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: Amine solubilizing agents are mixed with water insoluble defoamers and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. A method is provided for controlling the amount of air in a cementitious material in a predictable manner that includes mixing cementitious material, water, a water insoluble defoamer, an amine salt solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer, and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A perfume composition including the compound 4-[(1,5-dimethylhexyl)oxy]butanal in both its racemic and enantiomeric forms.

Abstract: The invention relates to an accelerator, preferably for sprayed concrete or sprayed mortar, which is present as an aqueous mixture, preferably dispersion, particularly preferably suspension, which contains the following: (a) aluminium in oxidation state 3, (b) sulphate, (c) fluoride, and/or (semi)metal fluoro complexes, (d) stabiliser, preferably inorganic stabiliser, particularly preferably magnesium silicate and/or kaolin and/or clay minerals and/or allophane, in particular magnesium silicate and/or bentonite, particularly preferably sepiolite, especially particularly preferably Si12Mg8O30(OH)4(OH2)4 and/or Mg4Si6O15(OH)2.

Abstract: A flexible and substantially crack resistant intumescent, non-intumescent, or hybrid mounting mat material for use in mounting fragile structures includes at least one intumescent, non-intumescent or hybrid layer containing inorganic fibers and reinforcing layer applied to the layer. Also provided is an exhaust gas treatment device including a housing, a fragile catalyst support structure mounted within the housing, and the crack resistant mounting mat disposed in a gap between the housing and the fragile catalyst support structure. Also disclosed are methods of making a mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device and for making an exhaust gas treatment device incorporating the mounting mat.

Abstract: A mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device including high temperature resistant ceramic fibers containing alumina and/or high temperature resistant biosoluble inorganic fibers, organic binder which at least partially liquefies at elevated temperature prior to binder burnout, colloidal inorganic oxide and optionally intumescent material. The exhaust gas treatment device includes a housing, a fragile catalyst support structure resiliently mounted within the housing, and the mounting mat disposed in a gap between the housing and the fragile catalyst support structure.

Abstract: Novel chimeric proteins functional to screen for umami taste modulators, the corresponding nucleic acid sequences, expression vectors, transfected host cells, and screening methods for modulators and enhancers of the umami taste response employing the aforementioned are provided.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, disclosed is a vertebral interspinous implant including first and second supports (2,3) defining in their center part respective fixation bodies (7,8) to accept spinal processes of two respective vertebrae, these fixation bodies being located in a same sagittal plane, first and second elastically compressible bodies (4) being set between the first and second supports (2,3) and on each side of the said sagittal plane (P), first and second rigid guides (10) around which are arranged, respectively, the first and second elastically compressible bodies (4), each of these guides (10) optionally being connected at one of its extremities to the supports (2,3) and including at, at least, one of its extremities an abutment (13) adapted to cooperate with an abutment (14) of the corresponding support (3) in order to limit the separation of the supports (2,3) in the direction of the spine.

Abstract: A wave energy generator includes a float for floating on the surface of a body of water. An electrical energy generator that is capable of generating usable electrical energy from the kinetic energy of waves is mounted to or otherwise engaged with the float. The electrical energy generator includes a housing, a coil of electrically conductive material, a reciprocally movable electromagnetically active mass, and springs for connecting the mass to the housing. The electrical energy generator may optionally include spring adjustment means engaged with the housing, means for constraining non-linear motion of the electromagnetically active mass, and/or means of mitigating motion retardation of the electromagnetically active mass within the housing.

Abstract: A tool and method for making precision cuts with conventional saws and other woodworking machines. The shape of an inside or outside corner of a construction, such as a wall construction, is obtained with the tool, and the tool is used to as a guide to set the blade of the cutting apparatus to the proper cutting position. The tool may be used to indicate the miter cuts for both inside and outside wall corners without having to measure the angle with a measuring tool and determine the precise degrees of the angles to be cut.

Abstract: A support system for a fragile substrate of an exhaust gas treatment device includes a microporous, inorganic insulating layer, which directly or indirectly engages at least a portion of the fragile substrate: and a flexible fibrous mounting mat which directly or indirectly engages at least a portion of said fragile substrate. The support system may support the fragile substrate of a catalytic converter, a diesel particulate trap filter, a selective catalyst reduction unit, or a NOx trap.

Abstract: A mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device including inorganic fibers, organic binder, antioxidant, optionally clay and optionally intumescent material. The exhaust gas treatment device includes a housing, a fragile catalyst support structure resiliently mounted within the housing, and the mounting mat disposed in a gap between the housing and the fragile catalyst support structure. Additionally disclosed are methods of making a mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device and for making an exhaust gas treatment device incorporating the mounting mat.

Abstract: A device for treatment of exhaust gases includes a housing, a fragile structure resiliently mounted within the housing, and a non-intumescent mounting mat disposed in a gap between the housing and the fragile structure. The mounting mat includes a plurality of inorganic fibers that have undergone a surface treatment to increase the holding force performance of the mounting mat. Also disclosed are methods of making a mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device and for making an exhaust gas treatment device incorporating the mounting mat.

Abstract: An improved binder clip is provided. The binder clip includes a clamping means, opposed gripping means attached to the clamping means, and a label holder that is attached to, or that is integral with, the clamping means. An identifying label is inserted into the label holder for easy identification of the material that is bound by the binder clip.

Abstract: An electrical energy generator that converts kinetic energy harvested from voluntary motor activity of a human or animal to electrical energy. The electrical energy generator includes a housing, a coil of electrically conductive material, a reciprocally movable electromagnetically active mass, springs connecting the mass to either the housing or to adjustment means engaged with said housing, and, optionally, means for constraining non-linear motion of the electromagnetically active mass, and/or means of mitigating motion retardation of the electromagnetically active mass within any existing housing atmosphere. The electrical energy generator may be associated with a carried item, such as a backpack.

Abstract: A vanadium halide redox cell including: a positive half cell containing a positive half cell solution including a halide electrolyte, a polyhalide complex, vanadium (IV) halide and vanadium (V) halide; a negative half cell containing a negative half cell solution including a halide electrolyte, vanadium (II) halide and vanadium (III) halide; wherein the ratio of the number of moles of polyhalide complex and vanadium (V):number of moles of vanadium (II) halide is about stoichiometrically balanced and wherein the ratio of the number of moles of polyhalide complex:the number of moles of vanadium (II) halide is in the range of from about 0.7:2 to about 1.3:2.

Abstract: A device for treatment of exhaust gases includes a housing, a fragile structure resiliently mounted within the housing, and a non-intumescent mounting mat disposed in a gap between the housing and the fragile structure. The mounting mat includes a plurality of inorganic fibers that have undergone a surface treatment to increase the holding force performance of the mounting mat. Also disclosed are methods of making a mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device and for making an exhaust gas treatment device incorporating the mounting mat.

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 and strength improvement additive.

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.