Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified or isolated obligate domain-swapped dimer of CVN and a composition comprising the same.

Abstract: A wound treatment apparatus for treatment of surface wounds with a bandage system configured to control the environment adjacent the wound. The apparatus includes a bandage configured to cover a wound and provide a seal about the perimeter of the wound and cavity over the wound. A fluid supply conduit and a fluid drainage conduit are each in communication with the cavity. A nebulizer is coupled to the supply conduit to supply medicinal fluid to the wound. A waste receptacle is coupled to the drainage conduit to remove the fluid away from the wound.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for monitoring migratory cell proliferation with restricted migration on a substrate includes providing a substrate, coating the substrate with extracellular matrix, plating cells suspended in cell culture media on extracellular matrix, and placing intersecting channels across the extracellular matrix components by removing the extracellular matrix components from the channels to isolate islands of the extracellular matrix components on the substrate. When the cells are immersed with a fluid, migration of the cells is confined to the isolated islands of the extracellular matrix components, permitting long-term observation of a migratory population.

Abstract: AIN based methods and apparatus for transitioning telephone numbers and customers from the PSTN to a VOIP network are described. AIN line number portability features are used to allow a few gateway switches that interconnect the PSTN and VOIP networks to service customers whose telephone numbers were originally serviced by several remote PSTN switches. AIN LNP triggers are used to forward PSTN calls, directed to the PSTN switch previously used to service a telephone number, to the gateway switch assigned to route such calls to the IP network. AIN triggers set at the gateway switch insure that the subscriber with the ported telephone number continues to receive AIN services provided before the telephone number was ported to the IP network. Calls from ported telephone numbers to telephones in the PSTN are billed from PSTN switches through the use of AIN functionality and triggers set at the gateway switch.

Abstract: An uncollapsed expandable wellbore junction and associated methods. In a described embodiment, a method of creating an expanded pressure vessel in a subterranean well includes the step of expanding the pressure vessel in the well, thereby increasing a dimension of the vessel, without prior decreasing of the dimension.

Abstract: Vacuum cleaner wand adapter for coupling a vacuum cleaner handle to a wand implement of the vacuum cleaner including a housing defining an inner passage for receiving part of the handle and part of the wand implement, a first locking mechanism arranged on the housing for releasably locking the handle to the housing, and second locking mechanism arranged on the housing for releasably locking the housing to the wand implement. An electrical contact structure is also preferably provided to enable the wand adapter to be electrically connected to existing wand implements and handles.

Abstract: A valve gate assembly for regulating a flow of molten material into a mold. The valve gate assembly includes a movable valve that can move between a fully closed position and a fully open position. The valve gate assembly further includes an actuating system operatively cooperating with the valve to move the valve and infinitely position the valve between the fully closed position and the fully open position.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces which each have an insulator disposed therebetween, the conductive surfaces are connected to an electrosurgical energy source. The first jaw member includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator which extends towards the second tissue contacting surface to create a gap therebetween. The cutting element is inactive during the sealing process while the two pairs of electrically conductive surfaces are activated to seal tissue.

Abstract: A digital information distribution system having a plurality of nodes that are connected to one another by counter-rotating data paths. Each node comprises a ring terminal that selects data packets from the data paths for use by the node and passes the remaining data packets to neighboring nodes. The data paths communicate data using asynchronous serial interface packets that transport video data or IP data.

Abstract: A security apparatus is disclosed which provides for a cargo asset monitoring and tracking capability. The security apparatus may contain a physical locking function which provides a physical deterrent to an attached item such as a shipping drum. A microcontroller is provided within the security apparatus which monitors and coordinates locking/unlocking functions of the security apparatus, monitors an associated sensor to detect alarm conditions, monitors information from an RF transceiver with respect to proximity alerts and monitors information from one or more sensors incorporated within the security apparatus, the sensors providing information which may indicate tampering or damage to the cargo. The security apparatus is able to provide an audible alarm as well as communicate with a remote monitoring station upon detection of an alarm condition. A tracking system and process of monitoring and controlling the security apparatus from a remote location are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high speed subdividing and filling apparatus for liquid food containing solids therein comprising: a fixed quantity cut-down pump body having an absorption opening in communication with a lower-end opening of a liquid food accommodating container and having a discharge opening; an inner cylinder turnably fitted in the fixed quantity cut-down pump body; a piston slidably fitted in the inner cylinder; and a through-hole formed in the inner cylinder, wherein rotation of the inner cylinder and forward/backward movement of the piston are coupled so as the through-hole of the inner cylinder is communicated with the absorption opening of the cut-down pump body, the piston moves back to fill liquid food into the inner cylinder and as the through-hole of the inner cylinder is communicated with the discharge opening of the pump body, the piston advances to discharge liquid food from the discharge opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods and compositions for reducing the viscosity of subterranean servicing fluids where the servicing fluid has been cross-linked to increase its viscosity and that crosslinking can be reversed using a delayed release acid produced to reduce the fluid's pH.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques that enable a server to receive content submitted for delivery to a user and stream the submitted content to a receiver associated with the user. Such content may streamed along with generic, shared content. To handle streaming of received content, the server may modify a play list associated with a user to include the submitted content. The timing of content streaming may be affected by play scheduling information specified by a submitter such as a specific streaming time or a number of times to stream the content.

Abstract: There is disclosed a downhole packer for use in a well bore, and in particular, a packer which can be used for downhole testing. In an embodiment of the invention, a packer tool (10) for mounting on a work string to provide a seal against a tubular (32) is disclosed, the packer tool comprising a body (12) with one or more packer elements (18) and a sleeve (14), the packer tool being set by movement of the sleeve relative to the tool body compressing the one or more packer elements, wherein the tool has a plurality of bypass channels (16) to provide a fluid path past the packer elements, the sleeve including at least owe anchoring member (22, 50), the at least one anchoring member being actuate to contact the tubular by fluid pressure from the bypass channels when the packer is set.

Abstract: A method for compressing borehole image data is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes acquiring image data downhole, selecting a block of the image data to compress, applying at least one filter to the block, selecting a subset of pixels from the block, and quantizing each of the subset of pixels. Exemplary methods in accordance with this invention may advantageously provide for sufficient data compression to enable conventional telemetry techniques to be utilized for transmitting borehole images to the surface in substantially real time. Moreover, exemplary methods in accordance with this invention reduce data latency and the susceptibility to telemetry errors as compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A catwalk apparatus for forming stands from individual tubulars comprises a frame having a top surface adapted to receive tubulars. The apparatus also includes a skate mechanism capable of pushing and pulling the tubulars once loaded on the apparatus. The apparatus is adapted to receive at least two tubulars in a coaxial arrangement. The apparatus includes a rotating means for oppositely rotating the tubulars along their longitudinal axes. The skate mechanism is used to advance the tubulars together during rotation so as to allow cooperatively threaded ends of the tubulars to engage thereby forming a stand. The skate mechanism is also used to urge the stand towards the drill rig for subsequent hoisting and orienting vertically. A method and system for forming tubulars is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a hybrid plasma reactor. The hybrid plasma reactor includes an ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) source unit and a bias RF (Radio Frequency) power supply unit. The ICP source unit includes a chamber, an antenna coil unit, and a source power supply unit. The chamber includes a chamber body whose top is opened and a dielectric window covering the opened top of the chamber body. The antenna coil unit is disposed outside of the dielectric window. The source power supply unit supplies a source power to the antenna coil unit. The bias RF power supply unit supplies a bias RF power to a cathode. The cathode is installed within the chamber and mounts a target wafer on its top.

Abstract: A method for fat-suppressed imaging is disclosed. Such a method may include storing a first spectral component of an echo signal formed at TR/2 from a sample, suppressing a second spectral component of the echo signal at TR/2, re-exciting the stored spectral component after suppressing the second spectral component, and producing an image of the sample based on the re-excited stored spectral component.

Abstract: A method and computer program code for expediting issuance and activation of transaction instruments upon application therefor. A first set of application information is collected from an applicant. The first set of application information is processed to determine whether all required information has been obtained. If the first set of application information, comprises all information required to issue and activate the transaction instrument, then the application process is completed, the transaction instrument is provided to the applicant, and the applicant is permitted to automatically activate the transaction instrument upon receipt. If the first set of application information comprises less than all information required to issue and activate the transaction instrument, then the application process is completed and the transaction instrument is provided to the applicant in an unactivated state.

Abstract: A method for determining a rate of change of longitudinal direction of a subterranean borehole includes positioning a downhole tool in a borehole, the tool including first and second longitudinally spaced surveying devices disposed thereon. The method further includes causing the surveying devices to measure longitudinal directions of the borehole at first and second longitudinal positions and processing the longitudinal directions of the borehole to determine the rate of change of longitudinal direction of the borehole between the first and second positions. The method may further include processing the measured rate of change of longitudinal direction of the borehole and a predetermined rate of change of longitudinal direction to control the direction of drilling of the subterranean borehole. Exemplary embodiments of this invention tend to minimize the need for communication between a drilling operator and the bottom hole assembly, thereby advantageously preserving downhole communication bandwidth.