Abstract: Methods of braiding using a braiding mechanism are described. The braiding mechanism includes a disc defining a plane and a circumferential edge, a mandrel extending from a center of the disc that is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc, a plurality of catch mechanisms positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc, a plurality of actuators adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc, and a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel towards circumferential edge of the disc. A middle portion of each filament of the plurality of filaments contacts an end of the mandrel.

Abstract: This disclosure provides recombinant DNA constructs and transgenic plants having enhanced traits such as increased yield, increased nitrogen use efficiency, and enhanced drought tolerance or water use efficiency. Transgenic plants may include field crops as well as plant propagules and progeny of such transgenic plants. Methods of making and using such transgenic plants are also provided. This disclosure also provides methods of producing seed from such transgenic plants, growing such seed, and selecting progeny plants with enhanced traits. Also disclosed are transgenic plants with altered phenotypes which are useful for screening and selecting transgenic events for the desired enhanced trait.

Abstract: A method of removing a pipe, such as a caisson, from a body of water, after the platform has been removed which includes the steps of a high pressure head having a lifting padeye is secured to the upper end of the caisson; the caisson is then flooded with water; pressure is applied to the water column, so that a sufficient hydraulic force against the surface of the water bottom within the caisson to force the caisson to move upward; if the caisson moves upward to the level of the top of a crane, the caisson is cut off above the water line and the cut portion is removed; the process is repeated on the remaining portion of the caisson in the water, until the entire caisson is finally removed from the water. This process could also be used in removal of pilings from multi-leg jackets.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooler and a dewar assembly including a cooled surface; a cooling surface for removing thermal energy from said cooled surface; and an adapter disposed between said cooling surface and the cooled surface for conducting thermal energy therebetween. A first fluid is disposed between the cooled surface and the adapter for conducting thermal energy from the cooled surface to the adapter. A second fluid is disposed between the cooling surface and the adapter for conducting thermal energy from the adapter to the cooling surface whereby the cooling surface remains free to move axially relative to the adapter at a temperature of the cooling surface at which the first fluid is susceptible to freezing. This allows for movement of the cold finger relative to the dewar and adapter, due to differential thermal coefficients of expansion or support structure motion, without adversely affecting the communication of thermal energy from the load.

Abstract: A winch drum including a barrel portion having composite flanges secured at each end. The flanges including two or more partially independent, segmented, modules with each modular section placed diametrically one on the other thus forming an expanding concentric flange. The first modular section secured to the winch drum, barrel portion having a relatively small outside diameter with respect to the barrel is treated, from a design standpoint, as the primary shear module. The second and subsequent concentric sections are only secured to the lower modular section at their outer faces and treated independently for shear and bending with each cross section being sized to accommodate the forces applicable only to that modular section thus reducing shear and bending in these modules.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymers having pendant side groups of:--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --(CF.sub.2).sub.n Fwherein m is 10, and n is 10 and more in which the amount of the monomer containing the moiety --(CF.sub.2).sub.10 F constitutes about 50% or more of the total percent of all the monomers. By adjusting the number of --CH.sub.2 -- groups to 10 and adjusting the distribution within the --(--CF.sub.2).sub.m F groups, it has been discovered that the particular side group configuration forms crystalline regions that reduce mobility of the side chains and thereby improves the repellency of materials coated with the polymers of the invention.

Abstract: Polyurethane/expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene composite coatings show unexpectedly high resistance to ionizing radiation when they contain a hindered phenol.

Abstract: A process for providing yield enhancement of canned tuna fish. A dry storage hydrolyzed caseinate product is firstly produced by firstly providing acid precipitated casein. The acid precipitated casein is agitated with hydroxide solution while maintaining the mixture substantially dry. The mixture is allowed to cool to ambient temperature and a dry enzyme is uniformly distributed therein in a ratio of at least 0.1% by weight. A broth is subsequently formed by dispersing the dry hydrolyzed caseinate in a 5-10% by weight aqueous dispersion. The dispersion is heated to a temperature in the range of approximately 160.degree. F. to 190.degree. F. and used to effect enhanced yield of precooked tuna fish to be subsequently canned.

Abstract: A method for preparing a block copolymer of an ether free polylactam and a polyetheramide, e.g., poly(4,7-dioxadecamethylene adipamide) involves polymerizing a lactam, e.g., caprolactam, in contact with the polyetheramide. Resulting block copolymer has utility, e.g., as a fiber.

Abstract: A novel composition comprises a block copolymer of a polyetheramide, e.g., poly-(4,7-dioxadecamethylene adipamide) and a random copolymer resulting from the polymerization of an ether free polyamide precursor, e.g., hexamethylenediamine salt of adipic acid and a precursor of a polyetheramide. The block copolymer can be more easily processed into useful articles such as fiber and film because it differs structurally from a corresponding block copolymer of homopolymers of polyetheramide and polyamide.

Abstract: Semipermeable membranes useful in membrane separation processes are formed from a hydrophilic polyamide which is a block copolymer of nylon and a poly(dioxa-amide) such as poly(4,7-dioxadecamethylene adipamide).

Abstract: Semipermeable membranes useful in membrane separation processes are formed from a hydrophilic polyamide which is a block copolymer of nylon and a poly(dioxa-amide) such as poly(4,7-dioxadecamethylene adipamide).

Abstract: Novel block copolymer formed by melt blending a melt spinnable polyamide, such as nylon-6, and a poly(dioxa-arylamide), such as poly(4,7-dioxadecamethylene terephthalamide) (also known as N-30203-T), is disclosed. Said copolymer has utility as a fiber. The fiber of a block copolymer, for example of nylon-6 and said poly(dioxa-arylamide) which is also known as N-30203-T/6, has superior moisture absorption and initial modulus characteristics than that of nylon-6. Furthermore, resulting fiber still substantially maintains the other desirable properties of the major constituent, for example, nylon-6.

Abstract: Fibers of block copolymer of poly (4,7-dioxadecamethylene adipamide) - polycaprolactam, i.e. N-30203-6//6, have a tendency to fuse when scoured in boiling water. By replacing a minor amount of the adipic acid present in the N-30203-6 portion of the block copolymer with terephthalic acid the fusion is eliminated. The resulting novel composition consists of blocks of random N-30203-6 and N-30203-T with nylon-6 blocks. The composition maintains its good hydrophilic properties.

Abstract: Novel block copolymer formed by melting blending a melt spinnable polyamide such as nylon-6 and a poly(oxa-amide) such as poly(4-oxaheptamethylene adipamide) (also known as N-303-6) is disclosed. Said copolymer has utility as a fiber. The fiber of copolymer, for example of nylon-6 and said poly-(oxa-amide) has superior absorption characteristics than that of nylon-6. Furthermore, resulting fiber (N-303-6//6) still substantially maintains the other desirable properties of the major constituent, for example nylon-6.

Abstract: Novel block copolymer formed by melt blending a melt spinnable polyamide such as nylon-6 and a poly(dioxa-amide) such as poly(4,7-dioxadecamethylene adipamide) which is also known as N-30203-6 is disclosed. Said copolymer has utility as a fiber. The fiber of disclosed copolymer, for example, of nylon-6 and said poly(dioxa-amide) has moisture absorption characteristics similar to that of cotton. Resulting copolymer is also known as N-30203-6//6. Furthermore, the resulting fiber still maintains the other desirable properties of the major constituent, for example, nylon-6.

Abstract: Novel copolymer formed by melt blending a melt spinnable polyamide, such as nylon-6, and a block of random poly(dioxa-amide), such as a copolymer prepared from the mixture of caprolactam and the salt of adipic acid and 4,7-dioxadecamethylene diamine, is disclosed. The resulting copolymer, N-30203-6/6//6, has utility as a fiber. The fiber, for example, resulting from melt blending of nylon-6 and the aforementioned random poly(dioxa-amide) has moisture absorption characteristics similar to that of cotton. Furthermore, the resulting fiber still maintains the other desirable properties of the major constituent, for example, nylon-6.

Abstract: Improved melt blending process for preparing block copolymer of poly(4,7-dioxadecamethylene adipamide)-polycaprolactam, which is also known as N-30203-6//6, involves continuing the melt blending until the polymer is characterized in that the maximum amount of the block copolymer recovered from an aqueous formic acid solution containing the dissolved block copolymer exceeds about 90%. Fiber prepared from such a characterized block copolymer does not fuse when scoured in boiling water.

Abstract: A novel solid polyamide polymer is prepared by the condensation of an alkyladamantane diamine of the structure: ##SPC1##Wherein each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is an alkyl radical having 1-10 carbon atoms and a cyclic hydrocarbon diacid having the following structure, HCOORCOOH wherein R is an arylene or alkyl substituted arylene, or an alicyclic hydrocarbon or an alkyl substituted alicyclic hydrocarbon. The solid polymer is useful in forming films, transparent molded articles, and other similar thermoplastic products.

Abstract: Particulate foamed fertilizers and combination products in which other active ingredients are combined with such fertilizers. Methods and apparatus for making foamed fertilizers and combination products in which provision is made for combining ingredients, curing, drying, and comminuting the material thus obtained, separating and agglomerating fines and adding them to the comminuted product, and incorporating active ingredients into the comminuted product.