Abstract: A Claus plant with multiple parallel thermal stages that provide a combined effluent to downstream catalytic stages includes a controller that allows independent and individual control for each of the thermal stages as a function of measured chemical composition of the thermal stage effluents and catalytic stage effluent.

Abstract: An item of information is transmitted to a distal computer, translated to a different sense modality and/or, language and in substantially real time, and the translation is transmitted back to the location from which the item was sent. The device sending the item is preferably a wireless device, and more preferably a cellular or other telephone. The device receiving the translation is also preferably a wireless device, and more preferably a cellular or other telephone, and may advantageously be the same device as the sending device. The item of information preferably comprises a sentence of human speech having at least ten words, and the translation is a written expression of the sentence. All of the steps of transmitting the item of information, executing the program code, and transmitting the translated information preferably occurs in less than 60 seconds of elapsed time.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical devices and medical methods, in particular, devices and methods useful for stabilizing fractures of long bones. In one embodiment, the present invention is a device comprising a housing having a lumen; a plunger having a proximal portion and a distal portion, where the plunger is disposed within the lumen and is movable relative to the housing; a plurality of blades, where the blades can expand radially from the axis of the housing; and a manipulator functionally connected to the plunger, wherein the manipulator is operable to: move the plunger relative to the housing; expand the blades radially from the axis of the housing; and move the blades about the axis of the plunger.

Abstract: Contemplated whole blood separators tubes include a curable composition with a density intermediate to the density of serum and the cell-containing fraction. After centrifugation, the curable composition is located between the serum and the cell-containing fraction and preferably irradiated with UV light to initiate a curing reaction in which the curable composition solidifies to a barrier that is immobilized and resistant to breakdown at freezing temperatures and extended storage.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter is directed toward a glove having a hand receiving opening and a sealing mechanism that substantially seals the hand receiving opening.

Abstract: Refinery off gases are treated in a plant in two processing steps, wherein the off gases are first scrubbed in a wash column using lean oils for removal of heavy mercaptans and C5+ hydrocarbons, and wherein a hydrotreater is then used for saturating olefinic hydrocarbons and reducing sulfurous compounds. Most preferably, lean recycle oil is used for temperature control of the hydrotreater reactor(s) in configurations where the lean oil from a hydrotreater reactor outlet separator is mixed with the reactor feed to so cool the hydrotreater reactor via evaporation.

Abstract: The double pull body brace comprises a one-piece panel which engages around the torso and overlaps at the front. At the overlap, it is attached to itself by means of a hook-and-loop fastener so that a wide range of adjustment is possible. In the back, spaced cord guides are mounted on said panel. Each cord guide carries a plurality of cord guide lobes. An upper cord is engaged around the upper cord guide lobes, and a lower cord is engaged around the lower cord guide lobes. These cords are separately attached to pull tabs. When donned, the user pulls on the pull tabs to separately adjust upper and lower closure tension of the body brace. When in correct adjustment, the pull tabs are attached in place by hook-and-loop fasteners.

Abstract: Controlled RVP C5+ products are produced from feed gas in configurations and methods in which a heavier portion of the feed gas is fractionated into several streams having distinct RVP and in which a C5+ stream is produced from the lighter portion of the feed gas. The so formed streams are then combined to produce C5+ products with controlled RVP. Thus, RVP control is achieved without the need for external products for blending process streams derived from the feed gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting carbonaceous material to a stream of carbon rich gas, comprising heating a slurry feed containing the carbonaceous material in a hydrogasification process using hydrogen and steam, at a temperature and pressure sufficient to generate a methane and carbon monoxide rich stream in which the conversion time in the process is between 5 and 45 seconds. In particular embodiments, the slurry feed containing the carbonaceous material is fed, along with hydrogen, to a kiln type reactor before being fed to the fluidized bed reactor. Apparatus is provided comprising a kiln type reactor, a slurry pump connected to an input of the kiln type reactor, means for connecting a source of hydrogen to an input of the kiln type reactor; a fluidized bed reactor connected to receive output of the kiln type reactor for processing at a fluidizing zone, and a source of steam and a source of hydrogen connected to the fluidized bed reactor below the fluidizing zone.

Abstract: An irrigation management system reduces high peak water use values by utilizing a microprocessor disposed in an irrigation controller to (a) receive peak water use information from a source other than a water supplier (b) receive water use information at a consumer site, and (c) automatically derive a new irrigation schedule that is at least partly based on the information received. The new irrigation schedule preferably includes at least one of a modification in a default irrigation frequency or start time, a reduction in a default irrigation application duration, the use of a rolling-average in the determination of the new irrigation application duration and other changes or modifications to the default irrigation schedule that will provide for the reduction in high peak water use values. Additionally, the microprocessor will display to the water user and/or third parties details on the new irrigation schedule and information received from the water supplier.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are directed to covalent adducts between reducing agents and optionally substituted 3-hydroxyflavans, wherein the reducing agent is covalently bound to the B-ring of the 3-hydroxyflavan. Such adducts exhibit markedly increased stability towards oxidation as compared to the unmodified 3-hydroxyflavan. Particularly preferred 3-hydroxyflavans include green tea catechins, and especially EGCG, while especially preferred reducing agents include NAC and glutathione.

Abstract: A privacy control system provides a centralized process for managing unsubscribe requests to unsolicited communications. The system receives reports of unsolicited communications, determines and follows the corresponding unsubscribe processes, and tracks the success of unsubscribe requests. The system can unsubscribe an individual or group of individuals through the centralized process, recording and monitoring the success of the request, independent of the email client used by the individuals.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods utilize a combination of a polyphenol and a non-polyphenol cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor. Preferably, the compositions are pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical compositions and formulated in a dosage form and amount such that the polyphenol and the non-polyphenol cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor are effective to reduce tumor incidence and/or multiplicity. In preferred aspects, the polyphenol is epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, epicatechin, and/or a mixture of polyphenols isolated from a plant (e.g., polyphenon E), and the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor is rofecoxib, celecoxib, and/or valdecoxib.

Abstract: Blades for rotorcraft are designed and/or implemented with rotor blades having a swept portion that occupies at least 20-40% of a length of the blade. Forward and aft sweeps are contemplated, with up to 20° or more of sweep. The swept portion preferably has a thickness ration of at least 10-20% at R80, and can have a tapered planform with a relatively outboard section having a smaller chord than a relatively inboard section. Contemplated design methods include optimizing or otherwise designing the rotor blade planform and lift distribution along the blade for efficiency in various flight conditions without taking into account the detrimental effects of high Mach numbers, and then using sweep angle, airfoil thickness and transonic airfoil shaping to maintain the lift distribution, low drag and low noise level at real Mach numbers at the various blade stations at the various flight conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods of interacting with a virtual space, in which a mobile device is used to electronically capture image data of a real-world object, the image data is used to identify information related to the real-world object, and the information is used to interact with software to control at least one of: (a) an aspect of an electronic game; and (b) a second device local to the mobile device. Contemplated systems and methods can be used to gaming, in which the image data can be used to identify a name of the real-world object, to classify the real-world object, identify the real-world object as a player in the game, to identify the real-world object as a goal object or as having some other value in the game, to use the image data to identify the real-world object as a goal object in the game.

Abstract: A signal converter that may perform functions to enable a thermally based technology to be used with a piezo-electric printhead. The signal converter and piezo-electric printhead may optionally be used in conjunction with a chassis assembly having an adjustable vertical member for sizing the chassis assembly to a printer. Methods of using a piezo-electric printhead in a printer having a thermal printhead configuration may include the steps of coupling the printhead to the printer and performing conversion functions.

Abstract: In rotorcraft having rotors on multiple masts, a controller causes opposing roll mast moments to be applied to the different rotors. In preferred embodiments, the opposing roll moment is the result of increasing the lift on the advancing blade and reducing the lift on the retreating blade on the second rotor. This can be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as by applying differential cyclic roll control to the two rotors by tilting the two Swashplates of the two rotors or by using Individual Blade Control (IBC).

Abstract: A magnetohydrodynamic simulator that includes a plasma container. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes an first ionizable gas substantially contained within the plasma container. In addition, the magnetohydrodynamic simulator also includes a first loop positioned adjacent to the plasma container, wherein the first loop includes a gap, a first electrical connection on a first side of the gap, a second electrical connection of a second side of the gap, and a first material having at least one of low magnetic susceptibility and high conductivity. The first loop can be made up from an assembly of one or a plethora or wire loop coils. In such cases, electrical connection is made through the ends of the coil wires. The magnetohydrodynamic simulator further includes an electrically conductive first coil wound about the plasma container and through the first loop.

Abstract: Topical compositions, and particularly hydrophobic compositions include an essential oil in an amount effective to achieve substantially complete absorption of the composition in the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Especially preferred topical compositions may also include pharmaceutically active agents (e.g., polyphenol), additional essential oils, stabilizers, etc. In further preferred aspects, contemplated compositions may delay onset, or even prevent viral eruptions on the skin, and where applied as a lipstick, will increase reddening of the lip as well as reduce chapping.

Abstract: Systems and methods for proactive information monitoring are presented. A user can define alert criteria for generating an alert through a centralized alerting service where the alert criteria relate to the status of records in a data set. The records of the data can be distributed across multiple remote or unaffiliated databases to which the user lacks access. The service can disaggregate the criteria into individual criterion targeting specific records stored in the databases. The criterions are provided to agents that monitor the records. When the records satisfy the criterion, the agents send notifications back to the service. Once the service receives sufficient notifications to indicate the alert criteria are satisfied, the service sends an alert to designated recipients. The systems and methods are able provide alert information without compromising the confidentially or security of the remote databases.