Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a UDP-galactose 4-epimerase. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the UDP-galactose 4-epimerase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the UDP-galactose 4-epimerase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one carbamate linkage prepared by: (i) reacting (a) at least one diisocyanate, polyisocyanate, or mixture thereof, and (b) at least one fluorinated compound selected from the formula (I): Rf(CH2)x[(CF2CF2)y(CH2CH2)z]m(R1)r-xH??(I) wherein Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; the total number of carbons in said formula (I) excluding (R1)r-XH ranges from about 8 to about 22; and (ii) optionally reacting with (c) water, a linking agent, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Films comprising a liquid-absorbant layer and an impermeable layer are provided. Processes for manufacturing these films is also provided. The films are suitable for preparation of tubular casings and shrinkbags, in particular, casings for smoked foodstuffs. Also described are foodstuffs processed in the tubular casings.

Abstract: A fabric assembly particularly useful as soft body armor has two separate sections each containing a number of fabrics made from yarns having a tenacity of at least 7.3 grams per dtex and a modulus of at least 100 grams per dtex. Compressed fabrics in the first section are employed and are connected by connectors that have a force to break in tension not greater than 65N and define areas on the outer surfaces of the compressed fabric in a range from 15 to 350 square mm. Fabrics in the second section have at most a small amount of compression and are not joined other than to prevent slippage of the fabrics relative to one another.

Abstract: A process for the production of special effect multi-layer coatings, comprising the successive steps: (1) applying a 10 to 30 ?m thick base coat layer onto a substrate provided with an EDC primer, (2) applying a clear coat layer onto the base coat layer, (3) jointly curing the base coat and clear coat layers, wherein the base coat layer is applied in a first layer and in a second layer; the first layer comprises a modified water-borne base coat produced by mixing an unmodified water-borne base coat with an admixture component and the second layer comprises the unmodified water-borne base coat, wherein the unmodified water-borne base coat has a ratio by weight of pigment content to resin solids content of 0.05:1 to 0.6:1 and wherein the pigment content of the unmodified water-borne base coat comprises at least one metal flake pigment having a thickness of 10 to 100 nm corresponding to a proportion of 0.1 to 5 wt.

Abstract: Provided are new compounds based on salts of aromatic acids containing perfluoroalkyl substituents. The compounds can be used as surfactants.

Abstract: A portion of a container includes a plurality of first resilient support members having a first height. The first resilient support members are configured to contact an edge of a component placed in the container. A plurality of second support members each have a second, smaller height. The second support members are arranged relative to the first resilient support members such that the second support members contact the edge of the component if corresponding ones of the first resilient support members deflect a sufficient amount.

Abstract: A fabric assembly particularly useful as soft body armor has two separate sections each containing a number of fabrics made from yarns having a tenacity of at least 7.3 grams per dtex and a modulus of at least 100 grams per dtex. Compressed fabrics in the first section are employed and are connected by connectors that have a force to break in tension not greater than 65 N and are spaced apart by between 6 to 51 mm. Fabrics in the second section have at most a small amount of compression and are not joined other than to prevent slippage of the fabrics relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for hydrolyzing polyphosphoric acid in polyareneazole filaments.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a multi-layer coating, comprising sequentially applying a primer surfacer, a basecoat, and a clear coat composition on an automotive substrate in a wet-on-wet-on-wet manner, and simultaneously curing the applied three layers together in a single baking step, wherein the primer surfacer comprises: a film forming binder, a volatile organic liquid carrier, and pigment(s); and the binder contains about: (a) about 30 to 80% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a hydroxyl functional polyester resin; (b) about 10 to 30% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of a melamine resin, a blocked polyisocyanate resin, or a mixture thereof; (c) about 10 to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a dispersed graft polymer comprising a non-crosslinked core of acrylic polymer which is substantially non-soluble in non-polar organic solvent and, grafted to the core, one end of an acrylic sta

Abstract: A method of raising a building with respect to the ground; the method including the steps of: forming a mat having a number of through holes; inserting a foundation pile through each hole; fitting each foundation pile with a lifting device; exerting thrust on the foundation piles by means of the lifting devices to raise the building with respect to the ground; and fixing each foundation pile axially to the mat once the building is raised; the lifting devices are divided into three equivalent, symmetrical, independent work groups; and the lifting devices of one work group at a time are activated simultaneously, so that the building is raised isostatically, by simultaneously activating the lifting devices of one work group at a time, while the lifting devices of the other two work groups are left idle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing polyalcohols in the form of sugar alcohols from the group comprising sorbitol and mannitol and other optional C2 to C6 polyols. According to said method, a monosaccharide, disaccharide, oligosaccharide, or polysaccharide containing at least one glucose unit and/or at least one fructose unit is continuously reacted with hydrogen at an elevated temperature and at a great pressure in an aqueous phase in the presence of a hydrogenating catalyst based on ruthenium or ruthenium oxide so as to obtain the inventive polyalcohols. The minimum temperature is set at 100° C. while the minimum pressure is set at 150 bar and the maximum dwell time of the reactants during catalytic hydrogenation is set at 600 s.

Abstract: This invention concerns a fluorometer preferably combined with a thermal cycler useful in biochemical protocols such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA melting curve analysis. The present fluorometer features a low heat-generating light source such as a light emitting diode (LED), having a one-to-one correspondence to each of a plurality of sample containers, such as capped PCR tubes in a standard titer tray. The fluorometer of the present invention further comprises an optical path between each LED and its correspondingly positioned container, and another optical path between each fluorescing sample within the positioned container and an optical signal sensing means. The instrument can be computer controlled.

Abstract: Permanent magnets or electromagnets or a combination of such magnets are provided as a method to retain a prosthetic device on an extremity, such as an arm. The prosthesis utilizes the opposing forces, which are developed by virtue of like magnetic poles being in proximity to each other, to urge the prosthesis to remain attached to the extremity. The prosthesis is prevented from rotation by virtue of a centering force that is provided by an attachment magnet in the prosthesis being placed between two implanted magnets. A removable mounting ring is placed over the prosthesis straps to maintain them in proximity to the extremity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to transgenic glyphosate/ALS inhibitor-tolerant soybean plants are provided. Specifically, soybean plants having a 3560.4.3.5 event which imparts tolerance to glyphosate and at least one ALS-inhibiting herbicide are provided. The soybean plant harboring the 3560.4.3.5 event at the recited chromosomal location comprises genomic/transgene junctions having at least the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 and/or 11. The characterization of the genomic insertion site of the 3560.4.3.5 event provides for an enhanced breeding efficiency and enables the use of molecular markers to track the transgene insert in the breeding populations and progeny thereof. Various methods and compositions for the identification, detection, and use of the soybean 3560.4.3.5 events are provided. Methods and compositions for increasing yield are also provided.

Abstract: An acoustic solar control laminate comprising a multi-layer interlayer formed of a solar control film bonded between two polymeric sheets with at least one being an acoustic poly(vinyl acetal) sheet is provided.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a group of objects, and an arrangement to implement the method includes providing each object of the group to be monitored with a radio node of a self-networking radio network, whereby each radio node within the group has a unique identification. The radio nodes of the group automatically reveal themselves at a starting time and network with one another. The radio nodes of the group monitor themselves from the starting time and convey at least one specified change in an initial mutual situation. At least one of the radio nodes when notifying or recognizing a specified change, conveys information concerning the change to a monitoring unit and/or controls an alarm transmitter for activating an alarm.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass compositions useful in conductive pastes for silicon semiconductor devices and photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: Processes of making hyperbranched polymers comprising heating in the presence of a mild basic/nucleophilic esterification catalyst a monomer mixture comprising a hyperbranching monomer consisting of compounds having two COOH groups and one OH group, compounds having one COOH group and two OH groups, compounds having one COOH group and three OH groups, or compounds having three COOH groups and one OH group, wherein the mild basic/nucleophilic esterification catalyst is selected from tin, titanium, aluminum, antimony, manganese, zinc, and calcium derivatives. Processes of making thermoplastic compositions comprising melt-mixing the hyperbranched polymers with one or more thermoplastic polymers and one or more fillers, preferably glass, such that the thermoplastic composition composition exhibits an increase in melt viscosity of less than 10% as measured between 5 minutes and 32 minutes hold up time (HUT) and according to ISO 11443 at 250° C. and at a shear rate of 1000 s?1.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods that make use of complexes comprising one or more inhibitory nucleic acids and a targeting polypeptide, wherein the targeting polypeptide consists of a cell surface receptor ligand. The compositions can be used in methods of silencing gene expression in a cell, in delivering agents to a target cell, and in treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject.