Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, an auxiliary water-dispersible organic polymer, fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the auxiliary polymer to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation.

Abstract: This invention concerns a silylated porous microcomposite comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer entrapped within and highly dispersed throughout a network of inorganic oxide wherein the network and optionally the polymer have been modified with a silylating agent. These silylated microcomposites can be used in heterogeneous catalyst compositions for various chemical processes, such as in esterifications and acylations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rapid process for the preparation of a silica gel or a silicate polymer comprising contacting at least one fluoroalkoxysilane with a solution comprising water, optionally in the presence of a solvent and/or a catalyst. Low density gels can be prepared using this process and can possess large pore size, greater than 50 nm.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding all or a substantial portion of soybean glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes involved in the detoxification of xenobiotic compounds in plants and seeds. The invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all or a substantial portion of soybean GST enzymes, host cells transformed with those genes and methods for the recombinant production of soybean GST enzymes. Methods of constructing transgenic plants having altered levels of GST enzymes and screens for identifying soybean GST enzyme substrates and soybean GST enzyme inhibitors are also provided.

Abstract: A semi-integrated sealing system applied to the extremity of the output shaft (1) of the transmission case (2) of automotive vehicles and consisting substantially of assembling flange (10), static sealing element (20), which seals the interstice between the flange and gear shift block (2), and radial sealing retainer (30) around the shaft (10), with the mentioned flange (10) being a plate composed basically of peripherical holes (11) that receive the fastening screws to the transmission case and housing (12), receiver of the radial sealing retainer (30), the static sealing element (20) consisting of a thread of rubber type material (21), originally incorporated in the flange by means of vulcanization; the retainer of radial sealing (30) being of the cartridge type and mountable in the housing (12) of the assembling flange (10) around the output shaft (1) of the transmission case (2).

Abstract: A drawing and coining die for metal containers, comprising: a matrix, which is connected to a base associated with a moving slider of a press and comprises a sliding plate provided with elastic means in contrast with the base; a male element, which is connected to a base associated with a footing of the press and is shaped so as to make contact with an edge of the container; a blank holder, which is slidable in contact with the male element, is provided with movement means and comprises means for resting and centering a disk that constitutes the material to be processed.

Abstract: An automatic system is provided for dynamic diagnosis and repair of a user's computer through the utilization of a programmable interface to access and use relevant data in which a special script comprising a relatively small program first makes an inventory of hardware, software and configuration information relative to the user, his equipment and the network and stores this information in a single uniform object oriented database. A large number of system tools are also stored so that upon accessing the inventory and looking at any relevant data the script can call the available tools to automatically correct any user problem, whether it be compatibility of peripherals, software conflicts, providing missing software components, or correcting other problems, all on an automatic basis without user intervention or oftentimes without user knowledge.

Abstract: This invention makes available a photopolymerizable material containing at least one polymeric binder, photopolymerizable monomer and, at least one photoinitiator, and having a special shear modulus and a specific thickness. These photopolymerizable materials are used in processes for preparing images, especially multiple color proofs. Temporary supports and pigmented transfer materials specifically designed for the preparation of multiple color proofs are described. A pigmented element having a pigmented transfer layer with a polymeric component of polycaprolactone, polytetrahydrofuran and mixtures thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a chirped optical fiber grating, the method comprising the steps of an etching the cladding of the optical fiber to vary the cross-sectional area of a portion of an optical fiber, and impressing a grating of uniform pitch on the portion of the fiber in which the portion of the fiber is subjected to different respective longitudinal forces during the impressing step and during subsequent use of the grating.

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

Abstract: Optical switching device comprising:a) first elementary switching module which in turn comprises i) a crystalline element without internal planes of separation and which is capable of rotating the plane of polarization of a polarized optical signal by a predetermined angle under the action of an optical control beam, and ii) a polarization analyzer capable of selecting, according to a predetermined plane, the said polarized optical signal issuing from the said crystalline element, b) first means for supplying the said polarized optical signal to the said elementary switching module, and c) second means for supplying the said optical control beam to the said elementary switching module, in which the said first and second means route at least two different polarized optical signals and at least one optical control beam in the said crystalline element such that the said at least one control beam is substantially collinear with and superimposed on the said at least two polarized optical signals.

Abstract: A current reference generator comprises a pair of identical units (G1, G2) which generate respective current references (I1, I2), and a circuit (CL) for the linear combination of the two references. In each of the two units, the elements (S1, S2) which, by their current-voltage characteristics, determine the working point comprise respectively a single transistor (T1) and a pair of transistors (T2, T3), of the same type as the first, connected in series. A differential amplifier (AD) maintains stable the working point of the respective unit as power supply voltage varies. (FIG.

Abstract: A microemulsion comprising: a functionalized hydrocarbon, an anionic surfactant, a diol having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and water.

Abstract: Polyethylene-based adhesive compositions which contain as little as 5 weight percent, and up to 35 weight percent of an acid-grafted metallocene polyethylene have superior peel strength to comparable compositions containing an acid grafted non-metallocene and EVA or EMA polyethylene. Compositions where the acid-grafted metallocene polyethylene component is based on a metallocene polyethylene having a melt-flow ratio of less than 6.53 and an Mw/Mn of greater than the melt flow ratio less 4.63 are as good adhesive compositions as those based on metallocene resins falling outside these parameters.

Abstract: This invention provides advantageous processes for preparing quinazolinones of Formula I ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl; C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkenyl; C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 cycloalkyl; C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 halocycloalkyl; C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 cycloalkylalkyl; C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 halocycloalkylalkyl; or C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkynyl;R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl; C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkenyl; C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 cycloalkyl; C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 halocycloalkyl; C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 cycloalkylalkyl; C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 halocycloalkylalkyl; C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 cycloalkyl; C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 halocycloalkyl; or C.sub.3 -C.sub.10 alkynyl; andR.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently hydrogen or halogen; from compounds containing the moiety IIg ##STR2## This invention further provides certain compounds of Formula II, IIIa, or IVa ##STR3## where R.sup.7 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkyl.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyester and polyamide compositions which contain a flame retardant, one or more alkaline earth metal salts, and a reinforcing agent. The flame retardant includes a melamine phosphate compound. Addition of at least one alkaline earth metal salt maintains the physical properties and the electrical properties of the resin composition, which degrade upon addition of melamine or melamine salts, while retaining the desired flame retardancy.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for increasing the fluorine content of a saturated or olefinic halogenated hydrocarbon starting material of the formula C.sub.n H.sub.a Cl.sub.b F.sub.c, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6, a is an integer from 0 to to 12, b is an integer from 0 to 13 and c is an integer from 0 to 13. The process involves contacting the starting material in the vapor phase at a temperature in the range of about 150.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C. with HF and a catalytic metal supported on a trivalent lanthanum compound support (the catalytic metal being chromium, cobalt, nickel, zinc, magnesium, copper, silver and/or gold). Certain catalytic compositions including catalytic metal (e.g., chromium, nickel, cobalt, zinc and/or magnesium) supported on a support at trivalent lanthanum compound containing fluoride anion are also disclosed. The atomic ratio of catalytic metal to lanthanum in the compositions is from about 1:1 to 1:999.

Abstract: A bearing assembly that avoids excess grease yet provides additional oil as needed from one or more reservoirs in one or more shields mounted on the assembly.

Abstract: Iodoperfluoroalkylnitriles are useful as chain transfer agents in the free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers to form perfluoropolymers. These nitrites provide end groups, which may take part in a cross-linking reaction, if desired, and also have a relatively low toxicity. The resulting perfluoropolymers are useful as molding resins and elastomers, particularly for parts where good chemical resistance and/or high temperature resistance are desirable.

Abstract: A series of kits for an indirect inguinal hernia operation for both a male patient and a female patient. The kit for the male patient comprises two plugs and one mesh piece. The plugs and mesh are made from a polymer mesh and are pretreated so that they lay flat within the body after a hernia operation. These two plugs and mesh piece are sterilized and placed within a kit so that during an operation for hernia repair, a doctor has the necessary plugs precut and sterilized so that he can place these plugs within a patient's body. The hernia operation involves exposing an inguinal box that is 12 centimeters in length by 4.5 centimeters in width. The first of the two plugs has a circular shape with a diameter of 5 centimeters. The second of the two plugs has a circular shape with a diameter of 4 centimeters and a center hole with a slit cut from an edge leading to the center hole. The first mesh piece has a length of 10 centimeters and a width of 4.