Abstract: Mixed metal oxide catalysts having an amorphous content of not less than 40 wt. % are prepared by calcining the catalyst precursor fully or partially enclosed by a porous material having a melting temperature greater than 600° C. in an inert container including heating the catalyst precursor at a rate from 0.5 to 10° C. per minute from room temperature to a temperature from 370° C. to 540° C. under a stream of pre heated gas chosen from steam and inert gas and mixtures thereof at a pressure of greater than or equal to 1 psig having a temperature from 300° C. to 540° C. and holding the catalyst precursor at that temperature for at least 2 hours and cooling the catalyst precursor to room temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods of treating meibomian and sebaceous gland dysfunction. The methods include reducing oxygen concentration in the environment of one or more dysfunctional meibomian and sebaceous glands, thereby restoring a hypoxic status of one or more dysfunctional meibomian and sebaceous glands. The reducing of the oxygen concentration is accomplished by restricting blood flow to the one or more dysfunctional meibomian and sebaceous glands and the environment of one or more dysfunctional meibomian sebaceous glands. The restricting of the blood flow is accomplished by contracting or closing one or more blood vessels around the one or more dysfunctional meibomian or sebaceous glands. The methods also include giving local or systemic drugs that lead to the generation of hypoxia-inducible factors in one or more dysfunctional meibomian and sebaceous glands.

Abstract: A process for preparing an oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst or oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst precursor that includes mixing solutions of molybdenum and tellurium at a pH from about 3.3 to 7.5; adjusting the pH of the resulting solution back to about 5 and adding VOSO4 and adding a solution of Nb2O5 and oxalic acid and treating the resulting precursor slurry in a controlled pressure hydrothermal process to obtain the catalyst.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the modulation of appearance or material properties within items of apparel or equipment. Also provided herein are design articles having alterable designs. Generally, such design articles comprise (1) a microfluidic circuit, and (2) an inlet and an outlet, the alterable design capable of being modulated through use of a docking system to deliver fluid to the microfluidic circuit.

Abstract: A cleaning device suitable, in use, for picking up hair and particles, the cleaning device comprising a unitary, elastomeric main body comprising a face comprising an integrally-formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent the wiper blade wherein the main body portion is manufactured from a latex-free, closed-cell elastomer foam. Suitably, the device comprises an arched leading wiper blade and a flat trailing wiper blade. The device can be used by latex-allergic users for grooming animals and/or for picking up pet hair and other debris from a range of surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting an inner casing of a turbine includes a base, an arm, a guide roller, and an adjustment system. The arm has a first end and a second end, and is pivotally connected to the base intermediate the first end and the second end. The guide roller is operatively coupled to the first end of the arm to rotatably engage an exterior surface of the inner casing, and an adjustment system extending from the base and engaging the arm to change an angular position of the arm relative to the base and adjust a position of the guide roller relative to the exterior surface of the inner casing.

Abstract: A tool for installing a turbomachine component in a first dovetail slot of a first component mount is provided. The tool may include a tool mount having a body for selective fixing in a second dovetail slot of a second component mount adjacent to the first component mount. The tool may also include a lever arm including a first portion, an intermediate pivot for pivotally engaging the tool mount, and a second portion for engaging the turbine component. Actuating the lever arm against the tool mount causes the second portion of the lever arm to install the turbomachine component into the first dovetail slot of the first component.

Abstract: A tool for removing a component from a turbomachine is provided. The tool includes a body having a connection portion for engaging the component. The tool additionally includes a force section connected to the body and configured to transfer a force to the connection portion in a direction at an acute angle relative to longitudinal axis of a dovetail slot of a rotor wheel adjacent to the component.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to modular locking connectors that enable discrete and fully separate components to be easily, quickly, and interchangeably connected together to result in a fully functional buoyancy compensator device. These separate components may include shoulders, waistbands, back panels, bladders or other buoyancy chambers, pockets including those for ballasting weights, and accessories such as knives, lights, signaling devices and the like.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to tank wedge connectors to support cylindrical objects, for example to support scuba tanks, particularly designed for use in underwater operations on swimming and diving gear. An embodiment of the tank wedge connectors includes arranging the tank wedge connectors in an opposing pair, forming a cradle. Another embodiment of the disclosed tank wedge connectors includes a rail component which the wedge connectors can slide on to separate and expand, with one of the rails including detents for the wedges to be positioned and fixed at a desired spacing. A third embodiment of these tank wedge connectors includes being mounted to a flexible surface which allows the connectors to conform to cylindrical objects of varying radii.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a modular cord connector that enables two cords to connect together and release. An embodiment of this cord connector disclosure is designed for use on cords integral to a gas release on buoyancy compensator devices. The preferred embodiment of this cord connector, shown for use on a buoyancy compensator device, includes modular male and female portions which include a T-shaped post on the male portion and a pathway with detents configured to retain the male portion when engaged with the female portion.

Abstract: A novel quantum-based computational process for drug discovery and design was used to identify potential novel liver-stage anti-malarial therapeutic molecules. The approach combined the latest big-data advances in high-throughput bioassay development with fundamental scientific knowledge to generate new pharmaceutical leads. Several molecules with no previous association with anti-parasitical activity were identified. These molecules and there use in prevention and/or treatment of Plasmodium infections are provided.

Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts for converting lower paraffins to alkenes such as ethane to ethylene when prepared as an agglomeration, for example extruded with supports chosen from slurries of TiO2, ZrO2 Al2O3, AlO(OH) and mixtures thereof have a lower temperature at which 25% conversion is obtained.

Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts for converting lower paraffins to alkenes such as ethane to ethylene when prepared as an agglomeration, for example extruded with supports comprising slurries of Nb2O5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a hydrocracking catalyst, comprising (i) contacting a shaped body comprising a zeolite and a binder with an aqueous solution of a hydrogenation metal compound which is a complex or a salt of a hydrogenation metal to deposit the hydrogenation metal onto the shaped body, wherein the aqueous solution comprises an ammonium salt and (ii) calcining the shaped body obtained by step (i).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the installation or removal of turbine blades at a turbine blade base thereof. An apparatus according to the present disclosure can include: an operative head configured to engage an axial sidewall of a turbine blade base; and a mount removably coupled to a portion of a turbomachine assembly by a coupler, wherein the operative head is slidably coupled to the mount such that the operative selectively engages the axial sidewall of the turbine blade base, and wherein the operative head is shaped to impart an axial and a circumferential force against the turbine blade base.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting an inner casing of a turbine includes a base, an arm, a guide roller, and an adjustment system. The arm has a first end and a second end, and is pivotally connected to the base intermediate the first end and the second end. The guide roller is operatively coupled to the first end of the arm to rotatably engage an exterior surface of the inner casing, and an adjustment system extending from the base and engaging the arm to change an angular position of the arm relative to the base and adjust a position of the guide roller relative to the exterior surface of the inner casing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, and methods of use thereof, for treating ocular boundary deficiency, symptoms associated therewith, or an undesired condition that is associated with or causes ocular boundary deficiency at the ocular surface. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a human PRG4 protein, a lubricant fragment, homolog, or isoform thereof, suspended in an ophthalmically acceptable balanced salt solution. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may also comprise one or more ophthalmically acceptable agents selected from the group consisting of an ophthalmically acceptable demulcent, excipient, astringent, vasoconstrictor, emollient, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid, and surface active phospholipids, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for topical administration.

Abstract: An electrode adjustment device and a vehicle positioning system for positioning the electrode adjustment device adjacent a furnace. The electrode adjustment device is utilized for adjusting the electrode during maintenance of the furnace (e.g., removal of the electrode for replacement or repair, repair of the refractory material, or other like furnace or electrode repair). When the electrode adjustment device is moved to a location adjacent the furnace, it is used to apply force under the bottom electrode to break the connection between the bottom electrode and the furnace. After the connection is broken the bottom electrode is pushed up into the furnace vessel by the electrode adjustment device until the electrode can be removed. After removing the bottom electrode, the electrode adjustment device is covered with debris and can be cleaned adjacent the furnace.

Abstract: A tool for removing a component from a turbomachine is provided. The tool includes a body having a connection portion for engaging the component. The tool additionally includes a force section connected to the body and configured to transfer a force to the connection portion in a direction at an acute angle relative to longitudinal axis of a dovetail slot of a rotor wheel adjacent to the component.