Abstract: The described invention relates to a method for determining corrosion in wet gas pipelines comprising: a) using a portion of the liquid phase from a wet gas pipeline; b) placing said portion in a high pressure, high temperature autoclave to prepare a saturated vapor phase; c) transferring the saturated vapor to a corrosion test unit, said unit having a specimen holder section having external, temperature adjustable means, and specimens being arranged in one or more positions within the specimen holder; d) chilling said specimen holder section so as to cause condensation onto said corrosion testing specimens; and, e) calculating a value selected from the group consisting of corrosions rate, pitting of the specimen, weight loss of the specimen, and any combination thereof. The invention process can be practiced in a separate laboratory apparatus designed to accomplish the above method, or in a similar online apparatus set up in a semi-batch mode or continuous mode.

Abstract: A personal security device comprises a wrist band of electrical contracts attached by a lead wire to a hand-held body containing a battery power source at a first voltage, a transformer to step the first voltage to a second discharge voltage and a capacitor to store the discharge energy. The lead wire connects the positive and negative terminals of the capacitor to the sequentially disposed positive and negative electrical contacts on the wrist band respectively. A thumb switch is depressed to energize the capacitor so that if any two adjacent positive-negative terminals contact a conductive surface, the capacitor will discharge its energy onto that surface. The device is effective in deterring would be attackers whether they be human or animal.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I are disclosed which are useful as glycemic index lowering agents and/or, as ?-amylase and/or ?-glucosidase inhibitors. Also disclosed are nutritional and/or pharmaceutical compositions and supplements comprising one or more of these compounds. The compounds will be beneficial to patients who require stabilization of their postprandial glucose levels.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel substituted isoxazole compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, therapeutic uses and processes for preparing the same.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a message processing system that includes a processor and a memory, a message from an originator. The message includes content related to a particular service of a plurality of services. The method includes selecting a set of potential responses to the message at the message processing system based on the particular service. The method also includes retrieving account information related to the originator of the message at the message processing system. The method further includes filtering the set of potential responses at the message processing system to provide a filtered set of responses. The set of potential responses is filtered based on the account information. When a first response has a confidence level that exceeds a threshold confidence level, the method includes sending the first response from the message processing system to the originator of the message without sending the filtered set of responses to an agent.

Abstract: A pump for a combustion engine is disclosed. The pump may have at least one pumping member movable through a plurality of displacement strokes during a single engine cycle. The pump may also have a controller in communication with the pumping member. The controller may be configured to selectively reduce an amount of fluid displaced during at least one, but less than all of the plurality of displacement strokes. The reduction may be initiated in response to a demand for the displaced fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for remote control, monitoring and/or servicing of heat-treatment equipment via wireless communications networks. Specifically, the method and apparatus can be used in pre and post-weld heat-treatment applications for steel pipes in a variety of industries, including, but not limited to, power plants, chemical and petrochemical plants and refineries. Importantly, the embodiment generates and manages all the documentation necessary to input and verify the specified heat-treatment process. It will produce and deliver to the customer the reports and certificates required by the applicable quality control standards, requirements and regulatory authorities.

Abstract: A system and method for operating robots in a robot competition. One embodiment of the system may include operator interfaces, where each operator interface is operable to control movement of a respective robot. A respective operator interface may be in communication with an associated operator radio, where each radio may have a low power RF output signal. A robot controller may be coupled to each robot in the robot competition. A robot radio may be coupled to a respective robot and in communication with a respective robot controller and operator radio. The robot radios may have a low power RF output signal while communicating with the respective operator radios. Alternatively, the radios may be short range radios, where a distance of communication may be a maximum of approximately 500 feet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for remote control, monitoring and/or servicing of heat-treatment equipment via wireless communications networks. Specifically, the method and apparatus can be used in pre and post-weld heat-treatment applications for steel pipes in a variety of industries, including, but not limited to, power plants, chemical and petrochemical plants and refineries. Importantly, the embodiment generates and manages all the documentation necessary to input and verify the specified heat-treatment process. It will produce and deliver to the customer the reports and certificates required by the applicable quality control standards, requirements and regulatory authorities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selecting hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) comprising providing an agent which binds to ?9?1 integrin on the cell surface to a population of cells including HSCs and separating HSCs by virtue of the binding agent. The invention also provides a method of culturing a population of HSCs in the presence of an agent which binds to ?9?1, wherein the agent inhibits differentiation of the HSCs. The invention also provides a method of producing a population of lineage committed cells comprising culturing HSCs in the presence of an agent which inhibits or prevents binding to ?9?1.