Abstract: There is provided a method of processing at least one data message using a computing device having at least a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device, the method including: retrieving from the memory and providing on the display device a number of operation icons each representing at least one operation to be performed on data; enabling a user of the computing device to select and arrange at least some of the operation icons on the display device using the input device; enabling the user to arrange graphical links between the selected operation icons to define the flow of data between the selected operation icons, wherein the selected operation icons and the graphical links together form a graphical representation of a process to be performed on the data message; enabling the user to specify at least one of the operation icons in the graphical representation as a transaction boundary node; defining at least one transaction region extending over part or all or the graphical representation

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive context information specifying dimensional criteria defining a first value in a first data source. A context transfer to a second value in a second data source is generated based upon the dimensional criteria. The context transfer is performed in accordance with a translation model with a translation map for mapping between multiple data sources. The second value is supplied.

Abstract: A communications system incorporates a transmitter a receiver. The transmitter includes an infrared light emitting diode (LED). The LED output is positive or negative luminescence, i.e. above or below an equilibrium background intensity level respectively, according to the polarity of its bias signal. The receiver contains a lens to focus light from the LED onto a diode detector, from which signals pass to an amplifier, decoder and printer. Output signals from the LED have an average intensity equal to the equilibrium background intensity level and a frequency greater than 100 Hz or byte rate greater than 100 bytes/sec. They are not discernible by conventional thermal infrared imagers with frame rates of 50 Hz or less because integration in such an imager renders them indistinguishable from background.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that are particularly suited for creating a seal in a borehole annulus. In one embodiment, an outer surface 10s of an expandable conduit 10 is provided with a formation 20 that includes an elastomeric material (e.g. a rubber) that can expand and/or swell when the material comes into contact with an actuating agent (e.g. water, brine, drilling fluid etc.). The expandable conduit 10 is located inside a second conduit (e.g. a pre-installed casing, liner or open borehole) and radially expanded. The actuating agent can be naturally occurring in the borehole or can be injected or pumped therein to expand or swell the elastomeric material to create the seal.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound of formula (A), (B) or (C): wherein P is H, CH3 or a hydroxyl protecting group; X is O, a protected ketone, OH, a protected hydroxyl group or H; Y is OH, a protected hydroxyl group or H; W is C(CH3)OH, C(CH3)(C(CH3)3)OH or COCH3; Z is C2-C10 alkyl or C2-C10 arylalkyl; and ? is a single bond or a double bond, is disclosed. The process is a reductive alkylation in the presence of hydrogen and a reductive alkylation catalyst.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that are particularly suited for creating a seal in a borehole annulus. In one embodiment, an outer surface 10s of an expandable conduit 10 is provided with a formation 20 that includes an elastomeric material (e.g. a rubber) that can expand and/or swell when the material comes into contact with an actuating agent (e.g. water, brine, drilling fluid etc.). The expandable conduit 10 is located inside a second conduit (e.g. a pre-installed casing, liner or open borehole) and radially expanded. The actuating agent can be naturally occurring in the borehole or can be injected or pumped therein to expand or swell the elastomeric material to create the seal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that are particularly suited for creating a seal in a borehole annulus. In one embodiment, an outer surface 10s of an expandable conduit 10 is provided with a formation 20 that includes an elastomeric material (e.g. a rubber) that can expand and/or swell when the material comes into contact with an actuating agent (e.g. water, brine, drilling fluid etc). The expandable conduit 10 is located inside a second conduit (e.g. a pre-installed casing, liner or open borehole) and radially expanded. The actuating agent can be naturally occurring in the borehole or can be injected or pumped therein to expand or swell the elastomeric material to create the seal.

Abstract: A system for capturing the context of, and translating, or mapping, from data in an originating database presentation, or in an originating format, to data in a target database presentation, or target format. The translation uses the context of the originating report/query in terms of the originating database as a basis for the translation. The originating context is translated to the target context and is used to accurately map data from one presentation to another. By using a context and a translation map, which define specifics of the translation between contexts against different data sources, the invention is able to achieve a mapping engine that can efficiently map data between databases of different types. The translation map includes rules set automatically by the system, or set by a human administrator. The rules permit special treatment of different mapping scenarios.

Abstract: A pipe expansion device having an expansion cone tapering in forward direction, a cone-guide, an actuator for displacing the expansion cone and the elongated cone-guide relative to each other, a retrievable end anchor, and a middle anchor joined to the expansion cone.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for mapping data from one presentation to another includes capturing and transmitting the context of an original report based on an originating data source such that it preserves the organization of the query and variable levels of context “fidelity”. The context of the originating report is translated in terms of the originating data source to a target context for presentation of a target report based on a target data source. The translation of different mapping scenarios is controlled in accordance with a translation model with a translation map.

Abstract: A method for automating a process includes the following steps: providing a user interface which graphically presents a plurality of icons to a user, wherein each icon represents an operation step having at least one input and at least one output; enabling the user to select one or more of the icons; enabling the user to form connections between the selected icons to represent data flow between the operation steps represented by the icons; and generating computer instructions for executing the operation steps corresponding to the selected icons, and in accordance with the connections, in such a way that each operation step can only be executed when data is present at all of its inputs, and cannot be executed when data is absent at any one of its inputs.

Abstract: A system is provided for expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation. The system includes an expander arranged to expand the tubular element by virtue of axial movement of the expander through the tubular element, an activating system for inducing the expander to move through the tubular element, the activating system including at least one activating tool, and a control system for controlling the activating system, including a remote control unit and for each activating tool a respective controller. The remote control unit is arranged to transmit an acoustic signal to an acoustic conductor selected from the tubular element and another elongate member extending into the borehole, each controller being arranged to receive the acoustic signal from the acoustic conductor and to control the corresponding activating tool upon receipt of the acoustic signal.

Abstract: A multi-layer semiconductor diode having a layer of wide bandgap material located between the active layer and a first contact zone, where the active layer and additional wide bandgap layer are of one dopant type, and the first contact zone is of the opposite dopant type. A specific embodiment of the invention comprises a stack formed from a first contact zone (4) of p-type material, a lightly doped p-type active layer (2), an additional p layer (20) and a second contact zone (6) of n-type material. The diode may be used as an infrared detector or a negative luminescent source.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that are particularly suited for creating a seal in a borehole annulus. In one embodiment, an outer surface 10s of an expandable conduit (10) is provided with a formation (20) that includes an elastomeric material (e.g. a rubber) that can expand and/or swell when the material comes into contact with an actuating agent (e.g. water, brine, drilling fluid etc.). The expandable conduit (10) is located inside a second conduit (e.g. a pre-installed casing, liner or open borehole) and radially expanded. The actuating agent can be naturally occurring in the borehole or can be injected or pumped therein to expand or swell the elastomeric material to create the seal.

Abstract: A multi-layer semiconductor diode having a layer of wide bandgap material located between the active layer and a first contact zone, where the active layer and additional wide bandgap layer are of one dopant type, and the first contact zone is of the opposite dopant type. A specific embodiment of the invention comprises a stack formed from a first contact zone (4) of p-type material, a lightly doped p-type active layer (2), an additional p layer (20) and a second contact zone (6) of n-type material. The diode may be used as an infrared detector or a negative luminescent source.

Abstract: A system for capturing the context of, and translating, or mapping, from data in an originating database presentation, or in an originating format, to data in a target database presentation, or target format. The translation uses the context of the originating report/query in terms of the originating database as a basis for the translation. The originating context is translated to the target context and is used to accurately map data from one presentation to another. By using a context and a translation map, which define specifics of the translation between contexts against different data sources, the invention is able to achieve a mapping engine that can efficiently map data between databases of different types. The translation map includes rules set automatically by the system, or set by a human administrator. The rules permit special treatment of different mapping scenarios.

Abstract: An infrared optical system incorporates a lens for imaging a remote scene onto a detector within a cold shield. Stray radiation incident on the detector is reduced by an optical stop in the form of a light emitting diode producing negative luminescence. The LED emits less radiation than background, and contributes less to the detector photon noise than an optical stop not exhibiting negative luminescence.