Abstract: Process for evaluating the corrosive effect of a refinery feedstock on the metallurgy of one or more refinery processes, by (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks and/or a plurality of fractions of one or more refinery feedstocks, (ii) providing an array having a plurality of metal samples representative of metallurgy present in a refinery, (iii) contacting each of the plurality of metal samples with one or more of the refinery feedstocks or fractions under non-static conditions, and (iv) determining the corrosive effect of the feedstock and/or fraction on the metal sample.

Abstract: Deformities present on the end of a bone, for example the end of the metatarsal bone making up part of the metatarsocuneiform joint, can lead to deformities such as bunions. These deformities are treatable with an implant that comprises a plate with a wedge extending perpendicular from the plate. Following removal of cartilage from the joint, deformed portions at the end of the bone are removed and the wedge is inserted in the joint and held in place when the plate is attached to the bones flanking the joint. This effectively fuses the two bones together. The wedge can be shaped in various ways depending on the particular deformity present.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for removing particulates from a fluid treatment basin. The system can include a first continuously inclined surface configured to be substantially submerged in fluid in the fluid treatment basin. A base can be provided to which the first continuously inclined surface is connected. At least one orifice is formed in the base. In addition, a second continuously inclined surface can be connected to the base on a side opposing the first continuously inclined surface. The second continuously inclined surface may be substantially submerged in fluid in the fluid treatment basin. A discharge conduit can be connected to the orifice in order to discharge fluid and particulates gathered via the orifice.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel composition which is suitable for sue in a fuel cell apparatus and an internal combustion engine comprises at least one saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and is characterised by an olefin content of less than 20% by volume, an aromatics content of less than 42% by volume, a final boiling point (fop) of less than 215° C., and a sulphur content of less than 20 ppm.

Abstract: This invention relates to processes for the evaluation of the coke and/or bitumen quality of a plurality of refinery feedstocks using high throughput experimentation.

Abstract: A method for detecting stator ground faults in a generator is described. The method includes receiving a neutral voltage signal from a neutral point of a stator, receiving a plurality of terminal voltage and current signals from the stator, deriving a magnitude of a harmonic component from the neutral voltage signal, deriving a total complex power from the terminal voltage and current signals, calculating an expected value of a harmonic based on the complex power at a first time and a plurality of values of the complex power, where the values of the complex power are measured at times before the first time, and comparing the expected value and a measured value of the harmonic.

Abstract: The fouling caused by a refinery feedstock on one or more refinery processes, said process comprising: (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks and/or a plurality of fractions of one or more refinery feedstocks, (ii) providing an array comprising a plurality of metal samples representative of metallurgy present in a refinery, (iii) contacting each of the plurality of metal samples with one or more of said (iv) refinery feedstocks or fractions under non-static conditions, and determining the fouling of said refinery feedstock or fraction thereof. Preferably, the metal samples are in the form of a microfabricated array and the testing is carried out in parallel using high throughput experimentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides haploid-based breeding methods for the integration of two or more genetic factors in a crop plant.

Abstract: A sample plate for use with a portable apparatus containing at least two different analytical devices, said plate (1) comprising (i) a receiver (2) for a fluid to be analysed; (ii) at least two fluidic channels (6, 7) each adapted to transfer a portion of said fluid or a component or reaction product thereof from said receiver (2) to one of said analytical devices contained in said associated portable analysis apparatus; (iii) at least one sensor (13) capable of responding to a physical or chemical property of said fluid or a component or reaction product thereof, and/or at least one sample cell (14) for containing a sample of said fluid or a component or reaction product thereof for spectroscopic or optical analysis; and (iv) at least one additional fluidic channel (11, 12) adapted to transfer a portion of said fluid or a component or reaction product thereof from said receiver to said at least one sensor (13) and/or sample cell (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for reducing the nitrogen content of a liquid hydrocarbon feed wherein said process comprises a) contacting a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising an alkylating agent and organic nitrogen species with an acidic catalyst at elevated temperature in a first reaction zone to generate a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising a reduced alkylating agent content and organic nitrogen species of higher boiling point. b) fractionating the liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising a reduced alkylating agent content and organic nitrogen species of higher boiling point to remove the organic nitrogen species of higher boiling point to generate a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising a reduced alkylating agent content and a reduced nitrogen content.

Abstract: A dynamic ‘vehicle grid’ system provides the ability for drivers to be automatically warned to the conditions of other vehicles in the vicinity. In this grid system, a motor vehicle would be equipped with a transmitter, receiver, computer and a selection of sensors. Other adjacent vehicles are also contain the same of equipment for transmitting and receiving signals. When the sensors in a vehicle detect a change such as hard braking (rapid deceleration) or very slow speed (blockages), it automatically sends this information via the transmitter over a wireless communication channel to any other receivers in the vicinity.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing highly deleterious non-basic nitrogen compounds upstream from an acid catalyzed thiophene alkylation process using adsorbents capable of adsorbing the non-basic nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which users are enabled to provide spontaneous routing and driving condition information to a data base which is made available to other drivers on a real-time basis. Users are also enabled to define new routes between travel points and upload new route information for access by other users of the system. In an exemplary embodiment, wireless communication techniques are implemented to transfer data from a GPS device in an automobile to a data base on a central server to provide other users of the system who have access to the data base with the current status of dynamic driving conditions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, radio frequency identification (RFID) and short message service center (SMS), or follow-on technology, e.g., Mobile Multimedia Services (MMS) technology is implemented to support an identification and messaging system. A social services server tracks a user's location with a RFID or GPS or similar system and also acquires locations for user-selected contacts which are made available to the system. When a system user is near a user-selected contact or individual within a selected group that the user wants to meet, a message or other alert, such as an SMS message, is automatically sent to the user's cellular telephone or other communications device, telling the user that the selected contact is nearby.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of assaying a crude oil, the method includes measuring at least two selected properties of the crude oil with one or more laboratory-independent devices using at least two different techniques wherein each technique is predictive of each respective property, transmitting the measured properties to a processor capable of reconstructing a determinative assay of the crude oil from the measured properties, and reconstructing a determinative assay of the crude oil from the measured properties. The disclosed method provides real-time information of a refinery feedstock such that, for example, a trader negotiating the sale of the product has accurate assay information on which to determine whether to sell or purchase the product.

Abstract: A load hauling vehicle such as a truck or trailer having a bed which can be loaded or unloaded either from the side or the rear of the bed. The present invention has one or both side walls which are hinged at the bottom edge to an adjacent edge of the bottom of the bed so that the side walls can be swung by an actuator to raise and lower the side walls. The present invention further provides a mobile display with at least one secondary lifting arm that raises an advertisement to be prominently displayed to potential customers. Further, the side walls of the present invention can serve as a portable stage.

Abstract: A process for evaluating a refinery feedstock, said process comprising: (i) providing a refinery feedstock, (ii) treating said refinery feedstock to produce an array comprising a plurality of fractions having different chemical and/or physical properties, each fraction being representative of a process stream that might be present in a refinery, and (iii) analysing each of said plurality of fractions to determine one or more chemical and/or physical properties of the fractions, said analyses being performed at least partially in parallel. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of refinery feedstocks is evaluated, each being fractionated prior to analysis of the fractions.

Abstract: A dynamic ‘vehicle grid’ system provides the ability for drivers to be automatically warned to the conditions of other vehicles in the vicinity. In this grid system, a motor vehicle would be equipped with a transmitter, receiver, computer and a selection of sensors. Other adjacent vehicles are also contain the same of equipment for transmitting and receiving signals. When the sensors in a vehicle detect a change such as hard braking (rapid deceleration) or very slow speed (blockages), it automatically sends this information via the transmitter over a wireless communication channel to any other receivers in the vicinity.

Abstract: The invention concerns sensitive methods to measure mRNA levels in biopsied tumor tissues, including archived paraffin-embedded biopsy material. The invention also concerns breast cancer gene sets important in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, and methods for assigning the most optimal treatment options to breast cancer patient based upon knowledge derived from gene expression studies.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which average vehicle speeds of tolled and non-tolled road segments between two locations are monitored and saved for reference in providing dynamic adjustment of the toll amount to be charged for use of the tolled segment in order to insure an efficient use of the tolled segment and a determination of an appropriate toll amount to be charged drivers in the tolled segment in view of real time traffic conditions of the tolled and the non-tolled segment. The toll adjustments are determined based upon the difference between actual average speeds of the tolled segment and actual average speeds of the non-tolled segment such that the toll adjustments are dynamic and depend upon real time traffic conditions in both the tolled and non-tolled segments of the travel route.