Abstract: An implantable electrode, for an implantable tissue stimulator, has an electrically conductive porous material comprising metal carbide, metal nitride, metal carbonitride, metal oxide or metal oxynitride and one or more coating layers on a surface thereof. The coating layer or at least one of the coating layers, is for contact with body tissue when the electrode is implanted. Each coating layer is an electrically conductive layer of polymer having a polypyrrole polymeric backbone or polythiophene polymeric backbone. The coating layer or layers are formed in situ by electropolymerisation. The polypyrrole or polythiophene may be substituted. The coating layer or layers can provide high charge storage capacitance and a fast discharging profile, as well as biocompatibility.

Abstract: A medical device, for example a stent, has a surface which in use contacts body tissue, wherein said surface has on it a biocompatible coating layer comprising a polymer having covalently bound allyl-terminated pendent groups, said pendent groups comprising a moiety selected from -0-CH2—CH?CH2—S—CH2—CH?CH2—S(=0)-CH2—CH?CH2—Se—CH2—CH?CH2 and —Se (=0 J-CH2—CH?CH2. This surface has good biocompatibility and can bind strongly to a metallic surface. The polymer may be made from an electropolymerisable monomer, e.g. a pyrrole.

Abstract: An implantable electrode, for an implantable tissue stimulator, has an electrically conductive porous material comprising metal carbide, metal nitride, metal carbonitride, metal oxide or metal oxynitride and one or more coating layers on a surface thereof. The coating layer or at least one of the coating layers, is for contact with body tissue when the electrode is implanted. Each coating layer is an electrically conductive layer of polymer having a polypyrrole polymeric backbone or polythiophene polymeric backbone. The coating layer or layers are formed in situ by electropolymerisation. The polypyrrole or polythiophene may be substituted. The coating layer or layers can provide high charge storage capacitance and a fast discharging profile, as well as biocompatibility.

Abstract: A medical device, for example a stent, has a surface which in use contacts body tissue, wherein said surface has on it a biocompatible coating layer comprising a polymer having covalently bound allyl-terminated pendent groups, said pendent groups comprising a moiety selected from -0-CH2—CH?CH2—S—CH2—CH?CH2—S(=0)-CH2—CH?CH2—Se—CH2—CH?CH2 and —Se (=0 J-CH2—CH?CH2. This surface has good biocompatibility and can bind strongly to a metallic surface. The polymer may be made from an electropolymerisable monomer, e.g. a pyrrole.

Abstract: A flow diverter tool assembly is employed for flushing debris from a portion of the bore of a subsea production tree. The flow diverter tool assembly has a housing having a passageway there-through and a seal disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The seal contacts the inner wall surface of the bore of the production tree, dividing a lower portion of the bore below the seal from an upper portion of the bore above the seal. One or more outlets from the passageway through the exterior surface are disposed along the housing below the seal. A bypass device such as a slip-joint is disposed above the seal to facilitate removal of the flow diverter tool assembly from the bore of the production tree after its use.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to synthetic analogues of microcin B17 component units, methods of making and using these analogues, including, for example, as inhibitors of DNA gyrase.

Abstract: A flow diverter tool assembly is employed for flushing debris from a portion of the bore of a subsea production tree. The flow diverter tool assembly has a housing having a passageway there-through and a seal disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The seal contacts the inner wall surface of the bore of the production tree, dividing a lower portion of the bore below the seal from an upper portion of the bore above the seal. One or more outlets from the passageway through the exterior surface are disposed along the housing below the seal. A bypass device such as a slip-joint is disposed above the seal to facilitate removal of the flow diverter tool assembly from the bore of the production tree after its use.

Abstract: A route service system and process for industrial applications includes, according to one example embodiment, a computer system having remote hand-held units, and begins with a preview route function which is, according to one example embodiment, completed one to three (3) days prior to service. The route service function summarizes items for a route service representative (RSR) that they may need to be aware of for servicing the route. A service route/supplied entity function leads the RSR through the steps needed to service each supplied entity on their route from start to finish. A check-in/approve route function gives visibility to management at the supply entity following a route's completion to assure proper business controls. According to one example embodiment, following the RSRs completion of a route, visibility of changes on the route are available to management and must be approved.

Abstract: A method for repelling a pest using 2-isopropyl-3-methoxi-pyrazine as a pest repellent, particularly a mole repellent, and a pest repelling composition which comprises this compound.

Abstract: cis-Jasmone has been discovered to be useful as a semiochemical that changes the behaviour of insects and/or the physiology of plants. It has direct signalling roles with plant-feeding aphids, in attraction of aphid predators and parasitoids, and may act as an airborne signal inducing production of volatile plant semiochemicals, including the monoterpene (E)-?-ocimene, that stimulate foraging by parasitoids. It is an extremely benign compound having, to human beings, a pleasant aroma and gives a long-lasting effect after removal of the stimulus.

Abstract: A composition that is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, multi-functional moiety or combination of mono- or multifunctional moieties that adsorbs onto a cementitious particle. The second required moiety (C) is a linear or branched water soluble, nonionic polymer that is capable of providing dispersing capability. A third moiety (B), if present, is a nonpolymeric moiety disposed between the first and second moiety, to connect the first and second moieties.

Abstract: A dry cast article and method for making the same, wherein the dry cast article includes an oligomeric dispersant that is a reaction product of two or three moieties is provided. To make a dry cast article, hydraulic cement, water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, optionally a surface active agent/air entraining agent, and an oligomeric dispersant are mixed and used to form a dry cast article from the mixture.

Abstract: A composition that is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, multi-functional moiety or combination of mono- or multifunctional moieties that adsorbs onto a cementitious particle. The second required moiety (C) is a linear or branched water soluble, nonionic polymer that is capable of providing dispersing capability. A third moiety (B), if present, is a nonpolymeric moiety disposed between the first and second moiety, to connect the first and second moieties.

Abstract: The present invention provides for microporous ceramic materials having a surface area in excess of 50 m2/gm and an open microporous cell structure wherein the micropores have a mean width of less than 20 Angstroms and wherein said microporous structure comprises a volume of greater than about 0.015 cm3/gm of the ceramic. The invention also provides for a preceramic composite intermediate composition comprising a mixture of a ceramic precursor and finely divided particles comprising a non-silicon containing ceramic, carbon, or an inorganic compound having a decomposition temperature in excess of 400° C., whose pyrolysis product in inert atmosphere or in an ammonia atmosphere at temperatures of up to less than about 1100° C. gives rise to the microporous ceramics of the invention. Also provided is a process for the preparation of the microporous ceramics of the invention involving pyrolysis of the ceramic intermediate under controlled conditions of heating up to temperatures of less than 1100° C.

Abstract: A dry cast article and method for making the same, wherein the dry cast article includes an oligomeric dispersant that is a reaction product of two or three moieties is provided. To make a dry cast article, hydraulic cement, water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, optionally a surface active agent/air entraining agent, and an oligomeric dispersant are mixed and used to form a dry cast article from the mixture.

Abstract: A composition that is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, functional moiety that can adsorb onto a particle. The second required moiety (C) is a linear or branched water soluble, nonionic polymer that is capable of providing dispersing capability. A third moiety (B), if present, is a nonpolymeric moiety disposed between the first and second moiety, to connect the first and second moieties.

Abstract: A cementitious formulation comprising a cement and an oligomeric dispersant is provided. The dispersant is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, functional moiety that adsorbs onto a particle, and wherein one or more A moieties together contain at least two residues to provide attachment of the dispersant onto a particle to be dispersed. The second required moiety (C) is a linear or branched water soluble, nonionic polymer that provides the dispersing capability. A third moiety (B), if present, is a nonpolymeric moiety disposed between the first and second moiety, to connect the first and second moieties. A method is provided for dispersing a cementitious formulation comprising a cement in water, including providing in said cementitious formulation the above oligomeric dispersant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to derivatized polycarboxylate dispersants for cementitious mixtures, including those mixtures with high percentages of pozzolan cement replacement and dry cast applications. In particular, the invention is directed to a cementitious mixture comprising cement, including cements with high percentages of pozzolan cement replacement, water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and including a dispersant, wherein said dispersant is a derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant, or combination of polycarboxylate dispersants, which is a derivatized polymer comprising a backbone having moieties derived from (a) an unsaturated hydrocarbon; (b) at least one of a substituted carboxylic acid monomer, a substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and maleic anhydride; and (c) optionally including an N-polyoxyalkylene succinimide; and wherein derivative moieties are pendant to the backbone monomer by at least one ester linkage and at least one amide linkage.

Abstract: A cementitious formulation comprising a cement and an oligomeric dispersant is provided. The dispersant is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, functional moiety that adsorbs onto a particle, and wherein one or more A moieties together contain at least two residues to provide attachment of the dispersant onto a particle to be dispersed. The second required moiety (C) is a linear or branched water soluble, nonionic polymer that provides the dispersing capability. A third moiety (B), if present, is a nonpolymeric moiety disposed between the first and second moiety, to connect the first and second moieties. A method is provided for dispersing a cementitious formulation comprising a cement in water, including providing in said cementitious formulation the above oligomeric dispersant.

Abstract: The present invention provides for microporous ceramic materials having a surface area in excess of 70 m.sup.2 /gm and an open microporous cell structure wherein the micropores have a mean width of less than 20 Angstroms and wherein said microporous structure comprises a volume of greater than about 0.03 cm.sup.3 /gm of the ceramic. The invention also provides for a preceramic composite intermediate composition comprising a mixture of a ceramic precursor and finely divided silicon carbide or silicon nitride, whose pyrolysis product in inert atmosphere or in an ammonia atmosphere at temperatures of up to less than about 1100.degree. C. gives rise to the microporous ceramics of the invention. Also provided is a process for the preparation of the microporous ceramics of the invention involving pyrolysis of the ceramic intermediate under controlled conditions of heating up to temperatures of less than 1100.degree. C. to form a microporous ceramic product.