Abstract: Aromatic carboxylic acids are produced by reacting a Lewis acid: CO2 complex with aromatic hydrocarbons. The complex can be created by incubating a Strong Lewis acid and CO2 and forming a composition consisting essentially of CO2, strong Lewis acid, and Lewis acid: CO2 complex. Carboxylation of aromatic hydrocarbons to produce aromatic carboxylic acids using the composition and method in accordance with this invention provides improved yields without the use of finely divided aluminum or zinc.

Abstract: A composition includes water; at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function as described above. The hydrophilic polymer and the saccharide are mixed to form a reaction mixture and reacted to increase the viscosity of the reaction mixture. The reaction is then substantially terminated by reducing the pH of the composition.

Abstract: A process to produce N-vinylformamide includes the steps of: reacting hydroxyethyl formamide with a reactant comprising at least one cyclic anhydride group to form an ester, and dissociating the ester via heat in a thin film evaporation to synthesize N-vinylformamide and a compound comprising at least one diacid group, the N-vinylformamide separating from the diacid during the thin film evaporation. The reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group can, for example, be succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, (2-docecen-1-yl)succinic anhydride, exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6 -tetrahydrophthalic anhydride or a polymer including at least one cyclic anhydride group.

Abstract: A biodegradable and biocompatible polyurethane composition synthesized by reacting isocyanate groups of at least one multifunctional isocyanate compound with at least one bioactive agent having at least one reactive group —X which is a hydroxyl group (—OH) or an amine group (—NH2). The polyurethane composition is biodegradable within a living organism to biocompatible degradation products including the bioactive agent. Preferably, the released bioactive agent affects at least one of biological activity or chemical activity in the host organism. A biodegradable polyurethane composition includes hard segments and soft segments. Each of the hard segments is preferably derived from a diurea diol or a diester diol and is preferably biodegradable into biomolecule degradation products or into biomolecule degradation products and a biocompatible diol. Another biodegradable polyurethane composition includes hard segments and soft segments.

Abstract: A system and method of enhancing the viewing experience of at least one viewer of a broadcast presentation by displaying, in a background layer of a single-window, layered display, a broadcast presentation, and for displaying, in at least a second layer of the layered display, at least one overlay having a substantially transparent background and having at least one overlay having a plurality of user-selectable multi-media tools, for manipulating the overlay by adding user-prepared enhancements to be viewed in connection with the broadcast presentation. The system may also transmit the user-prepared enhancements to all of viewers of the broadcast presentation over a computer network, where they are displayed on display devices associated with each viewer of the broadcast presentation.

Abstract: In a peer-to-peer multi-media communication network, a system for controlling a broadcast viewing experience of one user (second user) by a first user. Each user has access to a user workstation including at least an input device and a display device. The second user's workstation includes a storage device for storing at least user input for controlling a display on a display device coupled to the second user workstation. The first user workstation includes a dynamic display controller, responsive to an input device on the first user workstation, for receiving input from the first user workstation and for transmitting the user input to at least the second user workstation. The user input received by the second user workstation controls the display on the second user workstation display device.

Abstract: A system for recovery of metals from solutions containing dissolved metals. The system includes an apparatus and method for placing supercritical carbon dioxide that contains an extractant in contact with the solution and agitating the two resulting phases. Once the metals are extracted by the extractant, they can be removed from the carbon dioxide phase by depressurization or by reduction by exposure to hydrogen. The extractant preferably comprises a metal binding group, a spacer group and a C02-philic group.

Abstract: A method for coating a metal surface, comprising: applying a solution comprising an amide thiol compound and a solvent to a metal surface, allowing the thiol compound to self assemble on the surface, and removing excess thiol compound from the surface. The amide thiol compound is preferably a fluoralkyl amide thiol and more preferably one having the general formula F(CF2)nCONH(CH2)nSH, where n and m are each 2-20. The solution can be sprayed onto the metal surface, or the metal surface can be dipped into the solution. The surface should be kept wet for a time period sufficient to allow the thiol molecules to self assemble on the metal surface.