Abstract: The present disclosure includes a loose-cushion seat with improved lower-back support. At least one connector is applied to a loose-cushion seating unit that joins a portion of the peripheral surface of the seat cushion to a portion of the rear surface of the back cushion. The connector is removably attached to at least one of the seat cushion and the back cushion so the cushions can be detached from one another. The connector joins the cushions in such a manner that at least a portion the back cushion is pulled down to remain in close proximity with the top surface of the seat cushion when the seat cushion is depressed under the weight of a user, thereby providing improved lower-back support to the user.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of 1234yf comprising (a) contacting 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropene (1216) with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (236ea); (b) dehydrofluorinating 236ea to produce 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene (1225ye); (c) contacting 1225ye with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane (245eb); and (d) dehydrofluorinating 245eb to produce 1234yf.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of 1234yf comprising (a) contacting 1,1,2,3,3,3 hexafluoropropene (1216) with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,1,2,3,3,3 hexafluoropropane (236ea); (b) dehydrofluorinating 236ea to produce 1,2,3,3,3 -pentafluoropropene (1225ye); (c) contacting 1225 ye with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce 1,2,3,3,3 -pentafluoropropane (245eb); and (d) dehydrofluorinating (245eb) to produce (1234yf).

Abstract: An aircraft includes first and second gas turbine engines having a first component and a second component that is redundant with the first component, and an engine health monitoring system (EHMS) coupled to the first and second gas turbine engines. The EHMS is configured to calculate a remaining useful life (RUL) of the first component and of the second component, calculate a rate-of-life consumption of the first component and of the second component, predict when failure of the first component and failure of the second component will occur based on the RUL of each and based on the respective rate-of-life consumption of each, and provide instructions for altering operation of the aircraft that affects the RUL of the first or second component.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a loose-cushion seat with improved lower-back support. At least one connector is applied to a loose-cushion seating unit that joins a portion of the peripheral surface of the seat cushion to a portion of the rear surface of the back cushion. The connector is removably attached to at least one of the seat cushion and the back cushion so the cushions can be detached from one another. The connector joins the cushions in such a manner that at least a portion the back cushion is pulled down to remain in close proximity with the top surface of the seat cushion when the seat cushion is depressed under the weight of a user, thereby providing improved lower-back support to the user.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generation system for turbine engines and the like has at least one thermoelectric generator disposed proximate the turbine engine such that waste heat from the turbine engine can be converted into electricity. Vehicle performance and efficiency can be enhanced by mitigating the need for mechanically driven electric power generators, which undesirably drain power from the turbine engine thus adversely affect the vehicle's performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing accelerated payments, associated with a construction project, that are funded through a third-party funding source. The server is configured to receive, from a first participant associated with the construction project, a request for a payment for services or materials provided in connection with the construction project, the request for payment including a requested payment amount. The server also receives an approval of the request for payment based on a review of a first project metric. An accelerated payment instruction is then transmitted to the third-party funding source and a second project metric is made available to the funding source to aid their review of whether to approve funding. A funding approval is then received from the third-party funding source confirming that an accelerated payment for the requested payment amount will be funded by the third-party funding source.

Abstract: A multi-component packaging system includes a lower containing assembly, an upper containing assembly, and a cover. The lower containing assembly defines an interior cavity that is adapted to receive a first food component. The upper containing assembly defines an interior that is adapted to receive a second food component. The upper containing assembly is adapted for engagement with the lower containing assembly. The cover is engaged with at least one of the lower containing assembly and the upper containing assembly. The cover includes a passage portion that defines a plurality of apertures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing payments in a hierarchical construction project. The system selectively operates in a specified billing mode for a first invoice and for a second invoice that is related to the first invoice. The system receives invoice details from a participant associated with the payee of the invoice when not operating in the specified billing mode and receives the invoice details from a participant not associated with the payee when operating in the specified billing mode.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) comprising (a) contacting 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-difluoropropane (243db) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the presence of a zinc/chromia catalyst to produce a compound having the formula CF3CHFCH2X, wherein X is Cl or F, and (b) dehydrohalogenating the compound of formula CF3CHFCH2X to produce 1234yf.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-dichloropropane (243db), which process comprises contacting 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (1243zf) with chlorine in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises activated carbon, alumina and/or an oxide of a transition metal.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) comprising (a) contacting 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-difluoropropane (243db) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the presence of a zinc/chromia catalyst to produce a compound having the formula CF3CHFCH2X, wherein X is Cl or F, and (b) dehydrohalogenating the compound of formula CF3CHFCH2X to produce 1234yf.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) comprising (a) contacting 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-difluoropropane (243db) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the presence of a zinc/chromia catalyst to produce a compound having the formula CF3CHFCH2X, wherein X is Cl or F, and (b) dehydrohalogenating the compound of formula CF3CHFCH2X to produce 1234yf.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) comprising (a) contacting 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-difluoropropane (243db) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the presence of a zinc/chromia catalyst to produce a compound having the formula CF3CHFCH2X, wherein X is Cl or F, and (b) dehydrohalogenating the compound of formula CF3CHFCH2X to produce 1234yf.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for its preparation comprising (a) converting 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-dichloropropane (243db) to 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-chloro-prop-1-ene (CF3CCI?CH2) in the presence of a first catalyst in a first reactor, (b) contacting CF3CCI?CH2 with a fluorinating agent in the presence of a second catalyst in a second reactor to produce a compound of formula CF3CFXCH3, wherein X?Cl or F, and (c) dehydrohalogenating the compound of formula CF3CFXCH3 to produce 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf).

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a construction payment process wherein a higher degree of functionality is provided to primary users and only a limited subset of functionality is provided to sub-tier contractors. One construction of the system is configured to receive an electronically signed document and a request for payment from the sub-tier contractor. The request for payment is presented to a first primary user who is a contractual parent of the sub-tier contractor. When approval of the request for payment is received, a payment is initiated from a project payor to the sub-tier contractor. In some embodiments, the project payor is a contractual grandparent of the sub-tier contractor and a contractual parent of the first primary user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing payments in a hierarchical construction project. The system selectively operates in a specified billing mode for a first invoice and for a second invoice that is related to the first invoice. The system receives invoice details from a participant associated with the payee of the invoice when not operating in the specified billing mode and receives the invoice details from a participant not associated with the payee when operating in the specified billing mode.