Abstract: A control system for an agile optical network uses constraint-based rules to minimize route validation computations required when the network is reconfigured. A hierarchical control structure facilitates admission control and insulates admission control from interaction with the physical layer of the network.

Abstract: An optical system includes an optical medium which carries wavelengths of light, an optical tap which siphons the wavelengths from the optical medium, and a wavelength select switch having output ports. The wavelength select switch receives the wavelengths from the tap and selectively passes at least one of the wavelengths to one of the output ports. A power meter receives the at least one wavelength from the output port and measures power in the at least one wavelength.

Abstract: A power supply for a pump laser in a distributed Raman amplifier is modulated with a small amount of amplitude modulation. This amplitude modulation transfers to the traffic wavelengths and is detected at a Raman amplifier control system. The Raman amplifier control system decodes the modulation and determines the amount of modulation transferred to the traffic. Given knowledge of the signal level of the modulation that was applied the gain of the distributed Raman amplifier may be determined. The Raman amplifier control system may then control the power supplied to the pump laser to result in a specific gain, thus providing closed loop control.

Abstract: A performance monitoring method for an optically amplified transmission system. The method provides the optical power at each amplifier site, taking into account the inaccuracies introduced by the SRS in the power estimation obtained with the current methods. An optical spectrum analyzer is used at the output of the transmission link of interest to accurately measure the output power of each wavelength. This value is sent upstream to the last amplifier in the link, to compute an error term as the difference between the actual measurement and the estimation. The error term is used to infer the SRS-induced error by system elements not accounted for in the model. The error term is then fed-back to each amplifier in the link, so that the estimated power is adjusted to account for the SRS-induced inaccuracy.

Abstract: A polyethylene glycol-containing paper is described. The paper includes polyethylene glycol (PEG) having an average molar mass in the range of from about 30,000 to about 50,000. In one embodiment, polyethylene glycol is incorporated into the paper during the paper's formation. In another embodiment, a polyethylene glycol-coated paper is provided. Methods for forming polyethylene glycol-containing papers are also described.

Abstract: New and useful products are based on sheeted cellulose impregnated with a polyfunctional isocyanate and a fire retardant material. The fire retardants are chosen from organophosphorous esters compatible with the isocyanate in the proportions used. Preferred impregnating compositions use about one part of isocyanate and two parts of a halogenated diphosphate ester. Other compatible phosphorous based materials may be included for viscosity control.

Abstract: The invention is a method of enhancing the strength of paper products, particularly the dry strength, without adversely affecting repulpability. It is also directed to the resulting products. It is particularly applicable but not limited to products with significant amounts of secondary fiber in the furnish. Preferably, about 10-30% of the fiber is separated from the furnish at some point prior to sheeting. This is treated with a cationic wet strength resin which is allowed to bond to the fiber. Cationic polyamide-epichlorohydrin resins are particularly useful. The treated fiber is them mixed with the untreated balance of the fiber at some point before the paper machine. Screnning fines on repulping do not normally exceed 2-3%.

Abstract: A method of producing a surfaced composite panel of cellulosic particulates, such as wood flakes, involves the application of polymer forming foamable material to at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the panel, contacting said at least one of the first and second surfaces with a pressure applying surface to apply pressure thereto, foaming the polymer forming foamable material while pressure is applied and curing the applied foam material to produce a polymeric coating on the panel with the desired surface, which is typically extremely smooth. One or both surfaces may be surface treated in this manner. A skin formed on the surface of the panel is believed to add to the strength and stiffness of the coating on the panel. A wide variety of foaming systems may be used to accomplish this surface treating. By avoiding sanding the surface treated panel, the skin remains intact.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition of matter useful as a paper impregnant, to the method of its use, and to the products produced by the method. Poly (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) or PMDI has been used in the past as a paper impregnant with or without propylene carbonate as a diluent. These products have generally required pressing under high pressures and at elevated temperatures. It has now been found that triacetin and/or triethyl citrate in usages up to about 20% of PMDI give superior performance in impregnated products. The modified PMDI will cure at essentially ambient conditions in times as short as 1-2 days to insoluble polyureas with low residual amounts of isocyanates and reaction byproducts such as 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane. The treated papers can be used in applications of which skins for sandwich panels and high strength corrugated board would be exemplary.

Abstract: The invention relates to paper and similar products made with at least a portion of the papermaking furnish being essentially water insoluble carboxyethyl cellulose fibers. A cationic additive material, such as a polyamide epichlorohydrin wet strength resin or cationic starch, is also required. From 2-100% of the modified fiber is used in conjunction with a usual papermaking fiber. The D.S. of the carboxyethylated fiber is in the range of about 0.01-0.3, preferably about 0.025-0.10. A notable feature of paper products made with the fiber/cationic additive system is an improved ratio of wet to dry tensile and burst strengths compared with sheets made from unmodified fiber.

Abstract: Wood veneers having enhanced strength and/or stiffness, wood products made therefrom, and methods for manufacturing such veneers and wood products are disclosed. A treated veneer having enhanced strength and stiffness has a population of compacted wood cells extending across at least a portion of the length and width dimensions and into the thickness dimension of the veneer to confer an increased density level, and thus increased strength and/or stiffness levels, to the veneer. Interspersed in the compacted wood cells is a non-saturating loading level of a cured rigid thermoset material which maintains compaction of the compacted cells even after prolonged soaking in water. The preferred loading level is just what is required to maintain compaction of the cells. The preferred thermoset material is polyurea which is formed from a polyisocyanate resin applied to at least one major surface of the veneer followed by hot-pressing the veneer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition of matter useful as a paper impregnant, to the method of its use, and to the products produced by the method. Poly (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) or PMDI has been used in the past as a paper impregnant with or without propylene carbonate as a diluent. These products have generally required pressing under high pressures and at elevated temperatures. It has now been found that triacetin and/or triethyl citrate in usages up to about 20% of PMDI give superior performance in impregnated products. The modified PMDI will cure at essentially ambient conditions in times as short as 1-2 days to insoluble polyureas with low residual amounts of isocyanates and reaction byproducts such as 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane. The treated papers can be used in applications of which skins for sandwich panels and high strength corrugated board would be exemplary.

Abstract: A method of demodulating an oversampled digitised analogue signal F(t) wherein n samples per bit of the digitised signal represent the instantaneous frequency and/or phase of the signal. The method includes the steps of selecting a sequence of bits containing bit value transitions, determining the magnitude of F(t) within the sequence so that all the extrema are maxima (or minima), whereby the maxima (or minima) of .vertline.F(t).vertline. provide a defined timing position in relation to the bits of the sequence. The value of .vertline.F(t).vertline. over a succession of said bits is averaged and a timing control signal is derived therefrom for demodulation of the digitised analogue signal.

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol is used as a binder material for fibers, such as wood pulp fibers, and for adhering superabsorbent particulate materials to the fibers.

Abstract: A method of producing a surfaced composite panel of cellulosic particulates, such as wood flakes, involves the application of polymer forming foamable material to at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the panel, contacting said at least one of the first and second surfaces with a pressure applying surface to apply pressure thereto, foaming the polymer forming foamable material while pressure is applied and curing the applied foam material to produce a polymeric coating on the panel with the desired surface, which is typically extremely smooth. One or both surfaces may be surface treated in this manner. A skin formed on the surface of the panel is believed to add to the strength and stiffness of the coating on the panel. A wide variety of foaming systems may be used to accomplish this surface treating. By avoiding sanding the surface treated panel, the skin remains intact.

Abstract: A fiber product comprises dry discontinuous fibers having a starch binder on at least a portion of the fiber surfaces, at least about seventy percent of the starch binder coated fibers being unbonded to one another, solid particles are adhered to the fibers by the binder without the binder entirely coating the particles. The fibers may be air laid into a web or formed into an absorbent structure. Superabsorbent particles are a specific example of the particles which may be adhered to the fibers.

Abstract: A laminated product has an organic polymer layer on at least one surface of a substrate of cellulosic material impregnated with polyisocyanate. The substrate is preferably made from substantially delignified cellulosic material and an isocyanate resin. The isocyanate resin comprises a polyisocyanate, preferably PMDI, and may include a miscible organic solvent, preferably one such as propylene carbonate having a high boiling point and low flammability and toxicity. The substrate may be cured with an uncured overlay sheet positioned on the cured substrate and then cured to bond the substrate and overlay. Alternatively, a cured overlay may be adhesively or otherwise secured to a previously cured substrate. As yet another alternative, an uncured overlay sheet and uncured substrate may be placed in position and simultaneously cured. An overlay may be positioned on one or both major surfaces of a substrate sheet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method of drug targeting which comprises covalently binding a drug to a lipid carrier. This composition has the unique ability to both enhance the rate at which an antineoplastic or antiviral drug crosses the plasma membrane, and to direct the drug within the cell to specific organelles. The versatility of these conjugates may be further enhanced by including a spacer group between the drug and the lipid which may act to modulate drug release at the target site.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a dieboard comprising a rigid core of a plastic material, such as polyurethane, having a polyurea-cellulose composite secured to its opposed major surfaces. The polyurea-cellulose composite imparts substantial dimensional stability to the laminated dieboard. A layer of a liquid impermeable material, such as a film, can be secured to the outer major surfaces of the dieboard. By making this outer layer of a light color, such as white, the projection of CAD or hand-drawing slotting templates onto the dieboard surface is facilitated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a polyureacellulose composite material from substantially delignified cellulosic material and an isocyanate resin. The isocyanate resin comprises a polyisocyanate, preferably PMDI, and a miscible organic solvent, preferably one such as propylene carbonate having a high boiling point and low flammability and toxicity. The composite surprisingly exhibits values of physical parameters that are at least as good as, and sometimes far superior to, corresponding parameters of similar composites made using neat (undiluted) polyisocyanate. Single- and multiple-ply composites can be made, employing only a single curing step.