Abstract: A shear valve assembly includes a stationary valve manifold having a manifold planar surface containing a plurality of manifold input ports and one or more manifold output ports, a movable valve switch having a switch planar surface in slidable, interactive contact with the manifold planar surface forming an interactive contact junction, the switch planar surface having a fluid switching channel capable of connecting one of the plurality of manifold input ports with one of the one or more manifold output ports, a surface modifying component disposed at the interactive contact junction that provides a period of extended useful life of the manifold planar surface and the switch planar surface beyond the useful life of pre-lubricated interactive contact junction, a drive shaft connected to the valve switch, and a valve housing supporting the stationary valve manifold, the movable valve switch, and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent;. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.

Abstract: The current invention provides a process in which ethers are converted into ?-olefins by passage over a modified alumina catalyst. The alumina catalyst is made by treating gamma-alumina with a rare earth metal oxide such as lanthanum oxide, La2O3. The modified aluminum catalysts convert 1-methoxyoctane into 1-octene with high selectivity at high conversion rates.

Abstract: A lightweight concrete composition containing from 10 to 90 volume percent of a cement composition, from 10 to 90 volume percent of particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.03 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, and from 0 to 50 volume percent of aggregate; where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent, and where after the lightweight concrete composition is set it has a compressive strength of at least 1700 psi as tested according to ASTM C39 after seven days. The concrete composition can be used to make concrete masonry units, construction panels, road beds and other articles.

Abstract: A lightweight cementitious composition containing from 22 to 90 volume percent of a cement composition and from 10 to 78 volume percent of particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.03 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, where after the lightweight cementitious composition is set it has a compressive strength of at least 1700 psi as tested according to ASTM C39. The cementitious composition can be used to make concrete masonry units, construction panels, road beds and other articles and can be included as a layer on wall panels and floor panels and can be used in insulated concrete forms. Aspects of the lightweight cementitious composition can be used to make lightweight structural units.

Abstract: A polyolefin blend comprising: (a) from 30 to 80 weight % of a low molecular weight copolymer comprising from 85 to 100 weight % of ethylene and from 15 to 0 weight % of one or more C4-8 alpha olefins having a density from 0.953 to 0.965 g/cm3 and a melt flow rate (2.16 kg 190° C.) from 0.1 to 20.0 g/10 minutes; and (b) from 70 to 20 weight % of a high molecular weight copolymer comprising from 85 to 99.9 weight % of ethylene and from 15 to 0.1 weight % of one or more C4-8 alpha olefins having a density from 0.915 to 0.940 g/cm3 and a melt flow rate (21.6 kg 190° C.) from 0.05 to 5.0 g/10 minutes, said copolymer being prepared with a single site catalyst is useful in the preparation of pipe.

Abstract: Methods and kits for preventing or reducing the likelihood of implantation failure or spontaneous abortion in a recipient of FET, ICSI, GIFT or ZIFT are provided. The methods include administering into a recipient of FET, ICSI, GIFT or ZIFT in need of such treatment an effective amount of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a colorimetric method for the detection of specific nucleic acids sequences, including mutations or single nucleotide polymorphisms within nucleic acid sequences, through the aggregation of nanoparticles functionalized with modified oligonucleotides, induced by an increase of the medium's ionic strength. Another aspect of the present invention relates with the development of a kit based on the method of the present invention, allowing for a quick and easy detection of specific nucleic acids sequences, including mutations or single nucleotide polymorphisms within nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A lightweight concrete composition containing from 10 to 90 volume percent of a cement composition, from 10 to 90 volume percent of particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.03 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, and from 0 to 50 volume percent of aggregate; where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent, and where after the lightweight concrete composition is set it has a compressive strength of at least 1700 psi as tested according to ASTM C39 after seven days. The concrete composition can be used to make concrete masonry units, construction panels, road beds and other articles.

Abstract: An adjustable roof truss that includes roof truss members, roof base members and a central body containing a polymer matrix. The roof truss members include a pivot end, a connection end, a roof facing edge, an inside edge, and a pivot surface. The roof base members include a receiving end, a connecting end, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a contact surface. The roof truss members are pivotally connected to the roof base members by a pivot fastener inserted through a pivot opening on the roof base members and a stator opening on the roof truss members. One or both of the roof truss members and the roof base members include an embedded portion extending from the roof facing edge or the bottom edge respectively into the central body. Expansion hole(s) are positioned along the embedded portion such that the polymer matrix expands through the expansion holes.

Abstract: A grafted polymer and its use in polymer/liquid crystal composite films, and more particularly in PDLC films, is disclosed. The grafted polymer includes (alkyl)acrylic acid or (alkyl)acrylamide moieties. At least one of the moieties is grafted with an alkylphenol or with an alkoxylated alkylphenol.

Abstract: A longwave infrared (LWIR) camera system incorporates a prism having a reflecting face with an internal surface and an external surface, an input face and an output face. A visible light source provides light to the prism input face and an image detector is positioned to receive light from the prism output face. A plurality of bi-metal cantilevers are arranged in a MEMS array immediately adjacent the external surface of the reflecting face of the prism. Each of the bi-metal cantilever deflects based on absorbed infrared energy to contact the outer surface of the reflecting face. A CMOS image sensor is employed as the image detector.

Abstract: Resin beads having an average particle size of from 0.001 mm to 10 mm and containing a continuous phase and a particulate dispersed phase are described. The continuous phase includes elastomeric polymers; the dispersed phase includes homopolymers and/or copolymers containing repeat units resulting from the polymerization of one or more aryl polymerizable monomers. The unexpanded polymer resin beads can be prepared by dispersing an organic phase containing elastomeric polymers and one or more monomers, into droplets and polymerizing the monomers in the organic droplets in a low shear flow pattern. The beads can be impregnated with blowing agents, expanded and can be used to make molded articles. Resin beads having a continuous phase comprising a nitrile rubber, and a dispersed phase comprising one or more homopolymers and/or copolymers containing repeat units resulting form the polymerization of one or more aryl polymerizable show prolonged retention of blowing agents in unexpanded form.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a catalyst useful in gas phase polymerization of olefins wherein the hydrogen response of the catalyst can be improved by using a ketone as the electron donor in the catalyst. The catalyst consists of compounds of Ti, Mg, Al and a ketone preferably supported on an amorphous support.

Abstract: This invention that forms the subject matter of this patent is related to a light socket that may be disassembled and repaired in case of any breakdown, or replaced by a new one that may be fixed to the body of a fridge by means of a special socket due to be used in fridges, at polyurethane isolated cabins.

Abstract: A polymer composition that includes a first polyolefin polymer and an interpenetrating network polymer. The interpenetrating network polymer includes a second polyolefin polymer present in an amount of from 10 percent by weight to 80 percent by weight, based on total weight of the interpenetrating network polymer, and a vinyl aromatic polymer present in an amount of from 20 percent by weight to 90 percent by weight, based on total weight of the interpenetrating network polymer. As initially provided in the polymer composition, the interpenetrating network polymer is substantially free of crosslinking. The polymer composition itself is at least partially crosslinked. An expandable polymer composition is provided that includes the polymer composition and an expansion agent, which can be expanded to form an expanded polymer composition that can have a density of from 16 to 400 Kg/m3.

Abstract: A new and distinct Campanula plant distinguished by its large nodding bells of deep blue violet flowers and its vigor. Compared to its parent Campanula×pulloides ‘G. F. Wilson’, the new variety has larger flowers, larger leaves, larger plant size, and better vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Heuchera plant characterized by shiny plum purple colored leaves in spring and summer, older leaves with strongly veiled foliage tinted red purple which gives the plant a silvered look, pink-white flowers on dark peduncles, excellent vigor, and a mounding, compact habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct form of Agastache plant characterized by a small, compact habit, violet blue colored flowers in narrow, tight clusters, dark calyces, a low branching habit, a long bloom time, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: An improved biosensor having at least a first working electrode and a first electrode material disposed on the first working electrode. The first electrode material is a mixture made by combining at least one enzyme where the at least one enzyme is a capable of reacting with the analyte to be measured, a redox mediator capable of reacting with a product of an enzymatic reaction or a series of enzymatic reactions involving the at least one enzyme, a peroxidase capable of catalyzing a reaction involving the redox mediator where the redox mediator is oxidized, a binder and a surfactant.