Abstract: Processes for purifying polyether polyols via treatment with ion exchange resins. A mixture that includes the polyether polyol and alkali metal ions is passed through a first bed that includes a cation exchange resin comprising carboxylic acid and/or phosphonic acid groups to remove alkali metal ions from the mixture. Thereafter, the product is passed through a second bed comprising an anion exchange resin comprising quaternary ammonium groups and a cation exchange resin comprising carboxylic acid and/or phosphonic acid groups to thereby produce a purified polyether polyol.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the removal and/or insertion of a weapon out of and/or into a holster. The detector may transmit a message each time the weapon is removed from the holster. A recording system may receive the message and determine whether or not it will begin recording the data it captures. A detector may detect the change in a magnitude of an inductance and/or an impedance of a circuit to detect insertion and removal of the weapon into and out of the holster. The holster is configured to couple to the detector to position the detector to detect insertion and removal of the weapon. An adhesive tape may couple a detector to a holster.

Abstract: Processes and production plants for preparing a polyol. The process includes continuously producing an intermediate polyol in a first reactor, b) continuously discharging the intermediate polyol from the first reactor, continuously mixing the intermediate polyol with an aqueous solutions of alkali metal to provide a mixture comprising the intermediate polyol, alkali metal, and water, continuously dehydrating the mixture comprising intermediate polyol, alkali metal, and water, thereby continuously producing a dehydrated mixture comprising the intermediate polyol and the alkali metal, transferring the dehydrated mixture to a second reactor, and producing the polyether polyol in the second reactor by feeding an alkylene oxide to the second reactor to thereby react the intermediate polyol with the alkylene oxide in the presence of the alkali metal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and techniques to update a distributed data structure. In one example, a service provider provides a computer-implemented service accessible to users, in which, upon use of the service by a user, the service provider broadcasts an entry to a distributed data structure of behalf of the user to a network that manages the distributed data structure such that the user can use the service. The entry can relate to various entities associated with the service, such as other users of the service.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for purifying polyols containing oxyalkylene units that is an alkali metal catalyzed alkoxylation reaction product of an alkylene oxide and an H-functional starter. The methods include neutralizing the alkali metal ions with an aqueous solution comprising water and sulfuric acid, in which: (i) the sulfuric acid is present in an amount of no more than 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous solution, and (ii) the sulfuric acid is used in an amount of 2% to 10% more than the theoretical amount necessary to neutralize all of the alkali metal ions present. The methods can produce polyols having a low content of 2-methyl-2-pentenal.

Abstract: Methods of removing amine contaminants from equipment used in the production of polyether polyols. These methods include: (a) contacting the equipment with an aqueous solution of a first acid; (b) discharging the aqueous solution of the first acid from the equipment; (c) contacting the equipment with an aqueous solution of an acidic metal conditioner; (d) discharging the aqueous solution of the acidic metal conditioner from the equipment; (e) contacting the equipment with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide; and (f) discharging the aqueous solution of the alkali metal hydroxide from the equipment.

Abstract: Methods of removing amine contaminants from equipment used in the production of polyether polyols. These methods include: (a) contacting the equipment with an aqueous solution of a first acid; (b) discharging the aqueous solution of the first acid from the equipment; (c) contacting the equipment with an aqueous solution of an acidic metal conditioner; (d) discharging the aqueous solution of the acidic metal conditioner from the equipment; (e) contacting the equipment with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide; and (f) discharging the aqueous solution of the alkali metal hydroxide from the equipment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for purifying polyols containing oxyalkylene units that is an alkali metal catalyzed alkoxylation reaction product of an alkylene oxide and an H-functional starter. The methods include neutralizing the alkali metal ions with an aqueous solution comprising water and sulfuric acid, in which: (i) the sulfuric acid is present in an amount of no more than 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous solution, and (ii) the sulfuric acid is used in an amount of 2% to 10% more than the theoretical amount necessary to neutralize all of the alkali metal ions present. The methods can produce polyols having a low content of 2-methyl-2-pentenal.

Abstract: Batch “water processes” for producing high functionality polyether polyols from polyhydroxyl compounds that are solid at ambient conditions, such as is the case with sucrose, are disclosed. The disclosed processes avoid use of an intermediate dewatering step.

Abstract: Batch “water processes” for producing high functionality polyether polyols from polyhydroxyl compounds that are solid at ambient conditions, such as is the case with sucrose, are disclosed. The disclosed processes avoid use of an intermediate dewatering step.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and systems for removing water from a polyether polyol that employs a controlled temperature and pressure profile.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and systems for removing water from a polyether polyol that employs a controlled temperature and pressure profile.

Abstract: Provided is a method of identifying myocardially-infarcted patients having an increased risk of developing a heart condition.

Abstract: Provided is a method of identifying myocardially-infarcted patients having an increased risk of developing a heart condition.

Abstract: Methods for determining the susceptibility of an individual to a heart condition, post myocardial infarction, comprising detecting the presence of an amino acid change in the sequence of the hemopexin domain of MMP-9 (Matrix Metalloproteinase 9), the presence of an amino acid change in said domain being indicative of susceptibility to said heart condition, post myocardial infarction is described, together with methods for drug design.

Abstract: Uses for a selective adenosine A3 receptor antagonist, or RNAi directed against said receptor, to treat myocardial infarction and heart conditions including heart failure, are provided. Optionally, an adenosine A2a receptor agonist may also be used with the adenosine A3 receptor antagonist. Methods of treating heart failure are also provided.

Abstract: A media signal is controlled using a portable media content device. The media signal is received and encoded into an encoded media signal for a portable media content device. The encoded media signal is stored for playback on the portable media content device.

Abstract: An in vitro method for identifying subjects at risk of heart failure following a Myocardial Infarction comprising analyzing the concentration of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in a bodily sample from a subject who has suffered a Myocardial Infarction and comparing this concentration with a reference for concentrations of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in individuals who have not suffered a Myocardial Infarction; wherein a raised concentration of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in the bodily sample from a subject who has suffered a Myocardial Infarction suggests the subject is at risk of heart failure.

Abstract: A media signal is controlled using a portable media content device. The media signal is received and encoded into an encoded media signal for a portable media content device. The encoded media signal is stored for playback on the portable media content device.

Abstract: A media signal is controlled using a portable media content device. The media signal is received and encoded into an encoded media signal for a portable media content device. The encoded media signal is stored for playback on the portable media content device.