Abstract: A transaction card construction and a method for making a transaction card are described. The transaction card construction comprises an inlay component and a housing component. The inlay component may comprise a light-penetrable layer and a backer layer. A light source may be disposed on or in the housing component, and the housing component and the inlay component may be joined such that light emitted by the light source passes through the inlay component.

Abstract: It is sometimes necessary to sever a downhole tubular structure in the course of conducting subterranean operations. Detonation of an explosive material may be used to sever a tubular structure in some instances. Downhole severing tools may comprise: a housing; a two-stage energizing material within the housing, the two-stage energizing material comprising a high explosive and a reactive energizing material; at least one initiator coupled to the two-stage energizing material at least at a first location; and a detonator coupled to the at least one initiator; wherein upon detonation of the two-stage energizing material, the high explosive undergoes a primary reaction that propagates a secondary reaction of the reactive energizing material.

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: An example method for downhole surveying and measuring may include positioning a first conformable sensor proximate to a downhole element. The first conformable sensor may include a flexible material, a transmitter coupled to the flexible material, and a receiver coupled to the flexible material. A response of the downhole element to a signal generated by the transmitter may be measured at the receiver. The response may be processed to determine a feature of the downhole element.

Abstract: A method of forming an oral product includes extruding a mixture, conveying the extruded mixture through one or more pairs of forming rollers, and cutting the extruded mixture into one or more oral products. The mixture can include polymer and at least one flavorant, sweetener, active ingredient, or combination thereof. The extruded mixture forms an extrudate having a predetermined cross-sectional shape. The one or more pairs of forming rollers abut to define a passage there between as each forming roller rotates. The passage has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the predetermined cross-sectional shape. The method can be performed using a machine including an extruder, one or more pairs of forming rollers, and a cutting device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of making a payment transaction by a customer including steps of receiving, by a mobile device (402) of the customer, merchant data; transmitting, by the mobile device to a remote server (408), a payment transaction request including the merchant data; determining, by the remote server; the identity of the customer based on the request and the identity of the merchant based on the data; and implementing the payment transaction between bank accounts of the customer and the merchant.

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: Provided are a shape recognition device, a shape recognition program, and a shape recognition method capable of obtaining more accurate information for recognizing an outer shape of a target object. A shape recognition device according to the present invention includes: an outer shape detection unit that detects an outer shape of a hand; an extraction point setting unit that sets a plurality of points inside of the detected outer shape as extraction points; a depth level detection unit that measures respective spatial distances to points on a surface of the hand as depth levels, the points respectively corresponding to the plurality of extraction points; and a hand orientation recognition unit that determines which of a palmar side and a back side the hand shows, on the basis of a criterion for fluctuations in the measured depth levels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, apparatuses and methods for using a first device with an accelerometer to transfer data by making contact with a second device with an accelerometer, thereby generating interaction data that is representative of the physical contact between the mobile device and the second device. The first device may be a mobile phone. The second device may be a mobile phone or a stationary kiosk or terminal. A first device with an accelerometer physically contacts the second device. Each of the first and second devices generate interaction data (e.g., accelerometer, location, time data, etc.) representative of the physical interaction between the first and second device. A server computer determines, based on interaction data, that the first device and the second device physically contact each other. After determining that the mobile device and the second device made contact, communications may be initiated between the devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for promoting the maturation and export of T cells from thymic tissue by contacting the thymic tissue with supraphysiological levels of interleukin (IL)-15. The present invention also provides methods for preventing, alleviating, reducing, and/or inhibiting lymphopenia or peripheral depletion of lymphocytes in a patient in need thereof by administering to the patient IL-15.

Abstract: A system and method for inferring schematic and topological properties of an electrical distribution grid is provided. The system may include Remote Hubs, Subordinate Remotes, a Substation Receiver, and an associated Computing Platform and Concentrator. At least one intelligent edge transmitter, called a Remote Hub Edge Transmitter, may transmit messages on the electrical distribution grid by injecting a modulated current into a power main that supplies an electric meter. The Subordinate Remotes, Remote Hubs, the Substation Receiver, and the associated Computing Platform and Concentrator may contain processing units which execute stored instructions allowing each node in the network to implement methods for organizing the on-grid network and transmitting and receiving messages on the network.

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: Methods for stabilizing a formation containing water sensitive materials include forming a composition including at least one amido-amine based cationic gemini surfactant and treating the water sensitive materials with an effective amount of the composition.

Abstract: A transportable drilling rig having a self-elevating drill floor includes a base structure comprising multiple base towers that can be transported to a wellsite and positioned around an intended wellbore location. A horizontal base frame is installed between lower regions of the towers to form a stable rig base structure, and a drill floor can then be constructed over the base frame and between the base towers. A suitable rig mast can then be erected on the drill floor. Floor-lifting cables are anchored to upper regions of the base towers and disposable around corresponding sheave assemblies associated with the drill floor. The free ends of the floor-lifting cables can be engaged by the traveling block in the rig mast, whereupon the rig's drawworks can be actuated to elevate the drill floor and mast as required and then locked to the base towers.

Abstract: A downhole tool anchor is disclosed. In one implementation, a downhole anchor tool may include a housing, an axial drive in the housing, a rack connected to the axial drive, a pinion in the housing, the pinion having teeth that engage teeth on the rack, a gear tube within the pinion, the gear tube having internal threads, a slip rod having external threads that engage the internal threads within the gear tube, and a radial bearing coupled to the gear tube, the radial bearing having a slip rod alignment member that prevents the slip rod from free spinning in the gear tube.

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: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, systems and computer program products for conducting an online transaction on a website involving sensitive information. Such embodiments provide methods, systems and computer program products to: (a) register at least one entity with a gate keeper module, the registering comprising associating the entity with a subscription level; (b) associate a sub-string of a character string with a unique token so that a direct link does not exist between the unique token and the character string; and (c) during processing of the online transaction: (i) using the unique token for intermediate steps during the processing of the online transaction; and (ii) only accessing the character string in storage memory to complete the online transaction after receiving a request from at least one registered entity associated with a subscription level associated with a privilege to receive the requested sensitive information.

Abstract: Using inductive currents to wirelessly charge a device via a device connected to a power source. This inductive charging may result when a first mobile device recognizes a second mobile device via a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near-Field Communication (NFC), or the like). An application stored on the first mobile device may recognize a second mobile device by transmitting an advertising packet when the first mobile device is connected to a power source. An advertising packet may be received by the second mobile device and the second mobile device may transmit a response to the advertising packet in order to generate a connection between the first and second mobile devices. The response may include data such as, connection strength, response time, connection preferences, and the like. Upon detection and connection, the second mobile device may be wirelessly charged by the first device via inductive charging.

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.