Abstract: A gauge plate insulator includes an L-shaped insulating member having a base configured to be positioned between first and second gauge plate members and a leg extending from the base, a metallic backing plate having a first part configured to engage a first gauge plate member, a second part configured to engage the leg of the L-shaped insulating member, and a third part extending between the first part and the second part of the metallic backing plate, a first fastener configured to be received by a first opening and a second fastener configured to be received by a second opening defined by the second part of the metallic backing plate and an opening defined by the leg of the L-shaped insulating member, and an insulation plate configured to be positioned between a portion of the second fastener and the second part of the metallic backing plate.

Abstract: The vertical orientation indicator includes a liquid filled sphere into which two internal spheres are provided, which define a vertical axis that is useful to a person trapped under snow after an avalanche. The internal spheres have different densities such that one internal sphere rises to the top of the liquid or is otherwise buoyant with respect to the fluid. The second internal sphere has a density that places the internal sphere at the bottom of the liquid, and thus indicates a down direction. The outer sphere containing the liquid is clear and may include a loop to provide a means of attachment to outerwear used by the end user. The internal spheres may be coated in phosphorescent paints of differing colors, which are energized by light such that the device may be used in a dark environment, such as under snow after an avalanche.

Abstract: Cassette (10a) for a medical instrument (28) having at least one tray (14a) and a cover (12a) where the tray (14a) includes a rigid basic structure (23a, 23b, 23c) and fixed thereon a holding means (24a) for holding the medical instrument (28). The holding means (24a) has a cutout (26a) for retaining the medical instrument (28) and is attached to the rigid basic structure (23a) in a gap-free manner by molding, welding or gluing.

Abstract: Reacting organic compounds with near-critical or supercritical aqueous phases can dramatically transform the organic compounds over short time periods (on the order of minutes to hours). The reductive process is conducted in anaerobic or near-anaerobic conditions. The process works with a wide range of organic compounds and biomass sources, including cellulose, chitin, starches, lipids, proteins, lignin, and whole cells. Disposal of waste biomass is currently expensive, and can create environmental problems. The present invention allows the conversion of waste lipids (for example) into a hydrocarbon mixture similar to a sweet crude petroleum, along with volatile alkane and alkene gases (C2 to C5). This conversion allows the generation of a burnable fuel, as well as the generation of feed streams for reforming and distillation. The environmental and other costs associated with fossil fuel extraction are reduced.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of organic and inorganic deuterium-tagged compounds is disclosed. The process comprises heating a deuterium oxide-solution of an organic or inorganic compound, the solution having a pH of from about 10 to about 1 to a temperature and pressure so that a supercritical reaction mass forms and one or more deuterium atoms of the deuterium oxide solvent exchanges with one or more protons of the organic or inorganic compound. After cooling the reaction solution formed from the supercritical reaction, the organic or inorganic deuterium-tagged compound is separated.