Abstract: A waveguide core made of hydrogel serves as an immobilization matrix having receptor molecules embedded therein.

Abstract: Retail point-of-transaction systems, program products, and related computer implemented methods to provide a customized set of identification data to facilitate a retail sales point-of-sale transaction which includes the use of one or more electronic coupons is provided. The retail point-of-sale system can include a computer having memory and configured to facilitate one or more transactions each of which include the use of one or more electronic coupons through a retail point-of-transaction terminal positioned remote from, and adapted to be in communication with, the computer. The computer can also include a set of instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to redeem one or more electronic coupons for one or more retail transactions responsive to a customized set of identification data provided by the computer responsive to a data profile derived from a set of personal data of at least one of a plurality of remotely positioned users.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising a neutralized acid copolymer or ionomer thereof, an organic acid, and optionally other polymers, having a ratio of wet cup permeance to dry cup permeance greater than 10. The composition is useful as a variable vapor barrier for moisture control of buildings. Also disclosed are articles comprising the variable vapor composition and methods of their use.

Abstract: A method of providing water repellency, oil repellency, soil resistance, soil release, stain resistance and stain release to substrates comprising contacting said substrate with a composition comprising a copolymer having repeating units of Formula 1 in any sequence: wherein Rf is a straight or branched perfluoroalkyl group having from about 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, or a mixture thereof, which is optionally interrupted by at least one oxygen atom, Q is alkylene of 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkylene of 2 to about 15 carbon atoms, —O(CnH2n)—, —(CH2CF2)m(CH2)n—, —CONR1(CnH2n)—, —(CnH2n)OCONR1(CnH2n)—, (—CONR1CH2)2CH—, —SO2N(R1)(CnH2n)—, or —(CnH2n)SO2N(R1)(CnH2n)—, each R1 is independently H or alkyl of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, each n is independently 1 to about 15, each m is independently 1 to about 4, Z is hydrogen or methyl, x is a positive integer, y is zero or a positive integer, t is a positive integer, and M is H+, alkali metal cation, alkaline earth metal cation, or ammonium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of matter that are ionic liquids, the compositions comprising any of eleven cations combined with any of three fluorinated sulfonated anions. Compositions of the invention should be useful as solvents and, perhaps, as catalysts for many reactions, including aromatic electrophilic substitution, nitration, acylation, esterification, etherification, oligomerization, transesterification, isomerization and hydration.

Abstract: This invention concerns a flame-resistant garment having an outer shell fabric comprising 50 to 95 parts by weight of a polypyridobisimidazole fiber having an inherent viscosity of greater than 20 dl/g and 5 to 50 parts by weight of polybenzimidazole fiber.

Abstract: A micromechanical device described has an oscillation system with an oscillation body and an elastic suspension, by which the oscillation body is oscillatorily suspended. The elastic suspension has at least two spring beams. An adjuster for adjusting a resonant frequency of the oscillation system by changing the position of the at least two spring beams of the elastic suspension towards each other is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of matter that are ionic liquids, the compositions comprising any of eleven cations combined with any of three fluorinated sulfonated anions. Compositions of the invention should be useful as solvents and, perhaps, as catalysts for many reactions, including aromatic electrophilic substitution, nitration, acylation, esterification, etherification, oligomerization, transesterification, isomerization and hydration.

Abstract: Epoxy compositions exhibiting low viscosity in the uncured state and low coefficient of thermal expansion in the cured state are provided. Also provided are processes for making the epoxy compositions. The low dielectric constant compositions are well-suited for use in multi-layer printed circuit boards. The desired properties are achieved by employment of a bimodal distribution of nano-scale fillers in the epoxy compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of matter that are ionic liquids, the compositions comprising any of eleven cations combined with any of three fluorinated sulfonated anions. Compositions of the invention should be useful as solvents and, perhaps, as catalysts for many reactions, including aromatic electrophilic substitution, nitration, acylation, esterification, etherification, oligomerization, transesterification, isomerization and hydration.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compositions for fire-protection agents for materials, to a method for treating materials for protection against fire, and to the use of the compositions as fire-protection agents. More precisely, the invention relates to compositions for a fire-protection agent, such as a fire-protection paint, for materials, characterized in that ceramizing additives and volume-builders are contained as ingredients.

Abstract: The invention concerns a flame-resistant garment having an outer shell fabric comprising 5 to 40 parts by weight of a polybenzobisoxazole fiber and 60 to 95 parts by weight of a polypridobisimidazole fiber having an inherent viscosity of greater than 20 dl/g.

Abstract: A template for assisting a person with drawing and cutting two-dimensional shapes is disclosed. In one embodiment the template is a substantially planar member spaced apart surfaces. The template is formed in a selected shape having a handle disposed on one surface and a skid-resistant member disposed on an opposite surface. The handle and the skid-resistant member facilitate holding the template stationary in respect of a writing surface while tracing the shape of the template. In another embodiment the template includes two members formed in substantially matching shapes. A plurality of magnets is employed to secure the two members in substantial alignment having a material disposed therebetween. The outer edges of the two members provide a guide for cutting a piece of the material in a shape conforming to the shape of the template.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation, in particular selective hydrogenation of at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon compound comprising reacting the at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon compound with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst comprises a mixture of an ordered intermetallic compound and an inert material. According to another aspect, the present invention is concerned with the use of a mixture of at least one ordered intermetallic compound and at least one inert material, as a catalyst. The mixtures for use as a catalyst in the present invention can be prepared easily and achieve a superior activity in relation to the prior art, while preserving the high selectivity to the target compounds, e.g. in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene.

Abstract: A color value for an optical fiber of a fiberscope can be generated on the basis of the intensity values of a plurality of sensor elements of a sensor element arrangement that are sensitive to one spectral region each from a set of sensor spectral regions, if calibration values are provided for each of the spectral regions associated with the optical fiber. The intensity values of all sensor elements of the respective spectral region that are illuminated by the light guide can be combined with the provided calibration values, in order to obtain the color value associated with the optical fiber, which correctly reproduces the color of the light transported by the optical fiber.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and fed to an absorbing means. A first distillation liquid stream from the absorbing means is fed to a mass transfer means. A first distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is cooled to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied as the top feed to the absorbing means. A second distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is heated by cooling the first distillation vapor stream, combined with the residual vapor stream, and heated by cooling the gas stream. A second distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.

Abstract: In order to detect an image generated by an image source, a mirror arrangement is arranged between the image source and a detector. The mirror arrangement includes two spaced-apart deflection mirrors, which are parallel to each other or form an acute angle of less than 90° between them. In particular when the image source is a scintillator layer, shielding of X-rays from the detector with simultaneous compact dimensioning of the apparatus is achieved in this manner.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a penta-mirror multi-reflection image scanning module including at least one light source, five reflecting mirrors, a pickup lens, an image sensor, and a frame. The reflecting mirrors reflect a light beam from a document and a plurality of reflecting mirrors reflect a light beam of the document twice or more to change the light beam direction along light path, and satisfy specific optical conditions. The total tracking length (TTL) may be adjusted through an arrangement of the distance of the five reflecting mirrors, but may not be adjusted through the angle of the five reflecting mirrors. Therefore, the present invention not only increases the field of depth by increasing the length of optical path in a limited space, but also facilitates the assembling to adapt to different tracking lengths.

Abstract: Boron based catalysts and processes for preparing the catalysts are provided. The catalysts are suitable for the alkoxylation of alcohols using alkylene epoxides.

Abstract: A fluorinated alkylalkoxylate, and a process for its preparation in which at least one fluorinated alcohol is contacted with at least one alkylene epoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising an alkali metal borohydride, and an organic quaternary salt.