Abstract: Superabsorbent particles having less than 1000 ppm non-solvent, a median size of from about 50 to about 2,000 micrometers, and containing nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of from about 10 to about 500 nanometers are provided. The superabsorbent particles exhibit a Vortex Time of about 80 seconds or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to packaged lyophilized agents. In particular, the present invention relates to compact lyophilized agents that are packaged in flexible containers, and systems for their manufacture and use.

Abstract: A method for characterizing stem cell differentiation includes harvesting differentiation media supernatant containing secreted analytes from key time points during a stem cell differentiation, performing at least one of a qualitative and a quantitative analysis of the differentiation media supernatant with respect to at least one secreted analyte, and identifying trends in analyte expression based on at least one of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the differentiation media supernatant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: An optimization engine builds a set of test forms, called a pallet for use in a qualification test setting. The pallet is generated using a optimization engine programmed with constraints and goals for each test form in the pallet and for the pallet in general. A test information floor is set at the cut point of the test which causes test items to be focused at the area of the test where the pass/fail decision is made. Further constraints may be programmed to maximize the item diversity, that is, to spread the use of available test items as uniformly as possible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: A high frequency magnetostrictive transducer includes a magnetostrictive rod or wire inserted co-axially into a driving coil, wherein the driving coil includes a coil arrangement with a plurality of small coil segments along the magnetostrictive rod or wire; wherein frequency operation of the high frequency magnetostrictive transducer is controlled by a length of the small coil segments and a material type of the magnetostrictive rod or wire. This design of the high frequency magnetostrictive transducer retains the beneficial aspects of the magnetostrictive design, while reducing its primary drawback, lower frequency operation.

Abstract: A method for characterizing stem cell differentiation includes harvesting differentiation media supernatant containing secreted analytes from key time points during a stem cell differentiation, performing at least one of a qualitative and a quantitative analysis of the differentiation media supernatant with respect to at least one secreted analyte, and identifying trends in analyte expression based on at least one of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the differentiation media supernatant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of cyclododecasulfur, a cyclic sulfur allotrope wherein the number of sulfur (S) atoms in the allotrope's homocyclic ring is 12. The method includes reacting a metallasulfur derivative with an oxidizing agent in a reaction zone to form a cyclododecasulfur-containing reaction mixture.

Abstract: Compositions containing phenolic antioxidant solutions are provided. The invention further provides methods of making and using such compositions as well as compositions that contain both biodiesel and at least one antioxidant concentrate solutions and blended fuel compositions containing biodiesel blended with other fuels.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a needle probe comprising a sheath, a heating element, a temperature sensor, and electrical insulation that allows thermal conductivity to be measured in extreme environments, such as in high-temperature irradiation testing. The heating element is contained within the sheath and is electrically conductive. In an embodiment, the heating element is a wire capable of being joule heated when an electrical current is applied. The temperature sensor is contained within the sheath, electrically insulated from the heating element and the sheath. The electrical insulation electrically insulates the sheath, heating element and temperature sensor. The electrical insulation fills the sheath having electrical resistance capable of preventing electrical conduction between the sheath, heating element, and temperature sensor. The control system is connected to the heating element and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel catalyst solutions comprising an organic complex of nickel, an alkyl aluminum compound, a solvent, and a phosphine compound, that are useful for the preparation of butenes, pentenes and hexenes by the co-dimerization or cross-dimerization of ethylene and propylene. Also disclosed are processes for the dimerization of ethylene and propylene that utilize these catalyst solutions. The catalyst systems described herein demonstrate that, depending on the choice of phosphine compound used with the catalytically active nickel, it is indeed possible to lower the concentration of hexene olefins relative to butenes and pentenes, even in the presence of excess propylene. The selectivity to the linear or branched pentene product can also be controlled by the selection of the phosphine compound. The catalyst solutions may be used with mixtures of olefins.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and kits pertaining to safety are disclosed. A system of the present invention may include a locking device configured to allow access to a property and an unlocking device configured to unlock the locking device. At least one of the locking and unlocking device are configured to activate a safety device, such as a camera, preferably upon unlocking. An apparatus of the present invention may include a processor and a machine-readable medium storing a set of instructions which cause the processor to unlock a locking device and activate a safety device. A kit of the present invention may include a locking device, a camera, an unlocking device, a processor, and a machine-readable medium that causes the processor to activate the camera to begin recording a feed. Other safety devices may include audio recorders, lights, sirens, and apparatuses configured to place an emergency call.

Abstract: A system and method providing a borrowing scheme. The method comprises the steps of: determining a designated event using the programmed computer processor; determining parameters associated with the designated event using the programmed computer processor; providing incentives to the user via the network, wherein the incentives comprise upgrades, discounts or access associated with the designated event; determining whether a transaction is associated with the designated event using the programmed computer processor; rewarding at least one benefit to the transactions associated with the designated event using the programmed computer processor; and allowing a user to selectively pay down transactions or balance amount(s) associated with the designated event.

Abstract: A system and method providing a borrowing scheme. The method comprises the steps of: establishing an interest-free revolving amount or account using the computer processor; establishing a periodic payment for maintaining the interest-free revolving amount or account using the computer processor; and automatically revising the interest-free revolving amount or account or the periodic payment using the computer processor based upon at least one user performance metric over a predetermined period of time; wherein the interest-free revolving amount or account or the periodic payment for maintaining the interest-free revolving amount is determined by the user via the network.

Abstract: A system and method providing a borrowing scheme. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a time-based spending alert threshold designation from a user via the network; receiving at least one category of transaction designations from the user via the network, wherein each of the categories is associated with a portion of the time-based spending alert threshold designation; automatically allocating user transactions among the categories using the programmed computer processor; notifying the user via the network of the portion of the time-based spending alert threshold designation for a particular category that is being approached or surpassed; and automatically modifying the portion of the time-based spending alert threshold designation for the particular category for the upcoming period of time if the limit is surpassed, wherein the modification is performed by the programmed computer processor.