Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to methods of inhibiting corrosion in reaction chambers configured for hydrothermal reaction of feeds containing a heteroatom. An embodiment of such a method comprises providing a feed stream comprising a phosphorus-containing material, an alkali metal compound, water, and a corrosion-inhibitor. The embodiment additionally includes introducing the feed stream and oxidant into a reactor chamber and oxidizing the phosphorus-containing material at an oxidation temperature greater than about 374° C. and an oxidation pressure exceeding about 25 bar, wherein the reactor chamber has inner surfaces comprising a material that corrodes when in contact with a phosphorus compound within the reactor. The embodiment additionally includes selectively reacting the corrosion-inhibitor with phosphorus within the reactor, thereby precipitating in the reactor chamber a phosphorus-containing solid inorganic compound.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to methods of inhibiting corrosion in reaction chambers configured for hydrothermal reaction of feeds containing a heteroatom. An embodiment of such a method comprises providing a feed stream comprising a phosphorus-containing material, an alkali metal compound, water, and a corrosion-inhibitor. The embodiment additionally includes introducing the feed stream and oxidant into a reactor chamber and oxidizing the phosphorus-containing material at an oxidation temperature greater than about 374° C. and an oxidation pressure exceeding about 25 bar, wherein the reactor chamber has inner surfaces comprising a material that corrodes when in contact with a phosphorus compound within the reactor. The embodiment additionally includes selectively reacting the corrosion-inhibitor with phosphorus within the reactor, thereby precipitating in the reactor chamber a phosphorus-containing solid inorganic compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are substrates for an enzyme, and upon reaction with the enzyme provide a detectable response, such as an optically detectable response. In particular, the compounds have utility in detecting the presence of a ?-lactamase in a sample. In addition to the compounds, methods are disclosed for analyzing a sample for the presence of a ?-lactmase, for example, as an indicator of expression of a nucleic acid sequence including a sequence coding for a ?-lactmase. Kits are disclosed that include the disclosed compounds and additional components, for example, cells, antibodies, a ?-lactmase or instructions for using the components in an assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are substrates for an enzyme, and upon reaction with the enzyme provide a detectable response, such as an optically detectable response. In particular, the compounds have utility in detecting the presence of a ?-lactamase in a sample. In addition to the compounds, methods are disclosed for analyzing a sample for the presence of a ?-lactamase, for example, as an indicator of expression of a nucleic acid sequence including a sequence coding for a ?-lactamase. Kits are disclosed that include the disclosed compounds and additional components, for example, cells, antibodies, a ?-lactamase or instructions for using the components in an assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are substrates for an enzyme, and upon reaction with the enzyme provide a detectable response, such as an optically detectable response. In particular, the compounds have utility in detecting the presence of a ?-lactamase in a sample. In addition to the compounds, methods are disclosed for analyzing a sample for the presence of a ?-lactmase, for example, as an indicator of expression of a nucleic acid sequence including a sequence coding for a ?-lactmase. Kits are disclosed that include the disclosed compounds and additional components, for example, cells, antibodies, a ?-lactmase or instructions for using the components in an assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are substrates for an enzyme, and upon reaction with the enzyme provide a detectable response, such as an optically detectable response. In particular, the compounds have utility in detecting the presence of a ?-lactamase in a sample. In addition to the compounds, methods are disclosed for analyzing a sample for the presence of a ?-lactmase, for example, as an indicator of expression of a nucleic acid sequence including a sequence coding for a ?-lactmase. Kits are disclosed that include the disclosed compounds and additional components, for example, cells, antibodies, a ?-lactmase or instructions for using the components in an assay.

Abstract: A recovery system recycles the washwater used to clean excess binder and debris from the production components, including a forming hoodwall constructed of non-corrosive materials, for manufacturing fiberglass insulation. A separate closed-loop recovery system is provided for the forming hoodwall in which the binder-containing washwater is screened and then recycled back to the forming hoodwall without further chemical treatment to change the pH level. A binder reclamation system is coupled to the hoodwall washwater recovery system to divert the low pH washwater when the supply of binder needs replenished at the forming hoodwall. The binder reclamation system introduces an acid solution to the cleaned washwater to lower the pH from about 2.5 to about 3.5. The other production components share a bulk washwater recovery system in which a base solution is introduced to raise the pH to approximately 8 or above to reduce corrosion in the other production components.

Abstract: A neutralization system for controlling the pH of the washwater used to clean and maintain polyacrylic bound glass forming equipment is provided. The neutralization system introduces a base solution to a washwater solution when the pH of the washwater solution contained in a closed loop washwater recovery system and in a washwater tank holding the washwater solution is determined to be below approximately 8.0. Maintaining the pH of the washwater solution reduces the corrosion rate of the glass fiber forming equipment that is typically associated with acidic binders. In a second embodiment of the invention, a closed-loop hoodwall reclaim washwater recovery system utilized in addition to the washwater neutralization system that allows for the recovery and reuse of a polycarboxylic acid binder with a minimal amount of base solution. The closed-loop hoodwall reclaim washwater system is not connected to the closed-loop washwater neutralization system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds that are substrates for an enzyme, and upon reaction with the enzyme provide a detectable response, such as an optically detectable response. In particular, the compounds have utility in detecting the presence of a ?-lactamase in a sample. In addition to the compounds, methods are disclosed for analyzing a sample for the presence of a ?-lactmase, for example, as an indicator of expression of a nucleic acid sequence including a sequence coding for a ?-lactmase. Kits are disclosed that include the disclosed compounds and additional components, for example, cells, antibodies, a ?-lactmase or instructions for using the components in an assay.

Abstract: A portable holder for storing air guns and other hand tools is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the holder comprises: a generally-tubular body having two open ends, one of which is flared; a slit or gullet on one side of the body and extending longitudinally from the flared open end of the body partway down the body; and a plurality of magnetic discs or feet for removably, yet securely attaching the holder to a workstation having a ferrous surface. A related process for storing such tools comprises: orienting a generally tubular holder adjacent a workstation's metal side; removably affixing the holder to that metal surface by at least one magnet; slipping the particular tool into a flared end of the holder; and guiding a portion of the tool, such as an attached air hose or the tool handle, into a gullet of the holder to rest the tool and orient the hose or handle for easy retrieval of the tool from the holder.

Abstract: A binder composition, obtained by polymerizing acrylic acid monomer in water in the presence of a cure accelerator comprising an alkali metal salt of a phosphorous-containing inorganic acid to form a low molecular weight polyacrylic acid and subsequently reacting said low molecular weight polyacrylic acid with a polyhydroxy crosslinking agent in a crosslinking step to make a composition suitable for use as a component in a binder for fiberglass. A significant improvement involves conducting the crosslinking step in the absence of added catalyst. Moreover, satisfactory results are obtained in the absence of conventional undesirable sulfur odors.

Abstract: A binder composition, obtained by polymerizing acrylic acid monomer in water in the presence of a cure accelerator comprising an alkali metal salt of a phosphorous-containing inorganic acid to form a low molecular weight polyacrylic acid and subsequently reacting said low molecular weight polyacrylic acid with a polyhydroxy crosslinking agent in a crosslinking step to make a composition suitable for use as a component in a binder for fiberglass. A significant improvement involves conducting the crosslinking step in the absence of added catalyst. Moreover, satisfactory results are obtained in the absence of conventional undesirable sulfur odors.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a condition of a tire, such as tread belt separation, includes at least one sound monitoring device that is carried by a vehicle. The sound monitoring device produces a sound monitoring device output signal that is representative of the sound produced by at least one of the tires during rotation. A signal processing device is also present and includes a neural network. The signal processing device receives and processes the sound monitoring device output signal. A processing device output signal that is representative of a potential damage condition of the tire is produced. An indication device is present and receives the processing device output signal. The indication device informs a user of the vehicle that the tire is experiencing the potential damage condition.

Abstract: A binder composition, obtained by polymerizing acrylic acid monomer in water in the presence of a cure accelerator comprising an alkali metal salt of a phosphorous-containing inorganic acid to form a low molecular weight polyacrylic acid and subsequently reacting said low molecular weight polyacrylic acid with a polyhydroxy crosslinking agent in a crosslinking step to make a composition suitable for use as a component in a binder for fiberglass. A significant improvement involves conducting the crosslinking step in the absence of added catalyst Moreover, satisfactory results are obtained in the absence of conventional undesirable sulfur odors.

Abstract: A method of making core board product may be under the control of a processing unit. A first tubular core may be dispensed to a conveying portion to support the first tubular core at an interim location. The first tubular core may be conveyed to a flattening position under pressure of a compression member. The first tubular core is substantially compressed between the compression member and a flattening surface. The steps of dispensing, conveying, compressing may be repeated for at least a second tubular core. The second tubular is substantially compressing core against the first tubular core. The substantially compressed first tubular core and second tubular core may be fastened together in an abutting relationship with a plurality of fastening members so as to form the core board product.

Abstract: A core board forming apparatus includes a feeding apparatus for sensing and dispensing tubular cores at predetermined dispensing positions. A compression apparatus receives and detects the tubular cores and flattens and secure at least two flattened tubular cores together. A controller unit controls the operation of the feeding apparatus and the compression apparatus. The presence of first tubular core is detected after the step of dispensing. In response to detecting the first tubular core is substantially flattened. A core board product includes at least two substantially flattened paper cores fastened together by integral fastening members having two fastening portions extending directly through the flattened cores.

Abstract: A core board forming apparatus includes a feeding apparatus for sensing and dispensing tubular cores at predetermined dispensing positions. A compression apparatus receives and detects the tubular cores and flattens and secure at least two flattened tubular cores together. A controller unit controls the operation of the feeding apparatus and the compression apparatus. The presence of first tubular core is detected after the step of dispensing. In response to detecting the first tubular core is substantially flattened. A core board product includes at least two substantially flattened paper cores fastened together by integral fastening members having two fastening portions extending directly through the flattened cores.

Abstract: A core board forming apparatus includes a feeding apparatus for sensing and dispensing tubular cores at predetermined dispensing positions. A compression apparatus receives and detects the tubular cores and flattens and secure at least two flattened tubular cores together. A controller unit controls the operation of the feeding apparatus and the compression apparatus. The presence of first tubular core is detected after the step of dispensing. In response to detecting the first tubular core is substantially flattened. A core board product includes at least two substantially flattened paper cores fastened together by integral fastening members having two fastening portions extending directly through the flattened cores.

Abstract: A binder composition, obtained by polymerizing acrylic acid monomer in water in the presence of a cure accelerator comprising an alkali metal salt of a phosphorous-containing inorganic acid to form a low molecular weight polyacrylic acid and subsequently reacting said low molecular weight polyacrylic acid with a polyhydroxy crosslinking agent in a crosslinking step to make a composition suitable for use as a component in a binder for fiberglass. A significant improvement involves conducting the crosslinking step in the absence of added catalyst. Moreover, satisfactory results are obtained in the absence of conventional undesirable sulfur odors.

Abstract: A core board forming apparatus includes a feeding apparatus for sensing and dispensing tubular cores at predetermined dispensing positions. A compression apparatus receives and detects the tubular cores and flattens and secure at least two flattened tubular cores together. A controller unit controls the operation of the feeding apparatus and the compression apparatus. The presence of first tubular core is detected after the step of dispensing. In response to detecting the first tubular core is substantially flattened. A core board product includes at least two substantially flattened paper cores fastened together by integral fastening members having two fastening portions extending directly through the flattened cores.