Abstract: A lens arrangement is presented. The lens arrangement comprises a first element having a concave reflective surface and defining an optical axis of the lens arrangement, and a second substantially flat and at least partially reflective element spaced-apart from the first element along the optical axis. The second element is configured to allow light passage therethrough and is oriented with respect to the optical axis and the first element such that at a predetermined angle of incidence of an input light beam onto the second element, the input light beam is reflected onto the reflective surface of the first element and reflected therefrom to pass through the second element.

Abstract: 1-Ethers may be cracked over untreated ?-alumina having a pore volume of more than 1.0 cc/g and an average pore diameter of more than 150 angstroms (?) at a temperature from 250 to 350° C. and a pressure from 10 to 200 kPa at high conversions and good selectivity to produce the corresponding 1-alkene. The process is particularly useful to produce 1-octene from 1-methoxyoctane.

Abstract: A method of constructing a shallow pier foundation building that includes a) placing a plurality of insulating pier forms along a perimeter of the building; b) placing a plurality of insulating concrete forms between the insulating piers to form a continuous insulating surface to the surrounding soil and a continuous forming surface to provide a slab form; c) placing a concrete composition in the insulating piers and insulating concrete forms and allowing the concrete composition to cure and harden; and d) placing a concrete slab composition in the slab form and allowing the concrete composition to cure and harden.

Abstract: An expandable particulate interpenetrating network polymer composition that includes as an expansion agent pentafluorobutane and optionally a minor amount of heptafluoropropane is described. The expandable particulate interpenetrating network polymer, more particularly, includes a particulate interpenetrating network polymer that includes: (i) a polyolefin polymer present in an amount of from 10 percent by weight to 80 percent by weight; and (ii) a vinyl aromatic polymer present in an amount of from 20 percent by weight to 90 percent by weight, in each case based on total weight of the particulate interpenetrating network polymer. The expansion agent resides (or is impregnated) within the particulate interpenetrating network polymer. The pentafluorobutane may be 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane, and the heptafluoropropane may be 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane. In an embodiment, the expansion agent consists of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane, and is substantially free of any other expansion agents.

Abstract: In a solution polymerization process the increase in gel content in the solution at one or more locations may be detected by monitoring the structure of a spectrum obtained by analyzing the reaction at said one or more locations using a spectrometer selected from the group consisting of infrared spectrometers, near infrared spectrometers and Raman spectrometers.

Abstract: An aromatics/naphthalene rich stream obtained by processing heavy gas oil derived from tar sands and cycle oils derived from cracking heavy gas oil may optionally be blended and subjected to a hydrogenation process and a ring opening reaction typically in the presence of a zeolite, alumina, or silica alumina based catalyst which may contain noble metals and or copper or molybdenum to produce paraffinic feedstocks for further chemical processing.

Abstract: A method of making foamed articles that includes providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers mixture to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamed article by placing the foamable mixture in a molding or extruding operation. The copolymer composition includes a copolymer of 51% to 99.9% of primary monomers, 0.1% to 49% of anhydride containing monomers, and 0% to 25% of other monomers and 0% to 30% of elastomeric polymers. This is combined at 30% to 99.99% copolymer composition with 0.01% to 70% by cellulosic fibers such that the copolymer anhydride groups react with the cellulosic fiber hydroxyl groups to produce a blowing agent byproduct to form a foamable mixture. The foamed article has a density of not more than 1.3 g/cm3.

Abstract: A particulate interpenetrating network polymer that is composed of a polyolefin polymer and a vinyl aromatic polymer that includes residues of (meth)acrylic acid, is described. The particulate interpenetrating network polymer is formed by polymerization of a vinyl aromatic monomer composition substantially within the polyolefin polymer. The vinyl aromatic monomer composition includes vinyl aromatic monomer (e.g., styrene) and a comonomer that is composed at least in part of (meth)acrylic acid (e.g., (meth)acrylic acid and optionally butyl(meth)acrylate). The amount of (meth)acrylic acid present within the comonomer (and accordingly the vinyl aromatic polymer) is selected such that a molded article prepared from expanded particulate interpenetrating network polymer, has a volume shrinkage value of less than or equal to 5 percent, when subjected to a temperature of 100° C. for 24 hours.

Abstract: Whole organisms are inactivated by at least a factor of 106 using carbon dioxide at or near its supercritical pressure and temperature conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is an extraction system capable of easily removing an object having a hollow interior from an enclosed space. The system comprises an overtube that is at least partially insertable into the enclosed space, and a wire comprising an elongated portion, a handle and an insertion end comprising one or more catching members. The catching member is in a straight configuration when the insertion end is confined within the overtube and assumes an open configuration when the insertion end is situated out of the overtube. Initially, the wire is introduced into the enclosed space within the overtube and the wire is pushed out of the overtube such that the catching members will enter the hollow interior of the object. The use of the extraction system is illustrated for the case of extracting a piece of an endodontic file broken during a root canal procedure.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for determining a line profile in a patterned structure, aimed at controlling a process of manufacture of the structure. The patterned structure comprises a plurality of different layers, the pattern in the structure being formed by patterned regions and un-patterned regions. At least first and second measurements are carried out, each utilizing illumination of the structure with a broad wavelengths band of incident light directed on the structure at a certain angle of incidence, detection of spectral characteristics of light returned from the structure, and generation of measured data representative thereof. The measured data obtained with the first measurement is analyzed, and at least one parameter of the structure is thereby determined. Then, this determined parameter is utilized, while analyzing the measured data obtained with the second measurements enabling the determination of the profile of the structure.

Abstract: Labeled thin-wall containers molded from pre-expanded expandable thermoplastic particles having a label disposed over at least a portion of the outer surface of the container. The particles are coated with a composition that includes at least 2,500 ppm of a salt of a C8 to C32 carboxylic acid based on the weight of the particles. The label has a thickness of from 10 ?m to 1,500 ?m and the sidewall has a thickness of from 0.5 mm to 5 mm. An aqueous beverage at 80° C. does not leak from the container after being left undisturbed for 24 hours and the container has a rim strength of at least 0.54 kg. The containers are made by placing a label against an inner surface of a female portion of a two-part mold; closing the mold to form a mold cavity; filling the mold cavity with the particles; and fusing the particles.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly for manufacturing a tubular product, including: a first plate, a cantilever drive roller extending from the first plate, at least one cantilever idler roller extending from the first plate, and mechanism for rotating the drive roller whereby, in use, a strip may be engaged and advanced by the driver roller to the at least one idler roller and thereby wound about the rollers to form a tubular product.

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.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sterilizing packaging material for use in packaging for protein containing products, such as food products or medical drugs. The packaging material is sterilized by irradiating it using a beam of ionizing radiation, such as an electron beam or a beam of gamma rays. Afterwards, the packaging material is processed in such a manner that protein reactive substances or compounds formed in the packaging material during the irradiation step are at least partly removed or rendered inreactive with respect to proteins. The processing step may advantageously be performed by heating the packaging material. Preferably, the processing step involves accelerating diffusion from the packaging material of protein reactive substances or compounds. Since the protein reactive substances or compounds are removed or rendered inreactive with respect to proteins, degradation of the product which is later stored in the packaging material is considerably reduced.

Abstract: Methods for identifying defective containers that include a) providing a container having an open rim end, a closed base end, an exterior surface and an interior surface; b) directing one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation toward the exterior surface or interior surface of the container; c) positioning one or more sensors for the electromagnetic radiation opposite the exterior or interior surface not directed to in b); d) accepting the container if the amount of electromagnetic radiation detected by the one or more sensors is within a predetermined range; and e) rejecting the container if the amount of electro-magnetic radiation is not within the predetermined range. The methods can be used in devices that contain a) conveying means for moving containers; b) means for directing sources of electromagnetic radiation; c) means for detecting electromagnetic radiation; and d) means for separating containers.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for use in optical processing of an article by VUV radiation. The method comprises: localizing incident VUV radiation propagation from an optical head assembly towards a processing site on the article outside the optical head assembly and localizing reflected VUV radiation propagation from said processing site towards the optical head assembly by localizing a medium, non-absorbing with respect to VUV radiation, in within the light propagation path in the vicinity of said site outside the optical head assembly. The level of the medium is controlled by measuring the reflected VUV radiation.

Abstract: The invention is an instrument for cleaning and/or shaping and/or widening a channel that exists in or through a solid object. The design of the instrument the superelastic and shape memory properties of the material from which it is made, allow the inner volume enclosed by the instrument, its outer contour, or both to change as a result of the forces exerted upon it while working, thereby shaping the instrument to the three-dimensional contour of the channel. A preferred embodiment of the instrument is an endodontic file for use in the cleaning, shaping, and widening stages of a root canal procedure.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Pulmonaria plant characterized by dark pink flowers, medium flower size, foliage with prominent silvering, a medium compact habit, excellent vigor, and excellent tolerance to mildew.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Sedum plant substantially as shown and described, with deep red purple flowers with prominent cream colored bud, green leaves edged red, and a short, stiff upright habit.