Abstract: A method for the decontamination of water containing one or more PFAS, having the steps of generating colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs) by mixing a gas, water, and one or more surfactants together with high shear forces, introducing the CGAs and a PFAS-containing water in an enclosed space where the CGAs move upwards through the water due to their inherent buoyancy, allowing the plurality of CGAs to extract PFAS from the water, and separating the PFAS-containing CGAs from the surface of the water in the enclosed space for further treatment or disposal, leaving the water with lower PFAS concentrations in the vessel. The aphrons may be anionic or cationic and created by mixing speeds or surfactant concentration, and treatment may be with gas bubbles to remove PFAS from water gas bubbles or destruction of PFAS by plasma reactor or deployed in situ through wells into geologic ground formations.

Abstract: A computer system outputs audio content via one or more audio output devices. If the audio content includes information that enables spatialization of the audio content, the system outputs the audio content in a simulated three-dimensional environment, including, if the audio content corresponds to a first category of content, causing the one or more audio output devices to simulate production of the audio content in a first virtual space, and if the audio content corresponds to a second category of content, causing the one or more audio output devices to simulate production of the audio content in a second virtual space that has different simulated acoustic properties than simulated acoustic properties of the first virtual space.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to navigating user interfaces using hand gestures.

Abstract: A volume of natural gas including a volume of methane and a volume of other alkanes may be cleaned of the other alkanes using a steam reformer system to create synthesis gas.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Disclosed are support-activators and catalyst compositions comprising the support-activators for polymerizing olefins in which the support-activator includes clay heteroadduct, prepare from a colloidal phyllosilicate such as a colloidal smectite clay, which is chemically-modified with a heterocoagulation agent. By limiting the amount of heterocoagulation reagent relative to the colloidal smectite clay as described herein, the smectite heteroadduct support-activator is a porous and amorphous solid which can be readily isolated from the resulting slurry by a conventional filtration process, and which can activate metallocenes and related catalysts toward olefin polymerization. Related compositions and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems provide a surgical access device comprising an internal retractor device integrated with or coupled to a body wall or wound retractor. The wound retractor retracts an opening in a body wall into a body cavity, while the internal retractor permits a user to control the positions of internal structures within the body cavity, thereby permitting a user to define a surgical field. Embodiments of the internal retractor are adjustable.

Abstract: Disclosed are support-activators and catalyst compositions comprising the support-activators for polymerizing olefins in which the support-activator includes clay heteroadduct, prepare from a colloidal phyllosilicate such as a colloidal smectite clay, which is chemically-modified with a heterocoagulation agent. By limiting the amount of heterocoagulation reagent relative to the colloidal smectite clay as described herein, the smectite heteroadduct support-activator is a porous and amorphous solid which can be readily isolated from the resulting slurry by a conventional filtration process, and which can activate metallocenes and related catalysts toward olefin polymerization. Related compositions and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are support-activators and catalyst compositions comprising the support-activators for polymerizing olefins in which the support-activator includes clay heteroadduct, prepare from a colloidal phyllosilicate such as a colloidal smectite clay, which is chemically-modified with a heterocoagulation agent. By limiting the amount of heterocoagulation reagent relative to the colloidal smectite clay as described herein, the smectite heteroadduct support-activator is a porous and amorphous solid which can be readily isolated from the resulting slurry by a conventional filtration process, and which can activate metallocenes and related catalysts toward olefin polymerization. Related compositions and processes are disclosed.

Abstract: A board game that includes a traditional chessboard and two sets of playing pieces, where the playing pieces correspond to that of Western chess, but where each playing piece (possibly save the king) has a top portion and a removable corresponding bottom portion. Each player also is given a second group of top portions that can be interchanged with the original top portions. While game set up and playing piece movement is similar to Western chess, a piece is not “captured” when an opponent lands on the same board square but “converted.” The opponent removes the top portion and replaces the piece with a different tone top portion to provide visual indication that the playing piece has been converted to the other side. That converted piece stays on the board instead of being removed with few exceptions. The game ends when one player checkmates the other player's king.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the synthesis of triazolopyridazine based compounds represented by Formula A: ##STR1## These compounds have utility as angiotensin related antihypertensive agents.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simple and rapid preparation of reusable, addressable surface-immobilized arrays of biomolecules (libraries) used for screening for interaction with any biologically significant target. A special plate having on its surface a plurality of discreet functionalized substrate areas, typically in arrays of 10.times.10 to 400.times.400, is provided for chemical synthesis or bonding thereon of desired families of biomolecules (e.g. peptides, DNA, RNA, oligosaccharides). In the case of peptides, such as hexapeptides, the resulting permanently hexapeptide-loaded plate is a reusable Addressable Synthetic Peptide Combinatorial Library (ASPCL), in which 1 to 3 (typically two) of the positions in the sequence are uniquely identified by the address location. Plate embodiments include substrates of physically bonded (e.g.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simple and rapid preparation of reusable, addressable surface-immobilized arrays of biomolecules (libraries) used for screening for interaction with any biologically significant target. A special plate having on or in its surface a plurality of discreet functionalized substrate areas, typically in arrays of 10.times.10 to 400.times.400, is provided for chemical synthesis or bonding thereon of desired families of biomolecules (e.g. peptides, DNA, RNA, oligosaccharides). In the case of peptides, such as hexapeptides, the resulting permanently hexapeptide-loaded plate is a reusable Addressable Synthetic Peptide Combinatorial Library (ASPCL), in which 1 to 3 (typically two) of the positions in the sequence are uniquely identified by the address location. The preferred plate embodiment employs an HPMP wink of porous polyolefin removably received in holes in the plate. A unique multi-slot block assembly is used to prepare the ASPCLs.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems of unhindered construction and display of tethered organic ligand molecules, and more particularly to preparation and use of thin film, substantially non-crosslinked hydrophilic polar multi-functionalized polymers (HPMPs) anchored to a variety of functionalized substrates so that the HPMP forms a thin film matrix layer providing a unique highly hydrated, high dielectric environment equivalent to an aqueous solution, for affinity binding of Ligands (L) to Tagged Target Molecules (TTMs). Ligands, and especially MER.sub.n ligand libraries such as peptide libraries, are singly tethered to the HPMP by a "permanent" strong covalent bond so that subsequent displacement of the TTM does not also displace the ligand from the HPMP, thereby making the HPMP tethered Ligand library reusable. The HPMP thin film is on the order of 200-2000 .ANG.

Abstract: A fastener having five parts. A flexible material such as canvas is apertured at a point of connection and a first washer having a boss axially receives the apertures so that the material overlies the washer. The material is held in sandwiched relation between the first washer and a second washer, both of which having gripping surfaces that engage the material. The washers are pressed downwardly by a knob. The knob has a depending central post that releasably engages a lock member that is in turn releasably engaged by a base member that is secured to a support surface. The lock member has a boss part with an annular step that supports the first washer. A pair of flanges extend from a bottom end of the lock member and are engaged by overhanging walls formed in the base member when the knob is turned.

Abstract: A lock apparatus for locking the steering wheel of a vehicle includes an elongate member, a pair of hook members fixedly secured to one end of the elongate member, and a lock assembly pivotally mounted on the elongate member. The lock assembly pivots to a locking position where it cooperates with the hook members to secure the steering wheel of a vehicle between it and the hook members and away from the locking position to release the steering wheel. The opposite end of the elongate member engages the seat, door panel or other portion of the passenger compartment of a vehicle proximate the steering wheel.

Abstract: An optically-readable identity card has an inner core layer of material which inhibits light from the optical reader from passing through the body of the card. The inner core material is a plastic vinyl colored either black, gold, silver or any metallic color.

Abstract: An antitheft device for attachment to a steering wheel of an automobile comprising an elongated body member having a passage extending along an axis therethrough, first hook means secured to the body member for engagement with a portion of the steering wheel wherein the first hook means engage the wheel from the inside thereof with the body member extending outward beyond the periphery of the steering wheel, an elongated rod member adapted to move in telescopic fashion in the passageway of the body member along the axis, second hook means secured to the rod member for engaging the inside portion of the steering wheel diametrically opposed to the first hook means, and means associated with the body member engaging the rod within the passage for locking the rod member stationary with respect to the body member at any of a plurality of positions.