Abstract: Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to paraffins useful as liquid fuels. The process involves the conversion of water soluble oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenates, such as alcohols, furans, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, diols, triols, and/or other polyols, followed by the subsequent conversion of the oxygenates to paraffins by dehydration and alkylation. The oxygenated hydrocarbons may originate from any source, but are preferably derived from biomass.

Abstract: A high pressure metering valve has a valve element with a closing portion, a metering portion and a rapid return portion. The closing portion seats against a corner seat at the end of a valve bore in which the metering portion has a close sliding fit. When the element is unseated, a flow rate can be metered depending on the overlapping length of the metering portion in the valve bore. At the opposite end of the metering portion, the rapid return portion is undercut to be of smaller area than the metering portion to provide a full open state for rapid fluid return.

Abstract: A system and method to be used with first and second devices where the first and second devices are capable of communicating using a subset of different modulation schemes wherein the subset includes at least first and second different modulation schemes, the method for optimizing transmission of data from the first device to the second device, the method comprising the acts of at the first device, when data is to be transmitted from the first device to the second device, receiving at least a portion of a trigger signal from the second device wherein the transmitted trigger signal includes data transmitted using a sequence of at least two of the modulation schemes from the subset, the portion of the trigger signal received being a received trigger signal, analyzing the received trigger signal to identify one of the modulation schemes from the subset as a function of the received trigger signal as an initial modulation scheme to be used to transmit data to the second device and transmitting the data from the f

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and computer program product are presented for generating a glide path for a target date fund comprising a growth asset and a reserve asset, where the glide path is a distribution of the growth and reserve assets over an interval. The method includes identifying an acceptable risk level for the target date fund determining, using the identified acceptable risk level, an inflection interval and calculating the percentages of the target date fund comprising the growth asset and the reserve asset at the inflection date. Finally, the method includes determining the glide path for the target date fund, where at the end of the interval the reserve asset comprises one hundred percent of the target date fund.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods of using 2?-methyl-19-nor-20(S)-1?,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or 2-methylene-19-nor-20(S)-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to prevent Type 1 diabetes in a subject at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes without causing hypercalcemia in the subject.

Abstract: A method to deduplicate data by receiving a data set, setting a data chunk size, selecting a first stage deduplication algorithm, and selecting a second stage deduplication algorithm, where the first stage deduplication algorithm differs from the second stage deduplication algorithm. The method selects a data chunk, where that data chunk comprises all or a portion of the data set, performs a first stage deduplication analysis of the data chunk using the first stage deduplication algorithm. If the first stage deduplication analysis indicates duplicate data, then the method performs a second state deduplication analysis of said data chunk using the second stage deduplication algorithm to verify the data as duplicate. Only if both data deduplication analysis indicate duplicate data the data chunk is replaced by a deduplication stub or reference to the identical data chunk which is already stored.

Abstract: A multicomponent glass fiber having a doping concentration of 55%-85% (wt./wt.) of a rare-earth oxide is presented. The rare-earth oxide is selected from the group comprising: Pr2O3, Nd2O3, Pm2O3, Sm2O3, Eu2O3, Gd2O3, Tb2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3; Er2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3, La2O3, Ga2O3, Ce2O3, and Lu2O3. Additionally, an all-fiber isolator using highly rare-earth oxide doped fibers is disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor chain (1), comprising a series of sheet metal chain links (2) which are each provided with a basically rectangular conveying body part (3) and with a hinge assembly (4), which hinge assembly comprises a centrally located hinge loop (7) and comprises a pair of hinge loops (10) spaced apart with an intermediate distance (9) on the opposite longitudinal side of the chain link, wherein the central loop is located in the intermediate space of a successive module (2?), wherein the hinge assembly (4) further comprises two auxiliary hinge loops (12), wherein the cooperating hinge loops of successive modules are connected by means of hinge pins (14), the thickness of the sheet metal of the conveying body part being between approximately 2.0 mm and approximately 2.8 mm, and wherein the diameter of the hinge pin is between approximately 3.0 and 5.0 mm.

Abstract: A seat cushion for the production of a vehicle seat has a foam body and a carrier element. The carrier element is disposed on the back side of the foam body and provides mechanical support to the foam body on the back side thereof. At least one bubble element is disposed between the foam body and the carrier element and can be supplied with compressed air via an air inlet. The carrier element features an air-impermeable barrier layer on the side facing towards the foam body. The bubble element is composed of two bubble halves that are connected to one another by means of an airtight sealing joint, and wherein the bubble half facing away from the foam body is formed by a surface section of the barrier layer of the carrier element, and wherein the second bubble half facing towards the foam body is fastened at the assigned surface section of the barrier layer while forming the airtight sealing joint.

Abstract: An automated method to replicate remote virtual files to local physical files is presented, wherein the method provides a replication algorithm comprising computer readable program code that can be used by a programmable computer processor to replicate the (N) remote virtual volumes to (N) local physical volumes, such that a computing device integral with those (N) local physical volumes can read data from, and write data to, each of the locally replicated virtual volumes without modifying volume assignments and without reconfiguring the computing device to communicate with the (N) local physical volumes.

Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly with a heating element. The heating element is affixed behind and in thermal communication with the mirror element of the assembly. The heating element includes a plurality of heating zones that operate in alternation according to a pre-determined time-sequence. A peripheral area of the mirror element is heated up to at least as high a temperature as an inner area of the mirror element. Switching the heating zones on and off so as to have only one heating zone on at a time is determined by a controlling circuitry at least a portion of which may be separated from the assembly and disposed in a different part of the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a foam proportioning system powered by a battery, with the system including a pump, a pump motor, and a solid state contactor. The solid state contactor includes a battery terminal connected to the battery, a load terminal connected to the pump motor, and an enable switch. The enable switch selectively connects the battery terminal and the load terminal in order to form a power line carrying a current from the battery to the pump motor. A state of the enable switch is based on the current being drawn through the power line by the pump motor. The enable switch is closed in order for the solid state contactor to provide power to the pump motor when the current through the power line is between about zero amps and about 80 amps.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing compounds with enhanced desirable properties and diminished side effects as well as the compounds produced by the methods. In preferred embodiments, methods of the present invention use a universal chemical glycosylation method that employs reducing sugars and requires no protection or activation. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides neoglycoside digitoxin analogs that include compounds with significantly enhanced cytotoxic potency toward human cancer cells and tumor-specificity, but are less potent Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors in a human cell line than digitoxin.

Abstract: A regulating device regulates the flow rate of non-ferromagnetic, electrically conducting liquids and melt streams through magnetic fields inducing eddy currents in the melt stream. In a preferred embodiment, the regulating device controls the melt stream using at least one stationary magnetic field with a constant polarity, at least one stationary magnetic alternating field or using a multi-poled magnetic travelling field, in such a way that the magnetic field lines transversally penetrate the melt flow across the entire cross section thereof and such that a voltage is induced in the melt stream by the magnetic fields.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to set signal compensation settings for a data storage device comprising a first port and a second port, where that first port is interconnected to a first switch via a first communication pathway having a predetermined first length. The method determines first signal compensation settings based upon the first length.

Abstract: A cast metal connecting rod of the type used in a reciprocating piston engine has a beam section between two end sections. The beam section and the end sections are integral with one another and are at least partially made of a cast metal material. At least the beam section of the connecting rod includes an insert made of a sintered powder metal material. The insert is at least partially encapsulated by the cast metal material of the connecting rod. The insert reinforces the connecting rod and can help match characteristics of surrounding or mating parts of the engine that are made of materials more similar to the material of the insert than the cast metal of the connecting rod. The cast metal material, for example aluminum alloy, of the connecting rod can also provide localized regions of high machinability where needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pump and a pump control system. The apparatus includes a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor coupled to a pump control system. For the method of the invention, the microcontroller provides a pulse-width modulation control signal to an output power stage in order to selectively control the power provided to the pump.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cord seal for use in a niche that houses an underwater light. The cord seal includes a main seal with a cord receiving passage including a split for a power cord. The cord seal includes a seal support positioned adjacent to the main seal and a seal cap positioned adjacent to the seal support. The seal cap secures the main seal and the seal support substantially within a hub of the niche. The seal cap deforms the main seal to provide a water-tight seal around the power cord within the hub.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus including a system controller, a hand-held scalpel assembly, a first communication link interconnecting the hand-held scalpel assembly with the system controller, an actuator, and a second communication link interconnecting the actuator with said system controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge providing ribbon tension. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having walls. A first spool and a second spool are contained in at least in part in the cartridge and have a ribbon extending therebetween. The first spool and the second spool extend between a pair of ends with at least one of the pair of ends having a driving portion. At least one resistance-applying part extends around a portion of each of the first spool and the second spool. The first spool and the second spool have a loaded and an unloaded position. In the loaded position, at least one of the resistance applying part is disengaged from the walls of the cartridge. In the unloaded position, at least one resistance-applying part engages the walls of the cartridge.