Abstract: Solutions comprising a sodium silicate waterglass having a modulus of less than 3 and at least 8% by weight of an organic polyhydroxy compound such as glycerol are useful in the production of interlayers used in fire resistant glass laminates. The solutions are dried on a flat surface such as glass to produce a clear intumescent interlayer having improved impact resistance. The dried interlayer may be removed from the surface in the form of an elastomeric material which may also be used as an interlayer in a fire resistant glazing.

Abstract: Novel waterglass compositions comprise a zirconium containing anionic aggregate, preferably potassium zirconium carbonate or ammonium zirconium carbonate, in a quantity sufficient to provide at least 0.5% as zirconium metal. The compositions can be dried and/or gelled to form optically clear interlayers useful in the production of fire resistant glass laminates. The incorporation of the zirconium containing aggregate improves the fire resistant performance of the laminates.

Abstract: A method for identifying a microorganism having a reduced adaptation to a particular environment comprising the steps of: (1) providing a plurality of microorganisms each of which is independently mutated by the insertional inactivation of a gene with a nucleic acid comprising a unique marker sequence so that each mutant contains a different marker sequence, or clones of the said microorganism; (2) providing individually a stored sample of each mutant produced by step (1) and providing individually stored nucleic acid comprising the unique marker sequence from each individual mutant; (3) introducing a plurality of mutants produced by step (1) into the said particular environment and allowing those microorganisms which are able to do so to grow in the said environment; (4) retrieving microorganisms from the said environment or a selected part thereof and isolating the nucleic acid from the retrieved microorganisms; (5) comparing any marker sequences in the nucleic acid isolated in step (4) to the unique marker

Abstract: Methods and software for associating mobility probes with target macromolecules are discussed. By encoding the identities of macromolecules of interest with a universal set of tag portions complementary to a universal set of mobility probes, reactions varying in their input starting material may be identified using the same universal set of mobility probes. This allows the universal collection of mobility probes to be used in a target macromolecule-independent manner. Software is used to decode the associations between the mobility probes and a given target macromolecular identity.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention describe an apparatus and method for generating genotype calls for a sample. The genotyping initially models allelic signal response into an allelic model having one or more model parameters for an identified one or more sources of systematic variation. The model and parameters are then used to transform the allelic signals to a normalized normalized allelic space that serves to compensate for the one or more sources of systematic variation. By compensating for the systematic variation in this manner, the genotype for the sample is readily determined based upon its relationship to the representation of the allelic signals in normalized allelic space and in accordance with the allelic model.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire having a tread of a rubber composition comprised of a composite of styrene/butadiene elastomer and functionalized styrene/butadiene elastomer containing an internal silanol and/or siloxy group therein with pendent silanol and/or alkoxy groups of a polymodal (e.g. bimodal) molecular weight distribution, together with at least 30 phr of cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and a dispersion in said rubber composition of precipitated silica aggregates and a coupling agent as a bis (3-triethoxysilylpropyl) polysulfide having an average of from only 2 to 2.5 sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge to the exclusion of a bis (3-trialkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide having an average of greater than 2.5, and particularly greater than 3, sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge. In one aspect, said silica aggregates may be pre-treated to reduce said hydroxyl groups on their surface prior to blending with said silanol and/or siloxy functionalized elastomer.

Abstract: Fire resistant glazings comprise a fire resistant interlayer based upon a silicate waterglass are characterised by the incorporation of aluminium ions. The aluminate is incorporated as a solution which has been partially neutralised using hydroxycarboxylic acid which is preferably citric acid. The incorporation of aluminium provides glazings have improved fire resistance and impact properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a built-in sealant layer and its preparation. The sealant layer precursor is a layer of a butyl rubber based composition which contains an organoperoxide. The butyl rubber of said precursor is a copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene containing from about 0.5 to about 5, alternately less than 1, mole percent isoprene. The precursor composition contains carbon black and/or coal dust and may contain a dispersion of liquid conjugated diene polymer (e.g. liquid cis 1,4-polyisoprene polymer), short fibers and/or hollow glass microspheres. A layer of the sealant precursor is built into the tire between a sulfur vulcanized halobutyl rubber innerliner and conjugated diene-based rubber of the tire carcass. The butyl rubber of the sealant precursor is partially depolymerized by the organoperoxide during the elevated temperature vulcanization of the tire to form the built-in sealant layer.

Abstract: The teachings relate to microarray controls.

Abstract: A series of genes from Streptococcus pyogenes are shown to encode products which are implicated in virulence. The identification of these genes therefore allows attuated microorganisms to be produced. Furthermore, the genes or their encoded products can be used in the manufacture of vaccines for therapeutic application.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification of a series of virulence genes in E. coli K1, the products of which may be implicated in the pathogenicity of the organisms. The identification of the genes allows them, or their expressed products, to be used in a number of ways to treat infection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire having at least one component (e.g. tread) of a rubber composition comprised of a carbon black and precipitated silica reinforced elastomer blend comprised of a combination of hydroxyl functionalized aqueous emulsion polymerization prepared styrene/butadiene copolymer elastomer (E-SBR) and tin coupled organic solvent solution polymerization prepared styrene/butadiene copolymer elastomer (S-SBR) and/or isoprene/butadiene copolymer elastomer. Preferably, said E-SBR is exclusive of functional groups reactive with alkoxy groups other than said hydroxyl functional groups. A coupling agent as bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)polysulfide having an average of from only 2 to 2.6 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge is used. The invention further relates to an article of manufacture, such as for example a tire, having at least one component of a rubber composition comprised of said elastomer blend.

Abstract: A clip including two plates that preferably are substantially parallel, a spacer that connects the plates and that holds the plates apart by a gap, and at least one part of a hook-and-loop fastener attached to at least one of the plates opposite the other of the plates. Also, a clip including a plate, one or more structures for fastening the plate to an object, and at least one part of a hook-and-loop fastener attached to the plate. In addition, a method of using such clips.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pneumatic tire having a rubberized component comprising: (a) 100 parts by weight of at least one rubber containing olefinic unsaturation; and (b) 1 to 110 phr of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an error correction or determination for a data set or string regarding an image or detection of a selected element or component at an interrogation site. The interrogation site can include a bead or other appropriate detection system. The detection system and generated data string includes an error correction or detection indication that ensures that the data transferred to the analysis system is substantially error free.

Abstract: Bilayer materials are produced by drying a solution of an alkali metal silicate upon the surface of a flexible backing material until a flexible silicate film is produced. The film may be separated from the backing material and incorporated into laminated fire resistant glazings. The alkali metal silicate solution preferably comprise a surfactant. The bilayers may be transported or stored before the flexible silicate film is separated and incorporated into a glazing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a built-in sealant layer and its preparation. The sealant layer precursor is a layer of a butyl rubber based composition which contains an organoperoxide. The butyl rubber of said precursor is a copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene containing from about 0.5 to about 5, alternately less than 1, mole percent isoprene. The precursor composition contains carbon black and/or coal dust and may contain a dispersion of liquid conjugated diene polymer (e.g. liquid cis 1,4-polyisoprene polymer), short fibers and/or hollow glass microspheres. A layer of the sealant precursor is built into the tire between a sulfur vulcanized halobutyl rubber innerliner and conjugated diene-based rubber of the tire carcass. The butyl rubber of the sealant precursor is partially depolymerized by the organoperoxide during the elevated temperature vulcanization of the tire to form the built-in sealant layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having at least one component comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition, wherein the vulcanizable rubber composition comprises, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), from about 30 to 100 phr of high trans random SBR, and from about zero to about 70 phr of at least one additional elastomer, wherein the high trans random SBR comprises from about 3 to about 30 percent by weight of styrene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire having at least one component (e.g. tread) of a rubber composition comprised of a carbon black and precipitated silica reinforced elastomer blend comprised of a combination of hydroxyl functionalized aqueous emulsion polymerization prepared styrene/butadiene copolymer elastomer (E-SBR) and tin coupled organic solvent solution polymerization prepared styrene/butadiene copolymer elastomer (S-SBR) and/or isoprene/butadiene copolymer elastomer. Preferably, said E-SBR is exclusive of functional groups reactive with alkoxy groups other than said hydroxyl functional groups. A coupling agent as bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) polysulfide having an average of from only 2 to 2.6 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge is used. The invention further relates to an article of manufacture, such as for example a tire, having at least one component of a rubber composition comprised of said elastomer blend.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire having a tread of a rubber composition comprised of a composite of styrene/butadiene elastomer and functionalized styrene/butadiene elastomer containing an internal silanol and/or siloxy group therein with pendent silanol and/or alkoxy groups of a polymodal (e.g. bimodal) molecular weight distribution, together with at least 30 phr of cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber and a dispersion in said rubber composition of precipitated silica aggregates and a coupling agent as a bis (3-triethoxysilylpropyl) polysulfide having an average of from only 2 to 2.5 sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge to the exclusion of a bis (3-trialkoxysilylalkyl) polysulfide having an average of greater than 2.5, and particularly greater than 3, sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge. In one aspect, said silica aggregates may be pre-treated to reduce said hydroxyl groups on their surface prior to blending with said silanol and/or siloxy functionalized elastomer.