Abstract: Respective embodiments disclosed herein include methods and apparatuses (1) for surveying a mine bench or other material body using at least seismic data obtained via geophone and measurement module data synchronized via a wireless link; (2) for generating hyperspectral panoramic imaging data of a blast hole or other borehole; or (3) for allowing a neural network to facilitate a differential blast design that targets a first bench part more weakly than the differential blast design targets a second bench part (along the same mine bench) at least partly based on data indicative of a much higher concentration of a valuable material in the second bench part than in the first.

Abstract: Respective embodiments disclosed herein include methods and apparatuses (1) for surveying a mine bench or other material body using at least seismic data obtained via geophone and measurement module data synchronized via a wireless link; (2) for generating hyperspectral panoramic imaging data of a blast hole or other borehole; or (3) for allowing a neural network to facilitate a differential blast design that targets a first bench part more weakly than the differential blast design targets a second bench part (along the same mine bench) at least partly based on data indicative of a much higher concentration of a valuable material in the second bench part than in the first.

Abstract: A three-dimensional cell growth medium is described. The cell growth medium may comprise hydrogel particles swollen with a liquid cell growth medium to form a granular gel yield stress material which undergoes a phase transformation from a solid phase to a liquid-like phase when an applied stress exceeds the yield stress. Cells may be placed in the three-dimensional cell growth medium according to any shape or geometry, and may remain in place within the three-dimensional cell growth medium.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a downhole acquisition tool in a wellbore in a geological formation. The method includes operating a pump module to gather information for a fluid outside of the downhole acquisition tool that enters the downhole acquisition tool from a first flowline, a second flowline, or both while the downhole acquisition tool is within the wellbore. Operating the pump module includes controlling a valve assembly to a first valve configuration that enables the fluid to flow into the downhole tool via the first flowline fluidly coupled to a first pump module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microparticle comprising at least one biocompatible polymer, the microparticle encapsulating at least one nanoparticle, the nanoparticle comprising: (i) a core comprising a metal and/or a semiconductor; and (ii) a corona comprising a plurality of ligands covalently linked to the core, wherein said ligands comprise at least one carbohydrate and/or glutathione. The nanoparticle may additionally comprise a biologically active agent or detectable label covalently linked or non-covalently bound to said corona and/or said core. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the microparticles, processes for their production and uses of the microparticles in methods of therapy.

Abstract: Techniques for axial vibration control of wireline tools and cables during logging operations. In undesirable cases the axial vibrations may lead to or exasperate the stick-slip problems of the logging tool. Control systems and strategies to minimize vibrations and techniques for identifying and inhibiting the sticking of the cable. A system includes a surface actuator and a sensor. The actuator generates an axial wave on the wireline cable which travels down the cable. If there is sticking of the cable, a reflection can also occur at the location of sticking. This shift in the transmission of the wave on the wireline cable is used to identify the onset and/or presence of sticking.

Abstract: A method of making solid beads is disclosed, said method comprising: (i) providing a microfluidic device comprising a carrier fluid conduit and a functional fluid conduit which meet at a junction region; (ii) providing a laminar flow of a functional fluid comprising a solvent and a solute along the functional fluid conduit and providing a laminar flow of a carrier fluid along the carrier fluid conduit so as to form droplets of functional fluid in a flow of carrier fluid; (iii) cooling the segments of functional fluid in a conduit of the microfluidic device to form cooled (preferably frozen) droplets; and (iv) providing a liquid into intimate admixture with the cooled droplets so as to cause said solvent to exit said cooled droplets, thus forming solid beads. A microfluidic device for use in such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes converting solar energy to thermal energy and delivering heat for use in a process. A representative method includes transferring solar energy to a working fluid and transferring energy from the working fluid to a heating element positioned inside a heating well. The heating well contains a thermal energy storage substance (TESS). A controller controls the heating element, which is in thermal communication with the TESS. In some embodiments, the TESS releases and absorbs heat as latent heat, which reduces temperature variation in heat exchange between the heating well and the formation surrounding the heating well. In such embodiments, the TESS is positioned between the heating element and an outer casing of the heating well. In addition to heating wells, the disclosed technology can be applied to other processes involving heat delivery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for variable rate steam injection, including via solar power for enhanced oil recovery, are disclosed. Several embodiments include using the variable nature of solar-generated steam to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery processes. In particular embodiments, the variable rate injection can provide more uniform steam distribution in an oil-bearing formation, at a lower cost than if the same amount of steam were provided on a continuous basis.

Abstract: Provided are fusion proteins, polynucleotides and expression vectors with therapeutic utility in the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, as well as medical uses of these agents, and methods of treatment in which they are used. A fusion protein of the invention comprises an amino acid sequence that provides the apoptosis-inducing activity of TRAIL, and a membrane-anchoring amino acid sequence. The amino acid sequence that provides the apoptosis-inducing activity of TRAIL comprises the extracellular domain of TRAIL, or a fragment or variant thereof. A fusion protein comprising an amino acid sequence from TRAIL that is able to induce apoptosis, and a second sequence that anchors the first sequence to the cell membrane, is markedly more effective at reducing viability of TRAIL receptor positive cells than the naturally occurring (“wild type”) TRAIL protein itself.

Abstract: A method of forming solid beads, the method comprising: Providing a first liquid comprising a solute and a solvent Forming liquid droplets of the first liquid Contacting the liquid droplets with a second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads, the solute comprising a polymer, the concentration of polymer in the first liquid being at least 7% w/v., the solubility of the solvent in the second liquid being at least 5 g of solvent per 100 ml of second liquid.

Abstract: Techniques are described for axial vibration control of wireline tools and cables during logging operations. In undesirable cases the axial vibrations may lead to or exasperate the stick-slip problems of the logging tool. Control systems and strategies to minimize vibrations are described. Techniques are also described for identifying and inhibiting the sticking of the cable. A described system includes a surface actuator and a sensor. The actuator generates an axial wave on the wireline cable which travels down the cable. If there is sticking of the cable, a reflection can also occur at the location of sticking. This shift in the transmission of the wave on the wireline cable is used to identify the onset and/or presence of sticking.

Abstract: An apparatus for making solid beads is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one liquid droplet generator operable to generate droplets comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent, and at least one flow channel for carrying a second liquid, at least one liquid droplet generator and at least one flow channel being spaced relative to one another so that, in use, liquid droplets pass through a gas into a second liquid provided in said flow channel, the solvent being soluble in the second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads. A method of preparing solid beads is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for axial vibration control of wireline tools and cables during logging operations. In undesirable cases the axial vibrations may lead to or exasperate the stick-slip problems of the logging tool. Control systems and strategies to minimize vibrations and techniques for identifying and inhibiting the sticking of the cable. A system includes a surface actuator and a sensor. The actuator generates an axial wave on the wireline cable which travels down the cable. If there is sticking of the cable, a reflection can also occur at the location of sticking. This shift in the transmission of the wave on the wireline cable is used to identify the onset and/or presence of sticking.

Abstract: Injecting an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) agent into a subterranean formation in at least one injection interval of a hydrocarbon well extending into the subterranean formation, then producing fluid from the formation from at least one production interval of the same hydrocarbon well, and not from a neighboring well. Logging data associated with at least one of the formation, the injected EOR agent and the produced fluid may then be obtained and utilized in assessing effectiveness of the EOR agent injection.

Abstract: A system for background image subtraction includes a computing device coupled with a 3D video camera, a processor of the device programmed to receive a video feed from the camera containing images of one or more subject that include depth information. The processor, for an image: segments pixels and corresponding depth information into three different regions including foreground (FG), background (BG), and unclear (UC); categorizes UC pixels as FG or BG using a function that considers the color and background history (BGH) information associated with the UC pixels and the color and BGH information associated with pixels near the UC pixels; examines the pixels marked as FG and applies temporal and spatial filters to smooth boundaries of the FG regions; constructs a new image by overlaying the FG regions on top of a new background; displays a video feed of the new image in a display device; and continually maintains the BGH.

Abstract: A method of forming solid beads, the method comprising: Providing a first liquid comprising a solute and a solvent Forming liquid droplets of the first liquid Contacting the liquid droplets with a second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads, the solute comprising a polymer, the concentration of polymer in the first liquid being at least 7% w/v., the solubility of the solvent in the second liquid being at least 5 g of solvent per 100 ml of second liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for making solid beads is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one liquid droplet generator operable to generate droplets comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent, and at least one flow channel for carrying a second liquid, at least one liquid droplet generator and at least one flow channel being spaced relative to one another so that, in use, liquid droplets pass through a gas into a second liquid provided in said flow channel, the solvent being soluble in the second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid beads. A method of preparing solid beads is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques are described for axial vibration control of wireline tools and cables during logging operations. In undesirable cases the axial vibrations may lead to or exasperate the stick-slip problems of the logging tool. Control systems and strategies to minimize vibrations are described. Techniques are also described for identifying and inhibiting the sticking of the cable. A described system includes a surface actuator and a sensor. The actuator generates an axial wave on the wireline cable which travels down the cable. If there is sticking of the cable, a reflection can also occur at the location of sticking. This shift in the transmission of the wave on the wireline cable is used to identify the onset and/or presence of sticking.