Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for inductively powering all aircraft tug, the system comprising: an inductive powering strip adapted to be provided in association with a taxiway; said inductive powering strip defining a path for an aircraft tug. The invention also relates to an aircraft tug comprising means to be inductively powered and a method for inductively powering an aircraft tug.

Abstract: Particulate mercury, in the form of metacinnabar, is removed from crude oil by thermally treating the crude oil at temperatures in a range from 150° C. to 350° C. and at a pressure sufficient to limit the amount of crude vaporizing to no more than 10 wt. %. In the thermal treatment, the particulate mercury is converted into elemental mercury, which can be removed by directly adsorption from the crude onto a support. In one embodiment, the elemental mercury can be removed by stripping the crude with a gas, and then adsorbing the mercury onto a support. The crude oil can be optionally treated prior to stabilization and contains 0.1 wt. % or more of C4-hydrocarbons. Following the thermal treatment, the treated crude is cooled and the pressure is reduced. The C4-hydrocarbons then vaporize from the crude and carry the elemental mercury with them. The elemental mercury in this hydrocarbon gas stream may then be removed by a solid adsorbent.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering mercury from a crude oil into an alkaline ammonium sulfide contacting solution. Soluble mercury complexes in the contacting solution are converted to particulate mercury. The particulate mercury can be recovered by filtering, and the ammonium sulfide in the contacting solution recycled to the aqueous contacting solution.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) (e.g., human TIGIT) and antagonize TIGIT function. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors and host cells for making these antibodies, and methods of treating a subject using these antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to remove neutrally buoyant metal particles composed of solid particles and droplets of oil from water such as produced water from petroleum production or refinery wastewater. In one aspect, the water is contacted with oleophilic adsorbent materials which adsorb the neutrally buoyant metal particles. Also disclosed is a process for removing metal particles from a fluid volume that includes crude oil and/or condensate. The fluid volume is washed with a volume of water to form a volume of wastewater, thereby transferring at least a portion of the metal particles from the fluid into the wastewater. The volume of wastewater including the transferred metal particles is then contacted with an oleophilic adsorbent material wherein the neutrally buoyant metal particles are adsorbed by the adsorbent material. The adsorbent material is then separated from the wastewater. Finally, the treated wastewater is used to wash the crude and/or condensate.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system with a primary photo-detector to receive an on-axis return reflected by a retro-reflective target, and a monitor photo-detector to detect off-axis light indicative of a diffuse reflective object blocking the optical path between an emitter and the retro-reflective target. In an illustrative example, the optical path may include a coaxial transceiver module that includes a beam splitter mirror to redirect the optical path. In some embodiments, a bifurcated lens may provide, for example, a lateral offset of the emitter axis through one lens, and the return axis through an adjacent parallel lens. The second photo-detector may provide, for example, an array of one or more detection surfaces to detect off-axis light associated with a diffuse reflective object, such as a white card, for example.

Abstract: There is provided a solid aerosol generating material including about 5-35 wt % tobacco extract; about 50-80 wt % filler; about 10-35 wt % aerosol generating agent; and about 2.5-10 wt % binder; wherein weight percentage is calculated on a dry weight basis.

Abstract: Waste flax straw from the harvesting of flaxseeds from flax plants is processed to produce a flax straw substrate. The flax straw substrate includes a mixture of flax fibers and flax shives. A binding agent is mixed with the flax straw substrate to produce a wet flax straw substrate mixture. The wet flax straw substrate mixture is deposited into a form. Heat and pressure are applied to the form to cure the binding agent, creating a flax straw based building material.

Abstract: Particulate mercury is removed from crude oil by thermally treating the crude oil or condensate at temperatures in a range from 150° C. to 350° C. and at a sufficient pressure with subsequent cooling under maintenance of pressure to provide irreversible conversion to elemental mercury, which may be preferentially removed in a mercury removal unit.

Abstract: A patient support includes a frame, a patient support surface supported at the frame, a display incorporated into the frame, and a user interface incorporated into the frame. The patient support frame includes a controller incorporated into the frame, which has a plurality of prompts stored therein. The user interface is in communication with the controller and may be used to select a selected prompt from the plurality of prompts stored in the controller. When a prompt is selected, the controller generates a display image or text associated with the selected prompt at the display in response to a passage of time or an input to provide a visual prompt to the user.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to CTLA-4 (e.g., human CTLA-4) and antagonize CTLA-4 function. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors and host cells for making these antibodies, and methods of treating a subject using these antibodies.

Abstract: A laser apparatus comprising an aperture module array including two or more aperture modules, each aperture module of the array being optically couple-able to a source of coherent electromagnetic radiation and configured to emit a beam of radiation received from the source. The apparatus emits a composite beam comprising beams emitted by the respective aperture modules and modulates at least one of the beams in power and phase relative to at least one other of the beams such that a desired non-uniform composite beam profile is provided.

Abstract: A fatigue monitoring system is disclosed for use with a machine. The fatigue monitoring system may have an input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of an activity performed by a machine operator, a scanning device configured to generate a second signal indicative of a recognized characteristic of the machine operator, and a warning device. The fatigue monitoring system may also have a controller in communication with the input device, the scanning device, and the warning device. The controller may be configured to determine a time between generations of the first signal, to make a comparison of the recognized characteristic with a threshold characteristic, and to selectively activate the warning device based on the time or the comparison.

Abstract: Elemental mercury is removed from a gas by contacting it with a halogen dissolved in an organic solvent. The mercury accumulates in the organic solvent and can be removed by extraction with an aqueous solution with a complexing agent, by adsorption, and by combinations. The absorption process can also operate by use of a series of absorbers which have successively higher concentrations of halogen in the solution and which successively remove more the mercury from the gas. A portion of the solvent in the last absorber can be cascaded to the previous absorber in the series. In one embodiment, the process is carried out at a temperature of absorber at less than or equal to 28° C. above the higher of the water dew point and the hydrocarbon dew point. The mercury waste from the process is produced as either an aqueous solution or a small volume of mercuric sulfide.

Abstract: A laser apparatus comprising an aperture module array including two or more aperture modules, each aperture module of the array being optically couple-able to a source of coherent electromagnetic radiation and configured to emit a beam of radiation received from the source. The apparatus emits a composite beam comprising beams emitted by the respective aperture modules and modulates at least one of the beams in power and phase relative to at least one other of the beams such that a desired non-uniform composite beam profile is provided.

Abstract: A patient support includes a frame, a patient support surface supported at the frame, a display incorporated into the frame, and a user interface incorporated into the frame. The patient support frame includes a controller incorporated into the frame, which has a plurality of prompts stored therein. The user interface is in communication with the controller and may be used to select a selected prompt from the plurality of prompts stored in the controller. When a prompt is selected, the controller generates a display image or text associated with the selected prompt at the display in response to a passage of time or an input to provide a visual prompt to the user.

Abstract: Electromagnetic actuators capable of generating a symmetrical bidirectional force are disclosed. The electromagnetic actuators include a housing made of a ferromagnetic material and a shaft made of a magnetically inert material movable along an axis within the housing. In one type of actuator, captive permanent magnets are arranged on opposite interior end walls of the housing and an electromagnetic coil is mounted on a central portion of the shaft. The electromagnetic coil is capable of generating a force when energized that causes linear displacement of the shaft in either direction along its axis depending on the direction of current through the electromagnetic coil. In another type of actuator, captive electromagnetic coils are arranged on opposing inner end walls of the housing, and a permanent magnet is mounted on a central portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A predictive tool is provided for estimating the mercury content of hydrocarbons to be produced from a wellbore in a newly investigated subterranean hydrocarbon producing formation based on the mercury content of an inorganic sample recovered from the wellbore. The mercaptans content of liquid hydrocarbons and/or the hydrogen sulfide content of natural gas produced from the formation may also be used to enhance the prediction. Based on the predicted value, a mercury mitigation treatment may be provided to mitigate the mercury content of hydrocarbons produced from the formation.

Abstract: Hydroprocessing facilities may operate for extended periods of time before detection of mercury in the inlet facilities, as mercury adsorbs onto the metallic pipelines used to transport the hydrocarbon fluids, e.g., gas, produced waters, from the wells to processing facilities (“flowlines”). Once the pipelines become “saturated” with mercury, mercury will breakthrough and be detected at the inlet facilities. A mercury management/control scheme is disclosed wherein a chemical treatment step using aqueous sulfidic solution is integrated into a progressive pigging plan to clean the pipeline, managing mercury accumulation in the pipeline for a reduced mercury concentration in the fluid exiting the flowlines.