Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing fluorescent signals generated by biomarkers are described. This serves to increase the accuracy of results when the biomarkers are used for the detection and diagnosis of physiological conditions, such as organ function and plasma volume.

Abstract: A method for measuring, adjusting and maintaining the level of blood volume in a patient is described. A blood volume expander composition includes, in combination, a standard unmodified protein, colloid or crystalloid and a fluorescently-labeled protein, colloid or crystalloid of approximately the same molecular weight. The use of blood volume expanders to measure, adjust and maintain the level of blood volume in a patient also is described.

Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule.

Abstract: A method of controlling cooling water treatment may involve measuring operating data of one or more downstream heat exchangers that receive cooling water from the cooling tower. For example, the inlet and outlet temperatures of both the hot and cold streams of a downstream heat exchanger may be measured. Data from the streams passing through the heat exchanger may be used to determine a heat transfer efficiency for the heat exchanger. The heat transfer efficiency can be trended over a period of time and changes in the trend detected to identify cooling water fouling issues. Multiple potential causes of the perceived fouling issues can be evaluated to determine a predicted cause. A chemical additive selected to reduce, eliminate, or otherwise control the cooling water fouling can be controlled based on the predicted cause of the fouling.

Abstract: A method for measuring, adjusting and maintaining the level of blood volume in a patient is described. A blood volume expander composition includes, in combination, a standard umodified protein, colloid or crystalloid and a fluorescently-labeled protein colloid or crystalloid of approximately the same molecular weight. The use of blood volume expander to measure, adjust and maintain the level of blood volume in a patient also is described.

Abstract: An arrangement for evacuating persons from an elevator car includes a tread element, which tread element delimits a lower end of an evacuation passage of the elevator car, and a walkway having a first end, wherein the walkway can be fixed, preferably hooked, on the tread element by the first end. The arrangement includes at least one rung that can be fixed above the tread element, wherein the rung is usable as a tread step and the first end of the walkway can alternatively be fixed or hooked on the rung instead of on the tread element.

Abstract: A method of controlling cooling water treatment at a cooling tower may involve measuring operating data of one or more downstream heat exchangers that receive cooling water from the cooling tower. For example, the inlet and outlet temperatures of both the hot and cold streams of a downstream heat exchanger may be measured, optionally along with a flow rate of the cooling water stream passing through the heat exchanger. Data from the streams passing through the heat exchanger may be used to determine a heat transfer efficiency for the heat exchanger. The heat transfer efficiency can be trended over a period of time and changes in the trend detected to identify cooling water fouling issues. A chemical additive selected to reduce, eliminate, or otherwise control the cooling water fouling can be controlled based on the changes in heat transfer efficiency detected at the downstream heat exchanger.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing fluorescent signals generated by biomarkers are described. This serves to increase the accuracy of results when the biomarkers are used for the detection and diagnosis of physiological conditions, such as organ function and plasma volume.

Abstract: Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) have been used as surfactants in a wide variety of household products and industrial applications. Despite their effectiveness as surfactants, NPEs can accumulate in the environment and adversely affect aquatic organisms. The dispersants of the present disclosure can be used to disperse oil and/or microbes while avoiding the adverse effects of NPEs. Oil and microbial fouling is of particular concern in refinery cooling towers where the water may be contaminated with oil and microbial growth can cause cooling inefficiencies among other problems. The dispersant may include an oil dispersant comprising a C6-C20 alcohol ethoxylate, a bio-dispersant comprising a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and 2-butoxyethanol. The oil dispersant, the bio-dispersant, and the 2-butoxyethanol form a dispersant solution, and the solution does not include a nonylphenol ethoxylate.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing fluorescent signals generated by biomarkers are described. This serves to increase the accuracy of results when the biomarkers are used for the detection and diagnosis of physiological conditions, such as organ function and plasma volume.

Abstract: Methods of measurement of biometric indicators in a mammalian subject are described. Biometric indicators of interest include hematocrit, plasma volume, volume of distribution, and glomerular filtration rate. The methods are especially applicable to subjects with rapid blood loss and to subjects with unstable hematocrits. Hematocrit may be measured by administering an injectate with a dynamic fluorescent marker and a static fluorescent marker, or a single static marker with two fluorescent tags, into the vascular system of the subject, and monitoring the emission intensities of the markers or fluorescent tags over a period of time. Hematocrit may then be calculated using a calibrated spectrometric analyzer by determining the raw ratio of the markers at T0, calculating the apparent hematocrit, and applying a correction factor.

Abstract: Methods of measurement of biometric indicators in a mammalian subject are described. Biometric indicators of interest include hematocrit, plasma volume, volume of distribution, and glomerular filtration rate. The methods are especially applicable to subjects with rapid blood loss and to subjects with unstable hematocrits. Hematocrit may be measured by administering an injectate with a dynamic fluorescent marker and a static fluorescent marker, or a single static marker with two fluorescent tags, into the vascular system of the subject, and monitoring the emission intensities of the markers or fluorescent tags over a period of time. Hematocrit may then be calculated using a calibrated spectrometric analyzer by determining the raw ratio of the markers at T0, calculating the apparent hematocrit, and applying a correction factor.

Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule.

Abstract: A tool for both perforating a well casing in a hydrocarbon formation and for subsequently fracturing the formation. The tool allows not only perforation and fracking, but in a preferred embodiment allows both perforation of the casing and fracking of the formation without having to further reposition the tool within the wellbore. The tool comprises a cylindrical member having thereon an upper and lower seal member and a longitudinal bore therein, and a cooperating piston which operates a punch to perforate the well casing. A flushing port is provided immediately uphole of the upper seal member, which port when said tool is lowered downhole allows fluid flowing up a longitudinal channel to flush an annular region immediately uphole of said upper seal, thereby greatly reducing the incidence of sand impaction and thereby better allow the tool to be moved uphole for further perforation and fluid injection into the formation.

Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule.

Abstract: A method for measuring, adjusting and maintaining the level of blood volume in a patient is described. A blood volume expander composition includes, in combination, a standard umodified protein, colloid or crystalloid and a fluorescently-labeled protein colloid or crystalloid of approximately the same molecular weight. The use of blood volume expander to measure, adjust and maintain the level of blood volume in a patient also is described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing fluorescent signals generated by biomarkers are described. This serves to increase the accuracy of results when the biomarkers are used for the detection and diagnosis of physiological conditions, such as organ function and plasma volume.

Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule.

Abstract: A combined perforating and fracking tool, and method for using same, for perforating a hydrocarbon well casing and for subsequently fracturing the formation while maintaining the tool in situ. The combined perforating and fracking tool comprises, in a preferred embodiment, a series of connected cylinders arranged to be disposed in a well casing, each of the cylinders comprising a cooperating piston whereby a magnification of hydraulic force is generated. The series of pistons operate to actuate a punch assembly disposed at a downhole end of the series of connected cylinders to perforate the casing. A fluid injection port, in operation with at least one sealing member disposed at each end of the series of connected cylinders, allows fluid to be diverted into the formation through the perforations created in the well casing to induce fracturing in the formation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pusher centrifuge comprising a screen drum rotatable about an axis of rotation for separating a mixture into a solid cake and into a liquid phase, and a pusher base apparatus arranged in the screen drum which is arranged movable to and fro alternately in a first pushing direction and a second pushing direction along the axis of rotation so that the solid cake can be alternately displaced along the axis of rotation. The mixture is introduced into a first empty space or into a second empty space by means of a feed device, which first empty space is established on a displacement of the solid cake by the pusher base apparatus in the first pushing direction and the second empty space is established on a displacement of the solid cake by the pusher base apparatus in the pushing direction opposite to the first pushing direction.