Abstract: A submarine optical cable having a central polymeric buffer tube, said cable being particularly suitable for long-haul repeatered systems. A longitudinal reinforcing element is embedded into the walls of the central polymeric buffer tube which is of relatively small dimensions. The presence of said reinforcing element allows a precise control over the excess fiber length within the buffer tube. This reinforcing element is of relatively small diameter, in order to comply with the requirements of reduced dimensions of the buffer tube. Notwithstanding this relatively small diameter, said longitudinal reinforcing element allows for a good control over the longitudinal shrinkage of the polymeric buffer tube within the submarine cable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing layer-like structures in which a material layer having hollow cavities, preferably a porous material layer, is produced on or out of a substrate consisting, for example, of monocrystalline p-type or n-type Si and in which the layer-like structure, or a part of it, is subsequently provided on the cavity exhibiting or porous material layer. The layer-like structure, or a part of it, is subsequently separated from the substrate using the layer having the hollow cavities, or porous layer, as a point of desired separation, for example through the production of a mechanical strain within or at a boundary surface of the cavity exhibiting or porous layer. The method is characterized in that the surface of the substrate is structured prior to the production of the porous layer, or in that the surface of the porous layer is structured.

Abstract: The present invention relates an electrically conductive wire having a metal core and an outer electrically-insulative, polymer coating wherein the polymer composition contains polyphenylene sulfide, a polymeric grafting agent and an ethylene copolymer. The polymeric grafting agent is a copolymer of at least about 50% by weight ethylene, about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a reactive comonomer selected from the group consisting of: (i) an unsaturated epoxide of 4-11 carbon atoms, (ii) an unsaturated isocyanate of 2-11 carbon atoms, (iii) an unsaturated alkoxy silane and/or unsaturated alkyl silane wherein the alkoxy or alkyl group is from 1-12 carbon atoms, and (iv) an oxazoline; and about 0 to about 49% by weight of a third optional comonomer selected from at least one of an alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, vinyl ether, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide, where the alkyl and ether groups are of 1-12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Cyclic ester oligomers (CEOs) are manufactured from linear polyesters or their precursors by a continuous reactive extraction in which the linear polyesters are converted to the CEOs and the CEOs selectively removed from the mixture by extraction with a fluid. The fluid may be a liquid or a gas. The CEOs prodcued are useful as monomers, for example in a reaction injection molding process to rapidly form polyesters from low viscosity liquids.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method for down-regulating the biological activity of osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL, TRANCE) thereby rendering possible the treatment/amelioration of diseases characterized by excessive loss of bone mass, e.g. osteoporosis. Down-regulation is effected by inducing an immune response against OPGL in an individual in need thereof. Immune responses can be raised by classical immunization with immunogenic variants of OPGL or by nucleic acid immunization where the nucleic acids encode the OPGL variant. The invention also pertains to compositions, polypeptides and nucleic acids useful in the invention, as well as to vectors and transformed host cells useful in the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The test head manipulator comprises two bearings coupled to a frame. A lead screw is rotatably disposed between the two bearings. A non-translation mechanism is also provided to prevent the lead screw from translating along its longitudinal axis. A lead nut is threaded onto the lead screw, but is prevented from rotating about the longitudinal axis by a non-rotation mechanism. A carriage configured to couple with an electronic test head is coupled to the lead nut by means of a system of cables and pulleys. Therefore, when the lead screw is rotated, the lead nut translates along the longitudinal axis, moving the cables and translating the carriage and test head along a vertical path. The lead screw and nut are non-backdrivable to lock the carriage in position.

Abstract: Hydroxy functional urethane compounds comprising the reaction product of a hydroxy functional urethane intermediate with a compound having at least 2 isocyanate groups, wherein the intermediate is represented by the formula: wherein R1 and R2=hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or a residue R6—O— or R6—CO—O— with R6; R6=an alkyl, cycloalkyl or benzylic group having up to 18 carbon atoms; R4 and R5=hydrogen or alkyl group containing eventually a hydroxyl group; and R3=alkyl, cycloalkyl or benzylic group eventually containing an ether linkage and/or a hydroxyl group, or HO—CH(R1)—CH(R2)—; and is prepared by reaction of a cyclic 5-ring carbonate with a beta-hydroxy functional, secondary amine. The hydroxy functional urethanes are useful in paints and coatings, particularly for automotive applications.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a holographic optical element that is comprised of at least one primary hologram (as defined herein) and at least one complementary hologram (as defined herein). The holographic optical element is useful as a security device, since it is relatively easily produced and yet is uncopyable in total. Also disclosed are methods for establishing the authenticity of the holographic optical element.

Abstract: This invention provides for an aqueous metallic flake containing coating composition having improved glamour. The coating composition includes a neutralized phosphated segmented copolymer dispersed in an aqueous carrier. The phosphorous moiety in the segmented copolymer passivates the metallic flakes, such as aluminum flakes, used to produce the glamour. As a result, generation of hydrogen gas is substantially reduced. The segmented copolymer is provided with hydrophobic and nonionic hydrophilic segments. Applicants have discovered that by including a nonionic hydrophilic segment in the segmented copolymer, glamour of the resultant coating composition can be improved.

Abstract: A passenger seat frame assembly, including a seat bottom chassis including a plurality of leg modules and section assembly modules. The leg modules are attached to fixed, spaced-apart attachment points on a supporting surface, such as the deck of an aircraft fuselage. A plurality of beam elements are carried by the leg modules and section assembly modules. A plurality of clamp joints are provided for being positioned on the plurality of leg modules and for receiving the plurality of beam elements in spaced-apart relation to each other for defining a ladder frame assembly having a specified width and seat spacing.

Abstract: Articles such as tubing and wire insulation made from fluoropolymer having functional groups exhibit improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: This invention pertains to nucleic acid fragments encoding plant proteins that are homologs to the cis-prenyltransferases UPP synthase from the bacterium Micrococcus luteus or Dedol-PP synthase from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. More specifically, this invention pertains to cis-prenyltransferase homologs from wheat, grape, soybean, rice, African daisy, rubber tree latex and pot marigold.

Abstract: The invention provides fragrance-emitting shaped articles such as slide fasteners which retain the various characteristics inherent to polyacetal resins. Shaped articles such as the row of engaging teeth, top end stop and bottom end stop or separable end stop assembly for a slide fastener are manufactured from a resin composition comprising a polyacetal resin and a fragrance material having an aldehyde group-free chemical structure and a boiling point which is at least as high as the polyacetal resin processing temperature.

Abstract: Processes for hydrocyanation of nonconjugated aliphatic monoolefins or monoolefins conjugated to an ester group utilizing a catalyst precursor composition comprising an unsymmetrical bidentate phosphite ligand and zero-valent nickel, preferably in the presence of a Lewis acid promoter, to produce a terminal organo-nitrile. Catalyst precursor compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for carrying electrical energy in connections in underground cables. In particular, it relates to a method of laying cables and a trench filler having a low thermal resistivity, used for laying underground cables for carrying electrical energy. More particularly, it relates to the use of an inert filler to be disposed in an area around the cables or the parts of the system, such as joints, which are disposed underground. The method of laying cables disposed in a trench includes: removing the original soil to prepare the trench; disposing a first layer of a first composition in the trench; disposing the cables on top of the first layer; disposing a second layer of the first composition on top of the cables; disposing a third layer on top of the second layer formed by a second composition to fill the trench. The first composition comprises: 60-90% by weight of crushed sand; 4-15% by weight of silt; 2-12% by weight of cement; and 4-15% by weight of water.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers. In the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator. The process comprises: I) introducing mono-olefinic monomer, catalyst, and initiator into a reactor in the absence of multi-olefinic monomer and producing an activatable prepolymer, component B; II) contacting the product of I) with multi-olefinic monomer to produce components A and C, optionally in the presence of additional initiator; also optionally in the presence of additional mono-olefinic monomer and initiator. The ratio of components A/(B+C) can be controlled by varying the mole ratio of The Component B/multi-olefinic monomer from 0.05/1 up to 5/1, by decreasing the mole ratio to increase the ratio of A/(B+C), and increasing the mole ratio to decrease the ratio of A/(B+C).

Abstract: A cage-nut assembly includes a nut positioned within a cage structure. The cage structure is configured to provide high torsional strength to prevent rotation of the nut. The cage structure has a flat base and an at least partially open end portion. The cage structure includes a blocking member preventing the nut from moving laterally along the base through the at least partially open end portion. The blocking member is relatively structurally weak in a direction orthogonal to a torsional rotation direction of the nut. The structurally weak blocking member is bendable when less than approximately 20 lbs. of force is applied to the blocking member to open the end portion and allow the nut to move laterally along the base through the end portion for removal of the nut.

Abstract: A tunable artificial dielectric material achieves the weight reductions made possible in U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,485 and further achieves even higher resonant frequency tuning ratios. In one embodiment of the invention, the artificial dielectric substrate for a patch antenna comprises alternating low and high permittivity layers, with the high permittivity layers each comprised of printed capacitive Frequency Selective Surface (FSS). An example FSS of the invention has a voltage tunable effective sheet capacitance by virtue of varactor diodes integrated into each unit cell. By appropriate adjustment of the bias voltage across the varactor diodes, the amount of the electric field stored in the substrate can be varied, which further varies the resonant frequency of the patch antenna.

Abstract: A side-by-side or eccentric sheath-core bicomponent fiber wherein each component comprises a different poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition and wherein at least one of the compositions comprises styrene polymer dispersed throughout the poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and preparation and use thereof.