Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-N-aryl-2-pyrrolidone, 5-methyl-N-cycloalkyl-2-pyrrolidone, and 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone by reductive amination of levulinic acid esters with nitro compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

Abstract: A laminate of inorganic sheet and polyester resin having an overall thickness of 5 to 25 mils and having an elongation at break in both the cross direction and machine direction of at least 25%.

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

Abstract: Device for receiving and discharging bars fed forward in a longitudinal direction, preferably from a rolling mill and after being cut to length, of the type with two pair of adjacent, counter-rotating rollers/drums, characterized by the fact that the said bars are sent alternately into a zone immediately above each pair of said drums, which rotate and drag the bar between them in a downwards direction, and which subject the bar to elastic, friction compression in order to slow it down while it is being fed forward and then, continuing their rotation, make the bar fall in a pick-up zone below.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming a fluoropolymer layer on a thin film device, comprising contacting said thin film device with a gas phase fluoromonomer, and initiating polymerization of said fluoromonomer with a free radical polymerization initiator whereby said fluoromonomer polymerizes to form said fluoropolymer layer on said thin film device.

Abstract: A rail connector and method for mounting on a firearm having a front sight, the connector including at least two mounting rails, and a fastening member for securely fastening the connector directly to the front sight of the firearm, the fastening member being coupled to the mounting rails.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acids encoding plant defensins. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the plant defensin, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of plant defensins in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making substrates, in particular for optics, electronics or optoelectronics. The method includes an operation which consists in implanting (100) atomic species beneath the surface of a material in the form of a cylindrical ingot (1), at a depth of implantation distributed about a certain value by bombardment of the atomic species on a zone of the ingot (1) cylindrical surface, and an operation which consists in removing (300), at a separation depth located proximate to the depth of implantation, the layer (2) of material located between the surface and the separation depth, to remove the layer (2) from the rest of the cylindrical ingot (1).

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition made from admixing starting materials comprising: (a) 0 to 90 parts by weight of a polyolefin; (b) 5 to 95 parts by weight of a functional polyolefin; (c) 5 to 40 parts by weight of a polystyrenic; and (d) 0 to 30 parts by weight of an elastomer, where the total amount of components of (a), (b), (c) and (d) in the resin composition is 100 parts by weight. In a further embodiment, component (a) is a non-olefin copolymer and component (c) is high impact polystyrene. The resin compositions are useful as adhesives for metal and polyolefin substrates.

Abstract: A process that can be used as catalyst in esterification, transesterification or polycondensation is disclosed, which comprises a stable solution comprising (a) titanium in the form of a titanium ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid or its salt, (b) a C1-C6 carboxylic acid, and (c) zinc in the form of a water-soluble zinc salt, and (d) water. Also disclosed is an esterification, transesterification or polycondensation process, which comprises contacting, in the presence of the solution process, an organic acid or its ester or its salt with an alcohol, optionally in the presence of a phosphorus compound, an organic or inorganic toning agent such as cobalt acetate, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding an LPAAT isozyme is disclosed. Construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the LPAAT isozyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the LPAAT isozyme in a transformed host cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: A low VOC clear coat composition which comprises an epoxy compound, a melamine component and an aliphatic polyisocyanate having an average of 2 to 6 isocyanate functionalities, and optionally contains a catalyst (e.g., organotin catalysts, acid catalysts and combinations); a polyhydroxyl functional compound (e.g., polycarbonate polyol); or other additives (e.g., light absorbers and light stabilizers). Also disclosed is an article coated with the clear coat composition, a process of making the composition, and a process of applying the composition to, for example, an automobile body.

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

Abstract: Compositions having the nominal formula BiaSrbCacCu3Ox wherein a is from about 1 to 3, b is from about ? to 4, c is from about {fraction (3/16)} to 2, x=(1.5 a+b+c+y) where y is from about 2 to 5, with the proviso that “b+c” is from about {fraction (3/2)} to 5, containing a metal oxide phase of the formula Bi2Sr3?zCazCu2O8+w wherein z is from about 0.1 to 0.9 w is greater than zero but less than 1, are superconducting. Processes for manufacturing such compositions and for using them are disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated device including a functional circuitry and a built-in self testing circuit for executing a structured test on the functional circuitry is proposed. The functional circuitry includes means for receiving input test values from the built-in self testing circuit and returning output test values to the built-in self testing circuit. In the solution of the invention, the built-in self testing circuit includes a memory for storing starting test values and expected test values, means for generating the input test values according to the starting test values, and means for determining a result of the structured test according to a comparison between the output test values and the expected test values.

Abstract: A mounting device for contactlessly-operating proximity switches includes a continuous cylindrical or cuboidal recess for holding the proximity switch which is formed by at least two legs. The mounting device can also include at least one through pocket, connected to the recess, into which an actuating tool can fit. The recess of the mounting device, when in a relieved state, has a smaller diameter than the proximity switch which is to be mounted. Additionally, the recess can be spread into an enlarged state by the actuating tool being positioned into the pocket and turned.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical contact having high electrical conductivity for a compact electromagnetic relay including an internally oxidized silver-oxide material which is prepared by subjecting an Ag alloy having a composition consisting essentially of, by weight, 5.1 to 9% Sn, 1.5 to 5% In, and 0.005 to 0.06% Bi, with the balance being Ag and unavoidable impurities, to an internal oxidation treatment and then subjecting to a heat treatment for diffusion, aggregation, and growth of precipitated oxides, wherein the internally oxidized silver-oxide material has a metallographic structure such that coarse grains of composite oxides are dispersed and distributed in an Ag matrix, the coarse grains of composite oxides being formed as a result of coarsening of ultra-fine grains of Sn-based oxides and ultra-fine grains of In-based oxides, which are precipitated by the internal oxidation treatment, by the heat treatment for diffusion, aggregation, and growth of the precipitated oxides.

Abstract: A graphic system includes a pipelined graphic engine for generating image frames for display. The pipelined graphic engine includes a geometric processing stage for performing motion extraction, and a rendering stage for generating full image frames at a first frame rate for display at a second frame rate. The second frame rate is higher than the first frame rate. A motion encoder stage receives motion information from the geometric processing stage, and produces an interpolated frame signal representative of interpolated frames. A motion compensation stage receives the interpolated frame signal from the motion encoder stage, and the full image frames from the rendering stage for generating the interpolated frames. A preferred application is in graphic systems that operate in association with smart displays through a wireless connection, such as in mobile phones.

Abstract: A device for filtering electrical signals has a number of inputs arranged spatially at a distance from one another and supplying respective pluralities of input signal samples. A number of signal processing channels, each formed by a neuro-fuzzy filter, receive a respective plurality of input signal samples and generate a respective plurality of reconstructed samples. An adder receives the pluralities of reconstructed samples and adds them up, supplying a plurality of filtered signal samples. In this way, noise components are shorted. When activated by an acoustic scenario change recognition unit, a training unit calculates the weights of the neuro-fuzzy filters, optimizing them with respect to the existing noise.