Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer having isotactic polypropylene crystallinity compounded with a blend rubber wherein the terpolymer can be present in an amount effective to improve tack, aged tensile strength retention, fatigue resistance, ozone cracking resistance, and reversion resistance. Also disclosed is an elastomer composition wherein the terpolymer can have at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units, at least 6 wt % ethylene-derived units and from 0.3 to 10 wt % diene-derived units, and a tire sidewall composition comprising from 10 to 30 phr terpolymer, from 20 to 60 phr natural rubber, from 20 to 60 phr polybutadiene rubber, and an optional secondary blend rubber. Also disclosed is a vulcanizate of the elastomer composition, and articles, tire sidewalls, tires, retreaded tires, bias truck tires, off-road tires, and passenger automobile tires made with the vulcanizate. Further disclosed are processes for making molded articles and tires, and for retreading tires.

Abstract: Elastomeric polymers and compounded elastomers having reduced amounts of leachables and improved resistance to ?-irradiation sterilization suitable for pharmaceutical stopper and seal applications. These polymers and compounded elastomers maintain their physical performances upon being exposed to ?-irradiation over time and typical use conditions. The polymer is prepared by reacting a mixture of i) a C4 to C7 isoolefin monomer, ii) a styrene based monomer, and optionally iii) a C4 to C14 multiolefin monomer wherein the polymer contains 5 to 15 wt % of styrene derived units.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic tire comprising an innerliner comprising a functionalized poly(isobutylene-co-p-methylstyrene) elastomer, at least one layered filler; and less than 8 phr of at least one processing aid; wherein the innerliner possesses a permeation coefficient of less than 200 mm·cm3/m2·day at 40° C.; and wherein the tire is selected from truck tires, airplane tires, off-the-road tires and farm tractor tires. In a preferred embodiment, the tire is formed by a process of contacting the functionalized poly(isobutylene-co-p-methylstyrene) elastomer, at least one layered filler, and at least one solvent to form an nanocomposite composition; and combining the nanocomposite composition with the at least one processing aid and a curative composition to form the innerliner, then forming the tire comprising the innerliner.

Abstract: A signal representative of a pressure is received from an industrial transmitter. An isolation indicator signal may be obtained by control signals from an isolation valve assembly or by signals from a DCS to indicate that isolation has occurred.

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions for the modulation of condensed tannin production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes. Increased expression of condensed tannins in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. Increased condensed tannin content also reduces the potential for bloat in animals fed certain forage plants low in condensed tannin content. The invention may also be used to modify plant pigmentation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer having isotactic polypropylene crystallinity compounded with a blend rubber wherein the terpolymer can be present in an amount effective to improve tack, aged tensile strength retention, fatigue resistance, ozone cracking resistance, and reversion resistance. Also disclosed is an elastomer composition wherein the terpolymer can have at least 60 wt % propylene-derived units, at least 6 wt % ethylene-derived units and from 0.3 to 10 wt % diene-derived units, and a tire sidewall composition comprising from 10 to 30 phr terpolymer, from 20 to 60 phr natural rubber, from 20 to 60 phr polybutadiene rubber, and an optional secondary blend rubber. Also disclosed is a vulcanizate of the elastomer composition, and articles, tire sidewalls, tires, retreaded tires, bias truck tires, off-road tires, and passenger automobile tires made with the vulcanizate. Further disclosed are processes for making molded articles and tires, and for retreading tires.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of alkylphenol disulfide accelerators in butyl and halobutyl compounds.

Abstract: A medical laser apparatus comprises: a solid laser oscillating source which emits a beam of a wavelength ?1 in an infrared region of approx. 1040 nm to approx. 1080 nm; a first fiber-based Raman shifter including a first Raman fiber which generates, when receives the ?1-beam from the laser oscillating source, a first-order Stokes beam of a wavelength ?2 different from the wavelength ?1 by stimulated Raman scattering, the first Raman fiber being formed with a pair of fiber Bragg gratings which forms a resonator for the ?2-beam; a first nonlinear crystal which wavelength-converts the ?2-beam outputted from the first Raman wavelength shifter to a second harmonic beam of a wavelength ?2? in an orange region of approx. 580 nm to approx. 600 nm; and a light guiding optical system which guides the ?2?-beam to a treatment part.

Abstract: An optimized network (300), includes providing a switch card topology (350) having a plurality of switching elements (305), where the plurality of switching elements are arranged to form a switch configuration (303). N number of payload interfaces (307) are coupled to the switch configuration, where each of the N number of payload interfaces is coupled to interface with one of a plurality of payload slots (308). A set of N payload module configurations (402, 502) is characterized by a sequential addition (320) of a payload module (304) into each of the plurality of payload slots, where the sequential addition of the payload module couples the payload module to the network. N number of payload interfaces are coupled to the switch configuration such that a latency function (616) is minimized for the switch configuration and the set of N payload module configurations.

Abstract: An optimized network (300), includes providing a switch card topology (350) having a plurality of switching elements (305), where the plurality of switching elements are arranged to form a switch configuration (303). N number of payload interfaces (307) are coupled to the switch configuration, where each of the N number of payload interfaces is coupled to interface with one of a plurality of payload slots (308). A set of N payload module configurations (402, 502) is characterized by a sequential addition (320) of a payload module (304) into each of the plurality of payload slots, where the sequential addition of the payload module couples the payload module to the network. N number of payload interfaces are coupled to the switch configuration such that a latency function (616) is minimized for the switch configuration and the set of N payload module configurations.

Abstract: A medical laser apparatus comprises: a solid laser oscillating source which emits a beam of a wavelength &lgr;1 in an infrared region of approx, 1040 nm to approx. 1080 nm; a first fiber-based Raman shifter including a first Raman fiber which generates, when receives the &lgr;1-beam from the laser oscillating source, a first-order Stokes beam of a wavelength &lgr;2 different from the wavelength &lgr;1 by stimulated Raman scattering, the first Raman fiber being formed with a pair of fiber Bragg gratings which forms a resonator for the &lgr;2-beam; a first nonlinear crystal which wavelength-converts the &lgr;2-beam outputted from the first Raman wavelength shifter to a second harmonic beam of a wavelength &lgr;2′ in an orange region of approx. 580 nm to approx. 600 nm; and a light guiding optical system which guides the &lgr;2′-beam to a treatment part.

Abstract: A novel process for converting C2 to C6 aliphatic hydrocarbons to aromatics and catalyst for use in this process are disclosed. The catalyst that contains a zeolite having a silica to alumina molar ratio greater than about 20 and a pore diameter from about 5 Å to about 6 Å, an essentially non-acidic binder, and a gallium component. The binder is selected from silica, zirconia, titania, and mixtures thereof and results in a catalyst formulation having both enhanced selectivity to desired C6-C9 aromatic products and improved stability compared to prior art compositions. Preferred zeolites that can be used include those of the MFI structure type, with ZSM-5 being a specific example.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a catalyst system comprising two or more molecular sieves, including at least one non-zeolitic molecular sieve and one zeolitic aluminosilicate, having specified contrasting pore structures and to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using the subject catalyst system to obtain an improved yield of para-xylene from the mixture relative to prior-art processes.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for ethylbenzene and xylene isomerization in a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene. By addition of trace quantities of water to the reaction zone, equivalent isomerization is effected at lower temperatures wherein benefits could be realized in reduced losses and improved catalyst life.

Abstract: A method for implementing policies for nodes connected to a network having a policy manager that determines the specific policy the node should receive, and a data source for the storage of policies comprising providing for the request of a policy from the node to the policy manager, providing for the determination of the particular provider needed to facilitate transfer of the requested policy from the data source, providing for the transfer of a resultant list of policies from the particular data source, providing for the modification of the list of policies in accordance with a dynamic set of policy rules, providing for the retrieval of the policy settings associated with the policies in the modified list, providing for the transfer of the policy attributes to the particular node making the request and providing for the implementation of the policy attributes on the particular node making the request.

Abstract: A shape-selective catalyst comprises a synthetic porous crystalline material having the structure of ZSM-5 and a composition involving the molar relationship: X2O3:(n)YO2, wherein X is a trivalent element, such as aluminum, boron, iron and/or gallium, preferably aluminum; Y is a tetravalent element such as silicon and/or germanium, preferably silicon; and n is greater than about 12, and wherein the crystals have a major dimension of at least about 0.5 micron and a surface YO2/X2O3 ratio which is no more than 20% less than the bulk YO2/X2O3 ratio of the crystal. The crystals have a diffusion-modifying surface coating of a refractory material such as silica or coke. The catalyst is useful in a wide variety of selective hydrocarbon conversion processes, particularly the selective disproportionation of toluene to para-xylene.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using a catalyst comprising a zeolite, a platinum-group metal and a silica binder, resulting in a greater yield of para-xylene at favorable conditions compared to processes of the known art.

Abstract: A process for toluene disproportionation which obtains high xylene yields while minimizing ethylbenzene production employs a dual catalyst bed. The first bed employs an acid zeolite, e.g., ZSM-5 which disproportionates toluene and the downstream second bed uses an acid zeolite having hydrogenation-dehydrogenation activity, e.g., PtZSM-5, to selectively eliminate ethylbenzene.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a catalyst system comprising two or more molecular sieves, including at least one non-zeolitlc molecular sieve and one zeolitic aluminosilicate, having specified contrasting pore structures and to a process for isomerizing a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes and ethylbenzene using the subject catalyst system to obtain an improved yield of para-xylene from the mixture relative to prior-art processes.

Abstract: MCM-56 and MCM-49 have been demonstrated to be effective catalysts for the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x) emissions in a net oxidizing environment such as Selective Catalytic Reduction or lean burn engine exhaust applications. MCM-56 and MCM-49 can be utilized as a component of a spherical or cylindrical catalyst particle or as a wash coat on a ceramic or metallic monolith. Optionally, a transition metal such as copper, can be added to the catalyst for improved activity.