Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treatment of fluids to remove mercury contaminants in the fluid. Contact of the fluid with an amine that has absorbed a sulfur compound causes the mercury contaminants to be absorbed by the amine. Phase separation then removes from the fluid the amine loaded with the mercury contaminants such that a treated product remains.

Abstract: Synthesis of a support material impregnated with silver sulfide provides a sorbent composition. Generating the silver sulfide relies on reaction of sulfur dioxide and one of hydrogen gas and hydrogen sulfide in presence of the support material following silver loading of the support material. Contacting a fluid stream with the sorbent composition removes heavy metal from the fluid stream.

Abstract: A system and method for remote acquisition and delivery of goods provides for potential customers, having computers in communication via the internet, to be able to contact an agent for the purchase and potential delivery of one or more goods for the customers. An agent is able to contact an original or secondary customers, which could be friends, family, co-workers or the like, through either a social or business network to inquire about obtaining goods on behalf of the customers. In any case, the agent provides the customer with at least real-time image data to assure the exact good desired by the customer is acquired.

Abstract: A system and method for remote acquisition and delivery of goods includes a server in communication with customer computers, such as through a user interface via the internet. The server can store customer information including billing information, and may include an image processor. A mobile delivery system in communication with the server includes an energy efficient vehicle, an image capture device, a global positioning system, a communication device and a printer. In use, a customer communicates with a mobile delivery agent via the image capture device and the communication device to remotely acquire a product. Once acquired, the delivery agent delivers the product to a designated delivery location. The image capture device can be utilized during the entire transaction. The system preferably includes a processor for optimizing system efficiencies, including selecting a delivery agent based on the product, pick-up location and delivery site.

Abstract: A method to confine a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including: inserting a lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly into an open end of a lower fuel particle barrier; supporting the lower portion of the fuel bundle with the lower fuel particle barrier; grasping the lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly with the lower fuel particle barrier; lowering an upper fuel particle barrier over an upper tie plate of the fuel bundle assembly; moving at least a portion of a handle fixed to the upper tie plate through an open slot in the upper fuel particle barrier; closing the open slot with a closure device after the handle passes through the slot, and preventing fuel particles being released from the nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly by the upper and lower fuel particle barriers.

Abstract: A system and method for remote acquisition and delivery of goods includes a server in communication with customer computers, such as through a user interface via the internet. The server can store customer information including billing information, and may include a real-time video processor. A mobile delivery system in communication with the server includes an energy efficient vehicle, a real-time video device, a global positioning system, a communication device and a printer. In use, a customer communicates with a mobile delivery agent via the real-time video device and the communication device to remotely acquire a product. Once acquired, the delivery agent delivers the product to a designated delivery location. The real-time video device can be utilized during the entire transaction. The system preferably includes a processor for optimizing system efficiencies, including selecting a delivery agent based on the product, pick-up location and delivery site.

Abstract: A system and method for remote acquisition and delivery of goods includes a server in communication with customer computers, such as through a user interface via the internet. The server can store customer information including billing information, and may include a real-time video processor. A mobile delivery system in communication with the server includes an energy efficient vehicle, a real-time video device, a global positioning system, a communication device and a printer. In use, a customer communicates with a mobile delivery agent via the real-time video device and the communication device to remotely acquire a product. Once acquired, the delivery agent delivers the product to a designated delivery location. The real-time video device can be utilized during the entire transaction. The system preferably includes a processor for optimizing system efficiencies, including selecting a delivery agent based on the product, pick-up location and delivery site.

Abstract: A system and method for remote acquisition and delivery of goods includes a server in communication with customer computers, such as through a user interface via the internet. The server can store customer information including billing information, and may include an image processor. A mobile delivery system in communication with the server includes an energy efficient vehicle, an image capture device, a global positioning system, a communication device and a printer. In use, a customer communicates with a mobile delivery agent via the image capture device and the communication device to remotely acquire a product. Once acquired, the delivery agent delivers the product to a designated delivery location. The-image capture device can be utilized during the entire transaction. The system preferably includes a processor for optimizing system efficiencies, including selecting a delivery agent based on the product, pick-up location and delivery site.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor fuel bundle confinement system including: a fuel bundle with an upper tie plate; a channel enclosing the fuel bundle; a handle for the fuel bundle extending above the fuel bundle; an upper fuel particle barrier positioned over the upper tie plate and above the fuel rods, wherein the fuel particle barrier has a permeable panel at least co-extensive with an open area of the upper tie plate; a slot in the permeable panel through which passes the handle, and a closure device on the fuel particle barrier having a closed position which covers the slot and an open position that leaves the slot open; a lower fuel particle barrier positioned over the lower tie plate and below the fuel rods, wherein the lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly is grasped by the lower fuel particle barrier.

Abstract: Provided is a computer system configured so that security compliance problems can be avoided and an access control model which can be uniquely customized can be implemented by extending the storage capacity to an external storage service by means of integrated management of an existing NAS(s) and the external storage service, and controlling the optimum data placement according to the confidentiality and importance level of data. In a computer system according to this invention, a local storage system includes an extended server for integrating a NAS(s) existing in the local storage system with an external storage service and thereby providing a client with a storage area as a single virtual NAS.

Abstract: A method to confine a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including: inserting a lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly into an open end of a lower fuel particle barrier; supporting the lower portion of the fuel bundle with the lower fuel particle barrier; grasping the lower portion of the fuel bundle assembly with the lower fuel particle barrier; lowering an upper fuel particle barrier over an upper tie plate of the fuel bundle assembly; moving at least a portion of a handle fixed to the upper tie plate through an open slot in the upper fuel particle barrier; closing the open slot with a closure device after the handle passes through the slot, and preventing fuel particles being released from the nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly by the upper and lower fuel particle barriers.

Abstract: Synthesis of a support material impregnated with silver sulfide provides a sorbent composition. Generating the silver sulfide relies on reaction of sulfur dioxide and one of hydrogen gas and hydrogen sulfide in presence of the support material following silver loading of the support material. Contacting a fluid stream with the sorbent composition removes heavy metal from the fluid stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treatment of fluids to remove mercury contaminants in the fluid. Contact of the fluid with active outer surfaces of particles magnetically separable from the fluid loads the particles with the mercury contaminants. Magnetic separation then removes from the fluid the particles loaded with the mercury contaminants such that a treated product remains.

Abstract: To provide a retrieval space map in which the ratio of unnecessary files included in the retrieval result can be decreased. One or more retrieval object spaces (retrieval objects) in which a file suitable for a retrieval purpose exists at high possibility are predefined according to the retrieval purpose under a condition containing a number of retrieval objects, and the space in which a necessary file exists at high possibility can be searched by designating the retrieval object to be suited for the retrieval purpose at the time of retrieval.

Abstract: An improved blend added to soil for soil strengthening and stabilization comprising the combination of 15 to 60 percent by weight of a lime component, such as quicklime, hydrated lime and/or a lime by-product, such as lime kiln dust, with a balance or remainder of cement. The blending of the materials has a synergistic effect, such that the resulting product exceeds the soil strengthening and soil stabilization capabilities of the individual components. The synergistic effect further extends to the hardening and curing characteristics of the blend, in that the blend has a very short hardening time compared with its component parts. The blend physically and chemically modifies the soil to which it is applied to accomplish the soil strengthening and stabilization impacts, and is applicable to a wide range of soil types and conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treatment of fluids to remove mercury contaminants in the fluid. Contact of the fluid with an amine that has absorbed a sulfur compound causes the mercury contaminants to be absorbed by the amine. Phase separation then removes from the fluid the amine loaded with the mercury contaminants such that a treated product remains.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to treatment of fluids to remove mercury contaminants in the fluid. Contact of the fluid with active outer surfaces of particles magnetically separable from the fluid loads the particles with the mercury contaminants. Magnetic separation then removes from the fluid the particles loaded with the mercury contaminants such that a treated product remains.

Abstract: A system and method for remote acquisition and delivery of goods includes a server in communication with customer computers, such as through a user interface via the internet. The server can store customer information including billing information, and may include a real-time video processor. A mobile delivery system in communication with the server includes an energy efficient vehicle, a real-time video device, a global positioning system, a communication device and a printer. In use, a customer communicates with a mobile delivery agent via the real-time video device and the communication device to remotely acquire a product. Once acquired, the delivery agent delivers the product to a designated delivery location. The real-time video device can be utilized during the entire transaction. The system preferably includes a processor for optimizing system efficiencies, including selecting a delivery agent based on the product, pick-up location and delivery site.

Abstract: The present invention advances tank-based aquaculture by providing a low cost, high efficiency solid waste separator. The invention combines the simplicity of centrifugal-gravitational separation with the practicality of automatic separator cleaning. Low-pressure air from a blower or air pump induces water flow through the separator. The compressed air source is also used to purge accumulated sludge from the separator and to scour internal separator surfaces. Installation of a captive floating granular media bed within the separator further stabilizes the centrifugal flow pattern, enhances the scouring action during sludge flushing events, and provides substrate for nitrifying bacteria colonization. Separator purging and scouring processes are simply and easily automated with small, low-voltage electric valves and timers. Operational cost-savings are magnified in multiple tank systems where multiple separators are operated by a centralized compressed air system and controller.

Abstract: A user measures the intercavernosal pressure of a penis using an instrument held in one hand and axially pressing the instrument against a glans of a penis for a predetermined period. The instrument provides a visual readout indicating the intercavernosal pressure of the penis at the end of this period and includes an exterior display to indicate the measured intercavernosal pressure of the tested penis. The instrument and glans of the penis are disengaged when the readout is provided by the instrument. A control circuit for the display includes a pressure-measuring device within an interior of the instrument that interacts with an internal portion of a contact member upon the internal portion contacting the pressure-measuring device upon axially pressing an external portion of the contact member against the glans of the penis being tested.