Abstract: Methods for preparing progenitor cells are described where epithelial cells are induced to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a result of exposure to an inducing agent or introduction of a gene therein that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Progenitor cells resulting therefrom have use in cell-based therapies, among other utilities.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for preparing an aqueous composition in the form of a gel at a given temperature. The process is characterized in that an associative water-soluble polymer constituted by a hydrophilic main chain and hydrophobic pendant groups is brought into the presence, in said composition, of at least one surfactant in the form of bilayers when it is in aqueous solution under the same temperature and concentration conditions. Compositions in the form of gels or liquids are thus obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silicon wafer carrier consisting of a composition composed of (a) 100 parts by weight of a polyester, (b) 5 to 100 parts by weight of a polyether ester amide, (c) 10 to 2,500 ppm (based on the polyether ester amide) of an alkaline metal and (d) 0 to 40 parts by weight of a modified polyolefin, generating not more than 10 ppm of volatile gas by the heat-treatment at 150° C. for 60 minutes and eluting not more than 10 ppm of the alkaline metal by the immersion treatment in pure water at 80° C. for 120 minutes. The silicon wafer carrier has the generation of volatile gas and the elution of metal suppressed to an extent not to essentially cause the surface contamination of a silicon wafer and is provided with excellent permanent antistaticity and high mechanical properties and heat-resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to novolac resins obtained by condensation (A) of an aromatic compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups and (B) of an unconjugated diene in an (A)/(B) molar ratio of between 0.7 and 1.75 in the presence of an acidic catalyst, which are characterized in that the content of free aromatic compound is lower than 5% by weight. Also disclosed are a process for the preparation of the resins, and rubber-based compositions including from 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of the above mentioned novolac resins per 100 parts by weight of rubber. The invention also relates to the use of the resins or rubber-based compositions in the field of vulcanization, especially of tires and of conveyor belts.

Abstract: There is provided a rubber composition for tyre tread, which decreases rolling resistance without decreasing abrasion resistance. The rubber composition for tyre tread is obtained by mixing 100 parts by weight of a rubber component, 0.5 to 1 part by weight of N,N′-bis(2-methyl-2-nitropyl)-1,6-hexane-diamine 1 to 1.5 parts by weight of sulfur and 1 to 3 parts by weight of a vulcanization accelerator, and wherein an amount X of sulfur and an amount Y of a vulcanization accelerator satisfy the equation: 2X−1≦Y≦2X.

Abstract: Novel modifying agents contain a sharply-melting crystalline polymer ingredient, preferably a side chain crystalline (SCC) ingredient, and an active chemical ingredient. Such modifying agents, especially when in the form of particles, can be placed in contact with a matrix, will not modify the mix below the crystalline melting point Tp, but will rapidly modify the matrix above Tp. The active chemical ingredient can react with the matrix, catalyze a reaction of the matrix, or inhibit a reaction of the matrix. Particularly useful compositions are polymer precursors which are storage-stable at low temperatures but which are rapidly converted to crosslinked resins when heated to temperatures above Tp, optionally in the presence of light.

Abstract: A method for rapidly manufacturing “green-state” ceramic matrix composite components, components made from this method, and a resin/catalyst precursor mixture used in the method. The method includes manufacturing a component by preparing the precursor mixture by mixing a requisite quantity of a polymer-derived ceramic precursor resin, a catalyst, a discontinuous reinforcing fiber and filler material, and then loading this precursor mixture in a preheated mold. The precursor mixture then is cured in the mold to form the component which is porous. Thereafter, the component is reinfilitrated with a resin to at least partially fill the pores of the component. This method yields a ceramic matrix composite component that is cured in approximately one minute as well as a resin/catalyst precursor mixture that can be stored in excess of four weeks.

Abstract: A polybutylene based hot melt adhesive composition having a variety of end uses, particularly in construction and elastic attachment applications for nonwoven articles such as disposable diapers. Unlike typical hot melt adhesives, the present composition can withstand high peel and shear loads at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time without experiencing catastrophic bond failure. The composition includes polybutylene polymer or a mixture of polybutylene and polyolefin polymers, and a stabilizer, with the remaining ingredients chosen from one or more of a polyolefin polymer, a tackifier resin, a plasticizer, or a wax. The hot melt adhesive composition can be applied using common application techniques such as extruding or spraying.

Abstract: A polymer film with a helically twisted molecular structure exhibiting at least two maxima of the selective reflection wavelength. A process of preparing such a polymer film and processes for using such polymer film in optical data storage devices, photomasks, decorative pigments, cosmetics, security devices or active and passive optical elements such as polarizers, optical retarders or color filters.

Abstract: Polymer-pigment composites, aqueous dispersions of polymer-pigment composites and coating compositions containing the polymer-pigment composites are disclosed, wherein the polymer is formed from terminally-unsaturated oligomers containing acid functionality.

Abstract: Aqueous binders for soft feel materials, comprising predominantly aliphatic, water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers A having terminal or lateral cyclic carbonate groups and an amine B having at least two primary amino groups, the ratio of the number of primary amino groups in the component B to the number of cyclic carbonate groups in the component A being from 7:3 to 3:7.

Abstract: A curable composition for electrical applications, the curable composition comprising (i) a compound having at least two &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated groups and an equivalent weight of less than 250 g/mol, (ii) a catalyst capable of initiating a Michael reaction and (iii) a Michael donor having an equivalent weight of less than 250 g/mol, and a package for using this composition in electical splices.

Abstract: Fibers as a reinforcing substrate are impregnated with the particles of polytetrafluoroethylene and pressed into a shape at the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene. Alternatively, the reinforcing substrate sandwiched between polytetrafluoroethylene sheets is pressed into a shape at the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene. In either case, the shaped article is then exposed to an ionizing radiation in an oxygen-free atmosphere at the melting point of polytetrafluoroethylene. The inherent characteristics of the polytetrafluoroethylene, i.e., heat resistance, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance and lubricity, are retained and yet radiation resistance and resin transparency are imparted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel UV curable composition for forming thermally conductive interface and a method of using the same. The composition is used to promote the transfer of heat from a source of heat such as an electronic device to a heat dissipation device such as a heat sink. The composition comprises by weight from about 35% to about 75% of a UV curable acrylate material, from about 0.5% to about 15% catalyst, from about 10% to about 30% hydrocarbon solvent and from about 20% to about 70% conductive filler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing protective colloid free, aqueous dispersions of vinyl ester co-polymers by radical emulsion polymerization of 40 to 99.5 weight percent vinyl acetate, 0 to 40 weight percent of one or several alkenes, 0 to 40 weight percent of one or several monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters of C6 to C12 alkyl carboxylic acids, and of (meth)acrylic-acid esters of alcohols with 1 to 12 C atoms and optionally, additional copolymerizable mono- or poly-ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Said method is characterized in that 0.1 to 5 weight percent of one or several emulsifiers are polymerized with a persulfate initiator in the presence of 0.5 to 20 weight percent mono- or poly-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid amides or derivatives thereof. The invention also relates to a method for producing protective colloid-free dispersion powders by spray drying or freeze drying said dispersions.

Abstract: Gel-forming macromers including at least four polymeric blocks, at least two of which are hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, and including a crosslinkable group are provided. The macromers can be covalently crosslinked to form a gel on a tissue surface in vivo. The gels formed from the macromers have a combination of properties including thermosensitivity and lipophilicity, and are useful in a variety of medical applications including drug delivery and tissue coating.

Abstract: Biodegradable polyesters P1 obtainable by reaction of a mixture consisting essentially of (a1) a mixture consisting essentially of from 35 to 95 mol % of adipic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, from 5 to 65 mol % of terephthalic acid or ester-forming derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof, and from 0 to 5 mol % of a sulfonate compound, the sum of the individual mole percentages being 100 mol %, and (a2) a dihydroxy compound selected from the group consisting of C2-C6-alkanediols and C5-C10-cycloalkanediols, the molar ratio of (a1) to (a2) being chosen within the range from 0.4:1 to 1.5:1, with the proviso that the polyesters P1 have a molecular weight (Mn) within the range from 5000 to 50,000 g/mol, a viscosity number within the range from 30 to 350 g/ml (measured in 50:50 w/w o-dichlorobenzene/phenol at a concentration of 0.5% by weight of polyester P1 at 25° C.) and a melting point within the range from 50 to 170° C.

Abstract: In a method of making repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive of tacky elastomeric microspheres wherein the microspheres are polymerized and formed in an aqueous suspension which includes a surfactant, a certain amount of the surfactant is removed from the aqueous suspension after completion of polymerization of the microspheres so that a predetermined reduced amount of surfactant remains, with the result that migration of the surfactant from the adhesive is at least substantially reduced.

Abstract: A non-birefringence optical resin material is obtained by forming a transparent matrix from a polymeric resin having an orientation birefringence with a positive or negative sign, adding a low molecular weight substance exhibiting an orientation birefringence with a sign opposite to that of the orientation birefringence of the polymeric resin for the matrix and thus offsetting the orientation birefringence of the polymeric resin for the matrix with the orientation birefringence of the low molecular weight substance.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of olefin monomers by forming a fluid stream containing catalyst, continuously feeding the fluid stream into an elongated polymerization reactor having at least two successive chambers separated by dividing plates having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the polymerization rector, feeding monomers, and an optional catalyst and donor into the polymerization reactor under temperature conditions to polymerize the olefin while maintaining a mixed flow in the chambers to polymerize the monomers and optional comonomer in the fluid, and removing the resultant polymer slurry from the polymerization reactor.