Abstract: Described herein is a chemoenzymatic route to produce the small molecule sebacic acid from the renewable feedstock, e.g. vegetable oil. In one embodiment, this involves treating the a starting material such vegetable oil with KMnO4, sodium thiocyanate, and acid to obtain sebacic acid. Yield could be improved by pretreating the starting material with a lipase and then with a linoleic acid isomerase obtained from Propionibacterium acnes to obtain trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The sebacic acid can be further processed with lipase and 1-butanol to obtain dibutyl sebacate.

Abstract: Geosynthetic reinforced wall panels comprising soil reinforcing hoop members and retaining wall system formed therewith is disclosed. Namely, a geosynthetic panel wall system is provided that includes at least one concrete facing panel that has at least one stabilizing hoop coupled thereto and wherein a soil reinforcing element or strip may be coupled to the stabilizing hoop. Additionally, a method of using the presently disclosed geosynthetic panel wall system reinforced with at least one stabilizing hoop and soil reinforcing element is provided.

Abstract: Multi-oriented segmental wall blocks, soil reinforcing system, and methods related thereto are disclosed. The wall block may be a concrete masonry block used for constructing retaining walls. The wall block may include a front face; a rear cavity opposing the front 5 face and formed by an inner rear face, an outer rear face on three sides of the inner rear face and spaced apart therefrom, and a shelf defined therein by the inner rear face and the outer rear face; a troughed top face residing between the front face and the outer rear face; a flat bottom face opposing the troughed top face; a first side face residing between the front face and the outer rear face, and between the troughed top face and the flat bottom face; a second side face opposing the first side face; a trough running along the length of the troughed top face.

Abstract: A product and method for reducing tensile strength loss associated with sterilization of the product by ionizing radiation sterilization methods is provided. The method includes providing a package that includes a layer having an oxygen transmission rate equal to or less than about 10 cubic centimeters of oxygen per 100 inches squared per 24 hours; providing a product in the package's interior; applying a vacuum to the exterior of the package in a controlled atmosphere until a vacuum pressure equal to or less than about 250 millibars is achieved; flushing the interior of the package with an inert gas until an inert gas flush pressure equal to or less than about 750 millibars is achieved; sealing the package; releasing the vacuum applied in the controlled atmosphere; and sterilizing the package/product with radiation. The resulting product has a reduction in its tensile strength of less than about 18.5% after sterilization.

Abstract: Geosynthetic reinforced wall panels comprising soil reinforcing hoop members and retaining wall system formed therewith is disclosed. Namely, a geosynthetic panel wall system is provided that includes at least one concrete facing panel that has at least one stabilizing hoop coupled thereto and wherein a soil reinforcing element or strip may be coupled to the stabilizing hoop. Additionally, a method of using the presently disclosed geosynthetic panel wall system reinforced with at least one stabilizing hoop and soil reinforcing element is provided.

Abstract: Geosynthetic reinforced wall panels including soil reinforcing members and retaining wall system formed therewith are disclosed. The geosynthetic reinforced wall panels include any type of wall panels, such as a precast concrete wall panels, that are supported by an arrangement of soil reinforcing members. Various configurations of soil reinforcing members may include end tabs and/or inner tabs that have strips arranged therebetween. Examples of soil reinforcing members include, but are not limited to narrow-width single-section reinforcing members, narrow-width multi-section reinforcing members, and wide-width reinforcing members. Further, a retaining wall system is provided that includes any arrangement of the one or more geosynthetic reinforced wall panels.

Abstract: A segmental wall block, soil reinforcing system, and method related thereto, wherein the wall block may be used for constructing retaining walls. In one embodiment, the segmental wall block may include: a front face; a rear face; a slot disposed along the rear face; a troughed top face; a bottom face; a first and second open core extending from the top face to the bottom face; a first side having a tongue; and an opposing second side having a groove, wherein the tongue is shaped to interlock with the groove. A soil system may include: a wall block component including a first configuration of interlocked segmented wall blocks as described, and a stabilizing component. A method of reinforcing soil may include the steps of: installing a leveling pad of concrete or gravel; and providing a soil stabilizing system.

Abstract: Multi-oriented segmental wall blocks, soil reinforcing system, and methods related thereto are disclosed. The wall block may be a concrete masonry block used for constructing retaining walls.

Abstract: An optical sensor housing includes a sensor housing body including an enclosure wall upstanding from a bottom portion and a substantially open top portion defining a cavity in which the optical sensor assembly is located, one or more apertures, and one or more engaging parts projecting orthogonally from an outside surface of the sensor housing body, a sensor housing cover including an open central portion, one or more integrally molded compliant flanges configured to engage the sensor housing body engaging part and to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body, and longitudinal ridges extending outwardly and disposed substantially along the length of the sensor housing cover. The sensor housing engaging parts and flanges can provide a quick-lock mechanism operable to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body without the use of tools or fasteners.

Abstract: An optical sensor housing includes a sensor housing body including an enclosure wall upstanding from a bottom portion and a substantially open top portion defining a cavity in which the optical sensor assembly is located, at least one aperture, and at least one engaging part projecting orthogonally from an outside surface of the sensor housing body, a sensor housing cover including an open central portion, at least one integrally molded compliant flange configured to engage the sensor housing body engaging part and to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body, and longitudinal ridges extending outwardly and disposed substantially along the length of the sensor housing cover. The sensor housing engaging parts and flanges can provide a quick-lock mechanism operable to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body without the use of tools or fasteners.

Abstract: Multi-oriented segmental wall blocks, soil reinforcing system, and methods related thereto are disclosed. The wall block may be a concrete masonry block used for constructing retaining walls. The wall block may include a front face; a rear cavity opposing the front 5 face and formed by an inner rear face, an outer rear face on three sides of the inner rear face and spaced apart therefrom, and a shelf defined therein by the inner rear face and the outer rear face; a troughed top face residing between the front face and the outer rear face; a flat bottom face opposing the troughed top face; a first side face residing between the front face and the outer rear face, and between the troughed top face and the flat bottom face; a second side face opposing the first side face; a trough running along the length of the troughed top face.

Abstract: An optical sensor housing includes a sensor housing body including an enclosure wall upstanding from a bottom portion and a substantially open top portion defining a cavity in which the optical sensor assembly is located, one or more apertures, and one or more engaging parts projecting orthogonally from an outside surface of the sensor housing body, a sensor housing cover including an open central portion, one or more integrally molded compliant flanges configured to engage the sensor housing body engaging part and to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body, and longitudinal ridges extending outwardly and disposed substantially along the length of the sensor housing cover. The sensor housing engaging parts and flanges can provide a quick-lock mechanism operable to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body without the use of tools or fasteners.

Abstract: A product and method for reducing tensile strength loss associated with sterilization of the product by ionizing radiation sterilization methods is provided. The method includes providing a package that includes a layer having an oxygen transmission rate equal to or less than about 10 cubic centimeters of oxygen per 100 inches squared per 24 hours; providing a product in the package's interior; applying a vacuum to the exterior of the package in a controlled atmosphere until a vacuum pressure equal to or less than about 250 millibars is achieved; flushing the interior of the package with an inert gas until an inert gas flush pressure equal to or less than about 750 millibars is achieved; sealing the package; releasing the vacuum applied in the controlled atmosphere; and sterilizing the package/product with radiation. The resulting product has a reduction in its tensile strength of less than about 18.5% after sterilization.

Abstract: An optical sensor housing includes a sensor housing body including an enclosure wall upstanding from a bottom portion and a substantially open top portion defining a cavity in which the optical sensor assembly is located, at least one aperture, and at least one engaging part projecting orthogonally from an outside surface of the sensor housing body, a sensor housing cover including an open central portion, at least one integrally molded compliant flange configured to engage the sensor housing body engaging part and to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body, and longitudinal ridges extending outwardly and disposed substantially along the length of the sensor housing cover. The sensor housing engaging parts and flanges can provide a quick-lock mechanism operable to secure the sensor housing cover to the sensor housing body without the use of tools or fasteners.

Abstract: Geosynthetic reinforced wall panels including soil reinforcing members and retaining wall system formed therewith are disclosed. The geosynthetic reinforced wall panels include any type of wall panels, such as a precast concrete wall panels, that are supported by an arrangement of soil reinforcing members. Various configurations of soil reinforcing members may include end tabs and/or inner tabs that have strips arranged therebetween. Examples of soil reinforcing members include, but are not limited to narrow-width single-section reinforcing members, narrow-width multi-section reinforcing members, and wide-width reinforcing members. Further, a retaining wall system is provided that includes any arrangement of the one or more geosynthetic reinforced wall panels.

Abstract: Multi-oriented segmental wall blocks, soil reinforcing system, and methods related thereto are disclosed. The wall block may be a concrete masonry block used for constructing retaining walls.

Abstract: An inserter system includes a pre-fold accumulator subsystem in which plural sheets are collected before folding and insertion into an envelope. A divert gate is at the upstream side of the pre-fold accumulator to selectively downwardly divert sheets fed in a reverse direction from the pre-fold accumulator. Positioning of the divert gate is controlled by a mechanism that couples the divert gate and a drive shaft that drives a sheet drive belt component of the pre-fold accumulator.

Abstract: An inserter system includes a pre-fold accumulator subsystem in which plural sheets are collected before folding and insertion into an envelope. A divert gate is at the upstream side of the pre-fold accumulator to selectively downwardly divert sheets fed in a reverse direction from the pre-fold accumulator. Positioning of the divert gate is controlled by a mechanism that couples the divert gate and a drive shaft that drives a sheet drive belt component of the pre-fold accumulator.