Abstract: A process for the production of a hydrocarbon product comprises contacting a feedstock with a catalyst composition comprising an active metal selected from platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt, copper, ruthenium, rhodium and rhenium and an active porous material which is active for the isomerisation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, wherein the feedstock comprises a fatty acid a fatty acid ester, a monoglyceride, a diglyceride or a triglyceride.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering interactive television (ITV) data by using the same TV scan line that also carries closed caption data. The ITV data is inserted into the scan line with CC data by detecting a gap associated with a first CC data unit. If the gap is large enough to contain all of the group of ITV data units then electronically insert the entire group of ITV data units into the gap. If the gap is not large enough to contain the entire group of ITV data units, insert a subset of the entire group of the ITV data units into the gap and continue to the gaps associated with successive CC data units, inserting subsets of the ITV data into subsequent gaps until the entire ITV message has been inserted into the gaps between CC data units.

Abstract: A compound of formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: —Ar is a substituted heteroaryl group bearing at least one nitro or azido group or is a benzoquinone, naphthoquinone or fused heterocyloquinone; -R1 is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl; -R2 is a glycoside, OH, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, C2-C8 alkenyl, C1-C8 hydroxyalkyl, optionally substituted arylamino, optionally substituted aryl C1-C4 alkylamino or hydroxyalkylamino; and -R3 and R4 are each independently H or halo.

Abstract: A method for playing live and electronic Blackjack-style games with an optional bonus bet wherein a player bets that he or she will be dealt a natural Blackjack hand. Unless the dealer is also dealt a natural Blackjack hand, the player continues playing Blackjack with his or her natural Blackjack hand reevaluated as a hard hand eleven. If the player beats the dealer, the player is paid 3:2 for his or her base bet and at a significantly higher payout for his or her bonus bet without interfering with the rhythm of the game for other players who want to play Blackjack conventionally. If the dealer is also dealt a natural Blackjack, a player with a natural Blackjack is paid at a significantly higher payout for his or her bonus bet while the base bet is a push.

Abstract: A bivalent water-heating system includes a water-storage tank having at least one wall defining an interior storage cavity configured for storing water to be heated. The storage cavity includes an upper-cavity and lower-cavity portions. A non-solar heating unit is situated at least partially in the upper-cavity portion and includes a combustion chamber defined by at least one wall through which heat produced by the combustion of fuel is transferred to stored water located within the upper-cavity portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a consistent, easy to use, reliable method for evaluating each potential subject against the inclusion and exclusion criteria for a controlled data collection such as a clinical trial protocol. The invention provides a method for subject evaluation according to the clinical protocol as soon as the clinical protocol has been agreed upon. The invention provides an automated system and method of applying the clinical protocol to identifying and enrolling subjects. The invention removes both error (based on incomplete understanding or misunderstanding of the protocol) and inconsistencies owing to the subjective application. Further, to the extent physician subjectivity is affecting enrollment, the inventive system and method provides a means to monitor and quantify the subjective effect introduced into the clinical trial enrollment process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, Formula: (1); wherein: R1 is a substituted aryl or heteroaryl group bearing at least one nitro or azido group or is an optionally substituted benzoquinone, optionally substituted naphthoquinone or optionally substituted fused heterocycloquinone: R2 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; and R3 is selected such that R3NH2 represents a cytotoxic nucleoside analogue or an ester or phosphate ester prodrug of a cytotoxic nucleoside analogue, with the proviso that if R1 is an aryl group then R2 is not H.

Abstract: One embodiment of a threader assembly for a tape drive has a retractable head brush assembly that is articulated into and out of wiping contact with the tape head. The head brush assembly is integrated into the cartridge loading assembly such that some of the same components used to load and unload the media tape also articulate the head brush assembly. In one version, the head brush assembly comprises a set of bristles that are mounted to a pair of brush arms. The head brush assembly has a cleaning position wherein the bristles are pivoted to wipe across the air bearing surface of the tape head. When the head brush assembly is in the cleaning position, the tape head is cleaned through the movement of the brush relative to the head. The head brush assembly also has a spring-biased storage position wherein the entire head brush assembly is pivotally retracted away from the tape head.

Abstract: A push-pull plug has an outer housing that may be moved forwardly and backwardly along a plug housing. When the outer housing is in its forward position, a latch arm is in an upward or mated position and the plug will stay mated to a jack when the plug is inserted into the jack. When the outer housing is moved backwardly, cam surfaces on the outer housing push cam followers on the latch arm downwardly, moving the latch arm and latch to a downward or unmated position. The plug may then be removed from a jack as the outer housing is pulled. The plugs may be adapted for use with an insertion and removal tool. Corner finger grips may be formed on the outer housing and may be located in an alternating manner to facilitate use when plugs are closely positioned.

Abstract: A pneumatic lift including at least three jacking-mattresses stacked one atop another and arranged in airflow communication with one another. At least one of the jacking-mattresses is also arranged in airflow communication with a source of pressurized air.

Abstract: An infusion device with a disposable administration set which is inexpensive to manufacture. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the disposable administration set has a plurality of elongated cam followers connected to a plate assembly, wherein the cam followers are displaced in a predetermined sequence and forced against a delivery tube by cam means driven by rotary drive means. The disposable administration set is injection molded as a single integral piece. The disposable administration set includes adjustment spacers disposed between the plate assembly and the cam followers which adjust the distance between them to keep the device accurate. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the cam means are configured to provide fluid delivery at a consistent and uniform rate.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress having an inflated torso support pad, a first leg extending out from a first portion of the inflated torso support pad, and a second leg spaced from the first leg and extending out from a second portion of the inflated torso support pad. The first leg and the second leg define a gap between them to allow the legs to be spread apart for toileting or cleaning of the patient, or deflated and rolled upon themselves so as to provide easy access to the patient during clinical procedures. A method is provided for positioning a patient with the inflatable mattress.

Abstract: A method for processing light energy is provided that includes receiving a plurality of photons reflected by an object and generating sensor data that is based a portion of the plurality of photons received. The sensor data is processed in order to generate processed sensor data. A segment of the processed sensor data that directly corresponds to the portion of the plurality of photons is displayed such that the segment may be viewed.

Abstract: A portable audiometer for performing hearing testing enclosed within a patient response mechanism housing is disclosed. The audiometer may include a printed circuit board containing circuitry, plugs or other connectors for wired or wireless headphones and bone conductor, a battery charging unit, and one or more buttons for indicating response to pure tone and other stimuli, including, but not limited to noise, speech, and visual and audio instructions and graphical representations of objects or concepts used in a comprehensive hearing test. The instrument can be connected via a wired or wireless interface to a variety of controlling devices, including PC's, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cellular phones, smartphones, including hybrid phone and PDA, and other devices such as media players, gaming systems, personal audio players, and other devices that can operatively communicate with the portable device.

Abstract: A compound for use in inducing necrosis in vascular tissue of a tumor in an animal. The compound contains a first moiety which is a cis-stilbene moiety and a second moiety which is an inhibitor of the formation or action of nitric acid. Also, a method for inducing necrosis in vasculature of a tumor in an animal by administering to the animal the compound in an amount effective for inducing the necrosis.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress having an inflated torso support pad, a first leg extending out from a first portion of the inflated torso support pad, and a second leg spaced from the first leg and extending out from a second portion of the inflated torso support pad. The first leg and the second leg define a gap between them to allow the legs to be spread apart for toileting or cleaning of the patient, or deflated and rolled upon themselves so as to provide easy access to the patient during clinical procedures. A method is provided for positioning a patient with the inflatable mattress.

Abstract: A double chambered transfer mattress is provided capable of partial deflation that that includes a top inflatable mattress and a bottom inflatable mattress that are separated by a common wall from one another. A selectable inlet/outlet valve is arranged for airflow communication between an interior chamber of the bottom inflatable mattress and a source of pressurized air. A one-way valve is positioned through the common wall so as to provide selective air flow communication between the top inflatable mattress and the bottom inflatable mattress so that when the inlet/outlet valve is closed, so that air continues to escape from perforations in the bottom inflatable mattress, the one-way valve is actuated so as to prevent deflation of the top inflatable mattress.

Abstract: A pneumatic lift including at least three jacking-mattresses stacked one atop another and arranged in air flow communication with one another where a top one of the jacking mattresses defines a foot end with a pouch-flap secured to that foot end so as to form a pocket. At least one of the jacking-mattresses is also arranged in air flow communication with a source of pressurized air.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elevated support matrix for a shoe, which may either form a sole, heel, or sole and heel combination. The matrix is formed of metal, or other high-tensile materials. To minimize the weight of the matrix, but still maintain the structural integrity of the matrix and properly support the wearer's foot, passageways are created in the matrix. The passageways result in void space and lattice, which have corresponding volumes. The increased volume of void space correlates with an overall weight reduction. A support matrix is thus provided that takes advantage of higher-tensile materials to create a reduced weight structurally maintained support matrix. Methods of manufacturing the matrix are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for transporting an nonambulatory patient including a mattress having longitudinal sides and a bottom surface and a panel having longitudinal side edges, a head end edge, and a bottom surface coated with a low coefficient of friction coating. The panel is positioned below the bottom surface of the mattress, and includes a plurality of side straps extending outwardly from the longitudinal side edges in spaced relation to one another. A handle is located along at least one edge of the panel. The side straps are wrapped around the mattress so as to cause the mattress to curl so that the longitudinal sides are moved upwardly to thereby form a central longitudinal pocket suitable for cradling a patient positioned upon the mattress. The head end handle is then pulled to drag the curled mattress and the panel along a surface upon the low coefficient of friction coating.