Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an organoaluminum hydride, and (c) a tin halide compound.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a tubular handling system for handling wellbore tubulars. In one aspect, the present invention provides a tubular handling system adapted to retain a tubular without damaging the outer surface of the tubular. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of connecting tubulars by remotely controlling the connection process, including joint compensation, alignment, make up, and interlock. In one embodiment, the tubular handling system comprises an elevator adapted to support a tubular utilizing a first portion of an upset of the tubular and a spider adapted to support the tubular utilizing a second portion of the upset. In another embodiment, at least one of the elevator and the spider is remotely controllable. In yet another embodiment, the tubular handling system comprising a joint compensator system adapted to provide fluid communication to the elevator during rotation of the tubular.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for automated handling of stents using tape and reel, tray or cassette processing equipment is provided to reduce stent and stent coating damage during production, storage and distribution activities, and to allow high volume processing of high-quality stent products. In the tape reel-based system of the present invention, stents are fed into an automated tape assembly device which orients the stents and then feeds them between a carrier tape and a cover tape. The stent-bearing tape assembly is then gathered onto a reel for storage and transport. The stent-bearing tape assembly reel is subsequently loaded into a reel receiver associated with an automated stent coating machine, wherein the stent-bearing tape is fed into an automated tape separator, and the stents removed from the tape assembly are mounted by automated machinery onto stent holders, which in turn pass the stents through a stent coating applicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of coloring the hair with cluster-modified water and the ability to achieve enhanced color and conditioning for the hair that is color-treated. The cluster-modified water can be ionized water such as alkalinic or acidic water, or structured water such as I or S water. In addition, the cluster-modified water can be applied to the hair as a pre-saturating treatment and/or a post-saturating treatment relative to the hair color treatment process. Additional benefits of the present invention are the ability to minimize the use of harsh chemicals and dyes while still achieving an enriched color, and increased softness and smoothness to the color-treated hair. The present invention can also be used with mordanting salts. The present invention also includes a hair coloring kit including the cluster-modified water for post-saturating and/or pre-saturating the hair.

Abstract: The temperature of an electronic device at specified locations is determined by measuring the phonon frequency shift at the location of interest caused by operation of the device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to monitor and analyze the performance of a hydrocarbon-processing unit such as pipestill or hydrocracker unit. The invention includes the steps of collecting historical data relating to the hydrocarbon processing unit, from a process history database, validating the historical data, correcting the data performing a workup to determine the output measurements for the hydrocarbon processing unit, and storing the results of the workup in the process history database.

Abstract: The temperature of an electronic device at specified locations is determined by measuring the phonon frequency shift at the location of interest caused by operation of the device.

Abstract: A thin loudspeaker is provided that produces a superior frequency response and a diffuse acoustical pattern using magnetic drivers, acoustical plates, or a combination of magnetic drivers and acoustical plates. The invention contains a specially designed crossover network and a novel enclosure design. The novel enclosure includes a septum and cross bracing which enables the invention to realize superior performance in a thin loudspeaker design. The invention encompasses methods for improving the performance of an acoustical plate which include (1) placing acoustical plate motor elements on the plate in a manner that avoids rotational, mirror, and translational symmetry, (2) using acoustical plate motor elements of different shapes and sizes to stimulate the plate, and (3) using an acoustical plate that has an asymmetric shape. All of the embodiments of the invention may be covered with a decorative cover and hung on a wall like a picture or used to form a panel in a home entertainment center.

Abstract: The present invention is a program to monitor the actual, expected and predicted output performance of a process unit in an oil refinery.

Abstract: A content provider interfaces a client with a server. The content provider includes a task manager operable to initiate and manage a session for a client and to query the server, when required, for content requested by the client. The content provider also includes session content storage for storing content associated with that session. The content provider further includes a protocol adapter operable to respond to the task manager for interfacing with the server to retrieve content requested by the client. The retrieved content is stored in the session content storage associated with the session for the client.

Abstract: A cover for a cooling unit, such as an evaporator assembly, of a display refrigerator. The cover is advantageously made of a single piece of material, preferably an injection molded, filled polypropylene plastic, which is capable of withstanding the harsh conditions found in a display refrigerator. The cover is further advantageously configured to enhance the operation of the evaporator assembly, protect the evaporator assembly, insulate the frozen or refrigerated food and drink items from the heat generated by the evaporator assembly, and decrease the time needed to install the cover into or remove the cover from the display refrigerator.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of alkene phosphonic acids and salts thereof, such as VDPA (vinylidene diphosphonic acid) is disclosed. The products can be produced in a stable, substantially pure form and in high yield. The method includes the azeotropic removal of water from salts of &agr;-hydroxy-alkane diphosphonic acid dimer or corresponding acids thereof, and the pyrolysis of the dehydrated reactant at a temperature of from 170° C. to 300° C. There may be included a step to convert anhydrides which have been formed during the pyrolysis. The method may include the use of heat transfer agents and/or bases, and may be carried out at elevated or reduced pressure.

Abstract: A new power tong for rotating tubular members for make-up (connection) and break-out (disconnection) operations. In one aspect such a tong has at least one movable jaw with a smooth surface gripping element thereon and pre-load apparatus for applying a pre-load force to a movable jaw so that the jaw does not slip on a tubular to be rotated and so it does not mark or damage the tubular. In one aspect the pre-load apparatus includes a first pre-load device at one end of a movable jaw for breakout operations and a second pre-load device at another end of the jaw for make-up operations. In one aspect a power tong which has unique smooth surfaced jaw inserts made, e.g., of aluminum. In one aspect a single pivotable pre-load cylinder, fixed to rotary, pivots for pivotable connection to one jaw or the other. This can be done manually or a powered smaller piston/cylinder may be used to pivot the pre-load cylinder.

Abstract: A new joint compensator and systems with it and methods of their use have been invented which, in one aspect, includes a compensator system for compensating for the weight of at least one joint, which is a wellbore tubular member, the compensating system for use below a wellbore apparatus, the wellbore apparatus for supporting the at least one joint, the compensation system having a joint compensator suspended below the wellbore apparatus and connected thereto for selectively compensating for the weight of the at least one joint, a lower elevator suspended below and interconnected with the joint compensator for releasably holding the at least one joint, and a wellbore elevator connected to the wellbore apparatus for selectively supporting the joint compensator and the at least one joint.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising remodelled recombinant glucocerebrosidase (GCR) is described that provides a therapeutic effect at doses that are lower then those required using remodelled naturally occurring GCR. A method of treating patients with Gaucher's disease using remodelled recombinant GCR is also provided. In vivo uptake of exogenous molecules can be determined by extracting a mixture of cells from a subject, enriching the target cells in vitro, lysing the cells and determining the amount of exogenous molecules.

Abstract: The present invention in its preferred embodiment comprises a camera repair and support device having a conventional clamp which is adaptable to be secured to any appropriate surface, such as a work table or any suitable horizontal or vertical surface. Integrally formed with the clamp is a first member that is usually tubular in design and extends out from the surface of one end of the clamp and even further by its telescoping feature. Fixed to one end of the first member is a second columnar shaped member that is rotatably connected to the first member and adapted to swivel 360.degree. relative to the first member about the horizontal axis that lays between the two members. A third member is connected to the second member by a ball and socket joint which allows the third member to rotate 360.degree. relative to the second member about the horizontal axis that lays between the two. A locking bolt is inserted into the side wall of the second member.

Abstract: A device for opening glass-sealed vessels in order either to recover a gas from or to introduce a gas into a vacuum system or other confined atmosphere comprises first vessel receiving means adapted removably to receive therein a projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel along with second vessel receiving means similarly adapted removably to receive therein the projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel, with the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means being positioned adjacent each other.