Abstract: A defined peak region residing between about 3.2 and 3.4 ppm of a proton NMR spectrum of an in vitro biosample is electronically evaluated to determine a level of trimethylamine-N-oxide (“TMAO”). The biosample may be any suitable biosamples including human serum with a normal biologic range of between about 1-50 ?M or urine with a normal biologic range of between about 0-1000 ?M.

Abstract: Methods, systems and circuits evaluate a subject's risk of developing type 2 diabetes or developing or having prediabetes using at least one defined mathematical model of risk of progression that can stratify risk for patients having the same glucose measurement. The model may include NMR derived measurements of GlycA and a plurality of selected lipoprotein components of at least one biosample of the subject.

Abstract: A speed reduction power unit system includes a main power unit operably connected to a vehicle battery and operably connected to a vehicle transmission via a driveshaft. The main power unit includes a primary motor adapted to convert kinetic energy from the transmission to stored electrical potential energy for recharging the vehicle battery. Secondary power units are operably connected to each wheel. Each secondary power unit includes a secondary motor adapted to convert energy to electrical potential energy. The secondary power unit engages to slow the vehicle and generate electrical energy when the vehicle brake is activated. Each secondary power unit is operably connected to the vehicle battery, such that each secondary unit can recharge the vehicle battery. The secondary power units can include internal batteries and may be removable and independently recharged, then reconnected to the system as needed to provide electrical energy to the primary vehicle battery.

Abstract: A speed reduction power unit system includes a main power unit operably connected to a vehicle battery and operably connected to a vehicle transmission via a driveshaft. The main power unit includes a primary motor adapted to convert kinetic energy from the transmission to stored electrical potential energy for recharging the vehicle battery. Secondary power units are operably connected to each wheel. Each secondary power unit includes a secondary motor adapted to convert energy to electrical potential energy. The secondary power unit engages to slow the vehicle and generate electrical energy when the vehicle brake is activated. Each secondary power unit is operably connected to the vehicle battery, such that each secondary unit can recharge the vehicle battery. The secondary power units can include internal batteries and may be removable and independently recharged, then reconnected to the system as needed to provide electrical energy to the primary vehicle battery.

Abstract: In the delayed coking of a coking feedstock wherein the feedstock is continuously heated in a coking heater and introduced into a coke drum, the heater is operated to provide a coke drum temperature of from 415.degree. to 455.degree. C., and, after filling of the drum to the desired level, feedstock introduction is discontinued and the coke drum contents are heated at a temperature of 450.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., and which heating temperature is at least 10.degree. C. greater than the coking temperature, by passing a non-coking vapor through the contents of the drum to reduce the volatile combustible matter content to a value of 4% to 10% by weight and thereby reduce the CTE of the formed coke. The process is applicable to the production of needle coke from various kinds of feedstocks, in particular from a petroleum feedstock wherein the feedstock is initially treated by thermal soaking in the presence of sulfur, followed by thermal cracking to increase the aromaticity.

Abstract: A pyrolysis fuel oil is treated by soaking in the presence of sulfur for a period of time sufficient to react the highly unsaturated compounds present in the oil, followed by heating the soaked fuel oil at a temperature of from 850.degree. F. to 1100.degree. F. and an outlet pressure of from 300 to 600 psig to provide a treated feed having an API gravity of -3.degree. or less. The feed may be employed for the production of needle coke and/or carbon black and/or electrode binder pitch.

Abstract: A high crystalline coke can be prepared by heat-soaking a petroleum feedstock in the presence of added dissolved sulfur, heating to effect controlled thermal cracking thereof, separating non-crystalline substances as pitch, recovering a heavy cokable residue from the pitch free feed, and subjecting the residue to delayed coking.