Abstract: In a handrail including a carcass, a stretch inhibitor within the carcass, and a sliding layer bonded to the carcass, at least a portion of the carcass has a gas phase dispersed in a solid polymer matrix. The gas phase can reduce a density of the carcass by at least 5% or 10%, or about 15%, as compared to a density of the polymer matrix. The carcass can have a generally uniform distribution of gas bubbles in the polymer matrix, which can define a generally closed cell structure in the polymer matrix. The gas phase can be formed of particles of a syntactic foam dispersed in the polymer matrix. The handrail can further include a cover. The carcass and the cover can be formed of thermoplastic materials, and the cover can represent between 10 and 30% of the overall TPU required for the handrail.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of transthyretin mRNA and protein in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate transthyretin amyloidosis, or a symptom thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-human animals (e.g., rodents, e.g., mice or rats) genetically engineered to express a humanized or human T cell receptor (TCR) comprising a variable domain encoded by (a) at least one human TCR variable region ? gene segment and a (human) TCR ? constant region gene sequence and/or (b) or at least one human TCR variable region ? gene segment and a (human) TCR ? constant region gene sequence. Also provided are embryos, tissues, and cells expressing the same. Methods for making a genetically engineered animal that expresses the humanized or human ? and/or ? TCR are also provided. Methods for using the genetically engineered animals that mount a substantially humanized T cell immune response for developing human therapeutics are also provided.

Abstract: Non-human animals, expressing humanized CD3 proteins are provided. Non-human animals, e.g., rodents, genetically modified to comprise in their genome humanized CD3 proteins are also provided. Additionally, provided are methods and compositions of making such non-human animals, as well as methods of using said non-human animals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming plasma in a process chamber use an annular exciter formed of a first conductive material with a first end electrically connected to an RF power source that provides RF current and a second end connected to a ground and an annular applicator, physically separated from the annular exciter, formed of a second conductive material with at least one angular split with an angle forming an upper overlap portion and a lower overlap portion separated by a high K dielectric material which is configured to provide capacitance in conjunction with an inductance of the annular applicator to form a resonant circuit that is configured to resonate when the annular exciter flows RF current that inductively excites the annular applicator to a resonant frequency which forms azimuthal plasma from the annular applicator.

Abstract: A diagnostic disc includes a disc-shaped body having raised walls that encircle the interior of the disc-shaped body and at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the disc-shaped body. The raised walls of the disc-shaped body define a cavity of the disc-shaped body. A non-contact sensor is attached to each of the at least one protrusion. A a printed circuit board (PCB) is positioned within the cavity formed on the disc-shaped body. A vacuum and high temperature tolerant power source is disposed on the PCB along with a wireless charger and circuitry that is coupled to each non-contact sensor and includes at least a wireless communication circuit and a memory. A cover is positioned over the cavity of the disc-shaped body and shields at least a portion of the PCB, circuitry, power source, and wireless charger within the cavity from an external environment.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyester polyol is disclosed. The method comprises reacting phthalic anhydride with a diol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, polyethylene glycols having a number average molecular weight within the range of 200 g/mol to 600 g/mol, and mixtures thereof at a diol to phthalic anhydride molar ratio within the range of 1.1 to 1.6. The resulting o-phthalate polyester polyol has a hydroxyl value in the range of 18 to 400 mg KOH/g, an acid value in the range of 0.2 to 5.0 mg KOH/g, and 1 wt. % or less of cyclic esters.

Abstract: Polyester polyols containing adducts formed from Diels-Alder and Ene reactions are disclosed. Processes for making the polyester polyols and uses of the polyester polyols as polyurethane coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and foams are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the polyester polyols contain biorenewable adducts based on maleic anhydride and farnesene and have particular application in making rigid and flexible polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams.

Abstract: Polyester polyols containing adducts formed from Diels-Alder and Ene reactions are disclosed. Processes for making the polyester polyols and uses of the polyester polyols as polyurethane coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and foams are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the polyester polyols contain biorenewable adducts based on maleic anhydride and farnesene and have particular application in making rigid and flexible polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyester polyol is disclosed. The method comprises reacting phthalic anhydride with a diol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2-meth-1,3-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, polyethylene glycols having a number average molecular weight within the range of 200 g/mol to 600 g/mol, and mixtures thereof at a diol to phthalic anhydride molar ratio within the range of 1.1 to 1.6. The resulting o-phthalate polyester polyol has a hydroxyl value in the range of 18 to 400 mg KOH/g, an acid value in the range of 0.2 to 5.0 mg KOH/g, and 1 wt. % or less of cyclic esters.

Abstract: A soy-based polyol is mixed with an isocyanate and aggregate to produce a soy-based polyurethane having superior mechanical properties. The aggregate composition may be varied to obtain different mechanical properties, as can the amount of resin. The resin may be crosslinked using a low molecular weight polyol, such as glycerine, to also improve structural performance. A catalyst may be added to accelerate curing time without reducing structural performance.

Abstract: Methods of making unsaturated modified vegetable oil-based polyols are described. Also described are methods of making oligomeric modified vegetable oil-based polyols. An oligomeric composition having a modified fatty acid triglyceride structure is also described. Also, methods of making a polyol including hydroformylation and hydrogenation of oils in the presence of a catalyst and support are described.

Abstract: Methods of making unsaturated modified vegetable oil-based polyols are described. Also described are methods of making oligomeric modified vegetable oil-based polyols. An oligomeric composition having a modified fatty acid triglyceride structure is also described. Also, methods of making a polyol including hydroformylation and hydrogenation of oils in the presence of a catalyst and support are described.

Abstract: Methods of making unsaturated modified vegetable oil-based polyols are described. Also described are methods of making oligomeric modified vegetable oil-based polyols. An oligomeric composition having a modified fatty acid triglyceride structure is also described. Also, methods of making a polyol including hydroformylation and hydrogenation of oils in the presence of a catalyst and support are described.

Abstract: A method for making natural oil-based polyols directly from vegetable or animal oil using a consecutive two-step process involving epoxidation and hydroxylation is provided. Specifically, this process comprises adding a peroxyacid to a natural oil wherein said natural oil and said peroxyacid react to form an epoxidized natural oil and adding said epoxidized natural oil to a mixture of an alcohol, water, and a fluoboric acid catalyst. The catalytic amount of fluoboric acid is less than about 0.5% by weight of the entire reaction mixture, and the amount of water is about 10 to 30% by weight of the entire mixture. The epoxidized natural oil undergoes hydroxylation and forms a natural oil-based polyol. The present invention further includes a method for making natural oil-based polyols from epoxidized oil by hydroylating the epoxidized oil in the presence of fluoboric acid, alcohol and water in the amounts discussed above.

Abstract: A vegetable oil-based polyol is made by adding a peroxyacid to vegetable oil wherein said peroxyacid reacts with said vegetable oil to form epoxidized vegetable oil and adding said epoxidized vegetable oil to a mixture of an alcohol, water, and a catalytic amount of fluoboric acid so as to form a vegetable oil-based polyol. A further embodiment of the present invention involves making a vegetable oil-based polyol using an epoxidized vegetable oil as the starting material. The epoxidized vegetable oil undergoes hydroxylation by the same process as outlined above. According to another aspect of the present invention, the vegetable oil-based polyol formed by the novel methods of this invention may be reacted with an isocyanate to form a polyurethane. Alternatively, a filler such as silica may be combined with the vegetable oil-based polyol before it is reacted with the isocyanate. These polyurethanes made from vegetable oil-based polyols may be used to form electroinsulating casting resins.

Abstract: A soy-based polyol is mixed with an isocyanate and aggregate to produce a soy-based polyurethane having superior mechanical properties. The aggregate composition may be varied to obtain different mechanical properties, as can the amount of resin. The resin may be crosslinked using a low molecular weight polyol, such as glycerine, to also improve structural performance. A catalyst may be added to accelerate curing time without reducing structural performance.

Abstract: A method for making natural oil-based polyols directly from vegetable or animal oil using a consecutive two-step process involving epoxidation and hydroxylation is provided. Specifically, this process comprises adding a peroxyacid to a natural oil wherein said natural oil and said peroxyacid react to form an epoxidized natural oil and adding said epoxidized natural oil to a mixture of an alcohol, water, and a fluoboric acid catalyst. The catalytic amount of fluoboric acid is less than about 0.5% by weight of the entire reaction mixture, and the amount of water is about 10 to 30% by weight of the entire mixture. The epoxidized natural oil undergoes hydroxylation and forms a natural oil-based polyol. The present invention further includes a method for making natural oil-based polyols from epoxidized oil by hydroylating the epoxidized oil in the presence of fluoboric acid, alcohol and water in the amounts discussed above.

Abstract: A vegetable oil-based polyol is made by adding a peroxyacid to vegetable oil wherein said peroxyacid reacts with said vegetable oil to form epoxidized vegetable oil and adding said epoxidized vegetable oil to a mixture of an alcohol, water, and a catalytic amount of fluoboric acid so as to form a vegetable oil-based polyol. A further embodiment of the present invention involves making a vegetable oil-based polyol using an epoxidized vegetable oil as the starting material. The epoxidized vegetable oil undergoes hydroxylation by the same process as outlined above. According to another aspect of the present invention, the vegetable oil-based polyol formed by the novel methods of this invention may be reacted with an isocyanate to form a polyurethane. Alternatively, a filler such as silica may be combined with the vegetable oil-based polyol before it is reacted with the isocyanate. These polyurethanes made from vegetable oil-based polyols may be used to form electroinsulating casting resins.