Abstract: A beverage container that includes at least a bottom portion with a side portion extending from the bottom portion, and a balance mass in pressing engagement with the bottom portion is disclosed. The balance mass is adjacent an inner surface of the bottom portion in a preferred embodiment, and adjacent an outer surface in an alternate preferred embodiment. In each embodiment, the balance mass includes at least a core portion encapsulated by an encapsulant, in which the density of the core is greater than the density of a beverage of the beverage container. In the alternate preferred embodiment, the balance mass further includes a tip lip portion with a condensate retention ridge, and a condensate aperture. The condensate retention ridge, in cooperation with a side portion of the balance mass, forms a condensate channel, and the condensate aperture drains condensate from the condensate channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for differences in translation path geometries of transducers used to access a data storage medium. A compensation profile is generated in relation to radial error between a first translation path geometry of a first transducer and a different, second translation path geometry of a second transducer. A control circuit directs the first transducer to write data to a rotatable data storage medium in relation to the compensation profile to emulate the second translation path geometry. In some embodiments, the control circuit comprises a data signal clock generator, a motor rotation clock generator, and a transducer radial translation clock generator. A nearest pulse detector identifies a closest clock signal pulse to a once-per-revolution (OPR) rotational reference, and the control circuit adjusts a frequency of the associated clock signal coincident with the closest pulse.

Abstract: A writer comprises a main pole, a write gap and a write shield. The main pole has a main pole tip for emitting magnetic flux. The write gap is adjacent the main pole tip along a center axis of the writer. The write shield is spaced from the main pole tip by the write gap. The write shield comprises a first component located above the main pole tip along the center axis and a second component having different magnetic properties from the first component. The second component extends perpendicularly to the center axis from opposing sides of the first component.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an oxygenated fluid. In accordance with various embodiments, a flow of pressurized fluid is established. A flow of oxygen is injected into the flow of pressurized fluid to provide a fluid/oxygen mixture. The mixture is passed through a venturi assembly in the presence of a magnetic field established by an adjacent magnetic assembly. The mixture is next flowed from the venturi assembly to a gas/liquid separation tank, where a liquid component of the mixture is passed downstream with a selected dissolved oxygen content and a gas component is directed back for injection into the pressurized fluid flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing hidden data to a data storage medium. The hidden data are written by selectively adjusting at least one access parameter of the medium, and preferably by selectively adjusting multiple such parameters. The presence of the hidden data is preferably undetectable to the human eye during unaided visual inspection of the medium, but is revealed by a surface plot of at least a portion of the medium. The surface plot preferably provides a human detectable image of the hidden data to authenticate the medium as an authorized copy. The medium preferably comprises a pre-recorded or recordable optical disc, or a glass master from which such discs are formed. The adjusted access parameter(s) preferably include adjustments in motor velocity, data bit rate, latency time, adjusted symbol length, illegal symbol length, localized reflectivity of the medium, variations in pre-groove amplitude, error rates, and/or localized induced errors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting byproducts of the manufacture of biodiesel into industrially useful oxygenated products of greater commercial value. The process includes a trickle bed reactor in which a glycerol-rich feedstock is reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a nickel-tungsten catalyst under typical refining condition of high temperature and pressure, yielding propane synfuel or propanediols.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to receive a search query from a user, typically via a web browser, the Internet, and a web server. A search engine obtains a set of potential search results based on the search query. For each Internet domain or web site mentioned in the search results, a set of data sources is accessed to obtain information concerning the legitimacy of the business associated with the Internet domain or web site. The legitimacy information is used to reorder or to change or to augment the appearance or presentation of the search result for the Internet domain or web site. The processed search results are returned to the user.

Abstract: A stethoscope expander assembly includes a first portion and a second portion. Each portion is provided with at least one arm, at least one leg, and at least one attachment member. The first portion of the stethoscope expander assembly includes a male member and a cover opposite the male member. The second portion of the stethoscope expander assembly includes a female member and a channel for receiving a tubing of a stethoscope. The first and second portions provide a slit for receiving a spring of the stethoscope. The first and second portions of the stethoscope expander assembly function to move the stethoscope expander assembly into an expanded position.

Abstract: A fire pit comprising a base assembly, the base assembly supported by a suspension assembly comprising a plurality of vertical supports, and a tower assembly disposed on a top surface of the base assembly, the tower assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinal apertures and configured to contain at least one solid fuel source. The plurality of longitudinal apertures are configured to release heat generated from the at least one solid fuel source in a substantially outward direction along at least substantially the entire length of the plurality of longitudinal apertures.

Abstract: A process for producing a hydrocarbon from biomass. A feed stream having free fatty acids, fatty acid esters or combinations thereof is provided. The feed stream is heated in the presence of a first catalyst to produce a partially hydrodeoxygenated stream. The partially hydrodeoxygenated stream is heated in the presence of a second catalyst to produce an effluent stream containing the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A harp support assembly is provided for supporting a portion of a harp. The harp support assembly includes a rod, a base assembly and a harp support member. The rod has a first and a second end. The base assembly is positioned near the first end of the rod, The base assembly has a plurality of legs spread apart and positioned on a surface. The harp support member is positioned near the second end of the rod. The harp support member has at least one support arm providing a harp receiving space to receive the harp.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensor-enabled geosynthetic material for use in geosynthetic structures, a method of making the sensor-enabled geosynthetic material, and a method of measuring geometric strains of a geosynthetic product made from the sensor-enabled geosynthetic material. The sensor-enabled geosynthetic material includes a polymeric material and an electrically conductive filler. The polymeric material and an electrically conductive filler are combined to provide a sensor-enabled geosynthetic material. The sensor-enabled geosynthetic material having a predetermined concentration of the electrically conductive filler so as to provide the sensor-enabled geosynthetic material with an electrical conductivity and a strain sensitivity within the percolation region or slightly above it.

Abstract: A process for hydrocracking biomass, and the hydrocarbons produced therefrom. A feed stream having free fatty acids, fatty acid esters, or combinations thereof is contacted with a first catalyst under hydrogen pressure and heat. The hydrocarbon product stream which is comprised predominantly of n-paraffins is separated into heavy and light fractions. The heavy fraction is contacted with a second catalyst under hydrogen pressure and heat to produce an effluent stream which is combined with the light n-paraffin fraction to form a unique middle distillate product useful as a diesel or jet fuel.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a pair of end cap assemblies, a plurality of disk assemblies and a plurality of weight assemblies. The plurality of disk assemblies and the plurality of weight assemblies are preferably secured between the end cap assemblies, in an alternating fashion. Each of the end cap assemblies also includes a handle that is preferably aligned in the same plane the handle of the other end cap assembly.

Abstract: Improvements in the fabrication of integrated circuits are driven by the decrease of the size of the features printed on the wafers. Current lithography techniques limits have been extended through the use of phase-shifting masks, off-axis illumination, and proximity effect correction. More recently, liquid immersion lithography has been proposed as a way to extend even further the limits of optical lithography. This invention described a methodology based on contact or proximity printing using a projection lens to define the image of the mask onto the wafer. As the imaging is performed in a solid material, larger refractive indices can be obtained and the resolution of the imaging system can be increased.