Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: Compositions containing tetrahydrofurfuryl and/or alkyl-substituted tetrahydrofurfuryl esters of citric acid are provided. These esters of citric acid can be formed from renewable materials and can be used, for example, as plasticizers for various polymeric materials. The tetrahydrofurfuryl and/or alkyl-substituted tetrahydrofurfuryl esters of citric acid typically have a low odor, have good compatibility with a variety of polymeric materials, and can be used at temperatures often encountered during hot melt processing of polymeric materials.

Abstract: Optical devices include a light source and an optical article, where the optical article is an acid-free, non-yellowing pressure sensitive adhesive light guide. The light source is optically coupled to the light guide such that light emitted by the light source enters the light guide and is transported within the light guide by total internal reflection. The light guide includes a plurality of features oriented to extract light being transported within the light guide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayer pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) film, having a first pressure sensitive adhesive layer and at least an opposing layer, wherein the first pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition with a (meth)acrylic-based elastomeric material comprising a reaction product of polymerizable material comprising: (a) a first monomer which is an alkyl (meth)acrylate ester of a primary alcohol R1—OH, the alkyl (meth)acrylate ester being of Formula (I) CH2?C(R2)—(CO)—OR1?? (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl having 14 to 25 carbon atoms and the primary alcohol R1—OH has an iso index equal to at least 2 but no greater than 4; R2 is hydrogen or methyl; and (b) a second monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated group; wherein the at least one opposing layer comprises at least one filler material. The invention is also directed to a method for the manufacturing of such a multilayer PSA film and its use.

Abstract: An adhesive tie layer includes a binder including a multifunctional acrylate and a polyurethane, surface treated nanoparticles dispersed in the binder, and a plurality of interconnected voids. A volume fraction of interconnected voids in the adhesive tie layer is not less than about 10%.

Abstract: Pyrazolopyridin-4-amines, pyrazoloquinolin-4-amines, pyrazolonaphthyridin-4-amines, 6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrazoloquinolin-4-amines, and prodrugs thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing or inhibiting cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases, are disclosed.

Abstract: Optical devices include a light source and an optical article, where the optical article is an acid-free, non-yellowing pressure sensitive adhesive light guide. The light source is optically coupled to the light guide such that light emitted by the light source enters the light guide and is transported within the light guide by total internal reflection. The light guide includes a plurality of features oriented to extract light being transported within the light guide.

Abstract: Compositions containing tetrahydrofurfuryl and/or alkyl-substituted tetrahydrofurfuryl esters of citric acid are provided. These esters of citric acid can be formed from renewable materials and can be used, for example, as plasticizers for various polymeric materials. The tetrahydrofurfuryl and/or alkyl-substituted tetrahydrofurfuryl esters of citric acid typically have a low odor, have good compatibility with a variety of polymeric materials, and can be used at temperatures often encountered during hot melt processing of polymeric materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayer pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) film, having a first pressure sensitive adhesive layer and at least an opposing layer, wherein the first pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition with a (meth)acrylic-based elastomeric material comprising a reaction product of polymerizable material comprising: (a) a first monomer which is an alkyl (meth)acrylate ester of a primary alcohol R1—OH, the alkyl (meth)acrylate ester being of Formula (I) CH2?C(R2)—(CO)—OR1 (I) wherein R1 is an alkyl having 14 to 25 carbon atoms and the primary alcohol R1—OH has an iso index equal to at least 2 but no greater than 4; R2 is hydrogen or methyl; and (b) a second monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated group; wherein the at least one opposing layer comprises at least one filler material. The invention is also directed to a method for the manufacturing of such a multilayer PSA film and its use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayer pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) film, having a first pressure sensitive adhesive layer and at least one opposing layer, characterized in that the first pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising (co)polymers of: a) (meth)acrylate ester of 2-alkyl alkanols wherein the molar carbon number average of said 2-alkyl alkanols is 12 to 32; and optionally b) (meth)acrylate esters of C1-12 alkanols; wherein the molar carbon number average of the alkanols of the a) and b) (meth)acrylic acid esters is 12 to 32; wherein the at least one opposing layer comprises at least one filler material selected from the group of filler particles, wherein the filler particles are expanded perlite. The invention is also directed to a method for the manufacturing of such a multilayer PSA film and its use.

Abstract: A pre-adhesive syrup copolymer composition comprising an acid functional acrylate solute copolymer, a monomer solvent mixture, and a polyaziridine crosslinking agent is disclosed.

Abstract: A pre-adhesive composition is described comprising an acid-functional (meth)acrylate copolymer and an aziridine crosslinking agent, which when crosslinked provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive articles.

Abstract: A pre-adhesive syrup polymer composition is described comprising an acid-functional (meth)acrylate copolymer and an aminoalkyl (meth)acryloyl solvent monomer, which when polymerized, provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive articles.

Abstract: A pre-adhesive composition is described comprising an acid-functional (meth)acrylate copolymer and an acylaziridine crosslinking agent, which when crosslinked provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive articles.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising a 2-octyl(meth)acrylate, (meth)acrylic acid copolymer and optional crosslinking agents is described. The adhesive composition may be derived from renewable resources and provides good peel, shear and high temperature stability.

Abstract: An adhesive tie layer includes a binder including a multifunctional acrylate and a polyurethane, surface treated nanoparticles dispersed in the binder, and a plurality of interconnected voids. A volume fraction of interconnected voids in the adhesive tie layer is not less than about 10%.

Abstract: A pre-adhesive syrup polymer composition is described comprising an acid-functional (meth)acrylate copolymer and an aminoalkyl (meth)acryloyl solvent monomer, which when polymerized, provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive articles.

Abstract: Described is a pre-adhesive, curable composition comprising an acid-functional (meth)acrylate copolymer and a novel (meth)acryloyl-aziridine crosslinking agent, which when crosslinked provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition.

Abstract: A pre-adhesive syrup polymer composition is described comprising an acid-functional (meth)acrylate copolymer and an aminoalkyl (meth)acryloyl solvent monomer, which when polymerized, provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive articles.

Abstract: Pyrazolopyridin-4-amines, pyrazoloquinolin-4-amines, pyrazolonaphthyridin-4-amines, 6,7,8,9-tetrahydropyrazoloquinolin-4-amines, and prodrugs thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, intermediates, methods of making, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing or inhibiting cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases, are disclosed.