Abstract: A composition, such as a catalyst precursor or a catalyst comprising a Cr coated silica support with particularly defined levels of Na and Al, such that the resulting Cr/Silica catalyst has an increased MI potential is disclosed. In an embodiment, the disclosed catalyst composition comprises a silica-containing substrate made using a base-set gel and comprising a catalytically active metal consisting of Cr, with Al impurities of less than 50 ppm and Na in an amount of less than 800 ppm of the catalyst composition. The disclosed composition has an increased MI potential over a catalyst having higher Al content, a lower Na:Al ratio, or both. Methods of making the disclosed composition, and methods of using it to prepare a polyethylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition, such as a catalyst precursor or a catalyst comprising a Cr coated silica support with particularly defined levels of Na and Al, such that the resulting Cr/Silica catalyst has an increased MI potential is disclosed. In an embodiment, the disclosed catalyst composition comprises a silica-containing substrate made using a base-set gel and comprising a catalytically active metal consisting of Cr, with Al impurities of less than 50 ppm and Na in an amount of less than 800 ppm of the catalyst composition. The disclosed composition has an increased MI potential over a catalyst having higher Al content, a lower Na:Al ratio, or both. Methods of making the disclosed composition, and methods of using it to prepare a polyethylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a supported tantalum oxide catalyst precursor or catalyst with controlled Ta distribution and the resulting supported Ta catalyst. In an embodiment, the method comprises selecting a Ta-precursor with appropriate reactivity with the surface hydroxyls of the solid oxide support material to give a desired Ta distribution in the catalyst precursor or catalyst. In an embodiment the method comprises controlling the number of surface hydroxyls available on the support material to react with the Ta-precursor by thermal methods, such as calcination, to achieve the desired Ta distribution.

Abstract: A ligation device for treating hemorrhoids includes a locking mechanism. The ligation device includes an inner tubular member having a first end, a second end, and a protrusion on an outer surface. The first end includes a first opening and the second end includes a second opening. Further, the ligation device includes an outer tubular member having an inner configuration corresponding to that of the inner tubular member. The outer tubular member including a notch such that a reception of the protrusion of the inner tubular member by a first portion of the notch of the outer tubular member allows vertical movement of the outer tubular member and a reception of the protrusion of the inner tubular member by a second portion of the notch of the outer tubular member prevents vertical movement of the outer tubular member towards the first end of the inner tubular member.

Abstract: A composition, such as a catalyst precursor or a catalyst comprising a Cr coated silica support with particularly defined levels of Na and Al, such that the resulting Cr/Silica catalyst has an increased MI potential is disclosed. In an embodiment, the disclosed catalyst composition comprises a silica-containing substrate made using a base-set gel and comprising a catalytically active metal consisting of Cr, with Al impurities of less than 50 ppm and Na in an amount of less than 800 ppm of the catalyst composition. The disclosed composition has an increased MI potential over a catalyst having higher Al content, a lower Na:Al ratio, or both. Methods of making the disclosed composition, and methods of using it to prepare a polyethylene are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of generating a fixed-price variable-offer multi-tier thread generator may include receiving, a by a computer processor(s), at least a fixed price, a thread expiration criteria and specification for at least two offerings for the fixed price. Each of the at least two offerings correspond to one of at least two tiers of offerings, where the fixed price entitles a first member and any subsequent members on a thread to redeem a qualified offer associated with a qualified tier, in exchange for paying the fixed price, upon the occurrence of at least one thread expiration criteria. The at least one product or service offerings the thread qualifies for, upon the occurrence of the at least one thread expiration criteria, may be dependent upon a total number of members, including the first member who starts a thread from the thread generator and any subsequent members who join the thread and who have agreed to pay the fixed price.

Abstract: A process for preparation of silica xerogel catalyst support particles having high surface areas involves ageing a silica hydrogel at a pH from 3 to 5 and at a temperature of 45° C. or more. The ageing at low pH leads to a silica gel which may be converted to a xerogel having a pore volume of 1.5 cm3/g or more and a surface area of 600 m2/g or more by removal of liquid from the pore structure by solvent exchange with a liquid solvent having a surface tension of 35 mN/m or less. The resulting particles are useful for carrying catalyst metal compounds, such as a chromium compounds, in the pore structure to act as catalyst precursors. These catalyst precursors may be activated into porous catalyst particles suitable for use for olefin polymerization to provide high activity and for forming high molecular weight polymers (low MI polymers) with good crack resistance.

Abstract: A processing disk (10) for processing a substrate (22), including a carrying body (11) having an accommodation region (13) and a processing region (14) and including a processing section (17) having one or more segments (12) that are connected to a connection region (24) of the carrying body (11), wherein a cooling opening (25) is provided in at least one segment (12) and/or in at least one connection region (24) of the carrying body (11) for a segment (12).

Abstract: A process for preparation of silica xerogel catalyst support particles having high surface areas involves ageing a silica hydrogel at a pH from 3 to 5 and at a temperature of 45° C. or more. The ageing at low pH leads to a silica gel which may be converted to a xerogel having a pore volume of 1.5 cm3/g or more and a surface area of 600 m2/g or more by removal of liquid from the pore structure by solvent exchange with a liquid solvent having a surface tension of 35 mN/m or less. The resulting particles are useful for carrying catalyst metal compounds, such as a chromium compounds, in the pore structure to act as catalyst precursors. These catalyst precursors may be activated into porous catalyst particles suitable for use for olefin polymerization to provide high activity and for forming high molecular weight polymers (low MI polymers) with good crack resistance.

Abstract: A method of generating a fixed-price variable-offer multi-tier thread generator may include receiving, a by a computer processor(s), at least a fixed price, a thread expiration criteria and specification for at least two offerings for the fixed price. Each of the at least two offerings correspond to one of at least two tiers of offerings, where the fixed price entitles a first member and any subsequent members on a thread to redeem a qualified offer associated with a qualified tier, in exchange for paying the fixed price, upon the occurrence of at least one thread expiration criteria. The at least one product or service offerings the thread qualifies for, upon the occurrence of the at least one thread expiration criteria, may be dependent upon a total number of members, including the first member who starts a thread from the thread generator and any subsequent members who join the thread and who have agreed to pay the fixed price.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recycling plastic, including a universal shredder and a reversible conveyor system. The apparatus and method includes a water wash for eliminating contaminants, a dryer apparatus and an extrusion assembly in which multiple in-line extruders are used to process the plastic and filter screens are positioned after each extruder to further cleanse the plastic into a highly-purified extruded product. The present invention also comprises the end product substantially free of impurities and suitable for use in the manufacture of products, including food containers.

Abstract: A process for preparation of silica xerogel catalyst support particles having high surface areas involves ageing a silica hydrogel at a pH from 3 to 5 and at a temperature of 45° C. or more. The ageing at low pH leads to a silica gel which may be converted to a xerogel having a pore volume of 1.5 cm3/g or more and a surface area of 600 m2/g or more by removal of liquid from the pore structure by solvent exchange with a liquid solvent having a surface tension of 35 mN/m or less. The resulting particles are useful for carrying catalyst metal compounds, such as a chromium compounds, in the pore structure to act as catalyst precursors. These catalyst precursors may be activated into porous catalyst particles suitable for use for olefin polymerisation to provide high activity and for forming high molecular weight polymers (low MI polymers) with good crack resistance.

Abstract: A medical imaging scanner is constructed such that its data acquisition subsystem is located at the site of a medical imaging scan. Through either a wired or wireless link, the raw data collected during the scan is transmitted to a remotely located image processing and reconstruction subsystem that processes the raw data to reconstruct an image. Preferably, the remotely located image processing and reconstruction subsystem is located at a centralized facility and is connected to receive and process data from various scanners. The remotely located image processing and reconstruction subsystem is preferably equipped to process and reconstruct an image from data acquired with multiple types of medical imaging scanners. In this regard, reconstruction of a CT, PET, MR, x-ray, or the like image can be carried out remotely from the scanner used to acquire the corresponding raw data.

Abstract: A method and system for performing model-based multi-objective asset optimization and decision-making is provided. The method includes building at least two predictive models for an asset. The building includes categorizing operational historical data via at least one of: controllable variables, uncontrollable variables, output objectives, and constraints. The building also includes selecting at least two output objectives or constraints, and identifying at least one controllable or uncontrollable variable suitable for achieving the at least two output objectives or constraints. The method also includes validating each predictive model and performing multi-objective optimization using the predictive models. The multi-objective optimization includes specifying search constraints and applying a multi-objective optimization algorithm. The method further includes generating a Pareto Frontier, and selecting a Pareto optimal input-output vector.

Abstract: A method and system for performing multi-objective predictive modeling, monitoring, and update for an asset is provided. The method includes determining a status of each of at least two predictive models for an asset as a result of monitoring predicted performance values. The status of each predictive model includes at least one of: acceptable performance values, validating model, and unacceptable performance values. Based upon the status of each predictive model, the method includes performing at least one of: terminating use of the at least two predictive models for the asset, generating an alert for the asset of the status of the at least two predictive models, and updating the at least two predictive models based upon the status of the at least two predictive models.

Abstract: A method for predicting a time to failure of a component in a system is presented. The method comprises obtaining a set of data measurements related to the component. The set of data measurements are representative of a plurality of parameters including a plurality of leading parameters. The method comprises generating a prediction model based upon the leading parameters considered in combination. The prediction model is then used to predict the time to failure of the component based on a set of real-time measurements, wherein the plurality of parameters are processed to predict the time to failure for the component. Finally, a confidence level for the predicted time to failure is determined based upon the plurality of parameters.