Abstract: A metallic-composite joint is formed by inserting a metallic member into a slot of a pi-shaped composite preform. The preform is formed from woven carbon fiber in a binder of resin and may or may not be cured prior to assembly. An inert compliant layer is located between the legs of the preform and the metallic member. The resin binder or an adhesive is used to bond the compliant layer to the preform. The compliant layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion that more closely matches that of the preform. The properties of the compliant layer also avoid galvanic corrosion between the carbon in the preform and the metallic member.

Abstract: A slow cooker for heating of food stuffs includes a container having a generally hollow interior and a container rim defining an opening for accessing the interior. The interior is capable of retaining the food stuffs therein. A first base for supporting the container has an electric heating element, which is selectively powered to heat the container and the food stuffs therein. A second base for supporting the container accommodates a flame heater therein for heating the container and the food stuffs therein. The first and second bases are alternatively used to heat the container.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a process for producing separable iron and titanium oxides from an ore containing titanium oxide and ferric oxide, comprising: (a) forming agglomerates comprising carbon-based materials and the ore, the quantity of carbon of the agglomerates being sufficient for, at an elevated temperature, reducing ferric oxide to ferrous oxide and forming a ferrous oxide-rich molten slag, (b) introducing the agglomerates onto a carbon bed of a moving hearth furnace; (c) heating the agglomerates in the moving hearth furnace to a temperature sufficient for reducing and melting the agglomerates to produce a ferrous oxide-rich molten slag; (d) metallizing the ferrous oxide of the molten slag by reaction of the ferrous oxide and the carbon of the carbon bed at a furnace temperature sufficient for maintaining the slag in a molten state; and (e) solidifying the slag after metallization of the ferrous oxide to form a matrix of titanium oxide-rich slag having a plurality of metallic iron granules distri

Abstract: Methods and systems for integrating functions of human capital resource management pursuant to workforce development and maintenance are provided. A plurality of modules may be provided, and those modules may, amongst other things, establish corporate goals and individual employee objectives; establish and maintain the workforce population (workforce analysis); define and maintain workforce position descriptions; compare, determine, and/or maintain compensations factors (e.g., base salary and bonuses); coordinate recruiting efforts; analyze and document employees' performances, and develop succession plains and training objectives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a support structure for a catalyst disposed within an outer containment. Several unique arrangements and connections of supporting struts that form the structure provide a number of significant advantages and improvements. The support structure provides a very low disturbance of gas flow while maintaining a high amount of contact support with catalyst foils. In addition to a high tolerance of thermal gradients and fewer stress concentrations, strong support in radial and axial directions is also provided.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) wherein G is either (i) or (ii), where M1 or M2 is bonded to A; n is 0 or 1; when G is (i), D is S, NR7, CR8?CR9, CR8?N, CR8?N(O), N?CR9 or N(O)?CR9; when G is (ii), D is S or NR7; E is N, N-oxide or CR10; M1 is OC(?Y), N(R11)C(?Y), N?C(OR12), N?C(SR13) or N?C(NR14R15) where O or N is the atom of attachment to the ring containing D and E; M2 is N—C(?Y) where N is the atom of attachment to the ring containing D and E; Y is O, S or NR16; J is N or CR17; and A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 are each certain organic or inorganic groups. These compounds are useful in fungicidal, insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and hematicidal compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unique fuel and air premixing system for a gas turbine catalytic combustion system. The mixer utilizes a multi-channel counter-rotating swirler with aerodynamically shaped fuel pegs located upstream of the swirler. The premixing system provides the downstream catalyst with a fuel-air mixture sufficiently uniform for proper catalyst operation and wide operating limits. Features have been incorporated in the system to make it resistant to flameholding.

Abstract: An electronic document management system. The system includes a document entry module; a document management module; and a real time digital certificate generator for effecting electronic signatures. In the preferred embodiment, the system further includes a document repository module for storing documents and for accessing documents.

Abstract: A system of managing a supply chain via a computer network that includes a manufacturing enterprise is provided. The system includes a host system, a network link to at least one supply chain entity, and an a-source application executing on the host system. The a-source application processes a bill of material file, which includes verifying demographic information, collecting pricing data and items in external warehouse files, and mapping the items to a commodity. The a-source application also generates and transmits a bid request to a web site. The a-source application further receives marketing data including customer demand for manufacturing enterprise components and receives and analyzes bid responses received from the supply chain entities to determine which components are in demand. The a-source application further generates an award notice based in part on customer demand and availability of components produced internally compared to similar components offered by outside sources.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical sensors and systems and methods employing the sensors for detecting one or more compounds of interest in a test medium. In one embodiment an optical sensor comprising a long period grating and a solid phase microextraction (SPME) film is exposed to a test medium such that one or more compounds of interest are selectively partitioned into the solid phase microextraction film. At least one optical property of the sensor exposed to the test medium is compared with at least one corresponding optical property of the sensor in absence of the test medium; wherein a difference in the optical property is indicative of one or more compounds of interest in the test medium. The methods and systems may employ long period grating sensors with or without SPME films, and fiber loop ring-down spectroscopy to measure optical properties of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for forming a radiation, such as laser, welded point of attachment between at least two fabric pieces, such as ends, is provided. The method comprises the steps of lapping the fabric pieces to be attached; applying to the lapped fabric pieces in a region where the fabric pieces are to be attached a radiation, preferably an infrared energy, absorbing ink; and exposing the ink applied region of lapped fabric pieces to a source of radiation in the wave length absorbed by the radiation absorbing ink. In the case of an infrared absorbing ink, a laser light power has been applied in the range of 200 to 1000 Watts while scanning laser light along the ink applied region at a rate of one to twenty-five meters per minute. The method provides a fabric construction useful as an air bag, a gas inflatable safety cushion or curtain or in other applications, such as articles of apparel.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating inflammatory respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The method involves administration, preferably oral or pulmonary administration, of an active agent selected from the group consisting of resveratrol, pharmacologically acceptable salts, esters, amides, prodrugs and analogs thereof, and combinations of any of the foregoing. Pharmaceutical formulations for use in conjunction with the aforementioned method are provided as well.

Abstract: A method of forming and a blank therefor, in which the blank comprises a parent body and an insert, at least one of which is made of a material which possesses superplastic properties. The insert is joined to the parent body by friction stir welding. The primary purpose of the invention is to provide a blank for a forming process during which some parts of the blank are required to deform to an extent which requires superplastic properties, whereas the remaining parts of the blank are deformed to a lesser extent.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), where A is optionally substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, cycloalkylene, alkylenoxy, oxy(C1-6)alkylene, alkylenthio, thio(C1-6)alkylene, C1-6alkylenamino, amino(C1-6)alkylene, [C1-6alkyleneoxy(C1-6)alkylene], [C1-6alkylenethio(C1-6)alkylene], [1-6alkylenesulfinyl(C1-6)alkylene], [C1-6alkylenesulfonyl(C1-6)alkylene] or [C1-6alkyleneamino(C1-6)alkylene]; provided that A is not CH2 or CH2O; B is N,N-oxide or CR8; Y is O, S or NR9; Z is O, S or NR10; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 are specified radicals; compositions containing them; process for making them; and their use as insecticides or fungicides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unique fuel and air premixing system for a gas turbine catalytic combustion system. The mixer utilizes a multi-channel counter-rotating swirler with aerodynamically shaped fuel pegs located upstream of the swirler. The premixing system provides the downstream catalyst with a fuel-air mixture sufficiently uniform for proper catalyst operation and wide operating limits. Features have been incorporated in the system to make it resistant to flameholding.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), where A is optionally substituted alkylene, alkenylene, alkynylene, cycloalkylene, alkylenoxy, oxy(C1-6)alkylene, alkylenethio, thio(C1-6)alkylene, C1-6alkylenamino, amino(C1-6)alkylene, [C1-6alkyleneoxy(C1-6)alkylene], [C1-6alkylenethio(c1-6)alkylene], [1-6alkylenesulfinyl(c1-6)alkylene], [c1-6alkylenesulfonyl(C1-6)alkylenc] or [C1-6alkyleneamino(C1-6)alkylene]; provided that A is not CH2 or CH2O; B is N, N-oxide or CR8; Y is O, S or NR9; Z is O, S or NR10; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 are specified radicals; compositions containing them; processes for making them; and their use as insecticides or fungicides.

Abstract: A screening method for identifying a drug-like compound or lead compound for the development of a drug-like compound in which (1) a xanthine or related compound is exposed to a histone deacetylase, (2) the binding of the compound to the histone deacetylase is measured or the change in the activity of the histone deacetylase is measured or the change in the binding of the histone deacetylase to activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is measured and (3) any compound capable of the required binding to the histone deacetylase or producing the required change in the activity of the histone deacetylase or its binding to activated glucocorticoid receptor is identified. Methods of treatment make use of compounds identifiable by the screening methods.

Abstract: A laminated fabric of an elastomeric copolyetherester-based film laminated to a manmade fiber substrate fabric and having a stiffness of from about 5 to 80 Newtons measured according to test method ASTM D4032-94 is described which demonstrates a desirable combination of stiffness and foldability, non-blocking (non self-sticking), air impermeability and resistance to heat aging.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula (I): where the substituents are as defined in the specification. The invention also provides processes for preparing the compounds, compositions comprising the compounds, methods of using the compounds and compositions to combat fungal diseases, and methods of using the compounds and compositions to combat or control insect, acarine, mollusc and nematode pests.