Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, a mobile apparatus for identifying items. For instance, the mobile apparatus may include a frame, a basket that attaches to the frame, a tray that attaches to the frame, and a user-facing module that attaches to the frame. Weight sensors may be located beneath the basket and the tray in order to determine the weights of items added to the mobile apparatus. The user-facing module may include imaging devices, such as cameras, that the mobile apparatus uses to perform one or more functions. For example, the mobile apparatus may use the imaging devices to identify items placed within the basket, determine locations of the mobile apparatus within a facility, and/or the like. By including these components, the mobile apparatus is able to generate data that represents the items added to the mobile apparatus, the weights of the items, and the costs of the items.

Abstract: An aircraft weight and balance system includes a user interface that displays an interior layout of an aircraft with seat icons and cargo icons corresponding to seats and cargo zones onboard the aircraft. The seat and cargo icons are moveable to different locations within the interior layout, and an updated weight and center-of-gravity of the aircraft is automatically determined based on the different locations of the seat and cargo icons. An aircraft weight and balance method includes displaying an interior layout of an aircraft on a user interface including seat icons corresponding to seats onboard the aircraft, moving one or more of the seat icons to a different location within the interior layout based on a user input, determining an updated weight and center-of-gravity of the aircraft based on a current location of the seat icons, and displaying the updated weight and center-of-gravity of the aircraft on the user interface.

Abstract: A container includes a container portion and a lid portion. The container portion presents a tab rim and internal threads. The lid portion presents a plurality of flexible removable tabs disposed around its outer periphery. The tabs are adapted to engage with and interlock with the container tab rim when the lid portion is pressed down on the container. The lid portion also has helical threads that are arranged to engage the helical threads of the container portion. At least one of the set of helical threads of the container portion or the set of helical threads of the lid portion are able to flex when the lid portion is pressed down upon the container portion. A closed container may be adapted for repeated use by removing the tabs and using the threaded lid portion to open and close the container.

Abstract: A container includes a container portion and a lid portion. The container portion presents a tab rim and internal threads. The lid portion presents a plurality of flexible removable tabs disposed around its outer periphery. The tabs are adapted to engage with and interlock with the container tab rim when the lid portion is pressed down on the container. The lid portion also has helical threads that are arranged to engage the helical threads of the container portion. At least one of the set of helical threads of the container portion or the set of helical threads of the lid portion are able to flex when the lid portion is pressed down upon the container portion. A closed container may be adapted for repeated use by removing the tabs and using the threaded lid portion to open and close the container.

Abstract: Hollow wall curable and cured composite tubes for improving performance in sports shafts, lightweight applications, and lightweight structural members, are described herein and include: a constituent tube, for forming the hollow wall composite tube, that comprises an evacuable flexible core component on which to wind or braid filaments or fabric, and at least one braid filament or at least one fabric for providing a reinforcing fiber matrix for saturation with an epoxy material, spirally wrapped, applied or braided on the flexible core component. Methods for producing and using the same are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and related methods for treating fistulas such as anal or recto-vaginal fistulas, in particular by the use of a seton to secure a tissue growth promoter such as a growth factor and/or fibrin. The various devices are particularly suitable for positioning tissue growth promoters securely within a fistula. Thus, one device comprises a seton and a tissue growth promoter. Further related aspects of the invention included devices comprising an enclosure provided in between portions of a seton, devices comprising a seton and a plurality of holes for enabling the device to be sutured to tissue, devices comprising a probe and a seton that are releasably connectable end-to-end, devices comprising an attachment device to secure the ends of a seton, and devices comprising a fistula plug adapted to be secured to a section.

Abstract: A hollow wall composite tube for improving performance in sports shafts and lightweight structural members is disclosed that includes: a constituent tube, for forming the wall, that comprises: a flexible core component, for providing an adjustable shape on which to wind or braid filaments or fabric; and an adjustable shape hollow structure, for reducing weight, providing a path for the core to be evacuated, tightly conformed to the core, and tow, braid filaments or fabric, for providing a reinforcing fiber matrix for saturation with epoxy, spirally wrapped, applied or braided on the constituent tube. Methods of producing contemplated composite tubes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst composition suitable for removing sulfur from a catalytic reduction system and the catalyst composition prepared by the method are provided. The method of preparation of a catalyst composition, comprises: combining a metal oxide precursor, a catalyst metal precursor and an alkali metal precursor in the presence of a templating agent; hydrolyzing and condensing to form an intermediate product that comprises metal oxide, alkali metal oxide, and catalyst metal; and calcining to form a templated amorphous metal oxide substrate having a plurality of pores wherein the alkali metal oxide and catalyst metal are dispersed in an intermixed form in the metal oxide substrate.

Abstract: A hollow wall composite tube for improving performance in sports shafts and lightweight structural members is disclosed that includes: a constituent tube, for forming the wall, that comprises: a flexible core component, for providing an adjustable shape on which to wind or braid filaments or fabric; and an adjustable shape hollow structure, for reducing weight, providing a path for the core to be evacuated, tightly conformed to the core, and tow, braid filaments or fabric, for providing a reinforcing fiber matrix for saturation with epoxy, spirally wrapped, applied or braided on the constituent tube. Methods of producing contemplated composite tubes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst composition suitable for removing sulfur from a catalytic reduction system and the catalyst composition prepared by the method are provided. The method of preparation of a catalyst composition, comprises: combining a metal oxide precursor, a catalyst metal precursor and an alkali metal precursor in the presence of a templating agent; hydrolyzing and condensing to form an intermediate product that comprises metal oxide, alkali metal oxide, and catalyst metal; and calcining to form a templated amorphous metal oxide substrate having a plurality of pores wherein the alkali metal oxide and catalyst metal are dispersed in an intermixed form in the metal oxide substrate.

Abstract: A one piece composite tube having a hollow wall structure. The outside and inside of the tube have a standard surface and shape for bonding or fastening. The hollow wall reduces vibration and allows consistent flexure and torsion. The shape of the hollow wall may be tuned to maintain light weight and optimize strength for a given application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and related methods for treating fistulas such as anal or recto-vaginal fistulas, in particular by the use of a seton to secure a tissue growth promoter such as a growth factor and/or fibrin. The various devices are particularly suitable for positioning tissue growth promoters securely within a fistula. Thus, one device comprises a seton and a tissue growth promoter. Further related aspects of the invention included devices comprising an enclosure provided in between portions of a seton, devices comprising a seton and a plurality of holes for enabling the device to be sutured to tissue, devices comprising a probe and a seton that are releasably connectable end-to-end, devices comprising an attachment device to secure the ends of a seton, and devices comprising a fistula plug adapted to be secured to a section.

Abstract: A catalyst composition, a method of preparation of catalyst composition, a catalytic reduction system including the catalyst composition and a system using the catalytic reduction system are provided. The catalyst composition includes a templated amorphous metal oxide substrate, a catalyst material, and a sulfur scavenger material. The catalyst material includes a catalyst metal disposed on the templated metal oxide substrate and the sulfur scavenger includes an alkali metal.

Abstract: A process for producing para-xylene by the selective methylation of toluene comprising contacting a reactant mixture comprising toluene, methanol and added water, with an oxide modified ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst in a flow reactor in conditions selected to limit coke formation on the catalyst and at a contact time, between reactant mixture and catalyst, of less than 1 second.

Abstract: A system for identifying a gas sample includes a canister, a docking station, a thermal desorption device, and a spectrometer. The canister includes a sorbent and a valve. The docking station is configured to removably engage the canister. When the canister is engaged with the docking station, the canister is capable of fluid communication with a gas cell via the valve.

Abstract: A process for producing para-xylene by the selective methylation of toluene comprising contacting a reactant mixture comprising toluene, methanol and added water, with an oxide modified ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst in a flow reactor in conditions selected to limit coke formation on the catalyst and at a contact time, between reactant mixture and catalyst, of less than 1 second.

Abstract: Pinene copolymers which function as crystallizable tackifiers are described. Also described are temperature switchable pressure sensitive adhesives comprising an elastomer and a crystallizable pinene-based tackifier. These pressure sensitive adhesives exhibit a sharp reduction in peel strength when the temperature is raised above the switching temperature. The adhesive properties of these adhesives may be readily tuned by adjusting the ratio of the elastomer and the crystallizable tackifier, and by altering the crystallizable group on the tackifier. The temperature switchable pressure sensitive adhesives have use in medical, consumer, and industrial applications.

Abstract: Temperature switchable pressure sensitive adhesives comprising an elastomer and a crystallizable abietic acid derivative as tackifier are described. These pressure sensitive adhesives exhibit a sharp reduction in peel strength when the temperature is raised above the switching temperature. The adhesive properties of these adhesives may be readily tuned by adjusting the ratio of the elastomer and the crystallizable tackifier, and by altering the crystallizabe group on the tackifier. The temperature switchable pressure sensitive adhesives have use in medical, consumer, and industrial applications.

Abstract: A system for identifying a gas sample includes a canister, a docking station, a thermal desorption device, and a spectrometer. The canister includes a sorbent and a valve. The docking station is configured to removably engage the canister. When the canister is engaged with the docking station, the canister is capable of fluid communication with a gas cell via the valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the regeneration of catalytic reactors. In particular it relates to methods for regenerating a fuel-processing catalyst while it is still being used to supply hydrogen to a fuel cell. The temperature of the catalyst may be adjusted, the air, steam or fuel feed rate may be adjusted. Alternatively, additives may be added to the feed.