Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for producing butyric acid comprising fermenting a lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysate using C. tyrobutyricum strain RPT-4213 under anaerobic conditions using dilute acid-pretreated hydrolysates of wheat straw, corn fiber, corn stover, rice hull, and switchgrass, for example.

Abstract: A method of processing a chilled food product includes providing a product in a storage container, wherein the product has a frozen portion and a non-frozen portion in the storage container, and the frozen portion has a granular size. The method also includes mixing the frozen portion of the product with the non-frozen portion of the product within the storage container, flowing the frozen portion and non-frozen portion into contact with a shearing apparatus, and shearing at least the frozen portion with the shearing apparatus, thereby reducing the granular size of the frozen portion. This method and similar systems and machines may refine and process chilled food products such as smoothies and slushes to have a smoother and more even consistency.

Abstract: A head support apparatus for attachment to a wheelchair or bed includes a headband or harness to be fitted to the patient's head, and a lifting device attached to the headband or harness for lifting and supporting the patient's head, the lifting device being adapted to periodically raise and support the patient's head and subsequently allow the patient's head to slump forwards.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting and receiving transaction information are provided. The method for transmitting transaction information is performed on a computing device and includes: accessing transaction information to be transmitted and selecting an electronic file. The metadata stored in the electronic file is edited to insert the transaction information into one or more fields of the metadata to provide modified metadata of the electronic file. The electronic file with the modified metadata is transmitted to a receiving entity for processing of the transaction information. The transaction information may be in the form of payment credentials usable to enable a payment transaction.

Abstract: Blender and food processing devices are described that dampen impact forces between a blending blade and a blending jar. An example blender includes a blender base and a blending jar that has a seal opening. A blending blade assembly in the jar includes a blending blade, a jar shaft attached to the blending blade and extending through the seal opening, a circular motion guide positioned around the jar shaft, and a jar seal positioned between the circular motion guide and the seal opening. The jar seal prevents contact between the circular motion guide and the seal opening and dampens forces induced by relative motion between the seal opening and the blending blade, jar shaft, and/or circular motion guide. A motor in the blender base drives the jar shaft to rotate the blending blade in the blending jar. The dampening may reduce wear or damage to the jar and may improve quality of the blending jar and blade assembly.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for delivering content in an electronic meeting. An electronic meeting is associated with a calendar appointment. Content associated with the electronic meeting is identified. A portion of the content is provided to a computing device associated with a user based upon, at least in part, receiving an indication that the user intends to participate in the electronic meeting, wherein the indication is associated with the calendar appointment.

Abstract: A method of forming a wire loop in connection with a semiconductor package is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) providing package data related to the semiconductor package to a wire bonding machine; (2) providing at least one looping control value related to a desired wire loop to the wire bonding machine, the at least one looping control value including at least a loop height value related to the desired wire loop; (3) deriving looping parameters, using an algorithm, for forming the desired wire loop; (4) forming a first wire loop on the wire bonding machine using the looping parameters derived in step (3); (5) measuring actual looping control values of the first wire loop formed in step (4) corresponding to the at least one looping control value; and (6) comparing the actual looping control values measured in step (5) to the at least one looping control value provided in step (2).

Abstract: A location of a first mobile device associated with a first user is determined, and a location of a second mobile device associated with a second user is determined. A relationship between the first user and the second user is determined, and a proximity of the first mobile device relative to the second mobile device is determined. A location-oriented data service is provided to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

Abstract: Functionality can be implemented in email applications to allow sent messages to be updated, even if the sent messages have been read. When a request to update a sent message is received, a message update unit can update information in the message according to the notification. The message update unit can notify a recipient that the message was updated, and can indicate changed information in the sent message. The message update unit can also determine if the sent message has been forwarded, and forward the update notification to other recipients.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X00F905 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X00F905 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00F905 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00F905, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00F905. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00F905.

Abstract: A silicone polymer is provided, modified with at least one functional group from the class of anthraquinone amide groups; anthraquinone sulfonamide groups; thioxanthone amide groups; or thioxanthone sulfone amide groups. The polymer can be combined with a hydrocarbon solvent or with supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2), and is very effective for increasing the viscosity of either medium. A process for the recovery of oil from a subterranean, oil-bearing formation is also described, using supercritical carbon dioxide modified with the functionalized silicone polymer. A process for extracting natural gas or oil from a bedrock-shale formation is also described, again using the modified silicone polymer.

Abstract: A system and method is described herein for managing power consumption by a plurality of sensors in a proximity-based ad hoc network. The system and method receives sensor data that is provided from a plurality of sensors and constructs a proximity-based ad hoc network among the plurality of sensors based on the sensor data. The system and method also receives and analyzes power status information from each sensor in a group of spatially and temporally proximate sensors in the proximity-based ad hoc network. Based on the analysis, the system and method then modifies a manner in which at least one sensor in the group provides sensor data.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X95D033 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X95D033 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X95D033 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X95D033, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X95D033. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X95D033.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for minimizing or relieving a sustained casing pressure in an annulus of a wellbore, where the annulus contains a first fluid having a density. The method comprises introducing a second fluid into the annulus. The second fluid has a density greater than the density of the first fluid and the second fluid is immiscible with the first fluid. The method is characterized in that the second fluid comprises at least one halogen-containing organic compound. The halogen-containing organic compound has one or more halogen atoms selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, with the proviso that at least one of the halogen atoms is chlorine, bromine, or iodine.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorbent composition is described, including (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that either reversibly react with CO2 or have a high-affinity for CO2; and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent that is capable of dissolving both the silicon-based material and a reaction product of the silicon-based material and CO2. The absorbent may be utilized in methods to reduce carbon dioxide in an exhaust gas, and finds particular utility in power plants.

Abstract: A bearing component 2 for a joint replacement prosthesis comprises a first bearing element 4; a second bearing element 6, and a linking element 8, operatively connecting the first and second bearing elements 4, 6 and permitting relative motion there between. The flexible linking element 8 prevents dislocation of mobile bearings in a total knee replacement prosthesis. The invention also relates to a bridging element which retains the linking element 8 with some play, which acts as a ligament support 2051, and which causes a deflection of the line of action of a ligament 1018. A joint replacement prosthesis is also disclosed comprising a biasing element 1140 or a tensioning element 1220 operatively coupled to the artificial ligament 1018. The biasing element 1140 or tensioning element 1220 may be housed in the stem of a tibia tray 1006.

Abstract: An amino-siloxane composition is presented. The amino-siloxane composition includes structure (I): wherein R1 is independently at each occurrence a C1-C5 aliphatic radical; R2 is a C3-C4 aliphatic radical; R3 is a C1-C5 aliphatic radical or R4, wherein R4 comprises structure (II): and X is an electron donating group. Methods of reducing an amount of carbon dioxide in a process stream using the amino-siloxane composition are also presented.

Abstract: An amino-siloxane composition is presented. The amino-siloxane composition includes structure (I): wherein Rl is independently at each occurrence a C1-C5 aliphatic radical; R2 is a C3-C4 aliphatic radical; R3 is a C1-C5 aliphatic radical or R4, wherein R4 comprises structure (II): and X is an electron donating group. Methods of reducing an amount of carbon dioxide in a process stream using the amino-siloxane composition are also presented.

Abstract: Polymer-based materials and processes suitable for producing panels, for example, panels for use in a fan shroud abradable seal of a turbofan engine. Such a process includes introducing constituents of an expandable foam material into a continuous forming apparatus that continuously compounds the constituents into a partially-cured compounded polymeric material, which is then continuously formed with the continuous forming apparatus to produce a continuous form having a constant cross-sectional shape transverse to a continuous forming direction of the continuous forming apparatus. A portion of the continuous form is then deformed to produce a preform, and the preform is cured within a restricted volume to cause the preform to expand and produce the panel.

Abstract: A calendar event that is addressed to a plurality of recipients is generated. At least one of the plurality of recipients is designated as a first annotation recipient. A first annotation is associated with the calendar event, the first annotation addressed to the first annotation recipient.