, calculated to total composition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 4, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
KPSS-Kao Professional Salon Services GmbH
Inventors:
Michael Molenda, Martin Hoffmann, Mustafa Grit
Abstract: Stabilized forms of gp120 polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding these stabilized forms, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, and methods of using these polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors and host cells are disclosed. Crystal structures and computer systems including atomic coordinates for stabilized forms of gp120, and gp120 with an extended V3 loop, and methods of using these structures and computer systems are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 6, 2006
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignees:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter Kwong, John Mascola, Gary Nabel, Richard Wyatt, Barna Dey, Ling Xu, Tongqing Zhou, Chih-Chin Huang, Joseph Sodroski, Wen Yuan, Shi-Hua Xiang
Abstract: The invention relates to improved methods of producing and recovering B. anthracis protective antigen (PA), especially modified PA which is protease resistant, and to methods of using of these PAs or nucleic acids encoding these PAs for eliciting an immunogenic response in humans, including responses which provide protection against, or reduce the severity of, B. anthracis bacterial infections and which are useful to prevent and/or treat illnesses caused by B. anthracis, such as inhalation anthrax, cutaneous anthrax and gastrointestinal anthrax.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 15, 2010
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
Inventors:
Stephen H. Leppla, Yogendra Singh, Kurt Klimpel, Rachel Schneerson, John B. Robbins
Abstract: In an embodiment, an asset allocation mutual fund comprises assets invested, at any one time, substantially 100% in one of stocks, bonds or cash equivalents. As market conditions change, as indicated by changes in the output of stock and bond models, substantially all of the assets may be shifted from one of these three asset classes to another. A method for allocating assets in a mutual fund, among the three asset classes, according to one embodiment includes, first determining whether a buy signal has been given on stocks using a stock model. If a buy signal has been given on stocks, substantially all assets of the mutual fund may be invested in stocks. If a buy signal on stocks is not indicated, it is determined whether a buy signal has been given on bonds using a bond model. If a buy signal has been given on bonds, substantially all assets of the mutual fund may be invested in bonds. If a buy signal on bonds is not indicated, substantially all assets of the mutual fund may be invested in cash equivalents.
Abstract: A system and method for determining compliance for one or more information technology services may generate on the spot compliance reports based on real-time data. Compliance data may be retrieved or received from a variety of sources including incident diagnostic utilities, manual data entry and third-party software or applications. A compliance system and method may monitor the data being generated from each of the various sources in a real-time fashion, generating compliance information based thereon.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 29, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Accenture Global Services Limited
Inventors:
Ricardo Santos, James F. Fus, Jr., Amit Banerji, Pushpak Bhattacharjee
Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing light, which can be used to promote growth of biological material. The light includes a ceramic core, including a catalyst and a containment vessel. Light forms as fuel is ignited within the containment vessel. Use of the ceramic core increases the efficiency of the light are reduces undesired gas emissions from the light.
Abstract: Provided is a method of luminance compensation for a camera lens by performing a multiline interpolation algorithm. Preferably, a plurality of directional lines are radially arranged on a curved surface of the lens. Sampling dots are then designated along the directional lines in equal or variant distances. Steps including a step of determining the location of a target for luminance compensation, a step of obtaining adjacent directional lines by referring to a slope at the target, a step of calculating the correction values and the weights for interpolation are further introduced. The interpolation algorithm is used to restore a correction plane of a whole image. A polynomial equation is preferably used to obtain two correction values of two directional lines with the same radius. Alternatively, a lookup table is introduced to find the two correction values. It's featured that a symmetric or asymmetric compensation for the camera lens is achieved.
Abstract: An elongated clamp for securing a flexible fabric like shroud to a scaffold support member including to opposed jaws movable between an open and closed position by a pin and wedge combination. The flexible shroud is held to the support member by the clamp gripping force. Multiple clamps securable at different points along the various standard support members provide positive securement of the shroud.
Abstract: A controllable pressure reducing valve has a housing which includes an inner chamber extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis and an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet opening and the outlet opening open into the inner chamber at an axial relative distance. The inner chamber includes between the mouths of the inlet opening and the outlet opening at least one annular wall having a cylindrical valve bore. An axially movable valve body which is arranged in the inner chamber, extends through the valve bore and has a piston-type portion guided in the valve bore and adapted to close the valve bore. The piston-type portion includes at least one control recess bounded by a control step which extends in axial direction and in circumferential direction and combines with an edge of the valve bore to form a controllable valve opening.
Abstract: A method is provided for swelling water-swellable elements located in a portion of a well. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing an oil-in-water emulsion into the portion of the well, wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises: (i) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; (ii) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is an internal phase of the oil-in-water emulsion, and wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is adjacent to the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; and (iii) a surfactant; and (B) allowing the oil-in-water emulsion to contact the water-swellable element for a sufficient length of time to cause the thickness of the water-swellable element to expand by a desired percentage, wherein the desired percentage is at least 5%.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 11, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, David B. Allison, Michael A. McCabe, Matt E. Blauch
Abstract: A healthcare communication system includes a first plurality of computer devices, such as patient stations, staff stations, and a master station, that are operable as a nurse call system. The first plurality of computer devices may have core nurse call functionality residing on an embedded computing platform. At least one of the first plurality of computer devices may have a graphical display screen. A second plurality of computer devices may be operable to provide the first plurality of computer devices with additional functionality via software plug-ins that are transmitted to the first plurality of computer devices.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 12, 2009
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
Inventors:
David C. Ferguson, Richard J. Schuman, Danny C. Woodward, II, Karl E. Harper, Patricia A. Glidewell, Ralph J. Weaver
Abstract: Disclosed are compositions including primers and probes, which are capable of interacting with the disclosed nucleic acids, such as the nucleic acids encoding the reverse transcriptase or protease of HIV as disclosed herein. Thus, provided is an oligonucleotide comprising any one of the nucleotide sequences set for in SEQ ID NOS:1-89, and 96-104. Also provided are the oligonucleotides consisting of the nucleotides as set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1-89, and 96-104. Each of the disclosed oligonucleotides is a probe or a primer. Also provided are mixtures of primers and probes and for use in RT-PCR and primary PCR reactions disclosed herein. Provided are methods for the specific detection of several mutations in HIV. Mutations in both the reverse transcriptase and the protease of HIV can be detected using the methods described herein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 7, 2005
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for suppressing an immune response in a subject, treating a neoplasm in a subject, or treating a fibroproliferative vascular disease in a subject, that includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a 2-(4-piperazinyl)-substituted 4H-1-benzopyran-4-one compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having the structure of wherein the presence of each of R1 and R2 is optional and R1 and R2 are each independently selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, or amino.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 9, 2004
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2011
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services