Abstract: A catalyst has a modified silica support and comprises a modifier metal, zirconium and/or hafnium, and a catalytic metal on the modified support. The catalyst has at least a proportion, typically, at least 25%, of modifier metal present in moieties having a total of up to 2 modifier metal atoms. The moieties may be derived from a monomeric and/or dimeric cation source. A method of production: provides a silica support with isolated silanol groups with optional treatment to provide isolated silanol groups (—SiOH) at a level of <2.5 groups per nm2; contacting the optionally treated silica support with a monomeric zirconium or hafnium modifier metal compound to effect adsorption onto the support; and optionally calcining the modified support for a time and temperature sufficient to convert the monomeric zirconium or hafnium compound adsorbed on the surface to an oxide or hydroxide of zirconium or hafnium in preparation for catalyst impregnation.

Abstract: Described herein are countdown biosensors, and methods of using the same, comprising fluorophores which can spontaneously photoswitch between two or more states with different fluorescent properties (e.g. fluorescent intensity or fluorescent color). The countdown sensor comprises a fluorescent domain which can spontaneously photoswitch, and a sensing domain which responds to the desired input. The countdown sensor is “read” by measuring the photoswitching rate. In certain embodiments, the decay of fluorescent intensity over time (due to spontaneous photoswitching of different fluorescent domains) can be made to depend on the concentration of different small molecules, such as calcium and nicotinamides.

Abstract: A catalyst has a modified silica support and comprises a modifier metal, zirconium and/or hafnium, and a catalytic metal on the modified support. The catalyst has at least a proportion, typically, at least 25%, of modifier metal present in moieties having a total of up to 2 modifier metal atoms. The moieties may be derived from a monomeric and/or dimeric cation source. A method of production:— provides a silica support with isolated silanol groups with optional treatment to provide isolated silanol groups (—SiOH) at a level of <2.5 groups per nm2; contacting the optionally treated silica support with a monomeric zirconium or hafnium modifier metal compound to effect adsorption onto the support; optionally calcining the modified support for a time and temperature sufficient to convert the monomeric zirconium or hafnium compound adsorbed on the surface to an oxide or hydroxide of zirconium or hafnium in preparation for catalyst impregnation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soft attachment for anchoring on a surface including a wall, deck of a boat or spar of a boat and a method of connecting the soft attachment to a surface. The soft attachment comprises: a hollow shank having a first end port, a second end port, an inner surface and a threaded outer surface, a flange located adjacent the first end port of the shank, and at least one flexible elongate member having a first portion located adjacent the inner surface of the hollow shank, and a second portion projecting from said first end port for use as an anchoring point for attachment of rigging.

Abstract: A catalyst has a modified silica support and comprises a modifier metal, zirconium and/or hafnium, and a catalytic metal on the modified support. The catalyst has at least a proportion, typically, at least 25%, of modifier metal present in moieties having a total of up to 2 modifier metal atoms. The moieties may be derived from a monomeric and/or dimeric cation source. A method of production: provides a silica support with isolated silanol groups with optional treatment to provide isolated silanol groups (—SiOH) at a level of <2.5 groups per nm2; contacting the optionally treated silica support with a monomeric zirconium or hafnium modifier metal compound to effect adsorption onto the support; and optionally calcining the modified support for a time and temperature sufficient to convert the monomeric zirconium or hafnium compound adsorbed on the surface to an oxide or hydroxide of zirconium or hafnium in preparation for catalyst impregnation.

Abstract: A resolution enhancement technique for a line scanning confocal microscopy system that generates vertical and horizontal line scanning patterns onto a sample is disclosed. The line scanning confocal microscopy system is capable of producing line scanning patterns through the use of two alternative pathways that generate either the vertical line scanning pattern or horizontal line scanning pattern.

Abstract: Various embodiments (300, 400, 500) for a multi-focal selective illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating multi-focal patterns of a sample are disclosed. The embodiments (300, 400, 500) of the multi-focal SIM system perform a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each generated multi-focal pattern in a sequence of multi-focal patterns that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image.

Abstract: A method of indicating an aiming adjustment in a riflescope of a shooting device. The method includes receiving, at a controller in the riflescope, a ballistics solution signal, the ballistics solution signal corresponding to a path of a projectile to be fired from the shooting device toward a target; receiving, at the controller, a first electronic signal corresponding to a position of an elevation adjustment selector of the riflescope relative to a zero point of the elevation adjustment selector; determining, by the controller, a magnitude and a direction of an aiming adjustment based on at least the first electronic signal and the ballistics solution signal; and activating an electronic indicator to provide a notification signal to a user, the notification signal conveying the magnitude and the direction of the aiming adjustment.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a multi-focal selective illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating multi-focal patterns of a sample are disclosed. The embodiments of the multi-focal SIM system perform a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each generated multi-focal pattern in a sequence of multi-focal patterns that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image.

Abstract: A method of indicating an aiming adjustment in a riflescope of a shooting device. The method includes receiving, at a controller in the riflescope, a ballistics solution signal, the ballistics solution signal corresponding to a path of a projectile to be fired from the shooting device toward a target; receiving, at the controller, a first electronic signal corresponding to a position of an elevation adjustment selector of the riflescope relative to a zero point of the elevation adjustment selector; determining, by the controller, a magnitude and a direction of an aiming adjustment based on at least the first electronic signal and the ballistics solution signal; and activating an electronic indicator to provide a notification signal to a user, the notification signal conveying the magnitude and the direction of the aiming adjustment.

Abstract: A catalyst has a modified silica support and comprises a modifier metal, zirconium and/or hafnium, and a catalytic metal on the modified support. The catalyst has at least a proportion, typically, at least 25%, of modifier metal present in moieties having a total of up to 2 modifier metal atoms. The moieties may be derived from a monomeric and/or dimeric cation source. A method of production:— provides a silica support with isolated silanol groups with optional treatment to provide isolated silanol groups (—SiOH) at a level of <2.5 groups per nm2; contacting the optionally treated silica support with a monomeric zirconium or hafnium modifier metal compound to effect adsorption onto the support; optionally calcining the modified support for a time and temperature sufficient to convert the monomeric zirconium or hafnium compound adsorbed on the surface to an oxide or hydroxide of zirconium or hafnium in preparation for catalyst impregnation.

Abstract: A structured illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating single focal point patterns of a sample is disclosed. The SIM system performs a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each single focal point that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image.

Abstract: Various embodiments (300, 400, 500) for a multi-focal selective illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating multi-focal patterns of a sample are disclosed. The embodiments (300, 400, 500) of the multi-focal SIM system perform a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each generated multi-focal pattern in a sequence of multi-focal patterns that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image.

Abstract: A structured illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating single focal point patterns of a sample is disclosed. The SIM system performs a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each single focal point that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image.

Abstract: A resolution enhancement technique for a line scanning confocal microscopy system that generates vertical and horizontal line scanning patterns onto a sample is disclosed. The line scanning confocal microscopy system is capable of producing line scanning patterns through the use of two alternative pathways that generate either the vertical line scanning pattern or horizontal line scanning pattern.

Abstract: A method of producing an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester, preferably an ?, ? ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester. The method includes contacting formaldehyde or a suitable source thereof with a carboxylic acid or ester in the presence of a catalyst and optionally in the presence of an alcohol. The catalyst includes a nitrided metal oxide having at least two types of metal cations, M1 and M2, wherein M1 is selected from the metals of group 2, 3, 4, 13 (called also IIIA) or 14 (called also IVA) of the periodic table and M2 is selected from the metals of groups 5 or 15 (called also VA) of the periodic table.

Abstract: A multi-focal structured illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating multi-focal patterns of a sample is disclosed. The multi-focal SIM system performs a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each multi-focal pattern in a sequence of multi-focal patterns that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image.

Abstract: A resolution enhancement technique for a line scanning confocal microscopy system that generates vertical and horizontal line scanning patterns onto a sample is disclosed. The line scanning confocal microscopy system is capable of producing line scanning patterns through the use of two alternative pathways that generate either the vertical line scanning pattern or horizontal line scanning pattern.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a silica-supported depleted alkali metal catalyst is described. The level of alkali metal on the depleted catalyst is at least 0.5 mol % and the silica support is a zero-gel. The process comprises the steps of contacting the silica supported depleted alkali metal catalyst with a solution of a salt of the alkali metal in a solvent system that has a polar organic solvent as the majority component. A re-impregnated catalyst prepared by the process of the invention any comprising a silica zero-gel support and a catalytic metal selected from an alkali metal in the range 0.5-5 mol % on the catalyst, wherein the surface area of the silica support is <180 m2/g is also described. The invention is applicable to a process for preparing an ethylenically unsaturated acid or ester comprising contacting an alkanoic acid or ester of the formula R1—CH2—COOR3, with formaldehyde or a suitable source of formaldehyde.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a multi-focal selective illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating multi-focal patterns of a sample are disclosed. The multi-focal SIM system performs a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each generated multi-focal pattern in a sequence of multi-focal patterns that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image.