Abstract: Medical devices configured for in vivo assays of one or more analytes can sometimes be problematic if left inserted in a tissue, such as skin, for an extended time. Certain medical device surface profiles may aid in alleviating this issue. Accordingly, medical devices may comprise a base surface having a tissue-facing surface profile defined thereon, and a sensor extending through the base surface and at least a portion of the tissue-facing surface profile. The tissue-facing surface profile deviates from the base surface, and the tissue-facing surface profile is also configured to undergo a change in shape, hardness, or a combination thereof after contacting a tissue for a length of time. A dynamic material may be present in at least a portion of the tissue-facing surface profile.

Abstract: On-body analyte sensors may be designed for extended wear to provide ongoing measurement of physiological analyte levels. However, on-body analyte sensors may be susceptible to damage or dislodgment during wear due to routine interactions that occur with one's surroundings. Guard rings may be adapted to protect on-body analyte sensors from such interactions. Guard rings may comprise an annular body comprising an inner perimeter face, an outer perimeter face, a top edge, and a bottom face adapted for contacting a tissue surface. The inner perimeter face is shaped to circumferentially surround a sensor housing of an on-body analyte sensor. At least a portion of the outer perimeter face defines a chamfered surface extending between the top face and the bottom face. Adhesive pads or strips may further be engaged with the guard rings and aid in securing the guard rings to a surface, such as skin.

Abstract: Non-condensable gas is used as an alternate to steam at hydrocarbon processing facilities removing any steam requirements thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving profitability through capital and operating cost reductions. The non-condensable gas serves at least two functions sequentially in heavy hydrocarbon processing; firstly, providing the non-condensable gas as a stripping medium to evolve lighter hydrocarbons from the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock followed by secondly directing the same non-condensable gas and any evolved non-condensable gas at operating conditions for use as at least one of heat through combustion or power through electricity generation.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a scan cell. The scan cell may include an input phase having multiple multiplexers and a latch arranged to receive a scan input signal, a first address signal, and a second address signal and provide the scan input signal, the first address signal, or the second address signal based on a scan enable signal, a first clock signal, and a selection enable signal. The scan cell may include an output phase having multiple latches arranged to receive the scan input signal, the first address signal, or the second address signal from the input phase and provide the scan input signal, the first address signal, or the second address signal as a scan output signal based on a second clock signal and a third clock signal.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sample for chromatographic separation processes, in which a sample vessel is partially filled with a substance to be examined and is closed, is described. The substance to be examined is subjected to a thermo-chemical reaction in which at least one sample component is converted into another substance, and in which by use of a removing device samples are removed from the sample vessel for analytical examination. Also, the sample vessel forms a cavity, into which the substance to be examined is introduced as a core and a heating section for indirect heat transfer is applied along the filling of substance to be examined.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a scan cell. The scan cell may include an input phase having multiple multiplexers and a latch arranged to receive a scan input signal, a first address signal, and a second address signal and provide the scan input signal, the first address signal, or the second address signal based on a scan enable signal, a first clock signal, and a selection enable signal. The scan cell may include an output phase having multiple latches arranged to receive the scan input signal, the first address signal, or the second address signal from the input phase and provide the scan input signal, the first address signal, or the second address signal as a scan output signal based on a second clock signal and a third clock signal.

Abstract: An improved hold-down assembly for a well tie-back string and methods of use of the same are disclosed. The improved hold-down assembly includes a tie-back string and a hold-down assembly coupled to the tie-back string. The hold-down assembly includes one or more slips and a packer assembly disposed about the tie-back string.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a sample for chromatographic separation processes, in which a sample vessel (1) is partially filled with a substance to be examined and is closed, the substance to be examined is subjected to a thermo-chemical reaction in which at least one sample component is converted into another substance, and in which by means of a removing device samples are removed from the sample vessel (1) for analytical examination, characterized in that the sample vessel (1) forms a cavity, into which the substance to be examined is introduced as a core and a heating section for indirect heat transfer is applied along the filling of substance to be examined.

Abstract: A vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the invention can be a vertical bundle air-cooled condenser comprising: at least one tube bundle assembly comprising: a tube bundle comprising a plurality of finned tubes arranged in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation, each of the plurality of finned tubes comprising a cavity; a top header pipe comprising an inlet header cavity operably coupled to a source of steam; a bottom header pipe comprising an outlet header cavity for collecting condensate; top ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the top header pipe and the bottom ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the bottom header pipe; and a shell having an open top end and open bottom end, the at least one tube bundle assembly positioned within the shell.

Abstract: A process that catalytically converts olefinic (Alkenes, typically liquid at standard temperature and pressure) material in thermally cracked streams to meet olefin content specifications for crude oil transport pipelines. A thermally cracked stream or portion of a thermally cracked stream is selectively reacted to reduce the olefin content within a reactor operating at specific, controlled conditions in the presence of a catalyst and the absence of supplemental hydrogen. The process catalyst is comprised of a blend of select catalyzing metals supported on an alumina, silica or shape selective zeolite substrate together with appropriate pore acidic components.

Abstract: An image analysis system and method determines whether a channel is active by intercepting signals from a set-top box and determining whether the signals correspond to an inactive channel by analyzing pixels, recognized text and/or audio in the signal stream. The system and method controls tuning of the set-top box to each channel to be tested. Data relating to the analysis may be stored and transmitted for processing credit requests.

Abstract: A vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchanger, In one embodiment, the invention can be a vertical bundle air-cooled condenser comprising: at least one tube bundle assembly comprising; a tube bundle comprising a plurality of finned tubes arranged in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation, each of the plurality of finned tubes comprising a cavity; a top header pipe comprising an inlet header cavity operably coupled to a source of steam; a bottom header pipe comprising an outlet header cavity for collecting condensate; top ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the top header pipe and the bottom ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the bottom header pipe; and, a shell having an open, top end and open bottom end, the at least one tube bundle assembly positioned within the shell.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus usable in a nuclear reactor includes an emitter apparatus in the form of a plurality of wire segments that emit electrons via beta decay to a collector. The rate at which the electrons are emitted is directly related to the neutron flux in the vicinity of each wire segment. The continual emission of electrons from the wire segments to the collector results in a charge imbalance, and an electrostatic discharge event in the form of a spark occurs between the wire segment and the collector. Time-of-flight techniques are used to analyze signals that result from the electrostatic discharge event to determine the position along the discharge apparatus where the electrostatic discharge event occurred. The electrostatic discharge events over time at various locations along the discharge apparatus where the wire segments are situated are employed in determining the neutron flux and thus the power generation at the locations.

Abstract: A composite wellbore ball valve has a spherical, fiber reinforced composite ball valve closure. The closure has an interior, central through-bore and an annular metallic sealing surface. A ball carrying assembly has an annular, metallic sealing seat surface adapted to contact and form a metal-to-metal seal with the metallic sealing surface of the ball valve closure when the ball valve closure is closed.

Abstract: A hosting provider operates a server system that provides a service to one or more tenants. The server system receives configuration data from the tenants. As part of providing the service to a given tenant, the server system attempts to access an external service due to the configuration data received from the given tenant identifying the external service. Service access errors can occur when attempting to access the external service. In response to determining that an error has occurred when attempting to access the external service, the server system sends a service access alert to a recipient associated with the given tenant. The service access alert notifies the recipient that the error has occurred.

Abstract: An image analysis system and method determines whether a channel is active by intercepting signals from a set-top box and determining whether the signals correspond to an inactive channel by analyzing pixels, recognized text and/or audio in the signal stream. The system and method controls tuning of the set-top box to each channel to be tested. Data relating to the analysis may be stored and transmitted for processing credit requests.

Abstract: A wellbore ball valve includes a ball-type valve closure having an interior, central bore. A lower ball carrying assembly defines a first annular, sealing seat surface in contact with and adapted to seal with the exterior of the valve closure. The first seat surface defines a first through hole. An upper assembly defines a second annular seat surface in contact with the exterior of the valve closure. The second seat surface defines a second through hole. The second through hole is shaped differently from the first through hole in that it at least partially overlaps with the central bore while the first through hole is sealed from the central bore.

Abstract: An improved hold-down assembly for a well tie-back string and methods of use of the same are disclosed. The improved hold-down assembly includes a tie-back string and a hold-down assembly coupled to the tie-back string. The hold-down assembly includes one or more slips and a packer assembly disposed about the tie-back string.

Abstract: A vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchanger, In one embodiment, the invention can be a vertical bundle air-cooled condenser comprising: at least one tube bundle assembly comprising; a tube bundle comprising a plurality of finned tubes arranged in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation, each of the plurality of finned tubes comprising a cavity; a top header pipe comprising an inlet header cavity operably coupled to a source of steam; a bottom header pipe comprising an outlet header cavity for collecting condensate; top ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the top header pipe and the bottom ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the bottom header pipe; and, a shell having an open, top end and open bottom end, the at least one tube bundle assembly positioned within the shell.

Abstract: A downhole valve for use in a well has a closure device that is biased closed to seal against flow through the central bore of the valve. A plurality of pistons are each coupled to a respective hydraulic control line into the valve. Each piston is adapted to reside in an actuated position, supporting the closure open, when at least a specified hydraulic pressure is supplied through its control line, and to reside in an unactuated position, not supporting the closure open, when at least the specified hydraulic pressure is not present in its control line. The valve has a chamber containing a hydraulic fluid hydraulically coupling the pistons to support any piston not receiving the specified hydraulic pressure in an unactuated position. In certain aspects, when the piston is in the unactuated position, it seals against communication of fluid with its respective control line using a static-type seal.