Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The BI can further include a frangible container containing a liquid and dimensioned to be positioned in the housing. The reading apparatus can be configured to detect activation of the biological sterilization indicator, for example, by detecting that the second portion is in the second position, and/or by detecting that the liquid from the frangible container is present in a specific chamber of the biological sterilization indicator. The method can include positioning the BI in the well of the reading apparatus and detecting activation, for example, by detecting one or more of the above conditions.

Abstract: Pyrazolopyridin-4-amines, pyrazoloquinolin-4-amines, pyrazolonaphthyridin-4-amines, 6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrazoloquinolin-4-amines, and prodrugs thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing or inhibiting cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases, are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for capturing or concentrating microorganisms for detection or assay comprises (a) providing a particulate concentration agent that comprises gamma-FeO(OH); (b) providing a fluid sample comprising at least one microorganism strain; and (c) contacting the concentration agent with the sample such that at least a portion of the concentration agent is dispersed in the sample and at least a portion of the at least one microorganism strain is bound to or captured by the concentration agent.

Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A method of making abrasive particles includes: providing a slurry comprising non-colloidal solid particles and a liquid vehicle; forming at least a portion of the slurry into shaped bodies contacting a substrate; at least partially drying the shaped bodies to provide shaped abrasive precursor particles; separating at least a portion of the shaped abrasive precursor particles from the substrate; and converting at least a portion of the shaped abrasive precursor particles into shaped abrasive particles. The shaped abrasive particles comprise alpha alumina having an average crystal grain size of 0.8 to 8 microns and an apparent density that is at least 92 percent of the true density. Each shaped abrasive particle has a respective surface comprising a plurality of smooth sides that form at least four vertexes. Shaped abrasive particles, abrasive articles including them, and methods of using are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical film includes a polymeric bandstop filter reflecting a band of blue light in a range from 440 nm to 480 nm a polymeric bandstop filter reflecting a band of blue light in a range from 440 nm to 480 nm and transmitting greater than 50% of blue light at a wavelength of 10 nm longer than a long wavelength band edge and at a wavelength of 10 nm shorter than a short wavelength band edge.

Abstract: A filtering face-piece respirator dispenser 10 having a container 14 that has a constriction aperture 20 and a plurality of filtering, face-piece respirators 12 disposed within the container 14 in a stacked, at least partially-folded arrangement. The stacked respirators 12 include an outermost respirator 12a. The constriction aperture 20 is adapted to allow for the outermost flat filtering face-piece respirator 12a to be manually withdrawn from the container 14 such that the outermost respirator 12a goes from the at least partially-folded condition to an open condition, making the respirator more ready for donning.

Abstract: Surface-modified zirconia nanoparticles include zirconia nanoparticles and surface-modifying ligands attached to the zirconia nanoparticles. The ligand includes a hydroxamate functionality, and either a reactive group or an oligomeric group. Reactive groups include chain transfer groups or photoinitiator groups. Oligomeric groups include poly(meth)acrylate or poly(meth)acrylamide groups. Articles can be prepared that include the surface-modified zirconia nanoparticles in an organic matrix.

Abstract: Techniques are described for maintaining synchronization of inspection data when a web roll is converted into intermediate smaller rolls prior to cutting the web into individual parts. A system comprises a database that stores anomaly data acquired from a manufactured web. The anomaly data specifies positions anomalies within a manufactured web relative to a set of fiducial marks on the manufactured web. A conversion processing line comprises a fiducial mark reader to output position information for the set of fiducial marks on the manufactured web, a slitter that cuts the manufactured web into slit rolls, and a fiducial mark printer to print a set of fiducial marks on each slit roll. A position monitoring system maintains spatial synchronization of the anomaly data by computing an updated position for the anomalies relative to the set of fiducial marks printed on the slit rolls.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles and constructions are disclosed. One exemplary retroreflective article or construction includes a retroreflective layer and a low refractive index layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the low refractive index layer is adjacent to at least a portion of a retroreflective structured major surface of the retroreflective layer.

Abstract: A method of making a dental workpiece is provided. The method comprises the steps of suspending machining of the workpiece, exposing the workpiece to a first air jet; and causing relative movement between the first air jet and the workpiece under numeric control. The method may facilitate manufacturing of dental workpieces.

Abstract: Polymerizable compositions containing rigid and contorted divinyl crosslinkers and polymeric materials prepared from the polymerizable compositions are described. The crosslinkers have a spirobisindane-type structure and can undergo free radical polymerization reactions. Methods of preparing the polymeric materials from the polymerizable compositions are also described.

Abstract: There are provided compositions comprising (i) at least one non-aromatic polyol compound containing at least one polyol unit having at least two hydroxyl groups and at least one long chain unit containing at least 6 carbon atoms; and (ii) at least one fluoropolymer comprising repeating units derived from a fluorinated olefin. There are also provided methods of improving the shear stability of fluoropolymer dispersions, methods of coating substrates, and substrates coated with the above described composition.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening strip and a reticulated mechanical fastening strip are disclosed. The method includes providing a backing having upstanding posts; providing interrupted slits through the backing, the interrupted slits being interrupted by at least one intact bridging region; spreading the slit backing to provide multiple strands separated from each other between at least some of the bridging regions to provide at least one opening; and fixing the multiple strands of the backing in a spread configuration. The reticulated mechanical fastening strip includes multiple strands of a backing attached to each other at bridging regions in the backing and separated from each other between the bridging regions to provide openings. Upstanding posts on each of the multiple strands have bases attached to the backing, and each of the multiple strands has a width that is greater than that of the bases of its attached upstanding posts.

Abstract: A hook strip is provided having a backing with a first surface and a length in a first direction; multiple rows of hook elements aligned in the first direction and projecting from the first surface of the backing; and slits in the backing between at least some pairs of adjacent rows of the hook elements. The slits may be interrupted by a bridging region of the backing, or the slits may be partial slits that penetrate the thickness of the backing in a range from 40 to 90 percent. A fastening laminate that includes a carrier and the hook strip described above joined to the carrier is also provided. In some embodiments, the fastening laminate includes slits that form separate, abutting portions of the backing on the carrier. An absorbent article containing the hook strip and a method of making the hook strip are also disclosed.

Abstract: Curable adhesive compositions, cured adhesive compositions, and articles that include the cured adhesive compositions are described. The curable adhesive composition contains a) an epoxy resin, b) a curing agent, c) a reactive liquid modifier, and d) a toughening agent. The cured adhesive compositions can be used as structural adhesives.