Abstract: An input device includes a control surface for a color correction system. The control surface includes a housing with an upwardly facing control panel. The control panel has a proximal edge which is nearest a user and a distal edge that is furthest from a user in normal use. The control panel includes a plurality of controls. The plurality of controls includes: a plurality of trackballs, wherein each trackball comprises a ball and a control ring, said ball cooperating with at least one encoder to generate a multi-dimensional control signal based on motion of the ball, and said control ring cooperating with at least one encoder to generate a one dimensional control signal based on the rotational motion of the ring, wherein the ball of said trackball is mounted concentrically with said control ring; a plurality of control buttons; and a plurality of knobs coupled to respective rotary encoders.

Abstract: A retrievable seal guide (RSG) for installing a seal stem in a polished bore receptacle. The RSG has an outer grapple. Inside the grapple is a mandrel. At the end of the RSG is a bullet nose guide. The mandrel is spring loaded with a spring placed under the grapple Near the rear end of the guide is a plug with an o-ring. Note that the bullet nose has an opening formed in it. A channel is also formed down the length of the device. Note too that for tight formations of non-perforated liners the plug can be replaced with a stainless-steel ball that acts as a check valve. As the RSG is pulled out, the guide is pulled back, which compresses the spring forcing the mandrel back until a cam clears the collapsible fingers on the grapple, which allows the RSG to be withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic, to a process for preparing the ceramic and to the use of the ceramic as a dielectric in a capacitor.

Abstract: A drilling wedge that has, in addition to a normal connector rod, two wings that extend from the sides of the wedge. These wings are angular members that fill much of the space in the larger casing around the wedge. These wings prevent a milling assembly from sliding past the wedge or from moving off to the side, where an exit through the pipe or casing in the wrong place can occur. Instead, the wings help to keep the milling assembly in the proper position on the tray of the wedge to ensure that the milling assembly reaches the proper exit point in the casing. The wings are retracted when the HEW is deployed through the narrower pipe. Once the HEW is properly positioned, the guide cone is extended and the wings are deployed.

Abstract: A ball valve including a valve body having inlet and outlet flow passageways connected by a valve chamber; a ball valve member mounted in the valve chamber for selective rotation between valve open and valve closed positions to control flow through the valve, the ball valve member including at least one pivot pin and a mount for a control arm; and at least one control arm including a slot configured to accept a control arm bushing, the pivot pin, and combinations thereof, wherein the control arm is mounted to the ball valve member, and wherein upon application of an axial load on the control arm to the open or close the ball valve, the axial load on the control arm is transferred to at least one of a control arm bushing, the pivot pin on the ball valve member, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A milling-drilling section billet and anchoring device that is an improvement over current technology. The invention provides a device that incorporates an aluminum milling-drilling section billet and an anchoring device. The assembly is segregated into three main functional components: a setting tool connector system, an aluminum billet, and an anchoring section. The anchoring section has two slips, offset laterally and positioned 180 degrees apart on the device. When deployed, the slips lock the device in the formation and produce an offset of the billet within the formation. This angular positioning allows a milling head to be moved in a new direction from the existing well formation. Once the device is properly positioned in the wellbore, a frangible member breaks to allow removal of the setting tool prior to the renewed drilling operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photosensitive composition comprising synthetic nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite or a synthetic precursor thereof doped with a rare earth ion, the use of the composition in restorative or cosmetic dentistry, a process for preparing the composition and a method of generating an image of an exposed dentinal surface of a tooth.

Abstract: A replaceable gas lift valve system. In this system, the device is inserted into the production tubing (or gas producing zone) at a desired level. This allows gas to be pumped down the space between the casing and production tubing (or flowed from the zone). Although the tool is placed in the production tubing, space is provided to allow almost normal production through the tool. Once in place, the device has a metering valve that allows the appropriate amount of gas of other fluid to enter the production tubing to provide lift for the oil. If the device fails, it can be quickly extracted and a replacement device quickly installed. Once installed, the replacement device allows resumed production. The recovered device can be dismantled, repaired and staged for another quick replacement where needed.

Abstract: A downhole actuation system comprises an actuation mechanism comprising an indicator; a wellbore tubular; and a collet coupled to the wellbore tubular. The collet comprises a collet protrusion disposed on one or more collet springs, and the collet protrusion has a position on the one or more collet springs that is configured to provide a first longitudinal force to the indicator in a first direction and a second longitudinal force to the indicator in a second direction. The first longitudinal force is different than the second longitudinal force.

Abstract: A cementing assembly is mounted to a lower end of a running string. The running string has an obstruction in it such as a cable preventing a wiper dart from passing through. A production string liner wiper plug is secured to the running tool with a shear pin or other device. A dart is temporarily suspended above the liner wiper plug in a manner that cement can be pumped around the dart and through an open bore in the wiper plug. Picking up to let dogs extend followed by setting down releases the dart. Picking up again exposes a lateral port to circulate out contaminated cement. Setting down closes the port and pressure launches the plug to push the cement into the annulus surrounding the string being run in. A passage without restrictions results at the top of the cemented string after the running tool is pulled out of the hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photosensitive composition comprising synthetic nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite or a synthetic precursor thereof doped with a rare earth ion, the use of the composition in restorative or cosmetic dentistry, a process for preparing the composition and a method of generating an image of an exposed dentinal surface of a tooth.

Abstract: A cementing assembly is mounted to a lower end of a running string. The running string has an obstruction in it such as a cable preventing a wiper dart from passing through. A production string liner wiper plug is secured to the running tool with a shear pin or other device. A dart is temporarily suspended above the liner wiper plug in a manner that cement can be pumped around the dart and through an open bore in the wiper plug. Picking up to let dogs extend followed by setting down releases the dart. Picking up again exposes a lateral port to circulate out contaminated cement. Setting down closes the port and pressure launches the plug to push the cement into the annulus surrounding the string being run in. A passage without restrictions results at the top of the cemented string after the running tool is pulled out of the hole.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for scheduling product lots through operations of a manufacturing line. The method including: selecting a set of sequential operations required to manufacture the lots; partitioning the product lots into designated lots and non-designated lots; and generating a release schedule for each of the non-designated lots into one or more operations of the set of sequential operations; generating a release schedule for each of the designated lots into each operation of set of sequential operations such that for each designated lot a total amount of time measured from completion of a first operation of the set of sequential operations through start of a last operation of the set of sequential operations does not exceed a target amount of time for the designated lots.

Abstract: A composition is formed by the step of feeding a molecule that has an active oxygen-forming species into a silicone based polymer. The silicone-based polymer is substantially free of pendant groups that are reactive with active oxygen species. Silicone-based polymers have proven scar-healing properties. As such, the composition is useful for treating skin disorders, especially scars, to reduce the appearance of the scars. Furthermore, bacteria and infections may contribute to the formation of scars. The active oxygen-forming species form active oxygen species, which oxidize pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and fungus to sterilize an area in contact with the composition. As a result, the appearance of scars treated with the composition may be even further reduced due to the presence of the molecule having the active oxygen-forming species.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for organizing hierarchical information according to a defined objective.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a plurality of coefficients of an objective function of a mathematical programming model. Attributes of the model are identified. A first set of coefficient values determining a first solution and initially representing the plurality of coefficients is determined by employing a specified ranking of the attributes. A prevailing solution is initialized to the first solution. Additional sets of coefficient values are generated, each set determining a corresponding additional solution of the model. The additional solutions are evaluated (e.g., by the Analytic Hierarchy Process) to provide a ranking of the solutions, where the ranking is dependent upon the attributes. The ranking of the additional solutions is used to select a second solution. The prevailing solution is set to the second solution if the second solution exceeds a sum of the prevailing solution and a specified tolerance.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for scheduling product lots through operations of a manufacturing line. The method including: selecting a set of sequential operations required to manufacture the lots; partitioning the product lots into designated lots and non-designated lots; and generating a release schedule for each of the non-designated lots into one or more operations of the set of sequential operations; generating a release schedule for each of the designated lots into each operation of set of sequential operations such that for each designated lot a total amount of time measured from completion of a first operation of the set of sequential operations through start of a last operation of the set of sequential operations does not exceed a target amount of time for the designated lots.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for scheduling product lots through operations of a manufacturing line. The method including: selecting a sequential subset of a set of sequential operations required to manufacture the lots; partitioning the product lots into designated lots and non-designated lots; and generating a release schedule for each of the non-designated lots into one or more operations of the sequential subset of the set of sequential operations; generating a release schedule for each of the designated lots into each operation of the sequential subset of the set of sequential operations such that for each designated lot a total amount of time measured from completion of a first operation of the sequential subset of the set of sequential operations through start of a last operation of the sequential subset of the set of sequential operations does not exceed a target amount of time for the designated lots.