Abstract: A quaternized alkoxylated polyethylene amine can be used in a variety of industries, including the oil and gas servicing industry, as a laundry detergent, the personal care industry, as an industrial cleaner, paint, or coating, and mining operations industry. A treatment fluid comprises: a base fluid; and the surfactant. A method of treating a subterranean formation comprises introducing the treatment fluid into a well, wherein the well penetrates the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An additive comprising: a polymeric weak acid, wherein the polymeric weak acid is in a free acid form or in a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent salt form of the polymeric weak acid, and wherein the additive converts an invert emulsion having an external phase comprising a hydrocarbon liquid to an emulsion having an external phase comprising water. The additive can be added to the invert emulsion in a dry form or included in a base fluid. The invert emulsion can include polyvalent cations. The base fluid can also include a second additive comprising polyvalent cations.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include needle-free syringe and cap assemblies and filling tub systems. One embodiment of filling tub system includes a filling tub having exterior walls and a floor. The floor is formed into a plurality of sockets configured to receive and support a plurality of cap and syringe body assemblies, with each cap and syringe assembly received in a separate socket. Furthermore, each socket is configured to receive and support a syringe and cap assembly with contact only between one or more surfaces of the socket and selected outer surfaces of the cap. Methods of pre-filling a quantity of needle-free syringes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A quaternized alkoxylated polyethylene amine can be used in a variety of industries, including the oil and gas servicing industry, as a laundry detergent, the personal care industry, as an industrial cleaner, paint, or coating, and mining operations industry. A treatment fluid comprises: a base fluid; and the surfactant. A method of treating a subterranean formation comprises introducing the treatment fluid into a well, wherein the well penetrates the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include needle-free syringe and cap assemblies and filling tub systems. One embodiment of filling tub system includes a filling tub having exterior walls and a floor. The floor is formed into a plurality of sockets configured to receive and support a plurality of cap and syringe body assemblies, with each cap and syringe assembly received in a separate socket. Furthermore, each socket is configured to receive and support a syringe and cap assembly with contact only between one or more surfaces of the socket and selected outer surfaces of the cap. Methods of pre-filling a quantity of needle-free syringes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include needle-free syringe and cap assemblies and filling tub systems. One embodiment of filling tub system includes a filling tub having exterior walls and a floor. The floor is formed into a plurality of sockets configured to receive and support a plurality of cap and syringe body assemblies, with each cap and syringe assembly received in a separate socket. Furthermore, each socket is configured to receive and support a syringe and cap assembly with contact only between one or more surfaces of the socket and selected outer surfaces of the cap. Methods of pre-filling a quantity of needle-free syringes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include needle-free syringe and cap assemblies and filling tub systems. One embodiment of filling tub system includes a filling tub having exterior walls and a floor. The floor is formed into a plurality of sockets configured to receive and support a plurality of cap and syringe body assemblies, with each cap and syringe assembly received in a separate socket. Furthermore, each socket is configured to receive and support a syringe and cap assembly with contact only between one or more surfaces of the socket and selected outer surfaces of the cap. Methods of pre-filling a quantity of needle-free syringes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vial adapter for a needle-free injection syringe and methods of filling a needle-free syringe from a vial of injectable fluid. One vial adapter embodiment includes a housing and a compliant valve. The housing includes a central divider located between a vial opening and a needle-free syringe opening. The housing also includes a hollow center post extending from the central divider toward the needle-free syringe opening and a hollow filling needle extending from the central divider toward the vial opening. Together, the filling needle and center post provide for fluid communication between the vial opening and the needle-free syringe opening. The compliant valve includes a surface forming a fluid tight seal with the central divider and an inner passageway. In addition, a syringe sealing surface provides for a fluid tight seal with a needle-free syringe placed into contact with the compliant valve.

Abstract: A vial adapter for a needle-free injection syringe and methods of filling a needle-free syringe from a vial of injectable fluid. One vial adapter embodiment includes a housing and a compliant valve. The housing includes a central divider located between a vial opening and a needle-free syringe opening. The housing also includes a hollow center post extending from the central divider toward the needle-free syringe opening and a hollow filling needle extending from the central divider toward the vial opening. Together, the filling needle and center post provide for fluid communication between the vial opening and the needle-free syringe opening. The compliant valve includes a surface forming a fluid tight seal with the central divider and an inner passageway. In addition, a syringe sealing surface provides for a fluid tight seal with a needle-free syringe placed into contact with the compliant valve.

Abstract: A technique is provided to control a downhole tool in a well. An indexer is used to adjust a downhole tool to specific positions on a plurality of positions. The indexer is actuated between settings via control fluid input. The indexer is designed such that a unique amount of control fluid is used for actuation of the indexer to each specific setting.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching a membrane to a substrate by heat-bonding the membrane to the substrate. The substrate includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a receptacle therethrough. The membrane can be a porous support structure combined with a polymeric gel. The method includes the steps of inserting a mandrel into the receptacle, placing the membrane on the substrate across the receptacle, heating the membrane and substrate, and allowing the substrate to cool to provide heat-bonded interlock between the substrate and the membrane.

Abstract: A method for processing a source digital image wherein the source digital image is comprised of a plurality of pixels. A spatial filter is applied to the source digital image to produce an enhanced digital image. An inverse spatial filter is applied to the enhanced digital image to produce an estimated digital image. A difference digital image is then produced from the estimated digital image and the source digital image, wherein the difference digital image is representative of a difference between the source digital image and the estimated digital image. The difference digital image and the enhanced digital image can be transmitted from a first device to a second device remote. At the second device, a reconstructed digital image can be generated from the difference digital image and the enhanced digital image, wherein the reconstructed digital image is substantially equivalent to the source digital image.

Abstract: A technique is provided to control a downhole tool in a well. An indexer is used to adjust a downhole tool to specific positions on a plurality of positions. The indexer is actuated between settings via control fluid input. The indexer is designed such that a unique amount of control fluid is used for actuation of the indexer to each specific setting.

Abstract: A method of generating a pulmonary nodule image from a chest radiograph. The method includes the steps of: producing a map of a clear lung field; removing low frequency variation from the clear lung field to generate a level image; and performing at least one grayscale morphological operation on the level image to generate a nodule-bone image. Pulmonary nodules can be detected using the nodule-bone image by the further steps of: pulmonary nodules from a chest radiograph. The method includes the steps of: identifying candidate nodule locations in the nodule-bone image; segmenting a region around each candidate nodule location in the nodule-bone image; and using the features of the segmented region to determine if a candidate is a nodule.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing information associated with an x-ray image recordable on an x-ray imaging plate. The apparatus includes a receiving area, a display, a replaceable rechargeable power supply, one or more non-image sensors, and a computer system. The receiving area receives the x-ray image plate or attaches the apparatus to the x-ray imaging plate. The non-image sensors collect information associated with the x-ray image recorded on the x-ray imaging plate. The computer system includes memory, and is configured to receive, measure, store, and subsequently communicate to another computer system, the collected information associated with the x-ray image recorded on the x-ray imaging plate.

Abstract: A computerized method to aid in human visual reading of phantom image data for task-based image quality assessment. A digital image is registered to a phantom template to generate a plurality of individual targets. The individual targets are sequentially displayed to a user for visual assessment. A display control adjustment is provided for each of the displayed individual targets. The user then indicates at least one assessment of the displayed individual target, and the assessments for all the plurality of targets is stored for analysis. In one arrangement, the individual targets are randomly rotated prior to being sequentially displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to specific compositions made by the sulfation of alkoxylated crude guerbet alcohol mixtures that contain between 15% and 50% lower molecular weight alkoxylated alcohols. The lower molecular weight alcohols are the raw material alcohols used to make the guerbet. Sulfated compositions made from this specific bi-modal distribution have unique emulsification properties and experience minimal chromatographic separation when used in downhole applications.

Abstract: A composite material which may be used as an electrode for a battery or other electrochemical device, or as a catalyst, has a matrix which is one or more metal carbide, metal nitride, metal boride, metal silicide or intermetallic compound. A metallic component is dispersed in the matrix. The metallic component comprises a metal and an agent which increases the melting point of the metal. The metallic component may be nanodispersed in the matrix. A specific material comprises a nanodispersion of tin, alloyed with an element which increases its melting point to at least 600° C., disposed in a matrix of a transition metal carbide or nitride. This material has very good utility as an anode material for lithium batteries. Also disclosed are other compositions as well as methods for manufacturing the compositions.

Abstract: A method is provided for attaching a membrane to a substrate by heat-bonding the membrane to the substrate. The substrate includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a receptacle therethrough. The membrane can be a porous support structure combined with a polymeric gel. The method includes the steps of inserting a mandrel into the receptacle, placing the membrane on the substrate across the receptacle, heating the membrane and substrate, and allowing the substrate to cool to provide heat-bonded interlock between the substrate and the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to specific compositions made by alkoxylation of crude guerbet alcohol mixtures that contain between 15% and 50% lower molecular weight alkoxylated alcohols. The lower molecular weight alcohols are the raw material alcohols used to make the guerbet. Compositions containing this specific bi-modal distribution have unique emulsification properties.