Abstract: Peptide constructs including a first peptide segment which includes an amino acid sequence associated with autoimmune disease, asthma, allergy or xeno- or allograft transplantation rejections bonded directly or via a linker or spacer to a second peptide which binds to T cells and which will redirect the immune response from a harmful Th1 response to a less harmful Th2 response, or which will bind to T cells to initiate, but not complete, an immune response causing the T cells to which the first peptide binds, to undergo anergy and apoptosis, are useful in treating autoimmune conditions. For instance, the peptide construct NGQEEKAGVVSTGLIGGGDSAFDVLSFTAEEKAGVYK (SEQ ID NO:14) wherein Th2 stimulating Peptide G (SEQ ID NO:15) is covalently linked, via spacer GGG, to cardiac myosin molecule My1 (SEQ ID NO:16), can be used for treatment or prevention of myocarditis.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring application utilization are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a computer having a plurality of applications installed thereon. A monitoring module is associated with the computer in order to monitor a plurality of utilization parametrics to determine the utilization of the applications by a user and provide to the user a substantially realtime, visible indication of the utilization of the applications. Based on data relative to the utilization parametrics, the application may be evaluated in a resource evaluation report. Additionally, based on the data, reports regarding the user's profile and productivity may be developed.

Abstract: A distributed system framework and a distributed system architecture that includes three features: it can accommodate a large number of addressable entities, it is possible to connect any arbitrary group of entities together into a virtual network, and the infrastructure supports large numbers of concurrent virtual networks.

Abstract: The method for quenching a steel charge after carburizing or carbonitriding is carried out at atmospheric pressure and comprises the following steps: the charge is extracted from a treatment furnace (1) at a temperature ranging from 750 ° C. to 1100 ° C.; b) the charge is transferred to a quenching cell (3); c) a quenching fluid is introduced at a pressure which is higher than atmospheric pressure; d) the charge is cooled to a temperature of less than 400 ° C. According to the invention, the fluid is primarily composed of air, and the part is brought to a temperature of at least 400 ° C., whereby an oxide layer preventing decarburization is formed in the time period starting from the moment when the charge exits (1) from the furnace.

Abstract: A substantially transparent, moldable, thermoplastic multipolymer composition comprising a methyl methacrylate copolymer containing a predominant amount of methyl methacrylate and a minor amount of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers; and an effective amount of a polyetheresteramide to enhance the electrostatic charge dissipation of the copolymer. The polyetheresteramide has a refractive index within about 0.005 units of the refractive index of the copolymer. The composition, when subjected to injection molding, is such that the injection-molded composition exhibits a haze of not greater than about 25% and a light transmission of at least about 60%. Preferably, the composition includes an impact modifier which also has a refractive index within about 0.005 units of the refractive index of the copolymer. The composition may also include a minor amount of a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 10,000.

Abstract: A substantially transparent, moldable, thermoplastic multipolymer composition comprising a methyl methacrylate copolymer containing a predominant amount of methyl methacrylate and a minor amount of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers; and an effective amount of from about 1% to 35% by weight of the composition, of a polyetheresteramide to enhance the electrostatic charge dissipation of the copolymer. The polyetheresteramide has a refractive index within about 0.005 units of the refractive index of the copolymer. The composition, when subjected to injection molding, is such that the injection-molded composition exhibits a haze of not greater than about 25% and a light transmission of at least about 60%. The composition may include an impact modifier which also has a refractive index within about 0.005 units of the refractive index of the copolymer. The composition may also include a minor amount of a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 10,000.

Abstract: A substantially transparent, moldable, thermoplastic multipolymer composition comprising a methyl methacrylate copolymer containing a predominant amount of methyl methacrylate and a minor amount of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers; and an effective amount of from about 1% to 35% by weight of the composition, of a polyetheresteramide to enhance the electrostatic charge dissipation of the copolymer. The polyetheresteramide has a refractive index within about 0.005 units of the refractive index of the copolymer. The composition, when subjected to injection molding, is such that the injection-molded composition exhibits a haze of not greater than about 25% and a light transmission of at least about 60%. The composition may include an impact modifier which also has a refractive index within about 0.005 units of the refractive index of the copolymer. The composition may also include a minor amount of a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 10,000.

Abstract: A substantially transparent, moldable, thermoplastic multipolymer composition comprising a methyl methacrylate copolymer containing a predominant amount of methyl methacrylate and a minor amount of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers; and an effective amount of a polyetheresteramide to enhance the electrostatic charge dissipation of the copolymer. The polyetheresteramide has a refractive index within about 0.005 units of the refractive index of the copolymer. The composition, when subjected to injection molding, is such that the injection-molded composition exhibits a haze of not greater than about 25% and a light transmission of at least about 60%. Preferably, the composition includes an impact modifier which also has a refractive index within about 0.005 units of the refractive index of the copolymer. The composition may also include a minor amount of a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 10,000.

Abstract: The modular multizone heater system is for controllably heating areas of a structure, for example for bonded doubler reparation. The system comprises a number of heater cells to be placed in thermal contact with the areas to be heated of the structure. Each heater cell has a heating element and a temperature sensor. The heating elements of the heater cells are connected to a heater power supply to receive electric power. The heater power supply is controlled by a control unit receiving control data from a computer. The temperature sensors of the heater cells are connected to the control unit that relays the temperature data produced by the temperature sensors to the computer for monitoring, processing and control purposes.

Abstract: Provided are methyl methacrylate polymers admixed with particular polyalkylene glycols, ethers or esters, optionally with BHT, which show good chemical resistance, as well as maintenance of optical properties and minimal yellowing on exposure to sterilizing gamma radiation.

Abstract: Modified rubber compositions comprise by weight about 15-60% of a highly saturated aliphatic rubber such as ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, about 25-80% of acrylate monomer units; and less than about 5% multi-functional monomer units. The compositions exist as amorphous heterogeneously dispersed phases. The first phase comprises the copolymer rubber to which polymers of at least 10% of the other monomer units are grafted. The second phase comprises the other monomers polymerized as homo and copolymers, not grafted to the rubber. Optionally, up to 20% of the composition comprises high index monomer units. The high index monomer units may be copolymerized with the acrylate and grafted to the rubber. Greater than 10% of the monomer units other than rubber are grafted to the rubber. The number average molecular weight of the grafts is between 10,000 and 80,000 daltons.

Abstract: An improved molding composition is provided comprised of an oxymethylene polymer, a blocked or unblocked isocyanate compound in an amount ranging from about 0.2 to 2.0 percent by weight based on the weight of the polymer, a filler and an isocyanate-active catalyst. Shaped articles can be produced from the composition which exhibit desirable mechanical properties without the need for fibrous reinforcing agents.

Abstract: Provided is a glass reinforced molding composition which comprises a mixture of (i) a copolymer of trioxane and a cyclic ether or cyclic acetal or linear polyacetal, (ii) a terpolymer of trioxane, a cyclic ether and/or cyclic acetal and a diglycide of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z is a carbon-to-carbon bond, an oxygen or oxyalkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an oxy-poly(lower alkoxy), and (iii) a glass reinforcing agent. The resulting glass reinforced composition exhibits improved property retention, e.g., of properties such as tensile strength.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of stretched polymeric films. In this process more than two plies of polymeric film are simultaneously stretched. The process of this invention is particularly applicable to those films which must remain free of surface irregularities. For example, the properties of microporous polymeric films are significantly improved by the process of this invention.