Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a downhole tool within a well bore comprises a cylindrical mandrel extending longitudinally through the downhole tool; an interventionless, hydrostatic, top-down actuating piston disposed about the mandrel and forming a first chamber and a second chamber therebetween; and a rupture disk that prevents fluid communication between the well bore and the first chamber until sufficient hydrostatic pressure is applied to the well bore to fail the rupture disk. A method of actuating a downhole tool comprises connecting a top-down actuating module to the downhole tool, running the downhole tool to a desired depth within a well bore, pressuring up the well bore without pressuring up an internal flow bore extending through the top-down actuating module, hydrostatically actuating an upper piston of the top-down actuating module to exert an actuation force onto the downhole tool, and actuating the downhole tool.

Abstract: An average propagator is estimated from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance data. Diffusion-weighted signal attenuation data is determined from the diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance data. Estimated average propagator data is determined from the diffusion-weighted signal attenuation data based on at least one of a priori information of the diffusion-weighted signal attenuation data or a priori information of the average propagator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for polypeptides involved in tolerance to freezing and/or low temperature stress in plants. More particularly, the present invention relates to nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for ice recrystallisation inhibition proteins (IRIPs) in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of plant response to freezing and/or low temperature stress. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to polypeptides involved in tolerance to freezing and/or low temperature stress in Deschampsia and Lolium species.

Abstract: A multi-material, cryogenic, elastomeric closure is provided for sealing a container for samples of cryophilic biological materials, pharmaceuticals or the like. The closure includes at least one cryophilic elastomer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) below the cryogenic temperature to which the sample is to be subjected and at least one non-cryophilic elastomer having a Tg above the cryogenic temperature. The cryophilic and non-cryophilic elastomers are present in such a manner as to maintain a complete seal of the container opening at the cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for tracking the nesting of delivery items can include using a passive RFID-type or an auto-detection type communication device to determine which mail handler picks up a particular tray from a location, such as the end of a conveyor system. When the mail handler places the tray in a container, another RFID-type device can be used to detect into which container the mail handler placed the tray. This information may then be passively and/or wirelessly transmitted to an application server that may store the information in a database to verify and validate, in real time, that the tray was placed into the correct container. These methods and systems are equally applicable to other nesting environments, including for example, the placing of containers into transportation vehicles.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include settable spotting compositions that comprise cement kiln dust and associated methods of use. Exemplary embodiments also include methods that comprise providing a settable spotting composition comprising cement kiln dust; introducing the settable spotting composition into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation so as to displace at least a portion of a second fluid from the well bore.

Abstract: Methods and cement compositions are provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore, wherein the cement composition comprises zeolite, cementitious material, and a mixing fluid.

Abstract: An ATM can accept checks and dispense cash to users. An inkiet printhead can print indicia on accepted checks. An ink catcher is positioned on a side of a check path opposite to the printhead. The ink catcher includes a body portion, a projecting portion, and a head portion. The body portion has an ink holding interior area. The Projecting portion has an opening that is in fluid communication with the interior area. The head portion includes an opening, a wiper, and is rotatable relative to the projecting portion. The rotation enables the head portion opening to be aligned with the projecting portion opening. In this position, the aligned openings enable ink expelled from the printhead which does not strike a check to be captured in the interior area. Other head portion rotation enables the wiper member to clean the inkjet nozzles.

Abstract: An ATM is operative to automatically self test a display module thereof. The test determines whether the display module fails to produce an acceptable display output. A predetermined color sequence is sent to the display module for display thereof. A sensor device positioned adjacent the display module screen senses displayed colors. A machine computer determines whether the display module displayed the correct color sequence. A display module error signal is generated responsive to the display module failing to display the proper color sequence. Testing of the display module can continue repeatedly to continually update its operational status.

Abstract: Phase contrast magnetic resonance images are produced using interleaved spiral k-space scanning with a bipolar phase contrast gradient. Spiral scanning is configured so that acquisition impulse response defines a central alias free portion in a partial field of view, and signal acquisition is arranged so that moving spins are contained with this central alias free portion. First and second signals are acquired with alternate phase encodings, and a complex difference of the acquired signals is obtained. The complex difference is substantially free of aliasing artifacts within the central portion.

Abstract: A lost circulation composition, that comprises a first portion of particles having a weight mean particle size of less than about 20 microns, a second portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 25 microns to about 400 microns, and a third portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 450 microns to about 1,500 microns, wherein the lost circulation composition has a multimodal particle size distribution, is provided, wherein resilient particles, particles comprising a thermoset polymer laminate, or a combination thereof are present in the lost circulation composition in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of the lost circulation composition, is provided. Drilling fluids, methods of controlling lost circulation, and methods of increasing an effective fracture gradient while drilling also are provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for isolating an electrical problem in a power pack include a system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The system includes a power pack. The power pack includes an input cord including at least a first indicator, wherein the input cord is adapted to receive electrical current from an electrical source, and further adapted to transmit the electrical current to the power pack, and wherein the first indicator indicates when the input cord transmits electrical current from the electrical source. The power pack also includes a housing including at least a second indicator, wherein the second indicator indicates when the power pack receives electrical current from the input cord.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a user to test and transfer data from a client's database or network to a host's database or network. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user acquires data information from a client. The user uses this information to generate a spreadsheet, and to populate the spreadsheet with assumed values based on the information received from the client. The spreadsheet is configured in a fashion such that it is consistent with the host's database or network. The user requests and receives a test file from the client and uses a developed algorithm, generally in the form of a computer program, to reformat the file so that it is consistent with the host's database configuration. The user determines the consistency between the reformatted file and the host's database by comparing the reformatted file to the previously generated spreadsheet.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus has a lower frame and an upper supported above the lower frame and movable relative to the lower frame. A plurality of casters are coupled to the lower frame. A wheel is movable relative to the lower frame between a lowered position engaging the floor and a raised position spaced from the floor. A drive assembly is coupled to the wheel and is operable to drive the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor. A foot pedal is coupled to the lower frame and is movable to raise and lower the wheel relative to the floor. Elevation adjust pedals are coupled to the lower frame and are movable to change an elevation of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for mixing a fluid comprising water and at least one non-aqueous material. The system comprises a mixing tub and mixing head adapted to inject the fluid into the mixing tub. It also includes a plurality of lines connected to the mixing head that supply the mixing head with water and the at least one non-aqueous material and a recirculation circuit that delivers the fluid from the mixing tub back to the mixing head. The system further includes a sensor connected to the recirculation circuit that measures the concentration of water in the fluid. An automatic controller uses the concentration measurement data to control the amount of each of the ingredients injected into the mixing tub.

Abstract: An ATM with a currency dispenser includes a contactless card reader. The contactless card reader can read data from an RFID tag of a customer's ATM card. The contactless card reader, such as an RFID tag reader, can be located so as to provide additional space for another transaction component. The contactless card reader can also be used in conjunction with a magnetic stripe card reader. The ATM includes a housing for the RFID tag reader that is adapted to prevent interception of radio signals. The ATM is able to prevent dispensing of currency in situations where unauthorized detection of signals is sensed.

Abstract: A method and system for air carrier contract management and optimization is disclosed. In particular, the present invention receives and tracks client travel data and air carrier contract data, analyzes this data and configures the data structure to be used in a goal programming algorithm to determine an optimum travel carrier solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention of alloimmunization of a subject or the immunosuppression of a response elicited by alloimmunization of a subject or an autoimmune haemolytic disease for said composition comprising an immunologically effective epitope of a rhesus protein or an immunologically active analogue or derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, a method for operating an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, and a seismic survey system including the accelerated weight drop. The accelerated weight drop, among other elements, may include a striker positionable over a surface, and a compressed gas spring configured to drive the striker toward the surface thus creating seismic waves within the surface. In this embodiment the striker is slidably coupled to the compressed gas spring.

Abstract: Cement compositions are provided that comprise a hydraulic cement, water, and a set retarder composition, the set retarder composition comprising an acrylamide polymer derivative; and an iron compound. In some embodiments, cement compositions are provided that comprise a hydraulic cement comprising a cement, water, and a set retarder composition, the set retarder composition comprising a lignin-based retarder and an iron compound.