Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preferentially breaking cross-links in a vulcanised rubber, thereby de-vulcanising the rubber, by the use of a supercritical fluid, such as carbon dioxide. The supercritical fluid maintained at an appropriate solubility parameter, swells the vulcanised rubber to a state of equilibrium swell. The cross links (3) become fully extended and under strain to hold the internal pressures caused by the solvent swelling affect of the supercritical gas. When equilibrium swell has been achieved, the pressure within the processing vessel is rapidly dropped to a level of not less than 60% of the level at which saturation took place, causing a degassing and expansion of the supercritical fluid that has been absorbed within the vulcanised rubber. The resulting three dimensional separation of the rubber molecules will put a further rapid strain on the cross links, causing them to break (7), thereby giving the affect of de-vulcanization.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for mucosal delivery of agents are provided. The compositions are intended for administration to mucosal surface, such as oral, gastrointestinal and nasal mucosa. The compositions provided contain one or more mucoadhesive proteins and an agent to be delivered. Methods for delivery of agents using the compositions provided herein are also provided.

Abstract: A system for playing digital video at varying playback speeds can include a fetcher module configured to retrieve encoded pictures from a data store and an allocator module configured to selectively delete encoded pictures from an input cache. The system further can include a decoder module and an output cache module. The decoder module can decode pictures received from the input cache. The output cache module can store a plurality of decoded pictures and provide selected ones of the pictures as output. Pictures are processed within each of the modules according to a priority corresponding to each picture.

Abstract: A fluid control valve for use in a system for inflating an anti-G garment. The valve includes an elongate chamber in which a valve member is moveable. The chamber has first and second axial ends. An inlet opening in a chamber wall provides for the flow of fluid into the chamber. A valve edge is provided at the second end of the chamber to form an outlet. The valve member has a first portion which closes the first chamber end and is moveable in the chamber between the inlet opening and the first chamber end, an intermediate portion which has a cross sectional area less than that of the chamber wall to permit the inflow of fluid to the chamber, and a second portion including a flow control device which co-operates with the valve edge to control fluid flow from the valve.

Abstract: A method includes the acts of acquiring a blade of k-space calibration data; acquiring a set of T1-weighted k-space imaging data, the set of T1-weighted k-space imaging data having blades of undersampled k-space data rotated about a section of k-space. Each blade of undersampled k-space data includes first data points having acquired data and second data points that are missing data. The method also includes generating a set of reconstruction weights for the blades of undersampled k-space data using the blade of k-space calibration data; synthesizing k-space data for at least a portion of the second data points using the set of reconstruction weights; and generating a T1-weighted image using the T1-weighted k-space imaging data and the synthesized k-space data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for incentivizing online consumers to engage in an online purchase transaction by maximizing the rewards, such as advantageous pricing, coupons, etc., that an online consumer may enjoy if they accept a higher level of risk, such as by making an offer to purchase a product or service early in its online promotional offering, and/or if they undertake certain promotional efforts that are designated by the seller of such product or service to promote the retailer's offering to their social media community.

Abstract: The invention is related to a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising an elastomeric polymer, a phenol formaldehyde resin cross-linker, and an activator package characterized in that the vulcanizable rubber composition comprises an activated zeolite. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of a vulcanized article comprising the steps of preparing a vulcanizable rubber composition, shaping the vulcanizable rubber composition and vulcanizing the shaped rubber composition. The invention further relates to a vulcanized article.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for mucosal delivery of agents are provided. The compositions are intended for administration to mucosal surface, such as oral, gastrointestinal and nasal mucosa. The compositions provided contain one or more mucoadhesive proteins and an agent to be delivered. Methods for delivery of agents using the compositions provided herein are also provided.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a tumor sample comprising: (a) acquiring a library comprising a plurality of tumor members from a tumor sample; (b) contacting the library with a bait set to provide selected members; (c) acquiring a read for a subgenomic interval from a tumor member from said library; (d) aligning said read; and (e) assigning a nucleotide value (e.g., calling a mutation) from said read for the preselected nucleotide position, thereby analyzing said tumor sample.

Abstract: A gas gun launcher having a pump tube and a launch tube with a first end of the launch tube slidably inserted into a second end of the pump tube. A sliding seal is employed to retain the gas within the launch tube and the pump tube A launch tube alignment system is preferably automatic, again to enhance the accuracy of launches. And an embodiment of the gas gun launcher suitable for use in water such as an ocean or large lake preferably utilizes a neutrally buoyant launch tube and a neutrally buoyant pump tube. And a fast-closing muffler at the second end of the launch tube conserves the light gas utilized for launching a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle for launching from a gas gun having a housing; preferably incorporating a precessional attitude control system; and utilizing a flared base, fins, or active use of the attitude control system during passage through the atmosphere. Subtly canting the fins can produce desired spinning of the vehicle. The propulsion system can employ liquid, hybrid, or solid fuel. A removable aero-shell assists atmospheric flight with thermal protection being provided by anticipated ablation, an ablative aero-spike, or transpirational cooling. And a releasable sabot enhances the effectiveness of the launch.

Abstract: An abrasive element consisting substantially of a glass material that is at least partially devitrified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preferentially breaking cross-links in a vulcanized rubber, thereby de-vulcanizing the rubber, by the use of a supercritical fluid, such as carbon dioxide The supercritical fluid causes swelling of the said vulcanized rubber material, wherein the time of swelling is not more than 50% of the time required for full volume equilibrium swelling of the rubber in said supercritical fluid and the swelling is followed by a rapid reduction of the supercritical fluid pressure The cross links (3) become fully extended and under strain to hold the internal pressures caused by the solvent swelling affect of the supercritical gas When equilibrium swell has been achieved, the pressure within the processing vessel is rapidly dropped to a predetermined level causing a degassing and expansion of the supercritical fluid that has been absorbed within the vulcanized rubber The resulting three dimensional separation of the rubber molecules will put a further rapid strain on the cross l

Abstract: The present invention provides for treating a surface of a semiconductor material. The method comprises exposing the surface of the semiconductor material to a halogen etchant in a hydrogen environment at an elevated temperature. The method controls the surface roughness of the semiconductor material. The method also has the unexpected benefit of reducing dislocations in the semiconductor material.

Abstract: Method of constructing and installing a direct smelting unit comprising a smelting vessel (11). The vessel is prefabricated off site in three modules (11A, 11B, 11C) which are then transported to the installation site where they are hoisted by a crane and deposited sequentially on top of one another and joined together by welding to form a unitary vessel. The vessel modules are prefabricated so as to be internally lined with water cooling panels connected to water inlet and outlet connectors (62) on the exterior of the circumferential wall sections of those modules. A vessel access tower is formed in modules brought together to envelop the tower and carrying water supply and return piping which is connected to the water inlet and outlet connectors (62) of the cooling panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering humidified gases has a connection manifold adapted to connect with inlet and outlet ports of a slide on water chamber in a single slide on motion. Connection of the gases inlet and gases outlet ports as well as any additional electrical and/or pneumatic connections are all made in the same slide on motion. The water chamber may include inwardly extending elongate extension tubes with one of the extension tubes having an air bleed aperture to aid filling of the chamber.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fluid leak in a hydraulic fluid circuit includes preventing fluid from entering the circuit when an actual outlet flow rate from a pump is positive while a requested outlet flow rate to a hydraulic machine is zero. An outlet port of a variable displacement port can be selectively blocked, while in a fixed displacement pump (FDP) fluid can be diverted from the outlet port to a secondary fluid circuit. The actual outlet flow rate can be measured using a flow sensor or a swash plate angle depending on the pump design. A hydraulic fluid circuit includes a hydraulic machine, a pump, a valve at an outlet port of the pump, and a controller. The controller determines the requested flow rate, and actuates the valve to prevent fluid from entering the circuit whenever the actual outlet flow rate is positive during zero requested flow rate.