Disclosed herein are acrylic and methacrylic acid ester-based polymeric materials containing as flexibilizing and brittleness reducing agents 1-60% of C4-C8 polyalkylene or polyalkyldiene compounds, preferably having a molecular weight of 300-2100, and the use of such materials in dentistry and medicine.

Provided is a polymer material having superior water wettability and lubricity, and enabling persistence of the same by allowing the surfactant to be retained by the polymer material so as not to be gradually released. The present invention is directed to a polymer material including: [I] a polymer having a constitutional unit derived from (A) a polymerizable compound having an acryloyloxy group and not having a silicon atom; and [II] a surfactant. The content of the surfactant [II] is preferably 0.05% by mass or greater and 1% by mass or less. The surfactant [II] is preferably a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyethylene group.

Aqueous copolymer dispersions for a variety of uses, including coating compositions or binders for plasters and paints, are disclosed. The aqueous copolymer dispersions may comprise one or more silicon containing compounds, in particular hydrolyzable silane compounds without any additional reactive group.

The invention provides a process for monitoring and/or adjusting a dispersion polymerization of an olefin-based polymer, the process comprising monitoring the concentration of the carbon-carbon unsaturations in the dispersion using Raman Spectroscopy. The invention also provides a process for polymerizing an olefin-based polymer, the process comprising polymerizing one or more monomer types, in the presence of at least one catalyst and at least one solvent, to form the polymer as a dispersed phase in the solvent; and monitoring the concentration of the carbon-carbon unsaturations in the dispersion using Raman Spectroscopy.

The present application is directed to a novel composition which acts as a barrier to noxious agents while adding self-detoxifying catalytic treatments to neutralize the noxious and harmful warfare agents when applied for example on a fabric, or other solid support.

The present invention provides a polymerization reactor for producing a super absorbent polymer comprising: a reaction unit; a monomer composition supply unit being connected to the reaction unit and supplying a monomer composition solution containing a monomer, a photoinitiator, and a solvent; an agitating shaft extended in the reaction unit from one end of the reaction unit connected to the monomer composition supply unit to the other end of the reaction unit; a plurality of agitating blades installed around the agitating shaft; and a light irradiation unit providing light to the monomer composition solution furnished from the monomer composition supply unit, and a method of producing super absorbent polymers by using the same.

The present invention relates to methods for preparing a degradable polymer network. The methods for preparing a degradable polymer network comprise a) preparing a polymer composition comprising monomers of cyclic carbonates and/or cyclic esters and/or linear carbonates and/or linear esters and/or cyclic ethers and/or linear hydroxycarboxylic acids at a temperature between 20° C. and 200° C.; b) adding a cross-linking reagent comprising at least one double or triple C—C bond and/or a cross-linking radical initiator; c) processing the polymer composition (that contains the crosslinking reagent into a desired shape; d) Crosslinking by irradiating the mixture. Further, the present invention relates to a degradable polymer network. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the degradable polymer network.

A variety of biomedical devices are provided which include thiol-ene or thiol-yne shape memory polymers. The biomedical devices of the invention are capable of exhibiting shape memory behavior at physiological temperatures and may be used in surgical procedures. Methods of making the devices of the invention are also provided.

The invention pertains to an oligomer or polymer substituted by one or more bisacylphosphine oxide moieties, characterized in that said bisacylphosphine oxide moiety is linked via the phosphorous atom, optionally via a spacer group, to the oligomer or polymer backbone; as well as to specifically functionalized bisacylphosphine oxides, suitable to prepare said polymers or oligomers.

The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant homogenized polymeric materials and medical implants that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and annealing the anti-oxidant doped UHMWPE in a super critical fluid, and materials used therein.

A durable ambient light curable waterproof liquid rubber coating with volatile organic compound (VOC) content of less than 450 grams per liter made from ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) in a solvent, a photoinitiator, an additive, pigments, and fillers, and a co-agent and a method for making the formulation, wherein the formulation is devoid of thermally activated accelerators.

A durable ambient light curable waterproof liquid rubber coating with volatile organic compound (VOC) content of less than 450 grams per liter made from ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) in a solvent, a photoinitiator, an additive, pigments, and fillers, and a co-agent and a method for making the formulation, wherein the formulation is devoid of thermally activated accelerators.

A process for the preparation of polymer lattices comprising polymer nanoparticles by a photo-initiated heterophase polymerization includes preparing a heterophase medium comprising a dispersed phase and a continuous phase and at least one of at least one surfactant, at least one photoinitiator, and at least one polymerizable monomer. The at least one polymerizable monomer is polymerized by irradiating the heterophase medium with electromagnetic radiation so as to induce a generation of radicals. The at least one photoinitiator is selected from compounds comprising at least one phosphorous oxide group (P═O) or at least one phosphorous sulfide (P═S) group. The irradiating of the heterophase medium is effected so that a ratio of an irradiated surface of the heterophase medium to a volume of the heterophase medium is at least 200 m−1.

A process for the preparation of modified polymers by a photo-initiated polymerization includes preparing a polymerization medium comprising at least one photoinitiator comprising at least one phosphorous oxide (P═O) group or at least one phosphorous sulfide (P═S) group, and at least one polymerizable monomer. The at least one polymerizable monomer is polymerized by irradiating the polymerization medium with electromagnetic radiation so as to induce a generation of radicals so as to obtain a polymer. The polymer is modified by irradiating the polymer with electromagnetic radiation so as to induce a generation of radicals from the polymer in a presence of at least one modifying agent.

Compositions and methods for adjustable lenses are provided. In some embodiments, the lenses contain a lens matrix material, a masking compound, and a prepolymer. The lens matrix material provides structure to the lens. The masking compound is capable of blocking polymerization or crosslinking of the prepolymer, until photoisomerization of the compound is triggered, and the compound is converted from a first isomer to a second isomer having a different absorption profile. The prepolymer is a composition that can undergo a polymerization or crosslinking reaction upon photoinitiation to alter one or more of the properties of the lenses.

The invention relates to the use of triazenes of formula (I) wherein Q is a direct bond or a bivalent radical —(CR8R9)—, Z1 is —O—, —NR10—, —CH2—, —(CR11R12)— or —C(═O)— and R1 to R12 are optionally substituted hydrocarbon residues, as precursors for radicals useful in reactions triggered by free radicals, such as polymerization of unsaturated monomers and degradation of polyolefins. Most of the triazenes of formula (I) are novel and claimed, too, as well as the preparation of triazenes of formula (I) and polymerizable compositions comprising them.

The invention relates to polymers that can be obtained by polymerizing the monomers (A), (B), and (D), and optionally (C), where (A) is a monomer of formula (I), wherein A stands for C2 to C4 alkylene, B stands for a C2 to C4 alkylene different from A, R stands for hydrogen or methyl, m stands for a number from 1 to 500, n stands for a number from 1 to 500, (B) is an ethylenically unsaturated monomer that contains at least one carboxylic acid function, (C) is optionally a further ethylenically unsaturated monomer different from (A) and (B), (D) is a monomer of formula (II), wherein D stands for C2 to C4 alkylene, E stands for a C2 to C4 alkylene group different from D, F stands for a C2 to C4 alkylene group different from E, R stands for hydrogen or methyl, o stands for a number from 1 to 500, p stands for a number from 1 to 500, q stands for a number from 1 to 500, and wherein the weight fraction of the monomers is 35 to 99% for the macromonomer (A), 0.5 to 45% for the monomer (B), 0 to 20% for the monomer (C), and 1 to 20% for the monomer (D), and to the use of said polymers as defoamers for inorganic solid suspensions.

A method for producing polymer particles includes a preparation step for preparing a first oily liquid containing an oily olefin monomer, a radical polymerization initiator, and an iodine molecule, a synthesis step for obtaining a second oily liquid containing at least an iodine compound produced by a reaction between a radical generated by cleavage of the radical polymerization initiator and the iodine molecule in the first oily liquid, a suspension step for obtaining an oil droplet of the second oily liquid by suspending the second oily liquid in water, and a polymerization step for polymerizing the oily olefin monomer in the oil droplet.

Oil-water dispersions and emulsions derived from petroleum industry operations are demulsified and clarified using anionic polymers. Formation of such oil-water dispersion and emulsions is inhibited and mitigated using the anionic polymers. The anionic polymers comprise: A) 2-80% by weight of at least one C3-C8 α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer; B) 15-80% by weight of at least one nonionic, copolymerizable α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer; C) 1-50% by weight of one or more of the following monomers: C1) at least one nonionic vinyl surfactant ester; or C2) at least one nonionic, copolymerizable α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer having longer polymer chains than monomer B), or C3) at least one nonionic urethane monomer; and, optionally, D) 0-5% by weight of at least one crosslinker.

The disclosure relates to methods of making polymer particles, said methods including the steps of: making an aqueous gel reaction mixture; forming an emulsion having dispersed aqueous phase micelles of gel reaction mixture in a continuous phase; adding an initiator oil comprising at least one polymerization initiator to the continuous phase; and performing a polymerization reaction in the micelles. Further, the initiator oil is present in a volume % relative to a volume of the aqueous gel reaction mixture of between about 1 vol % to about 20 vol %. The disclosure also relates to methods of making nucleic acid polymer particles having the same method steps and wherein the aqueous gel reaction mixture includes a nucleic acid fragment, such as a primer.

A filtration method is disclosed for recovering purified polyether polyol comprising the steps of providing an aqueous solution of a polyether polyol containing an alkali metal catalyst residual formed from a transesterification process utilizing an alkali metal catalyst, contacting the aqueous solution with a stoichiometric excess of magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite or a combination thereof to form a second aqueous solution, wherein said stoichiometric excess is based on the amount of said alkali metal catalyst residual. Water is removed from the second aqueous solution at a temperature above a set limit of said polyether polyol to produce a dehydrated slurry containing a polyether polyol phase substantially free of residual alkali metal and a precipitated solid phase comprising sulfate and/or sulfite salts of the alkali metal catalyst, magnesium hydroxide, and excess magnesium sulfate and/or sulfite, wherein the particle size distribution of said precipitated solid phase is controlled to minimize the amount of particles therein that are smaller than 3 microns. The dehydrated slurry is then passed through a filtration system to separate the polyether polyol phase from the precipitated solid phase.

A cleansing composition for cosmetic or household use may include an ampholytic polymer; a crosslinked cationic polymer; a surfactant component selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and zwitterionic surfactants; and an aqueous and/or organic carrier.

A method for softening laundry employs a softening composition, which includes at least one thickener containing a cationic polymer obtained by polymerization: of a cationic monomer;of a monomer with a hydrophobic nature, of formula (I): wherein R1=H or CH3 R2=alkyl chain having at least 16 carbon atomsX═O, m≧5, y=z=0, orX═NH, m≧z≧5, y=0, orX═NH, m≧y≧5, z=0, of a nonionic monomer.

The present invention relates to an enzyme composition comprising enzyme containing polymer particles, which is useful for detergent compositions, in particular for liquid detergent compositions. In these enzyme containing particles, the particles comprise i) at least one enzyme, and ii) at least one polymer P, which is selected from homo- and copolymers having a C—C-backbone, wherein the C—C-backbone carries carboxylgroups, which may be present in the acidic form or in the neutralized form, and wherein the C—C-backbone comprises hydrophobic repeating units.

A granulated foam control composition comprises a foam control agent based on a polydiorganosiloxane fluid, an organic additive of melting point 45″17C to 100° C. comprising a polyol ester, a water-soluble particulate inorganic carrier and a polymer having a net cationic charge. The mean number of carbon atoms in the organo groups of the polydiorganosiloxane fluid is at least 1.3. The foam control agent includes a hydrophobic filler dispersed in the polydiorganosiloxane fluid, and optionally an organosilicone resin. The polyol ester is miscible with the polydiorganosiloxane fluid.

The present invention related to a method of manufacturing a polycarbonate including the process of copolymerizing epoxide compound and CO2 using cobalt(III) or chromium(III), where the ligands contains at least 3 ammonium cations, central metal has formal −1 charge, and conjugated anions of the two cationic ammonium groups are acid-base homoconjugation, as catalyst. According to the present invention, the initial induction time can be reduced when the said polycarbonate is manufactured and it is possible to improve the activity of the catalyst and the molecular weight of the obtained polymer.

A method for producing acrylic acid and/or an ester thereof from a raw material composition containing hydroxypropionic acid and/or an ester thereof, the method including the steps of: (a) evaporating the raw material composition; and (b) dehydrating the evaporated raw material composition by contact with a dehydration catalyst, wherein the total amount of hydroxypropionic acid and/or an ester thereof supplied in the step (b) is controlled to be 70% by mass or more based on 100% by mass of the total amount of hydroxypropionic acid and/or an ester thereof supplied in the step (a).

This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.

This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.

This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.

The present invention relates to the discovery of new class of hydrolysable amino acid derivatives and absorbable polyester amides, polyamides, polyepoxides, polyureas and polyurethanes prepared therefrom. The resultant absorbable polymers are useful for drug delivery, tissue engineering, tissue adhesives, adhesion prevention, bone wax formulations, medical device coatings, stents, stent coatings, highly porous foams, reticulated foams, wound care, cardiovascular applications, orthopedic devices, surface modifying agents and other implantable medical devices. In addition, these absorbable polymers should have a controlled degradation profile.

The invention relates to a process for preparing pentabromobenzyl acrylate through the reaction of pentahalobenzyl halide with a salt of acrylic acid in water-immiscible solvent, wherein said salt is in aqueous form and the reaction is carried out in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst. A process for polymerizing the pentabromobenzyl acrylate in halogenated aromatic solvent and the poly (pentabromobenzyl acrylate) obtained are also disclosed.

A resist composition which can form a very fine resist pattern with excellent lithography properties, a new polymeric compound useful for the resist composition, and a compound useful as a monomer for the polymeric compound. The resist composition contains a polymeric compound containing a structural unit (a0) represented by general formula (a0) shown below. In the formula (a0), A is an anion represented by the general formula (1) or (2).

A composition of matter comprising an interpenetrating polymer network of a combination of a silanol-containing polysiloxane phase and a silylated triglyceride oil phase. The two phases are mixed and covalently bound to each other via siloxane crosslinks. A method for producing interpenetrating polymer networks. The method comprises providing triglycerides from oils or fats and reacting the triglycerides with a reactive silane to form a silylated triglyceride oil. The silylated triglyceride oil and a silanol terminated polysiloxane are emulsified with water in a predetermined ratio. Thereafter, crosslinking agents are added and the water is removed from the emulsions providing siloxane crosslinks between the two intimately mixed immiscible phases.

The present disclosure discloses a silicon-sulfur polymer, a solid electrolyte comprising the silicon-sulfur polymer, and a corresponding solid-state lithium-ion battery. The silicon-sulfur polymer of the present disclosure is a polymer compound comprising both an inorganic backbone-chain structure and an organic side-chain structure, and has the characteristics of both the organic polymer and the inorganic polymer as well as many unique properties. Therefore, the solid electrolyte formed by the silicon-sulfur polymer and the solid-state lithium-ion battery thereof have many good characteristics including a good lithium-ion-conduction capability, better thermal endurance, a wider range of operating temperatures, and better thermostability.

A polymer composition for solar cell and flexible electronics devices, where the polymer is a p-type conducting polymer. The p-type polymer comprises a benzothiadiazole acceptor and indeno-fluorene donor. Further, a solar cell and flexible electronic device article may be made from the polymer.

A polymer, optionally made from renewable sources, comprising a specific chemical structure that is a result of the polymerization of α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds (alpha-hydroxycarbonyl compounds), particularly α-hydroxyaldehydes (alpha-hydroxyaldehydes) and α-hydroxyketones (alpha-hydroxyketones), or glycolaldehyde. A method of polymerization, the method comprising the step of reacting trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate with the cyclic dimer of one or more α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds. A method of making said polymer, the method comprising dehydrating a cyclic dimer of one or more α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds. An end-capped polymer made from one or more α-hydroxycarbonyl compounds and terminal end-cap groups.

The invention provides a method for synthesizing 7-Acetyleno quinone methide compounds that is safe and inexpensive. The method avoids the need for extremely cold reaction temperatures and unlike the prior art does not require any highly explosive materials. The method comprises the steps of: a) performing a condensation reaction between 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and a secondary amine thereby forming a secondary amine quinone methide intermediate;b) removing water from the secondary amine quinone methide intermediate by azeotropic distillation;c) adding the dehydrated secondary amine quinone methide intermediate to an organic medium containing a metal acetylide to form a Mannich base intermediate; andd) adding a release agent to the Mannich base intermediate to yield a 7-Acetyleno quinone methide.

The present invention comprises formulations comprising at least one pesticide and at least one co-polymer comprising a) 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone as comonomer a); and b) 60-99 wt % at least one comonomer b) chosen from the group of laurylacrylate and vinyl ester of neodecanoic acid in polymerized form, methods of combating harmful insects and/or phytopathogenic fungi, a method of controlling undesired vegetation and methods of improving the health of plants based on the afore-mentioned formulations.

A method of producing a polymeric compound containing a structural unit that decomposes upon exposure to generate an acid, the method including: synthesizing a precursor polymer by polymerizing a water-soluble monomer having an anionic group, washing the precursor polymer with water, and subsequently subjecting the precursor polymer to a salt exchange with an organic cation. Also, a polymeric compound produced using the method of producing a polymeric compound, and a method of forming a resist pattern using the resist composition.

The present invention relates to a polymerization-curable composition for the preparation of biodegradable, biocompatible, cross-linked polymers on the basis of polyvinyl alcohol comprising: 5 to 100% by weight of (a) vinyl ester monomer(s) of one of the general formulas (I) to (III): wherein X is oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or phosphorus; n is 1 to 1000, at least 20% of the n being ≧2; the R1 are selected from hydrogen; straight, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, n-valent hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, which optionally have heteroatoms and are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from —OH, —COON, —CN, —CHO, and ═O, and n-valent radicals of biodegradable, biocompatible oligomers and polymers; m is an integer from 1 to 5; the R2 are selected from hydrogen, —OH, ═O, and the options listed for R1; and the R3 are selected from hydrogen, —OH, and the options listed for R1; 0 to 50% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated co-monomers; 0 to 10% by weight of (a) polymerization initiator(s); and 0 to 95% by weight of solvent(s).

There are provided a novel compound, a polymeric compound, a resist composition, an acid generator and a method of forming a resist pattern the compound represented by general formula (1-1):wherein each of R1 and R3 independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; A represents a divalent linking group; each of R2 and R4 independently represents a hydroxyl group, a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent, or a group represented by general formula (1-an1), (1-an2) or (1-an3), provided that at least one of R2 and R4 represents a group represented by general formula (1-an1), (1-an2) or (1-an3); and n0 is preferably 0 or 1, andwherein Y1 represents a single bond or —SO2—; R5 represents a linear or branched monovalent hydrocarbon group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, cyclic monovalent hydrocarbon group of 3 to 20 carbon atoms or monovalent hydrocarbon group of 3 to 20 carbon atoms having a cyclic partial structure which may be substituted with a fluorine atom; and M+ represents an organic cation or a metal cation,

In one aspect, the invention relates to crosslinkable, flame retardant polymer compositions are provided comprising a polyamide or polyester; a flame retardant system; a crosslinking agent; and a flame retardant system coagent. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Methods are disclosed for synthesizing nanocomposite materials including ferromagnetic nanoparticles with polymer shells formed by controlled surface polymerization. The polymer shells prevent the nanoparticles from forming agglomerates and preserve the size dispersion of the nanoparticles. The nanocomposite particles can be further networked in suitable polymer hosts to tune mechanical, optical, and thermal properties of the final composite polymer system. An exemplary method includes forming a polymer shell on a nanoparticle surface by adding molecules of at least one monomer and optionally of at least one tethering agent to the nanoparticles, and then exposing to electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength selected to induce bonding between the nanoparticle and the molecules, to form a polymer shell bonded to the particle and optionally to a polymer host matrix. The nanocomposite materials can be used in various magneto-optic applications.

A procedure for improved temperature control in controlled radical polymerization processes is disclosed. The procedure is directed at controlling the concentration of the persistent radical in ATRP and NMP polymerizations procedures and the concentration of radicals in a RAFT polymerization process by feeding a reducing agent or radical precursor continuously or intermittently to the reaction medium through one of more ports.

Solid-state deformation processing of crosslinked high molecular weight polymers such as UHMWPE, for example by extrusion below the melt transition, produces materials with a combination of high tensile strength and high oxidative stability. The materials are especially suitable for use as bearing components in artificial hip and other implants. Treated bulk materials are anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The material is oxidatively stable even after four weeks of accelerated aging in a pressure vessel containing five atmospheres of oxygen (ASTM F2003). Because of its oxidative stability, the deformation processed material is a suitable candidate for air-permeable packaging and gas sterilization, which has thus far been reserved for remelted crosslinked UHMWPE.

A description is given of a photoreactive polymer preparable by radical polymerization using at least one photoreactive monomer, where the photoreactive monomer has at least one radically polymerizable C—C double bond, at least one hydrophilic group selected from an ethylene glycol group and polyethylene glycol groups having at least 2 ethylene glycol units, and at least one photoreactive group, the photoreactive group being a photoenolizable carbonyl group.

The invention relates to a dental material which comprises a polymerizable bisphosphonic acid of Formula I: The invention also relates to the use of a polymerizable bisphosphonic acid of Formula I for the preparation of a dental material and in particular for the preparation of an adhesive, cement or composite.

The invention describes a color-developing composition that contains at least three major components: (1) a leuco dye or a combination of leuco dyes, (2) an color-developer or a combination of color-developers that can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes, and (3) a desensitizer to temporarily remove the effect of the developer so the leuco dye appears in its colorless form. An optional binder may be included so that the composition may be applied to a substrate as an ink. The ink composition may be applied to synthetic polymeric substrates and other substrates that are incorporated into absorbent articles or personal care products.

A method of increasing the solubility and/or dispersibility of a perylene dye in a liquid medium. The method comprises binding the perylene dye to a polymer which is soluble in the liquid medium. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.