Abstract: A device for retaining garden beds, retaining water, and/or blocking plant roots, with the device having two connected reinforcing members with a liquid permeable member positioned between the reinforcing members. A method of building a garden bed includes using the device around the perimeter of a bed. A method for building a pond or stream includes using the device around the perimeter of the pond or stream. Finally, a method of blocking root travel includes burying the device to block travel.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I) are disclosed which are useful as fungicides, wherein Q is: (Q−1) or (Q−2), Z is (Z−1); (Z−2); (Z−3) or (Z−4); X is —O—, —CH(R11)— or ═C(R11)—; R1 is H or C1-C2 alkyl; R2 is H; C1-C6 alkyl; C3-C6 cycloalkyl; or phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, cyano, C1-C2 alkyl or C1-C2 alkoxy; and R3-R11 are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula (I) and a method for controlling plant diseases caused by fungal plant pathogens which involves applying an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I).

Abstract: A device for retaining garden beds, retaining water, and/or blocking plant roots, with the device having two connected reinforcing members with a liquid permeable member positioned between the reinforcing members. A method of building a garden bed includes using the device around the perimeter of a bed. A method for building a pond or stream includes using the device around the perimeter of the pond or stream. Finally, a method of blocking root travel includes burying the device to block travel.

Abstract: A computer implemented knowledge-based system for the selection of materials and/or fabrication processes for a durable goods application. The system consists of a graphical user interface, an expert system shell and a models and data base program. The system provides rapid, consistent and accurate techno-economic comparisons of processes and materials to select the best materials and fabrication processes for the durable goods application.

Abstract: For tubing/casing annulus plug treatment to plug a well, a tubing/casing annulus plug additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a tubing/casing annulus plug fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of plugging the tubing/casing annulus of a well further including the step of injecting the fluid into the annulus.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for alkylating olefins and isoparaffins in the presence of an acid to reduce and/or control acid consumption or maximize and/or control the octane number of the produced alkylate product. One embodiment includes alkylation by controlling the C3/iso-C5 olefin ratio to reduce acid consumption. Another embodiment includes alkylation of C3 and C5 olefins in separate alkylation zones to maximize alkylate octane number. Even another embodiment includes propylene alkylation followed by C4 and/or C5 olefin alkylation, with the spent propylene acid used in the C4 and/or C5 olefin alkylation. Still another embodiment includes alkylation of C3, C4 and C5 olefins in separate alkylation zones, with the spent propylene acid used in the C4 alkylation, and the spent butylene acid used in the C5 alkylation. Yet another embodiment includes alkylation by controlling the C3/C4 olefin ratio to maximize the octane number of the produced alkylate.

Abstract: A device for retaining garden beds, retaining water, and/or blocking plant roots, with the device having two connected reinforcing members with a liquid permeable member positioned between the reinforcing members. A method of building a garden bed includes using the device around the perimeter of a bed. A method for building a pond or stream includes using the device around the perimeter of the pond or stream. Finally, a method of blocking root travel includes burying the device to block travel.

Abstract: A method of processing a substrate by first processing the substrate surface with a laser operating at a first wavelength to both evaporate a portion of the substrate and structurally weaken the substrate surface, and then by processing the substrate surface with a laser operating at a second wavelength to remove the structurally weakened surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides and apparatus and method for analyzing the rutting and stripping characteristics of hot mix asphalt concrete samples. The apparatus of the invention measures the vertical penetration of a wheel rolling in a reciprocating motion across the surface of a compacted asphalt mix specimen. The apparatus incorporates precise environmental control and includes features for testing two or more samples simultaneously under wet or dry conditions or a combination of wet and dry conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat transfer blanket which wraps the torso and legs leaving the arms, buttocks, perineum and head exposed and allows for the selective heating or cooling of various body parts at the same or different rates. The blanket of the present invention is also made up of panels which may be selectively opened to gain access to the chest, abdomen, legs or back to expose a surgical field or to provide access to these areas for necessary medical care.

Abstract: A device for retaining garden beds, retaining water, and/or blocking plant roots, with the device having two connected reinforcing members with a liquid permeable member positioned between the reinforcing members. A method of building a garden bed includes using the device around the perimeter of a bed. A method for building a pond or stream includes using the device around the perimeter of the pond or stream. Finally, a method of blocking root travel includes burying the device to block travel.

Abstract: For conformance treatment to plug an opening in subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation, a conformance additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a conformance fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the formation to plug the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for stimulating hair growth, preventing hair loss or minimizing hair loss. The compositions and methods include topical application and/or an oral administration of colloidal silver.

Abstract: The present invention provides automated devices and methods for extracting substantially all the tail meat from the crawfish exoskeleton. The devices and methods consistently remove the intestinal tract, without damage to the meat, and are capable of processing crawfish of all sizes and shell hardness at a rate greater than that of hand peeling.

Abstract: A sonic or acoustic tool is disclosed which includes a transmitter with reduced transmitter spawned noise. The transmitters are either monopole or dipole depending on the orientation of ports in a chamber divided by a piston driven by an actuator. The transmitter size is limited only by the diameter of the tools itself because the transmitters are oriented within the tool parallel to the axis of the tool.

Abstract: For well plug treatment to plug an abandoned well, a well plug additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a well plug fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of plugging the well further including the step of injecting the fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for use in transferring nucleic acids into central nervous system cells in vivo and in vitro and/or for stimulating central nervous system cells. Neurotrophic genes are shown to stimulate neurofilament cells and to promote nerve cell growth, repair and regeneration in vivo. Gene transfer protocols are disclosed for use in transferring various nucleic acid materials into central nervous system cells, as may be used in treating various pathologies of the brain and spinal cord.

Abstract: For well kill treatment to prevent the intrusion of formation fluids into the wellbore while the well is open, a well kill additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a well kill fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: For hydraulic fracturing treatment to increase productivity of subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation, a hydraulic fracturing additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a hydraulic fracturing fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of hydraulically fracturing the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the wellbore.

Abstract: For lost circulation treatment, a lost circulation additive including a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material of fibers and/or comminuted plant materials. The method of forming a lost circulation fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the wellbore.