Abstract: A process is described for making renewable para-xylene, comprising converting acetic acid to isobutene in the presence of a catalyst then converting the acetic acid-derived isobutene to a product composition including para-xylene. The catalyst can be a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst.

Abstract: A tubular has a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The tubular is initially in the retracted configuration and run into a bore at least partially lined with filter cake. The tubular is extended such that a filter cake-disrupting member mounted on the tubular defines high points or otherwise has an outer surface of varying radial extent for disrupting or disturbing the filter cake.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a housing defining a main bore and an actuatable member moveable from a first configuration to a second configuration to permit actuation of the tool. The tool includes an indexer mounted within the housing and arranged to progress linearly in a first direction along the main bore of the housing in a predetermined number of discrete sequential and progressive steps of linear movement in said first direction by passage of a corresponding number of objects through the indexer to cause said actuatable member to move towards its second configuration.

Abstract: Positive active material pastes for flooded deep discharge lead-acid batteries, methods of making the same and lead-acid batteries including the same are provided. The positive active material paste includes lead oxide, a sulfate additive, and an aqueous acid. The positive active material paste contains from about 0.1 to about 1.0 wt % of the sulfate additive. Batteries using such positive active material pastes exhibit greatly improved performance over batteries with conventional positive active material pastes.

Abstract: A process is described for making a product mixture including isobutene, propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 2-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene from a mixture of acetic acid and propionic and through reaction in the presence of a source of hydrogen and of a mixed oxide catalyst, for example, a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst. A variety of commercially valuable products may be made in turn from the various C3, C4 and C5 constituents of the product mixture.

Abstract: An assembly includes an etalon assembly for dynamically locking a frequency of an optical beam to a set frequency, the etalon assembly being external to a laser source assembly that outputs the optical beam. The etalon assembly includes an etalon that receives the optical beam and generates via interference effects a transmission beam, the etalon having a thermal tuning range greater than one half of a free spectral range of the etalon. The etalon assembly also includes an etalon heater mounted to the etalon such that the etalon heater is configured to adjust the temperature of the etalon. The assembly includes a controller configured to retrieve calibration data based on the set frequency, calculate a set temperature for the etalon using a thermal tuning algorithm and the calibration data, and control the etalon heater such that the etalon has a temperature equal to the calculated set temperature.

Abstract: A mechanical counting device for actuating a plurality of output devices, the device comprising: linear indexing means adapted to count a plurality of actuating signals and to cause actuation of the output devices when a predetermined number of actuating signals for each output device has been received, wherein the mechanical counting device is adapted to cause actuation of a particular device when a different predetermined number of actuating signals has been received such that the output devices are sequentially actuable.

Abstract: This invention provides new therapeutic potential of nandrolone or a derivative thereof, against protozoal diseases. More specifically, nandrolone or a derivative thereof exhibits anti-protozoal activity against Leishmania major. Anti-protozoal potential of nandrolone derivatives, such as compounds 1-8, can contribute in the development of effective therapies against protozoal diseases, such as leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, babeosis, amoebic dysentery and lambliasis. Another aspect of the invention is a method of testing derivatives of nandrolone for anti-protozoal activity comprising growing Leishmania in the presence of the test derivative and determining the IC50 value.

Abstract: A method for processing of motion images based on a first set of motion image frames for a first eye view and at least one image frame for a second eye view. One embodiment of the method can include: identifying an object in a first image frame from the first eye view at a given time t; using a planar tracker, generating a homography relating to apparent movement of the object between the first image frame from the first eye view at the given time to a first image frame from the second eye view at a similar time t?; and using the homography to enhance processing of image(s) in the first and/or the second eye view. Thus, the homography can be used to define the relationship between two views taken at a similar time from two different locations.

Abstract: Components of an unmanned undersea vehicle are inspired by jellyfish that uses its flexible body and tilt sensing to achieve efficient swimming and turning. A tilt sensor, based on a statocyst, has a metal ball in a chamber lined with resistors. The tilt is sensed in accordance with which resistors the ball contacts. A composition of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with ferritin particles dispersed therein mimics the qualities of a jellyfish's mesoglea.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decontaminating a mattress (14) or other effect of bed bugs comprising the steps of: Placing the mattress or other effect in a hermetically sealable container (10) of a size and shape commensurate with that of the mattress or other effect; Inserting an appropriate quantity of an oxygen scavenger (16) into the container; Hermetically sealing the container so as to prevent ingress of oxygen; and Leaving it for a time sufficient for the oxygen levels to be depleted to less than 0.2% and the bed bugs and their eggs and larvae to be destroyed. It also relates to a kit of parts for implementing the method.

Abstract: A packaged chemical pad may include an air tight protective packaging surrounding a chemical pad. The chemical pad may include a semi-permeable membrane and a chemical composition disposed in the semi-permeable member. The chemical composition may automatically, on activation by oxygen following the removal of the protective packaging, generate an infra red heat and water vapour. The activated chemical pad, when positioned in an insect trap, may maintain a temperature at a pad surface of between 20° C. and 40° C. and a relative humidity of at least 10% above an ambient humidity for an operating duration of at least 8 hours.

Abstract: ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalysts having improved stability for the conversion of ethanol to isobutene are described, together with methods for making such catalysts.

Abstract: Mobile payment systems and methods allow a customer to make payments at a point-of-sale device using their mobile device. In the mobile payment method, a single bundle of transaction information is received at an aggregator server from a mobile device and the server creates a bundle ID for the received bundle. The bundle ID is sent to the mobile device, which presents it to the POS device. The POS device sends the received bundle ID back to the aggregator server and, if the bundle ID matches the expected ID, then payment processing is initiated according to preferences outlined in the transaction information.

Abstract: Optical devices are disclosed consisting of optical chips (planar lightwave circuits) which have optically symmetric or matching designs and properties and optical components which create asymmetry in the optical devices. The devices find application in detection in coherent and non-coherent optical communications systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insect trap (10), which mimics certain characteristics of a mammal and comprises a housing comprising a base (22) and a cover (24). The pad generates an infrared heat source (14) and can also generate water vapour (16). The trap has an insect retention surface (18) and is characterized in that the cover is positioned over the base in a manner such that it defines an opening (50) around the base/cover interface (52). The opening has a depth (d) of less than 1.5 cm and is sized and positioned such that at least one attractant signal (14?, 16?) is directed out of the opening in a manner allowing effective operation for at least 8 hours.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus including a tubular body, first and second ports in a wall of the body, and a fluid pressure-responsive valve arrangement having a locked first configuration associated with a first pressure in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, an unlocked second configuration associated with a second pressure higher than the first pressure in which the first port is open and the second port is closed, and a third configuration associated with a third pressure lower than the second pressure in which the second port is open and the first port is closed.

Abstract: An assembly includes an etalon assembly for dynamically locking a frequency of an optical beam to a set frequency, the etalon assembly being external to a laser source assembly that outputs the optical beam. The etalon assembly includes an etalon that receives the optical beam and generates via interference effects a transmission beam, the etalon having a thermal tuning range greater than one half of a free spectral range of the etalon. The etalon assembly also includes an etalon heater mounted to the etalon such that the etalon heater is configured to adjust the temperature of the etalon. The assembly includes a controller configured to retrieve calibration data based on the set frequency, calculate a set temperature for the etalon using a thermal tuning algorithm and the calibration data, and control the etalon heater such that the etalon has a temperature equal to the calculated set temperature.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a housing defining a main bore and an actuatable member moveable from a first configuration to a second configuration to permit actuation of the tool. The tool includes an indexer mounted within the housing and arranged to progress linearly in a first direction along the main bore of the housing in a predetermined number of discrete sequential and progressive steps of linear movement in said first direction by passage of a corresponding number of objects through the indexer to cause said actuatable member to move towards its second configuration.

Abstract: Components of an unmanned undersea vehicle are inspired by jellyfish that uses its flexible body and tilt sensing to achieve efficient swimming and turning. A tilt sensor, based on a statocyst, has a metal ball in a chamber lined with resistors. The tilt is sensed in accordance with which resistors the ball contacts. A composition of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with ferritin particles dispersed therein mimics the qualities of a jellyfish's mesoglea.