Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes instructions to identify, based upon Doppler-speed determination from one or more radars, radar targets within a hitbox for determining a first stationary status of a vehicle based on tracking Doppler-speed radar targets in a hitbox region. The medium also includes instructions to identify, based upon the Doppler speed determination from the one or more radars, field-of-view (FOV) radar targets for determining a second stationary status based on a substantial number and a distribution of Doppler-speed determinations for the FOV radar targets. The medium also includes instructions to confirm, based on detecting a change in either of the first or the second stationary status of the vehicle, an acceleration sensed by an inertial measurement unit onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes instructions to identify, based upon Doppler-speed determination from one or more radars, radar targets within a hitbox for determining a first stationary status of a vehicle based on tracking Doppler-speed radar targets in a hitbox region. The medium also includes instructions to identify, based upon the Doppler speed determination from the one or more radars, field-of-view (FOV) radar targets for determining a second stationary status based on a substantial number and a distribution of Doppler-speed determinations for the FOV radar targets. The medium also includes instructions to confirm, based on detecting a change in either of the first or the second stationary status of the vehicle, an acceleration sensed by an inertial measurement unit onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of forming delta-lactone compounds by reaction of a diene with carbon dioxide in the presence of Pd and a phosphine ligand.

Abstract: A range of motion (ROM) removeable cast walker (RCW) has an ankle hinge that may be locked and unlocked by the user. A first sensor is responsive to the locked/unlocked condition of the RCW. A second sensor is responsive to the presence of a limb within the RCW. A third sensor is responsive to weight borne by the RCW. If the ankle hinge is unlocked, the ROM RCW is being worn and weight is being borne, a warning is provided to the patient to remind the patient to lock the ankle hinge to conform to the therapeutic regimen. A radio transmitter may report the state of the ROM RCW to a smart phone and to a remote storage facility for use by a physician.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of forming delta-lactone compounds by reaction of a diene with carbon dioxide in the presence of Pd and a phosphine ligand.

Abstract: A process is described for the recovery of substantially pure ethyl acetate from a feedstock including ethyl acetate, ethanol and water. The process includes supplying the feedstock to a first distillation zone maintained under first distillation conditions effective for distilling from the feedstock a first distillate including ethyl acetate, ethanol, and less than about 10 mol % water. The first distillate is recovered from the first distillation zone and is supplied to a second distillation zone maintained under second distillation conditions, which include use of a higher pressure than that of the first distillation zone. The second distillation conditions are effective for distilling from the first distillate a second distillate including ethanol, water, and a minor proportion of ethyl acetate and yielding a substantially pure ethyl acetate bottom product, which is recovered. The second distillate is returned to the first distillation zone.

Abstract: An aldolisation-dehydration process is disclosed for converting an aldehyde, e.g. n-valeraldehyde, to a substituted acrolein, e.g. propyl butyl acrolein (2-propylhept-2-enal). Aldolisation and dehydration are effected in a stirred tank reactor (16; 111) using an alkali catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide. A reaction product stream (23; 113) containing both organic and aqueous phases is distilled (in column 25; 123) to yield a heterogeneous azeotrope containing water and aldehyde. On condensation and phase separation the lower water layer (34; 150) can be discharged from the plant without the need for neutralisation. From the bottom of the distillation zone a mixture (36;157) of substituted acrolein and alkali catalyst solution is obtained. The substituted acrolein is recovered as product (45;173), while the catalyst solution (47;175) is recycled to the aldolisation reactor. Part (49; 181) of the catalyst solution is purged to control the level of Cannizzaro reaction products.

Abstract: A diaryl carbonate is produced by transesterification of a dialkyl carbonate, such as dimethyl carbonate, with an aromatic hydroxy compound, such as phenol, in three successive reaction zones. A transesterification catalyst, such as a titanate ester or ester mixture is used in each zone. Conditions are selected to maximize formation of alkyl aryl carbonate in the first and second reaction zones, while conversion to diaryl carbonate is favored in the third reaction zone. The vaporous mixture from the first two reaction zones is a mixture containing alkyl alcohol, dialkyl carbonate, alkyl aryl carbonate and aromatic hydroxy compound. This mixture is separated in an alkyl alcohol recovery zone by distillation in the distillation columns to produce useful recycle streams.

Abstract: A copper chromite hydrogenation catalyst of enhanced activity is obtained by an ante-pre-reduction treatment in which a copper chromite catalyst precursor is soaked in a reducing atmosphere at temperatures below a pre-reduction temperature (typically about 140.degree. C.) at which appreciable pre-reduction of the catalyst can be detected. This catalyst is characterized by particles of reduced copper substantially all of which have an average particle size of less than about 300.times.10.sup.-10 m (300.ANG.), which have an average particle size of less than about 100.times.10.sup.-10 m (100.ANG.), and which are substantially uniformly distributed on a chromium-containing support. Typically such catalysts exhibit a copper surface area of about 18.5 m.sup.2 /g as determined by N.sub.2 O decomposition at 20.degree. C., compared to a corresponding copper surface area of 4.5 m.sup.2 /g for a catalyst which has been produced by conventional pre-reduction of the same catalyst precursor.

Abstract: Butane-1,4-diol is produced by vapor phase hydrogenolysis of an alkyl ester of a C.sub.4 dicarboxylic acid, e.g. diethyl maleate, over a reduced Cu-Cr or Cu-Zn mixed oxide catalyst. Two adiabatic hydrogenolysis zones are used. The mixture exiting the first of these zones is cooled (by, for example, 5.degree. C.) and the resulting cooled mixture is fed to the second zone in which is reequilibriates at a lower temperature to increase the butane-1,4-diol yield at the expense of gamma-butyrolactone. Typical reaction conditions include use of temperatures of 150.degree. C. to 200.degree. C., pressures of 25 to 70 bar, and a H.sub.2 :ester molar ratio of 100:1 to 800:1. When using a maleate ester it is often advantageous to hydrogenate this to the corresponding succinate ester in an upstream hydrogenation zone prior to entry to the first hyrogenolysis zone.

Abstract: A process for the production of butane-1,4-diol comprises hydrogenating a di(C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 alkyl) ester of a C.sub.4 dicarboxylic acid, e.g. an ester of a but-2-en-1,4-dioic acid, such as diethyl maleate, in the vapor phase at a temperature of from about 150.degree. C. to about 240.degree. C. and at a pressure in the range of from about 25 bar to about 75 bar in the presence of a reduced copper chromite catalyst, and recovering resulting butane-1,4-diol containing reaction product. The catalyst contains, before reduction, from about 25 to about 45% by weight of copper and from about 20 to about 35% by weight of chromium and preferably has an internal surface area of at least about 30 sq. m. per gram. The process is preferably conducted in two or more reaction zones, which are preferably operated adiabatically, the feed temperature to the first zone being higher than that to at least one subsequent reaction zone.