Abstract: In one embodiment, a biological sample analyzer has a housing having at least one outer wall that defines a cavity therein, an air intake, and an air exhaust. A plenum is disposed within the cavity and has at least one plenum wall that defines an air duct therein. A receptacle, which can support a consumable holder containing a biological sample, is disposed within the internal cavity. At least a portion of the receptacle is supported within the air duct such that an air gap is defined between the receptacle and the at least one plenum wall. A heater applies heat to the consumable holder so as to heat the consumable holder when the consumable holder is supported by the receptacle. A fan forces air along a path that extends from the air intake, through the air gap, and to the air exhaust so as to cool the heater.

Abstract: A quaternary ammonium sulfonamide compound of formula (I): wherein R=(II), C1-C3 linear or branched alkyl, R1 and R2 are the same or different and selected from C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl, R3 and R4 are the same or different and selected from C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl, CF3, OR5 where R5 is C1 to C8 linear or branched alkyl or polyethylene oxide, l is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, m is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18, wherein the aryl groups of R may be substituted or unsubstituted, X=halogen, and Y=(III) wherein R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are the same or different and selected from C1 to C6 linear or branched alkyl and the benzophenone is selected from the group consisting of substituted benzophenone and unsubstituted benzophenone, process for preparing the compound and antimicrobial surface coating compositions of the compound.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods related to embodiments of an improved liquid test sample injection device for use in diagnostic assays and for the collection of liquid waste produced from such diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards methods of converting glycerol to an allyl compound, involving deoxydehydrating glycerol with formic acid and heat to form allyl alcohol; and esterifying the allyl alcohol with formic acid and/or phthalic anhydride and heat to form allyl formate and diallyl phthalate. In some instances, the heat is generated by a microwave. In further instances, the methods involve polymerizing the allyl alcohol, allyl formate and/or diallyl phthalate to form poly(allyl alcohol) or poly(allyl formate) or poly (diallyl phthalate). In some instances, the allyl polymers were used for the consolidation of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards methods of converting glycerol to an allyl compound, involving deoxydehydrating glycerol with formic acid and heat to form allyl alcohol; and esterifying the allyl alcohol with formic acid and/or phthalic anhydride and heat to form allyl formate and diallyl phthalate. In some instances, the heat is generated by a microwave. In further instances, the methods involve polymerizing the allyl alcohol, allyl formate and/or diallyl phthalate to form poly(allyl alcohol) or poly(allyl formate) or poly (diallyl phthalate). In some instances, the allyl polymers were used for the consolidation of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: A method of conversion of a lipid to an olefin product includes heating a mixture of unsaturated triacylglycerols or alkyl esters of unsaturated fatty acids and a reactant olefin with microwave irradiation, in the presence of a ruthenium complex catalyst.

Abstract: A method of conversion of a lipid to an olefin product includes heating a mixture of unsaturated triacylglycerols or alkyl esters of unsaturated fatty acids and a reactant olefin with microwave irradiation, in the presence of a ruthenium complex catalyst.

Abstract: A quaternary ammonium sulfonamide compound of formula (I): wherein R=(II), C1-C3 linear or branched alkyl, R1 and R2 are the same or different and selected from C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl, R3 and R4 are the same or different and selected from C1 to C4 linear or branched alkyl, CF3, OR5 where R5 is C1 to C8 linear or branched alkyl or polyethylene oxide, l is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, m is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18, wherein the aryl groups of R may be substituted or unsubstituted, X=halogen, and Y=(III) wherein R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are the same or different and selected from C1 to C6 linear or branched alkyl and the benzophenone is selected from the group consisting of substituted benzophenone and unsubstituted benzophenone, process for preparing the compound and antimicrobial surface coating compositions of the compound.

Abstract: A method of converting lipids to useful olefins includes reacting a mixture of lipids and a reactant olefin with microwave irradiation in the presence of ruthenium metathesis catalysts. The lipids may be unsaturated triacylglycerols or alkyl esters of fatty acids. The lipids may be sourced from renewable sources such as vegetable oil, waste cooking oil, or waste animal products.

Abstract: Methods of using modified keratin to remove trace metals and/or napthenic acids from a waste water stream are described. The waste water stream may be mature or fine fluid tailings from oil sands operations, and the methods may include the removal of trace metals, naphthenic acids with simultaneous consolidation of the tailings. The keratin may be modified to unfold the keratin, disrupt disulphide bonding, add functional groups, and/or maintain or stabilize the unfolded configuration.

Abstract: A method of converting lipids to useful olefins includes reacting a mixture of lipids and a reactant olefin with microwave irradiation in the presence of ruthenium metathesis catalysts. The lipids may be unsaturated triacylglycerols or alkyl esters of fatty acids. The lipids may be sourced from renewable sources such as vegetable oil, waste cooking oil, or waste animal products.

Abstract: The invention is directed to thermoplastics derived from feathers. The thermoplastics are prepared by blending whole feathers or portions thereof with a plasticizer in an amount ranging from about 20 wt to about 40 wt % and a reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % to form a mixture; and either extruding the mixture to form an article, or pressing the mixture into a film at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A refuse compactor having a receptacle for holding the refuse during compacting in which the container is distortable and includes a pressure deformable section on at least one side normally bulging out of alignment with the adjacent area of the receptacle under conditions of substantially no pressure and a pressure member on the compactor for retaining said section deformed in substantial alignment with the side of the container during the compacting. This pressure deformable section facilitates removal of the filled container after compressing the refuse from the compactor and also facilitates removal of the compacted refuse from the container.

Abstract: A refuse compactor structure wherein refuse collected in a flexible, outwardly opening container is compacted by downward movement of a ram thereagainst. The container is laterally supported during the compacting operation by an arrangement of walls substantially fully surrounding the container. The wall arrangement is constricted as a result of a preselected movement of the compacting ram to provide the desired lateral support during the compacting operation. The walls are retracted from the container as an incident of the ram being returned to a retracted position. The container is supported on a movable carrier which may be withdrawn through a front opening of an outer cabinet of the structure for introducing additional refuse into the container or for removing the container as for disposition of the compacted refuse. The carrier supports a door for selectively closing the front opening of the cabinet.

Abstract: Shaped springs are fitted to a flange of a modular package such as a sink-disposer unit inserted through an aperture in a surface. One camming surface moves each spring out of the way during insertion of the package into the aperture and a second camming surface sprung outwardly against the wall of the aperture to obstruct removal of the package as insertion is completed. The spring may then be selectively tensioned by a threaded nut.