Abstract: A pressure pulse generator and an RSS may change the pressure of a fluid flow through a BHA. If the dogleg at the BHA is less than a target dogleg, then the pressure pulse generator goes into pass-through mode to increase the pressure at the RSS and thereby increase a pad force of the RSS steering pads, increasing the severity of the dogleg. If a downhole tool is stuck, then the pressure pulse generator and the RSS are simultaneously actuated to unstick the downhole tool. The RSS is used to generate and transmit pressure pulses to a downhole tool.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a system including an implement (e.g., a steering tool, a drill bit) tetherable to an equipment string (e.g., a drill string), where the implement includes a steering mechanism to steer the equipment string with respect to a wall of a tubular passage (e.g., a borehole). The system can also include a bearing housing for the equipment string (e.g., connectable to a drill pipe of the drill string), where the bearing housing is rotationally coupled with the implement and rotated. The system can further include an actuation mechanism coupleable between the bearing housing and the steering mechanism to actuate the steering mechanism based upon a rotational orientation of the bearing housing with respect to the steering mechanism.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing content adaptive processing via ringing estimation and suppression are disclosed. A ring estimator estimates the amount of ringing when a wide filter kernel is used for image processing. The amount of ringing can be specified as an under-shoot or an over-shoot. A blend factor calculation unit determines if the estimated amount of ringing is likely to be visually objectionable. If the ringing is likely to be visually objectionable, then the blend factor calculation unit generates a blend factor value to suppress the objectionable ringing. The blend factor value is generated for each set of source pixels based on this determination. The blend factor value is then applied to how the blending is mixed between narrow and wide filters for the corresponding set of source pixels. The preferred blending between the narrow and wide filters is changeable on a pixel-by-pixel basis during image processing.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a system including an implement (e.g., a steering tool, a drill bit) tetherable to an equipment string (e.g., a drill string), where the implement includes a steering mechanism to steer the equipment string with respect to a wall of a tubular passage (e.g., a borehole). The system can also include a bearing housing for the equipment string (e.g., connectable to a drill pipe of the drill string), where the bearing housing is rotationally coupled with the implement and rotated. The system can further include an actuation mechanism coupleable between the bearing housing and the steering mechanism to actuate the steering mechanism based upon a rotational orientation of the bearing housing with respect to the steering mechanism.

Abstract: A method is provided for the creation of an addendum for use in the design and production of sheet metal formed components, which method uses a sectionless approach. In a preferred approach, elevation curve (EC) lines are established relating to the component (ECc) and binder (ECb), and it is these lines which are used to design the addendum. Additional EC lines (EC1, EC2, EC3, etc.) can be added to modify or optimize the addendum design. The spaces between the EC lines are filled using various parameterized filling techniques so as to provide the addendum design. Optimization of the addendum can be achieved by modification of the various EC lines, so as to modify or control the various design parameters, in accordance with various quality or design criteria. A more rapid, and less complicated approach to addendum design is provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a system including an implement (e.g., a steering tool, a drill bit) tetherable to an equipment string (e.g., a drill string), where the implement includes a steering mechanism to steer the equipment string with respect to a wall of a tubular passage (e.g., a borehole). The system can also include a bearing housing for the equipment string (e.g., connectable to a drill pipe of the drill string), where the bearing housing is rotationally coupled with the implement and rotated. The system can further include an actuation mechanism coupleable between the bearing housing and the steering mechanism to actuate the steering mechanism based upon a rotational orientation of the bearing housing with respect to the steering mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the number of ?2,3,-?2,6-disialylgalactose N-glycans on a glycoprotein by incubating an ?2,3-sialylated glycoprotein with an ?2,6-sialyltransferase and a sialic acid source. Also provided is a recombinant glycoprotein comprising at least one ?2,3,-?2,6-disialylgalactose N-glycan. In a particular embodiment, the recombinant glycoprotein is alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT).

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing and a housing chamber. The housing chamber is separated from a fluid chamber by a seal. The seal maintains a pressure differential between the housing chamber and the fluid chamber. A pressure adjuster between the housing chamber and the fluid chamber maintains the pressure differential below a maximum pressure differential.

Abstract: A seal apparatus and method of use is described. The seal apparatus comprises a seal assembly comprising a plurality of elements assembled together to form a ring structure around a longitudinal axis. The ring structure is operable to be moved between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition by movement of the plurality of elements. The plurality of elements is operable to be moved between the expanded and collapsed conditions by sliding with respect to one another along respective contact surfaces. Each of the plurality of elements is a compound element comprising a substrate and at least one seal member disposed on a part of a surface of the element.

Abstract: A downhole transducer assembly capable of being safely operated at a variety of pressures and depths may include a turbine rotatable by a fluid pressure differential rotationally fixed to a rotor in a generator. To reduce the rotational speed of the turbine and rotor, a pressure regulator may limit a fluid pressure differential by controlling the volumetric flow. In other embodiments, one or more nozzles may be configured to automatically regulate a nozzle diameter, and therefore the pressure drop across the nozzle. In other embodiments, a surge protector may be connected to the generator.

Abstract: A downhole transducer assembly capable of being safely operated at a variety of pressures and depths may include a turbine rotatable by a fluid pressure differential rotationally fixed to a rotor in a generator. To reduce the rotational speed of the turbine and rotor, a pressure regulator may limit a fluid pressure differential by controlling the volumetric flow. One or more nozzles may be configured to automatically regulate a nozzle diameter, and therefore the pressure drop across the nozzle. A surge protector may be connected to the generator.

Abstract: A torque transfer apparatus and method of use is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of elements assembled together to form a ring structure oriented in a plane around a longitudinal axis. The ring structure defines a first engagement surface. A structure defining a second engagement surface is rotatable with respect to the ring structure. The ring structure is operable to be moved between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition by movement of the plurality of elements, and movement between the collapsed condition and the expanded condition engages or disengages the first and second engagement surfaces. The apparatus can be configured to transfer a driving torque (e.g. a clutch) or a braking force (e.g. a torque brake).

Abstract: A downhole steering system includes a substantially tubular housing, a shaft positioned within the substantially tubular housing, a first bearing and a second bearing, the first and second bearings being configured to support rotation of the shaft relative to the housing. The first bearing, the second bearing, the shaft, and the housing at least partially define a chamber therebetween. The system also includes at least one structure positioned axially between the first and second bearing and being configured to extend from an exterior of the housing in response to pressure communicated to the chamber.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes at least a pilot section, a first expansion section, and a second expansion section. The pilot section has a plurality of cutting elements to cut a pilot hole. Each of the expansion sections has a plurality of cutting elements to successively expand the pilot hole to achieve a final wellbore radius. The pilot section, first expansion section, and second expansion section each have one or more stabilizer pads on respective gages to stabilize the downhole tool during wellbore creation.

Abstract: A seal apparatus and method of use is described. The apparatus comprises a seal assembly comprising a plurality of seal elements assembled together to form a ring structure around a longitudinal axis. The ring structure is operable to be moved between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition by movement of the plurality of seal elements. The plurality of seal elements is operable to be moved between the expanded and collapsed conditions by sliding with respect to one another along respective contact surfaces. Each of the plurality of seal elements is each formed from a compliant, compressible or resilient material.

Abstract: THE present application relates to a method of detecting one or more analytes in a sample, the method comprising (a) providing a carrier nucleic acid molecule with at least one single-stranded region; (b) providing one or more aptamers specific for the analyte, wherein the aptamers additionally comprise a single-stranded portion complementary to at least one single-stranded region on the carrier nucleic acid; (c) contacting the carrier nucleic acid and one or more aptamers with the sample, forming a carrier nucleic acid/N aptamer/analyte complex, and; (d) detecting the presence of the carrier nucleic acid/aptamer/analyte complex.

Abstract: A downhole steering system includes a substantially tubular housing, a shaft positioned within the substantially tubular housing, a first bearing and a second bearing, the first and second bearings being configured to support rotation of the shaft relative to the housing. The first bearing, the second bearing, the shaft, and the housing at least partially define a chamber therebetween. The system also includes at least one structure positioned axially between a the first and second bearing and being configured to extend from an exterior of the housing in response to pressure communicated to the chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides an expanding and/or collapsing apparatus and a method of use. The apparatus comprises a plurality of elements assembled together to form a ring structure oriented in a plane around a longitudinal axis. The ring structure is operable to be moved between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition by movement of the plurality of elements. The plurality of elements is operable to be moved between the expanded and collapsed conditions by sliding with respect to one another in the plane of the ring structure, in a direction tangential to a circle concentric with the ring structure. Applications of the invention include oilfield devices, including anti-extrusion rings, plugs, packers, locks, patching tools, connection systems, and variable diameter tools run in a wellbore.

Abstract: A tool, e.g. a downhole tool, utilizes at least one actuator which may be actuated rapidly between positions during operation of the tool. The actuator is moved via flow of an actuating fluid controlled by a main valve which, in turn, is controlled via a pilot valve. The pilot valve is operated to selectively control flow of the actuating fluid to the main valve so as to shift the main valve between desired operational positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to PDE9 inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the PDE9 inhibitors, and methods of using the PDE9 pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD).