Abstract: A portable container is provided for handling an implant. The portable container comprises a sealed compartment enclosing a fluid of a pre-defined composition and at least one implant configured to be installed in a live subject. The portable container may further comprise at least one electrode made of an electrical conductive material, electrically associated with an electric conductor outside the sealed compartment and configured for applying a plasma generating electric field inside the sealed compartment. An apparatus for plasma treatment of an implant and having an activation device is further provided. The activation device comprises a slot configured to receive a portable container, and an electrical circuit configured to be electrically associated with at least one electrode.

Abstract: Mixed metal oxide catalysts having an amorphous content of not less than 40 wt. % are prepared by calcining the catalyst precursor fully or partially enclosed by a porous material having a melting temperature greater than 600° C. in an inert container including heating the catalyst precursor at a rate from 0.5 to 10° C. per minute from room temperature to a temperature from 370° C. to 540° C. under a stream of pre heated gas chosen from steam and inert gas and mixtures thereof at a pressure of greater than or equal to 1 psig having a temperature from 300° C. to 540° C. and holding the catalyst precursor at that temperature for at least 2 hours and cooling the catalyst precursor to room temperature.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine system having a vertical mast with one or more turbine units supported thereon. The turbine units are of modular construction for assembly around the foot of the mast; are vertically moveable along the height of the mast by a winch system; and are selectively interlocking with the mast to fix the turbine units in parked positions. The turbine system and each turbine unit includes a network of portals and interior rooms for the passage of personnel through the system, including each turbine unit. The electrical generators, and other sub-components, in the turbine units are of modular construction that permits the selective removal and replacement of component segments, including the transport of component segments through the portals and interior rooms of the turbine system while the turbine units remain supported on the mast. The electrical generators are also selectively convertible between AC generators and DC generators.

Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts comprising MoVNbTeO having improved consistency of composition and a 25% conversion of ethylene at less than 420° C. and a selectivity to ethylene above 95% are prepared by treating the catalyst precursor with H2O2 in an amount equivalent to 0.30-2.8 mL H2O2 of a 30% solution per gram of catalyst precursor prior to calcining.

Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts comprising MoVNbTeO having improved consistency of composition and a 25% conversion of ethylene at less than 420° C. and a selectivity to ethylene above 95% are prepared by treating the catalyst precursor with H2O2 in an amount equivalent to 0.30-2.8 mL H2O2 of a 30% solution per gram of catalyst precursor prior to calcining and treating the resulting catalyst with the equivalent amount of peroxide after calcining.

Abstract: Systems and approaches for semiconductor metrology and surface analysis using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) are disclosed. In an example, a secondary ion mass, spectrometry (SIMS) system includes a sample stage. A primary ion beam is directed to the sample stage. An extraction lens is directed at the sample stage. The extraction lens is configured to provide a low extraction field for secondary ions emitted from a sample on the sample stage. A magnetic sector spectrograph is coupled to the extraction lens along an optical path of the SIMS system. The magnetic sector spectrograph includes an electrostatic analyzer (ESA) coupled to a magnetic sector analyzer (MSA).

Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation is an alternative to the energy extensive steam cracking process presently used for the production of olefins from paraffins, but has not been implemented commercially partially due to the unstable nature of hydrocarbon/oxygen mixtures, and partially due to the cost involved in the construction of new facilities. An oxidative dehydrogenation chemical complex designed to reduce costs by including integration of an oxygen separation module that also addresses safety concerns and reduces emission of greenhouse gases is described.

Abstract: Digital files are compressed using a process including Schmidt decompositions of matrices using an algorithm, termed ‘BSD’ herein, which is based on an algebraic method generalizing QR decomposition. Software analyzes an input file and initially identifies a matrix M, with entries within a predefined set of integers, within the file. Next, essential entries are defined, extracted from M, that contain sufficient information to recover M using BSD. The compressed file includes the essential entries and their positions within M. To achieve an encryption process, software encrypts the pattern matrix that includes the positions of the essential entries of M. To achieve a lossy compression, software identifies essential entries that contain sufficient information to recover an approximation to M for which the quality is determined by an error threshold. For a more efficient lossy compression, software uses singular value decomposition, BSD, and other signal processing of M.

Abstract: An example pallet auto box with robot palletizer includes a conveyor to move a pallet into a loading area adjacent a robot for loading bags onto the pallet. The example pallet auto box with robot palletizer also includes an auto box having at least one wall, and in an example four walls, that can be raised and lowered. The at least one wall is raised as the robot stacks bags onto the pallet to maintain a border around the edge of the pallet for the bags to be stacked on the pallet. At least one wall opens as a door or gate after the pallet has been loaded with bags so that the loaded pallet can be moved out of the loading area and a next pallet moved into the loading area. The at least one wall is lowered again for stacking bags onto the next pallet.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a plasma source. The plasma source includes: (i) a plasma emitter having a first electrode and a second electrode defining an electrode gap therebetween; (ii) stands disposed adjacent to the electrode gap and the plasma emitter; (iii) emitter openings configured such that shockwaves generated by the plasma source are directed through the emitter openings and radially from the plasma emitter, wherein adjacent emitter openings of the emitter openings are separated from each other by at least one stand of the stands; (iv) an enclosure housing at a distal end of the plasma emitter and having a delivery device configured to introduce a conductor through an opening in the second electrode and into the electrode gap; and a device housing at a proximal end of the plasma emitter and having a transformer, a capacitor unit, and a contactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are components for a fluid network modified for one or more objective functions of interest such as pressure drop, erosion rate, fouling, coke deposition and operating costs.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to caps and closures manufactured from an ethylene interpolymer product, or a blend containing an ethylene interpolymer product.

Abstract: The invention provides atropine sulfate (AS) rapidly-disintegrating sublingual tablets (RDSTs) of improved formulation in a sublingual dosage form and methods for therapeutic use of the AS RDSTs for treatment of organophosphate (OP) exposure and acute toxicity. The AS RDSTs provide an alternative easy-to-use dosage form for the management of organophosphate toxicity. Additionally, the invention provides methods for improved formulation and quality evaluation of the atropine sulfate rapidly-disintegrating sublingual tablets.

Abstract: Polyethylene living hinges used in “snap top” lids for condiments and the like may be electron bean irradiated to partially crosslink the polyethylene to produce a hinge having an improvement in the number of opening and closing cycles until failure of not less than 30%. The irradiated lids may be used in place of polypropylene lids for condiment containers.

Abstract: A polyethylene blend comprises a nucleated polyethylene homopolymer composition and an un-nucleated or nucleated bimodal polyethylene copolymer.

Abstract: A battery network is disclosed. The battery network may include a plurality of battery blades. Each battery blade may include a plurality of battery cells; a connection mechanism configured to establish an adjustable connection between the plurality of battery cells; and a processor in communication with the connection mechanism and the plurality of battery cells. The processor may be configured to control the connection mechanism at least partially based on a state of charge of at least one of the plurality of battery cells, and the processor of each battery blade of the plurality of battery blades may be further configured to communicate with each other to support operation of the battery network as an integrated electric power source.

Abstract: A new phosphinimine polymerization catalyst exhibits restricted rotation about a carbon-phosphorous bond. The restricted rotation is demonstrated using variable temperature 1H NMR. Ethylene copolymers made using the catalysts have microstructures which are dependent on the temperature at which polymerization takes place.

Abstract: A new and distinct Heuchera plant characterized by better sun tolerance compared to other known yellow foliage cultivars, white flowers on medium short spikes, full crown of lime-green spring leaves that turn to yellow in the sun, medium-small mounding habit, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Echinacea plant named ‘TNECHKW’ characterized by an amazing number of large inflorescences starting in the first season, very long bloom time with excellent rebloom, a very upright, very compact habit, white ray florets surrounding green cones, ray florets held horizontally when young then dropping slightly, strong upright stems, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Heuchera plant characterized by purple black to black leaf color, large leaves with slightly ruffled and rounded lobes, very light pink flowers on upright flowering stems, performing well in sun or shade, a large, tall mounding habit with an excellent crown count, and excellent vigor.