Abstract: A mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device includes first and second major opposite facing surfaces, leading and trailing edges, and opposite lateral edges. At least a portion of one or both of the opposite lateral edges includes an edge protectant that protects the mounting mat against erosion from hot gases encountered during the normal operation of the exhaust gas treatment device. The edge protectant remains flexible after it has been applied to the mounting mat and substantially dried. Also disclosed is an exhaust gas treatment device that includes a housing and a fragile structure mounted within the housing by the mounting mat having the edge protectant deposited thereon. Additionally disclosed are methods of making the mounting mat and an exhaust gas treatment device.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer-modified cement-containing building material dry mixes which contain a redispersible polymer powder, water retention agents based on polysaccharide structures, a calcium-containing setting accelerator and a superabsorbent copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aqueous solution comprising 30 to 95% by weight of water and 5 to 70% by weight of a copolymer dissolved in the water by free radical solution polymerizations of an isoprenol polyether derivative with an acrylic acid derivative, so that the copolymer has 20 to 45 mol % of an isoprenol polyether derivative structural unit and 55 to 80 mol % of an acrylic acid derivative structural unit. The aqueous solution is suitable as a superplasticizer for hydraulic binders.

Abstract: A bearing is provided for use in connection with expansion joint systems. The bearing may be incorporated into expansion joint systems that are used in roadway constructions, bridge constructions, and architectural structures. The bearing can absorb increased loads that are applied to the expansion joint system. The structure of the bearing also permits improved motion of, and provides improved support for, the components of the expansion joint system that are supported on or engaged with the bearing.

Abstract: A method of electrically stimulating the inspiratory muscles in a subject is provided. The method includes positioning one or more electrodes at one or more levels of the upper thoracic spinal cord of the subject and operating the electrode to deliver high frequency electrical stimulation to the spinal cord tracts at the level or levels. The high frequency electrical stimulation of the spinal cord results in the coordinated activation of the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and accessory muscles in the subject to effect artificial ventilation in the subject.

Abstract: An expansion joint sealing system may be used to provide a continuous and seamless waterproof membrane across a gap in an expansion joint. The expansion joint sealing system includes sealing members that are provided with a keyway for accepting and interlocking a coating membrane. Also disclosed are an expansion joint including spaced apart structural members and the sealing system and a method for sealing a gap between two spaced apart structural members.

Abstract: A toothbrush has one or two part-spherical pockets formed in the brush surface. Balls or pellets of matching shape of dehydrated toothpaste are placed in the depressions, the brush is wetted and the pellets turn to a gel, ready for brushing. The pellets may be of various colors and flavors to entice children to brush their teeth and may be dispensed from a storage chamber carried in the tooth brush handle.

Abstract: A method of masking the off-taste of an artificial or natural sweetener, comprising the addition to the sweetener of at least one compound according to the formula I in which R1 is selected from H, C1-C4 alkyl and Ph: R2 is selected from H and Me: R3 is selected from H, C1-C4 alkyl and Ph: R4 is selected from H and C1-C4 alkyl: or R3, R4 together form a five, six or seven-membered aliphatic ring.

Abstract: A security and tracking apparatus includes at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein the apparatus is adapted for transmitting the location of each signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance. A method to locate a person, animal, or object, includes providing in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal, or the object, at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein each respective signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of the signaling units and for transmitting the location of the signaling units when the first and second signaling units are separated more than a preselected distance; and activating the signaling units to transmit the location of the signaling units.

Abstract: A method of providing a cooling sensation to the skin or the mucous membranes of the body, comprising the application thereto of at least one compound of the Formula I in which X is selected from S and O, R1 is selected from H and OMe, R2 is selected from OH, OMe and OEt, and R3 is selected from H and OH. Some of the compounds provide simultaneously cooling and sweetening effects.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant lath is provided for use in exterior finishing systems, such as stucco systems and exterior insulation and finish systems (“EIFS”). The lath includes in a first embodiment an open, woven fabric comprising weft and warp yarns containing non-metallic fibers, such as glass fibers. A portion of the weft yarns are undulated, resulting in an increased thickness for the fabric. The fabric is coated with a polymeric resin for substantially binding the weft yarns in the undulated condition. This invention also includes methods for making an exterior finish system and building wall including an exterior finish system using such a lath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of improving the flavor of foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco products, pharmaceutics and oral care products. More particularly, the present invention provides flavor modulating substances selected from the group represented by formula (I): and edible salts thereof and edible esters thereof, which can advantageously be used for modulating the flavor of foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco products, pharmaceutics and oral care products. These flavor modulating substances can be used to impart desirable taste attributes in a wide variety of applications and products. In addition, the present flavor modulating substances are capable of modulating the taste and/or aroma impact of other, flavor imparting, substances contained within these same products, thereby improving the overall flavor quality of these products.

Abstract: A cover plate system for a gap (15) between two structural members (10, 20) is provided. The system includes an elongated cover (30) that extends across the gap (15) from a first structural member (10) to a second, spaced-apart structural member (20). The cover plate system further includes damped spring anchors (40) for engaging the cover plate (30) to an underlying structural member (10) and dampers (50, 60) for absorbing energy imparted to the cover plate (30) by vehicular traffic. The cover plate system minimizes the strain energy that is absorbed by the cover plate (30), which results in less cover plate slapping and bouncing during operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulverulent building material composition, preferably a factory dry mortar and in particular a tile adhesive, joint grout, knifing filler, sealing slurry, repair mortar, equalization mortar, basecoat adhesive, adhesive for composite thermal insulation systems (CTISs), mineral plaster or render, fine knifing filler or screed system, containing an ester of A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol, 2-methyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol and pentaerythritol with B) a carboxylic acid component.

Abstract: Used as cooling agents are the compounds of formula (I), wherein Y is carbonyl (C(?O)) or sulfonyl (SO2—); and X is OCH3, CN, C(?O)NHR, C(?O)OR, or halogen; and R is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant, a set retarder, and a strength improvement additive.

Abstract: The invention concerns an accelerator mixture which contains aluminum in oxidation state 3, sulphate and hexafluorosilicic acid, a process for the preparation of said accelerators and the use of said accelerators for the coating of substrates with concrete or mortar. Furthermore the invention relates to concrete or mortar containing accelerators according to the invention and the hardened layers produced by applying the accelerators to concrete or mortar. The invention relates also to the use of hexafluorosilicic acid as a stabilizer.

Abstract: Preparing a non-ionic copolymer having a hydrolysable monomer residue and a polyether macromonomer residue in a semicontinuous mode in a polymerization reactor associated with a metering device, including introducing polyether macromonomer and water into the reactor, wherein hydrolysable monomer which is added thereto forms a polymerization reaction mixture; introducing hydrolysable monomer into the metering device; adding hydrolysable monomer into the reactor from the metering device; passing a free radical polymerization initiator into the reactor before and/or during the addition of the hydrolysable monomer, the hydrolysable monomer and the polyether macromonomer reacting by free radical polymerization to form the non-ionic copolymer; and, subjecting the reaction mixture to polymerization while an addition rate of the hydrolysable monomer and/or at least a component of the polymerization initiator is varied stepwise or continuously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a copolymer by free radical mass polymerization of a maleic acid monoester derivative with vinyl ester in the presence of an acid having a pKa of less than 1.8. The copolymer is suitable as a dispersant for hydraulic binders.

Abstract: A mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device includes first and second major opposite facing surfaces, leading and trailing edges, and opposite lateral edges. At least a portion of one or both of the opposite lateral edges includes an edge protectant that protects the mounting mat against erosion from hot gases encountered during the normal operation of the exhaust gas treatment device. The edge protectant remains flexible after it has been applied to the mounting mat and substantially dried. Also disclosed is an exhaust gas treatment device that includes a housing and a fragile structure mounted within the housing by the mounting mat having the edge protectant deposited thereon. Additionally disclosed are methods of making the mounting mat and an exhaust gas treatment device.