Abstract: A method and system for creating permanent lesions in an area of target tissue, such as tissue at or proximate a junction between a pulmonary vein and the left atrium. The method may generally include positioning a medical device in contact with a pulmonary vein ostium, ablating the tissue, and recording a plurality of temperature measurements from one or more of three temperature sensors. The device may include an occlusion element in communication with a coolant source, a first sensor located distal of the occlusion element, a second sensor located proximal of the occlusion element, and a third sensor located in the occlusion element. One or more temperature measurements may be compared with each other to assess occlusion of the pulmonary vein, and/or may be compared with a set of reference temperatures to predict a real-time temperature within the target tissue.

Abstract: Processes are described for making epoxidized fatty acid esters from epoxidized natural fats and oils, wherein low moisture fats and oils are identified and selected or made and used in a transesterification process. The products undergo phase separation, and reduced molar excesses of alcohol may be employed compared to processes not employing a low moisture feedstock.

Abstract: A motion detection and interpretation system comprising a camera plus an infrared transmitter/receiver paired with a single reflective surface that records image data from two vantage points. The camera is connected to a computer and a display screen. The system creates a virtual touch screen for interaction with the display screen. The components of the system can be protected behind a transparent barrier while the virtual touch screen is provided for user interaction thus preventing user interference with, deterring vandalism and theft of, and prolonging the usable life of the equipment. In addition to finite hand movements detected by the virtual touch screen, the system can also simultaneously perform facial recognition and body movement recognition. The system is capable of interpreting multi-touch inputs. All recognitions are defined in the computer to carry out preprogrammed responses.

Abstract: Described herein are improved methods for the preparation of 5- and 6-membered cyclic mono and diesters of sugar alcohols and anhydrosugar alcohols by reaction with an organic acid RCOOH over a solid acidic substrate. The process is adaptable to a continuous process for simultaneously making and separating the cyclic esters from the sugar alcohols and anhydrosugar alcohols under mild conditions using the solid acid substrate as both the catalyst and a chromatographic bed for separation. The reactions are performed at mild temperatures of 70° C. to 100° C. and the formation of the cyclic esters is nearly quantitative. Also described is a method for making 5- and 6-membered cyclic mono and diesters of sugar alcohols and anhydrosugar alcohols using microwave irradiation in the presence of the organic acid.

Abstract: Described herein are single step methods of making various classes of alkylamine derivatives of furan and tetrahydrofuran by simultaneous contact of a sugar with H2, an acid catalyst and hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of an alkylamide solvent. The hydrogenation catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, and nickel. The acid catalysts may be homogeneous mineral acid or a heterogeneous acid catalyst on substrate. In a preferred practice the two catalysts are provided on a common heterogeneous bifunctional support. Using similar combinations of acid and hydrogenation catalysts, there is also described single step methods for making furandimethanol by simultaneously contacting a hexose with the two separate catalysts in the presence of H2 in an aprotic solvent, such as dimethylformamide.

Abstract: A motion detection and interpretation system comprising a camera plus an infrared transmitter/receiver paired with a single reflective surface that records image data from two vantage points. The camera is connected to a computer and a display screen. The system creates a virtual touch screen for interaction with the display screen. The components of the system can be protected behind a transparent barrier while the virtual touch screen is provided for user interaction thus preventing user interference with, deterring vandalism and theft of, and prolonging the usable life of the equipment. In addition to finite hand movements detected by the virtual touch screen, the system can also simultaneously perform facial recognition and body movement recognition. The system is capable of interpreting multi-touch inputs. All recognitions are defined in the computer to carry out preprogrammed responses.

Abstract: Processes are described for making epoxidized fatty acid esters from epoxidized natural fats and oils, wherein low moisture fats and oils are identified and selected or made and used in a transesterification process. The products undergo phase separation, and reduced molar excesses of alcohol may be employed compared to processes not employing a low moisture feedstock.

Abstract: The invention comprises a transdermal dosage form comprising an active agent component comprising an active agent and an adverse agent component comprising an adverse agent, wherein the active agent component defines at least one channel extending substantially there through.

Abstract: A method for alkylation of an anhydrosugar compound in which a dialkyl carbonate is reacted with an anhydrosugar compound in the presence of a solid phase basic catalyst. Typical anhydrosugars are isosorbide.

Abstract: The invention comprises a transdermal dosage form comprising an active agent component comprising an active agent and an adverse agent component comprising an adverse agent, wherein the active agent component defines at least one channel extending substantially there through.

Abstract: Described herein are single step methods of making various classes of alkylamine derivatives of furan and tetrahydrofuran by simultaneous contact of a sugar with H2, an acid catalyst and hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of an alkylamide solvent. The hydrogenation catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, and nickel. The acid catalysts may be homogeneous mineral acid or a heterogeneous acid catalyst on substrate. In a preferred practice the two catalysts are provided on a common heterogeneous bifunctional support. Using similar combinations of acid and hydrogenation catalysts, there is also described single step methods for making furandimethanol by simultaneously contacting a hexose with the two separate catalysts in the presence of H2 in an aprotic solvent, such as dimethylformamide. With the same catalyst system and similar reaction conditions, 2,5 furan dialkylethers can also be made in a single step when the solvent includes an ROH alcohol.

Abstract: Reduced color epoxidized fatty acid esters are provided which may be used as primary plasticizers for PVC, in replacement of phthalate plasticizers. The reduced color epoxidized fatty acid esters are prepared from natural fats or oils by transesterification and interesterification processes, whereby through the use of borohydride, materials having Pt-Co colors according to ASTM D1209 on the order of 50 and lower are possible.

Abstract: Presently disclosed are high purity unsaturated fatty acid esters with an ester moiety characterized by having from five to seven members in a ring structure, which esters when epoxidized find particular utility as primary plasticizers in flexible polyvinyl halide applications. Also disclosed are processes for making the high purity esters.

Abstract: A bone fastener for stabilizing bone fragments includes a single or multiple components coupleable with one another and displaceable to a locked position of the bone fastener.

Abstract: Described herein are single step methods of making various classes of alkylamine derivatives of furan and tetrahydrofuran by simultaneous contact of a sugar with H2, an acid catalyst and hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of an alkylamide solvent. The hydrogenation catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, and nickel. The acid catalysts may be homogeneous mineral acid or a heterogeneous acid catalyst on substrate. In a preferred practice the two catalysts are provided on a common heterogeneous bifunctional support. Using similar combinations of acid and hydrogenation catalysts, there is also described single step methods for making furandimethanol by simultaneously contacting a hexose with the two separate catalysts in the presence of H2 in an aprotic solvent, such as dimethylformamide.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for the quantitative analysis of mixtures including various sugars, sugar alcohols and related dehydration products, whereby these are enabled to be effectively and accurately quantitated through gas chromatography, for example, by their derivatization with a carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid anhydride or halide in the presence of a metal triflate catalyst. The method can be carried out at essentially room temperature conditions, with a sufficiently rapid and complete derivatization, even in the presence of substantial amounts of water, that the materials to be quantitated do not substantially break down or degrade and substantially completely accounted for in a derivatized form.

Abstract: Described herein are single step methods of making various classes of alkylamine derivatives of furan and tetrahydrofuran by simultaneous contact of a sugar with H2, an acid catalyst and hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of an alkylamide solvent. The hydrogenation catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, and nickel. The acid catalysts may be homogeneous mineral acid or a heterogeneous acid catalyst on substrate. In a preferred practice the two catalysts are provided on a common heterogeneous bifunctional support. Using similar combinations of acid and hydrogenation catalysts, there is also described single step methods for making furandimethanol by simultaneously contacting a hexose with the two separate catalysts in the presence of H2 in an aprotic solvent, such as dimethylformamide. With the same catalyst system and similar reaction conditions, 2,5 furan dialkylethers can also be made in a single step when the solvent includes an ROH alcohol.

Abstract: Described herein are improved methods for the preparation of 5- and 6-membered cyclic mono and diesters of sugar alcohols and anhydrosugar alcohols by reaction with an organic acid RCOOH over a solid acidic substrate. The process is adaptable to a continuous process for simultaneously making and separating the cyclic esters from the sugar alcohols and anhydrosugar alcohols under mild conditions using the solid acid substrate as both the catalyst and a chromatographic bed for separation. The reactions are performed at mild temperatures of 70° C. to 100° C. and the formation of the cyclic esters is nearly quantitative. Also described is a method for making 5- and 6-membered cyclic mono and diesters of sugar alcohols and anhydrosugar alcohols using microwave irradiation in the presence of the organic acid.

Abstract: Improved processes are described for making trialkyl esters and acylated trialkyl esters of carboxylic acids, as well as epoxidized trialkyl esters and acylated trialkyl carboxylate esters, such as are used in developing plasticized PVC compositions. In particular, processes are described for conducting the esterification and acylation steps involved in making the acylated trialkyl esters in a single vessel without an intermediate purification step, by means of a Lewis acid metal triflate catalyst.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatus for member or man overboard detection, tracking and recovery used for analyzing conditions on and/or around a ship or vessel located on a body or water. The member overboard detection, tracking and recovery system generally includes the ship, members of the ship, transmitting device, a ship based member overboard detection system, a member overboard (when in the detection, tracking and recovery mode), and an overhead receiving and communication system. The member overboard detection, tracking and recovery system may also include a marking/tracking device, and/or a recovery craft.