Abstract: The disclosure relates to improved methods for inhibiting the formation and deposition of calcite scale in aqueous systems. In particular, the methods include injecting a composition into an aqueous system or wellbore. The composition includes a calcite scale inhibitor. The calcite scale inhibitor may be a copolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and an anionic monomer.

Abstract: A method of reducing activity of sulfur and/or nitrogen metabolizing bacteria is provided. The method includes adding a composition of an alkali metal salt of chlorite and/or an alkali metal salt of chlorate and hydrogen peroxide to process water of a cooling tower and increasing a concentration of the composition from about 0 ppm to about 300 ppm in about 1 to about 100 minutes. The method results in significant savings of caustic and reduces sulfur and/or nitrogen metabolizing bacteria in the process water.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to improved methods for inhibiting the formation and deposition of calcite scale in aqueous systems. In particular, the methods include injecting a composition into an aqueous system or wellbore. The composition includes a calcite scale inhibitor. The calcite scale inhibitor may be a copolymer of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and an anionic monomer.

Abstract: A system for producing sound waves in a medium, the system comprising: at least two first free-flooded ring transducers centered about a first axis, the first free-flooded ring transducers being substantially cylindrical and having an axial gap of height g therebetween such that they form a first column; and at least one cylindrical body centered about the first axis nested in the first column, such that the cylindrical body is aligned with the axial gap. The cylindrical body may be a tweeter free-flooded ring transducer. This provides for improved wideband performance in a free flooded ring array.

Abstract: A system for producing sound waves in a medium, the system comprising: at least two first free-flooded ring transducers centred about a first axis, the first free-flooded ring transducers being substantially cylindrical and having an axial gap of height g therebetween such that they form a first column; and at least one cylindrical body centred about the first axis nested in the first column, such that the cylindrical body is aligned with the axial gap. The cylindrical body may be a tweeter free-flooded ring transducer. This provides for improved wideband performance in a free flooded ring array.

Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor or switch and a method of using same. The sensor or switch includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) and a plurality of external components. The ASIC is implemented in CMOS technology and has an oscillator. A switch point of the sensor or switch is predetermined by selection of a bias voltage to a potential node of the oscillator.

Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor or switch and a method of using same. The sensor or switch includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) and a plurality of external components. The ASIC is implemented in CMOS technology and has an oscillator. A switch point of the sensor or switch is predetermined by selection of a bias voltage to a potential node of the oscillator.

Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor or switch and a method of using same. The sensor or switch includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) and a plurality of external components. The ASIC is implemented in CMOS technology and has an oscillator. A switch point of the sensor or switch is predetermined by selection of a bias voltage to a potential node of the oscillator.

Abstract: An improved lubricator valve arrangement for use within a wellbore to allow the passage of tools, such as perforating guns and the like, into the wellbore while it is live. The inclusion of two, independently controllable flapper-type safety valves within the lubricator valve will permit coordinated testing of fluid pressure both above and below the lubricator valve. The upper flapper valve includes a rotational flip-flap arm arrangement to positively open and close the upper flapper valve. The lower flapper valve is equipped with an integrated poppet-style pressure equalizing valve to allow the lower flapper valve to be opened more easily. The direction of opening of the flapper valves precludes or reduces the risk debris-related problems that might prevent or hinder opening of the flapper valves.

Abstract: An improved lubricator valve arrangement for use within a wellbore to allow the passage of tools, such as perforating guns and the like, into the wellbore while it is live. The inclusion of two, independently controllable flapper-type safety valves within the lubricator valve will permit coordinated testing of fluid pressure both above and below the lubricator valve. The upper flapper valve includes a rotational flip-flap arm arrangement to positively open and close the upper flapper valve. The lower flapper valve is equipped with an integrated poppet-style pressure equalizing valve to allow the lower flapper valve to be opened more easily. The direction of opening of the flapper valves precludes or reduces the risk debris-related problems that might prevent or hinder opening of the flapper valves.

Abstract: A method for identifying a compound for use in modulating, for example promoting, the activation or phosphorylation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) or AMPK subfamily member in a cell, the method comprising the steps of (1) determining whether a test compound modulates, for example promotes, the protein kinase activity of LKB1 and (2) selecting a compound which modulates, for example promotes, the protein kinase activity of LKB1. The protein kinase activity may be tested using AMPK or an AMPK subfamily member, or a peptide encompassing the T-loop region of AMPK or an AMPK subfamily member. The LKB1 may be in a preparation or complex with STRAD and/or M025, which has much greater kinase activity than LKB1 in the absence of these accessory proteins. The LKB1, STRAD or M025 may be recombinant. The AMPK subfamily member may be AMPK?1, AMPK?2, NUAK1, NUAK2, BRSK1, BRSK2, SIK, QIK, QSK, MARK1, MARK2, MARK3, MARK4 or MELK.

Abstract: An inductive proximity sensor or switch and a method of using same. The sensor or switch includes an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) and a plurality of external components. The ASIC is implemented in CMOS technology and has an oscillator. A switch point of the sensor or switch is predetermined by selection of a bias voltage to a potential node of the oscillator.