Abstract: Methods and systems for producing alkyl hydroxyalkanoate from hydroxy carboxylic acid recovery bottoms. The methods generally comprise the steps of obtaining a hydroxy carboxylic acid recovery bottom, adding a mono-alcohol to the hydroxy carboxylic acid recovery bottom to obtain a first mixture, heating the first mixture in the presence of a catalyst to form a reaction product, distilling the reaction product, and recovering an alkyl hydroxyalkanoate fraction.

Abstract: A search engine system, including a slashtag server configured to detect at least one key word in a search query and generate an alternative search query from the at least one key word, the alternative search query being based at least on computing an intermediary search of a plurality of characters from the at least one key word as the plurality of characters are being typed by a user, and for use in searching unaltered internet documents. Also a web server that may be configured to generate a first search result based on the alternative search query and cause display of the first search result in a web browser.

Abstract: Delivery systems for a polymeric tubular implant, kits that include such delivery systems, and methods of treating patients by implanting tubular implants using the delivery systems. The delivery systems include an inner shaft, an expandable member slidably disposed about the inner shaft and configured to receive the tubular implant, and a tubular outer shaft disposed about the inner shaft.

Abstract: A method for recovering a composition enriched in 3-hydroxypropionic acid by providing the fermentation broth, acidifying the fermentation broth; reducing the total sulfate ion and phosphate ion concentration of the resulting aqueous solution to produce a reduced ion aqueous solution; distilling the resulting reduced ion aqueous solution and recovering the resulting aqueous distillation product comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid

Abstract: A reaction product of the co-dehydration of a sugar alcohol and a reactant polyol having a number average hydroxyl functionality less than 4.0 is disclosed. In some aspects the sugar alcohol comprises mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, or mixtures thereof. In some preferred aspects the sugar alcohol comprises sorbitol. In some aspects the reactant polyol has an average molecular weight of from 40 to 500 Daltons. In some aspects, the reaction product may be suitable for the manufacture of polyisocyanurate foam. In some aspects the reaction product may be mixed with diluent polyols, such as diols, glycols, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for recovering a composition enriched in 3-hydroxypropionic acid from a fermentation broth comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid and/or salts thereof comprises the steps of: (a) providing the fermentation broth having a pH of from about 2 to about 8 comprising: 3-hydroxypropionic acid and/or salts thereof, (b) acidifying the fermentation broth; (c) reducing the total sulfate ion and phosphate ion (d) distilling the resulting reduced ion aqueous solution and (e) recovering the product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for brain stimulation.

Abstract: Delivery systems for a polymeric tubular implant, kits that include such delivery systems, and methods of treating patients by implanting tubular implants using the delivery systems. The delivery systems include an inner shaft, an expandable member slidably disposed about the inner shaft and configured to receive the tubular implant, and a tubular outer shaft disposed about the inner shaft.

Abstract: A container for storing personal care articles comprising a lid structure attached to the container is disclosed. The lid structure has a top lid portion connected to a base lid portion. The base lid portion includes a rigid port surrounding a unitary dispensing partition extending in an x and z direction to the rigid port, the unitary dispensing partition having a dispensing slit formed therethrough. The unitary dispensing partition forms an arc extending a first depth into the interior of the container in a z-direction. The depth of the dispensing partition allows for the personal care article to be stored in a pop-up dispensing position with a larger portion of the personal care article extending from the dispensing slit. This allows for easier retrieval of the product by a consumer and less dispensing failures.

Abstract: Preparation of derivatives of ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid, including ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid esters, ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters of ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and alkoxy derivatives.

Abstract: Preparation of derivatives of ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid, including ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid esters, ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, esters of ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and alkoxy derivatives, such as preparation of acrylic acid from 3-hydroxypropionic acid.

Abstract: A surgical cannula system. The surgical cannula system includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. A tissue attachment ring, being configured to be coupled to a biological tissue, includes a lumen extending therethrough. A locking mechanism has a first locking state, in which the cannula is configured to move with respect to the tissue attachment ring, and a second locking state, in which movement of the cannula with respect to the tissue attachment ring is resisted.

Abstract: A search engine system, including a slashtag server configured to detect at least one search operator in a search query and detect a boosting indicator associated with the at least one search operator. Additionally, a web server configured to, in response to the detected boosting indicator, and generate a first search result that includes a boosted ranking of at least a subset a plurality of search result items in the search result and display the first search result in a web browser.

Abstract: A multi-touch driver handling user inputs or touches on a multi-touch input device. The method includes receiving touch data associated with a touch detected by the multi touch input device. The multi-touch driver determines a target user interface (UI) component for the touch by processing the touch data and then determines whether the target handles touch events. If so, the driver sends the touch data to the target for handling as a touch event, thereby saving a touch-to-mouse conversion for later touches. The touch may be a first touch received in a particular input region of a GUI displayed on a touch surface. The driver receives touch data for a second touch input later than the first touch but while the first touch is still active. The driver determines a target UI component for the second touch and passes the second touch data to the second target as a mouse event.

Abstract: A polyester polyol made from natural oil feedstocks is disclosed. Methods for making the polyol are also disclosed. The method comprises reacting hydroxylated fatty acid/alkyl esters with a multifunctional ester-reactive initiator compound to form the polyester polyol. In one embodiment, the hydroxylated fatty acid/alkyl esters are made by hydroxylating fatty acid/alkyl esters having up to ninety-five percent by weight monounsaturation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically training (i.e., straightening) saw blades along a saw mandrel are disclosed.

Abstract: A reaction product of the co-dehydration of a sugar alcohol and a reactant polyol having a number average hydroxyl functionality less than 4.0 is disclosed. In some aspects the sugar alcohol comprises mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, or mixtures thereof. In some preferred aspects the sugar alcohol comprises sorbitol. In some aspects the reactant polyol has an average molecular weight of from 40 to 500 Daltons. In some aspects, the reaction product may be suitable for the manufacture of polyisocyanurate foam. In some aspects the reaction product may be mixed with diluent polyols, such as diols, glycols, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A search engine system, including a slashtag server configured to detect at least a search operator in a search query, the search operator being associated with a category of content from a social network site. Also, a web server configured to, in response to detecting the search query, generate a first search result based on at least the category of content associated with the search operator, and display the first search result in a web browser.

Abstract: At least one key word is detect in a search query. Alternative search query is automatically generated based on the at least one key word. The alternative search query includes a search operator associated with the at least one key word. A first search result is generated based on the alternative search query and displayed in a web browser.

Abstract: A search engine system, including a slashtag server configured to detect at least one key word in a search query and generate an alternative search query from the at least one key word, the alternative search query being based at least on computing an intermediary search of a plurality of characters from the at least one key word as the plurality of characters are being typed by a user, and for use in searching unaltered internet documents. Also a web server that may be configured to generate a first search result based on the alternative search query and cause display of the first search result in a web browser.