Abstract: A pigment dispersion useful for forming coating compositions containing dispersed pigment, a carrier liquid and an AB-block polymer dispersant (binder); the AB block polymer has a number average molecular weight of about 5,000-20,000 and contains 20-80% by weight of a polymeric A segment and correspondingly 80-20% by weight of a polymeric B segment; wherein the polymeric A segment of the block polymer is of polymerized glycidyl (meth)acrylate monomers reacted with an acid from the group of aromatic carboxylic acids or aliphatic carboxylic acids; and the B segment is of polymerized alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers having 1-12 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, hydroxy alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers having about 1-4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; and wherein the weight ratio of pigment to binder in the dispersion is about 1/100-200/100.

Abstract: The present invention relates to block copolymer dispersants comprising a hydrophobic block and a hydrophilic block having at least one polymerized monomer including a primary amine functionality. The inventive block copolymer dispersant is used to make aqueous dispersants such as inks that have enhanced paper binding characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preventing or treating skin damage which comprises applying to the skin a composition containing an effective amount of a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable compound capable of acting as an electron donor, simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the application of a composition containing an effective amount of a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable compound capable of acting as an electron acceptor, whereby an exchange of electrons between the electron donor and electron acceptor results in generation of an electrical current on the skin.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymers comprising mercaptoalkylamide-functionalized styrene units of Formula I wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3; R is H or C1-C3 alkyl; and Q is a bond, —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2— or a process for their preparation, and their use as supports for solid phase synthesis of small molecules and as supported nucleophiles to aid solution phase synthesis.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for introducing reference impairments into pictures to be used in subjective tests on digital video signals, in compliance with ITU-T Recommendation P.930. The method generates blockiness distortion and/or edge busyness distortion. For the first distortion, areas close to picture edges are selected and, through a movement characteristics analysis, blocks are identified that belong to said areas and that are concerned only by the actual movement of the subject and, for blocks chosen among the identified ones, the luminance value is replaced by a value linked to the individual pixel luminance and to the average block luminance value. For the second distortion, echoes are applied that are randomly chosen in a prearranged set and that alternate at random.

Abstract: An aromatic carboxylic acid such as terephthalic acid is produced by the liquid phase oxidation of a precursor thereof, the oxidation being carried out in such a way that substantially all of the aromatic carboxylic acid produced in the course of the reaction is maintained in solution during the reaction.

Abstract: A reel for supporting optical fibres includes a winding drum having a tubular cylindrical shape, a pair of containing flanges, each of which is positioned close to one end edge of the winding drum, a central core positioned coaxially inside the winding drum, and at least one pair of interconnecting flanges positioned either side of a transverse median plane of the reel, each of which extends from the central core to the winding drum. The interconnecting flanges are at least partly frustoconical in shape and are joined directly to the winding drum with their frustoconical part at attachment points, and to the central core at anchor points. The anchor points are positioned closer to the transverse median plane of the reel than are the attachment points so as to form an angle between the interconnecting flanges and the central core of amplitude such as to limit deformation of the pair of containing flanges during rotation of the reel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a chromatin associated protein. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the chromatin associated protein, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the chromatin associated protein in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), wherein: R1 is —CN, —CH(CN)—R4, —CH═C(CN)—R4, —CH2—CH(CN)—R4, —C(═NOH)—NH2, —C(═NH)—NH2, —CH═C(NO2)—R4, —CH(CN)—R5, —CH(CH2NO2)—R5; 5-tetrazolyl, 2-(4,5-dihydrooxazolyl), 1,2,4-oxadiazolin-3-yl-5-one; R2 is hydrogen; R3 is hydrogen, OR6; R4 is hydrogen, C1-C6 linear or branched alkyl, CN, COOR7; R5 is hydrogen, OR8; R6 is hydrogen, C1-C6 linear or branched alkyl, (C6-C12) aryl (C1-C4) alkyl, (C1-C4) alkoxy (C1-C4) alkyl, (C1-C4) alkyl (C6-C12) aryl, (C6-C12) aryl (C2-C4) acyl, (C2-C4) acyl, amino (C1-C4) alkyl, amino (C2-C4) acyl, glycosyl; R7 is hydrogen, C1-C6 linear or branched alkyl, (C6-C12) aryl (C1-C4) alkyl, (C1-C4) alkoxy (C1-C4) alkyl, (C1-C4) alkyl (C6-C12) aryl; R8 has the same meanings of R6, independently of the latter. These compounds are active as topoisomerase I inhibitors and can be used as antitumor drugs.

Abstract: Certain alkylhaloaluminoxanes and other alkylhaloaluminum compounds, when used as cocatalysts for the polymerization of olefins with complexes of transition metals and neutral bidentate ligands give good yields of polyolefin when using less of the alkylhaloaluminoxane than other types of aluminum compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to in situ polymerization of fluoropolymer into porous substrates, to improve resistance to wear, tear and creep, decay, and degradation by wetting, staining and warping, and to improve durability while maintaining the appearance of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system for a head mounted display. The optical system of the present invention comprises a light source, a reflector for diffusing light from the light source, a reflection-type liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by means of the light which is irradiated from the reflector, and a prism disposed in front of the reflector for magnifying the image of the liquid crystal display panel. In particular, the light source is a light emitting diode, and the reflector is constructed to be aspheric such that distortion aberration of the image of the liquid crystal display panel, which is emitted from the reflector, can be corrected. According to the present invention, an advantage of enhancing light efficiency can be obtained by including the light emitting diode and the reflector for diffusing the light generated from the light emitting diode.

Abstract: A stent delivery system which has a catheter including an inflatable portion. A stent being disposed about the inflatable portion of the catheter, the stent having a contracted state and an expanded state. A pair of stent retaining sleeves which are partially composed of PTFE, each sleeve having a first end portion overlying a respective end of the stent, each sleeve having a second end portion respectively attached to the catheter, the sleeves retaining the stent to the catheter when the stent is in the contracted state, the stent being freed from the sleeves when the stent is placed in the expanded state. The sleeves being placed on the stent by heat shrinking. The inflatable portion of the balloon optionally having stepped compliant characteristics.

Abstract: A process for producing plexifilamentary products by spinning from a spin fluid of a polyolefin dissolved in a primary spin agent selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloro-2,2-difluoroethane and isomers thereof; 1,1,3-trichloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane and isomers thereof; 1,2-dichloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropane and isomers thereof; and 1,2-dichloro-1-fluoroethylene; and a co-spin agent; and also a spin fluid of a polyolefin dissolved in a primary spin agent selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloro-2,2-difluoroethane and isomers thereof, 1,1,3-trichloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropane and isomers thereof; 1,2-dichloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropane and isomers thereof; and 1,2-dichloro-l-fluoroethylene; and a co-spin agent.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester or copolymer thereof is disclosed. The process comprises contacting at least one carbonyl compound such as, for example, adipic acid, terephthalic acid, salt thereof, or combinations thereof, in the presence of a catalyst, with an alcohol such as, for example, 1,4-butanediol. The catalyst can comprise a tetraalkyl titanate such as, for example, tetraisopropyl titanate and a phosphorous compound such as, for example, a mixture of butyl phosphate and dibutyl phosphate.

Abstract: A power supply is provided for illuminating an electro-luminescent lamp with a constant current and frequency drive signal having a predetermined limiting voltage level for compensating changes in the electro-luminescent lamp characteristics. The power supply operates from an AC or DC input voltage power source and includes an electronic ground fault current interrupter circuit means with remote reset capability to provide protection for the power supply and against user injury. An auto line AC voltage selection circuit senses and selects the proper voltage operating configuration without operator intervention. The status of an LED in conjunction with the status of the electro-luminescent lamp is used as an internal diagnostic aid to assist a user in isolating fault conditions. External signals from a lighting control panel are coupled via an input control circuit to the power supply to provide special lighting effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high modulus elastomer composition reinforced by pulp having a high surface area and composed of a combination of at least two organic polymeric materials.

Abstract: A tracking system employs a strip of readily magnetizable material adhered to at least one edge of a conveyor belt used with a magnetic roll separator. The magnetic field produced by the head roller of the conveyor belt produces a continuous centering force which acts on the easily magnetized material providing proper tracking for the conveyor belt. The readily magnetizable material can be attached directly to either surface of the belt, have an edge portion of the belt wrapped around it or, in the form of a woven wire mesh, have the belt integrated into it by vulcanization. The strip of material may be continuous or intermittent.

Abstract: PURPOSE: To increase the mechanical strength of a connected optical fiber, by carrying out a surface treatment by dipping the melt-struck connection part of the optical fiber in a treating liquid of strong acid and then in a treating liquid of hydrofluoric acid. CONSTITUTION: A treatment liquid 6 of a mixture solution consisting of 1 or ≧2 kinds of strong acid such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, etc. is stored in a liquid tank 7. A melt-stuck connection part 5 of end parts 2A and 2B of optical fibers 1A and 1B is dipped in the tank 7. Thus coat residue, dust, metallic particles, etc. sticking to the surface of the part 5 are removed. Then the part 5 is dipped in a treating liquid containing an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid, ammonium fluoride, sodium fluoride in a liquid tank 8. Thus the minute flaws on the surface are removed or annealed. As a result, the strength is increased at the part 5.