Abstract:
A loudspeaker system is described including an array of electro-acoustic transducers capable of generating steerable beams of sound and additional transducers adapted to reproduce low frequency sound being placed at the perimeter of said array.
Abstract:
The invention is comprised of a Quick Anchoring Equipment system (30) which permits underwater connection and disconnection of anchoring lines (2) to anchoring devices that are already fixedly attached to the bottom of the sea. The Quick Anchoring Equipment (30) consists of chain cable, cables, hooks and buoys specifically organized and configured, which, are attached at the submerged end of the anchoring line (2), which makes it possible with a single support boat (5), together with a remote operated vehicle (6), to carry out this whole anchoring lines (2) operation fundamental to floating platforms (1). The invention also includes the method to install and uninstall the Quick Anchoring Equipment (30).
Abstract:
Methods and systems are described to quantitatively determine the degree of soft tissue constraints on knee ligaments and for properly determining placement parameters for prosthetic components in knee replacement surgery that will minimize strain on the ligaments. In one aspect, a passive kinetic manipulation technique is used in conjunction with a computer aided surgery (CAS) system to accurately and precisely determine the length and attachment sites of ligaments. These manipulations are performed after an initial tibial cut and prior to any other cuts or to placement of any prosthetic component. In a second aspect, a mathematical model of knee kinematics is used with the CAS system to determine optimal placement parameters for the femoral and tibial components of the prosthetic device that minimizes strain on the ligaments.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides maltotriose amylase enzymes useful for commercial scale production of reduced sugar glucose syrups (RSGS) from a starch. Useful enzymes ("amylase variants" or "enzyme variants") may be variants of a Bacillus subtilis amylase or enzymes with at least 90 % sequence identity thereto engineered with mutations that improve thermal tolerance and activity at a temperature above 50⁰C as compared with the parent enzymes.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are methods for synthesizing 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (HTO), 1,6 hexanediol (HDO) and other reduced polyols from C5 and C6 sugar alcohols or R glycosides. The methods include contacting the sugar alcohol or R-glycoside with a copper catalyst, most desirably a Raney copper catalyst with hydrogen for a time, temperature and pressure sufficient to form reduced polyols having 2 to 3 fewer hydoxy groups than the starting material. When the starting compound is a C6 sugar alcohol such as sorbitol or R-glycoside of a C6 sugar such as methyl glucoside, the predominant product is HTO. The same catalyst can be used to further reduce the HTO to HDO.
Abstract:
Anhydrous methods of fractionating corn grain that do not require the use of water but rather depends on use of organic solvents are described. The methods include contacting whole grain corn flour with a at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of a C1-C6 alcohol, ketone, ester or furan to form an admixture having no more than 15% w/w water. The admixture is separated into i) a solids fraction enriched with corn fiber and protein and 2) a liquid organic slurry comprising suspended starch, dissolved corn oil and the organic solvent. The starch is separated from the first organic slurry to obtain a solvent extracted solid starch fraction and a clarified organic solution. The clarified organic solution which contains dissolved oils is retained and may be evaporated to obtain corn oil that can be further refined.
Abstract:
A method to increase ethanol production from a corn dry-mill process is described that comprises adding an enzyme preparation derived from Trichoderma reesei having cellulolytic activity to a saccharification process that includes conventional alpha amylase and glucoamylase. The addition of the cellulolytic enzyme decreases viscosity of the saccharified mash and can increase ethanol yield from a dry grind fermentation by as much as 10% or more. Specific characteristics are provided to show surprising and advantageous results of one particular preparation of cellulolytic enzymes from T. reesei.
Abstract:
The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for positioning a probe for observing microcirculation vessels, in particular the microcirculation vessels in mucous membranes. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a mechanical arm and a micropositioner for positioning the probe, thereby allowing fine control of the probe's position.
Abstract:
Methods for the production of dehydrated sugars and derivatives of dehydrated sugars using microwave (MW) irradiation and methods of purifying the same are described. The dehydrated sugars derivatives include 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF) and anhydrosugar alcohols such as sorbitans and isosorbide. The derivatives include HMF ethers, levulinic acid esters, and ether derivatives of the anhydrosugar alcohols. The described methods require lower reaction temperatures and shorter reaction times than similar non microwave mediated reactions known in the art. Typical reaction conditions are 120-210C, and typical reaction times are 30 minutes or less.
Abstract:
Methods of treatment or prevention of a cancerous or pre-cancerous condition, of slowing or preventing growth of a cancerous condition, of stimulating a cell-mediated immune response, stimulating a Th1 helper T cell response against a pathogen in a mammal and of treating or preventing inflammatory diseases or disorders that involve administration of N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) or a physiologically acceptable salt, solvate, tautomer or prodrug thereof are provided. Also provided are formulations of an active agent.