Abstract: A virtual market system is used to rank-order answers to an open-ended question. A virtual market on which participants can trade securities representing answers to the open-ended question is used to gather information from the participants regarding each answer. Answers to be traded on the market may be provided by the participants, allowing for opinions to be expressed not only as to the relative worth of the securities on the market, but also as to which securities should be on the market.

Abstract: Circuit arrangements and methods are provided for regulating and maintaining voltage on bitlines of a semiconductor memory device. According to one embodiment, first and second regulation devices are connected to a charging circuit. At the beginning of a charging period, voltage on the bitlines is regulated with the second regulation device as the bitlines are initially charged to a voltage. After initially charging the bitlines to the voltage, voltage on the bitlines is regulated with the first regulation device that also limits current to the bitlines when there is a leakage anomaly associated with the bitlines. According to another embodiment, a charging circuit that is connected to sense nodes of a sense amplifier while the sense nodes are connected to the bitlines is activated so that the charging circuit assists in charging the bitlines at the beginning of a charging period.

Abstract: We disclose a method for converting toluene to xylenes, comprising contacting toluene with methanol in the presence of a silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst. As an example, in one embodiment the method can include: (i) first silylating HZSM-5, to form silylated HZSM-5; (ii) first calcining the silylated HZSM-5, to form calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iii) binding the calcined silylated HZSM-5 to silica, to form silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iv) extruding the silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (v) second calcining the extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5; (vi) second silylating the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5; and (vii) third calcining the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5, to form the silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst.

Abstract: We disclose a method for preparing a catalyst for converting toluene to xylenes.

Abstract: Circuit arrangements and methods are provided for regulating and maintaining voltage on bitlines of a semiconductor memory device. According to one embodiment, first and second regulation devices are connected to a charging circuit. At the beginning of a charging period, voltage on the bitlines is regulated with the second regulation device as the bitlines are initially charged to a voltage. After initially charging the bitlines to the voltage, voltage on the bitlines is regulated with the first regulation device that also limits current to the bitlines when there is a leakage anomaly associated with the bitlines. According to another embodiment, a charging circuit that is connected to sense nodes of a sense amplifier while the sense nodes are connected to the bitlines is activated so that the charging circuit assists in charging the bitlines at the beginning of a charging period.

Abstract: Regulatory T cells (Treg) limit autoimmunity but can also attenuate the magnitude of anti-pathogen and anti-tumor immunity. Understanding the mechanism of Treg function and therapeutic manipulation of Treg in vivo requires identification of Treg selective receptors. A comparative analysis of gene expression arrays from antigen specific CD4+ T cells differentiating to either an effector/memory or a regulatory phenotype revealed Treg selective expression of LAG-3 (CD223), a CD4-related molecule that binds MHC class II. LAG-3 expression on CD4+ T cells correlates with the cells' in vitro suppressor activity, and ectopic expression of LAG-3 on CD4 T cells confers suppressor activity on the T cells. Antibodies to LAG-3 inhibit suppression both in vitro and in vivo. LAG-3 marks regulatory T cell populations and contributes to their suppressor activity.

Abstract: We disclose a method for converting toluene to xylenes, comprising contacting toluene with methanol in the presence of a silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst. As an example, in one embodiment the method can include: (i) first silylating HZSM-5, to form silylated HZSM-5; (ii) first calcining the silylated HZSM-5, to form calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iii) binding the calcined silylated HZSM-5 to silica, to form silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iv) extruding the silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (v) second calcining the extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5; (vi) second silylating the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5; and (vii) third calcining the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5, to form the silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst.

Abstract: We disclose a method for converting toluene to xylenes, comprising contacting toluene with methanol in the presence of a silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst. As an example, in one embodiment the method can include: (i) first silylating HZSM-5, to form silylated HZSM-5; (ii) first calcining the silylated HZSM-5, to form calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iii) binding the calcined silylated HZSM-5 to silica, to form silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iv) extruding the silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (v) second calcining the extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5; (vi) second silylating the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5; and (vii) third calcining the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5, to form the silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst.

Abstract: We disclose a method for converting toluene to xylenes, comprising contacting toluene with methanol in the presence of a silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst. As an example, in one embodiment the method can include: (i) first silylating HZSM-5, to form silylated HZSM-5; (ii) first calcining the silylated HZSM-5, to form calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iii) binding the calcined silylated HZSM-5 to silica, to form silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iv) extruding the silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (v) second calcining the extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5; (vi) second silylating the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5; and (vii) third calcining the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5, to form the silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst.

Abstract: A process belt and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The belt includes at least one elongated resilient coupling filament operatively connected to a first end section of the belt and to a second end section of the belt such that the first end section, the second end section and a body portion of the belt are substantially continuous with one another. The belt is configured to operatively engage a board processing machine configured to process a board stock or other paper product.

Abstract: We disclose a method for converting toluene to xylenes, comprising contacting toluene with methanol in the presence of a silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst. As an example, in one embodiment the method can include: (i) first silylating HZSM-5, to form silylated HZSM-5; (ii) first calcining the silylated HZSM-5, to form calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iii) binding the calcined silylated HZSM-5 to silica, to form silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (iv) extruding the silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5; (v) second calcining the extruded silica-bound calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5; (vi) second silylating the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined silylated HZSM-5, to form extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5; and (vii) third calcining the extruded silica-bound twice-calcined twice-silylated HZSM-5, to form the silica-bound HZSM-5 catalyst.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process comprising contacting a hydrocarbon stream such as, for example, gasoline, with a catalyst composition to effect the conversion of the hydrocarbon to olefins and C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylenes. The catalyst composition comprises a zeolite, a promoter and optionally a binder.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising a nitrided and sulfided composition comprising a cobalt compound, a molybdenum compound, and an inorganic oxide compound. The catalyst composition is made by contacting a cobalt compound and a molybdenum compound with an inorganic oxide compound and then nitriding and sulfiding the Co/Mo-modified catalyst. The catalyst composition is used to hydrodesulfurize a heavy hydrocarbon feed containing organic sulfur compounds and aromatic compounds.

Abstract: A process is provided for upgrading an oligomerization product through hydrogenation and isomerization with some selective/minor cracking resulting in a synthetic lube base oil with improved pour point and viscosity index. The upgrading process includes contacting the oligomerization product with a hydrogenation catalyst and an isomerization catalyst under conversion conditions, which include the presence of hydrogen and a temperature sufficient to promote hydrogenation and isomerization with some selective/minor cracking. The hydrogenation catalyst contains a porous carrier material and a group VIII metal while the isomerization catalyst contains an aluminosilicate zeolite.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of syngas by contact of syngas under conversion conditions with catalyst having as components zinc oxide, copper oxide, aluminum oxide, Y zeolite and clay in which (A) in a one step process for conversion of syngas to dimethyl ether, the catalyst has as components an extruded mixture of zinc oxide, copper oxide, gamma aluminum oxide, Y zeolite and clay; (B) in a two step process for conversion of syngas to light olefins, a catalyst system is employed that has in the first step a catalyst mixture of zinc oxide, copper oxide, aluminum oxide, Y zeolite and clay and the catalyst employed in the second step is SAPO-34; SAPO-34 modified with lanthanum(III) nitrate hexahydrate; SAPO-34 modified with magnesium nitrate hexahydrate; SAPO-34 modified with tributyl borate or SAPO-34 modified with triethyl phosphate or (C) in a two step process for conversion of syngas to light olefins, the pressure on the effluent from the contact of syngas with a mixture of zinc oxide, copper oxide, aluminum

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating a C9+ aromatic compound such as, for example, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon such as a xylene are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina, a metal oxide, a phosphorus oxide and optionally, an acid site modifier selected from the group consisting of silicon oxides, sulfur oxides, boron oxides, magnesium oxides, tin oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, molybdenum oxides, germanium oxides, indium oxides, lanthanum oxides, cesium oxides, and combinations of any two or more thereof. The process comprises contacting a fluid which comprises a C9+ aromatic compound with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C9+ aromatic compound to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for converting a hydrocarbon stream such as, for example, gasoline to C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylenes are disclosed. The catalyst composition comprises an alumina, a silica, and a metal wherein the weight ratio of aluminum to silicon is in the range of from about 0.002:1 to about 0.6:1. The process comprises contacting a hydrocarbon stream with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a hydrocarbon to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon. Also disclosed is a process for producing the catalyst composition which comprises: (1) contacting a zeolite with an effective amount of an acid under a condition sufficient to effect a reduction in aluminum content of the zeolite to produce an acid-leached zeolite; and (2) impregnating the acid-leached zeolite with an effective amount of a metal compound under a condition sufficient to effect the production of a metal-promoted zeolite.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for converting a hydrocarbon stream such as, for example, gasoline to C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylenes are disclosed. The catalyst composition includes an alumina, a silica, and a metal wherein the weight ratio of aluminum to silicon is in the range of from about 0.002:1 to about 0.6:1. The process includes contacting a hydrocarbon stream with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a hydrocarbon to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon. Also disclosed is a process for producing the catalyst composition which includes: (1) contacting a zeolite with an effective amount of an acid under a condition sufficient to effect a reduction in aluminum content of the zeolite to produce an acid-leached zeolite; and (2) impregnating the acid-leached zeolite with an effective amount of a metal compound under a condition sufficient to effect the production of a metal-promoted zeolite.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating a C9+ aromatic compound such as, for example, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon such as a xylene are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina, a metal oxide, a phosphorus oxide and optionally, an acid site modifier selected from the group consisting of silicon oxides, sulfur oxides, boron oxides, magnesium oxides, tin oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, molybdenum oxides, germanium oxides, indium oxides, lanthanum oxides, cesium oxides, and combinations of any two or more thereof. The process comprises contacting a fluid which comprises a C9+ aromatic compound with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C9+ aromatic compound to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and a process for hydrodealkylating a C9+ aromatic compound such as, for example, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon such as a xylene are disclosed. The composition comprises an alumina, a metal oxide, and a coke suppressor selected from the group consisting of silicon oxides, phosphorus oxides, boron oxides, magnesium oxides, tin oxides, titanium oxides, zirconium oxides, molybdenum oxides, germanium oxides, indium oxides, lanthanum oxides, cesium oxides, and combinations of any two or more thereof. The process comprises contacting a fluid which comprises a C9+ aromatic compound with the catalyst composition under a condition sufficient to effect the conversion of a C9+ aromatic compound to a C6 to C8 aromatic hydrocarbon.