Abstract: A wellbore completion apparatus includes an engager having an engageable surface configured for becoming engaged to a surface of the wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus is configurable in an engagement-ready state and an engagement state. Actuation of the apparatus such that it transitions from the engagement-ready state to the engagement state is with effect that the engageable surface becomes engaged to the wellbore surface. In the engagement-ready state, the engager can include a first free end and a second free end, and the transitioning to the engagement steady is effected in response to relative displacement between the first and second free ends. In the engagement state, the engager can be configured in a loop configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to endophytes, in particular endophytes associated with plants of the Brachiaria-Urochloa species complex, plants infected with the endophytes, products produced by the endophytes, and related methods.

Abstract: The method includes first defining chambers within a housing, the chambers including a first chamber and a second chamber, providing at least one aligning element within the housing, the at least one aligning element being configured to align a first consumable and a second consumable in a fixed orientation within the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively; and configuring a mouthpiece to be selectively connected to the housing on a first side of the chambers in at least a first position or a second position, the first position aligning an inlet opening of the mouthpiece to direct at least one first airflow in a first direction through the first chamber while circumventing the second chamber, the second position aligning the inlet opening to direct the at least one first airflow in the first direction through the second chamber while circumventing the first chamber.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for virtualizing policy enforcement amongst participants of an overlay network. In some embodiments, each of the participants may maintain a separate blockchain network. The overlay network may receive smart contracts or other policy documents that include information on interactions with a particular participant or between participants. A controller, which may be implemented on any node of the overlay network, may then extract an interaction algorithm from that smart contract that may be stored in policy data to be used in completing transactions between two participants of the overlay network. In some embodiments, the policy data may include cost data which may be used to determine how two entities may interact.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features relate to a system that includes a well tool configured to transmit an acoustic signal, detect a reflection signal, and transmit data representing the reflection signal. A processor analyzes the data to identify a pulse portion of the reflection signal, which is distinct from a reverberation portion. The processor determines a value for an attribute of the reflection signal, and executes a model to generate a first set of synthetic values for the attribute of the reflection signal and a second set of synthetic values for an impedance of a cement casing. The processor can then generate a lookup table that correlates the first set of synthetic values to the second set of synthetic values. By referencing the lookup table, processor can determine the impedance of the cement casing and alter a drilling plan or a completion plan based on the impedance of the cement casing.

Abstract: Disclosed devices for recovering cryopreserved tissue can comprise a receptacle that receives a sealed, frozen tissue container containing cryopreserved tissue and cryopreservation media, with at least one recovery media chamber and a waste material chamber fluidly coupled to the tissue container receptacle. The recovery device can be inserted into a regulator apparatus that facilitates thawing and warming of the media and tissue, and regulation of the flow of recovery media through the tissue container to flush out the thawed cryopreservation media into the waste chamber. The regulator can identify the tissue based on an ID tag on the tissue container and automatically apply an appropriate algorithm for thawing, culturing, and maintaining the tissue in a viable state.

Abstract: A quasi-real-time data collection system for a competitive power market includes a distributed data collection unit, a centralized data collection unit, and a main collection station, where the distributed data collection unit is connected to an intelligent watt-hour meter by using an internal downlink communication module of the distributed data collection unit, and configures data item collection parameters and task execution parameters by using an internal collection task and scheme configuration module of the distributed data collection unit; the centralized data collection unit is connected to the main collection station by using an internal file conversion and uplink communication module of the centralized data collection unit; and the centralized data collection unit is connected to multiple distributed data collection units by using a local high speed power line carrier communication (HPLC) network.

Abstract: In some implementations, a vehicle experience system may receive a service request associated with a vehicle. The vehicle experience system may qualify a driver for a vehicle experience involving the vehicle. The vehicle experience system may provide, to a user device associated with the driver, a verification code for authenticating the vehicle experience involving the driver and the vehicle. The vehicle experience system may provide, to a location management system associated with the vehicle, a notification that the vehicle is to be involved in the vehicle experience. The vehicle experience system may provide, to the location management system and based on receiving scan data being associated with the verification code, the authentication of the vehicle experience to enable a provisioning device to facilitate access to the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for processing a mixed proppant at a wellsite for a well, the system including a separator including a screen configured to receive the mixed proppant that includes a proppant meeting a desired size criteria and an oversized proppant exceeding the desired size criteria, sort the proppant from the oversized proppant, direct the proppant along a primary flow path to a blender, and direct the oversized proppant along a diverted flow path to a reducer. The reducer is operable to process the oversized proppant into a processed proppant that meets the desired size criteria.

Abstract: A computing device may be configured to receive a set of inputs from other computing devices. The set of inputs may include inputs derived by the computing devices utilizing cryptographic keys of the computing devices. The set of inputs may be stored in a blockchain such that the inputs are tamper resistant. A symmetric key may be generated (periodically, upon expiration of a timer, according to a protocol set, upon request, etc.) from two or more of the set of inputs. The generated symmetric key may be distributed to the computing devices. The symmetric key may be utilized to encrypt and decrypt communications between two computing devices.

Abstract: In some embodiments a system and method are described for safeguarding a hazard. The hazard, for example a needle point, may be moved between a protected retracted position, an active extended position and/or an intermediate position. Optionally in the retracted position, the hazard may be protected inside a housing. Optionally in the extended position, the hazard may be exposed. Optionally, in the intermediate position the hazard may be partially protected and/or concealed, for example by a shield and/or in an indentation. In some embodiments, compromising a shield causes the hazard to be retracted to the retracted position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining transaction locations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a computing terminal, information indicating the completion of a transaction associated with a mobile device, sending, to the mobile device, a confirmation of the completion of the transaction, receiving, from the mobile device, location information indicating latitude and longitude information of the mobile device, confirming that the location information is within a predetermined distance of a stored location of the computing terminal, updating the location information associated with the computing terminal to include the received location information, and determining, based on the location information associated with the computing terminal, a location of the computing terminal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing and utilizing radiometric characterization in combination with reference material characterization of an optical sensor to more accurately and efficiently measure material properties are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method for for optically measuring material properties includes an optical sensor being radiometrically characterized based on measured optical responses. A model is generated and includes model components of the optical sensor. A parameterized model is generated by fitting n variable parameters of the model components using the optical responses. The optical sensor is utilized to measure an optical response to a reference material and a re-parameterized model is generated by re-fitting m of the n variable parameters of the model components based, at least in part, on the measured optical response to the reference material, wherein m is less than n.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein disclose technology for authenticating a user. In some embodiments, a smart card or other similar authentication device can be associated with a user profile. When a request to interact is received via an application associated with a device, the system prompts the user to waive the smart card within a threshold proximity of the device. In response to the smart card being placed within the proximity, the system collects information from the smart card and verifies that the smart card is associated with the user profile of the user. In response to verifying the information from the smart card, the system authenticates the user and allows the user to interact.

Abstract: In some implementations, a device may receive an indication of an item associated with a user and a first entity and may store information associated with the item in a first entry of a first database associated with the user. The device may identify a second entry in a second database associated with the first entity. The second entry may identify one or more documents associated with the item, and the second database may identify documents for a second set of items associated with the first entity. The device may map the first entry to the second entry to enable the one or more documents associated with the item to be associated with the first entry of the first database associated with the user. The device may transmit an indication of at least one document of the one or more documents.

Abstract: An integrated communications network may be integrated with existing payment systems to provide for more efficient and secure payment related communications. The integrated communications network may use mobile network protocol encapsulation to provide more efficient, faster, and more robust payment related communications to a payment processor across a mobile network. The integrated communications network may implement a location-aware network communications system that may allow a payment processor to obtain additional information about a consumer using a location-aware header of a network communication.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to NFC-based mobile currency transfers. A mobile payment may be programmatically initialized when at least two mobile devices come into NFC communications range. A payment card associated with an account used to fund the currency transfer may be tapped to one or more of the devices to allow a server to validate the currency transfer.

Abstract: Various examples generally directed to unlocking a locked contactless card for use as payment in card-present transactions are provided. The contactless card is a payment card associated with a payment account. An application executing on a mobile device may be operable to enable unlocking the locked contactless card and receive an indication that the contactless card associated with the mobile device is unlocked for use in card-present transactions. The application may present information related to permitted uses of the unlocked contactless card via a graphical user interface. The permitted uses of the unlocked contactless card may be modified via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: Systems as described herein generate an outstanding check alert. An alert generating server may receive transaction records associated with a plurality of checking accounts. The alert generating server may user a first machine learning classifier to determine a transaction pattern indicating a merchant has failed to process outstanding checks for a period of time. The alert generating server may receive sequential check information comprising at least one missing check number associated with a particular checking account. The alert generating server may user a second machine learning classifier to determine at least one outstanding check associated with the particular checking account. The alert generating server may send an alert indicating the at least one outstanding check to a user device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and systems for software module binding. Cryptographic keys and challenge elements can be exchanged between a first software module and a second software module to create a binding between the first software module and the second software module. As a result, a first software module can securely and authentically access sensitive data and functionality at a second software module, while unauthorized software modules can be prevented from accessing the sensitive data and functionality.