Abstract: Methods are provided for refining natural oil feedstocks. The methods comprise reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesized product comprising olefins and esters. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise separating the olefins from the esters in the metathesized product. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise hydrogenating the olefins under conditions sufficient to form a fuel composition. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a via with transparent material is presented, including the steps of providing a panel having a via, occluding the via with transparent material in a workable state so that a portion of the occluding material is internal to the via and a portion of the material is external to said via. The external and internal portions are separated so the transparent filler material, when set, forms a smooth and featureless surface. This causes the filled via to have a substantially even and uniform appearance over a wide range of viewing angles when lit.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of zinc alkyl chain growth products via a catalysed chain growth reaction of an alpha-olefin on a zinc alkyl, wherein the chain growth catalyst system employs a group 3-10 transition metal, or a group 3 main group metal, or a lanthanide or actinide complex, and optionally a suitable activator. The products can be further converted into alpha-olefins by olefin displacement of the grown alkyls as alpha-olefins from the zinc alkyl chain growth product, or into primary alcohols, by oxidation of the resulting zinc alkyl chain growth product to form alkoxide compounds, followed by hydrolysis of the alkoxides.

Abstract: High-pressure electrokinetic (“EK”) pumps comprising a hybrid monolith provide a high surface charge density and a continuous stable skeleton morphology with micrometer- sized through-pores. The hybrid monolith of the subject invention has superior mechanical strength and better stability in comparison to prior art monoliths with equivalent mechanical stability. The surface charge of the hybrid monolith can be modified and/or made stable by the use of different chemical reagents. The chemical reagents and resulting modification to the monolith serves to expand the usefulness of the hybrid monolith to a variety of pumping applications including chip-based systems and other applications where the ability to pump an acidic solution is required.

Abstract: A catalyst includes a carrier body and a catalytic portion carried by the carrier body. The catalytic portion includes a plurality of distinct layers of catalytic material, which layers may be deposited through atomic layer deposition techniques. The catalyst may have a selectivity for the conversion of alkanes to alkenes of over 50%. The catalyst may be incorporated in a reactor such as a fluidized bed reactor or a single pass reactor.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method and apparatus for modifying a configuration of a computer system including a host computer and at least one computer system resource accessible to at least one application program executing on the host computer. The computer system is dynamically reconfigured, without reinitializing the host computer or the application program, to alter a manner in which the at least one application program accesses the at least one computer system resource. Another embodiment is directed to a method and apparatus for responding to changes in a configuration of the computer system impacting a manner in which the at least one computer system resource is accessed by the host computer. Information relating to a first configuration of the computer system at a first point in time is stored, the first configuration relating to a first manner of accessing the at least one computer system resource by the host computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wearable apparatus for using one or more leashes in a hands-free manner and associated method for use. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a wearable apparatus for using at least one leash in a hands-free manner is provided. Such apparatus may have a first arrangement including a first strap having a first end and structured to extend at least to one shoulder of a person. A second arrangement may be provided that includes a second strap having a second end and a third end, with the second end being connected to the first end and the third end being directly or indirectly connectable to at least one leash, for example. A third arrangement may also be provided and coupled to the second arrangement and directly or indirectly connectable to at least one leash, for example.

Abstract: A method for retrieving information from a database includes identifying a cylinder. The cylinder includes a plurality of data segments. The method also includes retrieving the plurality of data segments from the cylinder during a single retrieval operation. In addition, the method includes storing the plurality of data segments in a cache.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of zinc alkyl chain growth products via a catalysed chain growth reaction of an alpha-olefin on a zinc alkyl, wherein the chain growth catalyst system employs a group 3-10 transition metal, or a group 3 main group metal, or a lanthanide or actinide complex, and optionally a suitable activator. The products can be further converted into alpha-olefins by olefin displacement of the grown alkyls as alpha-olefins from the zinc alkyl chain growth product, or into primary alcohols, by oxidation of the resulting zinc alkyl chain growth product to form alkoxide compounds, followed by hydrolysis of the alkoxides.

Abstract: An optical analysis unit especially suitable for performing grating coupled surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging features a pivoting light source capable of scanning through a range of angles of incident light projected onto a stationary target sensor, such as an SPR sensor. The reflected image from the illuminated sensor is detected, e.g., by a CCD camera and the image and angular scan data are processed, for example by a fitting algorithm, to provide real time analysis of reactions taking place on the surface of the sensor.

Abstract: An underlying card game is played with an initial wager by a player on the underlying game and an optional wager on a higher-order outcome of the probabilities involved in the underlying game can be made. Specifically, the optional wager involves the likelihood of a player having the optimal initial set of cards given other cards that are ultimately involved in play of the underlying game.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for reducing interference associated with wireless communication in an area having sensitive electronic equipment. A wireless communications device receives, from an access point, a signal having a signal strength above a predetermined threshold. The wireless communications device determines a transmission power level maximum based on the received signal and then transmits a signal to the access point at a transmission power level at or below the transmission power level maximum. The wireless communications device disables the transmission when the signal strength falls below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A screening machine on a frame with a hopper having a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt discharges particulate material poured into the hopper into a rotating barrel screen or vibrating planar screen for sifting the material. A hammermill apparatus is pivotably mounted on a hood member to an arm that is pivotably mounted to the frame of the machine. The hammermill is positioned above the conveyor belt at the discharge end. The hammermill can pivot upwardly relative to the arm upon striking a large object on the conveyor belt, and a spring mounted to the arm and the hood biases the hammermill back to its original position. A hydraulic ram is drivingly linked to the arm for manually or automatically displacing the hammermill relative to the conveyor belt.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method and apparatus for modifying a configuration of a computer system including a host computer and at least one computer system resource accessible to at least one application program executing on the host computer. The computer system is dynamically reconfigured, without reinitializing the host computer or the application program, to alter a manner in which the at least one application program accesses the at least one computer system resource. Another embodiment is directed to a method and apparatus for responding to changes in a configuration of the computer system impacting a manner in which the at least one computer system resource is accessed by the host computer. Information relating to a first configuration of the computer system at a first point in time is stored, the first configuration relating to a first manner of accessing the at least one computer system resource by the host computer.

Abstract: A screening machine on a frame with a hopper having a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt discharges particulate material poured into the hopper into a rotating barrel screen or vibrating planar screen for sifting the material. A hammermill apparatus is pivotably mounted on a hood member to an arm that is pivotably mounted to the frame of the machine. The hammermill is positioned above the conveyor belt at the discharge end. The hammermill can pivot upwardly relative to the arm upon striking a large object on the conveyor belt, and a spring mounted to the arm and the hood biases the hammermill back to its original position. A hydraulic ram is drivingly linked to the arm for manually or automatically displacing the hammermill relative to the conveyor belt.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a connective tissue distraction device comprising: a first transmitting structure for transmitting force to a first tissue region and a second transmitting structure for transmitting force to a second tissue region by contact with bone, and an expansion device for exerting force distracting the first transmitting structure from the second transmitting structure. At least one of the first transmitting device, the second transmitting device and the expansion structure comprises in whole or in part a biodegradable, bioerodible or bioresorbable material.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method and apparatus for modifying a configuration of a computer system including a host computer and at least one computer system resource accessible to at least one application program executing on the host computer. The computer system is dynamically reconfigured, without reinitializing the host computer or the application program, to alter a manner in which the at least one application program accesses the at least one computer system resource. Another embodiment is directed to a method and apparatus for responding to changes in a configuration of the computer system impacting a manner in which the at least one computer system resource is accessed by the host computer. Information relating to a first configuration of the computer system at a first point in time is stored, the first configuration relating to a first manner of accessing the at least one computer system resource by the host computer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods and systems that utilize harvested data to predict results, populate predictive models, and allow decisions to be made. Internal structured data is grouped into items of interest and an event of interest is tagged. Data including unstructured and structured data is harvested, and the harvested data is analyzed to determine whether a predictive model exists between the harvested data and the selected group. A mathematical signature is computed based upon the external data in order to establish the predictive model. Thus the harvested information may be used to build, modify, or test predictive models of internal results based upon external events.

Abstract: A mobile screening machine with a frame on tracks, having a hopper and a main conveyor mounted to a frame. The main conveyor conveys particulate matter from the hopper to a screening device positioned beneath the upper end of the main conveyor. The particulate is screened into three grades of coarseness, with the coarsest falling into a chute, the middle coarseness falling onto one lateral conveyor and the finest falling onto an underscreen conveyor, which preferably is driven downhill onto another lateral conveyor. The tracks permit the machine to be driven around the work site and onto and off of a trailer, and the entire machine can be remotely controlled. The downhill conveyor permits loading of the hopper from both sides of the frame.

Abstract: A mobile screening machine with a frame on tracks, having a hopper and a main conveyor mounted to a frame. The main conveyor conveys particulate matter from the hopper to a screening device positioned beneath the upper end of the main conveyor. The particulate is screened into three grades of coarseness, with the coarsest falling into a chute, the middle coarseness falling onto one lateral conveyor and the finest falling onto an underscreen conveyor, which preferably is driven downhill onto another lateral conveyor. The tracks permit the machine to be driven around the work site and onto and off of a trailer, and the entire machine can be remotely controlled. The downhill conveyor permits loading of the hopper from both sides of the frame.