Abstract: Various technologies are described by which the usable portion or threshold value of a sigmoid curve is found. Such techniques can be useful, for example, when determining the concentration or presence of a substance in a test sample. Various techniques can avoid variability in results.

Abstract: A dissolved oxygen releasing blend is disclosed utilizing magnesium peroxide blended with powdered Bentonite and/or vegetable oil. The Bentonite (or other clay material) reduces the hydraulic conductivity of magnesium peroxide, thereby reducing the rate of magnesium peroxide disassociation.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to communicate with a zone below a subsurface safety valve (104, 204) independent of the position of a closure member (106) of the safety valve are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods include deploying a subsurface safety valve (104, 204) to a profile located within a string of production tubing. The subsurface safety valve (104, 204) is in communication with a surface station through an injection conduit (150,152; 250,252) and includes a bypass pathway (144, 244) to inject various fluids to a zone below.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for generating an XDM. VoiceXML documents operating under voice portal applications employ a series of dialog modules that facilitate operational flow through the application by invoking specific caller-centric events. These dialog modules are divided into two components—XML and XSL dialog modules. The division of the modules causes a clean separation between data (the XML component) and behavior (the XSL component). The XSL component in conjunction with an XML framework operable with the XSL component forms an XDM. Because behavioral aspects remain consistent from application to application, a library of XDMs can be provided to facilitate reuse, thereby minimizing redundancy and reducing development time and cost, and facilitating rapid market entry for organizational products.

Abstract: A zonal isolation device comprises a packer assembly and an internal setting mechanism operable to actuate the packer assembly from an unset position to a set position, wherein the zonal isolation device is resettable and retrievable. Another zonal isolation device comprises a packer assembly, a setting mechanism operable to actuate the packer assembly from an unset position to a set position in response to hydraulic pressure alone, and a locking mechanism operable to lock and unlock the packer assembly from the set position in response to hydraulic pressure alone. A method for setting a zonal isolation device within a well bore comprises running the zonal isolation device in an unset position within the well bore on a work string, applying a differential pressure between the work string and the well bore, and actuating the zonal isolation device to a set position in response to the differential pressure alone.

Abstract: An approach is provided for cache discovery in a peer-to-peer system. A request is received from a peer node based on a network address assigned to a plurality of network caches, wherein the peer node is configured to operate in a peer-to-peer environment. In response to the request, a closest one of the network caches is determined based on a closest instance of a network address.

Abstract: The present invention features hydrophilic IR-transparent porous membranes, particularly hydrophilic IR-transparent porous polyethylene membranes and methods of preparing the hydrophilic membranes by treatment of hydrophobic IR-transparent porous membranes with plasma. The present invention further features spectroscopic sample holders which incorporate the hydrophilic IR-transparent porous membranes and methods of identifying bacteria and other microorganisms in samples by infrared spectroscopy.

Abstract: Mutant cholera holotoxins having single or double amino acid substitutions or insertions have reduced toxicity compared to the wild-type cholera holotoxin. The mutant cholera holotoxins are useful as adjuvants in antigenic compositions to enhance the immune response in a vertebrate host to a selected antigen from a pathogenic bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite, a cancer cell, a tumor cell, an allergen, or a self-molecule.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing project risk in a business environment are provided. In the methods, the presence of mitigation solutions is taken into consideration prior to the occurrence of project-associated risks, thus minimizing negative impact when the risks occur. Project risk levels can be dynamically updated, thus allowing a user to capture and review accurate risk levels for multiple interdependent projects at any point in time.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for a novel family of taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: Recombinant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are provided which express one or more immune modulatory molecules. The recombinant virus is modified by addition or substitution of a polynucleotide sequence encoding the immune modulatory molecule, which is preferably a cytokine. Introduction of the cytokine increase, decrease, or otherwise enhances aspects of viral biology and/or host immune responses to RSV to facilitate vaccine use of the virus. Cytokines for use within the invention include but are not limited to interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 5 (IL-5), interleukin 6 (IL6), or interleukin 18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interferon gamma (IFN), and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Abstract: Aspects of this invention include a steering tool having a controller configured to provide closed-loop control of hydraulic fluid pressure. In one exemplary embodiment, closed-loop control of a system (reservoir) pressure may be provided. In another embodiment, closed-loop control of a blade pressure may be provided while the blade remains substantially locked at a predetermined position. Other exemplary embodiments may incorporate rule-based-intelligence such that pressure control thresholds may be determined based on various measured and/or predetermined downhole parameters. The invention tends to reduce the friction (drag) between the blades and the borehole wall and thereby also tends to improve drilling rates. Moreover, the invention also tends to improve the service life and reliability of downhole steering tools.

Abstract: A hospital bed including a mattress and a frame. The width of the frame of the hospital bed is adjustable and the width of the mattress is adjustable. The hospital bed may include a frame and mattress adapted to support a heavy or large patient, including a bariatric or obese patient.

Abstract: A small booklet binding machine is presented for use in financial institutions to produce onsite, in an economical and expedient fashion, bound booklets for use as checkbooks, loan coupon books, or other forms of small booklets. A user places paper stock to be processed by the machine into an input tray. The user then places backer cards into the machine. The machine automatically advances the paper stock through a pair of rollers, which substantially slit the paper stock into a plurality of checks which are collated in a collector tray. When the machine has advanced and slit all of the paper stock in the input tray, the collector tray rotates to allow a stapler to secure the plurality of checks to the backer cards. The collector tray then rotates to allow a user to remove the bound checks from the machine. Operationally, the machine produces bound checkbooks, or loan coupon books, without user intervention, other than supplying the machine with backer cards.

Abstract: A method for injecting fluid into a well or producing fluid from a well comprising providing one or more single fluid line sliding sleeve downhole tool assemblies into a well in a closed position, applying a first pressure from a fluid source simultaneously to open at least one of the single fluid line sliding sleeve downhole tool assemblies, and allowing fluid to move into tubing or into a reservoir. The method contemplates the use of multiple single fluid line sliding sleeve downhole tool assemblies, wherein the first pressure causes only one of the tool assemblies, or one operably connected plurality of tool assemblies, to be in an open position at any time.

Abstract: The invention includes facilitating the substantially real-time transfer of loyalty points between accounts. The method and system include receiving a transfer request (e.g., consumer request, triggering event, etc) for a transfer of a certain number of loyalty points, accessing and analyzing the total number of loyalty points in the transferor account to determine if a sufficient number of points exist, analyzing the type/level of consumer and type/level of points to be involved in the transfer, deducting the requested loyalty points from the transferor account, determining if any rules exist for restricting or limiting the transfer of points, using a conversion engine to convert the point value to an appropriate point value in the transferee account and increasing the point balance in the transferee account.

Abstract: A child-resistant container for holding at least one item includes a housing having upper and lower walls and a first tray pivotally mounted to the housing on a pivot axis. The first tray is pivotable between a retracted position in which the first tray is positioned in the housing and an exposed position in which the first tray extends from the housing. A second tray is pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between a retracted position in which the second tray is positioned in the housing and an exposed position in which the second tray extends from the housing. The first and second trays are adapted for holding the at least item. A common locking mechanism engages the first and second trays to releasably lock the first and second trays in the retracted position.

Abstract: An on-line teaching and learning system with rapid change-by-change or real time reinforcement signals for students and simultaneous monitoring by the teacher of the actual responses as well as their correctness is disclosed. The system may include at least one teacher computer, a plurality of student computers operably connected to the at least one teacher computer by a communications network. The system may be used in a classroom setting or in a distance-learning environment.

Abstract: A paper making machine may having heated rolls for making high clay content papers. A roll cleaning apparatus may be mounted to the paper making machine. The roll cleaning apparatus may have a cleaning member that is mounted to a support member that extends lengthwise relative to a first roll of the paper making machine. The cleaning member may be a pad having a substantial area of the surface of the roll may be contacted. The cleaning member may be movable between an engaged position against the roll during operation, and a disengaged position spaced away from the roll in a non-operating condition, such as when replacement of the cleaning member is desired. The roll cleaning apparatus may include a drive connected to cause linear reciprocation of the cleaning member. The roll cleaning apparatus may have a drive or actuator mounted to move the cleaning member between the engaged and disengaged positions, and may be operable to bias the cleaning member against the roll in use.