Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, an improved compression efficiency is achieved by letting a block-wise picture codec support a set of intra-prediction modes according to which the intra-prediction signal for a current block of a picture is determined by applying a set of neighboring samples of the current block onto a neural network. A second aspect of the present application is that, additionally or alternatively to the spending of neural network-based intra-prediction modes, the mode selection may be rendered more effective by the usage of a neural network dedicated to determine a rank or a probability value for each of the set of intra-prediction modes by applying a set of neighboring samples thereonto with the rank or probability value being used for the selection of one intra-prediction mode out of the plurality of intra-prediction modes including or coinciding with the set of intra-prediction modes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a satellite communications system comprising a satellite with a spatial digital modulator for transmitting an incoming bit stream in multiple beams, wherein the spatial digital modulator is configured to generate transmit symbols by dividing the incoming bit stream into symbols of a symbol alphabet and to allocate each transmit symbol to a specific beam. The invention further relates to a method for transmitting a bit stream by such a satellite communications system.

Abstract: Example methods are disclosed for generating an image of a rodent in an arena that include generating two pictures of the rodent by two spaced apart cameras, whereas both cameras capture one or more of the rodent or the arena from above and generating a three-dimensional vertical profile of the rodent on the pictures. An example method also includes storing the vertical profile as an image of the rodent.

Abstract: A supported gold catalyst is used for selective oxidation. In particular, an alcohol or ketone is oxidized to produce the corresponding carboxylic acid, an alcohol is oxidized to produce the corresponding ketone, and xylene is oxidized to produce the corresponding mono-alcohol or di-alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for oxidizing organic compounds using hydrogen peroxide to oxidize an oxidizable organic substrate in the presence of a silylated peroxide-activating metal/silica-containing catalyst and to a method of preparing such a catalyst.

Abstract: An improved catalytic process for decomposing alkyl or aromatic hydroperoxides is disclosed which utilizes a caalytic amount of a heterogeneous Au catalyst that has been treated with an organosilicon reagent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons. The process involves contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons. In accordance with this invention, the catalyst used in the process includes at least a Fischer-Tropsch metal selected from Groups 8, 9, and 10 of the periodic table and combinations thereof. The catalyst also includes a fluorided clay support material. The fluorided clay is preferably a fluorided bentonite.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising a catalytically active first metal selected from the group consisting of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, and mixtures thereof, at least one second metal selected from the group consisting of silver, iron, zinc, copper, platinum, zirconium and combinations thereof; and a matrix structure comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates and polymethacrylates. The first and second metals are incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch process for producing hydrocarbons, comprising contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one catalytically active metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, nickel and ruthenium and combinations thereof, a catalyst support, and silver. The catalyst may include a promoter. A preferred catalyst comprises cobalt, platinum and/or ruthenium and/or rhenium, and silver supported on a support selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, ZrO2, sulfated ZrO2, WO3—ZrO2, MCM-41, H-Beta, Sylopol SiO2, AlF3, fluorided Al2O3, bentonite, zeolite, TiO2, and SiO2—Al2O3, molecular sieves, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch process is provided in which a cobalt-containing catalyst is supported on a modified zirconia support selected from among silica-zirconia, tungstated zirconia, and sulfated zirconia. The catalyst shows improved performance of up to 70% in the Fischer-Tropsch reaction as compared to a corresponding catalyst supported on unmodified zirconia.

Abstract: Mesoporous materials containing a Group IIA metal are prepared by a sol-gel type techniques.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising a catalytically active first metal selected from the group consisting of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, and mixtures thereof, at least one second metal selected from the group consisting of silver, iron, zinc, copper, platinum, zirconium and combinations thereof; and a matrix structure comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates and polymethacrylates. The first and second metals are incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising a catalytically active first metal selected from the group consisting of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, and mixtures thereof, at least one second metal selected from the group consisting of silver, iron, zinc, copper, platinum, zirconium and combinations thereof; and a matrix structure comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylates and polymethacrylates. The first and second metals are incorporated into the polymer.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing hydrocarbons. The process involves contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons, and uses a catalyst including (a) at least one catalytic metal for Fischer-Tropsch reactions (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel and/or ruthenium) and (b) a non-layered mesoporous support which exhibits an X-ray diffraction after calcination that has at least one peak at a d-spacing of greater than 18 Ångstrom units.

Abstract: Mesoporous materials containing a Group IIA metal are prepared by a sol-gel type techniques.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing hydrocarbons. The process involves contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons, and uses a catalyst including (a) at least one catalytic metal for Fischer-Tropsch reactions (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel and/or ruthenium) and (b) a non-layered mesoporous support which exhibits an X-ray diffraction after calcination that has at least one peak at a d-spacing of greater than 18 Ångstrom units.

Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch process for producing hydrocarbons, comprising contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one catalytically active metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, nickel and ruthenium and combinations thereof, a catalyst support, and silver. The catalyst may include a promoter. A preferred catalyst comprises cobalt, platinum and/or ruthenium and/or rhenium, and silver supported on a support selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, ZrO2, sulfated ZrO2, WO3—ZrO2, MCM-41, H-Beta, Sylopol SiO2, AlF3, fluorided Al2O3, bentonite, zeolite, TiO2, and SiO2—Al2O3, molecular sieves, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing hydrocarbons. The process involves contacting a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons, and uses a catalyst including (a) at least one catalytic metal for Fischer-Tropsch reactions (e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel and/or ruthenium) and (b) a non-layered mesoporous support which exhibits an X-ray diffraction after calcination that has at least one peak at a d-spacing of greater than 18 Ångstrom units.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for oxidizing organic compounds using hydrogen peroxide to oxidize an oxidizable organic substrate in the presence of a silylated peroxide-activating metal/silica-containing catalyst and to a method of preparing such a catalyst.

Abstract: Silylated organic gels can be prepared by the removing substantially all of the water from polyhydroxy benzene-formaldehyde gels, followed by silylation. These silylated organic gel compositions comprise from about 0.01% to about 25% by weight silicon.