Abstract: A process for continuous countercurrent ion exchange comprises piping a contaminated feed stream into a closed loop ion exchange contactor. The contactor is an ion exchange bed that has three or more reaction segments. The segments are comprised of at least an adsorption segment for treating the contaminated feed stream, a regeneration segment for stripping the contaminant ions from the resin bed, and a pulse segment for advancing the resin bed. Simultaneously, the feed stream is moved through the contactor in the same direction as the regeneration stream. Measuring the quality of this treated feed stream after it exits the contactor monitors the treatment capacity of the resin bed. In response to this quality measurement, the regenerated resin bed is advanced in the pulse segment of the contactor. The spent brine is recycled back to the contactor until the final effluent brine is highly concentrated. After the resin stops advancing, the feed stream and regeneration stream resume flow.

Abstract: A rapid tissue processing method and apparatus including the steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing, and impregnation. The preferred method is performed in a processing unit that employs alternating microwave and ohmic energy to heat the process solution and tissue sample. In one embodiment, the method employs environmentally friendly green chemicals to effectuate the processing.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first hollow fiber membrane module, baffle assembly, and fluid source. The module includes a plurality of elongated hollow fiber membranes located generally in adjacent, parallel relationship to each other. Each of the membranes includes a generally cylindrical wall having a first end and a second end. The module also includes a module housing that supports the membranes. The module is configured to be positionable within the conduit and further to be matable with a similarly configured module. The baffle assembly is located within the conduit and configured to direct the flow of a first fluid through the module. The fluid source directs a second fluid to flow through the membranes from the first end to the second end. A predetermined substance is transmitted through the membranes' walls, to modify the concentration of the predetermined substance in the first fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for evaluating subsurface earth oil and gas formations. More particularly, methods and systems are provided for determining reservoir properties such as reservoir transmissibilities and average reservoir pressures of a formation layer or multiple layers using fracture-injection/falloff test methods. The methods herein may use pressure falloff data generated by the introduction of an injection fluid at a pressure above the formation fracture pressure in conjunction with a fracture-injection/falloff test model to analyze reservoir properties. The fracture-injection/falloff test model recognizes that a new induced fracture creates additional storage volume in the formation and that a fracture-injection/falloff test in a layer may exhibit variable storage during the pressure falloff, and a change in storage may be observed at hydraulic fracture closure.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a production interval adjacent a well bore having a casing disposed therein, that comprises introducing a carrier fluid comprising first particulates into the well bore, packing the first particulates into a plurality of perforations in the casing, perforating at least one remedial perforation in the casing adjacent to the production interval, and stimulating the production interval through the at least one remedial perforation. Also provided are methods of stimulating multiple production intervals adjacent a well bore.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for removing sand and/or other fill material located in a wellbore ahead of a coiled tubing tractor and displacing the material behind the tractor. More particularly, the apparatus and methods of the present invention allow a coiled tubing tractor to drive forward in a wellbore by removing fill material in front of the tractor thereby allowing the wheels or traction pads of the tractor to remain in contact with the wellbore.

Abstract: Disulfonate salts of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making such salts are described. The disulfonate salts are useful as cement dispersants. Cement compositions including such salts, methods for making cement compositions including such salts, and methods for performing cementing operations using such cement compositions are also described.

Abstract: Methods for determining formation characteristics comprising establishing baseline casing conditions for a string of casing disposed within a wellbore in a formation and measuring updated casing conditions for the string of casing at a first time interval from the establishing of the baseline casing conditions. The baseline casing conditions are compared to the updated casing conditions to determine changes in the string of casing over the first time interval. These changes in the string of casing are then used to determine formation characteristics.

Abstract: Sequence variations, such as polymorphisms, are detected by detecting differences between or among melting profiles of plural nucleic acids. Melting profiles are produced by observing the nucleic acids during a temperature change over a period of time. If the nucleic acids are diluted into solutions for analysis, the nucleic acid concentrations between or among the solutions can be substantially the same. The melting profiles and sequence variation can be used to identify changes in a wild-type nucleic acid sequence, such as a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), a small insertion or deletion, or a small inversion.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes an outer housing, or pressurized chamber, and an inner housing rotatably disposed in the outer housing. A bulk material inlet is defined at the upper end of the inner housing. The outer housing has a liquid inlet for the introduction of liquid. The inner housing has a plurality of liquid inlet ports for receiving liquid from the inner housing. The bulk material and liquid are mixed in the rotatable inner housing and pass through an exit of inner housing into the pressurized chamber. The slurry then passes out of the pressurized chamber through an outlet in the pressurized chamber. A rotor is disposed in and is connected to the inner housing. Rotation of the rotor causes rotation of the inner housing.

Abstract: A casket comprises a shell having a pair of opposed side walls, a pair of opposed end walls, and an upwardly facing flange, a lid closeable upon the edge of the shell, and a cover securable to the shell and concealing the flange when the lid is open, the cover being at least semi-rigid, the cover having a one-piece right angle section and a straight section.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to automate inventory and dispatch procedures at a staging area by automatically detecting the arrival or departure of delivery vehicles, container devices and other such items. Detection of these items is facilitated by the use of automatic identification tags, and other such devices, that are physically associated with each such item. According to one aspect of the invention, the detection of inbound vehicles and related container devices triggers a series of automated communications that facilitate the dispatch of such items within the staging area. Additionally, when a delivery vehicle or container device departs, the system can be configured to check the tag or device associated with each such item so as to confirm that the correct container device(s) are associated with the correct outbound delivery vehicle. The system further provides a method of tracking inventories of such items in real time.

Abstract: A method of treating a formation at a lateral section of a well involves pumping treatment fluid with or without a proppant, such as sand slugs, into the well to induce fractures in the formation. The lateral section has openings in a casing, which can be un-cemented. The treatment fluid is pumped into the well to treat portions of the formation at the heel and toe of the lateral section without mechanically dividing the lateral section of the well. A concentration of degradable diverting agent is mixed with the treatment fluid, and the treatment fluid with agent is pumped into the well. The agent is pumped into the portions of the formation having the lowest fracture gradient, such as near the heel and toe of the lateral section. The pumped fluid is at least diverted from the heel and toe of the lateral section by the agent so that portions of the formation adjacent the middle portion of the lateral section can be treated the pumped fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the operation of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system includes a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system and a plurality of sensors positioned to sense various operating parameters of the HVAC/R system. The sensors communicate the sensed parameters to the first computer. When the first computer detects a condition of the HVAC/R system that requires attention, based on parameters sensed by the sensors, the first computer communicates with a second computer located remote from the first computer and transmits a message related to the condition.

Abstract: The device consists in compensating for the distortion of the characters marked on the dial caused by a lens, by writing the characters with a reverse pin cushion or barrel distortion.

Abstract: Methods of cementing in a subterranean formation may include the steps of: providing a cement composition comprising a cement, water, and a dispersant comprising a low molecular weight starch that comprises anionic groups; placing the cement composition in the subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set therein. In certain embodiments, improved biodegradable dispersants may include low molecular weight starches having anionic groups.

Abstract: Provided herein are defoaming agents that comprise lecithin and a solvent. Optionally, they may comprise hydrophobic particles. One embodiment provides a method comprising: providing a well fluid that comprises foam; providing a defoaming agent that comprises lecithin and a solvent; and contacting the well fluid with the defoaming agent so that the amount of foam present in the well fluid is reduced.

Abstract: An excursion limiter (10) broadly comprises a voltage controlled filter (40) to suppress an audio signal according to a selected threshold at a selected frequency using a control voltage. The voltage controlled filter (40) preferably produces an inversion signal at the frequency, amplifies the inversion signal according to the control voltage to produce a suppression signal, and combines the audio signal with the suppression signal, thus suppressing the audio signal at the frequency and creating a resultant signal. A control voltage generator (42) preferably generates the control voltage using a frequency compensation filter (58), a full-wave rectifier (60), a precision half-wave rectifier (61) and a non-linear compensator (62). The frequency compensation filter (58) isolates an initial component which is rectified by the full-wave rectifier (60), shifted, and rectified again at the precision rectifier (61) before being essentially flattened in a non-linear manner by the non-linear compensator (62).

Abstract: A patient support including a traction device and a motor for moving the patient support. A motor disconnect arrangement is provided to enable manually powered movement of the patient support.