Abstract: The invention provides chain extenders made from epoxy-functional (meth)acrylic monomers and styrenic and/or (meth)acrylic monomers. The invention further provides polymeric compositions made from the chain extenders and plastic articles made from the compositions. Finally, the invention provides methods of using the chain extenders to improve the properties of virgin, recycled, and reprocessed condensation polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides secure communication from one encryption domain to another using a trusted module. In one embodiment, the invention includes receiving a first key for decryption of encrypted content over a secure authenticated channel, receiving a second key for re-encrypting the encrypted content over a secure authenticated channel. The invention further includes receiving the encrypted content, decrypting and re-encrypting the encrypted content using the first key and the second key, and conveying the re-encrypted content to a sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a humanized anti-B7-2 antibody that comprises a variable region of nonhuman origin and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin of human origin. The invention also pertains to methods of treatment for various autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases by administering humanized anti-B7-2 and/or anti-B7-1 antibodies.

Abstract: A gravel packing system featuring pressure actuated sliding sleeve valves mounted to an exterior annulus around a blanking pipe for screen sections is disclosed. An internal sliding sleeve valve is provided for subsequent closure of access through the screens. The presence of the annulus between the blanking pipe and the screen permits a backup access through perforating the blanking pipe while not damaging the screen. The sliding sleeve valves that are mounted internally and externally on the blanking pipe are removable apart from the screen section that already has gravel packed around it, if they fail to operate and need repair.

Abstract: The present invention is a chemical reactor for catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. The chemical reactor has reactor microchannels for flow of at least one reactant and at least one product, and a catalyst material wherein the at least one reactant contacts the catalyst material and reacts to form the at least one product. The improvement, according to the present invention is: the catalyst material is on a porous material having a porosity that resists bulk flow therethrough and permits molecular diffusion therein. The porous material further has a length, a width and a thickness, the porous material defining at least a portion of one wall of a bulk flow path through which the at least one reactant passes.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus includes a magnetic medium having a top recording layer of hard magnetic material for perpendicularly storing magnetic data and a bottom underlayer of soft magnetic material, a read head for reading magnetic data from a recorded portion of the recording layer, a stabilizer for magnetically stabilizing a portion of the underlayer directly below the recorded portion simultaneously while the read head is reading magnetic data from the recorded portion and the read head and the stabilizer being separate structures.

Abstract: A method of forming ?-alane. The method includes reacting aluminum trichloride and an alkali metal hydride to form an alane-ether complex solution. An aqueous ether solution is optionally added to the alane-ether complex solution to form a partially hydrolyzed ether/alane-ether complex solution. A solution of a crystallization additive is added to the alane-ether complex solution or to the aqueous ether/alane-ether complex solution to form a crystallization solution. The crystallization additive is selected from the group consisting of squalene, cyclododecatriene, norbornylene, norbornadiene, a phenyl terminated polybutadiene, 2,4-dimethyl anisole, 3,5-dimethyl anisole, 2,6-dimethyl anisole, polydimethyl siloxane, and mixtures thereof. Ether is removed from the crystallization solution to crystallize the ?-alane.

Abstract: An odor removal apparatus for a toilet wherein the apparatus and toilet has a bowl, an outlet from the bowl and a barrier between the bowl and the outlet which substantially prevents odors from the outlet passing to the bowl. A gas extraction apparatus is in communication with an area in the vicinity of the bowl and the outlet whereby operation of the gas extraction apparatus substantially removes odors from the vicinity of the bowl and transfers them to the outlet. The gas extraction apparatus comprises a fan operable to induce a flow of gases and entrained odors for removal of the odors from the vicinity of a toilet. The fan is immersed in the water in the cistern of the toilet.

Abstract: A diagnostic system according to the present invention diagnoses system failure of a secondary air injection system. The secondary air injection system includes a pump that provides air to an exhaust system via a conduit and a valve that controls the flow of air through the conduit. A pressure sensor measures pressure in the conduit. A controller predicts pressure in the conduit during first, second and third operational phases of the secondary air injection system. The controller compares the measured pressure to the predicted pressure to evaluate operation of the secondary air injection system. During the first phase, the secondary air injection system is used to reduce vehicle emissions. During the second phase, the valve is shut while the pump is on. During the third phase, the pump is turned off while the valve is closed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating dental erosion, preventing dental discoloration or both comprising orally administering to a mammal (preferably, a human) a beverage composition having a pH of greater than about 5.5; wherein the beverage composition comprises a compound having the structure: wherein n is an integer averaging from about 7 to about 100 and M, M?, and M? are each, independently, selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium. The present invention is further directed to kits comprising the foregoing beverage composition and information that use of the beverage composition provides treatment against dental erosion, dental discoloration or both.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a light cracked naphtha is disclosed wherein the light cracked naphtha is first subjected to thioetherification and fractionation into two boiling fractions. The lower boiling fraction is removed as overheads for later recombination with the product and the higher boiling fraction is combined with a heavy cracked naphtha and subjected to simultaneous hydrodesulfurization and fractionation to separate the higher boiling fraction from the heavy cracked naphtha which is recycled. The recycled heavy cracked naphtha is eventually desulfurized and hydrogenated to produce a clean solvent which washes the catalyst and extends catalyst life.

Abstract: The configuration of the logical processors of a logical partition is managed dynamically. A logical partition is initially configured with one or more logical processors. Thereafter, the configuration can be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic adjustment may be in response to workload of the logical partition.

Abstract: A composite structure (62) having a bond enhancement member (76) extending across a bond joint (86) between a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material (80) and a ceramic insulation material (82), and a method of fabricating such a structure. The bond enhancement member may extend completely through the CMC material to be partially embedded in a core material (84) bonded to the CMC material on an opposed side from the insulation material. A mold (26) formed of a fugitive material having particles (18) of a bond enhancement material may be used to form the CMC material. A two-piece mold (38, 46) may be used to drive a bond enhancement member partially into the CMC material. A compressible material (56) containing the bond enhancement member may be compressed between a hard tool (60) and the CMC material to drive a bond enhancement member partially into the CMC material.

Abstract: A power management switch arrangement can be programmed by an external switch controller to alter the operating parameter limits used for fault detection. The switch arrangement includes the capability for full diagnostic feedback of load current and over-temperature conditions.

Abstract: Implementations of this invention provide improved technology for storage-device activation control in high-availability storage systems and tracking of in-service data statistics of storage-devices. Typical high-availability storage systems include a fault-tolerant redundant array of storage devices, such as disk drives. The invention may be implemented with one or more inactive (un-powered) drives physically installed in the storage system, but not part of the present fault-tolerant redundant array of disk drives. When a drive fails, one of the inactive drives is activated (powered-on) and it replaces the failed disk and becomes part of the present array. With the newly activated disk included, the data is reconstructed and the original fault-tolerance level is restored. Furthermore, the invention may be implemented so that it tracks the actual in-service time of the storage devices (such as disk drives).

Abstract: A data-mirroring method in which, while an I/O process is processing a first I/O request for writing data to a first device, control is obtained from that I/O process executing on a host computer. A second I/O request, this one for writing the data to the second device, is then created. Then, control is returned to the I/O process by causing the first I/O request to be made available to a first data storage system managing the first device.

Abstract: A gaseous blend of Ox and a method for significantly reducing the biological load, including anthrax, on mail and shipping parcels is disclosed. The gaseous blend of Ox consists at least in part of O3. The method involves applying a continuous stream of oxygen-containing, i.e., Ox, gas to the mail or shipping parcel at a predetermined temperature, pressure and relative humidity. The continuous stream of Ox gas is prepared in an Ox generation cell, which contains a means for generating the Ox gas at a pressure less than 20 lbs/in2 using, for example, one or more of the following: corona discharge, high frequency electrical discharge, ultraviolet light, x-ray, radioactive isotope and electric beam.

Abstract: A canister purge valve, and an emission control system, for regulating a fuel vapor flow between a fuel vapor collection canister and an intake manifold of an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The canister purge valve includes a body having a passage extending between a first port and a second port, a seat defining a portion of the passage, a member movable with respect to the seat, and an actuator that moves the member. The first port of the body is adapted to be in fluid communication with the fuel vapor collection canister, and the second port of the body is adapted to be in fluid communication with the intake manifold of the internal combustion engine. The member moves generally along an axis between a first configuration that prohibits fuel vapor flow through the seat and a second configuration that permits fuel vapor flow through the seat. And the actuator includes a piezo-electric element that moves the member from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Abstract: A polyketide or glycosylated polyketide which has the formula: wherein R* is methyl or ethyl; each of R1-R6 is methyl; X1 is OH or H; and/or X2 is=O, OH or H; X3 is OH or H; X4 is OH or H; a pi bond is present at positions 10-11, 8-9, 4-5 and/or 2-3; and wherein at least one of the following characteristics is present: X1 is H; X2 is OH or H; X3 is H; X4 is H; or a pi bond is present at positions 10-11, 8-9, 4-5 and/or 2-3.

Abstract: An apparatus for fastening together at least first and second container portions and allowing the separation thereof includes at least one adhesive spot disposed upon at least one among the first and second container portions. The at least one adhesive spot is capable of fastening together the first and second container portions. One or more weakened area is located on at least one of the container portions and assists in easing the separation and release of the container portions.