Abstract: This invention is directed to a composite laminate comprising in order (a) a flame retardant polymeric moisture barrier (b) an inorganic platelet layer and (c) a flame retardant thermoplastic film layer The invention is also directed to a thermal insulation and acoustic blanket comprising a core of fibrous material or foam surrounded by the above composite laminate wherein the thermoplastic film layer of the composite laminate contacts and encapsulates the core.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle during regenerative deceleration, the method including: determining deceleration of the vehicle; upon determining deceleration of the vehicle, operating a reversible electric machine as a generator to regenerate part of the kinetic energy of the vehicle; establishing a respective minimum speed of an internal combustion engine for each gear of a servocontrolled mechanical power train; determining and engaging the highest gear which, combined with the current state of motion of the vehicle, runs the internal combustion engine at higher than the respective minimum speed; keeping the gear engaged as long as the internal combustion engine runs at higher than the respective minimum speed; and downshifting by one gear when the internal combustion engine runs at lower than the respective minimum speed.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences of a Msca1 gene, critical to male fertility in plants are described, with DNA molecule and amino acid sequences set forth. Promoter sequences and their essential regions are also identified. The nucleotide sequences are useful in impacting male fertility in plants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic composition including at least one semi-aromatic polyamide having a glass transition equal to or greater than 100° C. and a melting point of equal to or greater than 280° C.; a thermally conducting filler having a thermal conductivity of at least 5 W/mK, for instance CaF2 powder; and at least one hyperbranched polyesteramide having terminal hydroxy groups; and molded articles made therefrom.

Abstract: The method consists of, when the instantaneous speed of the vehicle is greater than a pre-determined threshold: identifying that the vehicle travels in a straight line without torque exerted on the steering wheel; if the prior condition is met, determining an average residual torque for the steering wheel by calculating a sliding scale of measures of torque on the steering wheel; calculating a correction, if the average residual torque on the steering wheel is greater than a pre-determined minimum torque, which is proportional to the average residual torque to be applied to the torque measures on the steering wheel; calculating effective correction limited in terms of the speed of variation and amplitude in relation to the correction applied to the measures of torque on the steering wheel, said corrected measures being subsequently treated by the electronic calculator in order to control the electronic booster motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aquaponic facility with closed water circulation, including at least one aquaculture unit and at least one hydroponic unit, characterized in that the aquaculture unit has at least one water outlet which is functionally connected with the hydroponic unit by a one-way valve such that water from the aquaculture unit can be supplied to the hydroponic unit, and the hydroponic unit has at least one cold trap, wherein the at least one cold trap is functionally connected with the aquaculture unit in such a way that the water obtained from the at least one cold trap can be supplied to the aquaculture unit, as well as its use.

Abstract: Primers have been isolated that are diagnostic for the detection of the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The primers are based on a new portion of the WSSV genome and may be used in primer directed amplification or nucleic acid hybridization assay methods.

Abstract: A modular entrance floor system comprising a plurality of floor sections, the plurality of floor sections being disposed adjacent each other and defining a perimeter of an entrance floor area. Each floor section includes a base plate permanently coupled to a foundation, and a surface plate removably attached to the base plate. The surface plate has at least one drain feature. The plurality of floor sections are configured such that the surface plate of a first floor section is interchangeable with the surface plate of a second floor section, independent of the adjacent floor sections.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising fluorinated 4-oxo-chroman-carboxylates, particularly fluorinated 4-oxo-chroman-7-carboxylate, and a process for making the same. The compounds are useful as intermediates in the production of agricultural chemicals, and also as chain terminators in condensation polymerization reactions, particularly when it is desired to provide a polymer having a relatively low surface energy.

Abstract: Dispersed uniform spherical silver particles were prepared in the absence of a protective colloid by rapidly mixing concentrated iso-ascorbic acid and silver-polyamine complex solutions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell stack composed of at least one fuel cell (1) and at least two separator structures (2, 2?). Said separator structures (2, 2?) are open on at least one side towards the exterior in order to allow passive exchange of air. Also, said separator structures comprise a channel system (53, 53?) for guiding fuel. The fuel cell can be embodied as a bi-fuel cell (1) composed of two electric cells. The anodes or cathodes of the two electric cells are arranged opposite each other.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells, including silicon solar cells, and methods and compositions for making such photovoltaic cells are provided. A silicon substrate having an n-type silicon layer is provided with a silicon nitride layer, a reactive metal in contact with said silicon nitride layer, and a non-reactive metal in contact with the reactive metal. This assembly is fired to form a low Schottky barrier height contact comprised of metal nitride, and optionally metal silicide, on the silicon substrate, and a conductive metal electrode in contact with said low Schottky barrier height contact. The reactive metal may be titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, and tantalum, and combinations thereof, and the non-reactive metal may be silver, tin, bismuth, lead, antimony, arsenic, indium, zinc, germanium, nickel, phosphorus, gold, cadmium, berrylium, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A vacuum waste system for use in a vehicle, such as a aircraft. The vacuum waste system includes a lightweight base assembly and a lightweight toilet bowl assembly mounted to the top of the base assembly. The toilet bowl assembly has downwardly extending members that engage in a sliding manner with horizontally extending members at the top of the base assembly to thus secure the toilet bowl assembly to the base assembly. A fastener, such as a nut and bolt assembly, can be coupled to the toilet bowl assembly and base assembly using a tool to thus secure the toilet bowl assembly to the base assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a spectral ratio between a first signal having a first spectrum which depends on a biological quantity, and a second signal having a second spectrum which depends on a biological quantity, the first signal and the second signal having a plurality of harmonics of a periodic signal, the apparatus including a computer for computing a first wave ratio between a spectral value of the first spectrum which has a frequency of a harmonic of the plurality of harmonics, and a spectral value of the second spectrum which has the frequency of the harmonic; and for computing a second wave ratio between a spectral value of the first spectrum which has a frequency of another harmonic of the plurality of harmonics, and a spectral value of the second spectrum which has the frequency of the other harmonic. In addition, the apparatus includes an optimizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising flammable refrigerant, fire hazard-reducing agent, and optionally a lubricant suitable for use in a refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus. Further, the present invention relates to compositions comprising lubricant and fire hazard-reducing agent and methods for reducing flammability of flammable refrigerant, for delivering a fire hazard-reducing agent to a refrigeration or air conditioning apparatus, and for replacing a non-flammable refrigerant with a flammable refrigerant.

Abstract: There is provided a light emitting device using a compound semiconductor, which can improve electrical characteristics and internal quantum efficiency by maximizing the recombination rate of electrons and holes in an active layer. The light emitting device using a compound semiconductor includes a substrate; a compound semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, the compound semiconductor layer comprising an active layer; and a current spreading layer formed on at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the active layer, the current spreading layer allowing electrons or holes to be uniformly spread into the active layer.

Abstract: A targeting method is described that allows precise cassette replacement at a previously characterized genetic locus. A target DNA construct containing a pair of incompatible FRT sites flanking a target cassette was introduced into soybean by regular biolistic transformation. Transgenic events containing a single complete copy of the target site were then selected and retransformed with a donor DNA construct containing the identical pair of incompatible FRT sites flanking a donor cassette. Precise DNA cassette exchange happened between the target cassette and the donor cassette via recombinase mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) so that the donor cassette was introduced at the exact genomic site previously occupied by the target cassette. Through repeated RMCE using additional incompatible FRT sites, multiple groups of transgenes can be stacked at the same genomic locus.

Abstract: “IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT GENERATOR OF ELECTRICAL POWER”, the invention herein refers to improvements in electrical power generating equipment which, due to the construction adopted, allows simplified maintenance at reduced frequency; in addition to useful application in several types of hydro electrical power plants, namely: micro, mini and small sized hydroelectric power plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for concentrating and converting solar energy, which has at least one beam splitter of a planar configuration for deflecting solar radiation and at least two devices for the conversion of solar energy which are disposed offset relative to the beam splitter with respect to the direction of incidence of the solar radiation.