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: 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: Staphylococcus aureus virulence genes are identified, thereby allowing the identification of novel anti-bacterial agents that target these virulence genes and their products, and the provision of novel S. aureus mutants useful in vaccines.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparation of plant-derived synthetic silica aggregates from organic plant sources, (e.g. rice husks), reinforcement of rubber compositions therewith and preparation of articles of manufacture, such as tires, having at least one component, (e.g. treads), as a rubber composition which contains said plant-derived precipitated silica aggregates. The invention further relates to such plant-derived silica aggregates having been pre-treated with an alkylsilane and/or organomercaptosilane. The invention additionally relates to the preparation of rubber compositions therewith with an addition of a starch/plasticizer composite. The invention further relates to preparation of articles of manufacture, including tires, having at least one component comprised of such prepared rubber composition such as, for example, tires having such components as treads, sidewalls and/or innerliners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire with a colored sidewall joined with a plurality of colored grooves in its tread. In particular, the present invention relates to a tire of a black-colored rubber composition having a non-black colored sidewall portion which is integral with a plurality of non-black colored grooves of a tread of lug and groove configuration. For said tread, at least a portion of the visible surface of a plurality of tread grooves, exclusive of the outer surface portion of said carbon black reinforced rubber lugs intended to be ground-contacting, is of a non-black colored, synthetic amorphous silica reinforced rubber composition exclusive of carbon black. For said colored sidewall and plurality of connecting tread groove combination, said tread groove and sidewall may be of the same or different non-black color(s).

Abstract: There is disclosed a pneumatic tire having a rubberized component comprising:

Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus virulence genes are identified, thereby allowing the identification of novel anti-bacterial agents that target these virulence genes and their products, and the provision of novel S. aureus mutants useful in vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire with a colored sidewall joined with a plurality of colored grooves in its tread. In particular, the present invention relates to a tire of a black-colored rubber composition having a non-black colored sidewall portion which is integral with a plurality of non-black colored grooves of a tread of lug and groove configuration. For said tread, at least a portion of the visible surface of a plurality of tread grooves, exclusive of the outer surface portion of said carbon black reinforced rubber lugs intended to be ground-contacting, is of a non-black colored, synthetic amorphous silica reinforced rubber composition exclusive of carbon black. For said colored sidewall and plurality of connecting tread groove combination, said tread groove and sidewall may be of the same or different non-black color(s).

Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus virulence genes are identified, thereby allowing the identification of novel anti-bacterial agents that target these virulence genes and their products, and the provision of novel S. aureus mutants useful in vaccines.

Abstract: A seam construction for a woven dryer fabric comprises a helical spiral or array of loops (43) stitched or woven into the fabric by means of loop engaging yarns (42) extending the machine direction of the fabric, the neutral plane (44) of the fabric being displaced towards the paper contacting side of the fabric, by reason of yarns (41) in the paper contacting side of the fabric being of smaller diameter than the yarns (40) on the machine side of the fabric, and a pair of cross-machine yarns (44, 45) of equal diameter being located as terminal yarns adjacent the loops (43).

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating and managing relationships between and among companies and service providers that seeks to minimize and overcome the problems and inefficiencies of traditional methods is provided. The present invention integrates services that are currently provided by multiple entities into a unified system that may be advantageously provided by a single entity to facilitate the buying and selling of services and products. An embodiment of the present invention as a business to business (B2B) site on the World Wide Web (WWW) provides suppliers and customers in an industry with “one stop” to locate services that will facilitate their interactions. The present invention is particularly advantageous for use in providing services to the chemical industry. A community of service providers, companies and partners interact with each other utilizing a hub-based model. In one embodiment, the community comprises an industry such as the chemical industry.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an on-line auction, which may be part of a larger on-line community, for conducting and facilitating transactions in a commodity goods marketplace or industry. An embodiment of the present invention provides a World Wide Web (“Web”) based auction site for conducting and facilitating transactions in an industry. The auction-based model allows a supplier to sell or buy goods closer to a real market price than the current method of offering the commodity via telephone, facsimile, or electronic mail (e-mail). The users receive automatic e-mails notifying them of the status of an auction. E-mails and on-line screens show time of day information in a user's local time zone. The end time of auction is automatically extended when there is activity close to the prescheduled end time. Both forward and reverse auctions are enabled.

Abstract: A seam arrangement for connecting the two ends of a fabric so as to form an endless belt, particularly for use in papermaking. The seam arrangement comprises two endless coils (10) which are respectively located at the free ends of the fabric and on interdigitation are brought into union by a pintle wire. Each loop of the coils (10) is secured by a “short” fabric loop (22) and a “long” fabric loop (18). The short fabric loop is located at the right hand side of the long fabric loop when looking up the fabric towards the seam.

Abstract: A temporary seaming aid for use in seaming a dryer fabric, comprising complementary parts (39) attached to two portions (31, 32) of a dryer fabric. The complementary parts are adapted for cooperation and enable the fabric ends which have interdigitating formations (33) thereon to engage. Engagement of the interdigitating formations allow a pintle wire (34) to be inserted therein to form a flexible joint resulting in seaming of the dryer fabric. The entire temporary seaming aid can easily be removed once the fabric ends are joined.

Abstract: A batter's protective helmet includes a relatively rigid helmet or shell defined by a crown, front, rear and opposite side portions; and padding within the helmet for protecting the head of a user. The padding includes crown, front, opposite side and rear protective pad portions. A strap is provided for adjusting the overall size of the padding. The strap had end portions which project through openings in the rear portion of the helmet with each end portion carrying fasteners for fastening to a fastener carried by the helmet between the openings.

Abstract: A process was developed for modification of the surface of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) fibres so that these fibres function as a reinforcing agent in a cold-molded cementitious composite at levels below 1% by weight. The surface modification treatment involves treatment of the fibres with aqueous alkaline hydroxide between 20.degree. C. and 95.degree. C. for between 20 minutes and 7 hours. The modified fibre is used to replace asbestos in the cementitious composite and it has been found that this improves both the green strength and the flexural strength of the autoclaved material.