Abstract: A corner guard for protecting wall junctions adjacent uneven support surfaces such as a stair and floor surface is provided. The corner guard in an as-used position with first and second leg members extending upright from a floor and an adjacent second surface at a higher elevation such as a stair, protects the wall surfaces intersecting from a first wall surface extending above the floor and a second wall surface extending from the higher second wall surface from impacts and abrasions such as a hose being pulled around the corner at the intersection of the first wall surface and second wall surface. Positioning to accommodate differing elevational heights of first and second surfaces is provided by translational engagement of the first and second leg.

Abstract: Described is a process to produce hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) from biomass-derived sugars. The process includes the steps of reacting a C5 and/or C6 sugar-containing reactant derived from biomass in a monophasic or biphasic reaction solution comprising water and a co-solvent. The co-solvent can be beta-, gamma-, and/or delta-lactones derived from biomass, tetrahydrofuran (THF) derived from biomass, and/or methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF) derived from biomass. The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid catalyst and a dehydration catalyst for a time and under conditions such that at least a portion of glucose or fructose present in the reactant is converted to HMF.

Abstract: Described is a process to produce hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) from biomass-derived sugars. The process includes the steps of reacting a C5 and/or C6 sugar-containing reactant derived from biomass in a monophasic or biphasic reaction solution comprising water and a co-solvent. The co-solvent can be beta-, gamma-, and/or delta-lactones derived from biomass, tetrahydrofuran (THF) derived from biomass, and/or methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF) derived from biomass. The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid catalyst and a dehydration catalyst for a time and under conditions such that at least a portion of glucose or fructose present in the reactant is converted to HMF.

Abstract: A corner guard for protecting wall junctions adjacent uneven support surfaces such as a stair and floor surface is provided. The corner guard in an as-used position with first and second leg members extending upright from a floor and an adjacent second surface at a higher elevation such as a stair, protects the wall surfaces intersecting from a first wall surface extending above the floor and a second wall surface extending from the higher second wall surface from impacts and abrasions such as a hose being pulled around the corner at the intersection of the first wall surface and second wall surface. Positioning to accommodate differing elevational heights of first and second surfaces is provided by translational engagement of the first and second leg.

Abstract: Described is a catalytic process for converting biomass to furan derivatives (e.g., furfural, furfuryl alcohol, etc.) using a biphasic reactor containing a reactive aqueous phase and an organic extracting phase containing an alkylphenol. The process provides a cost-effective route for producing furfural, furfuryl alcohol, levulinic acid hydroxymethylfurfural, ?-valerolactone, and the like. The products formed are useful as value-added intermediates to produce polymers, as precursors to diesel fuel, and as fuel additives.

Abstract: A method to produce levulinic acid (LA) and ?-valerolactone (GVL) from biomass-derived cellulose by selective extraction of LA by alkylphenol (AP) and hydrogenation of LA, in which mineral acid used in the method is recycled and the final concentration of GVL is increased by successive extraction/hydrogenation steps to allow for effective separation by distillation.

Abstract: A method to produce levulinic acid (LA) and ?-valerolactone (GVL) from biomass-derived cellulose by selective extraction of LA by alkylphenol (AP) and hydrogenation of LA, in which mineral acid used in the method is recycled and the final concentration of GVL is increased by successive extraction/hydrogenation steps to allow for effective separation by distillation.

Abstract: Described is a catalytic process for converting biomass to furan derivatives (e.g., furfural, furfuryl alcohol, etc.) using a biphasic reactor containing a reactive aqueous phase and an organic extracting phase containing an alkylphenol. The process provides a cost-effective route for producing furfural, furfuryl alcohol, levulinic acid hydroxymethylfurfural, ?-valerolactone, and the like. The products formed are useful as value-added intermediates to produce polymers, as precursors to diesel fuel, and as fuel additives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ratio regulating mechanism for an manually actuated action lever, like a hand brake lever or a pedal, in particular for the use in a motor vehicle, which comprises a mounting (2), an action lever arm (20) and a rotational shaft (15) for rotably mounting of the action lever arm (20) at the mounting (2), wherein the rotational shaft (15) is relocatably mounted at the action lever arm (20) and relocatably mounted at the mounting (2). Further, the ratio regulating mechanism comprises a first adjustment means (19, 21) for the relocation of the rotational shaft (15) in relation to the action lever arm (20) and a second adjustment means (22, 23) for the relocation of the rotational shaft (15) in relation to the mounting (2).