Abstract: Treatment fluids comprising degradable diverting agents and methods of using such treatment fluids in subterranean formations are provided. Examples of methods include methods of fracturing a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of enhancing production from multiple regions of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore during a single trip through the well bore.

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an automatic single- or multi-pole circuit breaker (1) for use in lowvoltage applications. The circuit breaker (1) includes at least a first fixed contact (10) that is coupled/uncoupled with a first moving contact (20). The latter is operatively connected to an operating mechanism (5) that enables its displacement. The circuit breaker (1) according to the invention includes a kinematic tripping device driven by means of a first separating movement of the moving contact (20) away from the fixed contact (10). The kinematic tripping device includes an operative member capable of tripping the operating mechanism (5), which in turn takes effect on the moving contact (20), thus determining a second rapid separating movement until the circuit breaker tripped position is reached.

Abstract: Fluid producing wells may be treated with a water-in-oil emulsion for the removal or inhibition of unwanted solid particulates, including pipe dope, asphaltenes and paraffins. Such emulsions are of particular applicability in the displacement of oil base drilling muds and/or residues from such muds from producing wells. The water-in-oil emulsions may optionally contain a dispersing agent as well as a surfactant.

Abstract: A classification algorithm is separated into one or more input-invariant parts and one or more input-dependent classification parts. The input-invariant parts of the classification algorithm capture the underlying and unchanging relationships between the plurality of data elements being operated upon by the classification algorithm, whereas the one or more classification parts embody the probabilistic labeling of the data elements according to the various classifications. For any given iteration, a user's input is used to modify at least one classification part of the algorithm. Recalculated classification parts (i.e., updated classification results) are determined based on computationally simple combinations of the one or more modified classification parts and the one or more input-invariant parts. Preferably, a graphical user interface is used to solicit user input.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic transactions using an intelligent instrument is disclosed. An authorization server enables users to obtain authorization credentials through the use of the intelligent instrument by issuing a challenge to an intelligent token of the intelligent instrument. The intelligent token generates a challenge response and transmits the challenge response to the authorization server, which assembles credentials including a key for the electronic transaction upon validating the response. The authorization server sends the assembled credentials to the intelligent instrument and the intelligent instrument transmits the assembled credentials to the authorization server during a subsequent transaction. The authorization server validates the assembled credentials and provides authorization for the transaction in response to the validating the assembled credentials.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (152) includes a plurality of transaction function devices. The transaction function devices include a card reader (170), a keypad (172), a printer (174), a bill dispenser (176), a coin dispenser (178), a code reading device (180), a display (182), a cash acceptor (184), a check acceptor (186) and a biometric reader (188). The banking machine operates responsive to indica read from user cards. The banking machine operates responsive to instructions executed by at least one processor (190) in the machine. The banking machine is operative responsive to reading gaming tickets or other items through operation of the code reading device, and/or a biometric feature reading device, to dispense cash or provide other value to users. The banking machine is also operative to cause value to be transferred by users for the purchase of gaming items.

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.

Abstract: A method of making a digitally optimized fastener assembly for a disposable absorbent article can have the following steps: creating a first FEA model having first structural design properties and/or first material design properties; analyzing the first FEA model to obtain first failure characteristics; modifying the first structural design properties and/or the first material design properties to create a second FEA model having second structural design properties and/or second material design properties; analyzing the second FEA model to obtain second failure characteristics thereof; comparing the first failure characteristics to the second failure characteristics to determine whether there is an improvement over the first failure characteristics; and wherein the third through fifth steps can be repeated until a FEA model is created which exhibits desirable failure characteristics. A digitally optimized fastener assembly generally be a fastener assembly made according to the aforesaid method.

Abstract: A fiber rack assembly is provided. The assembly includes at least one patch panel having adapters configured to couple a first plurality of fibers to a second plurality of fibers and a test system for measuring the optical power lever of the fibers. The test system may include a base and a sensor. The base may define a plurality of test sites. Each test site is configured to support a portion of a fiber. The sensor is movable to one or more test sites and, at each test site, is configured to measure a macro-bending loss at the portion of the fiber supported at the test site as an indication of an optical power level of the fiber. The test system may also have interface panel that includes user inputs and a display.

Abstract: Methods and systems for developing key performance indicator (KPI) systems are provided. A centralized data store contains an indexed collection of KPIs. The KPIs may be arranged in a manner that facilitates rapid searching and retrieval. Multiple computer devices are connected to the centralized data store. The computer devices are programmed with computer-executable instructions for searching the data store and creating balanced scorecard applications that utilize one or more of the KPIs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an acoustic signal having a single mode of propagation along borehole walls. The method includes generating an n-pole (monopole, dipole, quadrupole, and so on) acoustic signal and calculating the tool position and borehole shape from the signals received at one or more receivers. If the tool contains matched sources and balanced receivers, is in the center of the borehole, and the borehole is circular, the pure, single mode acoustic signal will propagate along the borehole walls with a single mode of propagation. If the acoustic signal traveling along borehole walls does not have a single mode of propagation, the signal's amplitudes and time delays are adjusted to produce a second acoustic signal. The second acoustic signal's amplitudes and time delays are further adjusted until the signal traveling along the borehole walls has a single mode of propagation.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising silicone elastomers and antimicrobially active substances in homogeneous distribution, a process for their production and their use in medical articles.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing a managed language translation service. A request, from a source station, is received, at a switch, to establish a voice call with a destination station. A determination is made whether the request includes an indicator specifying invocation of a translation service managed by a service provider. If the request includes the indicator, the voice call is directed to a gateway that transmits the voice call over a data network to a translation application. The translation application translates, in real-time, speech associated with the voice call from a first language to a second language. The translated speech is transmitted to the destination station.

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.

Abstract: Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising (avian pandemic) influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic transactions using a biometric are disclosed. The system for facilitating electronic transactions using a biometric comprises a smartcard-reader transaction system. The method comprises determining if a transaction violates an established rule, such as a preset spending limit. The method also comprises notifying a user to proffer a biometric sample in order to verify the identity of said user, and detecting a proffered biometric at a sensor to obtain a proffered biometric sample. The method additionally comprises verifying the proffered biometric sample and authorizing a transaction to continue upon verification of the proffered biometric sample.

Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester.

Abstract: Allocating subscription revenue may involve receiving usage information relating to usage of digital content (e.g., music, movies, text, images, games) in a digital content aggregation, identifying a coefficient relating to a subset of digital works in the digital content aggregation (e.g., author-specific subjective or objective factors, popularity ranking, historical factors, performance factors, etc.), and generating a revenue allocation for the digital content based on the coefficient and the usage information.