Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid; a viscosifier, wherein the viscosifier is a synthetic, cross-linked polymer having a thermal stability greater than 275° F.; a breaker, wherein the breaker decreases the viscosity of the treatment fluid at or above a breaker-activation temperature; and an activator, wherein the activator is a chelate complex, and wherein the activator activates the breaker to reduce the viscosity of the treatment fluid at a temperature less than the breaker-activation temperature. A method of treating a subterranean formation comprising: introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting corrosion of metal surfaces by aqueous acids are described. The methods include combining a corrosion inhibiting aqueous emulsion with the aqueous acid solution to form a treatment fluid and contacting the metal surface with the treatment fluid. The corrosion inhibiting aqueous emulsion includes one or more silicone polymers having hydrophilic functional groups.

Abstract: A transaction card includes a card body, where the card body includes a surface with a first surface area. The surface of the card body includes private information that encompasses a second surface area of the surface, and the second surface area is less than the first surface area. The transaction card includes a reflective element that is applied to the surface of the card body, and includes a third surface area. The third surface area is based on the first surface area or the second surface area, and the third surface area enables the reflective element to reflect light away from the private information.

Abstract: The invention concerns a portable computing device comprising a microprocessor capable of running software, hardware means capable of providing at least one physical variable, a memory unit carrying the software adapted to read the physical variable and to perform a mathematical operation utilizing the physical variable. An interface means adapted to allow defining of the mathematical operation in the memory unit by a user of the device. The invention also concerns a firmware product of a microcontroller-operated device, a computer program product and a web service.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods to enable detection of linear objects such as utility poles in complex and heterogeneous outdoor surroundings. The methods deal with shape and orientation as prominent features of a pole model. Candidate trapeziums from 2D images of the face of the poles are extracted, some of which represent parts of the pole. To overcome the missed detection of certain parts due to problems of occlusion and diffusion into background, shape based techniques, that extrapolate and capture a longer trapezium representing the pole is implemented. The region growing stage or extrapolation is driven by orientation-based clustering of trapeziums. Context information is further used to identify objects of interest, by discarding false positives. Besides detecting poles of interest, the detected poles are further analyzed to identify damages, if any.

Abstract: A technology analysis system automatically monitors information available from both publicly and privately distributed networks of information for details that are relevant to a technology hypothesis. The technology analysis system provides a technology radar that assists with determining how the technology hypothesis stands up against ongoing developments in technology. The technology analysis system also visualizes the technology hypothesis and its underlying precursor predictions using a web portal, dynamic document, or other visualization technique.

Abstract: A payment system that uses replacement account identifiers is disclosed. An encrypted primary account number (PAN) may be received by a secure computer from a data entry device. The encrypted PAN may be decrypted by the secure computer and the secure computer may transmit a zero, nominal or no dollar authorization request to an issuer. Using the zero, nominal or no dollar authorization request, the issuer may verify the account. If the account is verified, then a replacement account identifier can be issued at a later time. The replacement account identifier may be used instead of the actual PAN to conduct payment transactions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting an augmented reality view are disclosed. Embodiments include a system with a database for personalizing an augmented reality view of a physical environment using at least one of a location of a physical environment or a location of a user. The system may further include a hardware device in communication with the database, the hardware device including a renderer configured to render the augmented reality view for display and a controller configured to determine a scope of the augmented reality view authenticating the augmented reality view. The hardware device may include a processor configured to receive the augmented reality view of the physical environment, and present, via a display, augmented reality content to the user while the user is present in the physical environment, based on the determined scope of the augmented reality view.

Abstract: A system for flaring an end of a fluid line includes a first and second adapter mountable on a first and second jaw of the gripping tool, respectively, and an arbor. Once mounted, the first and second adapters each have a working surface facing toward each other defining a channel half-profile. In a closed position, the working surfaces together form a channel from the half-profiles having a flare shape portion and a linear portion for receiving a fluid line in a non-slip fit. The working surface of one adapter has a U-shaped profile, and the other adapter is configured to be received therein. Each sidewall of the U-shaped profile defines a port opening into the channel. The arbor includes a die head that forms a flared end on a fluid line received in the channel as the arbor is inserted therein via the port.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes a liquid supply including liquid material, a heater operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol, a wick in communication with the liquid material and in communication with the heater such that the wick delivers the liquid material to the heater, at least one air inlet operable to deliver air to a central air passage upstream of the heater, and a mouth end insert having at least two diverging outlets. The electronic cigarette can also include an air flow diverter which directs incoming air away from a heating zone of the heater.

Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid; and a fluid loss additive package, the fluid loss additive package comprising: a water-swellable, superabsorbent polymer; a derivatized cellulose; and non-swellable particles that are insoluble in the base fluid. A method of drilling a wellbore into a subterranean formation comprising: providing the drilling fluid; and forming the wellbore using a drill bit and the drilling fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates methods of identifying and predicting inter-patient differences in prognostic prediction for survival in androgen independent prostate cancer. It further related to methods for determining and exploiting such differences to improve medical outcomes. Moreover, it provides methods for determining if a subject has prostate cancer.

Abstract: A system(s) and method(s) for identifying project requirement are described herein. The system identifies the architecturally significant functional requirements from the functional requirements from a client/customer. The system further classifies the identified architecturally significant functional requirements into specific classes based on the architectural impact they may have on the project. Subsequently, the system generates a meta schema related to architecturally significant functional requirements based on the classification of architecturally significant functional requirements and pre-defined schema. Thereafter, system recommends the specific probing questions from the bank of probing questions to unearth unspecified or underspecified architecturally relevant information based on the generated meta schema.

Abstract: A charger assembly is configured to charge the electronic vaping device. The charger assembly includes a base including a housing defining a port. The port is configured to receive a tip end of an electronic vaping device. The port includes a magnetic electrical contact centrally positioned at a bottom of the port and a first pin positioned at the bottom of the port. The charger assembly also includes a microprocessor electrically connected to the magnetic electrical contact and the first pin.

Abstract: Provided herein are a miniature devices, systems and methods for the treatment and manipulation of small model organisms to perform high-throughput screens of small molecules, chemical compounds, bioreactive agents and/or environmental conditions. Disclosed is an apparatus for housing a small model organism in array format the includes an array of chambers joined by a solid support, wherein the bottom of each chamber has a round bottom well, wherein the round bottom of the round bottom well comprises one or more holes that are: (a) of sufficiently large size to be permeable to liquid and (b) of sufficiently small size to prevent exit of the small model organism.

Abstract: An optical communication system with optical switches is described. Embodiments of an optical communication system with optical switches include a light source, a plurality of downhole optical devices communicatively coupled to the light source via an optical transmission network, and at least one optical switch disposed within the optical transmission network, the at least one optical switch switchably distributing light from the light source among the plurality of downhole optical devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for producing dry, water-dispersible, non-surface modified nanocellulose particles or a powderous composition r comprising said particles comprising the steps of: i. providing a first suspension of non-surface modified cellulose particles in an first aqueous liquid, which aqueous liquid is non-solubilizing for the non-surface modified nanocellulose particles, ii. exchanging substantially all of the first aqueous liquid of the first suspension for a second solvent, which is miscible with the first aqueous liquid and non-solubilizing for the non-surface modified nanocellulose particles, to form a second suspension of non-surface modified nanocellulose particles in said second solvent, iii.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to distributed robotic networks, and more particularly to communication link-prediction in the distributed robotic networks. In one embodiment, robots in a robotic network, which are mobile, can establish communication with a cloud network through a fog node, wherein the fog node is a static node. A robot can directly communicate with a fog node (R2F) if the fog node is in the communication range of the robot. If there is no fog node in the communication range of the robot, then the robot can establish communication with another robot (R2R) and indirectly communicate with the fog node through the connected robot. Communication link prediction is used to identify one or more communication links that can be used by a robot for establishing communication with the cloud network. A link that satisfies requirements in terms of link quality and any other parameter is used for communication purpose.

Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a liquid supply region including liquid material and a heater-wick element operable to wick liquid material and heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol. The heater-wick element comprises a plurality of fused metal beads or particles.

Abstract: A pressure actuated jarring apparatus includes a tubular housing, a piston, a spring element, and a seat. The tubular housing has a passage therethrough extending from an upper end to a lower end. The piston is disposed within the central bore and is movable axially between an inactivated state and an activated state. The spring element is configured to store energy to drive the piston from the activated state. The seat is coupled to the piston such that when a plug is seated in an orifice of the seat fluid is prevented from flowing through the orifice. The jarring device is fired by increasing pressure in the passage until the plug is forced through the seat, thereby releasing the energy in the spring element and driving the piston from the activated state so that it impacts an abutment and generates a jarring force.