Abstract: An indirect acidulation process for producing glutamic acid from an aqueous feed containing a glutamate resulting from fermentation includes: a) contacting an aqueous feed stream at an elevated temperature with a weak acid cation exchanger (WACE) which is at least partially in its acid form, whereby a part of the cations in the solution is taken up by the cation exchanger and protons are introduced into the solution; b) contacting a second aqueous feed containing glutamate and cations at an elevated temperature with a strong acid cation exchanger (SACE) that is obtained from a subsequent step and carries cationic glutamate, whereby the cationic glutamate is transferred into the solution and most of the cations in the second aqueous feed are taken up by the SACE; c) crystallizing glutamic acid from the effluent of step (b); d) contacting the mother liquor of step (c) with the SACE which is at least partially in its acid form whereby cationic glutamate is bound; e) utilizing the SACE obtained in step (d) in ste

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes main power busses located on the next to the top most level of metal and a top level of metal separated from the main power busses by a thin dielectric. The top most level metal is connected to one of the power buses either through bond wires or through contacts. This structure provides a distributed bypass capacitance between the power buses thus stabilizing the power bus voltage within the integrated circuit. Furthermore, this capacitance structure can be optional and can be made with one or two masking steps.

Abstract: A sensor designed to determine the amount and concentration of analyte in a sample having a volume of less than about 1 .mu.L. The sensor has a working electrode coated with a non-leachable redox mediator. The redox mediator acts as an electron transfer agent between the analyte and the electrode. In addition, a second electron transfer agent, such as an enzyme, can be added to facilitate the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the analyte. The redox mediator is typically a redox compound bound to a polymer. The preferred redox mediators are air-oxidizable.The amount of analyte can be determined by coulometry. One particular coulometric technique includes the measurement of the current between the working electrode and a counter or reference electrode at two or more times. The charge passed by this current to or from the analyte is correlated with the amount of analyte in the sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for efficiently and precisely adhering and centering particles on tacky areas on a surface containing an array of tacky and non-tacky areas. These methods and apparatus for particle attachment and centering involve holding and heating of the surface containing an array of tacky and non-tacky areas with particles adhered thereon for a period of time and at a temperature to allow the particles to adhere and center to the tacky areas. The surface containing the array of tacky and non-tacky areas can be heated either prior to, during or after a step of contacting the array with particles. Either discrete sheets or a continuous moving web of material having a surface containing an array of tacky and non-tacky areas can be employed. Each tacky area of an array of tacky and non-tacky areas has a size and bonding strength suitable for adhesion of one particle thereto in formation of an array.

Abstract: A folding sawhorse is formed from a pair of substantially identical rectangular frames. The frames are constructed from four substantially identical wooden members via lap joints to make a smooth construction. The frames are also pivotally joined together by a pair of hinges fixedly coupled to top portions thereof. A flexible member or chain extends between the frames, but is displaced from the hinges. The hinges allow for pivotal movement of the frames, while the chain limits the range of pivotal movement.

Abstract: Improved processes for laser thermal imaging and imaged laserable assemblages obtained using the improved processes of this invention are described. These improved processes operate effectively at high speeds and also afford high image densities and good durability of images present on receiver elements upon thermal imaging done in accordance with these improved processes.

Abstract: An oxygen generating apparatus according to the present invention includes a reaction vessel and a cartridge. The cartridge is constructed for insertion into the reaction vessel, and includes a cartridge plate and a plurality of reagent tubes holding oxygen-producing reagents. The reagent tubes, which include at least one short tube and a plurality of standard tubes, each have an upper end coupled to the cartridge plate and a lower end which has an opening or port. When the cartridge is inserted into the reaction vessel, each of the plurality of standard tubes extends substantially to a floor of the reaction vessel, while the at least one short tube extends to a point remote from the floor of the reaction vessel. The cartridge may include an activation plate which causes the release of the reagents into the reaction vessel by pulling up a retaining sleeve when the cartridge is inserted into the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Process for producing pure terephthalic acid having improved means for recovering and/or recycling terephthalic acid precursors, residual acetic acid and other reaction by-products, such as methyl acetate.

Abstract: Methods of facilitating detaching pathological tissues from healthy tissues with which they have formed adherences and facilitating detachment of healthy tissues from other healthy tissues such as in plastic surgery are described in which an effective amount of sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (MESNA) is applied to the tissue or tissues.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering at least one perhalocycloalkane selected from the group consisting of octafluorocyclobutane, hexafluoro-bis(trifluoromethyl)cyclobutane (1,2 and 1,3; cis and trans), 1,2-dichloro-1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluorocyclobutane (cis and trans), 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-3,3,4,4-tetrafluorocyclobutane, 1-chloro-1,2,2,3,3,4-hexafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-cyclobutane, heptafluoro(trifluoromethyl)cyclobutane and chloroheptafluoro-cyclobutane from a mixture comprising (a) the perhalocycloalkane, (b) olefinic impurity and optionally (c) saturated fluorine-containing impurity selected from the group consisting of hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to high temperature, semi-crystalline, semi-aromatic nylon copolymers with improved shrinkage and blistering resistance, made from terephthalic acid (TA), hexamethylene diamine (HMD) and another aliphatic dicarboxylic acid as monomers. These polymers display superior % TD (Transverse Direction) annealing shrinkage, superior resistance to blistering when formulated with flame retardant additives and reinforcement under infrared (IR) reflow soldering conditions for electronic conectors, as well as a very good balance of mechanical performance as high temperature nylons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an automatically upgradeable software application that includes targeted advertising based upon demographics and user interaction with the computer. The software application is a graphical user interface that includes a display region used for banner advertising that is downloaded from time to time over a network such as the Internet. The software application is accessible from a server via the Internet and demographic information on the user is acquired by the server and used for determining what banner advertising will be sent to the user. The software application further targets the advertisements in response to normal user interaction, or use, of the computer. Associated with each banner advertisement is a set of data that is used by the software application in determining when a particular banner is to be displayed.

Abstract: A process for the production of 1,3-propanediol by hydrating acrolein in the presence of an ion exchanger to form 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde includes reacting acrolein and water in a ratio by weight of 1:2 to 1:20 at 30.degree. to 120.degree. C. and a pressure in the range from 1 to 20 bar, in the presence of an ion exchange hydration catalyst. The ion exchanger and any unreacted acrolein are separated from the reaction mixture. The 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde is then catalytically hydrogenated in a liquid or gas phase using hydrogenation catalysts. The ion exchanger hydration catalyst includes polyamine/polycarboxylic acid resins produced by reacting polyamine resins based on a crosslinked polyacrylamide matrix with acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives or a salt of an .omega.-haloalkanoic acid. An ion exchanger includes reaction product of reacting a polyamine resin based on a crosslinked polyacrylamide matrix with acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives or .omega.-haloalkanoic acid salts.

Abstract: A coated aramid fiber is disclosed wherein the coating is a small amount of chitosan and the coated fiber is useful in manufacture of an improved friction paper. An improved friction paper is, also, disclosed wherein chitosan is present throughout the paper as a coating on all components.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer compositions containing melt-fabricable functionalized fluoropolymer and high temperature resistant thermoplastic adhesion promoter have enhanced adhesion to metal at low concentrations of high temperature resistant thermoplastic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyimide photo alignment films for liquid crystal display devices comprising an aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride component containing 3,3',4,4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride and an aromatic diamine component containing at least one diamine of the group of formulae AI to AIII as given in the text. Further display devices and methods of their fabrication employing a photo alignment process are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for polymerizing ethylene, acyclic olefins, and/or selected cyclic olefins, and optionally selected olefinic esters or carboxylic acids, and other monomers. The polymerizations are catalyzed by selected transition metal compounds, and sometimes other co-catalysts. Since some of the polymerizations exhibit some characteristics of living polymerizations, block copolymers can be readily made. Many of the polymers produced are often novel, particularly in regard to their microstructure, which gives some of them unusual properties. Numerous novel catalysts are disclosed, as well as some novel processes for making them. The polymers made are useful as elastomers, molding resins, in adhesives, etc. Also described herein is the synthesis of linear .alpha.-olefins by the oligomerization of ethylene using as a catalyst system a combination a nickel compound having a selected .alpha.-diimine ligand and a selected Lewis or Bronsted acid, or by contacting selected .alpha.

Abstract: A load balancing mechanism includes an inner support bracket, a load support bracket end a pair of parallel support arms which join the inner support bracket and the load support bracket together. The arms are supported by a load balancing cylinder arrangement which offsets the weight of loads supported on the load support bracket and permits the arms to be raised and lowered manually by a user even when the load is heavy. The opposite ends of the support arms are joined to the brackets by a pivot pin and a pair of bearing assemblies such that each connection between an end of an arm and a bracket is supported by two bearing assemblies at the opposite ends of the pivot pin. This arrangement permits removal and maintenance of one bearing assembly while the other bearing assembly remains in load-bearing engagement to support the load.

Abstract: Methods and apparati for screening compounds for agricultural activity has now been developed which employ e.g., intact plants grown in microtiter plates on very small amounts of plant growth media containing a test compound. In comparison to the standard greenhouse screen, the microscreen requires vastly less space, labor, and test compound. However, unlike in vitro screens, responses of intact plants are assayed. Using the microscreen, high-throughput screening of test compounds can be accomplished using whole plant responses as the assay.