Abstract: An automatic cash accounting system for use in a healthcare enterprise includes a message processor and a data processor. The message processor receives message data including an income amount value, representing cash income received during a time period, an associated income source identifier, and a patient identifier. The income source identifier identifies a department internal to the healthcare enterprise providing the associated income amount value. The patient identifier identifies a patient. The data processor processes the received message data to identify an income account associated with the department based on the income source identifier, and updates the identified income account with the income amount value to indicate the income amount value received by the identified income account during the time period.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly (60) for creating communication paths for fluid between a formation (64) and a cased wellbore (66) includes a housing (84), a detonator (86) positioned within the housing (84) and a detonating cord (90) operably associated with the detonator (86). The perforating gun assembly (60) also includes one or more substantially axially oriented collections (92, 94, 96, 98) of shaped charges. Each of the shaped charges in the collections (92, 94, 96, 98) is operably associated with the detonating cord (90). In addition, adjacent shaped charges in each collection (92, 94, 96, 98) of shaped charges are oriented to converge toward one another such that upon detonation, the shaped charges in each collection (92, 94, 96, 98) form jets that interact with one another to create perforation cavities in the formation (64).

Abstract: Methods and compositions for wellbore treating fluids, especially cementitious compositions that include interground cement clinker and zeolite, with and without gypsum.

Abstract: The invention provides modified virus Ankara (MVA), a replication-deficient strain of vaccinia virus, expressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) env, gag, and pol genes.

Abstract: An interventionless actuator for oil well tools is described wherein the actuator comprises at least one floating piston adapted to equalize a pressure differential and lock onto an actuating member. An interventionless actuator is described that is charged to an initial energy level less than the expected at-depth well pressure and then recharged down hole to approximately the at-depth well pressure by a floating piston. At the time of desired interventionless actuation, the actuator is overcharged to a pressure greater than the at-depth well pressure, which pressure is reacted by an actuating piston to generate an actuating movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a polypeptide that binds with the gp120 envelope protein of HIV, in particular HIV-1, under physiological conditions, a nucleic acid that encodes such a polypeptide and can be expressed in a cell, a composition comprising such a polypeptide or nucleic acid or an antibody and a carrier therefor, a composition comprising a solid support matrix to which is attached an above-described polypeptide or an anti-antibody to a specified polypeptide sequence, a method of making an antibody to gp120, and a method of removing HIV from a bodily fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reverse-circulation cementing in subterranean formations are provided. An example of a method is a method of cementing casing in a subterranean well bore, comprising inserting a casing into the well bore, the casing comprising a casing shoe; equipping the casing with a well head, and a casing inner diameter pressure indicator; flowing an equilibrium fluid into the well bore; flowing a cement composition into the well bore after the equilibrium fluid; determining from the well-bore pressure indicator when the well bore pressure has reached a desired value; discontinuing the flow of cement composition into the well bore upon determining that the well bore pressure has reached a desired value; and permitting the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Examples of systems include systems for cementing casing in a well bore.

Abstract: Provided are treatment fluids that comprise an aqueous base fluid, and a methyl ester sulfonate surfactant, and associated diverting methods of use. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, and a methyl ester sulfonate surfactant; introducing the treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation; and allowing the treatment fluid to divert at least a portion of a second fluid to a different portion of the subterranean formation. Also provided are methods of diverting a fluid from a portion of a subterranean formation. In some instances, the treatment fluids exhibit viscoelastic behavior which may be due, at least in part, to the association of at least a portion of the methyl ester sulfonate surfactant into a plurality of micellar structures.

Abstract: Improved casing strings, and methods of using improved casing strings in subterranean cementing operations, are provided. An example of an apparatus is a pipe string comprising at least one pipe section and a delivery system of an activator. Another example of an apparatus is a pipe string comprising at least one pipe section and a delivery system of a set retarder. An example of a method is a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. Other examples of methods are methods of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising a well bore.

Abstract: A method of acidizing a subterranean formation with a diverting agent composed of a gelled or thickened viscoelastic foam or fluid generated from (i.) an amidoamine oxide gelling agent and (ii.) an acid or foam, water and/or brine. The gelled or thickened foam or fluid may be generated in-situ or introduced directly into the formation by mixing of the amidoamine oxide gelling agent and acid or foam, water and/or brine. As the acid spends, the acidizing fluid thickens. When the acid is further spent, the fluid viscosity declines eventually returning to a low viscosity state, allowing for easy cleanup. The process allows for selective acidizing of less permeable zones of the formation and more uniform stimulation of the hydrocarbon bearing formation.

Abstract: A method for operating a user communication device (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b), and a program and user communication device that operate in accordance with that method. An interface (2d, 2b, 23, 22) of the communication device (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) is operated to enter identifiers identifying respective calling sources (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) from which call signals may be received. The interface also is operated for entering into the device (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) electrical signals representing corresponding audible signals that are to be individually generated in response to calls being received from the respective calling sources (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b). The identifiers are stored in a memory (2c, 24) in association with respective ones of the electrical signals.

Abstract: A stretcher includes a brake mechanism and a steer mechanism operated by side actuator pedals and a brake-actuating bar and a wheel-actuating bar. The brake-actuating bar, wheel-actuating bar, and side actuator pedals are connected such that movement is coordinated.

Abstract: A method for electrosurgically sealing a tissue includes steps of: (A) applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; and (B) applying at least one subsequent RF energy pulse to the tissue and keeping constant or varying RF energy parameters of individual pulses in accordance with at least one characteristic of an electrical transient that occurs during the individual RF energy pulses. The method terminates the generation of subsequent RF pulses upon a determination that the electrical transient has passed a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A kiosk machine vends stored value cards (i.e., pre-paid and gift cards). The kiosk is self-service and will allow a user to select, purchase and pay for a stored value card without requiring the presence or assistance of a sales clerk. The kiosk can vend one or more cards in a single transaction. The kiosk is a computer-based vending machine having a touch-sensitive video screen and a card reader. The touch screen provides a user interface for a user to receive information and provide input selections. The card reader can be used to read a transaction card (e.g., an American Express card or credit card) to facilitate payment for the stored value card(s) being purchased.

Abstract: A mounting structure is disclosed in a test-bed installation in which vertically aligned first backboards are pivotally secured to a front side of one of the upright posts of a relay rack for movement between a closed position and open positions. Vertically aligned second backboards are secured to a rear side of both upright posts of the relay rack in opposed relationship with the first backboards. A pair of optical network terminals is mounted on an outer side of each of the backboards, and a pair of battery backup units is mounted on an inner side thereof. Thus when one of the first backboards is moved to an open position, access is provided to the pair of battery backup units mounted on the first backboard so moved and to the pair of battery backup units mounted on the opposing second backboard.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the performance and health of wire systems and end devices, including instruments and processes. A computer runs software that collects data from sampled sensors, stores the data, screens the data for outliers, analyzes the data, performs in situ testing, and generates results of the analysis and testing. The system and method verifies not only the steady state performance of instruments, but also the dynamic performance of instruments and the transient behavior of the processes. In one embodiment, the system performs testing of the wiring system connecting the end devices located at the process. In another embodiment, the system also performs analysis of the amplitude probability density and a power spectral density determined from the sensor, or end device, data. In still another embodiment, the system performs a time domain reflectometry (TDR) analysis for a wiring system connecting an end device.

Abstract: Identifying a reply message using a relatively limited number of message source identifiers divided among multiple enterprises. In an exemplary embodiment, a message is sent with a source device to one or more target mobile devices on one or more wireless carriers. Each target mobile device can be associated with multiple enterprises. A gateway assigns one of a limited number of long codes to the message for each wireless carrier. The long code is selected from a sub-block of long codes that are associated with one of the multiple enterprises. Each long code identifies the gateway as a return address for the message. Upon receiving a second message, addressed to the long code, the gateway examines an associated target mobile device inbox for a message assigned the same long code. If a matching message exists, the gateway interprets the second message is a reply to the first message.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for processing of biological samples prior to spectroscopy analysis. The system includes a support for an organic sample, a solution applicator configured to apply a solution for extraction of at least one biomarker protein from the organic sample. The system includes a digester-medium applicator configured to apply to the organic sample a digesting medium capable of at least partial digestion of the biomarker proteins into peptides. The system includes a heating device configured to heat at least one of the organic sample, the solution, the digesting medium, and the biomarker proteins to a temperature above room temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enumerating the number of cells of a cell type in a cell sample by (a) counting the white blood cells in the cell sample to obtain the white blood cell population of the sample; (b) determining the proportion or percentage of the cells of the cell type in the white blood cell population in the sample; and (c) calculating the number of cells of the cell type in the sample. The cell type may be a lymphocyte sub-set selected from the group comprising CD4+ lymphocytes, CD45 cells, CD19 cells, CD16 and CD56 positive cells, CD8 cells, CD3 cells or any combination thereof. The method is particularly useful in monitoring the immune status of a patient infected with HIV or other immune deficiency state or disease or condition where CD4+ lymphocytes or CD4+ T cells are monitored or counted.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) is provided. The automated banking machine may include a fascia (50) in operative connection with a frame (110). The machine may include a plurality of hardware devices which are accessible through the fascia. The hardware devices may include a cash dispenser (24), receipt printer (20), and a card reader (22). The fascia may include replaceable bezels (550,552) with apertures therein for providing access to hardware devices. The bezels may be operative to float with respect to the fascia and hardware devices to automatically align hardware devices with the bezels. In addition the hardware devices may include movable portions which are operative to automatically align with the bezels. The bezels may include ramps, ribs, or other angled surfaces which guide the hardware devices into alignment with the openings in the bezels.