Abstract: A sulfur-vulcanizable rubber compound, being devoid of peroxide components, having high modulus and low hysteresis properties subsequent to vulcanization. Such compounds comprise from about 25 to 55 parts by weight of polyisoprene; and from about 75 to 45 parts by weight of a diene polymer selected from the group consisting of homopolymers of conjugated diene monomers and copolymers thereof with monoolefin monomers and EPDM terpolymers to total 100 parts by weight of rubber polymer; from about 50 to 70 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler, per 100 parts by weight wherein at least a portion of at least one of the rubber polymers is grafted with a polymeric metal salt of an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid to form an uncured graft rubber copolymer and at least about 4 parts by weight of a curative selected from the group consisting of sulfur and sulfur donors, per 100 parts by weight of rubber.

Abstract: An adhesive for soft tissue comprising at least one member selected from (meth)acrylic esters each containing an acid anhydride group represented by the specific formula (I) and derivatives of the (meth)acrylic esters represented by the specific formula (Ia), a (meth)acylate, a poly(meth)acrylate derived from a (meth)acrylate and a polymerization initiator; and a kit of an adhesive for soft tissue, comprising containers and, placed therein, the above ingredients.

Abstract: Broadly, the present invention is directed to a pressure sensitive adhesive that possesses enhanced adhesion to low surface energy substrates. The inventive PSA comprises the free-radical polymerization reaction product prepared in the presence of a free-radical initiator and dispersed in organic solvent of between about 0.5% and 10%, by weight of the non-volatile solids of the reaction product, of an organic solvent soluble, high ethylene-containing polymer; and a mixture of ethylenically-unsaturated monomers. Such mixture of monomers comprises between 0% and not substantially above about 10%, by weight of the non-volatile solids of the reaction product, of an ethylenically-unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride; and the balance being a non-carboxyl/non-anhydride-functional vinyl monomer or mixture of monomers. The T.sub.g of the polymerized mixture of monomers is not substantially above about -20.degree. C.

Abstract: Synthetic organic fibers containing finely divided, inorganic particles that have certain organic polymeric coatings have significantly less abrasiveness compared to identical fibers in which the particles have no such coatings.

Abstract: Ink jet ink compositions consisting essentially of an aqueous carrier medium; an anionic dye; and an anionic polymer have excellent decap and puddling behavior and may be used with a variety of ink jet printers such as continuous, piezoelectric, drop-on-demand and thermal or bubble jet drop-on-demand, and are particularly adapted for use in thermal ink jet printers.

Abstract: A monomer-rich acrylic syrup is cast including about 10% to about 20% ground acrylic particles. During curing, the particles absorb over half their weight in monomer, and a cured sheet is formed in which the matrix monomer and uncrosslinked polymer form a phase which extends through the particles, while the particles appear to be fused together. Including a crosslinker in the syrup further insures the interpenetration of the matrix phase into the swollen particles. A textured surface is formed, which is useful as an anti-slip surface in bathtubs and shower stalls, after thermoforming.

Abstract: A lyo gel is provided in which the gelling agent is an organic, fully synthetic polymer, which is crosslinked via its carboxylic acid groups and via metal compounds, and the swelling agent is a low-volatility, inert organic liquid having a volatility, as defined by its evaporation loss, of less than 0.5% by weight after 2 hours at 105.degree. C. in accordance with ASTM D 972. The lyo gel is useful for sealing devices involving the use of electrical current because the initially two-component reaction solution is sufficiently liquid at room temperature to fill even small spaces, such as gaps and joints between bodies.

Abstract: Vinyl ester or polyester resins containing polymerizable, vaporizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomers and an emission suppressing amount of ceresin wax is improved with the addition of a drying oil such as corn oil and an epoxidized drying oil such as epoxidized soybean oil. The improvement is in secondary adhesion.

Abstract: A radiation resistant resin suitable for the manufacture of, for example, disposable medical supplies comprises a semicrystalline polypropylene or propylene-ethylene and from 1500 to 5000 ppm triallyl trimellitate. The resin exhibits substantially no increase in melt flow rate after irradiation to a dosage of up to 5 Mrads, and may contain up to about 5% by weight of a polybutylene and/or up to about 3000 ppm of a sorbital based clarifying agent.

Abstract: Clusters of water-swellable polymer particles, having high rates of absorbency without gel-blocking are prepared by suspending water-swellable polymer particles in an inert hydrophobic liquid, such as hydrocarbon, and slowly adding to the particles a suspension of an aqueous solution optionally containing an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer in an inert hydrophobic liquid.

Abstract: An adhesive composition for adhering an artificial nail to the nail comprising 2-methoxyisopropyl .alpha.-cyanoacrylate, and a copolymer of a specified alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate and a specified fluorinated alkyl acrylate or fluorinated alkyl methacrylate. The composition is very low in exothermic temperature and has satisfactory properties to permit the artificial nail to be peeled off easily within a short period of time.

Abstract: A tire sealant and inflator composition for the repair of puncture wounds in pneumatic tires and the like. The composition utilizes a sealing component consisting of an acrylic resin dissolved in a suitable solvent and a hydrochlorofluorocarbon and/or hydrofluorocarbon propellant component to deliver the sealing component from an aerosol container into the tire to a driveable state.

Abstract: This invention is a process for producing stable polymer emulsions and latexes with an average particle size of less than one micron. The polymers are block copolymers of conjugated dienes and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons which may or may not contain polar functionality. The process comprises making a polymer cement of the polymer and a blend of a solvent for the polymer and a cosolvent(s), emulsifying the polymer cement by adding it to an aqueous phase containing at least one surfactant and removing the solvent, cosolvent and excess water.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the catalytic polymerization of cyanoacrylate monomers by contacting said monomers with an organotin compound. Also included is a polymerizable system comprising cyanoacrylate monomer and an organotin compound, wherein upon contact of the monomer and the compound, the compound catalyzes the polymerization of the monomer. The organotin compound will have the formula R.sub.3 SnX (I), where each R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkaryl or aryl and X is alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, hydrogen, hydroxide or alkylcarboxyl, or the formula R.sub.2 R'.sub.s Sn (II), where each R is alkyl and each R' is alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, hydrogen, hydroxide or alkylcarboxyl. In each compound all substituents of the same chemical type may be the same species or two or more may be different species from each other, provided, however, that if in compound II both R and R' are of the same chemical type, each of the R substituents must be a different species from each of the R' substituents.

Abstract: A dental adhesive composition comprising, as the main components, (a) a polymer powder obtained by radical copolymerization of at least one (meth)acrylate unsaturated monomer containing no carboxyl or anhydride group in its molecule, with a silane compound having a polymerizable unsaturated group, (b) at least one radical polymerizable unsaturated monomer, and (c) a radical polymerization initiator.

Abstract: A multicomponent adhesive composition of:(A) an elastomer dissolved in a polymerizable acrylic component;(B) a polymerization starter selected from peroxides, hydroperoxides, peracids, peresters, oxaziridines and fluorinated oxaziridines;(C) a starter-activating agent; and(D) a starter stabilizing agent selected from cyclodextrins, calyxarenes and cavitands.

Abstract: An aqueous ink jet ink composition having improved dispersion stability comprises an aqueous carrier medium, a pigment having a pH value below 7.0, and an AB block polymer consisting of an A block comprising a hydrophobic polymer having at least one basic amine functional groups, and a B block comprising a hydrophilic polymer selected from the group consisting of nonionic polymers and polymers containing acidic functional groups.

Abstract: An aqueous synthetic resin dispersion consisting of (A) from 35 to 60% by weight of a synthetic resin prepared by free radical solution polymerization of a monomer mixture A1 and monomer mixture A2, wherein mixture A1 is (a) from 1.5 to 15% by weight of at least one C.sub.3-5 unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, maleic or itaconic acid or anhydride and half-esters of maleic acid or itaconic acid with a C.sub.1-8 ankanol or with glycol monoethers, (b) from 65 to 98.5% by weight of at least one C.sub.1-10 alkyl (meth)acrylate, and optionally at least one C.sub.

Abstract: There are provided pressure-sensitive adhesives which comprise free radical cured mixtures of at least one crosslinkable olefin polymer and at least one tackifying organic additive, preferably a hydrogenated additive, which is substantially nonresponsive to action of free radicals and present in an amount sufficient to tackify the cured mixture of polymer and additive.

Abstract: A monomer-rich acrylic syrup is cast including about 10% to about 20% ground acrylic particles. During curing, the particles absorb over half their weight in monomer, and a cured sheet is formed in which the matrix monomer and uncrosslinked polymer form a phase which extends through the particles, while the particles appear to be fused together. Including a crosslinker in the syrup further insures the interpenetration of the matrix phase into the swollen particles. A textured surface is formed, which is useful as an anti-slip surface in bathtubs and shower stalls, after thermoforming.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion useful for forming coating compositions containing dispersed pigment, an aqueous carrier and a graft copolymer dispersant; wherein the graft copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of about 5,000-100,000 and has a polymeric backbone and macromonomer side chains attached to the backbone wherein(1) the polymeric backbone is hydrophobic in comparison to the side chains and contains polymerized ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomers and up to 20% by weight, based on the weight of the graft copolymer, of polymerized ethylenically unsaturated acid containing monomers; and(2) the sidechains are hydrophilic macromonomers attached to the backbone at a single terminal point and contain polymerized ethylenically unsaturated monomers and 2-100% by weight, based on the weight of the graft copolymer, of polymerized ethylenically unsaturated acid containing monomers and have a weight average molecular weight of about 1,000-30,000 and wherein the acid groups of the graft copolymer are neu

Abstract: A process for the production of a nonaqueous dispersion-type resin having excellent dispersion stability and a uniform particle size, which comprises uniformly polymerizing in an aliphatic and/or alicyclic hydrocarbon-type organic solvent a vinyl monomer having a solubility parameter different by 1.1 or more from that of said organic solvent, or a vinyl monomer mixture containing at least 1% by weight of said monomer and a reactive resin soluble in said hydrocarbon-type organic solvent and having a molecular weight of 2,000 or more, and then replacing the organic solvent in the obtained uniform polymer solution with another organic solvent that does not dissolve the nonaqueous dispersion-type resin to thereby conduct phase inversion into a non-aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: Radiation-curable, tackifier-free compositions are provided which contain: (i) a blend of certain acrylate esters and monoethylenically-unsaturated copolymerizable monomers; (ii) certain .alpha.-olefin polymers; and (iii) a photoinitiator and optionally, a crosslinker. Pressure-sensitive adhesives having good adhesion to both low and high energy surfaces as well as possessing excellent low and high temperature performance properties are prepared by exposing the radiation-curable compositions to light having a wavelength in the range of from about 280 to 400 nm.

Abstract: According to the present invention a dispersant is provided for stabilizing dispersions of metal oxides and/or carbon black in water in the presence of a hydrophilic binder. Said dispersant is a block-copolymer comprising at least one block of an ammonium group containing (meth)acrylate.

Abstract: An anti-fogging resin film-forming composition, comprising a block or graft copolymer and a surfactant, each of which block and graft copolymers consists of a hydrophilic polymer segment and a hydrophobic polymer segment having specifically limited monomer compositions, is disclosed. A coating film formed on a matrix surface from the composition has a durable excellent anti-fogging property and having high adhesion to the matrix surface and high strength.

Abstract: A reinforcing agent for vulcanizable rubber compounds comprises an anhydrous metal salt of an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having a crystalline structure consisting essentially of plates and fibers. Vulcanizable rubber compounds containing such reinforcing agents have improved physical properties over rubber compounds containing conventional metal carboxylic acid salts. Methods for the preparation of such anhydrous metal salts and methods for the reinforcement of vulcanizable rubber compounds therewith are also provided.

Abstract: A styrene-butadiene composition containing about 0.1 to 10 weight % of a monoester of maleic acid or fumaric acid provides improved bonding strength. In addition, small amounts of a functional monomer can also be included.

Abstract: An anaerobic liquid acrylate sealant composition contains short portions of one or more types of fibre, particularly aramid fibre pulp, as a filler. A particulate filler such as fumed silica and/or micronized polyethylene may also be present. The composition suitably is based on a high proportion of monofunctional acrylate ester monomer, and a polyacrylate plasticiser. The composition is used for sealing joints in pipework where it is desired to seal the joint almost immediately but to allow adjustment of the joint for at least 24 hours.

Abstract: Flexible elastomers are provided having a Shore A hardness of less than or equal to about 95. In one embodiment, the elastomers are blends of an overpolymer and/or graft polymer with a plasticizer or blending agent. In another embodiment, the overpolymers are flexible without the need for a plasticizer or blending agent. These overpolymers have an ethylene copolymer substrate overpolymerized with a vinyl chloride type monomer and optionally a comonomer, including an acrylate comonomer. The elastomers are distinguished by the Shore A values and in some instances by haze values of less than or equal to about 50 percent.

Abstract: Cast ceiling tile requires a particular rheology of its wet formulation for the dried tile to have a desired aesthetic appearance. The use of a latex binder rather than starch for cast ceiling tiles imparts the necessary rheological properties to the wet ceiling tile formulation. The tile is prepared by blending mineral wool with a premixture of water, latex, and filler, said premixture having a sharp yield point when measured with a recording Brookfield Viscometer. The latex is an alkali-swellable latex comprising (i) a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 .alpha.,.beta.

Abstract: An aqueous photopolymer composition is produced by adding a monomer to a latex of a partially neutralized carboxylated acrylic copolymer, having an acid number greater than 80, along with photoinitator and components to produce an aqueous coatable and alkali developable photoresist composition. Preferred neutralization is 30-50% for dip-coating and 40-60% for screen-printing to produce 1 mil lines and 1 mil space after ultraviolet exposure and mild alkali development.

Abstract: Preceramic polymers which have particular utility in providing protective ceramic coatings on carbon/carbon composites, graphite, carbon fibers, and other normally oxidizable materials are prepared by reacting about 0.25-20 parts by weight of a trialkyl- or trialkoxyboroxine in which the alkyl or alkoxy groups contain 1-6 carbons with one part by weight of a poly-silazane to form an organoborosilazane polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is granite-like artificial stone which comprises a matrix and chips dispersed therein, said matrix being a cured product of specific radical-polymerizable monomers and an inorganic filler powder, and said chips being a cured product of a mixture (II) which contains the components identical or similar to those in the mixture (I) but giving a different clarity and/or color tone from the cured product of the mixture (I). The artificial stone gives the appearance of granite and is superior in fabricability, heat resistance, hot water resistance, weather resistance, yellowing resistance, and stain resistance.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion comprising composite colloidal particles having an average particle size of 0.05 to 1.0 micrometer each of which comprises a core made of a copolymer comprising 99-100% by weight of tetrafluoroethylene and 0 to 1 % by weight of a fluorine-containing olefin which is copolymerizable with tetrafluoroethylene and a shell made of a polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least 50.degree. C. which comprises(a) 60 to 100% by mole of at least one .alpha.-substituted acrylate of the formula:CH.sub.2 .dbd.CXCOOR.sub.f (I)wherein X is a methyl group, a fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group, and R.sub.

Abstract: A dispersion of fine particles of a gelled polymer obtainable by copolymerizing and crosslinking a vinyl monomer mixture containing at least 0.5% by weight each of at least two vinyl monomers in the presence of a macromonomer A, which has a molecular chain of poly(12-hydroxystearic acid) and has at least about one polymerizable unsaturated double bond per molecule in average, and a macromonomer B, which is a copolymer of an ethylenic unsaturated monomer and has a solubility parameter value of from 7.5 to 9.2 and about 1.0 to about 1.

Abstract: An impact resistance thermoplastic molding composition contains, each percentage being based on A+B, from 80 to 55% by weight of a hard matrix A of a copolymer containing at least 95% by weight of an aromatic vinyl monomer a.sub.11 of from 8 to 10 carbon atoms and at least one comonomer a.sub.12 in a proportion of 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on A, and from 45 to 20% by weight of a soft phase B which, uniformly dispersed in the hard matrix, has an average particle diameter d.sub.50 (volume average) of from 3.5 to 9 .mu.m and is obtainable by polymerization of the mixture of monomers a.sub.11 and a.sub.12 in the presence of an elastomer (rubber) and subsequent isolation of the useful product, wherein the comonomer a.sub.12 has the general formula I ##STR1## where X is --OR.sup.2, --COOR.sup.2 or --CONHR.sup.3,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or methyl andR.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each alkyl of from 1 or 2 to 10 carbon atoms with at least one OH or epoxy group or at least one other polar group.

Abstract: An adhesive composition, of the `instant adhesive` type, comprising:(a) from 77 to 95% by weight of monomeric 2'-ethoxyethyl 2-cyanoacrylate;(b) from 3 to 15% by weight of a poly-(C.sub.1-5) alkyl acrylate or methacrylate having an average molecular weight within the range of from 400,000 to 600,000;(c) from 2 to 8% by weight of hydrophobic fumed silica; and(d) from 100 to 1000 ppm by weight of a polymerization stabilizer;overcomes a number of disadvantages associated with currently available `instant adhesives` (such as high volatility, brittle adhesive bond, poor resistance to heat and unpleasant smell) and it has the advantages that it cures rapidly and can be used on porous substrates.

Abstract: In a dispersion system comprising seed polymer particles and a monomer, the solubility of the monomer is reduced by such means as addition of water, whereby the monomer is precipitated and absorbed in the seed polymer particles, and in this state, the monomer absorbed in the seed polymer particles is selectively polymerized.Namely, according to the present invention, the decrease of the solubility of the monomer in the dispersion system is utilized for absorption of the monomer in the seed polymer particles, and polymer particles having an increased particle size can be prepared in a short time at a high efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrorheological (ER) fluids which display improved stability against sedimentation, reduced current density and good ER responses. Thes=e ER fluids are prepared from monomers which are polymerized by dispersion polymerization in a low conductivity medium which also serves as the dispersion medium for the fluid. The ER fluids are further processed by modifying the polymer particles through polymerization of a hydrophilic monomer to form a hydrophilic shell or globule around the particles followed by neutralization through addition of an organic soluble base. The resulting dispersion is then doped with water to obtain a stable ER fluid. The hydrophilic shell or globule constitutes about 15% of the particle. Water dopant is only absorbed by the hydrophilic portion of the particle and does not enter into the core of the particle. The quantity of water is significantly reduced, which in turn results in a significant reduction of the current density at any given comparative voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrorheological (ER) fluids which display improved stability against sedimentation, reduced current density and good electrorheological response. These ER fluids are prepared from monomers which are polymerized by dispersion polymerization in a low conductivity medium which in most embodiments of the invention serves as the dispersion medium for the fluid. the ER fluids are further processed by modifying the polymer particles through polymerization of a hydrophilic monomer to form a hydrophilic shell or globule around the particles. The resulting dispersion is then doped with water to obtain a stable ER fluid. The hydrophilic shell or globule constitutes a minor part of the particle. Water dopant is only absorbed by the hydrophilic portion of the particle and does not enter into the core of the particle. The quantity of water is significantly reduced, which in turn results in a significant reduction of the current density at any given applied field strength.

Abstract: Flexible blend compositions are provided having a Shore A hardness of less than or equal to about 90. The compositions are blends of an overpolymer and/or graft polymer with a plasticizer or blending agent. The overpolymer has an ethylene copolymer substrate overpolymerized with a vinyl chloride type monomer or comonomer and optionally including an acrylate comonomer. The compositions are distinguished by an absence of shrinkage in hot oil. The compositions generally tend to swell in hot oil.

Abstract: An encapsulating composition for electronic devices comprises a curable material such as a silicone resin and an ion scavenger compound selected from certain calixarene or oxacalixarene compounds in which at least half of the phenolic groups have been substituted by specific groups and certain silacrown compounds. Exemplary ion scavenger compounds include ##STR1## the tetraethyl acetate of 7, 13, 19, 25-tetra-tertbutyl-27, 28, 29, 30-tetrahydroxy-2,3-dihomo-3-oxacalix-4-arene and 1,1-dimethasila-17-crown-6.

Abstract: A vibration-damping rubber composition comprising:(A) 100 parts by weight of at least one rubber component selected from the group consisting of (a) at least one hexene-1 type polymer selected from the group consisting of hexene-1 homopolymers and copolymers of hexene-1 and a C.sub.3-20 alpha-olefin other than hexene-1 and (b) at least one graft copolymer selected from the group consisting of a graft copolymer of a hydroxyl group-containing polysiloxane or a copolymer of hexene-1 and a silane compound represented by the general formula I:CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --SiR.sup.1.sub.m X.sub.3-m Iwherein n is an integer of 1 or more, m is 0 or an integer of 1-2, X is a chlorine or bromine atom, and R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-5 alkyl group and a graft copolymer of a hydroxyl group-containing polysiloxane on a terpolymer of hexene-1, a C.sub.

Abstract: Opaque, thermoplastic molding compositions comprising a grafted rubber phase and a matrix phase comprising styrene, acrylonitrile, and from 1 to 18 percent of a lower alkyl methacrylate and having improved colorability are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a modified ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyolefin composition, which comprises mixing a powder of an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyolefin (A) having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 5 dl/g, a flowability improver (B) having a melting point lower than the melting point of the ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyolefin (A), a monomer (C) having an olefinically unsaturated bond and a radical initiator (D) with stirring at the melting point of the flowability improver (B) or a higher temperature but below the melting point of the ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyolefin (A), and then melt-kneading them at the melting point of the ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyolefin (A) or a higher temperature to react the monomer (C) with the ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyolefin (A).

Abstract: The pressure-sensitive adhesive of the invention comprises a latex of natural rubber graft-copolymerized with 2 to 10% by weight of styrene and 10 to 25% by weight of methyl methacrylate and a finely divided particulate material having no thermoplasticity such as silica gels and zeolites in an amount of 5 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the natural rubber. The pressure-sensitive adhesive has excellent characteristics in the adhesive bonding, resistance against blocking, frictional behavior, heat resistance and abrasion resistance and also is free from the trouble of decrease in the adhesive bonding strength caused by the transfer of a silicone oil from the roller of printing machines.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are core-shell polymers having an alkali-insoluble, emulsion polymer core and an alkali-soluble, emulsion polymer shell attached or associated with said core so that upon dissolving said shell with alkali, a portion of said shell remains attached or associated with said core. Also disclosed are compositions wherein said shell polymer has been neutralized and substantially, but not totally, dissolved so as to form a blend of neutralized core-shell polymer and an aqueous solution of neutralized shell polymer.

Abstract: An encapsulating composition for electronic devices comprises a curable material such as an epoxy resin and an ion scavenger compound selected from certain calixarene or oxycalixarene compounds in which at least half of the phenolic groups have been substituted by specific groups and certain silacrown compounds. Exemplary ion scavenger compounds include ##STR1## the tetraethyl acetate of 7, 13, 19, 25-tetra-tertbutyl-27, 28, 29, 30-tetrahydroxy-2,3-dihomo-3-oxacalix-4-arene and 1,1-dimethasila-17-crown-6.

Abstract: Self-crosslinking cationic paint binders in which the crosslinking is effected through the reaction of methane-carboxylic acid dialkylester monoamide structures with free hydroxyl or amino groups on the resin are described. The crosslinking functionality is provided by reaction of a polyisocyanate with a corresponding quantity of a CH-active alkyl ester. The alkyl ester is preferably a malonic acid dimethylester or malonic acid diethylester.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the discovery that a styrene-butadiene composition contatining about 0.1 to 10 weight % of a monoester of maleic acid or fumaric acid provides improved bonding strength. In addition, small amounts of a functional monomer can also be included.