Abstract: Methods of manufacturing multi-material fibers having one or more electrically-connectable devices disposed therein are described. In certain instances, the methods include the steps of: positioning the electrically-connectable device(s) within a corresponding pocket provided in a preform material; positioning a first electrical conductor longitudinally within a first conduit provided in the preform material; and drawing the multi-material fiber by causing the preform material to flow, such that the first electrical conductor extends within the multi-material fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof and makes an electrical contact with a first electrode located on each electrically-connectable device. A metallurgical bond may be formed between the first electrical conductor and the first electrode while drawing the multi-material fiber and/or, after drawing the multi-material fiber, the first electrical conductor may be located substantially along a neutral axis of the multi-material fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectably injecting materials into a well comprises an elongate inner casing having first and second sets of selectably closable passages therethrough and an outer casing extending between the first and second ends surrounding the inner casing so as to form an annular cavity therebetween. The first end of the outer casing is sealably connected to the inner casing and the second end of the outer casing has a free edge proximate to the second set of passages. The first set of passages extends through the inner casing into the annular cavity such that fluid passing through either of the first or second sets of passages enters an exterior of the apparatus at a common location.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing web-based monitoring and detection of fraudulent or unauthorized use of voice calling service. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from a user device associated with an originating party, a request to initiate a call session with a destination party, the request comprising user information associated with the originating party and a destination number associated with the destination party; might query a database with session data (including user information) to access permission data and configuration data; and might configure fraud logic using received configuration data from the database. The computing system might analyze the session data and permission data using the configured fraud logic to determine whether the originating party is permitted to establish the requested call session with the destination party; if so, might initiate one or more first actions; and, if not, might initiate one or more second actions.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectably sealing an interior bore of a completion string comprises an elongate body extending between top and bottom ends having connectors for connecting the body in line with the completion string, an interior wall forming a bore through the elongate body between top and bottom ends and a rupturable barrier member fastened to and bridging the bore, the barrier member being deformable so as to permit passage therepast after being ruptured.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively opening a passage through a downhole casing comprises an elongate cylindrical housing defining a central bore therein and having at least one passage extending therethrough between the central bore and an exterior of the housing, the housing being configured to be located in line within a downhole casing, a ball seat slidably located within the central bore so as to be operable to selectively cover or uncover the at least one passage and a sealing sleeve slidably located within the central bore between an open and closed position wherein the sealing sleeve valve covers the at least one passage in the closed position and uncovers the at least one passage in the open position.

Abstract: A structure for enhancing condensation and wetting dynamics includes a substrate and a plurality of grooves formed in the substrate, forming fins. The fins having fin tops and a coating is applied over the fin tops.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing web-based monitoring and detection of fraudulent or unauthorized use of voice calling service. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from a user device associated with an originating party, a request to initiate a call session with a destination party, the request comprising user information associated with the originating party and a destination number associated with the destination party; might query a database with session data (including user information) to access permission data and configuration data; and might configure fraud logic using received configuration data from the database. The computing system might analyze the session data and permission data using the configured fraud logic to determine whether the originating party is permitted to establish the requested call session with the destination party; if so, might initiate one or more first actions; and, if not, might initiate one or more second actions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assisting transportation of a tool down a wellbore. The apparatus comprises an elongate body having an exterior surface extending between top and bottom ends, a connector at the bottom end operable to be secured above the tool and at least one passage formed into the exterior surface defining a first flow path having an entrance and an exit oriented towards the top end of the elongate body. The method comprises securing the elongate body to a top end of a tool in a wellbore, directing a flow of fluid down the wellbore to a position above the elongate body, separating the flow of the fluid into an inner portion and an outer portion through radially separated paths and redirecting the inner portion to flow upwards into the outer portion of the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively opening a passage through a downhole casing comprises an elongate cylindrical housing defining a central bore therein and having at least one passage extending therethrough between the central bore and an exterior of the housing, the housing being configured to be located in line within a downhole casing, a ball seat slidably located within the central bore so as to be operable to selectively cover or uncover the at least one passage and a sealing sleeve slidably located within the central bore between an open and closed position wherein the sealing sleeve valve covers the at least one passage in the closed position and uncovers the at least one passage in the open position.

Abstract: A backside thermography technique was developed based on the temperature sensitivity of laser-induced fluorescence in flowing two-dye solutions. The approach utilizes visible light and optically transparent packaging materials to obtain spatially resolved transient thermal measurements. This technique is compatible with optically transparent water-cooled packaging, which will allow for the characterization of processes where heat is added as well as removed. A setup was designed, constructed, and used to study the performance of seven two-dye Rhodamine B (RhB)-Rhodamine 110 (Rh110) fluorescent solutions. The effect of dye concentration ratio on sensitivity, maximum frame rate, and excitation area was characterized. The system was used to demonstrate in-situ temperature measurements showing the importance of two-dye light compensation, as well as backside thermography using a simple droplet contact method to investigate temporal response.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing web-based monitoring and detection of fraudulent or unauthorized use of voice calling service. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from a user device associated with an originating party, a request to initiate a call session with a destination party, the request comprising user information associated with the originating party and a destination number associated with the destination party; might query a database with session data (including user information) to access permission data and configuration data; and might configure fraud logic using received configuration data from the database. The computing system might analyze the session data and permission data using the configured fraud logic to determine whether the originating party is permitted to establish the requested call session with the destination party; if so, might initiate one or more first actions; and, if not, might initiate one or more second actions.

Abstract: A stove top cover includes a top surface and a bottom surface and forming a cutout extending there through and having a periphery that defines the cutout. Still further, the stove top cover can include a flange or a series of flanges formed on the top surface that extends around the periphery of the cutout and projects outwardly from the top surface to a height and extends inwardly a distance toward and over an edge of a burner of the stove top. By using a nonflammable material (i.e., silicone, polyvinyl fluoride or PTFE-coated fiberglass) and overlapping the flange over the periphery of the burner, any contents that may overflow a pot or pan placed on the burner is entirely diverted onto the surface of the cover. With the cover, being easier to clean than the stove top, or even disposable, stove top cleaning is reduced or mitigated.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing web-based monitoring and detection of fraudulent or unauthorized use of voice calling service. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from a user device associated with an originating party, a request to initiate a call session with a destination party, the request comprising user information associated with the originating party and a destination number associated with the destination party; might query a database with session data (including user information) to access permission data and configuration data; and might configure fraud logic using received configuration data from the database. The computing system might analyze the session data and permission data using the configured fraud logic to determine whether the originating party is permitted to establish the requested call session with the destination party; if so, might initiate one or more first actions; and, if not, might initiate one or more second actions.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing prevention of foreign initiated fraudulent or unauthorized use of calling service. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from a first user device associated with an originating party, a request to access a first account of a calling system and an access code. Based on a determination that the received access code is valid, the computing system might determine whether the first user device associated with the originating party is located in a foreign country. If so, the computing system might determine whether a database contains a configurable flag indicating that international access is not allowed for the first account. If so, the computing system might initiate one or more first actions. If not, the computing system might provide the first user device with access to the first account of the calling system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assisting transportation of a tool down a wellbore. The apparatus comprises an elongate body having an exterior surface extending between top and bottom ends, a connector at the bottom end operable to be secured above the tool and at least one passage formed into the exterior surface defining a first flow path having an entrance and an exit oriented towards the top end of the elongate body. The method comprises securing the elongate body to a top end of a tool in a wellbore, directing a flow of fluid down the wellbore to a position above the elongate body, separating the flow of the fluid into an inner portion and an outer portion through radially separated paths and redirecting the inner portion to flow upwards into the outer portion of the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectably injecting materials into a well comprises an elongate inner casing having first and second sets of selectably closable passages therethrough and an outer casing extending between the first and second ends surrounding the inner casing so as to form an annular cavity therebetween. The first end of the outer casing is sealably connected to the inner casing and the second end of the outer casing has a free edge proximate to the second set of passages. The first set of passages extends through the inner casing into the annular cavity such that fluid passing through either of the first or second sets of passages enters an exterior of the apparatus at a common location.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide at least one software application to users from a software monitor computer server. The software application requires a license grant for use. The software monitor computer server tracks usage of the software application to develop historical use patterns. The software monitor computer server also receives calendar input from electronic calendars of the users and analyzing the calendar input to identify future calendared uses of the software application. This allows the software monitor computer server to predict the future license grant needs of the software application based on the historical use patterns and the future calendared uses of the software application. The software monitor computer server also provides substitute software applications to the users when an insufficient number of license grants are available to meet the future calendared uses of the software application.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in forming a plug during hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean soil formation includes a top tubular retaining body extending between top and bottom ends and having a frustoconical outer surface extending from the bottom end thereof; and a plurality of slip arms located around the outer surface of the retaining body, each slip arm extending between top and bottom ends and having an inner surface extending from the slip arm top end corresponding to the outer surface of the retaining body and an exterior surface adapted to engage a wellbore. The plurality of slip arms extend from a ring surrounding the retaining body.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing prevention of foreign initiated fraudulent or unauthorized use of calling service. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from a first user device associated with an originating party, a request to access a first account of a calling system and an access code. Based on a determination that the received access code is valid, the computing system might determine whether the first user device associated with the originating party is located in a foreign country. If so, the computing system might determine whether a database contains a configurable flag indicating that international access is not allowed for the first account. If so, the computing system might initiate one or more first actions. If not, the computing system might provide the first user device with access to the first account of the calling system.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a data processing method provides an improvement in efficient use of computer memory and comprises using a computer, creating in computer memory a glyph memory area that is configured to store a plurality of cached glyphs; using the computer, receiving a request from an application to use a particular glyph; in response to the request, determining whether the particular glyph is in the glyph memory area; in response to determining that the particular glyph is not in the glyph memory area: attempting to store a bitmap of the particular glyph to a next location in the glyph memory area; in response to determining that the next location is not available a first time, reclaiming space in the glyph memory area in an amount sufficient to store the bitmap; attempting a second time to store the bitmap in the next location in the glyph memory area; in response to determining that the next location is not available a second time, clearing the glyph memory area of all previously stored glyphs and stori