Abstract: Processes for the alkoxylation of alcohols using alkylene epoxides in the presence of boron based catalysts are provided.

Abstract: A foam-forming composition is disclosed which includes both cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and a poorly compatible active hydrogen-containing compound having two or more active hydrogens. Also disclosed is a closed-cell polyurethane or polyisocyanurate polymer foam prepared from reaction of effective amounts of the foam-forming composition and a suitable polyisocyanate. Also disclosed is a process for producing a closed-cell polyurethane or polyisocyanurate polymer foam by reacting an effective amount of the foam-forming composition with a suitable polyisocyanate.

Abstract: A system and a method for producing a quantified defined portions of powder from at least one biological material at cryotemperature is shown, comprising means for grinding the biological material deposited in at least one first vessel to the powder; means for loosening the powder resulting from grinding the biological material in the first vessel; means for positioning at least one first opening in the first vessel, and means for transferring the quantified defined portions of powder in a plurality of second vessels by using the first opening as a transfer way.

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

Abstract: An electrophoretic medium comprises an electrophoretic layer, a layer of lamination adhesive and a polymeric layer disposed between the electrophoretic layer and the lamination adhesive layer, the polymeric layer being impermeable to the fluid. A second form of electrophoretic medium has a layer of a complex of an alkali metal and a polymer in contact with the electrophoretic layer. A third form of electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of discrete droplets of internal phase in a binder, and further comprises a salt.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for altering the ion conductivity of a membrane. The method comprises inserting a biological photoreceptor into the membrane. The biological photoreceptor is configured to act as a light-controlled ion channel. The photoreceptor used comprises an apoprotein and a light-sensitive polyene covalently bound to the apoprotein, wherein the polyene interacts with the apoprotein and functions as a light-sensitive gate.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include an amino acid sequence, and variants and fragments thereof, for an antipathogenic polypeptide that was isolated from a fungal fermentation broth. Nucleic acid molecules that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides of the invention, and antipathogenic domains thereof, are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the nucleotide sequences disclosed herein is further provided. The method comprises introducing into a plant an expression cassette comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes an antipathogenic polypeptide of the invention. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a transformed microorganism comprising a nucleic acid of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided.

Abstract: A composition and an article comprising or produced from the composition are disclosed. The composition comprises an ionomer and a reducing static charge-buildup amount of potassium ion wherein the ionomer is neutralized with sodium, zinc, or magnesium ions. The article can be a film including a multilayer film.

Abstract: A process for the production of aqueous binder latices by multistage emulsion polymerization in the aqueous phase, comprising the successive steps: 1) free-radical polymerization of a mixture A of olefinically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable monomers, comprising at least one monomer with at least one acid group in a proportion corresponding to an acid value of mixture A of 10 to 100 mg of KOH/g and 0.5 to 5 wt.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for making a decorative base paper for a paper laminate comprising impregnating a base paper with a pigment mixture of titanium dioxide and water wherein the titanium dioxide pigment is made by treating a mixture of titanium dioxide pigment and water with a source of phosphorus and a source of aluminum; drying the treated mixture to form a treated pigment, the treated pigment having surface hydroxyl groups; and removing a major proportion of the surface hydroxyl groups of the treated pigment. Preferably the surface hydroxyl groups are removed by thermal treatment, for example at temperatures ranging from 300° C. to 800° C. The source of phosphorus is typically phosphoric acid and the source of aluminum is typically sodium aluminate. The pigment can be characterized by an isoelectric point which is greater than pH 6 and a negative zeta potential of at least 20 mV at a pH of 7.5 or more and wherein the pigment has improved light fastness.

Abstract: A method of pricing a commodity involving selecting a predetermined market factor, determining at a first time period a first market condition, and providing a formula capable of comparing a predetermined market factor to a market condition to determine the existence of a favorable pricing condition. The method prices a first portion of the commodity when the application of the formula to the predetermined market factor and the first market condition indicates the existence of a first favorable pricing condition. The method prices a second portion of the commodity when the application of the formula to the predetermined market factor and a second market condition indicates the existence of a second favorable pricing condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thick film conductor composition comprised of (a) aluminum-containing powder; (b) one or more glass frit compositions; dispersed in (c) organic medium wherein at least one of said glass frit compositions has a softening point of less than 400° C.

Abstract: An interlock system using biometrics scans to identify in real-time an individual who seeks to operate a mechanical device, such as an automobile. Biometrics features that uniquely identify an individual are selected. If a real-time biometrics scan of the individual does not match a stored image of an authorized operator, the interlock system will lock the mechanical device to prevent operation. The interlock system may be used in conjunction with a breath alcohol analyzer to determine impairment. If the biometrics testing indicates that the individual is required to be tested for impairment, the mechanical device will not operate until the testing is completed.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydroxy alkyl isocyanurates, coating compositions comprising hydroxy alkyl isocyanurates and methods for producing hydroxy alkyl isocyanurates. Dried and cured coating compositions containing the hydroxy alkyl isocyanurates provide excellent durability, gloss and distinctness of image.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formulae 1 and 1a, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein R1, R1a, Y, and J are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling plant disease caused by a fungal pathogen comprising applying an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention. Further disclosed is a method for preparing compounds of Formula 1 from compounds of Formula 1a.

Abstract: A portable fire-extinguisher comprises a metal casing (3) with an internal chamber (4) for housing a charge (5) of a solid substance which can be transformed, at a predetermined temperature, into an aerosol with flame-extinguishing properties. A delivery opening (7) puts the chamber (4) into communication with the exterior. An explosive cartridge primer (10), associated with a striker mechanism (13), is provided for triggering the reaction of the extinguishing charge (5). The primer (10) and the striker mechanism (13) are located near a distal end (5a) of the charge (5) so as to trigger the chemical reaction of the charge (5) from that end.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process for preparing photoluminescent samarium-doped titanium dioxide, typically in the rutile phase, comprising: precipitating, preferably at a pH of about 2 to about 3, a mixture comprising hydrated titanium oxide, a source of samarium, and a separable filtering agent to form a precipitated mixture comprising precipitated samarium-doped hydrated titanium oxide and the separable filtering agent; filtering the precipitated mixture to form a filter cake comprising the precipitated samarium-doped hydrated titanium oxide and the separable filtering agent; calcining the precipitated samarium-doped hydrated titanium oxide and separable filtering agent at a temperature of greater than about 300° C. to form a mixture comprising samarium-doped titanium dioxide and the separable filtering agent; and removing the separable filtering agent to recover samarium-doped titanium dioxide particles.

Abstract: A jet vane for use in streams of hot gas, comprising a wing having a core area and a cover skin area surrounding the core area, is proposed. The cover skin area is made of a fiber-reinforced material, and the fibers in the cover skin area are oriented substantially parallel to the wing surface, and/or the cover skin area is made of a fiber-reinforced material that is reinforced with short fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel production process by which unstable terminal groups can be sufficiently stabilized under mild conditions. The present invention is related to a method for producing an —SO3H group-containing fluoropolymer wherein a fluoropolymer to be treated having a —SO2X group-containing monomer unit (X representing F or Cl) is subjected to a procedure comprising at least the steps A, B and C defined below in that order: A: Step of reacting with a halogenating agent; B: Step of reacting with a decomposition treatment agent; C: Step of reacting with a fluorinating agent.

Abstract: Linear block copolymers that have at least one hydrophilic block and at least one hydrophobic block, wherein the hydrophilic block of the copolymer has at least one carboxylic acid functionality (or salt thereof) that can readily decarboxylate. These copolymers are useful as binders and/or dispersants in inkjet inks.