Abstract: Butadiene-polyether prepolymers which can be used in photopolymer resins are prepared by reacting butadiene homopolymer with a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate and then reacting the product with polyether diol. Thereafter the composition is reacted with hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate and alkyldialkanolamine. Flexographic printing plates may be prepared using photopolymer resin comprising butadiene-polyether prepolymers.

Abstract: A process for applying a thermal barrier coating to a machine component including:

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated, functionally-active protein that catalyzes cleavage of a gamma-secretase substrate. The functional activity of the isolated protein suggests that the isolated protein includes gamma-secretase. In one embodiment, the isolated gamma-secretase protein is associated with PS1. The present invention also relates to homogeneous methods for monitoring cleavage of &bgr;-amyloid precursor protein (&bgr;APP) by gamma-secretase, wherein the steps of of isolating and retrieving cleavage products have been eliminated. Cleavage can be detected by binding a pair of fluorescent adducts to the gamma-cleaved &bgr;APP fragment. Preferably, a first fluorescent adduct binds to the carboxy-terminal end of the gamma-cleaved &bgr;APP fragment, with substantially no cross-reactivity to uncleaved &bgr;APP or to other types of gamma-cleaved &bgr;APP fragments, while a second fluorescent adduct binds to a portion within the amino-terminal region on the gamma-cleaved &bgr;APP fragment.

Abstract: Dissolved silanes, silicones and silicates from solvents used in the slurry phase Direct Synthesis of alkoxysilanes are removed by adding a carboxylic acid such as formic acid to generate filterable precipitates and reusable solvent. The solvents are thereby remediated and made suitable for reuse in Direct Synthesis processes. Foaming is reduced with the remediated solvent and silicon conversion rates are higher. The precipitates are easily filtered and retain negligible quantities of solvent.

Abstract: Butadiene-polyether prepolymers which can be used in photopolymer resins are prepared by reacting butadiene homopolymer with a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate and then reacting the product with polyether diol. Thereafter the composition is reacted with hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate and alkyldialkanolamine. Flexographic printing plates may be prepared using photopolymer resin comprising butadiene-polyether prepolymers.

Abstract: A grapnel for recovering telecommunications cables from deep oceans has special features for treating the cable gently, cutting the cable and holding a predetermined side of it. The grapnel includes a rotor which is adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the grapnel. The rotor is located between two cutting stations and is preset for rotation in either the clockwise or the anti-clockwise direction. In operation, the rotor acquires one run of cable from below and this run of cable is held clear of both cutting stations. The rotor acquires the other run of cable from above, and this run of cable is introduced into one of the cutting stations. After winding, both cutting stations are actuated, and a predetermined run is cut. The other predetermined run is held because it is wound round the rotor and it can be retrieved to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the movement of a surface traversing apparatus across a member which has an ordered array of openings in it's surface. Move control routines are provided, each of which instruct the traversing apparatus to move incrementally over the surface of the member by disengaging, incrementally moving, and re-engaging one of two stepping arms. Each routine operates to advance the apparatus an increment in one of a number of directions. Some of the routines move the apparatus parallel to lines or rows of openings. Others move the apparatus diagonally. Each routine senses the relative positioning of the two stepping arms to establish the sequence of operations and returns the stepping arm to its former position if it is unable to complete a step.

Abstract: An improved surface traversing apparatus has an anchor finger selectively movable laterally of another anchor finger into near or substantial alignment with an opening in a member for insertion thereinto and includes one or more of the fingers being mounted to a base portion of the platform by a mounting arrangement which allows one finger to be deflected laterally relative to another finger such that the finger being inserted may deflect into exact alignment with the receiving opening by lateral engagement with the sidewall of the opening. Each finger is resiliently mounted to a connecting member which is, in turn, connected to the base portion of the platform. The resilient mount for each finger normally centers the finger and allows both pivotal and translatory displacement of the finger relative to the connecting member.