Abstract: A predictive algorithm for predictive at least one output variable based on a plurality of input variables is developed using a genetic programming technique that evolves a population of candidate algorithms through multiple generations. Within each generation, the candidate algorithms are evaluated based on three fitness criteria: (i) an accuracy criterion that evaluates each candidate algorithm's ability to predict historical measurements of the at least one output variable based on corresponding historical measurements of the input variables; (ii) a complexity criterion that evaluates each candidate algorithm's complexity; and (iii) a smoothness criterion that evaluates each candidate algorithm's nonlinearity. The predictive algorithm may be implemented in an inferential sensor that is used to monitor a physical, chemical, or biological process, such as an industrial process in an industrial plant.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improving expression and/or secretion of a polypeptide of interest in a host cell are provided. Compositions including a coding sequence for a bacterial secretion signal peptide are provided. The compositions of the invention are useful for increasing accumulation of properly processed proteins in the periplasmic space of a host cell, or for increasing secretion of properly processed proteins. In particular, isolated secretion signal peptide-encoding nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the nucleic acid molecules are encompassed. The present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules including nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24, and the nucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23, as well as variants and fragments thereof.

Abstract: An aldehyde composition containing a mixture of mono-formyl-, diformyl-, and triformyl-substituted fatty acids and/or fatty acid esters having a di-aldehyde/tri-aldehyde weight ratio of less than 5/1 and an average functionality number from greater than 0.96 to less than 1.26. A monomer alcohol composition containing a mixture of mono-hydroxymethyl-, dihydroxymethyl-, and trihydroxymethyl-substituted fatty acids and/or fatty acid esters having a diol/triol weight ratio of less than 5/1 and an average functionality number from greater than 0.90 to less than 1.20. The monomer alcohol can be converted into an oligomeric polyol for use in the manufacture of polyurethane flexible foams.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions including at least one thermoplastic resin; at least one dispersing agent; and water; wherein the dispersion has a pH of less than 12 are disclosed along with dispersions including at least one thermoplastic resin; at least one dispersing agent; and water wherein the dispersion has a volume average particle size of less than about 5 ?m. Some dispersions include less than about 4 percent by weight of the dispersing agent based on the weight of the thermoplastic resin. Other dispersions include at least one propylene-rich alpha-olefin interpolymer; at least one dispersing agent; and water. Methods of making such dispersions are also described.

Abstract: Foamable compositions and foams comprise at least an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer. The foam has a density from greater than 150 to about 500 kg/m3. The foamable compositions further comprise a blowing agent and a crosslinking agent. The ethylene/?-olefin interpolymers are a multi-block copolymer comprising at least one soft block and at least one hard block. Methods of making the foamable compositions and foams; and foamed articles made from the foams are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modulating the nature and/or level of an immune response to a molecule. In particular, the invention relates to effecting an increase in the TH1 immune response to molecules such as, but not limited to, antigens or immunogens. The invention also relates to reducing a TH2 immune response to molecules. More particularly, the invention relates to altering the level of TH1- and TH2-associated immunoglobulins, the level of proliferation of TH1- and TH2-associated cytokines, and the level of proliferation of TH1 and TH2 cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a film comprising at least one layer, wherein the at least one layer comprises a surface area, and wherein the surface area comprises a plurality of stretched segments, and where each stretched segment is, independently, at least one inch in length, and where the at least one layer is formed from a composition comprising one or more polyolefins, and where the combined weight of the one or more polyolefins is greater than 90 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition. The invention also provides articles, each comprising at least one component formed from an inventive film, and for methods of preparing such films and articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved bonding system including an adhesion promoter that may be used to help adhesively bond two or more components together. The preferred use of the present adhesion promoter is in a transportation vehicle (e.g., automobile), and more particularly in an engine assembly for use in such vehicles. The present invention includes a bonded automobile engine assembly including at least one plastic component, an adhesive that bonds the plastic component to at least one separate component, and an adhesion promoter between the adhesive and the plastic component. Fasteners for attaching components are optionally employed. In one specific example, an intake manifold including a plastic component is bonded to an engine assembly.

Abstract: A lubricant composition comprises a base oil and a viscosity modifier including an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer. The ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer is a block copolymer having at least a hard block and at least a soft block. The soft block comprises a higher amount of comonomers than the hard block. The block copolymer has a number of unique characteristics disclosed here. Such block copolymers offer the possibility of improved low temperature performance and flexibility in formulating motor oil, gear lubricants and greases, etc.

Abstract: A non-aqueous hydroformylation process with liquid catalyst recycle involving a hydroformylation step and one or more stages of phase separation to recover a high molecular weight aldehyde product with efficient recovery of rhodium catalyst. The process includes a hydroformylation step to prepare a non-aqueous hydroformylation reaction product composition comprising one or more aldehyde products, one or more conjugated polyolefins, a rhodium-organophosphorus ligand complex, free organophosphorus ligand, and an organic solubilizing agent for said complex and said free ligand, and thereafter one or more stages of phase separation using added water under a carbon monoxide gas, hydrogen gas, or a mixture thereof. The process requires a specific range of total pressure for the hydroformylation, a specific range of total pressure for at least one of the separation stages, and a minimum sum of the total pressure of the hydroformylation step and the total pressure of the separation stage containing said gas.

Abstract: Polyolefin dispersions, froths, and foams and articles manufactured therefrom are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for generating a thermoplastic foam from an aqueous dispersion. The aqueous dispersion may include a thermoplastic resin, water, and a stabilizing agent. The method may include adding at least one frothing surfactant to the aqueous dispersion to form a mixture, adding a flame retardant and/or a phase change material, frothing the mixture to create a froth, and removing at least a portion of the water to produce the foam.

Abstract: Film layers made from formulated ethylene polymer compositions are disclosed. Film layers made from such formulated compositions have surprisingly good heat seal properties, and an especially good reduction in heat seal initiation temperature. The ethylene polymer compositions have at least one homogeneously branched ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer and at least one homogeneously or heterogeneously branched ethylene polymer which has a lower melt index than the first mentioned component. The first homogeneously branched ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer has a melt index higher than that of the formulated composition.

Abstract: The instant invention is an impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition, and method of making the same. The impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition, according to instant invention, includes a vinyl chloride polymer, an impact modifier, and a lubricant system. The impact modifier includes a chlorinated olefin polymer, and an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. The lubricant system includes a first component, a second component, and a third component. The first component is a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, blends thereof, and combinations thereof. The second component is a hydrocarbon wax selected from the group consisting of a paraffin wax, polyolefin wax, blends thereof, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing epoxides, the process including: (a) feeding at least one aqueous alkali and at least one halohydrin to a reactive distillation column; (b) concurrently in the reactive distillation column: (i) reacting at least a portion of the halohydrin with the alkali to form an epoxide; and (ii) stripping water and the epoxide from a basic aqueous residue; (c) recovering the water and the epoxide from the reactive distillation column as an overheads fraction; and, (d) condensing and phase separating the overheads fraction at a temperature of 50° C. or less to form an organic overheads fraction including the epoxide and an aqueous overheads fraction including water.

Abstract: A composition for removing mercaptan from a gas stream containing at least one acid gas in addition to a mercaptan, the composition comprising a physical and/or chemical solvent for H2S and an inclusion compound for the mercaptan. A process of treating gas stream using the composition. The inclusion compound is selected from the group consisting of, cyclodextrin, cryptand, calixarene. cucurbituril. The chemical solvent may be monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA, diisopropylamine (DIPA), diglycolamine (DGA) and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA). Examples of useful physical solvents include cyclotetramethylene sulfone (sulfolane) and its derivatives, aliphatic acid amides, NMP (n-methylpyrrolidone), N-alkylated pyrrolidones and corresponding piperidone methanol and mixtures of dialkethers of polyethylene glycols. The method copirses scrubbing preferably the natural gas with an aqueous solution comprising the above compounds followed by a stripping regeneration step.

Abstract: Durable stretch fabrics are made and processed from one or more crosslinked, heat-resistant olefin elastic fibers, e.g., a substantially linear, homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. The fabrics can be made by any process, e.g., weaving, knitting, etc., and from any combination of crosslinked, heat-resistant olefin elastic and inelastic (“hard”) fibers, e.g., cotton and wool. These fabrics exhibit excellent chemical, e.g., chlorine, resistance and durability, e.g., they retain their shape and feel (“hand”) over repeated exposure to processing conditions, e.g., stone-washing, dye-stripping, PET-dyeing and the like, and service conditions, e.g., washing, drying, etc.

Abstract: A process for producing epoxides, the process including: (a) feeding at least one aqueous alkali and at least one halohydrin to a reactive distillation column, wherein the reactive distillation column includes a feed zone, a top zone disposed above the feed zone, and a bottom zone disposed below the feed zone; (b) concurrently in the reactive distillation column: (i) reacting at least a portion of the halohydrin with the alkali to form an epoxide; and (ii) stripping water and the epoxide from a basic aqueous residue; (c) recovering the water and the epoxide from the reactive distillation column as an overheads fraction; (d) condensing and phase separating the overheads fraction to form an organic overheads fraction including the epoxide and an aqueous overheads fraction including water; and (e) maintaining a liquid holdup per plate in the feed zone at a residence time of 10 seconds or less.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising at least one olefin multi-block interpolymer; at least one functionalized olefin-based polymer; and optionally at least one thermoplastic polyurethane. The invention also provides for articles prepared from the inventive compositions and for methods for making the same.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a polypropylene resin, which is suitable for manufacturing an air quenched blown film. The resin has a melt flow rate of greater than 5 g/10 min, less than 2% xylene solubles, a pentad isotacticity of greater than 95%, an isotactic pentad/triad ratio of greater than 95%, a crystallinity of at least 65%, and a crystallization temperature of at least 127° C. The polypropylene resin contains from 500 ppm to 2500 ppm of a nucleator/clarifier additive. An quenched blown film made from resin exhibits a crystallization onset temperature of at least 116° C. and a crystallization half-life time of less 4.1 seconds or less when tested using fast DSC analysis with a scan rate of 200° C./minute.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having improved melt extrusion properties comprising: A) an olefin polymer; B) a catalyst neutralizer comprising a cationic derivative of a poly(oxyalkylene) compound; and C) a processing additive composition comprising a fluoropolymer and optionally, an interfacial agent.