Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for the production of allophanate modified diphenylmethane diisocyanates having an NCO group content of 19 to 32% and an urethane content of less than 2 area % by GPC analysis. The process comprises (1) continuously reacting (a) diphenylmethane diisocyanate and (b) an alcohol, in the presence of (c) at least 25 ppm of an allophante catalyst, based on the combined weight of the diphenylmethane diisocyanate and the alcohol, in a reactor in an oxygen-free environment; (2) continuously treating the product exiting the reactor with a catalyst stopper at the reaction temperature; and (3) cooling the resultant product.

Abstract: Multi-analyte reference solutions having a stable partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) in zero headspace packaging and methods for preparing such solutions are disclosed. The solutions have long shelf and use lives when stored at room temperature and are packaged in laminated foil containers having low or no oxygen reactivity. Access devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a group of aryl ureas in treating raf mediated diseases, and pharmaceutical compositions for use in such therapy.

Abstract: Segmented polyurethane/ureas useful for the production of spandex are produced by chain extending, in the presence of a solvent, an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer prepared by reacting a stoichiometric excess of an isocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive component which includes: (1) from about 5 to about 30 equivalent percent of a polyoxy-propylene diol having a molecular weight of at least 1500 Da and an unsaturation level less than or equal to 0.03 meq/g; (2) from about 20 to about 60 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight less than 1000 Da; and (3) from about 25 to about 65 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight greater than or equal to 1000 Da.

Abstract: A process for making a decorated article is described. The process entails printing, using a high temperature ink, a design on a surface of transfer paper, and transferring the design by sublimation to the surface of a clear flat substrate to obtain a decorated substrate. The thus decorated surface is then placed in a mold and thermoplastic resin is injected to form an article. The placing of the decorated substrate in the mold is such that the surface carrying the design faces the inside of the mold. An additional embodiment entails forming the decorated substrate to attain a three dimensional decorated substrate prior to placing it in the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for analyzing a plurality of samples according to an analysis protocol is described, wherein each of the samples is contained within a liquid test package comprising a plurality of liquid and air segments including a reagent segment and wherein during at least a portion of the protocol the reagent segment emits photons. At least one of the liquid test pack includes a buffer segment separated from the reagent segment by a vanish bubble. The apparatus comprises a fluid conduit through which the liquid test packages are flowed, a first luminometer positioned along the fluid conduit for detecting photons emitted by the reagent segment of the at least one of the liquid test packages, a second luminometer positioned along the fluid conduit for detecting photons emitted by the reagent segments of the liquid test packages other than the at least one of the liquid test packages, and a vanish zone contained within the fluid conduit between the first and second luminometers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing resistant starch, the resistant starch obtainable from this process and use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a new method and system for detecting and monitoring extracellular or exogenously added hemoglobin, i.e., a cell-free hemoglobin substitute or derivative, in a blood, plasma, or serum sample of an individual, particularly a whole blood sample. The invention further describes the use of automated hematology analyzers to determine and quantify at the same time the concentration of total, cellular and exogenous hemoglobin in a blood, plasma, or serum sample, and is particularly advantageous for medical use during or after patient trauma or surgery, as well as for monitoring hemoglobin levels during patient recovery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of an isotropic rigid foam comprising the step of reacting: (A) an organic polyisocyanate component selected from the group consisting of: (1) a polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate) and (2) an NCO-terminated prepolymer, and comprising the reaction product of: (a) a polyester comprising the reaction product of (i) pure ortho-phthalic acid or phthalic anhydride and (ii) a glycol and (b) a polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate); with (B) an isocyanate-reactive component comprising: (1) a liquid OH-terminated prepolymer having a viscosity of more than about 100,000 mPa·s at 25° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to fertilizer encapsulation with polyurethanes wherein the isocyanate-reactive composition contains sulfur. The process of the present invention comprises applying a polyisocyanate composition to fertilizer particles, applying an isocyanate-reactive composition which contains sulfur to the polyisocyanate coated fertilizer particles, or applying an isocyanate-reactive composition which contains sulfur to fertilizer particles and then applying a polyisocyanate composition to the isocyanate-reactive coated fertilizer particles, and repeating these steps as necessary to form sulfur containing polyurethane encapsulated fertilizer particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray nozzle for a two-component, air-assisted, low pressure spray system including a) a static mixer having an inlet port on its upstream end for receiving a first liquid component and a second liquid component that is reactive with the first liquid component and having on its downstream end an optionally removable spray tip for introducing the mixed liquid components into an atomizing zone, b) a static mixer shroud, which encases the static mixer, is dimensioned on its upstream end for connecting the shroud to a dispensing unit for the first and second liquid components and has on its downstream end an optionally removable spray section having inlet ports for receiving pressurized air and outlet ports for introducing air into the atomizing zone, wherein the spray tip passes through an orifice in the spray section such that the mixed liquid components are introduced into the atomizing zone.

Abstract: A lancing mechanism for puncturing skin is provided. The lancing mechanism comprises a lance having a penetration end which is adapted to puncture skin. The penetration end of the lance is movable from a first position to a second position during a forward stroke and between the second position and the first position during a return stroke. A forcing plunger applies a force to the lance to move the lance from the first position to the second during the forward stroke. The forcing plunger is adapted to engage the lance during the forward stroke to move the penetration end of the lance from the first position to the second position and to disengage the lance when the penetration end of the lance approaches the second position. A first resilient member coupled to the lance moves the first end of the lance from the second position to the first position during the return stroke.

Abstract: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a class of fatal, neurodegenerative diseases found in many mammalian species. Human TSEs include kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), and fatal familial insomnia. Non-human TSEs include sheep scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), feline spongiform encephalopathy, and chronic wasting diseases in elk and mule deer. These neurodegenerative diseases are caused by prions and display characteristic amyloid plaque deposition. The only known component of the infectious prion is an abnormal, disease-causing isoform of the prion protein (PrP), called PrP scrapie (PrPSc). During a post-translational process, PrPSc is formed from the normal, cellular PrP isoform (PrPC). The scrapie isoform is less soluble, more proteinase-resistant, and more susceptible to aggregation than the wildtype protein.

Abstract: A system, method and biosensor apparatus are provided for data communications with a personal data assistant. The biosensor apparatus includes a sensor for receiving a user sample to be measured and a microcontroller for performing a predefined test sequence for measuring a predefined parameter value. An interface logic block is coupled to the microcontroller for communicating the predefined parameter data value to the personal data assistant. The personal data assistant provides an operator interface, data management and analysis of biosensor results.

Abstract: A test strip is provided for use in the determination of the concentration of an a chemical in blood. The test strip comprises a plurality of microneedles and a test area. Each microneedle is adapted to puncture skin and to draw blood. The test area is in fluid communication with the microneedles. The test area contains a reagent adapted to produce a reaction indicative of the concentration of the chemical in blood.

Abstract: A surface of a canal, ditch or pipe is lined with a polyurethane/geofabric composite. A non-sagging polyurethane composition is applied to the canal, ditch or pipe surface, a geofabric is contacted with that surface in a manner such that the geofabric becomes impregnated with the non-sagging polyurethane composition which cures to form a polyurethane/geofabric composite. The non-sagging polyurethane is a reaction product of a polyisocyanate, a high molecular weight polyhydroxyl compound and a compound having at least 2 amino groups. A low molecular weight diol or triol, filler and catalyst are optional components. These composites are particularly useful in lining cracked or broken concave or angled surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a group of aryl ureas in treating raf mediated diseases, and pharmaceutical compositions for use in such therapy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation an epoxide-reactive compound having a functionality of at least 3, a molecular weight of from about 250 to about 1,900, and an OH number of from about 85 to about 1,400. This process comprises reacting (a) an organic compound which is free of ether groups, having a molecular weight of from about 60 to about 600, and containing from about 2 to about 8 reactive sites; with (b) cyanuric chloride; optionally, in the presence of (c) one or more catalysts; wherein the functionality of the resultant epoxide-reactive compound equals three times the functionality of (a) said organic compound minus three. This invention also relates to further reacting the epoxide-reactive compound produced by the above process with an alkylene oxide, optionally in the presence of a catalyst to form a polyether polyol having a functionality of at least about 3, a molecular weight of from about 300 to about 18,000, and an OH number of from about 10 to about 565.

Abstract: An adapter for holding a sample container includes a main body portion and a tapered body portion that forms a continuation of the main body portion. The tapered body portion includes a mouth opening that is of lesser diameter than the diameter of the main body portion. The mouth opening of the adapter is sized to provide direct support of a sample container which holds a liquid sample. During liquid level sensing ultrasonic waves from an ultrasound detector are reflected back to the sound detector as echoes from the lip flange of the sample container and from the liquid level within the sample container. The tapered surface of the adapter deflects sound echoes away from the sound detector. The adapter is thus invisible to the ultrasound detector. The echo from the liquid level is a variable duration echo and the echo from the lip flange of the sample container is a fixed duration echo that is always of lesser duration than the variable duration echo.

Abstract: The invention provides improved immunoassay techniques for detecting the presence of analytes in a liquid sample. The present immunoassay methods utilize anti-allotypic monoclonal antibodies as capture reagents for primary binding proteins specific for the analytes of interest. The monoclonal antibodies are highly specific for the allotypic determinants present on the primary binding protein. The use of anti-allotypic monoclonal antibodies as capture reagents provides improved levels of specificity and accuracy of the immunoassay, in part because interference from endogenous immunoglobulins in the sample is significantly reduced. The invention further provides anti-allotypic monoclonal antibodies.