Abstract: An intermediate network element/device intercepts TCP packets/segments from a client and alters them before forwarding them to a server. This facilitates an increase in effective receive window size value over that which is contained in the segments. One aspect alters a TCP segment by replacing the receive window value with a value determined according to a formula and then forwards the segment on to the server. Another aspect alters a scaling factor in a SYN segment and forwards the altered SYN segment on to the server. The server stores the scaling factor to a memory connected thereto and multiplies the scale factor by receive window size values in subsequently received TCP segments. The server uses the product to determine how many segment-bytes to send to the client. The predetermined scaling factor and predetermined formula may both be stored on a memory at the intermediate element for processing thereby.

Abstract: Multicast management messages associate a channel with one or more multicast groups. The information included in the multicast management messages are combined into a channel association table that may be stored at a CPE device for each of one or more interfaces. The channel association table is used in response to a request for a desired multicast group to select a channel over which the desired multicast group should be delivered. The channel selection is based on a review of the channel association table. If a channel is associated with the desired group, it is selected. If a channel is not associated with the desired group, a channel is selected from a plurality of available channels based on group traffic loading criteria. A multicast message, such as a JOIN, is forwarded to other devices informing them that the desired group should only be sought and/or delivered on the selected channel.

Abstract: An intermediate network element/device intercepts TCP packets/segments from a client and alters them before forwarding them to a server. This facilitates an increase in effective receive window size value over that which is contained in the segments. One aspect alters a TCP segment by replacing the receive window value with a value determined according to a formula and then forwards the segment on to the server. Another aspect alters a scaling factor in a SYN segment and forwards the altered SYN segment on to the server. The server stores the scaling factor to a memory connected thereto and multiplies the scale factor by receive window size values in subsequently received TCP segments. The server uses the product to determine how many segment-bytes to send to the client. The predetermined scaling factor and predetermined formula may both be stored on a memory at the intermediate element for processing thereby.

Abstract: Multicast management messages associate a channel with one or more multicast groups. The information included in the multicast management messages are combined into a channel association table that may be stored at a CPE device for each of one or more interfaces. The channel association table is used in response to a request for a desired multicast group to select a channel over which the desired multicast group should be delivered. The channel selection is based on a review of the channel association table. If a channel is associated with the desired group, it is selected. If a channel is not associated with the desired group, a channel is selected from a plurality of available channels based on group traffic loading criteria. A multicast message, such as a JOIN, is forwarded to other devices informing them that the desired group should only be sought and/or delivered on the selected channel.

Abstract: A composition for dispersing oil slicks consisting of a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different oxyalkylene or polyoxyalkylene groups,andwherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different alkyl or alkenyl groups. The composition also includes a carrier solvent.

Abstract: A triple tail surfactant composition useful in emulsifying viscous hydrocarbon with water is disclosed. The composition includes an organic solvent and at least one triple tail surfactant represented by the formulae ##STR1## where R is where R is an alkyl group of from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms; A is a polyhydric alcohol radical, especially a hexitol radical; Y an alkenyl group of from 2 to about 4 carbon atoms; n is an integer of from 0 to 25; and Z is --H, --SO.sup.-.sub.3 M.sup.+, --SO.sup.-.sub.2 M.sup.+, or --PO.sup.-.sub.3 M.sup.+ where M is an alkali metal.

Abstract: A composition for dispersing oil slicks comprises a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be the same or different oxyalkylene or polyoxyalkylene groups, andwherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 may be the same or different alkyl or alkenyl groups. The composition also includes a carrier solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for dispersing oil slicks comprising a twin tail surfactant or mixture of twin tail surfactants having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 may be the same or different alkyl or alkenyl groups; R.sub.2 is H or OH; and x is from 1 to about 20.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a microbial nutrient composition comprises a stable, bi-continuous first and second phase. The first phase comprises an aqueous solution of microbial nutrients and the second phase comprising a hydrocarbon liquid and a mixture of surfactants combined in amounts sufficient to render the mixture of first and second phases a liquid at a first temperature and as a waxy solid at a lower second temperature.In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating hydrocarbon contaminated soils and water by applying to the soil or water a microbial nutrient composition which is in the liquid state when it is applied and which forms a waxy solid at temperatures below the application temperature.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel composition of matter having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H or an alkoxide of from 5 to about 20 carbon atoms;x is an integer of from about 8 to 22 when R.sub.1 =H and from about 2 to 5 when R.sub.1 is an alkoxide;R.sub.2 is selected independently from H, (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m H, and (CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)O).sub.m H;R.sub.3 is selected independently from H, (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n H, and (CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)O).sub.n H;m and n are integers from 1 to 50; and y and z are integers from 2 to 10.