Abstract: A crosslinking composition for hydrocarbon gels containing phosphate ester gelling agents comprising a modified imidazoline or pyrimidine including an alkyl group (or unsaturated carbon chain) or of 10 to 22 carbon atoms, a polyamine, and ferric sulfate. The method of making the crosslinking agent features adding the polyamine after reaction of the other ingredients; unique gels formed with the crosslinking agent are particularly effective for LNG at very cold temperatures.

Abstract: A portable and foldable shelter has a canopy frame with an arm hub adjacent to a top end of a canopy pole, and a sliding collar on the pole. The canopy frame also includes a plurality of arms with each arm having an outer arm segment attached to an inner arm segment via an arm hinge joint. The arm hinge joint may include a slider movable into a locking position where the inner and outer arm segments are rigidly fixed in a straight locked-out. A flexible cover is attached to or supported on canopy frame. The portable shelter is lightweight, highly compact when folded, easy to use, and easy carry.

Abstract: A method of promoting fluid intelligence abilities in a subject includes: selecting one or more serial order of symbols sequences from a predefined library of complete symbols sequences and providing the subject with one or more incomplete serial orders of symbols sequences; prompting the subject to manipulate symbols within the incomplete serial orders of symbols sequences or to discriminate differences or sameness between two or more of the incomplete serial orders of symbols sequences; determining whether the subject correctly manipulated the symbols or correctly discriminated differences or sameness between the two or more incomplete serial orders of symbols sequences; if the subject correctly manipulated the symbols or correctly discriminated differences or sameness between the two or more of the incomplete serial orders of symbols sequences, then displaying the correct manipulations or discriminated selection with at least one different spatial or time perceptual related attribute, to highlight the corr

Abstract: A power generation structure for generating power from a renewable energy source including a base, an energy conversion structure connected to the base, and an articulating joint between the base and the energy conversion structure, the articulating joint comprising a bearing member having a body including a composite material having a rigid material and a friction-reducing material overlying the rigid material, wherein the rigid material comprises a material selected from the group of consisting of aluminum and stainless steel.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for chemical texturing a surface of a polycrystalline silicon wafer to be used in the manufacture of solar cells provide increased efficiency in the manufacture and operation of solar cells. The compositions and methods disclosed herein include first and second components, wherein the first component is a UKON etch composition, including a hydrofluoric acid/nitric acid mixture and water, while the second component includes a silicon wafer texturing enhancer (SWTE).

Abstract: A method for treating filler material includes contacting the filler material with a silane which, upon hydrolysis, produces substantially no significant amount of volatile organic compound and/or the hydrolyzate of the silane to provide a treated filler which can then be incorporated into a matrix to provide a composite body.

Abstract: A strength and balance exercise apparatus is provided having a pair of exercise arms pivotally supported from the floor. Each arm has handgrips for grasping and manipulation of the arm by the user. A passive force generating means, in this case, double-acting hydraulic cylinders are connected between the floor and the exercise arms to resist movement of the arms. According to the method, the user grasps the handgrips and manipulates the arms to get slow resistance of the passive force generating means while maintaining balance in a standing position.

Abstract: A lighting fixture for protecting and mounting an array of light sources such as LED modules. The fixture includes a frame with a first surface that arcs or curves with an arc angle of between ten and fifty degrees and an arc length of between about ten to fifteen times the arc height. A plurality of LED modules including a lens and bonnet reflector are each functionally coupled against the first surface to direct a combination refracted and reflected beam pattern, the beam pattern of each LED module having an peak luminous intensity directed substantially normally from the first surface in front of and against which each LED module is functionally coupled. The peak luminous intensity of the combination refracted and reflected beam pattern associated with each LED module has a positive angle with respect to the combination refracted and reflected beam pattern from adjacently located LED modules.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adjustable hitch assembly for coupling a towed vehicle with a towing vehicle. An embodiment of the adjustable hitch assembly may include a base member, a ball support member, and a hitch ball member. The base member may include a connecting portion and a shank member, wherein the shank member may extends perpendicularly away from the connecting portion. The ball support member may include a support rod extending perpendicularly away from the shank member. The ball support member may also include an opening there though that may be attached to the shank member. The hitch ball member may be attached to the support rod, wherein the hitch ball member may have at least one accessory aperture. The connecting portion may be attached to the towing vehicle and the hitch ball member may be attached to the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A spherical plain bearing for a ball-and-socket joint includes a plain bearing shell. The plain bearing shell comprises a sliding layer containing a sliding material, at least one dimensionally stable support layer, and at least one elastic layer.

Abstract: Interactive electronic training systems and methods are described herein. Certain embodiments provide preprogrammed video, audio, and/or textual presentations of training materials which provide information related to skills/information to be trained. A scenario including real or animated actors is presented, simulating an interaction. The training system presents related queries for the trainee who audibly responds. The training system stores a score based in part on a comparison of the trainee's response with an answer stored in training system memory. Optionally, the scores are substantially immediately presented by the system to the trainee.

Abstract: A composition for treating cellulosic materials is provided. The composition comprises a dispersion of micronized additives. The dispersion comprises additive particles with diameters in the range of 0.001 to 25 microns. Also provided is a method for the application of the additive-containing composition to wood, as well as wood products which have been treated with the composition.

Abstract: An appliance's control and sensing circuit selectively applies AC electrical power to a load (72). The circuit includes a relay (44) having contacts (52) connected in series between an AC power source and the load (72). When energized, the relay's electromagnetic coil (54) changes the contacts (52) to supplying electrical power to the load (72) or conversely. The control and sensing circuit measures AC voltage induced in the coil (54) by an alternating magnetic field produced by AC electrical current supplied to the load (72) through the relay's contacts (52). A microcontroller (46) included in the control and sensing circuit: 1. measures the AC voltage produced by the coil (54); 2. compensates the measured voltage for inductive coupling between the AC current flowing through the contacts (52) and the coil (54); and 3. determines various characteristics of the AC power supplied to the load (72).

Abstract: There is provided herein a functionalized ionic silicone composition comprising a silicone of the formula (I): M1aM2bM3cD1dD2eD3fT1gT2hT3iQj??(I) which contains a monovalent radical bearing ion-pairs and having the formula (II): -A-Ix?Mny+; where A is a spacing group having at least 2 spacing atoms selected from a divalent hydrocarbon or hydrocarbonoxy group, where I is an ionic group such as sulfonate —SO3?, carboxylate —COO?, phosphonate —PO32? group and phosphate —OPO32?, where M is hydrogen or a cation independently selected from alkali metals, alkali earth metals, transition metals, metals, quaternary ammonium and phosphonium groups; or, zwitterions having the formula (III): —R?—NR?2+—R??—I??(III) where I is defined as above, and where the subscript a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j are zero or positive subject to the following limitations: 2?a+b+c+d+e+f+g+h+i+j?6000, b+e+h>0 and c+f+i>0.

Abstract: The novel constructs and methods of this invention improve tolerance in plants to environmental stresses and senescence. Nucleic acids encoding a plant farnesyl transferase are described, as are transgenic plants and seeds incorporating these nucleic acids and proteins. Also provided are non-naturally occurring mutations in the gene encoding farnesyl transferase which enhance drought tolerance in the plants, improve resistance to senescence and modify growth habit.

Abstract: Embodiments of a clamp for compressing a flexible tube are disclosed herein. In one such embodiment, the clamp includes a first member, a second member moveably coupled to the first member to move into and out of a clamping position to apply a compressive force to the tube, a locking member to hold the first and second members in the clamping position, a third member moveably retained between a pair of sidewalls of one of the first member and the second member, and a fourth member moveably coupled to one of the first member and the second member and engageable with the third member to apply an additional compressive force to the tube.