Abstract: There is a vinyl 4-hydroxybenzal-vinylalcohol-vinyl acetate copolymer, a 4-t-butoxycarbonyloxybenzal-vinyl alcohol-vinyl acetate copolymer and a vinyl 4-t-butoxycarbonyloxybenzal-vinyl 4-hydroxybenzal-vinyl alcohol-vinyl acetate copolymer suitable for photoresist and methods for preparing the same. The latter two polymers contain 4-hydroxybenzal groups all or parts of which are protected with t-butoxycarbonyl group. Superior in transparency, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and adhesiveness to silicon wafer, the photoresists prepared from the protected copolymers can enhance the resolution of fine circuit by virtue of low weight loss upon the thermal treatment after exposure.

Abstract: Procedures are provided herein for the optimization of the utilization of crustaceans, e.g., whole lobsters, through the inclusion of under-utilized components. The procedure involves firstly, initiating the detachment of the raw edible deep-shoulder myotomal meat from deep-shoulder cartilaginous skeleton attachment. This may be accomplished either by immersing the head-shell in a solution of protease enzymes, or subjecting the head-shell to at least one freeze-thaw cycle. Then, the so-treated head-shell is subjected to vacuum aspiration to remove, and to recover, the raw meat fraction. Procedures are further-described for the utilization of such recovered raw meat fraction, e.g., to provide stuffing and to provide stuffed crustaceans, e.g., lobsters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pseudoceramide derivatives represented by formula(I) or (II): R1—COCHR2CONR3R4  (I) R1—CH(OH)CHR2CONR3R4  (II) wherein, each of R1 and R2 represents linear or branched alkyl group or alkenyl group having 6˜22 carbon atoms; each of R3 and R4 represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, or linear or branched C2˜C6 alkyl group having one or more hydroxyl group(s), or monosaccharide, a process for preparing the same, and dermatologic external preparations containing the same. When the pseudoceramide derivatives according to the present invention are applied in an dermatologic external preparations the moisture-retaining property and resilience of skin and hair is enhanced such so that the derivatives are useful in protection of skin-aging. In addition, the derivatives are useful for inducing the formation of lipid layer on damaged skin and for preventing the inhibition of lipid synthesis.

Abstract: A geothermal power plant operating on geothermal fluid includes a source of low pressure geothermal steam, and a turbo-generator including a low pressure steam turbine to which the geothermal steam is applied, and a generator coupled to the steam turbine. The low pressure geothermal steam is applied to the turbine, wherein expansion takes place driving the generator, and producing expanded steam that is exhausted from the turbine. A condenser for condensing the expanded steam includes a steam heat exchanger for receiving the expanded steam and a fan for cooling the expanded steam such that steam condensate is produced.

Abstract: Upgrading of a hydrocarbon feed containing sulfur, metals, and asphaltenes involves applying the feed to a distillation column for producing a substantially asphaltene-free, and metal-free distillate fraction and a non-distilled fraction containing sulfur, asphaltenes, and metals. At least some of the substantially asphaltene-free, and metal-free distillate fraction is converted to a hydrogen donor diluent. The non-distilled fraction is processed in a solvent deasphalting unit for producing a deasphalted oil stream and an asphaltene stream. After a combined stream is formed from the hydrogen donor diluent and the deasphalted oil stream, the combined stream is thermally cracked forming a thermally cracked stream that is applied to the distillation column.

Abstract: An externally fired gas turbine system according to the present invention has a compressor for compressing ambient air and producing compressed air, an air heat exchanger for heating the compressed air to produce heated compressed air, a turbine for expanding the heated compressed air to produce heat depleted expanded air, and a generator connected to the turbine for generating electricity. According to the present invention, the system also includes combustible products producing apparatus for processing fuel to produce combustible products that include combustible gases and an external combustion chamber for burning the combustible products and transferring heat to the air heat exchanger and producing heat depleted combustion products. The system also includes a closed Rankine cycle steam power plant having a water heat exchanger for vaporizing water and producing steam using heat contained in the heat depleted combustion products.