Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a downstream processable ammonium glyphosate paste. The process includes mixing in a reactor (i) particulate glyphosate acid, (ii) ammonia, (iii) adjuvant, and (iii) water. The reaction of glyphosate acid with ammonia causes the generation of heat resulting in the partial evaporation of the water such that an ammonium glyphosate paste is formed, having a moisture content of about 2% to about 20% by weight. The addition of the adjuvant to the reactor (i) increases the rate at which the glyphosate acid and ammonia react to form ammonium glyphosate and/or (ii) reduces the flow resistance of the reaction mass as it is being conveyed to the product discharge region of the reactor. The ammonium glyphosate paste may then be further processed to form a granular herbicidal composition.

Abstract: A shoe for a hoofed animal, e.g. a horseshoe, is described which comprises a body made from a thermoplastic composition which comprises a matrix of a thermoplastic material which has a softening point of less than 100° C., such as a polycaprolactone. A method of shoeing a hoofed animal, such as a horse, is also described.

Abstract: A software program and system for assisting an operator in analyzing an embroidery design which will be used by an embroidery machine to create an embroidered fabric. Grid software divides the embroidery design to be analyzed into a plurality of grid sections. Value software assigns a value to each particular grid section. The assigned value corresponds to a density of the embroidery design within the particular grid section. Display software provides a display of the grid sections of the divided embroidery design wherein each grid section has a parameter corresponding to its assigned value. The grid size may be proportionally adjusted to accommodate thread stretch.

Abstract: Taxane derivatives having an amino substituted C13 side chain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine involving the following steps: (a) oxidizing N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (PMIDA) with peroxides or oxygen in an aqueous medium and in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst at a temperature ranging from 50 to 150° C.; (b) subsequently separating the solid catalyst out of the aqueous reaction suspension of step (a); (c) concentrating the clear reaction solution from step (b), especially by evaporation, and; (d) separating the N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine out of the concentrated reaction solution from step (c), especially by filtration. According to the invention, the aqueous reaction solution from step (d) (mother liquor) is returned with small amounts of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine and byproducts to step (b) (catalyst separation) and/or to step (c) (concentration). This results in distinctly increasing the yield with a constant product purity and in noticeably reducing the amount of mother liquor.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a derivative or analog of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III having a C2 substituent other than benzoate and/or a C4 substituent other than acetate in which the C2 benzoate substituent and/or the C4 acetate substituent of a derivative of baccatin III or 10-desacetyl baccatin III is/are selectively reduced to the corresponding hydroxy group(s) and converted to R7COO— and/or R8COO—, respectively, wherein R7 and R8 are independently H, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, moncyclic aryl, or monocyclic heteroaryl.

Abstract: A computer-implemented control center for permitting a subscriber of a plurality of communication services of a unified mess aging system to customize communication options pertaining to the plurality of communication services. The communication options include parameters associated with individual ones of the plurality of the communication services and routings among the plurality of communication services. The plurality of communication services comprise a voice telephone service through a telephony-centric network and an e-mail service through a data-centric network. The communication options are accessible via display terminals coupled to the data-centric network and via telephones coupled to the telephony-centric network.

Abstract: Computer programs and computer-implemented methods for monitoring the progress and properties of parallel chemical reactions. The invention repeatedly receives a measured value or values associated with the contents of each of a plurality of reactor vessels and displays the measured over the course of a combinatorial chemical reaction. Reaction parameters associated with individual reactor vessels are changed in response to the value measured during the reaction. Reaction parameters include temperature, pressure, stirring speed. The reaction occurring in one or more reactor vessels is quenched in response to values measured during the reaction. The measured values are used to calculate experimental results including temperature change, pressure change, percent conversion of starting material, and viscosity. The measured values and experimental results are displayed. In another aspect, the invention features a method for controlling a combinatorial chemical reactor.

Abstract: A twist controlling device for ribbon material wound in a coil about a central axis. The device controls twists in the ribbon material as it is fed from the coil to a processing machine. The device includes a gate adapted to be positioned along a ribbon feed path from the coil to the processing machine and having an opening therethrough for receiving the ribbon material. The gate is adapted to engage the ribbon and is rotatable about a gate axis generally coincident with a center of the opening for controlling twisting of the ribbon.

Abstract: A cooling jacket for cooling the stator of an electric machine. The jacket includes a cooling jacket body having a cylindric inner surface defining a cavity for receiving the stator of a motor, axial flow passages in the body for the flow of a coolant, and end caps connected to opposite ends of the body. Coolant flows through an inlet in one of the end caps and is directed through the flow passages along at least one serpentine path to an outlet. Each flow passage has a cross sectional shape defined entirely by three or more substantially linear sides.

Abstract: A control method for use with a crystal puller for growing a monocrystalline semiconductor crystal from a melt according to the Czochralski process. The method includes defining an initial interval of time for observing growth of the crystal being pulled from the melt and determining diameter variations occurring during the interval. Based on the variations in the crystal diameter, the method defines a function r(t). By performing a best fit routine on the function r(t), the method deduces current values of crystal radius rf, meniscus height hf and growth rate Vgf at the end of the observation interval. The method also includes determining pull rate and heater power parameters as a function of the growth rate to control the crystal puller to minimize variations in both crystal diameter and growth rate during subsequent growth of the crystal.

Abstract: A tree stand adapted for mounting in a tree to support a person. The stand includes a back frame and a platform attached to the back frame. A length of chain passes generally horizontally around the trunk to secure the back frame to the tree. The chain is generally rigid and self-supporting in the vertical direction but freely movable in the horizontal direction to wrap around the trunk of the tree. A hook is configured to secure the length in a loop, and a ratchet mechanism controllably decreases a circumference of the loop to secure the back frame to the tree. A pivotally mounted rest is configured for engaging the tree trunk so that the stand may be mounted on a non-vertical tree trunk with the platform in a level orientation. A seat and a post, together with the back frame and platform, are hinged together in a structure capable of folding between deployed and collapsed positions.

Abstract: An improved noble metal alloy composition for a fuel cell catalyst, the alloy containing platinum, ruthenium, and nickel. The alloy shows methanol oxidation activity.

Abstract: An apparatus for the electrodialytic regeneration of an electroless bath electrolyte. There are diluate compartments through which the bath electrolyte is channeled, concentrate compartments through which a regeneration electrolyte is channeled, an anode, and a cathode. The diluate compartments of the first electrodialysis unit are serially connected to the diluate compartments of the second electrodialysis unit via lines through which the bath electrolyte is sequentially channeled. The concentrate compartments of the first electrodialysis unit are serially connected to the concentrate compartments of the second electrodialysis unit via lines through which the regeneration electrolyte is sequentially channeled.

Abstract: A system which coordinates proton beam irradiation with an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit to achieve near-simultaneous, noninvasive localization and radiotherapy of various cell lines in various anatomic locations. A reference image of the target aids in determining a treatment plan and repositioning the patient within the MRI unit for later treatments. The patient is located within the MRI unit so that the target and the proton beam are coincident. MRI monitors the location of the target. Target irradiation occurs when the target and the proton beam are coincident as indicated by the MRI monitoring. The patient rotates relative to the radiation source. The target again undergoes monitoring and selective irradiation. The rotation and selective irradiation during MRI monitoring repeats according to the treatment plan.

Abstract: A utility lighter having a housing and a spark generator operable to generate a spark generally adjacent an exit opening of the housing. Movement of a trigger from its inoperative position to its operative position in a normal mode of operation of the lighter operates the spark generator to generate a spark. A disabling mechanism is positionable relative to the housing between a first position corresponding to a disabled mode of operation of the lighter in which the lighter is ineffective to generate a spark and a second position corresponding to the normal mode of operation of the lighter. The trigger is movable between its inoperative and operative positions in both the disabled mode and the normal mode of the lighter. In the disabled mode of the lighter the disabling mechanism is adapted to disable the trigger from operating the spark generator in the operative position of the trigger.

Abstract: A magnet for use with a neutron scattering apparatus. The neutron scattering apparatus provides an incident beam of neutrons to a sample under analysis. The magnet has first and second body portions of high conductivity material and has a mid-plane portion there between in which the sample under analysis is positioned. The first and second body portions of the coil are electrically connected to each other via the mid-plane portion of the coil between the body portions of the coil. The conductive mid-plane portion has a split that allows neutron scattering through large angles.

Abstract: Wayside lubrication apparatus for railroad track wherein metered charges of lubricant are delivered to points spaced at intervals along the gage sides of the heads of the rails, and systems for and methods of monitoring the apparatus at a location remote from the site thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for researching and developing and/or optimizing new catalysts and products in a combinatorial manner is disclosed. The method begins with starting components or a ligand library and provides methods of creating catalyst or product libraries, which are then tested in a reaction of interest. The system uses methods of robotic handling for moving libraries from station to station. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial catalyst libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental methods as well.