Abstract: A straight steel monofilament (10, 42) for the reinforcement of belt ply (40) of a pneumatic tyre wherein the straightness is determined by the arc-height of the straight steel monofilament (10, 42). The steel monofilament (10, 42) is plastically deformed by a twisting action along the axis of the steel monofilament (10) on a double-twist apparatus (2). The plastic twist deformation eliminates the surface stress difference on the steel monofilament (10, 42) and provides a straight steel monofilament (10, 42) having an arc-height of less than 30 mm By these means a simple solution is provided to manufacture a straight steel monofilament (10, 42) suitable for tire reinforcement with high speed for mass production by using a known apparatus (2).

Abstract: A composition (useful for attracting Halyomorpha halys) containing (3R,6R,7R,10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, (3R,6R,7R,10R)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, (3S,6S,7R,10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, (3S,6S,7R,10R)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, and optionally a carrier material or carrier. The composition may also contain (3R,6S,7R,10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, (3R,6S,7R,10R)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, (3S,6R,7R,10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, (3S,6R,7R,10R)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol where the composition contains a 3:1 ratio of cis-epoxybisabolenols:trans-epoxybisabolenols produced from (R)-citronellal. These compositions were based on the newly discovered aggregation pheromone components: (3S,6S,7R,10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol and (3R,6S,7R,10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol. The composition may also contain methyl(2E,4E,6Z)-decatrieonate.

Abstract: Compositions (feeding deterrent/repellent for Halyomorpha halys) containing at least two compounds selected from tridecane, E-2-decenal, isolongifolanone, isolongifolenone, and at least one isolongifolenone analog having the following formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, an oxygen, a C1-10 alcohol, aldehyde, alkyl, ether, or esters of said alcohol with a C1-10 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched acid and R2 is hydrogen, an oxygen, a C1-10 alcohol, aldehyde, alkyl, ether, or esters of said alcohol with a C1-10 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched acid; optionally there is a double bond between carbons 5 and 6 and R2 is hydrogen; and optionally a carrier or carrier material. Also methods for deterring feeding/repelling Halyomorpha halys involving treating an object or area with a Halyomorpha halys deterring feeding/repelling effective amount of at least one compound selected from the above compounds.

Abstract: A data driven and forward looking risk and reward appetite methodology for consumer and small business is described. The methodology includes account level historical data collection for customers associated with accounts as part of a portfolio. The account level historical data is segmented into groups of customers with similar revenues and loss characteristics. Segmented data is decomposed into seasoning, vintage, and cycle effects. Statistical clusters are formed based upon the data and effects. A simulation is applied to the statistical clusters and prediction data is generated. A simulation strategy to forecast and simulate revenue and loss volatility is developed. Efficient frontier curves of risk (e.g., return volatility) and reward (e.g., expected return) are created for the current portfolio under various economic scenarios.

Abstract: A data driven and forward looking risk and reward appetite methodology for consumer and small business is described. The methodology includes account level historical data collection for customers associated with accounts as part of a portfolio. The account level historical data is segmented into groups of customers with similar revenues and loss characteristics. Segmented data is decomposed into seasoning, vintage, and cycle effects. Statistical clusters are formed based upon the data and effects. A simulation is applied to the statistical clusters and prediction data is generated. A simulation strategy to forecast and simulate revenue and loss volatility is developed. Efficient frontier curves of risk (e.g., return volatility) and reward (e.g., expected return) are created for the current portfolio under various economic scenarios.

Abstract: A data driven and forward looking risk and reward appetite methodology for consumer and small business is described. The methodology includes customer segmentation to create pools of homogeneous assets in terms of revenue and loss characteristics, forward looking simulation to forecast expected values and volatilities of revenue and loss, and risk and reward optimization of the portfolio. One methodology used for modeling revenue and loss is a generalized additive effect decomposition model to fit historical data. Based on the model, a segmentation procedure is performed, which allows for creation of groups of customers with similar revenue and loss characteristics. An estimation procedure for the model is developed and a simulation strategy to forecast and simulate revenue and loss volatility is developed. Efficient frontier curves of risk (e.g., return volatility) and reward (e.g., expected return) are created for the current portfolio under various economic scenarios.

Abstract: A set of circuit breakers with interlock means, particularly a set of circuit breakers capable of realizing any mechanical interlock and unlock between two or more circuit breakers, wherein in the set of circuit breakers, each circuit breaker has an interlock means, said interlock means comprising a base plate 5, a driving lever (22; 23; 24), a control lever 8, two control arms 27, 28, three tension springs 10, 11, 12, and six cables 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, two cables connected to two ends of the driving lever of each circuit breaker are respectively connected to a control arm of the other two circuit breakers.

Abstract: A composition for attracting male pink hibiscus mealybugs which contains a carrier material or carrier and effective amount of (R)-lavandulyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate and (R)-maconelliyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate. Also a method for attracting male pink hibiscus mealybugs to an object or area, which method involves treating said object or area with effective amount of (R)-lavandulyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate and (R)-maconelliyl (S)-2-methylbutanoate. Cyclobutanes, 2,2-dimethyl-3-(1-methylethylidene)cyclobutanes, having the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, a C1-11 straight or branched alcohol, aldehyde, alkyl, ether (e.g. methanol, ethanal, 4-methylhexane, heptyloxymethane), or esters thereof with a C1-10 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched acid (e.g., formic acid, acetic acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 3-methyl-2-butenoic acid) and R2 is hydrogen, methyl, C1-10 saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched alkyl (e.g. hexane, isopropenyl, 4-methyl-4-pentene).

Abstract: A method for inhibiting (antagonizing) male Synanthedon scitula attraction to female Synanthedon scitula, involving exposing a Synanthedon scitula population to a composition containing E,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate in a quantity sufficient to inhibit (antagonize) male Synanthedon scitula attraction to female Synanthedon scitula, and optionally a carrier material or carrier.

Abstract: A composition for attracting male Synanthedon scitula, containing a male Synanthedon scitula attracting effective amount of Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally E,Z-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally Z,E-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, and optionally a carrier material or carrier; the composition containing less than about 0.3% E,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate based on the molar amount of the Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate in the composition. A method for attracting male Synanthedon scitula to an object or area, involving treating an object or area with a male Synanthedon scitula attracting composition containing a male Synanthedon scitula attractant effective amount of Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally E,Z-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate, optionally Z,E-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, and optionally a carrier material or carrier; the composition containing less than about 0.3% E,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate based on the molar amount of the Z,Z-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate in the composition.

Abstract: A data driven and forward looking risk and reward appetite methodology for consumer and small business is described. The methodology includes customer segmentation to create pools of homogeneous assets in terms of revenue and loss characteristics, forward looking simulation to forecast expected values and volatilities of revenue and loss, and risk and reward optimization of the portfolio. One methodology used for modeling revenue and loss is a generalized additive effect decomposition model to fit historical data. Based on the model, a segmentation procedure is performed, which allows for creation of groups of customers with similar revenue and loss characteristics. An estimation procedure for the model is developed and a simulation strategy to forecast and simulate revenue and loss volatility is developed. Efficient frontier curves of risk (e.g., return volatility) and reward (e.g., expected return) are created for the current portfolio under various economic scenarios.

Abstract: A data driven and forward looking risk and reward appetite methodology for consumer and small business is described. The methodology includes customer segmentation to create pools of homogeneous assets in terms of revenue and loss characteristics, forward looking simulation to forecast expected values and volatilities of revenue and loss, and risk and reward optimization of the portfolio. One methodology used for modeling revenue and loss is a generalized additive effect decomposition model to fit historical data. Based on the model, a segmentation procedure is performed, which allows for creation of groups of customers with similar revenue and loss characteristics. An estimation procedure for the model is developed and a simulation strategy to forecast and simulate revenue and loss volatility is developed. Efficient frontier curves of risk (e.g., return volatility) and reward (e.g., expected return) are created for the current portfolio under various economic scenarios.

Abstract: A set of circuit breakers with interlock means, particularly a set of circuit breakers capable of realizing any mechanical interlock and unlock between two or more circuit breakers, wherein in the set of circuit breakers, each circuit breaker has an interlock means, said interlock means comprising a base plate 5, a driving lever 80, a control lever 8, two control arms 27, 28, three tension springs 10, 11, 12, and six hawsers 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, two hawsers connected to two ends of the driving lever of each circuit breaker are respectively connected to a control arm of the other two circuit breakers.

Abstract: A method for for repelling arthropods involving treating an object or area with an arthropod repelling effective amount of at least one isolongifolenone analog (and optionally a carrier or carrier material).

Abstract: A data driven and forward looking risk and reward appetite methodology for consumer and small business is described. The methodology includes customer segmentation to create pools of homogeneous assets in terms of revenue and loss characteristics, forward looking simulation to forecast expected values and volatilities of revenue and loss, and risk and reward optimization of the portfolio. One methodology used for modeling revenue and loss is a generalized additive effect decomposition model to fit historical data. Based on the model, a segmentation procedure is performed, which allows for creation of groups of customers with similar revenue and loss characteristics. An estimation procedure for the model is developed and a simulation strategy to forecast and simulate revenue and loss volatility is developed. Efficient frontier curves of risk (e.g., return volatility) and reward (e.g., expected return) are created for the current portfolio under various economic scenarios.

Abstract: A method for for repelling arthropods involving treating an object or area with an arthropod repelling effective amount of at least one isolongifolenone analog (and optionally a carrier or carrier material).

Abstract: A method for making isolongifolenone involving reaction (?)-isolongifolene with chromium hexacarbonyl and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Also the use of isolongifolenone to repel arthropods by treating an object or area with an arthropod repelling effective amount of isolongifolenone (and optionally a carrier or carrier material).

Abstract: A method of separating ZE-nepetalactone and EZ-nepetalactone from catnip oil involving mixing catnip oil dissolved in at least one water immiscible, non-halogenated organic solvent with at least one inorganic base dissolved in water to form a biphasic mixture, stirring the biphasic mixture to hydrolyze ZE-nepetalactone to form ZE-nepetalic acid, separating the aqueous phase containing ZE-nepetalic acid from the organic phase containing EZ-nepetalactone in the biphasic mixture, and optionally acidifying the aqueous phase to about pH 4.5 and adding at least one water immiscible, non-halogenated organic solvent to azeotropically lactonize the ZE-nepetalic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluene sulfonic acid to form ZE-nepetalactone.

Abstract: A method of separating ZE-nepetalactone and EZ-nepetalactone from catnip oil involving mixing catnip oil dissolved in at least one water immiscible, non-halogenated organic solvent with at least one inorganic base dissolved in water to form a biphasic mixture, stirring the biphasic mixture to hydrolyze ZE-nepetalactone to form ZE-nepetalic acid, separating the aqueous phase containing ZE-nepetalic acid from the organic phase containing EZ-nepetalactone in the biphasic mixture, and optionally acidifying the aqueous phase to about pH 4.5 and adding at least one water immiscible, non-halogenated organic solvent to azeotropically lactonize the ZE-nepetalic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluene sulfonic acid to form ZE-nepetalactone.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for attracting and subsequently trapping and/or killing adults of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, or interfering with their reproduction. The aggregation pheromones, 4-(n-heptyloxy)butanal and 4-(n-heptyloxy)butan-1-one, in combination with a trap or toxicant, provide means for monitoring, killing or inhibiting the reproduction of these insects.