Abstract: Coating compositions that include acrylic polymers as reinforcing agents. The coating compositions are radiation-curable and include a multifunctional acrylate component, an acrylic monomer diluent, an acrylic polymer, and a photoinitiator. The acrylic polymer is not radiation-curable and lacks hydrogen-donor groups, urea groups, and urethane groups. The acrylic polymer is non-reactive and does not chemically bond to the crosslinked network formed by curing the acrylate components. Instead, the acrylic polymer reinforces the cured network through physical interactions. Representative acrylic polymers include (meth)acrylates that lack substituents with hydrogen-donor, urea, and urethane groups.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel xylose isomerases and their uses, particularly in fermentation processes that employ xylose-containing media.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel xylose isomerases and their uses, particularly in fermentation processes that employ xylose-containing media.

Abstract: A process for producing hot-rolled steel strip with a tensile strength of between 760 and 940 MPa and a steel produced therewith, suitable for producing parts by working such as press forming, bending or stretch flanging.

Abstract: A high strength hot rolled steel sheet with an excellent combination of tensile strength of at least 550 MPa and formability, including weight percent at most 0.15% of C, at most 0.5% of Si, between 0.5 and 2.0% of Mn, at most 0.06% of P, at most 0.008% of S, at most 0.1% of Al sol, at most 0.02% of N, between 0.02 and 0.45% of V, between 0.05 and 0.7% of Mo, optionally between 0.01 and 0.1% of Nb, balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the steel sheet has a precipitation strengthened and substantially single-phase ferritic microstructure, wherein the volume fraction of the ferrite phase in said microstructure is not lower than 97%, and wherein the precipitates in the microstructure comprise fine precipitates of composite carbides containing Mo and V and optionally Nb.

Abstract: The steel for hot forming has the following composition in weight %: C: 0.10-0.25, Mn: 1.4-2.8, Si: ?1.0, Cr: ?1.0, Ti: ?0.05, Nb: ?0.05, V: ?0.1, Mo: ?0.1, Al: ?0.05, P: ?0.02, S: ?0.005, Ca: ?0.005, O: ?0.01, N: ?0.02, B: ?0.0004, the remainder being iron and unavoidable impurities. Also disclosed is a strip, sheet or blank produced with such a steel, a method for producing a hot formed product, such a product and the use thereof.

Abstract: A high strength hot dip galvanized steel strip including, in mass percent, of the following elements: 0.10-0.18% C, 1.90-2.50% Mn, 0.30-0.50% Si, 0.50-0.70% Al, 0.10-0.50% Cr, 0.001-0.10% P, 0.01-0.05% Nb, max 0.004% Ca, max 0.05% S, max 0.007% N, and optionally at least one of the following elements: 0.005-0.50% Ti, 0.005-0.50% V, 0.005-0.50% Mo, 0.005-0.50% Ni, 0.005-0.50% Cu, max 0.005% B, the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein 0.80%<Al+Si<1.05% and Mn+Cr>2.10%. This steel offers improved formability at a high strength, has a good weldability and surface quality together with a good produce-ability and coat-ability.

Abstract: A surgical eye wear and light combination (10) is disclosed having a frame (11), a lens (12, and a light assembly (13). The eye wear frame also includes a pair of oppositely disposed temple arms (18) and a flexible head band (21) extending between the temple arms. The Light assembly includes a light housing (23), a battery pack (24), and an insulated conductor (25). The light housing has a main body portion (27) and a headlamp (28). The battery pack includes a battery pack housing (37) and at least one battery (38) therein. In use, the weight of the battery is separated from the weight of the majority of the eye wear and light housing. Also, if the wearer tilts his or her head downwardly the weight of the heavier battery simply pushes against the back of the wearer's head.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing urethane-free polyfunctional acrylate compounds. The method includes reaction of a polyol with acrylic acid in the presence of an inhibitor. A catalyst may also be present. The catalyst may be an acid and the inhibitor may be a substituted phenol compound. Excess acid may be removed by adding a salt and excess water may be removed by adding a drying agent. The reaction converts alcohol groups of the polyol to acrylate groups to provide a radiation-curable polyfunctional acrylate compound. The reaction is applicable to polyols generally and provides a scalable high yield process for forming urethane-free polyfunctional acrylates over a wide range of molecular weights. Coatings made from the acrylate products exhibit modulus and tensile strength characteristics favorable for primary fiber coatings.

Abstract: A coating composition including a reinforcing agent. The coating composition may include one or more radiation-curable monofunctional monomers, one or more radiation-curable multifunctional monomers or oligomers, a photoinitiator, and a reinforcing agent. The monofunctional monomers, multifunctional monomers, and multifunctional oligomers may include acrylate groups. The reinforcing agent may be an acrylic co-polymer that includes two or more repeat units. At least one of the repeat units includes chemical groups that enable self-association of the acrylic co-polymer. Self-association of the acrylic co-polymer may improve the tensile strength of coatings formed from the coating compositions.

Abstract: A low cost composition that cures rapidly and which is suitable for coating an optical fiber comprises at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; at least one photoinitiator; and at least one non-radiation-curable polar polymer having pendent groups that facilitate low energy chemical bonding, hydrogen bonding, dipolar interactions or other interactions with radical compounds formed during polymerization of the monomer. The non-radiation-curable polar polymer(s) are inexpensive and reduce and/or eliminate the need for expensive urethane acrylate oligomers, without sacrificing properties, and while achieving rapid cure speeds.

Abstract: A high strength hot dip galvanized steel strip including, in mass percent, of the following elements: 0.10-0.18% C, 1.90-2.50% Mn, 0.30-0.50% Si, 0.50-0.70% Al, 0.10-0.50% Cr, 0.001-0.10% P, 0.01-0.05% Nb, max 0.004% Ca, max 0.05% S, max 0.007% N, and optionally at least one of the following elements: 0.005-0.50% Ti, 0.005-0.50% V, 0.005-0.50% Mo, 0.005-0.50% Ni, 0.005-0.50% Cu, max 0.005% B, the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein 0.80%<Al+Si<1.05% and Mn+Cr>2.10%. This steel offers improved formability at a high strength, has a good weldability and surface quality together with a good produce-ability and coat-ability.

Abstract: The CoinCard System described in this patent application is designed to replace coins associated with retail cash transactions as well as stand-alone vending machines. The System is comprised of software and hardware components that function together as a system. CoinCards used in the System are issued by the appropriate federal agency with both visual and encoded information to assure authenticity and have an initial value of one dollar (in the U.S.). CoinCards would be distributed to banks and then to retailers and vending machine operators for use with equipment supported by the System. A computer program is included to demonstrate the processing involved in various usage scenarios. Benefits include reduced costs to the federal government, banks and retailers.

Abstract: A method is performed by a controller on a vehicle. The method includes determining a rotational speed of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle. In response to confirming occurrence of at least one first condition, the controller determines whether the rotational speed is within a first range. Upon determination by the controller that the rotational speed of the crankshaft is within the first range, the controller initiates engagement of a clutch to result in coupling of the crankshaft with a rotor of a generator. While the clutch is engaged, the controller determines whether the rotational speed of the crankshaft is within a second range. The controller adjusts the throttle of the internal combustion engine upon determination by the controller that the rotational speed of the crankshaft is not within the second range, to bring the rotational speed of the crankshaft into the second range.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel xylose isomerases and their uses, particularly in fermentation processes that employ xylose-containing media.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing annealed steels and annealed steels produced thereby.

Abstract: Aircraft and airframes include a skin operatively coupled to a structural reinforcement member. The structural reinforcement member and the skin collectively define a run-out region that encompasses a terminal edge of the structural reinforcement member. Within the run-out region, the skin is more flexible than in adjacent portions of the skin. Methods include defining a region of increased flexibility of a skin relative to adjacent portions of the skin, and operatively coupling the skin to a structural reinforcement member.

Abstract: A radiation curable composition is disclosed that includes a curable cross-linker essentially free of urethane and urea functional groups, a curable diluent, and a non-radiation curable component comprising (thio)urethane and/or urea groups. Coated optical fibers having a primary coating formed from this radiation curable composition, as well as optical fiber ribbons that contain the coated optical fibers are disclosed. Methods of making the optical fibers and ribbons are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments include a loading rack apparatus mountable on a vehicle having a hoist motor, an extendable horizontal trolley to permit a load to be lifted with the hoist, moved horizontally into a vehicle, and lowered. A variety of embodiment trolley drive mechanisms are disclosed including but not limited to a rack-and-pinion means, belt drive means, and a lead screw means. A control means prevents trolley and hoist motor overcurrent. The control means includes a plurality of safety features including a tilt detection means to avoid loading under unsafe conditions and a pressure sensitive switch to halt trolley movement if the trolley contacts an object or person. A DC motor control means provides button control for trolley and hoist motors and emergency cut off. The top surface is shaped to define a surface for items. An arcuate embodiment crossbar member permits more stable positioning of items on the apparatus's topmost surface. A method for safely moving a load is disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments include a loading rack apparatus mountable on a vehicle having a hoist motor, an extendable horizontal trolley to permit a load to be lifted with the hoist, moved horizontally into a vehicle, and lowered. A variety of embodiment trolley drive mechanisms are disclosed including but not limited to a lead screw trolley drive. An arcuate embodiment crossbar member permits more stable positioning of items on the apparatus's topmost surface. A method for safely moving a load is disclosed.