Abstract: A process for the removal of hydroxypropane from a crude product stream from the hydrogenation of glycerol, the crude product stream comprising 1,2-propanediol and hydroxypropanone as impurity, the process comprising: (a) where required condensing the crude product stream; and (b) contacting the crude product phase in the liquid phase with a stream of a hydrogen-containing gas in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst at suitable temperatures and pressures such that hydroxypropanone present in the crude product stream is converted to the desired propanediol.

Abstract: Human H3 preprorelaxin, human H3 prorelaxin, human H3 relaxin, human relaxin analogues having a modified A chain and/or a modified B chain are described. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoded human H3 preprorelaxin, human H3 prorelaxin, human H3 relaxin, human relaxin analogues. Also described are methods for the treatment of conditions responsive to administration of H3 relaxin or analogues thereof.

Abstract: A postal inspector gatekeeper function is implemented in an electronic email communication system to process email. Various methods of processing email in a private email network approve or reject specific emails for delivery after determining whether the email sender and/or the intended email recipient are included in directories such as a member directory, enterprise member client directory, and a non-member whitelist.

Abstract: A vending apparatus and method of vending a product. Embodiments of a vending apparatus include a dispense mechanism configured to dispense a product, the dispense mechanism including a chamber that is rotatable relative to an opening of the dispense mechanism for aligning the product with the opening and dispensing the product therethrough. Further embodiments of a vending apparatus include a coin mechanism for receiving at least one coin before the vending apparatus dispenses a product, the coin mechanism including a delay mechanism configured to slow movement of an actuating device for avoiding jamming of the at least one coin in the coin mechanism.

Abstract: A slip-form paver for applying a formable paving material onto a surface is described. The paver comprises a feed hopper having a bottom outlet, said hopper being adapted for directing the formable paving material through the bottom outlet. A slip-form mould is mounted below the bottom outlet for receiving said formable paving material and applying said material onto said surface. The hopper converges inwardly towards the bottom outlet such that the formable paving material passing through said hopper is directed towards said bottom outlet, and the weight of the formable paving material is concentrated at said bottom outlet so as to compress, compact and/or consolidate said material into the slip-form mould.

Abstract: A wind turbine produces a unique pressure profile downstream of the wind turbine. This pressure profile reflects the structure of the wind turbine, which includes a shroud that has mixing lobes on a trailing edge thereof. The pressure profile includes high pressure and low pressure regions corresponding to the number and location of the mixing lobes on the shroud.

Abstract: The present application is generally directed to ultrapure synthetic carbon materials having both high surface area and high porosity, ultrapure polymer gels and devices containing the same. The disclosed ultrapure synthetic carbon materials find utility in any number of devices, for example, in electric double layer capacitance devices and batteries. Methods for making ultrapure synthetic carbon materials and ultrapure polymer gels are also disclosed.

Abstract: Superabsorbents are produced by polymerisation in a kneader equipped with at least two parallel shafts that also comprises elements on at least one shaft that transport the kneader's content parallel to the shafts from a feed section to a discharge section, the process comprising the addition of an inorganic powder to the kneader's contents prior to or during polymerisation and the addition of at least one other additive to the kneader's contents during polymerisation, wherein the inorganic powder is added no later than half the average residence time of the kneader's contents and the other additive is added no earlier than half this residence time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hexahydrocyclopentyl[f]imidazole carboxamides and derivatives thereof as selective glucocorticoid receptor ligands useful for treating a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases or conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also included.

Abstract: The present application provides compounds, including all stereoisomers, solvates, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable forms thereof according to Formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R8, and R9 are defined herein. Additionally, the present application provides pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one compound according to Formula I and optionally at least one additional therapeutic agent. Finally, the present application provides methods for treating a patient suffering from an MCHR-1 modulated disease or disorder such as, for example, obesity, diabetes, depression or anxiety by administration of a therapeutically effective dose of a compound according to Formula I.

Abstract: A dilation catheter device and system for dilating an opening in a paranasal sinus and/or other passageways within the ear, nose or throat is disclosed. A dilation catheter device and system is constructed in a manner that facilitates ease of use by the operator and, in at least some cases, allows the dilation procedure to be performed by a single operator. Additionally, the dilation catheter device and system may be useable in conjunction with an endoscope and/or a fluoroscope to provide for easy manipulation and positioning of the devices and real time visualization of the entire procedure or selected portions thereof. In some embodiments, shaft markers are disposed on a shaft of the dilation catheter and have a light color to contrast with a dark color of the dilation catheter shaft. The high contrast between the markers and catheter shaft allows for easy viewing of the markers in low light and operation conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, substrates, and kits useful for analyzing the metabolic activity in cells, tissue, and animals and for screening test compounds for their effect on cytochrome P450 activity. In particular, a one-step and two-step methods using luminogenic molecules, e.g. luciferin or coelenterazines, that are cytochrome P450 substrates and that are also bioluminescent enzyme, e.g., luciferase, pro-substrates are provided. Upon addition of the luciferin derivative or other luminogenic molecule into a P450 reaction, the P450 enzyme metabolizes the molecule into a bioluminescent enzyme substrate, e.g., luciferin and/or luciferin derivative metabolite, in a P450 reaction. The resulting metabolite(s) serves as a substrate of the bioluminescent enzyme, e.g., luciferase, in a second light-generating reaction. Luminescent cytochrome P450 assays with low background signals and high sensitivity are disclosed and isoform selectivity is demonstrated.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus for a jetted-fluid system includes a pump having an inlet connectable to the drain, and an outlet connectable to the return. The pump is adapted to receive the fluid from the drain and jet fluid through the return. The pumping apparatus includes a motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump, a sensor connectable to the power source and configured to generate a signal having a relation to a parameter of the motor, and a switch coupled to the motor and configured to control at least a characteristic of the motor. The pumping apparatus also includes a microcontroller coupled to the sensor and the switch. The microcontroller is configured to generate a derivative value based on the signal, and to control the motor based on the derivative value.

Abstract: A backing sheet for use in a wound dressing, comprising a semipermeable continuous film laminated to an adhesive-coated apertured layer, wherein the apertured layer comprises a solid substrate coated with a medically acceptable adhesive. Also provided is a method of making a backing sheet for use in a wound dressing, said method comprising the steps of: forming an adhesive-coated apertured layer by coating a medically acceptable adhesive onto an apertured solid substrate, followed by laminating the adhesive-coated apertured layer to a semipermeable continuous film.

Abstract: A repair device and method for repairing a forward frame v-blade on an aircraft engine are described in which the repair device replaces a section of the forward frame v-blade. In one embodiment, the repair device includes a supplemental part, which is secured to the forward frame v-blade. The supplemental part includes a central web and a pair of legs with a leg thickness that is greater than the thickness of corresponding flanges on the forward frame v-blade. Fasteners such as rivets are used to couple the supplemental part to the forward frame v-blade.

Abstract: A statistical methodology is disclosed to provide time-to-event estimates for oilfield equipment. A method according to the present invention extracts unbiased information from equipment performance data and considers parameters interactions without recourse to data thinning. The analysis explicitly accounts for items of equipment that are still operational at the time of analysis. A method according to the present invention may also be utilized to apply survival analysis to any oilfield equipment components where time-to-event information has been recorded. The method of the present invention allows comparative reckoning between different components present in the system comprising several or many individual components and allows analysis of these components either individually or simultaneously, i.e., in the presence of other components.

Abstract: A cutting tool insert includes: a body defining a rake face, a flank face, and a cutting edge at an intersection of the rake and flank faces; and a cooling microduct within the body. The microduct has a cross-sectional area of not more than 1.0 square millimeter. The microduct is adapted to permit the flow of a coolant therethrough to transfer heat away from the cutting edge and extend the useful life of the insert. The microduct may have a portion with a cross-sectional area no larger than 0.004 square millimeter, and may communicate through at least one of the rake fact and the flank face to exhaust coolant near the cutting edge and further enhance cooling.

Abstract: An ingestible image scanning pill captures high resolution images of the GI tract as it passes through. Images communicated externally have exact location determination. Image processing software discards duplicate information and stitches images together, line scan by line scan, to replicate a complete GI tract as if it were stretched out in a straight line. A fully linear image is displayed to a medical professional as if the GI tract had been stretched in a straight line, cut open, laid flat out on a bench for viewing—all without making any incisions in a live patient.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present disclosure is related to devices, methods, systems and/or computer-readable media for use in an isochronous media network in which media devices connected to a network employ one or more synchronization signal to regulate or facilitate the transmission of media signals through the network. In certain aspects, the present disclosure is also related to devices, methods, systems and/or computer-readable media for use in a larger unified, or substantially unified, isochronous network created from aggregating local isochronous media networks in which media devices connected to a network employ a one or more synchronisation signal distributed from a local master clock to regulate or facilitate the transmission of media signals.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent;. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.