Abstract: This invention relates to a supersonic center-feed nozzle system within the feed-inlet tube of a fluid-energy mill used for grinding particulate material such as titanium dioxide. Particularly, in the feed-inlet tube of the present invention, particulate material is introduced into the supersonic feed jet of primary grinding fluid in almost a perpendicular fashion, with the supersonic nozzle installed in the center of the particulate material core, imparting momentum to the particulate material. The momentum entrains the particulate into the main grinding chamber of the feed-inlet tube. In the main grinding chamber of the feed-inlet tube, a secondary stream of grinding fluid, introduced annularly, constricts the primary jet's divergent flow, enabling a higher turbulent mixing of the grinding fluids and the particulate material.

Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in the ratio of peracetic acid formation to peracetic acid hydrolysis specific activities (PAAF/PAAH ratio). The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons. The invention further relates to use of said cleaning compositions in methods to clean, degrease, deflux, dewater, and deposit fluorolubricant. The invention further relates to novel unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons and their use as cleaning compositions and in the methods listed above.

Abstract: Disclosed is a paste for a back contact-type solar cell that includes: (a) electrically conductive particles containing silver particle and added particles selected from the group consisting of (i) metal particles selected from the group consisting of Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Os, Ir and Pt particles, (ii) a metal alloy containing the metal particles, and (iii) particles loaded with the metal particles, (b) glass frit, and (c) a resin binder.

Abstract: An Email guarantee deposit method, system, and program product, with the method comprising in one embodiment, the steps of: receiving from a sender a request to send to a recipient an Email; receiving a deposit or an authorization to obtain a deposit of something of value; sending the Email to the recipient only if a deposit of authorization for a deposit is received; determining if the recipient has accepted the deposit; and if the recipient has accepted the deposit, then facilitating the disposal of the deposit. In an important alternate embodiment, a deposit can be required before an Email with a auditory or visual enhancement is provided, or before routing to a designated type of device occurs.

Abstract: An advertising monitoring system is presented in which subscriber selections including channel changes are monitored, and in which information regarding an advertisement is extracted from text related to the advertisement. The text related to the advertisement is in the form of closed caption text, data transmitted with the advertisement, or other associated text. A record of the effectiveness of the advertisement is created in which measurements of the percentage of the advertisement which was viewed are stored. Such records allow a manufacturer or advertiser to determine if their advertisement is being watched by subscribers. The system can be realized in a client-sever mode in which subscriber selection requests are transmitted to a server for fulfillment, in which case the advertisement monitoring takes place at the server side.

Abstract: An evaporation device for evaporating volatile substances such as aromatics and/or insecticides comprising a housing; and a receptacle arrangement carried by the housing having two receiving chambers for substances to be evaporated. Wicks inserted into the receiving chambers include wick ends protruding from the receiving chambers. A heater arrangement is carried in the housing for providing heat to the protruding wick ends for producing an evaporated substance. At least one blower is provided for generating a targeted air stream to entrain the evaporated substance. A control unit is provided for controlling the heater arrangement to evaporate the substances and for controlling the blower to be switched on at defined evaporation times.

Abstract: A four-bar linkage system for a chair having a leg rest extension, the linkage system having a first set of linkage members of irregular geometric shapes connected at one end to an outboard portion of a leg extension platform and at a second end to a seat member. A second set of linkage members of irregular geometric shapes is connected to the first set of linkage members and at one end to an inboard portion of the leg rest platform and at a second end to the seat member.

Abstract: A method for controlling the pressure and/or the flow rate of a fluid includes withdrawing flow energy from a fluid flowing through a pipeline (15). This energy is converted at least partially into electrical energy and used for the electrical control (65) of the flow rate and/or the pressure of a fluid. The device for controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of a fluid in a pipeline (20) has at least one electric generator (35), which is developed for the withdrawal of flow energy from a flowing fluid and for converting this energy at least partially into electrical energy. The device has a control mechanism (65) for controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of a fluid in a pipeline (20) with an electric driving mechanism supplied by the generator (35).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for surface treating a polymeric article using a combination of an acidic solution and a bifluoride solution, in any order. Such surface treated polymeric articles, when coated with a metal, have superior metal to polymer bonding properties. Useful applications include automotive grill-guards; brake, gas or clutch pedals; fuel rails; running boards; spoilers; muffler tips; wheels; vehicle frames; and structural brackets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to charge transport compositions. The invention further relates to electronic devices in which there is at least one active layer comprising such charge transport compositions.

Abstract: Recombinant bacteria capable of producing glycerol and glycerol-derived products from sucrose are described. The recombinant bacteria comprise in their genome or on at least one recombinant construct: a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose transporter activity; a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having fructokinase activity; and a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having sucrose hydrolase activity. These nucleotide sequences are each operably linked to the same or a different promoter. These recombinant bacteria are capable of metabolizing sucrose to produce glycerol and/or glycerol-derived products such as 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds useful as ionic liquids that are based on an N-substituted pyrrolidinone and incorporate a pendant ammonium cation that is spaced from the pyrrolidone ring by a variable length linker.

Abstract: The invention concerns a protective garment comprising a fabric made from a flame-resistant yarn having a fiber, obtainable by spinning a copolymer from the polymerization solution, derived from a plurality of amine monomers, including 4,4?diaminodiphenyl sulfone amine monomer, and at least one acid monomer; having use in heat-resistant protective apparel.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process to permit descent to sea bottom, with the use of two conventional tug boats, of equipment used in submarine field oil field exploration, especially descent of equipment of large size and mass in deep water fields. Equipment is being suspended by a sling, attached to an auxiliary component. This, on its turn, is attached to two cables, each one activated by one of the two tug boats. Connection of the auxiliary component to cables is being made by means of connectors, which are trespassed thru cable openings and attached to auxiliary component by screws, forming a connection, in which connectors may carry out a pivotal movement around holes of auxiliary component. This movement of said connectors almost entirely absorbs oscillations of tug boats caused by waves, without transmitting same to equipment. In this way, both tug boats may lower equipment and cross the so-called resonance area without risk of its occurrence.

Abstract: An optical glass lens set and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An optical glass lens is used as an insert that is set into a cavity of a mold. By injection molding of the molded insert or press molding, an optical glass lens set with a lens holder is formed. The optical glass lens set includes at least one optical glass lens and a lens holder for fixing the optical glass lens. The manufacturing method simplifies processes and improves the yield rate. Moreover, the produced optical glass lens set is easily packaged into a camera lens, especially suitable for mini-cameras and camera phones.

Abstract: Novel addressing schemes for controlling electronically addressable displays include a scheme for rear-addressing displays, which allows for in-plane switching of the display material. Other schemes include a rear-addressing scheme which uses a retroreflecting surface to enable greater viewing angle and contrast. Another scheme includes an electrode structure that facilitates manufacture and control of a color display. Another electrode structure facilitates addressing a display using an electrostatic stylus. Methods of using the disclosed electrode structures are also disclosed. Another scheme includes devices combining display materials with silicon transistor addressing structures.

Abstract: An aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising an aqueous medium, fluoropolymer particles, and an amine oxide surfactant. Coagulated fluoropolymer resin is produced from the dispersion by adding an acidic reagent in sufficient amount to cause coagulation and separation of the coagulated fluoropolymer resin from the aqueous medium. Another particulate component such as particular polymer, filler, pigment, solid lubricant, etc., may be added to the dispersion and co-coagulated to form a mixture of coagulated fluoropolymer resin and particulate component.

Abstract: Alcohols are catalytically oxidized to aldehydes, in particular to benzaldehyde and diformylfuran, which are useful as intermediates for a multiplicity of purposes. The invention also relates to the polymerization of the dialdehyde and to the decarbonylation of the dialdehyde to furan.

Abstract: An aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising an aqueous medium, fluoropolymer particles, and an amine oxide surfactant. Coagulated fluoropolymer resin is produced from the dispersion by adding an acidic reagent in sufficient amount to cause coagulation and separation of the coagulated fluoropolymer resin from the aqueous medium. Another particulate component such as particular polymer, filler, pigment, solid lubricant, etc., may be added to the dispersion and co-coagulated to form a mixture of coagulated fluoropolymer resin and particulate component.