Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the thermal-mechanical pretreatment of biomass. The process includes subjecting a biomass feedstock including fibers containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, to thermal reaction under conditions exceeding atmospheric pressure, at a temperature exceeding ambient temperature, at a predetermined moisture content and for a predetermined amount of time. Subsequently, the pressure of said thermal reaction is reduced under conditions resulting in explosive decompression of said biomass. The decompressed biomass is then subjected to axial shear forces to mechanically reduce the size of the fibers of the biomass to obtain treated biomass. The resultant treated biomass has a high level of enzymatic digestability and a low concentration of degradation products.

Abstract: A moveable armrest is provided that pivots from a standard use position to a stowed position behind the backrest of a vehicle seat. The armrest pivots about a horizontal axis for movement from a horizontal position along the side of the seat to a vertical position along the side of the seat, and pivots about a vertical axis for movement from the vertical position adjacent to the inboard side of the seat to a vertical position behind the backrest of the seat. The moveable armrest includes a locking mechanism to prevent unintentional movement of the armrest.

Abstract: A ship suitable for mounting in a bottle comprising a hull having a generally horizontal deck, a plurality of masts, a plurality of yards on each mast, openings in the deck, each of which is shaped to receive the end of one of the masts and in which the end of the mast is pivotably seated to permit the masts to be raised from a lowered horizontal position. A plurality of rigging lines extend from spaced locations on each mast downwardly laterally to be secured to the outside of the hull on both sides thereof, a plurality of lines extend from yards on one mast to a yard on the mast behind it, and a plurality of lines extend from the leading mast through openings in the ship bowsprit, and these lines are used to raise the masts when the ship is in a bottle.