Abstract: Methods are provided for identifying risk of developing lymphedema, including primary and secondary edema. The methods comprise identifying the presence in a biological sample of a polymorphism in one or more of GJA4, GJA5 and GJC2, resulting in a functional mutation of one or more of connixin 37 (Cx37), Cx40 or Cx47.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for identifying new treatments for Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), and uses thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions disclosed herein generally relate to methods of treating eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) and eosinophilic disorders by providing or enhancing a diagnosis of EE and eosinophilic disorders. In particular, the invention relates to obtaining a sample from a patient, then quantifying from the sample an amount of one or more microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with EE, wherein an altered level of the miRNA correlates with a positive diagnosis of EE. An EE diagnosis can then be provided or enhanced, based upon the quantifying step, and an appropriate treatment can be administered to the patient. The invention further relates to diagnostic kits, tests, and/or arrays that can be used to quantify the one or more miRNAs associated with EE, as well as treatments developed to up-regulate or down-regulate one or more miRNAs and/or their downstream pathways relevant to EE or asthma. The invention further relates to the use of IGF1 and IGF1R inhibitors for the treatment of EE and eosinophilic disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for human identification utilizing newly discovered single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within CODIS loci which can cause allelic dropout. Also disclosed are kits useful in human identification.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for rapid molecular profiling of tissue or other cellular specimens by placing a donor specimen in an assigned location in a recipient array, providing copies of the array, and performing a different biological analysis of each copy. The results of the different biological analyses are compared to determine if there are correlations between the results of the different biological analyses at each assigned location. In some embodiments, the specimens may be tissue specimens from different tumors, which are subjected to multiple parallel molecular (including genetic and immunological) analyses. The results of the parallel analyses are then used to detect common molecular characteristics of the genetic disorder type, which can subsequently be used in the diagnosis or treatment of the disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are pyrazoloanthrones or functional derivatives or analogs thereof to activate MIS receptor-mediated downstream effects in a cell. In particular, methods are provided to prevent and treat cancer that expresses MIS receptor type II (MISRII) by administering to a subject at least one pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or analog thereof. Also provided herein are methods to lower plasma androgen levels in a subject, and/or for the treatment of a subject with a disease characterized by excess androgen, whereby the subject is administered at least one pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or analog thereof. Also provided are methods to decrease the dose of a chemotherapeutic agent by administering the chemotherapeutic agent with a pyrazoloanthrone or a functional derivative or analog thereof that lowers the effective dose of the chemotherapeutic agent.

Abstract: Methods for identifying patients with molecular or complete remission of colorectal cancer following therapy a fluorocytidine derivative and a COX-2 enzyme inhibitor by quantifying CD 133 expression levels. Methods for detecting cancer stem cells by quantifying serum CD 133 RNA levels are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides assays that can detect multiple genetic variants of a gene (e.g., a mycobacterium gene) in a sample using a pool (using 2, 3, 4, or more) of oligonucletide hybridization probes.

Abstract: Methods for detecting Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. are disclosed. A sample suspected of containing a nucleic acid of one or more of M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and Legionella spp. is screened for the presence or absence of that nucleic acid. Determining whether the M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, or Legionella spp. nucleic acid is present in the sample can be accomplished by detecting hybridization between a M. pneumoniae probe (such as a CARDS toxin probe), a C. pneumoniae probe (such as a ArgR probe), or a Legionella spp. probe (such as a SsrA probe) and a nucleic acid in a sample. Also disclosed are probes and primers for the detection of M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and Legionella spp., and kits that contain the disclosed probes and/or primers.

Abstract: An automated process for converting samples includes: receiving tube strips having a number of sample tubes and samples therein, transferring multiple tube strips to a tube strip holder, dispensing sample conversion buffer into each tube, shaking the tube strip holder a first time, centrifuging the tube strip holder, removing a liquid supernatant from each tube, simultaneously inspecting the contents of each tube, dispensing a specimen transport medium and a denaturation reagent into each tube, shaking the tube strip holder a second time, heating the tube strip holder for a first length of time, shaking the tube strip holder a third time, heating the tube strip holder for a second length of time, shaking the tube strip holder a fourth time, and transferring at least a portion of each sample to a respective well on an output plate.

Abstract: Provided is a low iron loss high strength non-oriented electromagnetic steel sheet and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises hot-rolling a slab comprising 0.005 weight % or less of C, 4.0 weight % or less of Si, 0.1 weight % or less of P, 0.03 weight % or less of S, 0.1 to 2.0 weight % of Mn, 0.3 to 2.0 weight % of Al, 0.003 weight % or less of N, 0.005 weight % or less of Ti, the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities, cold-rolling the slab, and finally annealing the slab such that the fractional area of the non-recrystallization tissue at the cross sectional surface of the steel sheet is 50% or lower (not including 0%).

Abstract: Processes for the production of tantalum alloys are disclosed. The processes use aluminothermic reactions to reduce tantalum pentoxide to tantalum metal.

Abstract: Embodiments of an aluminum dross cooling head are disclosed. The cooling cooperates with a material container encapsulate dross and reduce thermiting of the dross. In one embodiment, the cooling head also serves as a compression head when forced into the dross by a cooperating dross press assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for recovering rare earth elements from an aluminum-bearing material. The processes can comprise leaching the aluminum-bearing material with an acid so as to obtain a leachate comprising at least one aluminum ion, at least one iron ion, at least one rare earth element, and a solid, and separating the leachate from the solid. The processes can also comprise substantially selectively removing at least one of the at least one aluminum ion and the at least one iron ion from the leachate and optionally obtaining a precipitate. The processes can also comprise substantially selectively removing the at least one rare earth element from the leachate and/or the precipitate.

Abstract: Lead-free solder alloys and solder joints thereof with improved drop impact resistance are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the lead-free solder alloys preferably contain 0.0-4.0 wt. % of Ag, 0.01-1.5 wt. % of Cu, at least one of the following additives: Mn in an amount of 0.001-1.0 wt. %, Ce in an amount of 0.001-0.8 wt. %, Y in an amount of 0.001-1.0 wt. %, Ti in an amount of 0.001-0.8 wt. %, and Bi in an amount of 0.01-1.0 wt. %, and the remainder of Sn.

Abstract: A first object of the present invention is to provide Co-based alloys for biomedical applications which are Ni-free, high intensity and high elastic modulus and are suitable for plastic workability. Moreover, a second object of the present invention is to provide Co-based alloys for biomedical applications having X-ray visibility. Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to provide a stent using the alloys. The Co-based alloys for biomedical applications according to the present invention is configured by adding alloy elements having biocompatibility and an effect of increasing stacking fault energy of the alloys.

Abstract: An austenitic alloy for high temperature use, particularly for use in resistance heating elements. The alloy includes primarily the elements Fe, Ni, and Cr, and it has the following main composition, given in weight %, Ni 38-48, Cr 18-24, Si 1.0-1.9, C<0.1, and the balance Fe. The alloy provides good hot form stability, good oxidation resistance, and a relatively high electrical resistance coupled with a low change in resistance as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A Ni-added steel plate includes, by mass %, C: 0.04% to 0.10%, Si: 0.02% to 0.12%, Mn: 0.3% to 1.0%, Ni: more than 7.5% to 10.0%, Al: 0.01% to 0.08%, T.O: 0.0001% to 0.0030%, P: limited to 0.0100% or less, S: limited to 0.0035% or less, N: limited to 0.0070% or less, and the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities, in which a Ni segregation ratio at an area of ¼ of a plate thickness away from a plate surface in a thickness direction is 1.3 or less, a fraction of austenite after a deep cooling is 0.5% or more, an austenite unevenness index after the deep cooling is 3.0 or less, and an average equivalent circle diameter of the austenite after the deep cooling is 1 ?m or less.

Abstract: A hard phase forming alloy powder, for forming a hard phase dispersed in a sintered alloy, consists of, by mass %, 15 to 35% of Mo, 1 to 10% of Si, 10 to 40% of Cr, and the balance of Co and inevitable impurities. A production method, for a wear resistant sintered alloy, includes preparing a matrix forming powder, the hard phase forming alloy powder, and a graphite powder. A wear resistant sintered alloy exhibits a metallic structure in which 15 to 45% of a hard phase is dispersed in a matrix. The hard phase consists of, by mass %, 15 to 35% of Mo, 1 to 10% of Si, 10 to 40% of Cr, and the balance of Co and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: A titanium alloy has high strength and superior workability and is preferably used for various structural materials for automobiles, etc. The titanium alloy is obtained by the following production method. An alloy having a structure of ?? martensite phase is hot worked at conditions at which dynamic recrystallization occurs. The working is performed at a heating rate of 50 to 800° C./second at a strain rate of 0.01 to 10/second when the temperature is 700 to 800° C. or at a strain rate of 0.1 to 10/second when the temperature is more than 800° C. and less than 1000° C. so as to provide a strain of not less than 0.5. Thus, equiaxed crystals with an average grain size of less than 1000 nm are obtained.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make it possible, without necessitating an alkali pretreatment, to form a zinc oxide layer having excellent sliding properties on a hot dip galvanized steel sheet not subjected to alloying after galvanizing and thus having a relatively low degree of surface activity. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to manufacture a hot dip galvanized steel sheet having higher area ratio of Zn oxide layer formed on a coating surface and larger thickness of the Zn oxide layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for carburizing low alloy steel in a vacuum furnace in the presence of a hydrocarbon carburizing gas in combination with hydrogen wherein said carburizing gas/hydrogen combination is administered to the vacuum furnace by cyclically reducing the pressure in the furnace followed by the pulsed addition of the hydrocarbon carburizing gas consisting of an acetylene/hydrogen gas mixture in a ratio of from about 1:1 to about 1:10 at increased temperature disassociate the carbon from the gas and deposit it only on the surface of said steel and not on the surface of the furnace. The continued application of increased temperature at reduced pressure causes the deposited carbon to diffuse below the surface of the steel towards the core resulting in a carburized low alloy steel product with increased hardness, ductility and improved resistance to corrosion.

Abstract: In forming alumina films on substrates by sputtering of an aluminum metal target in an oxidizing gas-containing atmosphere, film formation is carried out intermittently in a plurality of substeps while restricting a thickness of the film formed in each substep to at most 5 nm. A turntable is disposed to face a direction of sputtering of the aluminum metal target and the substrates are fixed to the turntable.

Abstract: A transparent crystalline electrically-conductive thin film of the present invention comprises an indium tin oxide as a main component, wherein the indium tin oxide contains 9% by weight or less of tin oxide based on the total amount of indium oxide and tin oxide, wherein the transparent crystalline electrically-conductive thin film contains 0.45 atomic % or less of nitrogen. The transparent crystalline electrically-conductive thin film of the present invention has a high resistance value and good reliability in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment.

Abstract: An organic layer deposition apparatus, a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display device by using the same, and an organic light-emitting display device manufactured using the method, and in particular, an organic layer deposition apparatus that is suitable for use in the mass production of a large substrate and enables high-definition patterning, a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display device by using the same, and an organic light-emitting display device manufactured using the method.

Abstract: An object is to provide a transparent conductive film having favorable transparency and conductivity at low cost. Another object is to reduce the resistivity of a transparent conductive film formed using conductive oxynitride including zinc and aluminum. Another object is to provide a transparent conductive film that is formed using conductive oxynitride including zinc and aluminum. When aluminum and nitrogen are made to be included in a transparent conductive film formed using oxide including zinc to form a transparent conductive film that is formed using conductive oxynitride including zinc and aluminum, the transparent conductive film can have reduced resistivity. Heat treatment after the formation of the transparent conductive film that is formed using conductive oxynitride including zinc and aluminum enables reduction in resistivity of the transparent conductive film.

Abstract: This is a thin film forming apparatus which is equipped with a target constructed of a thin film material, a cathode for generating a particulate thin film material from the target, a supporting member for supporting the substrate on which the particulate thin film material is to be deposited, a heater for heating the substrate, and a guide for introducing the particulate thin film material onto a surface of the substrate where the thin film material is deposited, wherein the supporting member supports the substrate so as to expose the first principal surface and its backside (second principal surface) of the substrate, the target is disposed in a position for producing the particulate thin film material in an extension of the first principal surface of the substrate, and the guide is disposed on the first principal surface and the second principal surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A plasma based deposition process to deposit thin film on the inner surfaces of the shaped objects such as plastic or metallic object like bottles, hollow tubes etc. at room temperature has been developed. In present invention uniform hydrogenated amorphous carbon (also called Diamond-Like Carbon, DLC) films on inner surfaces of plastic bottles is successfully deposited. Applications of such product include entire food and drug industries. There is a huge demand of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN)) bottles, meant for the storage of potable water, carbonated soft drinks, wines, medicines etc. However, the higher cost prohibits their wide, spread use. The cheaper alternative is to use plastic bottles inside coated with chemically inert material such as Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) will be commercially viable. Inventor process can be scaled up for mass production.

Abstract: A sample preparation method includes processing a sample by an ion beam to form a thin film portion having a thickness that allows an electron beam to transmit therethrough; supplying deposition gas to the thin film portion; and irradiating the thin film portion with an electron beam to simultaneously form a deposition film on a front surface of the thin film portion and a deposition film on a rear surface of the thin film portion opposed to the front surface. The electron beam transmits through the thin film portion, generating secondary electrons from both the front and rear surfaces that decompose the deposition gas to form the deposition films.

Abstract: A method for electroless metal deposition on a surface in a finely dimensioned space (e.g. the bore of a hollow fiber) includes introducing into the space an electroless plating solution that has a nil or relatively low plating rate at normal room temperature, and thereafter heating the structure to an elevated temperature for a period sufficient to cause metal to plate on the wall surface. The introducing and heating may be repeated as necessary or desired to build up a specified thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a component, in particular a blade for a gas turbine, wherein a main body (2) is provided, to which a running-in layer (6) is applied, which can be worn away at least partially during operation to form an accurately fitting surface (11), wherein the running-in layer is applied by kinetic cold-gas compacting, and a component, in particular a blade for a gas turbine, comprising a main body, to which a running-in layer is applied, which can be worn away at least partially during operation to form an accurately fitting surface, wherein the running-in layer is a porous layer made of a Ti alloy.

Abstract: A component such as a pressure vessel includes a cladding layer bonded to a substrate by a welding process. The component is inspected by a method that includes using a first camera to record a first image of an inspection portion of the cladding layer, the inspection portion having a pattern of markings; causing or allowing a temperature change in the component; using a second camera to record a second image of the inspection portion; and identifying the deformation of the pattern of markings on the inspection portion by reference to relative movement of the respective markings between the first and second image. The temperature change may occur as a result of cooling of the component after the welding process. Analysis of the deformation may be conducted by a Digital Image Correlation process, enabling possible defects or flaws in the component to be identified.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chemically treated zinc-based plated steel sheet that is superior in weather resistance, water resistance, blackening resistance and film adhesion. A chemical conversion film having a thickness 0.5-10 ?m is formed by coating and drying a chemical treatment solution on a surface of an aluminum-containing zinc-based alloy plated steel sheet. The chemical treatment solution contains a fluororesin containing 0.05-5% by weight of a hydrophilic functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group and a sulfonic acid group and 7-20% by weight of a fluorine atom, the fluororesin in which a number-average molecular weight is 1,000-2,000,000, and an oxoate, a fluoride, a hydroxide, an organic salt, a carbonate or a peroxygenated salt of a group 4A metal.

Abstract: Provided is a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet having excellent adhesiveness at ultra-low temperatures as well as fine spangles, and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet having excellent adhesiveness at ultra-low temperatures includes a base steel sheet, a composite layer formed on the base steel sheet and including transition metal, an inhibition layer formed on the composite layer and including a iron-aluminum (Fe—Al) based intermetallic compound, and a zinc (Zn)-plated layer formed on the inhibition layer, in which an average diameter of spangles in the zinc-plated layer is 150 ?m or less, and a method of manufacturing the hot-dip galvanized steel sheet is provided.

Abstract: An article comprising a substrate; a bond layer disposed on the substrate, the bond layer comprising one or more bonding segments and at least one reinforcing segment; at least one protective layer disposed on the bond layer; and at least one cooling hole extending through the substrate, the at least one reinforcing segment and the at least one protective layer, wherein the at least one reinforcing segment reduces cracking and/or delamination at the interface between the substrate and the bond layer, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: A metal article comprises an alloy substrate having a surface and a non-diffused metal monolayer disposed thereon. The surface has a first surface work function value ?s. The non-diffused monolayer deposited on the surface has a second surface work function value ?s that is less negative than the first surface work function value. A method for depositing the monolayer via underpotential deposition (UPD) is also disclosed.

Abstract: Polycrystalline materials are prepared by electrodeposition of a precursor material that is subsequently heat-treated to induce at least a threefold increase in the grain size of the material to yield a relatively high fraction of ‘special’ low ? grain boundaries and a randomized crystallographic texture. The precursor metallic material has sufficient purity and a fine-grained microstructure (e.g., an average grain size of 4 nm to 5 ?m). The resulting metallic material is suited to the fabrication of articles requiring high mechanical or physical isotropy and/or resistance to grain boundary-mediated deformation or degradation mechanisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating a thermal barrier comprising a ceramic coating layer covering at least a portion of the structure of a substrate, wherein the ceramic coating layer is deposited on the substrate solely by a cathodic electrodeposition process between at least one cathode (26) and at least one anode (28), the substrate being formed of an electron-conducting material and constituting the cathode. In characteristic manner, the electrolyte (24) comprises at least one salt from the group comprising the salts of lanthanides, of yttrium, of zirconium, and of hafnium, such that the coating layer applied by the electrodeposition process includes at least one oxide from the group comprising the oxides of lanthanides, of yttrium, of zirconium, and of hafnium, and it also includes a step of heat treating the ceramic coating layer at a temperature lying in the range 400° C. to 2000° C. for a duration of at least 10 min.

Abstract: Methods of preparing metal and metal alloys with partially microcrystalline anodic coatings are disclosed. Associated article therefrom are correspondingly disclosed. The partially microcrystalline anodic coatings exhibit steam, superheated steam, alkaline and acidic resistance. Partially microcrystalline anodic coating can be prepared by impregnation of micropores of a metal or metal substrate with metal precursor species, conversion of the metal precursor species into metal hydroxides, thermal treatment to dry out moisture and to promote phase transformation of the metal hydroxide product into metal oxides solids and bonding with metastable metal oxide substance in the pore structure of the metal or metal alloy substrate, and hydrothermal sealing to create sealed partially microcrystalline anodic coating.

Abstract: Methods of electroplating metal on a substrate while controlling azimuthal uniformity, include, in one aspect, providing the substrate to the electroplating apparatus configured for rotating the substrate during electroplating, and electroplating the metal on the substrate while rotating the substrate relative to a shield such that a selected portion of the substrate at a selected azimuthal position dwells in a shielded area for a different amount of time than a second portion of the substrate having the same average arc length and the same average radial position and residing at a different angular (azimuthal) position. For example, a semiconductor wafer substrate can be rotated during electroplating slower or faster, when the selected portion of the substrate passes through the shielded area.

Abstract: This invention includes a system and a method for growing crystals including a batch auto-feeding mechanism. The proposed system and method provide a minimization of compositional segregation effect during crystal growth by controlling growth rate involving a high-temperature flow control system operable in an open and a closed loop crystal growth process. The ability to control the growth rate without corresponding loss of volatilize-able elements enables significantly improvement in compositional homogeneity and a consequent increase in crystal yield. This growth system and method can be operated in production scale, simultaneously for a plurality of growth crucibles to further the reduction of manufacturing costs, particularly for the crystal materials of binary or ternary systems with volatile components, such as Lead (Pb) and Indium (In).

Abstract: A closure for silica glass crucible to be mounted on an opening portion of a silica glass crucible is provided with a peripheral edge mounting portion closely adhered to an inner peripheral end of the opening portion.

Abstract: A method for measuring a distance between a lower end surface of a heat insulating member and a surface of a raw material melt with a reference reflector provided at a lower end of the heat insulating member which is located above the surface of the raw material melt when a silicon single crystal is pulled up by a Czochralski method while a magnetic field is applied to the raw material melt in a crucible is disclosed.

Abstract: A single crystal CVD synthetic diamond material comprising: a total as-grown nitrogen concentration equal to or greater than 5 ppm, and a uniform distribution of defects, wherein said uniform distribution of defects is defined by one or more of the following characteristics: (i) the total nitrogen concentration, when mapped by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) over an area equal to or greater than 50×50 ?m using an analysis area of 10 ?m or less, possesses a point-to-point variation of less than 30% of an average total nitrogen concentration value, or when mapped by SIMS over an area equal to or greater than 200×200 ?m using an analysis area of 60 ?m or less, possesses a point-to-point variation of less than 30% of an average total nitrogen concentration value; (ii) an as-grown nitrogen-vacancy defect (NV) concentration equal to or greater than 50 ppb as measured using 77K UV-visible absorption measurements, wherein the nitrogen-vacancy defects are uniformly distributed through the synthetic single cryst

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of synthetic crystal, and more particularly, this invention relates to doped low-temperature phase barium metaborate single crystal, growth method and frequency-converter. Molten salt method was adopted. The single crystal completely overcome the shortcomings of BBO with strong deliquescence, almost no deliquescence; its frequency doubling effect and optical damage threshold has improved greatly compared with the BBO; its hardness increased significantly, the single crystal with Shore hardness of 101.3 and Mohs hardness of 6, however, BBO with Shore hardness of 71.2 and Mohs hardness of 4. From the UV-Vis region transmittance curves tests, the cut-off wavelength of the single crystal is 190 nm, wavelength of absorption onset is 205 nm. BBSAG is widely applied in the fields of laser and nonlinear optics, and in terms of frequency-converter of ultraviolet and deep-ultraviolet due to its excellent properties better than BBO.

Abstract: An improved melt-blowing apparatus includes a primary air system with a plurality of air tubes and a die tip assembly having a die tip and a pair of oppositely disposed air plates. A flow-splitting device efficiently divides a stream of pressurized and heated primary air into multiple tubular flows, which are fed into air intake passages in the die tip assembly. The flow-splitting device and the air tubes are located radially outward and independent of the die body and the die tip assembly. The tubular air flows are transformed into two uniform air knives by a distribution chamber within the die tip assembly. The present primary air supply system simplifies the equipment, saves energy, improves product quality, and reduces operational and maintenance efforts.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to the manufacture of melt blown coreless tubular nonwovens. Such manufacture includes a melt blowing apparatus to deposit fibers onto a rotating mandrel for forming a tubular nonwoven; a puller device to withdraw the tubular nonwoven from the mandrel; and a cutting device to cut the tubular nonwoven into cartridges of a desired length. The puller device has a pair of drive axles mounted on a gap-setting device, such as a scissor jack or its equivalent. Each drive axle includes one or more driven multi-directional puller wheels, which is formed of or surrounded by non-driven rollers. When the rollers engage the rotating tubular nonwoven, the tubular nonwoven is pulled axially and steadily from the mandrel without affecting the rotational motion of the tubular nonwoven. As a result, the tubular nonwovens have consistent dimensions and quality without damage to the inner or outer surfaces of the tube.

Abstract: Process for removing residual spin solvent from a gel spun, UHMwPE filament having an effective diameter of above 16 ?m, comprising the steps of: removing residual spin solvent from the filament to a level of below 100 ppm at elevated temperature, while keeping the filament taut. The invention also relates to gel spun UHMwPE filament having an effective diameter of above 16 ?m and a residual spin solvent residue of less than 100 ppm. Preferably the filament has a creep rate, measured at 50° C., under a load, so that the initial stress is 600 MPa, of less than 510?6 sec?1.

Abstract: A method for forming a biodegradable aliphatic polyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, an aliphatic polyester is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a polyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and polymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic polyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic polyester. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.

Abstract: A method of electrospinning fibers is disclosed. The fibers have an inner core surrounded by a porous outer shell. The method comprises co-electrospinning first and second liquids as core and shell respectively, the second liquid surrounding the first liquid in a jet issuing from a Taylor cone, wherein the first and second liquids are miscible or semi-miscible with each other, such that pore generation is driven in the shell of the fiber. The liquids may be solutions or melts. The electrical conductivity, viscosity, miscibility and other parameters of the liquids determine the structure of the produced fibers. As well as producing fibers having a porous shell there are described methods of co-electrospraying porous beads as well as core-shell vesicles having a porous shell. The methods may be used to produce hydrogen storage fibers, vesicles and beads. The methods may also be used for producing controlled drug-delivery fibers, vesicles and beads.