Abstract: Lipid-based wax compositions and their methods of making are provided for compositions substantially free of fat bloom. The compositions comprise 0.1-10 percent by weight triacylglycerides, 30-95 percent by weight monoacylglycerides and diacylglycerides combined, and 0.1-65 percent by weight fatty acids. The methods comprise blending the monoacylglycerides, diacylglycerides, triacylglycerides, and fatty acids by heating the lipid-based wax composition at a sufficiently high temperature to destroy substantially all crystal structure within the lipid-based wax composition. The methods further comprise pouring the lipid-based wax composition into a mold or a container having a surface and a core, wherein the pouring is conducted at a temperature at least 15° C. greater than the congeal point of the lipid-based wax composition. The methods further comprise cooling the lipid-based wax composition under conditions sufficient to cool the core to at least 5° C.

Abstract: Embodiments of a free-floating connector engagement and retention system are provided. In some embodiments, the system includes a slotted mounting surface, a connector carrier guide, and a connector carrier to receive a connector. The connector carrier may have two threaded holes therein. The connector carrier may be positioned between the connector carrier guide and the slotted mounting surface and may be retained by a set of threaded spring pins that pass through the threaded holes in the connector carrier. The ends of the threaded spring pins may be retained in the slots of the carrier guide and the necks of the threaded spring pins may be retained in slots of the slotted mounting surface. The connector and the connector carrier are free to move within the limits set by the slots of the slotted mounting surface and the slots of the carrier guide.

Abstract: The present lipid-based wax compositions commonly include a polyol fatty acid ester component (made up of partial and/or completely esterified polyols). Generally, at least a portion of the polyol fatty acid ester has been subjected to a transesterification reaction. Lipid-based wax compositions having a melting point of about 48° C. to about 75° C. can be particularly advantageous for use in forming candles. The wax may contain other components such as mineral wax, plant wax, insect wax, and/or other components. The polyol fatty acid ester component can include triacylglycerols such as those derived from plant oils (soybean oil, palm oil, etc.). The polyol ester component may be characterized based on one or more of its physical characteristics, such as SFI-40, SFI-10, typical crystal structure, IV, melting curve, and/or other properties.

Abstract: A triacylglycerol-based wax includes a triacylglycerol component and a polyol fatty acid partial ester component. The triacylglycerol-based wax may have a melting point of about 54° C. to 63° C., may have an Iodine Value of about 20 to 40, and may have a fatty acid profile including about 50 to 70 wt. % saturated fatty acids. The wax may be suitable for use as a candle.

Abstract: Natural oil based marking compositions and their methods of making are provided. The compositions comprise a lipid-based wax having approximately 0-90 percent by weight triacylglycerides and approximately 10-99 percent by weight monoacylglycerides and diacylglycerides combined. The compositions also comprise approximately 1-40 percent by weight of a structuring agent. The methods comprise blending the composition by heating the lipid-based wax and structuring agent at a sufficiently high temperature to destroy substantially all crystal structure within the lipid-based wax. The methods further comprise pouring the composition into a mold having a surface and a core, wherein the pouring is conducted at a temperature at least 5° C. greater than the congeal point of the lipid-based wax. The methods further comprise cooling the lipid-based wax under conditions sufficient to cool the core to at least 5° C. below the congeal point of the lipid-based wax in approximately 30-90 minutes.

Abstract: Improved methods are provided for the production of consistent quality combined and/or pH-adjusted ruminant feed products using commercial byproducts (e.g., wet distiller's grain products (WDG) and solubles syrup derived from ethanol production) of variable ingredient make-up and density. In a preferred method, continuous streams of WDG and solubles syrup (12, 13) are monitored to determine respective parameters related to the instantaneous mass of the materials therein such as instantaneous density or mass, and such parameters are used to at least in part control the proportions of the WDG and solubles syrup streams (12, 13) used to make a combined product. If desired, these same parameters may be used to adjust the pH of the WDG stream or the combined product.

Abstract: Wax compositions that have a high triacylglycerol content are provided. The wax compositions can be used to produce candle and are particularly useful in the production of container candles. The wax compositions commonly have a melting point of about 50° C. to 57° C. and include a triacylglycerol component, which has a fatty acid composition including about 14 to 25 wt. % 16:0 fatty acid.

Abstract: Lipid-based wax compositions and their methods of making are provided for compositions substantially free of fat bloom. The compositions comprise approximately 7-80 percent by weight triacylglycerides and approximately 20-93 percent by weight monoacylglycerides and diacylglycerides combined. The methods comprise blending the monoacylglycerides, diacylglycerides, and triacylglycerides in the lipid-based wax composition by heating the lipid-based wax composition at a sufficiently high temperature to destroy substantially all crystal structure within the lipid-based wax composition. The methods further comprise pouring the lipid-based wax composition into a mold or a container having a surface and a core, wherein the pouring is conducted at a temperature at least 15° C. greater than the congeal point of the lipid-based wax composition. The methods further comprise cooling the lipid-based wax composition under conditions sufficient to cool the core to at least 5° C.

Abstract: The present lipid-based wax compositions commonly include a polyol fatty acid ester component (made up of partial and/or completely esterified polyols). Generally, at least a portion of the polyol fatty acid ester has been subjected to a transesterification reaction. Lipid-based wax compositions having a melting point of about 48° C. to about 75° C. can be particularly advantageous for use in forming candles. The wax may contain other components such as mineral wax, plant wax, insect wax, and/or other components. The polyol fatty acid ester component can include triacylglycerols such as those derived from plant oils (soybean oil, palm oil, etc.). The polyol ester component may be characterized based on one or more of its physical characteristics, such as SFI-40, SFI-10, typical crystal structure, IV, melting curve, and/or other properties.

Abstract: The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.

Abstract: The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a computer network to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.

Abstract: The present lipid-based wax compositions commonly include a polyol fatty acid ester component (made up of partial and/or completely esterified polyols). Generally, at least a portion of the polyol fatty acid ester has been subjected to a transesterification reaction. Lipid-based wax compositions having a melting point of about 48° C. to about 75° C. can be particularly advantageous for use in forming candles. The wax may contain other components such as mineral wax, plant wax, insect wax, and/or other components. The polyol fatty acid ester component can include triacylglycerols such as those derived from plant oils (soybean oil, palm oil, etc.). The polyol ester component may be characterized based on one or more of its physical characteristics, such as SFI-40, SFI-10, typical crystal structure, IV, melting curve, and/or other properties.

Abstract: A hybrid wax compositions that are suitable for use in manufacturing wax articles (e.g., candles) by compression molding. The combination of a hydrogenated natural oil-based wax and a paraffin wax having a select distribution of hydrocarbon chain lengths provides the hybrid wax compositions with improved properties, such as improved compressive strength and improved de-molding characteristics, for example, as evidenced by reducing scarring and/or flashing. The hybrid wax compositions comprise: (a) a wax comprising a hydrogenated natural oil; and (b) a paraffin wax, wherein the paraffin wax comprises less than about 50% by weight of the hybrid wax composition, and wherein about 52% or greater of hydrocarbons in the paraffin wax have carbon chain lengths ranging from C25 to C29.

Abstract: Improved ruminant feeds are provided which include a pH-adjusted first ingredient selected from the group consisting of ruminant-edible, initially low pH commercial byproducts and initially low pH grain or forage-derived products, combined with a second ingredient comprising a high digestive efficiency feed grain such as flaked corn. An improved process (10) for the production of a ruminant feed (50) as an adjunct to a fuel ethanol plant is also provided wherein starch-bearing grain (12) is processed to yield ethanol (30) and whole stillage (32). The whole stillage (32) is then treated to remove water and to yield a wet distiller's grain product (WDG) (38). The pH of the WDG (38) is then elevated (46) by the addition of base to a pH of from about 5-8, and the pH-adjusted WDG (46) is optionally dried (47) and combined with a high digestive efficiency feed grain (HDEG) such as flaked grain (48).

Abstract: A candle and process for making it are disclosed. The candle comprises prilled wax particles, comprising hydrogenated natural oil and wherein at least 75% of the prilled wax particles are less than 800 ?m in diameter. The candle includes a compressed core and a thermally fused outer layer.

Abstract: A system provides automation or semi-automation of trade execution and recordkeeping services for a fund of funds, in particular, a fund of hedge funds. In providing such features for trade execution and recordkeeping, various transaction processes may be automated or semi-automated, thus, reducing an amount of human operator action and introduction of associated delay and possibility of error. Moreover, such a system may have further utility in providing access to lot-level records.

Abstract: A surveillance vehicle (10) comprising a vessel (11) and a parasail (12). The vehicle (10) is loaded, in a pre-launch condition, into a mortar tube for projection therefrom towards an area of interest. In this pre-launch condition, the vessel (11) resembles a conventional mortar round and the parasail (12) is stowed within the vessel (11). Upon arrival at the area of interest, the parasail (12) is deployed from the vessel (11) and instrumentation collects survey data.

Abstract: A triacylglycerol based wax, which may be used to form container candles, is disclosed. The triacylglycerol-based wax includes a triacylglycerol component and a polyol fatty acid partial ester component. The triacylglycerol-based wax typically has a melting point of about 49° C. to 58° C. The triacylglycerol-based wax also generally has an Iodine Value of about 45 to 65. The triacylglycerol component tends to have a fatty acid composition including 5 to 13 wt. % 16:0 fatty acid. Further, the fatty acid composition generally comprises about 45 to 60 wt. % 18:1 fatty acid. The fatty acid composition also generally comprises about 30 to 45 wt. % 18:0 fatty acid. The wax preferably contains little or no paraffin and free fatty acid. The polyol partial ester component is preferably a glycerol monoester of palmitic and stearic fatty acids, and is commonly present as less than about 5 wt. % of the wax.

Abstract: Disclosed are petrolatum-like compositions that comprise metathesized unsaturated polyol esters. Also disclosed are emulsions comprising metathesized unsaturated polyol esters. The petrolatum-like compositions may be used as substitutes for petroleum-based petrolatum. The emulsions may be water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions and may be suitable for a variety of end uses.

Abstract: A wax comprises a metathesis product and/or a product that resembles, at least in part, a product which may be formed from a metathesis reaction. The wax may be used to form articles, for example, candles (container candles, votive candles, and/or a pillar candles), crayons, fire logs, or tarts. The wax commonly includes other components in addition to the metathesis product.