Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising silicone elastomers and antiseptics in homogeneous distribution, to processes for the preparation thereof and to uses thereof, for example, in medical articles.

Abstract: A foldout bed module for use in a healthcare facility includes a plurality of service connectors and a foldout bed. The foldout bed has a deck movable between a raised storage position and a lowered use position. The service connectors are normally concealed behind the deck when the deck is in the storage position.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor comprising a housing and a shaft extending within the housing, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the housing. Further, a conducting path extends within the housing between a first axial position and a second axial position. The conducting path comprises a housing conductor associated with the housing and a shaft conductor associated with the shaft, wherein the shaft conductor is capable of a movement relative to the housing conductor. An assimilating connector is interposed between the housing conductor and the shaft conductor for conductively connecting the housing conductor with the shaft conductor and for assimilating the movement of the shaft conductor relative to the housing conductor. The assimilating connector includes one or more of a rotary movement assimilating connector, a longitudinal movement assimilating connector and a transverse movement assimilating connector.

Abstract: A transaction card package assembly comprising a transaction card and a card holder, wherein the package assembly further comprises at least three unique identifiers thereon such that the transaction card may be activated at a point of sale by either a one-step or two-step activation process.

Abstract: A transaction card package assembly comprising a transaction card connected to a first panel via a releasable interface, wherein the first panel is affixed to a second panel such that upon releasing the interface, the first panel remains affixed to the second panel and the transaction card is released from the package assembly.

Abstract: A method of transmission of radio signals over all types of graded-index multimode fibre is provided. The method comprises launching optical radiation into the core of the multimode fibre away from the centre of the core so as to strongly excite a subset of the available modes of the multimode fibre. The subset of modes excited are within a small number of mode groups and thus have similar propagation constants leading to a reduction in modal dispersion and modal interference and smoothing of the frequency response passband region beyond the fibres specified 3 dB base band bandwidth assisting RF transmission and recovery from this region.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used successfully to produce hitherto unknown human keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) protein free of other polypeptides. These proteins can be produced in various functional forms from spontaneously secreting cells or from DNA segments introduced into cells. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of this novel protein as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for the KGF protein, for example, by measuring mRNA levels in cells or by measuring antigen secreted in extracellular or body fluids.

Abstract: A one-piece tube for use as a watertube within a watertube boiler or heat exchanger has a free end section that is formed to have an integral, outward-extending circumferential ring, or flange, a spaced distance from an adjacent end face of the tube. This is preferably accomplished by radially expanding the tube within the free end section and by axially compressing the free end section to cause a portion of the tube to bulge radially outward to from the circumferential ring, or flange. The flange enables the watertube to be readily driven into engagement with a dome, manifold or like casting without the creation of leaks, such as weld leaks. The free end section of the tube that extends from the circumferential ring, or flange, to the adjacent end face of the tube can be formed with a taper such that the diameter of an outer wall of the tube progressively decreases from the circumferential ring, or flange, to the end face.

Abstract: A sub-sea well intervention vessel includes a dynamically positionable tanker and direct well intervention equipment mounted on the tanker deck. The intervention equipment includes drilling equipment for performing underbalanced drilling and hydrocarbon liquid separation. A separate production riser is provided so that simultaneous drilling and production can be performed via separate risers. The driller riser is selectively disconnectable from the well so that the tanker can be dynamically repositioned over the well. A turret mooring system is provided such that the production riser can remain in operation during repositioning about the turret. The hydrocarbon liquid separator is connected to a separator of the production plant.

Abstract: A transaction card package assembly comprising a transaction card held by a card holder and having a security code spanning the transaction card and the card holder such that upon removal of the transaction card from the card holder, the security code is broken and a portion of the security code remains on the transaction card and a portion of the security code remains on the card holder.

Abstract: A method and related system of pulsed-neutron logging. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a method comprising releasing neutrons from a neutron source of a logging tool within a borehole, detecting gamma rays by a sensor on the logging tool (the gamma rays produced by capture of at least some of the neutrons, and wherein the detecting produces sensed gamma rays), determining from the sensed gamma rays a point in time at which gamma rays produced within the borehole reach a predetermined threshold, and using the sensed gamma rays detected after the point in time to determine a parameter of a formation surrounding the borehole.

Abstract: Methods for determining the viability of an embryo or an embryo precursor, comprising measuring the level of a polypeptide or peptide released by a cultured embryo or embryo precursor into the culture medium are disclosed. The polypeptide can be p53. Also disclosed are methods of ranking embryos on the basis of their viability using such methods. Methods for screening for agents which modulate embryo viability, as measured by changes in the level of a polypeptide marker released by a cultured embryo or embryo precursor are also described.

Abstract: A burial vault assembly for displaying a vault cover and placing the cover onto a vault base. The assembly has a support structure with a first and second rail secured to the top of a support structure. Each rail has a first portion and a second portion that extends towards the seating area of the burial site and at a downward angle from the first portion. Each rail additionally at the end of its second portion has a stopping element. Thus, a burial cover is moveable along the first and second rails from a sealing position to a display position wherein the vault cover is stopped in place by the stopping element.

Abstract: A device for improving recovery of hydrocarbons through a well is provided. The device creates, regulates and maintains a calculated bottomhole pressure at a desired level and creating above the device a two-phase gas-liquid homogenous flow for efficient lifting of hydrocarbons to a surface. The device has a body having a central through-going opening with a shape corresponding to a shape of a laval nozzle and with a cross section which changes steplessly and gradually, and a mandrel attachable to a tubing and associated with the body without interfering with a flow of fluids.

Abstract: A heat system utilizing solar energy is disclosed herein, which includes at least one solar panel, an energy control unit, a temperature control device, at least one heat-radiating element, and at least one storage cell. The solar panel collects solar energy and transforms it into electric current that flows through the energy control unit, the temperature control device, and the heat-radiating element to release heat energy with a predetermined temperature; or the energy control unit directs the electric current to the storage cell for backup. When the solar energy is insufficient, the energy stored in the storage cell can be transformed under the control of the energy control unit into electric current flowing through the temperature control device and the heat-radiating element to release heat energy with a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Methods of treating subterranean formations using foamed treatment fluids comprising water, a gas, and a foaming and foam stabilizing surfactant mixture comprising a plurality of alkali salts of alkyl ether sulfates wherein the alkyl group in each of the alkyl ether sulfates has in the range of from 4 carbon atoms to 10 carbon atoms, an alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaine or an alkyl amidopropyl betaine, and an alkyl amidopropyl dimethylamine oxide.

Abstract: A drilling assembly (2) comprises upper (4) and lower (6) drill strings with a fluid passage (80) therethrough for distributing fluid to a bottom hole assembly (10). The upper drill string (4) has an upper end (11) connectable to a drilling apparatus (13) and fluid source (16) and a lower end (18) with an attached casing expander unit (20) that communicates the fluid passage (80) of the upper (4) and lower (6) drill strings. An upper end (22) of the lower drill string (6) is formed from a casing string (24) telescoped over the casing expander unit. A constriction (31) connects the casing string (24) with the rest of the lower drill string (6). A flow restriction device (35) in the lower drill string acts to control fluid flow through the fluid passage.