Abstract: A pump system for use in a gas dehydration system having an absorber/contactor and a reboiler is used to pump glycol or another fluid through a natural gas dehydration system. The pump system includes a gear pump connected to an electric motor for pumping glycol from the reboiler to the contactor/absorber, The motor may be powered by a thermoelectric generator that uses temperature differences in the gas dehydration system fluid to convert heat into electric energy, The pump system may also include additional pumps for moving fluid from the absorber to the reboiler, for moving a second fluid through a heat trace loop, and/or for driving peripheral components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanoparticle aggregates comprising osteopontin (OPN) and one or more particles containing calcium and/or strontium and to their use for reducing or preventing biofilm growth or for removing biofilm. The invention furthermore relates to the use of the nanoparticle aggregates for treating, alleviating or preventing biofilm-related diseases.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a drilling tool assembly including inputting well data into an optimization system, the optimization system having an experience data set and an artificial neural network. The method further including comparing the well data to the experience data set and developing an initial drilling tool assembly based on the comparing the well data to the experience data, wherein the drilling tool assembly is developed using the artificial neural network. Additionally, the method including simulating the initial drilling tool assembly in the optimization system and creating result data in the optimization system based on the simulating.

Abstract: An elongate sling section is disclosed. The elongate sling is cooperable with like sling sections to form a sling for use in abandonment or recovery of a pipeline. The sling section includes end-pieces at five opposite ends and complementary connector formations associated with each respective end-piece. Each connector formation is cooperable, in use when forming a sling, with a complementary connector formation of a neighbouring sling section in the sling. The sling section further includes a tensile load-bearing sling element extending between the end-pieces and a sleeve around the sling element.

Abstract: A Christmas tree stand comprises a container having a base and a sidewall extending therefrom, the sidewall having a plurality of outer longitudinal slots; a plurality of removable legs, each removable leg configured to be accommodated within a respective longitudinal slot; and a plurality of grippers threadably connected to the sidewall. Each gripper has a flexible padding layer disposed thereon for securely gripping a trunk of a Christmas tree.

Abstract: Systems, program product, and methods for monitoring linearity of a down-hole pumping system assembly during deployment within a bore of a casing of a well positioned to extract hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir and selecting an optimal operational position for the down-hole pumping system assembly within the bore of the casing, are provided. Various embodiments of the systems allow an operator to ensure that a motor and pump of a down-hole pumping system assembly are installed in an optimal position in a well by ensuring alignment across the pump stages casing and motor casing. The alignment and linearity of the pump and motor can be crucial to run life of the pump and/or motor.

Abstract: An element for transmitting pushing and pulling forces as well as torque having a straight configuration and a bent configuration comprises a base plate, an end plate and bellows arranged between the base plate and the end plate. The base plate and the end plate are connected with a connecting element. A plurality of washers is arranged within the bellows, the washers having a tronconical shape at at least one of their major surfaces. The washers are in mutual contact with each other or with the base plate or the end plate respectively, both in the straight configuration and the bent configuration, such that element can transmit pushing and pulling forces both in the straight configuration and the bent configuration without substantially changing the length of the element.

Abstract: A method of assembling a surgical instrument includes selecting a tibial bearing surface trial component, orienting a shim relative to the tibial bearing surface trial component, and securing the shim to the tibial bearing surface trial component.

Abstract: A circuit (10), for causing a light source (30) to flash in correspondence to the peak amplitudes of an incoming sound signal, e.g. music (12), comprises an audio transducer (14), a band-pass amplifier (16), a peak detector section (18), and a filter (20) connected to a monostable circuit (24) via a capacitor (22). The light source (30) comprises one or more surface mount LED devices, and can be used to illuminate the contents of a container, e.g. a drinks bottle.

Abstract: An orthopaedic surgical instrument includes a patella drill guide having a first bracket, a second bracket coupled to the first bracket and moveable relative to the first bracket. The second bracket includes a drill plate having a plurality of guide holes defined therein.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for performing a multi-protocol scan of a NAS system by a storage virtualization system to create a multi-protocol file index. Current NAS systems may utilize two protocols, CIFS and NFS. Storage virtualization systems migrate, redirect or synchronize data between a primary and a secondary NAS. Present storage virtualization systems are designed to work with NFS or CIFS systems, but not both. The present invention enables a storage virtualization system to simultaneously or near-simultaneously operate using NFS and CIFS protocols. The present invention also provides for a multi-protocol scan of a NAS device to ensure that all data files and data file attributes are recognized and preserved during storage virtualization.

Abstract: A method for sealing a leak in a pipeline used to transport fluid includes positioning a sealing device within the pipeline, moving the sealing device through the pipeline to a leak location, and internally generating an inflation pressure to inflate the sealing device to substantially cover a leak opening and limit release of the fluid from the pipeline.

Abstract: A shroud cover for a dispenser comprising in a first aspect a flexible sheet disposed about an open framework. Preferably, the flexible sheet is resiliently stretchable and stretched over the frame work.

Abstract: Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human interleukin-12 (hIL-12) are disclosed. Preferred antibodies have high affinity for hIL-12 and neutralize hIL-12 activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hIL-12 and for inhibiting hIL-12 activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hIL-12 activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate employing a variety of medium access control (MAC) header formats in wireless communications. The MAC header formats can be specialized for a particular type of data included in a protocol data unit (PDU). In addition, the MAC headers can have a variable length to accommodate payloads of varying sizes without incurring unnecessary overhead. Further, mechanisms are provided to enable direct access and delivery of control PDUs to associated protocol layers to ensure better quality of service treatment.

Abstract: A method includes displaying keys of a keyboard in a keyboard area on a touch-sensitive display, at least one of the keys being associated with multiple letter characters, the keyboard area located adjacent to a first side of the touch-sensitive display, detecting a touch in a keyboard area of the touch-sensitive display, the touch being associated with a character input, detecting a gesture in a gesture input area of a touch-sensitive display, the gesture area located adjacent to a second side of the touch-sensitive display, the second side opposite to the first side; wherein the gesture is associated with a keyboard-related function at the processor and the keyboard-related function is operable on the character input or a next character input.

Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a solid electrolyte material having excellent Li ion conductivity. To attain the object, the present invention provides a solid electrolyte material represented by a general formula: Lix(La1-aM1a)y(Ti1-bM2b)zO?, characterized in that “x”, “y”, and “z” satisfy relations of x+y+z=1, 0.652?x/(x+y+z)?0.753, and 0.167?y/(y+z)?0.232; “a” is 0?a?1; “b” is 0?b?1; “?” is 0.8???1.2; “M1” is at least one selected from the group consisting of Sr, Na, Nd, Pr, Sm, Gd, Dy, Y, Eu, Tb, and Ba; and “M2” is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, W, Mn, Al, Ge, Ru, Nb, Ta, Co, Zr, Hf, Fe, Cr, and Ga.

Abstract: The invention provides a trap for capturing and/or killing a mouse, the trap comprising: an enclosure comprising a base connected to at least one movable part and which houses a trigger; the trigger comprising an adhesive section; wherein the at least one movable part is urged against the force of a biasing means from a first position wherein the trap is in a closed state into a second position in which the trap is in a set state; wherein the at least one movable part is maintained in the second position by releasably engaging the trigger; and wherein the trap is triggered upon the mouse contacting the adhesive section and elevating the trigger so as to disengage the trigger from the at least one movable part so that it moves from the second position to the first position under the force of the biasing means.

Abstract: A composite trial prosthesis comprises a first component (2) and a shim (4). The first component (2) has a first surface (8) corresponding to a surface of a prosthetic component and a reverse surface (10). The shim (4) is arranged to couple to the reverse surface (10). The first component (2) further comprises a first marking (24) which is arranged to be visible when the first component (2) is coupled directly to a bone or a further prosthetic component. Part of the shim (26) is arranged to obscure the first marking (24) when the shim (4) is coupled to the reverse surface (10), the shim (4) further comprising a second marking (28) which is visible when the shim (4) is coupled to a bone or a further prosthetic component. A set of composite trial prostheses and a method of selecting a required surgical prosthesis are also disclosed.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for decoupling hardware and software components of network security devices to provide security software as a service in a distributed computing environment. A computer system includes a processor that can execute computer-executable instructions to perform various operations. The processor can perform operations to provide security services to one or more customer platforms. The operations can include receiving a network security software component from a security service provider, and deploying the network security software component within a distributed computing environment so that the network security software component can be executed by a computing resource of the distributed computing environment to provide a security service to the customer platform(s). The network security software component includes a software component that has been decoupled from a hardware component of a network security device by the security service provider.