Abstract: This invention relates to isolated polypeptides that are glucagon-receptor selective analogs and peptide derivatives thereof. These analogs are selective for human glucagon receptor with improved solubility, thermal stability, and physicochemical properties as compared to native endogenous glucagon. This invention also relates to methods of using such polypeptides in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic indications, as well as methods of producing such polypeptides. These analogs are useful, alone or in combination with other therapeutic peptides, in methods of treating obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and other disorders or disease.

Abstract: A lighting system may be for a vehicle cup holder installed in a vehicle. The lighting system may include a first inductive member to be positioned adjacent a back side of the vehicle cup holder, and a first controller configured to inductively couple power and command signals through the first inductive member. The lighting system may also include a lighting device to be positioned adjacent a front side of the vehicle cup holder. The lighting device, in turn, may include a second inductive member configured for inductive coupling with the first inductive member, at least one light, and a second controller configured to operate the at least one light based upon power and command signals inductively coupled to the second inductive member from the first inductive member.

Abstract: An accent lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a light module and a transmitter. The light module includes a first inductive member and a diffuser that extends along a periphery of the light module so as to collect and distribute light generated by the light module. The transmitter includes a second inductive member that is configured for electromagnetic communication with the first inductive member so as to create current in the first inductive member and thereby power the light module.

Abstract: A lighting system may be for a vehicle cup holder installed in a vehicle. The lighting system may include a first inductive member to be positioned adjacent a back side of the vehicle cup holder, and a first controller configured to inductively couple power and command signals through the first inductive member. The lighting system may also include a lighting device to be positioned adjacent a front side of the vehicle cup holder. The lighting device, in turn, may include a second inductive member configured for inductive coupling with the first inductive member, at least one light, and a second controller configured to operate the at least one light based upon power and command signals inductively coupled to the second inductive member from the first inductive member.

Abstract: A method for evaluating solid drilling fluid additives such as lost cuttings materials (LCM) includes acquiring a calibrated digital image of solid particles separated from drilling fluid circulating in a wellbore. The calibrated digital image is processed to identify individual ones of the solid particles depicted in the image. Color features and/or texture features are extracted from the identified solid particles depicted in the image. The extracted color and/or texture features are processed to identify LCM particles among the identified solid particles and to classify each of the identified LCM particles into one of a plurality of LCM classes and thereby obtain an LCM particle classification.

Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting assembly includes a roof structure, a headliner and a light source. The roof structure has a lower surface portion located inboard of the outer periphery. The headliner is supported to the outer periphery of vehicle roof structure. The headliner has a central opening defined by an inner edge portion of the headliner. The opening exposes a portion of the roof structure. The inner edge portion of the headliner is spaced apart from the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that a gap is defined between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner. The light source is installed to the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that when the light source is illuminated, light is emitted through the gap between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner.

Abstract: An accent lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a light module and a transmitter. The light module includes a first inductive member and a diffuser that extends along a periphery of the light module so as to collect and distribute light generated by the light module. The transmitter includes a second inductive member that is configured for electromagnetic communication with the first inductive member so as to create current in the first inductive member and thereby power the light module.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a plurality of silica nanoparticles suspended in the first aqueous base fluid. The nanoparticles are present in the fluid in an amount to have an effect of decreasing a crystallization temperature by at least 4 to 55° F. as compared to a second aqueous base fluid without the silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: A multi-function therapeutic system comprising a housing having a top portion having a first radiation therapy unit mounted therein for generating and applying light energy to a person, a bottom portion including a hydrogen therapy unit for supplying hydrogen to the person, and an intermediate bed portion disposed between the top portion and bottom portion. The intermediate bed portion includes an electromagnetic therapy unit for generating and applying electromagnetic energy to the person. The system can also include a vibration therapy unit associated with one or more of the bottom portion and the intermediate bed portion for generating and applying vibrational energy to the person, and a control unit for controlling the first radiation therapy unit, the hydrogen therapy unit, the electromagnetic therapy unit, and the sound therapy unit.

Abstract: A vehicle interior lighting assembly includes a roof structure, a headliner and a light source. The roof structure has a lower surface portion located inboard of the outer periphery. The headliner is supported to the outer periphery of vehicle roof structure. The headliner has a central opening defined by an inner edge portion of the headliner. The opening exposes a portion of the roof structure. The inner edge portion of the headliner is spaced apart from the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that a gap is defined between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner. The light source is installed to the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that when the light source is illuminated, light is emitted through the gap between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a plurality of nanoparticles suspended in the aqueous base fluid. The nanoparticles are present in the wellbore fluid in an amount effective to have an effect of increasing the density by at least 0.2 lb/gal.

Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes pumping an oleaginous wellbore fluid into a wellbore, the oleaginous wellbore fluid including an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase; an emulsifier stabilizing the non-oleaginous discontinuous phase in the oleaginous continuous phase; an organophilic clay; a weighting agent; and a wetting agent having an HLB ranging from about 4 to 10.5 that it selected such that the oleaginous wellbore fluid has a 600 rpm dial value at 40° F. of less than about 300 and a 10 minute gel strength of less than about 40 lbf/100 ft2.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid may include an oleaginous fluid forming a continuous phase; a non-oleaginous fluid forming a discontinuous phase; at least one emulsifier stabilizing an emulsion of the non-oleaginous continuous phase within the oleaginous continuous phase; and at least one viscosifier dispersed into the oleaginous continuous phase in a concentration of at least 4 ppb; wherein upon subjecting the wellbore fluid to shear rate of at least 10,000 s?1, the emulsion is disrupted and the non-oleaginous fluid contacts the at least one viscosifier, thereby solidifying the wellbore fluid.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a plurality of silica nanoparticles suspended in the first aqueous base fluid. The nanoparticles are present in the fluid in an amount to have an effect of decreasing a crystallization temperature by at least 4 to 55° F. as compared to a second aqueous base fluid without the silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid may include an oleaginous fluid forming a continuous phase; a non-oleaginous fluid forming a discontinuous phase; at least one emulsifier stabilizing an emulsion of the non-oleaginous continuous phase within the oleaginous continuous phase; and at least one viscosifier dispersed into the oleaginous continuous phase in a concentration of at least 4 ppb; wherein upon subjecting the wellbore fluid to shear rate of at least 10,000 s?1, the emulsion is disrupted and the non-oleaginous fluid contacts the at least one viscosifier, thereby solidifying the wellbore fluid.

Abstract: A method of sealing a formation that includes drilling a wellbore through the formation while pumping a non-aqueous based wellbore fluid comprising a first sealing component into the wellbore, wherein the non-aqueous based wellbore fluid filters into the formation as a filtrate and substantially thickens is disclosed. The substantially thickening may result from adding a second sealing component to the wellbore fluid, whereby the first sealing component initiates a reaction of the second sealing component.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a plurality of silica nanoparticles suspended in the first aqueous base fluid. The nanoparticles are present in the fluid in an amount to have an effect of decreasing a crystallization temperature by at least 4 to 55° F. as compared to a second aqueous base fluid without the silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: A bleeding device (1, 100) for bleeding air from a hydraulic system, which includes a bleed screw (2, 102) and a bleeding needle (3, 103) for unseating the bleed screw (2, 102) to enable any air trapped within the system to be bled. The bleed screw (2, 102) is receivable within a threaded bleed port (41) in a component of the system, such as a brake caliper (4). The bleed screw (2, 102) includes a socket (28, 128), a conical sealing face (27) and a radial fluid passage (24) between the sealing face (27) and the socket (28, 128). The bleed needle (3, 103) includes a plug (34, 134) for releasable engaging receipt within the socket (28, 128) of the valve member and a fluid passageway (31) which is in fluid communication with the radial fluid passage (24) of the bleed screw (2) when the plug (34, 134) is received within the socket (28, 128).

Abstract: A brake caliper (1) including a caliper body (2) with a pair of spaced limbs (3), a pair of end bridging members (4) each joining together a respective end of each limb (3) and an intermediate bridging portion (5) between the bridging members (4) and joining together a respective intermediate portion of each limb (3). Each limb (3) includes a hydraulic circuit (30) including fluidly connected hydraulic cylinders (31a, 31b, 31c) within which respective pistons (6a, 6b, 6c) are received. The hydraulic circuits (30) are fluidly connected together by a fluid channel (7). Part of the fluid channel (7) is formed in the intermediate bridging portion (5) and extends diagonally across the space between the limbs (3) and between the bridging members (4).

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, embodiments herein provide a traffic light power management system comprising a power source, a first output, a service bypass unit and a power management unit. The service bypass unit is configured to receive AC power from the power source, convert the AC power to a first DC power in a first mode of operation, provide the first DC power to the first output in the first mode of operation, and provide the AC power to a power management unit in a second mode of operation. The power management unit is coupled to the service bypass unit, and is configured to receive the AC power from the service bypass unit in the second mode of operation, convert the AC power to a second DC power in the second mode of operation, and provide the DC power to the first output in the second mode of operation.