Abstract: Compositions, apparatus incorporating a composition, and methods of use are described, one composition embodiment consisting essentially of one or more reactive metals in major proportion, and one or more alloying elements in minor proportion, with the provisos that the composition is high-strength, controllably reactive, and degradable under defined conditions. Compositions of the invention may exist in a variety of morphologies, including a reactive metal or degradable alloy processed into an alloy of crystalline, amorphous or mixed structure that may constitute the matrix of other composition, for instance a composite. Methods of using apparatus comprising a composition, particularly in oilfield operations are also described (e.g. flow and displacement control, sensors, actuators). This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A connector system having right angle, board-mounted header and receptacle connectors includes both a power interface and a signal interface for transmitting power and data signals there between. Optionally, the connectors may have features that allow the corresponding circuit boards to be offset. The connectors may have features that provide guidance for alignment of the header and receptacle connectors. The connectors may have features to enhance the electrical performance of the conductors defining the signal paths through the connector system. The connectors may have features that orient the components of the header and receptacle connectors for mounting to the circuit boards to maintain the true positions of the contacts for mounting to the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of maintaining an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printer includes moving a sealing face of a cap into contact with a printhead face in which are disposed nozzles of the inkjet printhead; compressing the cap while a valve connected to the cap is in an open position; closing the valve; and moving a base of the cap away from away from the sealing face while the sealing face is sealed against the printhead face and the valve is closed in order to generate suction at the printhead face for priming the nozzles.

Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) panel with 2T1C subpixels is compensated for initial nonuniformity (“mura”). The current of each subpixel is measured at a selected time to provide a status signal representing the characteristics of the subpixel. A compensator receives a linear code value and changes it according to the status signals. A linear source driver drives the panel with the changed code values.

Abstract: An apparatus used in spinal surgery for creating a space of selected shape and dimensions across the disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies of the spine.

Abstract: Lysing may include agitating a specimen in a chamber along with a medium that includes a particulate lysing material that has an affinity for a biological material. Lysing material may include beads or other material which may be coated that facilitates binding. The medium may include a fluid with a high salt or low pH level. Binding of biological materials to solid surfaces may be induced by particular media. The biological material may be eluted by lowering a concentration of salt or increasing a pH level. Lysing materials with two or more different affinities may be employed. Lysing materials may include particles of different sizes. Heating may be used. Lysing may be performed in a flow through apparatus. Surfaces of solid materials may be modified to capture bacteria with high cell wall lipid content.

Abstract: Provided is a software entity adapted to operate in a first network on behalf of a relocatable device to negotiate services for the relocatable device from the network, and to be transportable or replicable to operate in a second network to negotiate services for the relocatable device from the second network.

Abstract: A circuit protection assembly includes a mounting block, a unitary fuse assembly, a post assembly and a plug connector. The unitary fuse assembly is disposed the mounting block and includes a plurality of fuses each of which is defined by a portion of a bus plate disposed on the lower surface of the mounting block to form a first terminal of the fuse, a second terminal disposed at least partially on the upper surface of the mounting block and a fuse element connecting the first terminal and the second terminal. The post assembly is disposed at least partially within the mounting block and a post extending from the block. The plug connector extends from a portion of the first terminal of at least one of the plurality of fuses.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore includes preparing a sealant composition having a fluid component, a polymeric additive constituent, and a set modifier component. The sealant composition is placed into a wellbore and subjected to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive constituents and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition. The ionizing radiation also alters the set modifier component, triggering the thickening of the sealant composition.

Abstract: A coupling has a housing which defines a vacuum chamber and, at least in part, a nozzle chamber. The nozzle chamber forms a valve chamber, an intake chamber, and an outlet chamber. A main valve is in the valve chamber. The main valve is movable between an open and closed position. A poppet valve is in the outlet chamber. An air outlet opens from the vacuum chamber into the nozzle chamber. An opening of an air uptake conduit opens into the vacuum chamber. The air outlet opening is distinct from the opening of the uptake conduit. When the main valve is in the open position the valve chamber is open to the outlet chamber and the outlet chamber is open to the intake chamber. In the closed position, the valve chamber is sealed off from the outlet chamber and the intake chamber is sealed off from the outlet chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a system, apparatus and method for monitoring a user's activities and displaying and presenting unsolicited content to users over a wide area network. Embodiments of the instant invention include a monitoring system comprising an activity monitor and a content transfer and display means, wherein the activity monitor comprises an event identifier and a timer. The monitoring system monitors user activities, identifies trigger events, measures the elapsed time of inactivity of the user and initiates the presentation of unsolicited data, or content, to the user computer. In general, the monitoring system identifies trigger events and measures the elapsed time between trigger events. If the elapsed time between the trigger events exceeds a predefined time period the monitoring system causes unsolicited data to be presented on the user computer.

Abstract: The principles of the present invention provide for a plastic ROSA that has a metallic EMI shroud covering a portion of the plastic ROSA. The combination of the plastic ROSA and the EMI shroud provides the unexpected result of having EMI shielding substantially similar to a metal ROSA.

Abstract: Sulfur-containing compounds, including specifically thiophenic compounds, in a liquid hydrocarbon feedstream are catalytically oxidized by combining the hydrocarbon feedstream with a catalytic reaction mixture that includes a peroxide that is soluble in water or in a polar organic acid, at least one carboxylic acid, and a catalyst that is a transition metal salt selected from the group consisting of (NH4)2WO4, (NH4)6W12O40.H2O, Na2WO4, Li2WO4, K2WO4, MgWO4, (NH4)2MoO4, (NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O, MnO0 and NaVO3; the mixture is vigorously agitated for a time that is sufficient to oxidize the sulfur-containing compounds to form sulfoxides and sulfones; the reaction mixture is allowed to stand and separate into a lower aqueous layer containing the catalyst and an upper hydrocarbon layer that is recovered and from which the oxidized sulfur compounds are removed, as by solvent extraction, distillation or selective adsorption.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and systems for managing communications between a user of a mobile device and a content provider. Registration information is received from a mobile device indicating that a communications manager is authorized to communicate with the content provider and act on behalf of the mobile device with respect to blocking and unblocking certain messages received from the content provider. The content provider registers with the communications manager so that the communications manager knows specific codes and methods for communicating with the content provider. Modified user preferences are received from the mobile device, and these are communicated to the content provider by the communications manager.

Abstract: Described is a system and methods for multiple tier distribution of task portions for distributed processing. Essentially, a task is divided into portions by a first computer and a task portion transferred to second participatory computer on the network, whereupon an allocated task portion is again portioned by the second computer into subtask portions, and a subtask portion transferred by the second computer to a third participatory computer on the network, whereby distributed processing transpires, and results collated as required.

Abstract: A linear motor activator for a downhole safety valve including a permanent magnet carrier; a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to the permanent magnet carrier; a coil carrier disposed in magnetic field proximity to the permanent magnet carrier; and a plurality of coils mounted to the coil carrier, one of the permanent magnet carrier and the coil carrier being movable relative to the other of the permanent magnet carrier and coil carrier, and being connected to a component of a downhole safety valve and method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container having a sheet metal floor, a sheet metal sidewall shell having four round seamless corners and a maximum of two sidewall seams. The container can be a casket with a lid, and a pair of hinges pivotally attaching the lid to the sidewall. The sheet metal sidewall shell can be made from a stretch-bent sheet metal sidewall panel. In some instances, the sheet metal sidewall shell has only one seam that may or may not be a welded seam.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds which inhibit the activity of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL proteins, compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases during which are expressed anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein.

Abstract: A system and process for reducing fouling in a catalytic bed-based deoxygenation unit include a filtration system having a plurality of selectively permeable membranes arranged to contact a raw seawater feed and provide a membrane permeate. The membrane permeate is comprised of a portion of the raw seawater feed from which contaminants, such as dissolved inorganic salts and organic constituents, have been removed by passing through the selectively permeable membranes. The system and process also include a catalyst bed-based deoxygenation unit that receives the membrane permeate. The filtration system may be a nanofiltration, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, or reverse osmosis membrane system.

Abstract: There is herein described apparatus capable of measuring load and load movement. More particularly, there is described apparatus capable of measuring both load and load movement using at least one sensor located between an upper and lower floor structure.