Abstract: An electric cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas includes a mixing device for mixing hydrocarbon feedstock with slightly superheated and/or saturated steam. The system includes a steam drum, an electric furnace, a primary transfer line exchanger (PTLE), a secondary transfer line exchanger (STLE), and a tertiary transfer line exchanger (TTLE). The electric furnace includes a feed inlet for a hydrocarbon feedstock-saturated steam mixture and an outlet for a cracked gas. The steam drum includes a saturated steam outlet connected to the mixing device, and a water outlet and a steam inlet both connected to the STLE. The PTLE is configured to preheat the hydrocarbon feedstock-saturated steam mixture before entry into the electric furnace and to cool the cracked gas provided by the electric furnace. The STLE is configured to generate steam and to cool the cracked gas provided by the PTLE.

Abstract: Carbohydrate compositions having lower digestibility and lower sugar compared to traditional nutritive sweeteners, methods of making the carbohydrate compositions, and food products comprising the carbohydrate compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: Beta-glucan compositions and methods of making and using the same, such as for treatment of a subterranean formation. A beta-glucan composition includes a beta-glucan and water. Shearing the beta-glucan composition at a shear rate of up to a maximum shear rate of about 300,000 s?1 or less provides a sheared beta-glucan composition having a viscosity at standard temperature and pressure at 6 rpm of at least about 30 cps and a Filterability Ratio of less or equal to than about 1.5.

Abstract: Refined beta-glucans, such as scleroglucan or schizophyllan, and methods of making and using the same, such as for treating subterranean formations. A method of making a refined beta-glucan includes filtering a solution of a crude beta-glucan.

Abstract: Readily water-miscible beta-glucan suspensions and methods of making and using the same. A readily water-miscible beta-glucan suspension includes a beta-glucan and a water-miscible organic fluid that comprises an alcohol, an alpha-hydroxy acid alkyl ester, a polyalkylene glycol alkyl ether, or a combination thereof, wherein the suspension is sufficient such that mixing with water at a shear rate of 40,000 s?1 or more forms a homogeneous mixture of the suspension and the water. The present invention also provides methods of dispersing the water-miscible beta-glucan suspension in water to form homogenous mixtures of the suspension and the water, methods of treating subterranean formations with such homogeneous mixtures, and methods of making the suspension.

Abstract: Readily water-miscible beta-glucan suspensions and methods of making and using the same. A readily water-miscible beta-glucan suspension includes a beta-glucan and a water-miscible organic fluid that comprises an alcohol, an alpha-hydroxy acid alkyl ester, a polyalkylene glycol alkyl ether, or a combination thereof, wherein the suspension is sufficient such that mixing with water at a shear rate of 40,000 s-1 or more forms a homogeneous mixture of the suspension and the water. The present invention also provides methods of dispersing the water-miscible beta-glucan suspension in water to form homogenous mixtures of the suspension and the water, methods of treating subterranean formations with such homogeneous mixtures, and methods of making the suspension.

Abstract: Various aspects relate to refined beta-glucans and methods of maintaining filterability of compositions including beta-glucans at various salinities. A refined beta-glucan forms an aqueous beta-glucan composition including 1 g/L of the refined beta-glucan, the aqueous beta-glucan composition having a salinity of 100,000 ppm TDS or less and having a Filterability Ratio of less than 2 at a temperature of at least 50° C.

Abstract: Described herein is a beta glucan material, comprising 1,3-1,6 beta glucan, that when solubilized achieves a filterability ratio ranging from 1 to 2, preferably 1 to 1.5, and a viscosity ratio ranging from 1.5 to 4. The solubilized beta glucan materials has desired viscosity build and filterability property for EOR applications.

Abstract: Described herein is a flowable suspension comprising about 10-60 wt % of beta glucan with desirable swelling and dispersion properties.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for reducing viscosity of an aqueous composition comprising a biopolymer, comprising: obtaining an aqueous composition comprising 1,3 beta glucan wherein the aqueous composition has an initial viscosity and heating the aqueous composition to a desired temperature, preferably in combination with a desired shear rate, to reduce viscosity by at least 50%.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for recycling intermediate product streams of at least gasoline from the MTP plant to the steam cracker plant for processing with the feedstock of the steam cracker plant to generate a higher percentage of ethylene and propylene. The steam cracker feedstock can be ethane.

Abstract: Described herein is a pumpable and/or flowable suspension comprising about 10-60 wt % of beta glucan (BG) that when diluted achieves a filterability ratio less than about 1.5. Further described herein is a pumpable and/or flowable suspension comprising about 10-60 wt % of BG wherein greater than 50% of ultimate viscosity can be recovered after running specified dilution procedure for one pass and greater than 70% of ultimate viscosity after two passes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method to rapidly solubilize beta glucan (BG) material comprising passing the beta glucan material, in solution, through an in-line high shear system, wherein viscosity of the solubilized beta glucan material is 90% or greater of ultimate viscosity and wherein filterability ratio of the solubilized beta glucan material ranges from about 1-2.

Abstract: Described herein is a beta glucan material, comprising solid 1,3-1,6 beta glucan, that when solubilized, under specified solubilization procedure, has a filterability ratio less than about 1.5. Further described herein is beta glucan material wherein greater than 50% of ultimate viscosity can be recovered after running specified solubilization procedure for one pass and greater than 70% after two passes. Also described herein is a beta glucan material that when solubilized, under specified solubilization procedure, has less than 10% viscosity loss during filtration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for reducing viscosity of an aqueous composition comprising a biopolymer, comprising: obtaining an aqueous composition comprising 1,3 beta glucan wherein the aqueous composition has an initial viscosity and heating the aqueous composition to a desired temperature, preferably in combination with a desired shear rate, to reduce viscosity by at least 50%.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for recycling intermediate product streams of at least gasoline from the MTP plant to the steam cracker plant for processing with the feedstock of the steam cracker plant to generate a higher percentage of ethylene and propylene. The steam cracker feedstock can be ethane.

Abstract: A wireless laparoscopic camera system includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a lens disposed at the distal end thereof. A chip package is disposed within the housing. The chip package is positioned proximally of the lens and includes an image sensor, a processing component, and a wireless transmitter. The image sensor, the processing component, and the wireless transmitter are configured as bare die and are stacked and coupled in sequence with respect to one another to form the chip package. The chip package is configured to convert an optical image produced by the lens into an electrical signal. The signal is transmitted wirelessly to a wireless receiver positioned remote of the housing.

Abstract: Carbohydrate compositions having lower digestibility and lower sugar compared to traditional nutritive sweeteners, methods of making the carbohydrate compositions, and food products comprising the carbohydrate compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of determining whether an agent is more like a partial agonist of a target molecule than a full agonist of the same target molecule. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods to select a candidate compound that may reduce blood plasma glucose concentration in a mammal. Populations of genes are provided that are useful in the practice of the present invention.

Abstract: An insufflation apparatus includes a housing defining a port for receipt of insufflation gases and an elongated sleeve defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated sleeve has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a sharpened tip. A stylet is disposed within the elongated sleeve. The stylet is movable between an extended position, wherein the stylet extends beyond the tip of the sleeve, and a retracted position, to expose the sharpened tip for penetration through body tissue. At least one of the elongated sleeve and the stylet defines a passageway in fluid communication with the port to direct the insufflation gases into a body cavity. An image sensor is positioned on the elongated sleeve. The image sensor is adapted to receive an optical image of an area adjacent the distal end of the elongated sleeve and is configured to transmit the optical image for viewing by a clinician.