Abstract: An example method can comprise defining a plurality of subsurface scenarios and discretizing a decision space to determine a plurality of distinct decision scenarios. The subsurface scenarios can be sparsely sampled to determine a candidate subset of the plurality of subsurface scenarios. Each of the candidate subset of the plurality of subsurface scenarios can be associated with a respective one of the plurality of distinct decision scenarios. Each of the plurality of distinct decision scenarios can be modelled based on each of the candidate subset of the plurality of subsurface scenarios to determine risk and reward values for each of the plurality of distinct decision scenarios.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for safely holding, organizing and sequencing optical fibers by which a connector may be placed on the end of fiber optics cable in a manner that is reliable and efficient. The device passively holding optical fiber strands securely an in an organized manner for preparing connection to the connector. The device includes a support member having a rubber member disposed on a top surface thereof. The rubber member includes a plurality of slits, each of which holding an individual fiber strand or ribbon. A color indicator can also be provided with each slit to indicate the corresponding color strand or ribbon to be disposed within the slit. The device can also include left and right wing member pivotally attached to each end of the support member. The wing members can also include similar rubber members having slits and associated color indicators.

Abstract: Liquid hydrogen iodide is decomposed to form hydrogen and iodine in the presence of water using a soluble catalyst. Decomposition is carried out at a temperature between about 350.degree. K. and about 525.degree. K. and at a corresponding pressure between about 25 and about 300 atmospheres in the presence of an aqueous solution which acts as a carrier for the homogeneous catalyst. Various halides of the platinum group metals, particularly Pd, Rh and Pt, are used, particularly the chlorides and iodides which exhibit good solubility. After separation of the H.sub.2, the stream from the decomposer is countercurrently extracted with nearly dry HI to remove I.sub.2. The wet phase contains most of the catalyst and is recycled directly to the decomposition step. The catalyst in the remaining almost dry HI-I.sub.2 phase is then extracted into a wet phase which is also recycled. The catalyst-free HI-I.sub.2 phase is finally distilled to separate the HI and I.sub.2. The HI is recycled to the reactor; the I.sub.

Abstract: Relatively dry hydrogen iodide can be recovered from a mixture of HI, I.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. After the composition of the mixture is adjusted so that the amounts of H.sub.2 O and I.sub.2 do not exceed certain maximum limits, subjection of the mixture to superatmospheric pressure in an amount equal to about the vapor pressure of HI at the temperature in question causes distinct liquid phases to appear. One of the liquid phases contains HI and not more than about 1 weight percent water. Often the adjustment in the composition will include the step of vaporization, and the distinct layers appear following the increase in pressure of the vapor mixture. Adjustment in the composition may also include the addition of an extraction agent, such as H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, and even though the adjusted composition mixture contains a significant amount of such an agent, the creation of the distinct liquid phases is not adversely affected.

Abstract: This invention is a smoke detector for giving a warning that a fire is imminent. The detector has an ionization chamber with a central electrode which is covered by insulation except at a restricted area closely spaced from a measuring electrode, a second electrode being constituted by a perforated wall of the ionization chamber. The detector is very sensitive to the presence of smoke, because of the concentration of the electric field in the area between the measuring electrode and the exposed part of the first electrode.

Abstract: Hydrogen iodide is efficiently decomposed to hydrogen and iodine by treatment in the liquid phase with a platinum group metal catalyst. At temperatures between about 0.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C. and pressures sufficiently high to maintain the liquid phase, at least about 50 percent of the hydrogen iodide present can be decomposed at a reasonable rate of reaction. The hydrogen which is created is easily separated as a gas. Exemplary catalysts include platinum particles and supported catalysts, such as ruthenium on a titania substrate and platinum on a barium sulfate substrate.

Abstract: A holder for a glass cutter has a bent palm contacting member attachable to the handle of a glass cutter for steadying the cutter during use. Removably connecting the palm contacting member to the cutter handle is a tapered sleeve of rectangular cross section which cooperates with tapered legs provided on the palm contacting member for creating a wedging action securing the contacting member on the cutter handle. By placing the cutter handle between the forefinger and middle finger of a user's hand and fitting the contacting member snugly in the palm of the same hand, the operator is enabled to hold the cutter very steady while pressing on the cutter against glass to be cut.