Abstract: Methods for placing an annular pack in a well include treating of the gravel in the annular pack to inhibit bridging and the formation of voids in the annular pack. The gravel can be treated to form a coating that improves the lubricity of the gravel. The gravel also can be treated with a surface-active agent. The treatment of the gravel inhibits clumping of the gravel particles which forms bridges in the annular pack.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe having openings through its thickness, and a mesh layer having mesh material sections coupled to safe edges, or connectors, for connecting sections together. The safe edges include areas of thinning to provide flex joints that yield when exposed to high stresses. The mesh layer may be a drainage layer or a filter medium of the sand control screen assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a peripheral nerve electrode array that includes a first, second and third pair of electrodes spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the electrode array, the second pair of electrodes being located between the first and third pairs of electrodes. The present disclosure further relates to method for treating or preventing a chronic inflammatory condition in a human subject in need thereof, comprising providing to the human subject a therapeutically effective electrical stimulation of the anterior central abdominal vagus nerve or the posterior central abdominal vagus nerve, wherein the electrical stimulation is provided through two or more previously implanted electrodes at a site below the cardiac branches and above the hepatic-celiac branches of the nerve; and whereby the chronic inflammatory condition is prevented or treated in the human subject.

Abstract: An orthotic device for footwear. In one embodiment the orthotic device comprises a substantially planar body having a resiliently deformable outer peripheral portion, a cell frame, and an inner array of detachably coupleable cells, wherein each cell comprises one or more protuberances and/or recesses which permit the cells to detachably couple with the cell frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a peripheral nerve electrode array that includes a first, second and third pair of electrodes spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the electrode array, the second pair of electrodes being located between the first and third pairs of electrodes. The present disclosure further relates to method for treating or preventing a chronic inflammatory condition in a human subject in need thereof, comprising providing to the human subject a therapeutically effective electrical stimulation of the anterior central abdominal vagus nerve or the posterior central abdominal vagus nerve, wherein the electrical stimulation is provided through two or more previously implanted electrodes at a site below the cardiac branches and above the hepatic-celiac branches of the nerve; and whereby the chronic inflammatory condition is prevented or treated in the human subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject having or at risk of having an HIV infection. Disclosed herein are peptide immunogens and nucleic acids that have epitopes in which mutations are most likely to have deleterious effects on the HIV virus. An algorithm is disclosed for the selection of the epitopes based on the HIV fitness landscape, and it accounts for the effect of coupling mutations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an orthotic device for footwear (10) comprising; a substantially planar body (11) having a resiliently deformable outer peripheral portion (12); a cell frame, and, an inner array (14) of detachably coupleable cells (22), each cell comprising coupling means which permit the cells to detachably couple with the cell frame.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe having openings through its thickness, and a mesh layer having mesh material sections coupled to safe edges, or connectors, for connecting sections together. The safe edges include areas of thinning to provide flex joints that yield when exposed to high stresses. The mesh layer may be a drainage layer or a filter medium of the sand control screen assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for treating a subject having or at risk of having an HIV infection. Disclosed herein are peptide immunogens and nucleic acids that have epitopes in which mutations are most likely to have deleterious effects on the HIV virus. An algorithm is disclosed for the selection of the epitopes based on the HIV fitness landscape, and it accounts for the effect of coupling mutations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a peripheral nerve electrode array that includes a first, second and third pair of electrodes spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the electrode array, the second pair of electrodes being located between the first and third pairs of electrodes. The present disclosure further relates to method for treating or preventing a chronic inflammatory condition in a human subject in need thereof, comprising providing to the human subject a therapeutically effective electrical stimulation of the anterior central abdominal vagus nerve or the posterior central abdominal vagus nerve, wherein the electrical stimulation is provided through two or more previously implanted electrodes at a site below the cardiac branches and above the hepatic-celiac branches of the nerve; and whereby the chronic inflammatory condition is prevented or treated in the human subject.

Abstract: A method for bleeding at least one part of a hydraulic brake system of a vehicle, wherein the brake system includes a brake circuit whose pressure can be selectively increased by a pump. The increased pressure is applied by the pump to the part of the brake system to be bled for a specified period of time without opening bleed valves.

Abstract: A method for modifying the intensity and/or the path of a tropical cyclone is described. In some examples, the method can include employing nuclear submarines to intercept and redirect strong currents beneath a tropical cyclone's eyewall back up to a surface of the water body under the tropical cyclone eyewall. The method can also include imposing submarine-induced short period waves in a leading sector of an outer eyewall of the tropical cyclone, thereby causing a shift in the wind stream and accompanied with a change in the track of the tropical cyclone as well as a reduction in the tropical cyclone's intensity. In another example, the method can include imposing the wind resistance evenly across one or more radial segments of the eyewall of the storm or bilaterally at both leading sectors of the storm for reducing the storm's intensity, but without influencing the storm's path.

Abstract: A method for installing an elevator drive machine in a machine room-less elevator system is provided. A drive machine assembly is fastened to a counterweight. The counterweight is then lifted vertically along a set of counterweight guide rails to the top of the hoistway. There, the drive machine assembly is mounted to the ends of the counterweight guide rails. Once in place, the drive machine assembly is then disconnected from the counterweight.

Abstract: A system for generating renewal messages for transmitting to remote customers is disclosed. The system comprises at least one memory, storing: for each of a plurality of products, a renewal profile indicating at least a renewal period for the product; and customer data, including SMS contact data and one or more product(s) associated with the customer including an associated reference date. A processor is configured automatically to: generate based on the current date, the renewal profile for each product and the reference date(s) a list of one or more customers for whom a renewal message is required; and generate a single message for the or each customer, which message references multiple product renewals and is formatted to be appropriate to sending as a single SMS message.

Abstract: A water exchange device for a birdbath comprises a stanchion and a head. A first passageway extends entirely through the length of the stanchion body from an upper end to a lower end. Also, at least one stanchion duct extends from the first passageway exiting the stanchion body at a stanchion duct aperture. The head is fixedly secured to the stanchion body so as to be positioned spaced from, and not covering the stanchion duct aperture(s). A second passageway extends from a base of the head into the head body forming a through connection with the first passageway. The head also includes at least one head duct extending from the second passageway in an angled direction toward the base of the head body, exiting the head body at a head duct aperture.

Abstract: A method of determining, with a processing device, an instantaneous speed of an arrow shot from a bow having a bow string is provided, the arrow shot at a target having a target-face. The method includes recording a signal that includes a first peak occurring substantially at a start of a free flight of the arrow and a second peak occurring substantially at a moment of impact of the arrow with the target, the start of the free-flight occurring when a proximate end of the arrow reaches substantially a neutral position of the bow string; processing the signal to determine a duration of the free flight of the arrow; determining a distance between a location from which the arrow is loosed and a location of the target-face; and determining the instantaneous speed of the arrow, at least in part, by employing each of the duration of the free flight and the distance.

Abstract: A water exchange device for cleaning a birdbath with a basin comprises a turret, a stationary mount, a first channel, a second channel, and an inlet channel. The turret is coupled to a center point such that the turret may rotate around the center point, and the mount mounts the turret of the water exchange device to the birdbath basin to be cleaned. Both the first and second channels include an aperture, and the inlet channel is coupled to the first and second channels such that when water flows into the inlet channel, the water flows out the apertures of the first and second channels into the basin. When the water does flow at a certain pressure, the turret rotates around the center point.

Abstract: A method for bleeding at least one part of a hydraulic brake system of a vehicle, wherein the brake system includes a brake circuit whose pressure can be selectively increased by a pump. The increased pressure is applied by the pump to the part of the brake system to be bled for a specified period of time without opening bleed valves.

Abstract: A method for installing an elevator drive machine in a machine room-less elevator system is provided. A drive machine assembly is fastened to a counterweight. The counterweight is then lifted vertically along a set of counterweight guide rails to the top of the hoistway. There, the drive machine assembly is mounted to the ends of the counterweight guide rails. Once in place, the drive machine assembly is then disconnected from the counterweight.

Abstract: A system having a sealing assembly for a gravel port in a gravel pack apparatus. The sealing assembly includes a sealing element around an outer circumference of the gravel pack assembly above the gravel pack and below the gravel port. The sealing element is on the outside housing of the gravel pack apparatus or on a separate piece of equipment located above the gravel pack and below the gravel port, permitting a larger flow bore through the gravel pack apparatus. The sealing element may be selectively actuated after the gravel pack operation has concluded, thus maintaining the gravel pack in the desired location. The removal of a gravel pack tool may permit the sealing element to be actuated.