Abstract: Compositions which include hop materials infused with exogenous flavorant matrix and methods for infusing hop materials with a flavorant matrix are provided, wherein the method includes emulsifying a flavorant additive into a carrier system to provide a flavorant matrix; and infusing the hop material with the flavorant matrix.

Abstract: An edible composition, an aerosol composition, a flavor composition, a fragrance composition, or an inhalable composition includes an aroma compound such as 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA), 3-mercaptohexyl butyrate (3MHB), 3-mercaptohexanol (3MH), 3-mercaptohexyl hexanoate (3MHH), or a combination of any two or more thereof, one or more terpenes, and optionally one or more organosulfur compounds.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A process is described for producing 1,3-butanediol, wherein an ester of poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate such as formed by transesterification with an alcohol is reduced by hydrogenation in the presence of a skeletal copper-based catalyst to provide 1,3-butanediol. The 1,3-butanediol may be transesterified by reaction with additional poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate ester to produce (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: A process is described for producing 1,3-butanediol, wherein an ester of poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate such as formed by transesterification with an alcohol is reduced by hydrogenation in the presence of a skeletal copper-based catalyst to provide 1,3-butanediol. The 1,3-butanediol may be transesterified by reaction with additional poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate ester to produce (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate.

Abstract: A controlled leakage seal assembly having a first stationary portion adapted to be connected in substantially fluid-tight relation to a source of drilling fluid and a second portion adapted to be connected in substantially fluid-tight relation to a rotary portion including a washpipe. The seal includes a first housing and a stack of radially inwardly extending, spaced apart annular stators, and a second seal housing and stack of spaced apart radially outwardly extending annular rotors interleaved with one another. The seal assembly, a cartridge, permits the first and second housings to rotate relative to each other in substantially fluid-tight relation except for the drilling fluid entering an outlet region at greatly reduced pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the seal is held by a sleeve that permits the cartridge to be removed and replaced while the fluid connections to the sleeve remains.

Abstract: A percentaging system for an amusement game is provided which comprises entering into memory a desired percentage of game awards and the data representing scores achieved by players for a predetermined number of games. The desired percentage is multiplied by the number of scores in memory and a new score to beat is determined from the stored score data based upon the product of these two numbers. The new replay level is then entered into memory.

Abstract: Normal olefins such as n-butene can be converted to branched species by skeletal isomerization over catalysts containing solid acids prepared by sulfating catalyst precursors containing hydrous metal oxides--e.g., aluminas, silica-aluminas or clays treated with sulfuric acid, metal sulfates, sulfur trioxide or organic sulfates. The catalyst precursors are sulfated sufficiently to produce the desired skeletal isomerization without substantial cracking under suitable isomerization conditions.