Abstract: A method includes generating spectral projection data of a subject, including at least first spectral projection data corresponding to a first energy range and second spectral projection data corresponding to a second energy range, wherein the first and the second energy range are different. The method further includes constructing an image from a combination of the spectral projection data, and constructing a set of basis images for the 5 energy ranges and from the spectral projection data. The method further includes constructing a multi-dimensional histogram from the set of basis images, wherein the multi-dimensional histogram includes at least two axes, a first corresponding to a first basis component and a second corresponding to a second basis component, and the multi-dimensional histogram includes a set of clusters, including one cluster for each material 10 represented in the spectral projection data.

Abstract: A wireless drink container can monitor a person's hydration and prompt him or her to drink more if appropriate. The drink containers as described herein can monitor liquid levels and communicate with external devices about the liquid levels and rate of consumption. One or more sensors in the drink container monitor the liquid level within the container. A processor coupled to the sensor(s) estimates how much liquid has been removed from the container from changes in the liquid level and transmits a signal representing the change in liquid level to a smartphone or other external device. It also triggers an audio or visual indicator, such as an LED, that prompts the user to drink more based on the user's estimated liquid consumption and on the user's liquid consumption goals, which may be based on the user's physiology, activity level, and location.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to adjust the behavior of a cache based on a count of cache misses for items recently evicted. In an embodiment, a computer responds to evicting a particular item (PI) from a cache by storing a metadata entry for the PI into memory. In response to a cache miss for the PI, the computer detects whether or not the metadata entry for the PI resides in memory. When the metadata entry for the PI is detected in memory, the computer increments a victim hit counter (VHC) that may be used to calculate how much avoidable thrashing is the cache experiencing, which is how much thrashing would be reduced if the cache were expanded. Either immediately or arbitrarily later, the computer adjusts a policy of the cache based on the VHC's value. For example, the computer may adjust the capacity of the cache based on the VHC.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to adjust the behavior of a cache based on a count of cache misses for items recently evicted. In an embodiment, a computer responds to evicting a particular item (PI) from a cache by storing a metadata entry for the PI into memory. In response to a cache miss for the PI, the computer detects whether or not the metadata entry for the PI resides in memory. When the metadata entry for the PI is detected in memory, the computer increments a victim hit counter (VHC) that may be used to calculate how much avoidable thrashing is the cache experiencing, which is how much thrashing would be reduced if the cache were expanded. Either immediately or arbitrarily later, the computer adjusts a policy of the cache based on the VHC's value. For example, the computer may adjust the capacity of the cache based on the VHC.

Abstract: An apparatus for micromanipulation of biological material, includes a vessel (1) having a reservoir (2) wherein the vessel has a channel (3) formed in a portion of the reservoir, the channel including an intermediate restriction (4) dimensioned to resist passage of the biological material but allow passage of liquid treatment solutions.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of resolving gold from iodine using a multi-detector Spectral Computed Tomography (CT) scanner comprising: obtaining an image using the scanner of a subject provided a gold contrast agent; performing a Spectral CT material differentiation or imaging at 140 kVp using one or more scanner tubes; and calculating a DE ratio for ratio of gold, wherein the DE ratio is about 1.0.

Abstract: A geographically distributed system using a hybrid, multi-master design is disclosed. The system may use global tables, for which both reads and writes may be performed locally, but with a single region serving as a master region. All strongly consistent reads and writes may be sent to the master region, whereas eventually consistent reads and writes may be performed in any region with a replica. The master region may not be statically assigned but may move from region to region. The master region may be assigned manually by client preference or may be assigned and updated automatically based on the time of day or workload characteristics.

Abstract: A cover panel for installation over foam of a vehicle seat includes a first layer with an occupant-facing surface and a foam-facing surface. The foam-facing surface is located opposite to the occupant-facing surface. The first layer is configured to cover at least a portion of the foam of the vehicle seat. The cover panel further includes a second layer bonded to the foam-facing surface of the first layer such that the second layer is obscured from view by the first layer. The cover panel also includes a tie-down connected to the second layer that projects away from the foam-facing surface, wherein the tie-down is configured to tension the first layer when the tie-down is pulled away from the foam-facing surface.

Abstract: A variety of systems, methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one method, a method may comprise providing a proppant-free fracturing fluid; providing a proppant composition, wherein the proppant composition comprises proppant particulates and degradable thermoplastic particulates; introducing the proppant-free fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at an injection rate above a fracture gradient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation; introducing the proppant composition into the at least one fracture; and allowing the proppant composition to form a proppant pack in the fracture, wherein the degradable thermoplastic particulates are degradable to generate voids in the proppant pack.

Abstract: A method of cryopreservation of biological material includes the steps of providing an apparatus including a vessel having a reservoir wherein the vessel has a channel formed in a portion of the reservoir, the channel including an intermediate restriction dimensioned to resist passage of the biological material but allow passage of liquid treatment solutions, and the channel including sub-reservoirs at either end of the restriction; introducing the biological material into a reservoir region of the apparatus for capture in a channel region of the vessel; irrigating and draining the biological material with a series of vitrification solutions introduced into a first of the sub-reservoirs and removed from a second of the sub-reservoirs; final draining the irrigation solutions from the vessel; and vitrifying the vessel and captive biological material.

Abstract: A wireless drink container can monitor a person's hydration and prompt him or her to drink more if appropriate. The drink containers as described herein can monitor liquid levels and communicate with external devices about the liquid levels and rate of consumption. One or more sensors in the drink container monitor the liquid level within the container. A processor coupled to the sensor(s) estimates how much liquid has been removed from the container from changes in the liquid level and transmits a signal representing the change in liquid level to a smartphone or other external device. It also triggers an audio or visual indicator, such as an LED, that prompts the user to drink more based on the user's estimated liquid consumption and on the user's liquid consumption goals, which may be based on the user's physiology, activity level, and location.

Abstract: Methods including introducing a first high-viscosity treatment fluid (HVTF) into a subterranean formation through an opening and applying incrementally increased fracturing rate steps (IIFRSs) to the first HVTF to create or enhance a dominate fracture, wherein between each IIFRS applied to the first HVTF a downhole pressure slope over time will increase, decline, or stabilize at a first HVTF measured pressure slope. Evaluating the first HVTF measured pressure slope prior to applying a subsequent IIFRS to the first HVTF. Introducing a first low-viscosity treatment fluid (LVTF) through the opening to create or enhance a secondary azimuth fracture extending from the dominate fracture, and performing a first net pressure operation after the first LVTF is introduced.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying completion of an activity are provided. The system comprises a scanner operable to obtain token data obtainable based on completion of an activity; and a server operable to obtain the token data from the scanner to verify completion of the activity. The method comprises obtaining token data from completion of an activity and providing the token data to a server to verify completion of the activity.

Abstract: Methods including introducing a solids-free high-viscosity fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation above the fracture gradient to create or enhance at least one dominate fracture. Introducing a first low-viscosity pad fluid (LVPadF) above the fracture gradient to create or enhance at least one first microfracture extending from the dominate fracture. The first LVPadF comprises an aqueous base fluid, high-density micro-proppants (HDMPs), and low-density micro-beads (LDMBs), the HDMPs having a specific gravity that is at least about 100% greater than the specific gravity of the LDMBs. Placing at least a portion of the HDMPs and LDMBs into the microfracture to form at least a partial monolayer. Introducing a low-viscosity proppant fluid (LVPropF) into the subterranean formation above the fracture gradient. The LVPropF comprises an aqueous base fluid and medium-sized proppants (MSPs). Placing at least a portion of the MSPs into the dominate fracture.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to compositions including acidic chelator or salt or ester thereof for treatment of subterranean formations including one or more fractures. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method includes placing in the subterranean formation a composition including an acidic chelator or a salt or ester thereof. The subterranean formation includes one or more fractures.

Abstract: Methods including introducing a first high-viscosity treatment fluid (HVTF) into a subterranean formation through an opening and applying incrementally increased fracturing rate steps (IIFRSs) to the first HVTF to create or enhance a dominate fracture, wherein between each IIFRS applied to the first HVTF a downhole pressure slope over time will increase, decline, or stabilize at a first HVTF measured pressure slope. Evaluating the first HVTF measured pressure slope prior to applying a subsequent IIFRS to the first HVTF. Introducing a first low-viscosity treatment fluid (LVTF) through the opening to create or enhance a secondary azimuth fracture extending from the dominate fracture, and introducing a low-viscosity diversion fluid pill (LVDF) pill through the opening to create a fluidic seal therein.

Abstract: A scuff plate for a vehicle includes a sloped front side in physical contact with a cargo-area floor panel. The cargo-area floor panel can have a slope angle greater than zero in a downward direction and the sloped front side can have a ramp angle at least equal to the slope angle in an upward direction.

Abstract: Methods including isolating a first treatment zone comprising an opening into a subterranean formation. A high-viscosity treatment fluid (HVTF) is introduced through the opening and incrementally increased fracturing rate steps (IIFRSs) are applied to create or enhance a dominate fracture, wherein between each IIFRS a downhole pressure slope over time will increase, decline, or stabilize at a measured pressure slope. The measured pressure slope is evaluated to determine whether an increasing pressure slope, a stabilizing pressure slope, or a declining pressure slope exists to determine whether and when to apply a subsequent IIFRS. The result is increasing a volume of the dominate fracture due to efficient dominate fracturing with generated back pressure until a first maximum fracturing rate is reached.

Abstract: Methods including introducing a high-viscosity treatment fluid into a subterranean formation through an opening and applying incrementally increased fracturing rate steps (IIFRSs) to create or enhance a dominate fracture, wherein between each IIFRS a downhole pressure slope over time will increase, decline, or stabilize at a HVTF measured pressure slope. Further evaluating the HVTF measured pressure slope prior to applying a subsequent IIFRS. Performing a particulate sequence transport operation with a first, second, and third low-viscosity treatment fluid (LVTF), wherein the LVTFs collectively create or enhance at least one near-wellbore secondary azimuth fracture and at least one far-field secondary azimuth fracture extending from the dominate fracture, and further propping the dominate fracture, near-wellbore, and far-field secondary azimuth fractures with the particulates.

Abstract: An intelligent controls system for remotely monitoring and controlling a chemical process is disclosed. The system comprises a piece of remote field equipment for performing the chemical process, a user device, a server, and program codes to perform the steps of establishing an equipment-server and a client-server connection, receiving a set of chemical process input parameters and a set of desired chemical process output parameters, controlling a set of chemical process control parameters to achieve the desired chemical process output parameters, and providing an interface to allow an operator to manually control and/or manually override the set of chemical process control parameters. The controls system allows any piece of remote field equipment for performing complex chemical processing to be monitored, controlled, and operated remotely. A large array of distributed field equipment situated around the world can all be controlled primarily through a single interface provided in a central control center.