Abstract: Various systems and methods for implementing a software defined industrial system are described herein. For example, an orchestrated system of distributed nodes may run an application, including modules implemented on the distributed nodes. In response to a node failing, a module may be redeployed to a replacement node. In an example, self-descriptive control applications and software modules are provided in the context of orchestratable distributed systems. The self-descriptive control applications may be executed by an orchestrator or like control device and use a module manifest to generate a control system application. For example, an edge control node of the industrial system may include a system on a chip including a microcontroller (MCU) to convert IO data. The system on a chip includes a central processing unit (CPU) in an initial inactive state, which may be changed to an activated state in response an activation signal.

Abstract: Methods for making higher-octane fuel components from a feed stream of C8+ paraffins, including catalytically cracking the C8+ paraffins using a Zeolite catalyst to produce a reaction product of mid-chain paraffins and olefins and short-chain paraffins and olefins. The reaction product comprises liquid phase paraffins having an increased Octane Value over the feed stream paraffins. The reaction product further comprises a gas phase of short-chain paraffins which are separated from the liquid phase. In embodiments, the short chain olefins are hydrogenated to form mid-chain paraffins and a gas phase containing short-chain paraffins.

Abstract: A space-out mechanism that may be used in a tubing hanger system to install a tubing hanger and rigidize the tubing hanger and a casing hanger within a wellhead housing in a single trip is provided. The space-out mechanism may include two pieces that are configured to rotate against each other such that the axial length of the space-out mechanism can be adjusted to remove any axial gaps created in the installation of the tubing hanger or rigidizing of the tubing hanger and casing hanger within the wellhead housing. The two pieces of the space-out mechanism may include a ramp ring and a piston. The ramp ring and piston may each have ramp surfaces that rotate and bear against each other until the system is rigidized.

Abstract: A process for converting C2-5 alkanes to higher value C5-24 hydrocarbon fuels and blendstocks. The C2-5 alkanes are converted to olefins by thermal olefination, without the use of a dehydrogenation catalyst and without the use of steam. The product olefins are fed to an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the olens to the fuel products which are then recovered. Optionally, hydrogen and methane are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization. Further optionally, C2-5 alkanes are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface plasmon-coupled bioluminescence, wherein bioluminescent emission from a bioluminescent chemical reaction couples to surface plasmons in metalized particles thereby enhancing the signal. Importantly, these plasmonic emissions emitted from metallic particles generated without an external excitation source but instead from induced electronically excited states caused by the bioluminescent chemical reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the production of hydrocarbon fuel products from C2-5 alkanes. Methane is converted to ethylene in a methane thermal olefination reactor operating at a temperature of at least 900° C. and a pressure of at least 150 psig, and without a dehydrogenation catalyst or steam. C2-5 alkanes are converted to olefins in a C2-5 thermal olefination reactor operating at a temperature, pressure and space velocity to convert at least 80% of the alkanes to C2-5 olefins. The ethylene and C2-5 olefins are passed through an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst and operating at a temperature, pressure and space velocity to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the olefins. In one aspect, methane in the effluent of the oligomerization reactor is recycled through the C2-5 thermal olefination reactor. Methods for the thermal olefination of methane are also disclosed.

Abstract: Describe are preferred formulations for Avgas meeting the requirements for use in aircraft, including requirements established under ASTM standards and by the Federal Aviation Administration. In one embodiment, a binary mixture of 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene (mesitylene) and isopentane is used to provide a MON of at least 100, and more preferably at least 102. In other embodiments, the amounts of mesitylene and/or isopentane may be changed, and other fuel components are included. These various Avgas formulations are thereby adjusted to meet a variety of requirements as to octane rating, RVP, cold start, and other fuel characteristics.

Abstract: Optical sensors, systems and methods of use thereof are provided. Aspects of the subject systems include a sensor having a sensing surface and a configuration that directs a first optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a first incident angle, and directs a second optical signal to interact with the sensing surface at a second incident angle. The subject sensors, systems and methods find use, e.g., in the diagnosis of dry eye disease.

Abstract: A process for converting C2-5 alkanes to higher value C5-24 hydrocarbon fuels and blendstocks. The C2-5 alkanes are converted to olefins by thermal olefination, without the use of a dehydrogenation catalyst and without the use of steam. The product olefins are fed to an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the olefins to the fuel products which are then recovered. Optionally, hydrogen and methane are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization. Further optionally, C2-5 alkanes are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization.

Abstract: A container packer system includes a transfer base, which receives a container packer adapted for movement longitudinally between retracted and extended positions with respect to the transfer base. The transfer base includes a power subsystem with a motor or engine driving a hydraulic pump for powering hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units of the system, including a container packer piston-and-cylinder unit for hydraulically extending and retracting the container packer. The container packer generally encloses an interior adapted for receiving bulk material for transfer to a transport container, which can comprise a standard shipping container, a trailer or some other bulk material receptacle. The container packer includes a push blade assembly longitudinally movably mounted in its interior and actuated by a push blade piston-and-cylinder unit.

Abstract: Provided herein is a compound which is particularly suitable for use as a cannabinoid, as an emulsifier for a cannabinoid, in a formulation comprising the compound and in a method of treatment using the compound. The compound is defined by the General Formula: wherein: R1-R10 are independently selected from H or an alkyl of 1-10 carbons; alkenyl of up to 10 carbons; or groups on adjacent carbons may be taken together to form an alkene; R11 and R12 are independently H or —(CH2CHR16O)x—R17 with the proviso that at least one of R11 or R12 represents —(CH2CHR16O)xR17—; R11 and R10 may be taken together to represent —C(R19)2—; R13-R15 independently represent H or an alkyl of 1-8 carbons; each R16 independently represents H or an alkyl of 1-3 carbons; each R17 independently represents H, an alkyl or substituted alkyl of 1-22 carbons, aryl or substituted aryl or the ester of an acid; each R19 independently represents H or an alkyl of 1-5 carbons; and each x is independently an integer of 1-100.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for implementing a software defined industrial system are described herein. For example, an orchestrated system of distributed nodes may run an application, including modules implemented on the distributed nodes. In response to a node failing, a module may be redeployed to a replacement node. In an example, self-descriptive control applications and software modules are provided in the context of orchestratable distributed systems. The self-descriptive control applications may be executed by an orchestrator or like control device and use a module manifest to generate a control system application. For example, an edge control node of the industrial system may include a system on a chip including a microcontroller (MCU) to convert IO data. The system on a chip includes a central processing unit (CPU) in an initial inactive state, which may be changed to an activated state in response an activation signal.

Abstract: Methods for making higher-octane fuel components from a feed stream of C8+ paraffins, including catalytically cracking the C8+ paraffins using a Zeolite catalyst to produce a reaction product of mid-chain paraffins and olefins and short-chain paraffins and olefins. The reaction product comprises liquid phase paraffins having an increased Octane Value over the feed stream paraffins. The reaction product further comprises a gas phase of short-chain paraffins which are separated from the liquid phase. In embodiments, the short chain olefins are hydrogenated to form mid-chain paraffins and a gas phase containing short-chain paraffins.

Abstract: A product includes a container, a photosensitive material carried by the container and responsive to ultraviolet light, and a UV protector carried by the container to protect the photosensitive material from exposure to UV light. A method of producing a food or beverage container includes applying a photochromic material to a food or beverage container that is responsive to ultraviolet (UV) light so as to darken upon exposure thereto, and protecting at least a portion of the photochromic material from exposure to UV light.

Abstract: Methods for the thermal olefination of a methane feedstream involving the thermal cracking of the methane feedstream at selected temperatures and pressures in the absence of a catalyst, steam or added oxygen. The methane feedstream contains greater than 85 wt % methane, and the thermal cracking produces an effluent stream containing greater than 20 wt % ethylene. Thermal cracking is optionally performed at less than 1,100° C., and in some embodiments at 850-900° C. The methane feedstream optionally contains greater than 95 wt % methane and produces an effluent stream containing greater than 30 wt % olefins. Methane in the effluent stream may be recycled to the methane feedstream.

Abstract: A handheld tool configured to procure fuel is described. Embodiments of the fuel procurement tool include a handhold having a cutting mechanism located proximate one end of the handhold. Typically, the cutting mechanism can include at least one cutter link having a depth gauge, a top plate, and a gullet formed between the depth gauge and the top plate. The fuel procurement tool can be implemented to procure kindling from a piece of wood.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly having an arrangement of primary well barriers provided in equipment that is located within the well and/or the wellhead housing is provided. All of the well barriers may be located within the tubing hanger and/or the production tubing string extending into the wellbore. The subsea wellhead assembly also includes a flowline connection body placed atop the wellhead housing and fluidly coupled to the tubing hanger. None of the primary barriers for the well are located in the flowline connection body.

Abstract: A tubing: hanger assembly with a shiftable annulus seal is provided. The shiftable annulus seal allows for selectively sealing the tubing hanger within a easing hanger, a wellhead, or a tubing head. The tubing hanger assembly also includes a secondary annulus flow path formed through the body of the tubing hanger. The shiftable annulus seal selectively opens/closes a relatively large flow path to the tubing string annulus for circulation of fluid through the tubing string and setting a-packer. The secondary annulus flow path facilitates monitoring and bleeding of pressure front the annulus after the shiftable annulus seal is closed.

Abstract: A process for converting C2-5 alkanes to higher value C5-24 hydrocarbon fuels and blendstocks. The C2-5 alkanes are converted to olefins by thermal olefination, without the use of a dehydrogenation catalyst and without the use of steam. The product olefins are fed to an oligomerization reactor containing a zeolite catalyst to crack, oligomerize and cyclize the olens to the fuel products which are then recovered. Optionally, hydrogen and methane are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization. Further optionally, C2-5 alkanes are removed from the product olefin stream prior to oligomerization.

Abstract: Systems and methods for speech recognition are provided. In some aspects, the method comprises receiving, using an input, an audio signal. The method further comprises splitting the audio signal into auditory test segments. The method further comprises extracting, from each of the auditory test segments, a set of acoustic features. The method further comprises applying the set of acoustic features to a deep neural network to produce a hypothesis for the corresponding auditory test segment. The method further comprises selectively performing one or more of: indirect adaptation of the deep neural network and direct adaptation of the deep neural network.