Abstract: A Multi-Purpose Dynamic Simulation and run-time Control platform includes a virtual process environment coupled to a physical process environment, where components/nodes of the virtual and physical process environments cooperate to dynamically perform run-time process control of an industrial process plant and/or simulations thereof. Virtual components may include virtual run-time nodes and/or simulated nodes. The MPDSC includes an I/O Switch which delivers I/O data between virtual and/or physical nodes, e.g., by using publish/subscribe mechanisms, thereby virtualizing physical I/O process data delivery. Nodes serviced by the I/O Switch may include respective component behavior modules that are unaware as to whether or not they are being utilized on a virtual or physical node. Simulations may be performed in real-time and even in conjunction with run-time operations of the plant, and/or simulations may be manipulated as desired (speed, values, administration, etc.).

Abstract: A Multi-Purpose Dynamic Simulation and run-time Control platform includes a virtual process environment coupled to a physical process environment, where components/nodes of the virtual and physical process environments cooperate to dynamically perform run-time process control of an industrial process plant and/or simulations thereof. Virtual components may include virtual run-time nodes and/or simulated nodes. The MPDSC includes an I/O Switch which delivers I/O data between virtual and/or physical nodes, e.g., by using publish/subscribe mechanisms, thereby virtualizing physical I/O process data delivery. Nodes serviced by the I/O Switch may include respective component behavior modules that are unaware as to whether or not they are being utilized on a virtual or physical node. Simulations may be performed in real-time and even in conjunction with run-time operations of the plant, and/or simulations may be manipulated as desired (speed, values, administration, etc.).

Abstract: A neural network system and unsupervised learning process for separating unknown source signals from their received mixtures by solving the Independent Components Analysis (ICA) problem. The unsupervised learning procedure solves the general blind signal processing problem by maximizing joint output entropy through gradient ascent to minimize mutual information in the outputs. The neural network system can separate a multiplicity of unknown source signals from measured mixture signals where the mixture characteristics and the original source signals are both unknown. The system can be easily adapted to solve the related blind deconvolution problem that extracts an unknown source signal from the output of an unknown reverberating channel.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for preparing a hard candy containing from about 1% to about 35% fruit juice, by weight, which comprises the steps of (a) providing a vacuum cooker having a cooker coil, an atmospheric chamber, and a vacuum chamber; (b) forming a sugar syrup having a moisture content from about 0.1% to about 5%, by weight; (c) heating the sugar syrup in the cooker coil to cook the syrup; (d) passing the cooked sugar syrup from the cooker coil to the atmospheric chamber; (e) admixing fruit juice with the cooked sugar syrup in the atmospheric chamber to form a fruit juice-sugar syrup mixture; (f) passing the fruit juice-sugar syrup mixture from the atmospheric chamber to the vacuum chamber to remove excess water; and (g) removing the fruit juice-sugar syrup mixture from the vacuum chamber and forming the fruit juice-sugar mixture into desired shapes of hard candy. This invention also pertains to hard candy containing fruit juice prepared by the inventive method.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery non-tapered, random, copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire sidewall rubber compounds for truck tires. By utilizing these isoprene-butadiene rubbers in tire sidewalls, tires having improved cut growth resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance. Such rubbers can also be employed in tire tread compounds to improve tread wear characteristics and decrease rolling resistance without sacrificing traction characteristics.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery non-tapered, random, copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire sidewall rubber compounds for truck tires. By utilizing these isoprene-butadiene rubbers in tire sidewalls, tires having improved cut growth resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance. Such rubbers can also be employed in tire tread compounds to improve tread wear characteristics and decrease rolling resistance without sacrificing traction characteristics.

Abstract: Tires having white sidewalls are very popular in the United States and Canada. Tires having white lettering thereon are also very popular. This invention discloses a process for preparing such tires having decorative appliques thereon. By practicing the process of this invention, tires having better uniformity can be built at lower costs than when standard tire building techniques are utilized. This invention specifically relates to a method of preparing a pneumatic rubber tire having a decorative design on the sidewall thereof which comprises (a) applying the decorative applique to the sidewall of an uncured tire and (b) curing the tire; wherein the decorative applique is comprised of from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene having a melting point which is within the range of about 70.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C.

Abstract: Tires having white sidewalls are very popular in the United States and Canada. This invention discloses a process for preparing such tires having decorative appliques thereon. By practicing the process of this invention, tires having better uniformity can be built at lower costs than when standard tire building techniques are utilized. This invention specifically relates to a method of preparing a pneumatic rubber tire having a decorative applique on the sidewall thereof which comprises (a) applying the decorative applique to the sidewall of a cured tire and (b) binding the decorative applique to the sidewall by the application of heat and pressure; wherein the decorative applique is comprised of from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene or blends of SPBD having melting points which are within the range of about 70.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C.

Abstract: Pure syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene is a thermoplastic resin which has double bonds attached in an alternating fashion to its polymeric backbone. Films, fibers and molded articles can be made utilizing syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene. It can also be blended into rubbers and cocured therewith. Syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene can be made by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerization. It typically has a melting point which is within the range of about 195.degree. C. to about 215.degree. C. However, it is often desirable for the syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene to have a melting point of less than about 195.degree. C. This invention discloses a process for preparing syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene having a melting point of less than about 195.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for preparing a stable sweetening agent delivery system which comprises the steps of (A) providing the following ingredients in percentages by weight of the sweetening agent delivery system (a) at least one solid natural or artificial high intensity sweetening agent present in an amount from about 0.01% to about 50%, (b) an emulsifying agent present in an amount from about 0.

Abstract: Tires having white sidewalls are very popular in the United States and Canada. Tires having white lettering thereon are also very popular. This invention discloses a process for preparing such tires having decorative appliques thereon. By practicing the process of this invention, tires having better uniformity can be built at lower costs than when standard tire building techniques are utilized. This invention specifically relates to a method of preparing a pneumatic rubber tire having a decorative design on the sidewall thereof which comprises (a) applying the decorative design to the sidewall of an uncured tire and (b) curing the tire; wherein the decorative design is comprised of from about 25 weight percent to about 75 weight percent syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene having a melting point which is within the range of about 100.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C.

Abstract: High vinyl polybutadiene rubber is utilized in a variety of applications. For instance, high vinyl polybutadiene is utilized in tire tread rubber compositions because it provides both good traction and rolling resistance. The present invention discloses a technique for synthesizing high vinyl polybutadiene utilizing a molybdenum catalyst system. This molybdenum catalyst system can be utilized in aliphatic solvents with high yields of about 75% being attained. The molybdenum catalyst systems of this invention are comprised of (a) a molybdenum containing compound which is prepared by modifying molybdenum pentachloride, molybdenum trichloride, or molybdenum tetrachloride with an alkyl carboxylic acid or an aryl carboxylic; and (b) an aluminum containing compound which is prepared by modifying a trialkyl aluminum compound with a phenol. The molecular weight of the high vinyl polybutadiene being prepared can be reduced by modifying the trialkyl aluminum compound with an allylphenol, such as 2-allylphenol.

Abstract: Metals from Groups I and II of the periodic table are commonly used to initiate the polymerization of conjugated diolefin monomers into polymers. The polymers formed in such polymerizations are terminated with the metal used to initiate the polymerization and are sometimes referred to as living polymers. Reactive end groups can be affixed to the chain ends of such polymers by utilizing the process of this invention. Such reactive end groups can subsequently be reacted with the backbone of other polymer chains. This results in the formation of a polymer having a reduced number of dangling chain ends. The functionalizing agents which can be utilized in the preparation of such polymers include hexachlorocyclopentadiene, tetraalkylthiuram disulfides, and chlorinated phenyl fulvenes.

Abstract: Short fibers of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene are utilized in making tires that have improved resistance against heat build-up and improved wear characteristics. The preparation of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene in fibrous form has traditionally involved an extrusion and stretching step. However, the technique of the present invention circumvents the necessity of hot mill flexing and/or extrusion in making fibrous syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene. The present invention more specifically involves a process for preparing syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene fibers directly comprising polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer in the presence of (1) a catalyst composition which is comprised of (a) a cobalt compound and (b) an organoaluminum compound; (2) carbon disulfide; and (3) at least one member selected from the group consisting of liquid polymers and naphthenic oils.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an aqueous polymerization medium comprising (1) a catalyst composition which contains (a) an organometallic compound and (b) a transition metal compound wherein said catalyst composition is microencapsulated in a polyene product; and (2) water. This invention also discloses an aqueous polymerization medium comprising (1) a catalyst composition which is prepared by dissolving in an inert organic solvent containing at least one polyene (a) a transition metal compound, and (b) an organometallic compound; and (2) water. This aqueous polymerization medium is very useful in the polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers. It is of greatest value in the polymerization of conjugated diolefin monomers into stereo-regulated polymers.

Abstract: This invention reveals a very useful process for producing polybutadiene composed essentially of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene in tetrahydrofuran comprising polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in said tetrahydrofuran in the presence of (1) a catalyst composition microencapsulated in a polyene product which contains (a) at least one cobalt compound selected from the group consisting of (i) .beta.-diketone complexes of cobalt, (ii) .beta.-keto acid ester complexes of cobalt, (iii) cobalt salts of organic carboxylic acids having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, and (iv) complexes of halogenated cobalt compounds of the formula CoX.sub.n, wherein X represents a halogen atom and n represents 2 or 3, with an organic compound selected from the group consisting of tertiary amines, alcohols, tertiary phosphines, ketones and N,N-dialkylamides, and (b) at least one organoaluminum compound of the formula AlR.sub.3, wherein R represents a hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and (2) carbon disulfide.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved emulsion polymerization process. Specifically, this invention relates to an improved method for producing acrylonitrile-butadiene polymers. The improvement is characterized in that a reaction mixture contains a mono-basic alkali phosphate buffer which results in polymers that are resistant to subsequent Mooney rise.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an aqueous polymerization medium comprising (1) a catalyst composition which contains (a) an organometallic compound and (b) a transition metal compound wherein said catalyst composition is microencapsulated in a polyene product; and (2) water. This invention also discloses an aqueous polymerization medium comprising (1) a catalyst composition which is prepared by dissolving in an inert organic solvent containing at least one polyene (a) a transition metal compound, and (b) an organometallic compound; and (2) water. This aqueous polymerization medium is very useful in the polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers. It is of greatest value in the polymerization of conjugated diolefin monomers into stereo-regulated polymers.

Abstract: A catalyst for the ring-opening copolymerization of a hexachlorocyclopentadiene-1,5-cyclooctadiene adduct and a cycloolefin, other than cyclohexene, having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and containing at least one non-conjugated vinylene double bond. Owing to modification by oxy bidentate-type ligands, the chlorotungsten catalyst system affords a more favorable comonomer reactivity ratio and is thus utilized.

Abstract: A catalyst for the ring-opening copolymerization of a hexachlorocyclopentadiene-1,5-cyclooctadiene adduct and a cycloolefin, other than cyclohexene, having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and containing at least one non-conjugated vinylene double bond. Owing to modification by oxy bidentate-type ligands, the chlorotungsten catalyst system affords a more favorable comonomer reactivity ratio and is thus utilized. The catalyst comprises a compound of (a) the reaction product of tungsten hexachloride and a 1,2- or 1,3- dioxy compound; and a compound (b) having the formula R-AlCl.sub.2 where R is an alkyl group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms.