Abstract: Sampling devices for sampling an aqueous source (e.g., field testing of ground water) for multiple different analytes are described. Devices include a solid phase extraction component for retention of a wide variety of targeted analytes. Devices include analyte derivatization capability for improved extraction of targeted analytes. Thus, a single device can be utilized to examine a sample source for a wide variety of analytes. Devices also include an isotope dilution capability that can prevent error introduction to the sample analysis and can correct for sample loss and degradation from the point of sampling until analysis as well as correction for incomplete or poor derivatization reactions. The devices can be field-deployable and rechargeable.

Abstract: Sampling devices for sampling an aqueous source (e.g., field testing of ground water) for multiple different analytes are described. Devices include a solid phase extraction component for retention of a wide variety of targeted analytes. Devices include analyte derivatization capability for improved extraction of targeted analytes. Thus, a single device can be utilized to examine a sample source for a wide variety of analytes. Devices also include an isotope dilution capability that can prevent error introduction to the sample analysis and can correct for sample loss and degradation from the point of sampling until analysis as well as correction for incomplete or poor derivatization reactions. The devices can be field-deployable and rechargeable.

Abstract: Sampling devices for sampling an aqueous source (e.g., field testing of ground water) for multiple different analytes are described. Devices include a solid phase extraction component for retention of a wide variety of targeted analytes. Devices include analyte derivatization capability for improved extraction of targeted analytes. Thus, a single device can be utilized to examine a sample source for a wide variety of analytes. Devices also include an isotope dilution capability that can prevent error introduction to the sample analysis and can correct for sample loss and degradation from the point of sampling until analysis as well as correction for incomplete or poor derivatization reactions. The devices can be field-deployable and rechargeable.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for treating aluminum desmutting solutions by reacting, mixing and filtering an aluminum desmutting solution flow from an aluminum desmutting solution tank and controlling the amount of copper ions in an aluminum desmutting solution tank by directing a portion of the desmutting solution from a desmutting solution tank to a treatment line, reacting a portion of the desmutting solution in the treatment line and recirculating a filtered aluminum desmutting solution to the aluminum desmutting solution tank during active desmutting operation of the aluminum desmutting solution tank.

Abstract: Sampling devices for sampling an aqueous source (e.g., field testing of ground water) for multiple different analytes are described. Devices include a solid phase extraction component for retention of a wide variety of targeted analytes. Devices include analyte derivatization capability for improved extraction of targeted analytes. Thus, a single device can be utilized to examine a sample source for a wide variety of analytes. Devices also include an isotope dilution capability that can prevent error introduction to the sample analysis and can correct for sample loss and degradation from the point of sampling until analysis as well as correction for incomplete or poor derivatization reactions. The devices can be field-deployable and rechargeable.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for treating operating aluminum desmutting solutions by reacting, mixing and filtering a partial desmutting solution flow are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for selectively removing at least one undesirable ion from an acidic solution including a tank receiving the acidic solution, a chiller in fluid communication with the tank, the chiller being configured to reduce a temperature of the acidic solution, and an ion exchanger in fluid communication with the chiller, the ion exchanger including an ion exchange resin that is selective for the undesirable ion.

Abstract: A system for selectively removing at least one undesirable ion from an acidic solution including a tank receiving the acidic solution, a chiller in fluid communication with the tank, the chiller being configured to reduce a temperature of the acidic solution, and an ion exchanger in fluid communication with the chiller, the ion exchanger including an ion exchange resin that is selective for the undesirable ion.

Abstract: A coating may be incorporated in a molded composite article made via a process in which neither the coating nor the resin contact the mold surface. A multilayer sandwich structure is formed having two outside layers of flexible membranes, typically made of silicon. An interior dissolvable film is disposed between the two outer flexible membranes. A layer of fiber reinforcement is disposed between the dissolvable film and one of the flexible membranes. A coating is distributed between a flexible membrane and the dissolvable film, opposite the side having the reinforcement, wherein the film is only slowly soluble, or insoluble, in the coating. The coating is allowed to at least partially cure and a resin is infused through the reinforcement wherein the dissolvable film rapidly dissolves in the resin. The sandwich structure is formed around a mold and the resin is allowed to cure.

Abstract: Low VOC vinyl ester resins exhibit improved cure in an oxygen containing environment. The vinyl ester resins comprise the reaction product of an epoxy resin having at least two epoxy groups per molecule; a polybasic anhydride; unsaturated monobasic acids comprising up to about 10 molar percent dicyclopentadienyl monomaleate based on the total unsaturated monobasic acids, wherein the vinyl ester resin has a viscosity of less than about 1200 cp measured at a shear of 500 s?1 in styrene at 70% non-volatile matter. Barrier coats and gel coats comprising such vinyl ester resins have acceptable tackiness and physical characteristics. A process to make such vinyl ester resins is also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a mutant protein which has the same amino acid sequence as an unmutated C-reactive protein (CRP) subunit or an unmutated preCRP, except that at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been deleted, at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been replaced by another amino acid, at least one amino acid has been added to the unmutated CRP subunit or preCRP, or a combination of such changes has been made. The amino acid(s) added, deleted and/or replaced are chosen so that the mutant protein is less likely to form covalently cross-linked aggregates than the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP. The mutant protein also exhibits at least one of the biological activities of modified-CRP.

Abstract: An improved method of anodizing an aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece including the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous anodizing bath consisting essentially by weight of about 3 to 5 percent sulfuric acid, from about 0.5 to 1 percent boric acid, not more than about 5.0 g/L aluminum ion, not more than about 0.2 percent chloride ion, and a fungistat consisting of benzoic acid, a water-soluble salt of benzoic acid selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, or lithium benzoate, or mixtures thereof, the fungistat having a concentration in the range of about one part per million (1 ppm) to about ten thousand parts per million (10,000 ppm) by weight; (b) maintaining the bath at a temperature from about 70 to about 90 degrees F.

Abstract: A modular, insulated framing beam assembly is adapted for residing at a head of a door or window frame. The beam assembly includes an elongate top framing member having first and second opposed ends, first and second opposed sides, and top and bottom major surfaces. The top framing member includes a pair of laterally-spaced and longitudinally-extending grooves formed in its bottom major surface. An elongate bottom framing member resides in spaced, vertical registration with the top framing member. The bottom framing members has first and second opposed ends, first and second opposed sides, and top and bottom major surfaces. The bottom framing member includes a pair of laterally-spaced and longitudinally-extending grooves formed in its top major surface. First and second laterally-spaced side framing members are positioned in respective pairs of laterally-spaced grooves formed in the top and bottom framing members.

Abstract: The invention provides a mutant protein which has the same amino acid sequence as an unmutated C-reactive protein (CRP) subunit or an unmutated preCRP, except that at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been deleted, at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been replaced by another amino acid, at least one amino acid has been added to the unmutated CRP subunit or preCRP, or a combination of such changes has been made. The amino acid(s) added, deleted and/or replaced are chosen so that the mutant protein is less likely to form covalently cross-linked aggregates than the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP. The mutant protein also exhibits at least one of the biological activities of modified-CRP.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire 20 is disclosed. The tire 20 has a carcass 21, a belt reinforcement member 26 disposed radially outwardly of the carcass 21, an annular tread 32 disposed radially outwardly of the belt reinforcing member 26, the tread 32 having a net-to-gross ratio of less than 35%. The tread 32 comprises an inner tread 34 and a plurality of traction lugs 50. At least 25% of the lugs 50 have aligned axially inner and axially outer portion is separated by a notch 60 extending between the leading edges 52 and trailing edges 54 and having a depth (n.sub.h) greater than 50% of the radial height (l.sub.h) of the lug 50 at a center of the notch along the leading edge 52, the center being located at a position 40% to 60% of the lug length (l.sub.L) from the axially inner end 53. Both the axially outer and inner portions of the notched lugs 50 have axially inner ends including enlarged lug heads.

Abstract: An improved tire tread having a net-to-gross ratio greater than 50% and a plurality of grooves defined by a base spaced between road contacting ribs is described herein. The improved tread is characterized by at least one circumferentially extending radially deep groove having a circumferentially continuous projection in the base of the groove.The projection has height measured from the base of the groove radially outward of less than one-sixth of the depth of the groove. The projection has a thickness of greater than one-half the height of the projection. The projection is axially spaced from the adjacent road contacting ribs. The projection is connected to the adjacent ribs by a plurality of braces. The braces are of substantially the same height as the projection. Each brace is spaced circumferentially from adjacent braces and connected to both sidewalls of the circumferentially extending adjacent ribs.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) has a tread (12) has a continuous center rib (24) extending circumferentially about the tread. A set of traction lugs (30,32) extend inwardly from each axial edge of the tread. Independent traction elements (58,60) are disposed circumferentially between circumferentially next adjacent traction lugs. The center rib (24) and the traction lugs (30,32) are substantially the same height, but the independent traction elements (58,60) have a lower height. An axially oriented arc of the tread has a radius such that a footprint of the tire has a maximum axial width that is in the range of 40% to 80% of the arc width of the tread.