Abstract: The invention relates to an optically biaxial film comprising an anisotropic material with uniform helically twisted structure and a reflection wavelength below 400 nm, to methods and materials for its preparation, to its use as retardation or compensation film in optical devices like liquid crystal displays, and to compensators and liquid crystal displays comprising such a biaxial film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating feedstocks from renewable sources without intermediate gas-liquid separation in order to produce diesel fuel bases of excellent quality. The feedstocks used can be raw vegetable oils or such oils that have been previously subjected to a prerefining stage, animal fats, or mixtures of such feedstocks. The invention relates to a method allowing high diesel fuel base yields to be obtained from such feedstocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of phosphinic acids and/or phosphonic acids and salts thereof, preferably as surface-active compounds, in redox processes, in particular in electroplating technology, particularly preferably in electroplating baths, and to electroplating baths comprising these compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a reforming catalyst comprising a group VIII metal, a halogen, at least one metal selected from the group made up of the group VIIB metals and group IVA metals, a refractory oxide support. The method comprises stages of preparing a dry impregnation aqueous solution containing ammonia, either in solution or in gas form and a complexing agent, of aging the aqueous solution, of dry impregnation of the support, of maturing the impregnated support, of drying and of calcination.

Abstract: The invention relates to Glycoprotein VI (GPVI), its isolation, purification, and methods for recombinant production. Especially, the invention relates to the use of GPVI, preferably recombinant GPVI, in the treatment of disorders and pathological events correlated directly or indirectly to blood coagulation disorders such as thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases. The extracellular recombinant protein can also be used for establishing screening assays to find potential inhibitors of the membrane bound GPVI in order to inhibit binding of thrombocytes and platelets, respectively, to collagen. Changes in GPVI can be used to monitor platelet age and exposure to thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for optimizing the operation of a reaction section for hydrocarbon synthesis starting from a feed comprising synthesis gas, operated in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt. This method comprises the following steps: a) determining the theoretical molar ratio, PH2O:PH2, in the reaction section; b) optionally, adjusting the ratio PH2O:PH2 determined in step a) to a value strictly below 1; c) determining the new value for the theoretical ratio PH2O:PH2 in the reaction section; and repeating steps a) to c) until the ratio of the partial pressures of water and hydrogen, PH2O:PH2, has a value strictly less than 1.1.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the formula (I), in which W, T, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and X7 have the meanings indicated in Patent Claim 1, are suitable as antidiabetics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium of negative dielectric anisotropy based on a mixture of polar compounds, which comprises at least one compound selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IA, IB and IC in which R1A, R2A, R1B, R2B, R1C, R2C, L, m, n, o, p and b have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for preparing enantiomerically enriched or pure tetrahydroquinoline derivatives by reacting a chiral dihydropyran-methylamine C with a aldehyde B and an aniline A in a multicomponent one pot synthesis in the presence of a protonic acid or lewis acid with a suitable solvent. A, B, C have the meaning as described in the specification.

Abstract: The invention relates to 17-hydroxy-17-pentafluoroethyl-estra-4,9(10)-dien-11-aryl derivatives of Formula I with progesterone antagonizing action and method of production thereof, use thereof for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and use thereof for the production of medicinal products for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular of fibroids of the uterus (myomas, uterine leiomyoma), endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeds, meningiomas, hormone-dependent breast cancers and complaints associated with the menopause or for fertility control and emergency contraception.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymers comprising indenofluorene units or derivatives thereof, organic semiconductor (OSC) materials comprising them, their use in electronic or electrooptical devices, and devices comprising said polymers or materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy (??), which is distinguished by the fact that it has a value for the ratio ?1/?n2 in the range 6-45 with a clearing point of >60° C. and a ?? of ??2.3. Media of this type are particularly suitable for electro-optical displays having active-matrix addressing based on the ECB, PA LCD, FFS or IPS effect.

Abstract: The invention describes an improved process for deep desulfurization of a gas-oil-type hydrocarbon fraction that comprises a catalytic hydrodesulfurization unit that is preceded by a unit for adsorption of the nitrogen compounds that inhibit the hydrodesulfurization reaction.

Abstract: The method allows liquefaction of a dry natural gas comprising water and heavy hydrocarbons containing more than five carbon atoms. The following stages are carried out: a) passing the dry natural gas through a water-adsorbent solid so as to obtain a water-depleted natural gas and a water-laden adsorbent solid, b) passing the water-depleted natural gas through a solid adsorbing heavy hydrocarbons comprising at least five carbon atoms so as to obtain a heavy hydrocarbon-depleted natural gas and a heavy hydrocarbon-laden adsorbent solid, c) liquefying the heavy hydrocarbon-depleted natural gas at a pressure above 40 bar abs so as to obtain a liquid natural gas under pressure, d) expanding the liquid natural gas under pressure obtained in stage c) to atmospheric pressure so as to obtain a liquid natural gas and a gas fraction.

Abstract: The invention provides novel inhibitors of hedgehog signaling that are useful as a therapeutic agents for treating malignancies where the compounds have the general formula I: wherein A is a carbocycle or heterocycle; X is alkylene, NR4C(O), NR4C(S), NR4C(NH), NR4SO, NR4SO2, NR4C(O)NH, NR4C(S)NH, C(O)NR4, C(S)NR4, C(NH)NR4, NR4PO or NR4PO(OH) wherein R4 is H or alkyl; R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or a heterocycle each of which is optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, amino, nitro, alkyl, acyl, alkylsulfonyl or alkoxy; R2 is halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, acyl or alkoxy each optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, amino, nitro, alkyl, acyl, alkylsulfonyl or alkoxy; R3 is halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, acyl or alkoxy each optionally substituted with hydroxy, halogen, amino, nitro, alkyl, acyl, alkylsulfonyl or alkoxy; m is 0-3; n is 0-3; and salts and solvates thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACh receptors), activation of nACh receptors, and the treatment of disease conditions associated with defective or malfunctioning nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially of the brain. Further, this invention relates to novel compounds (e.g., indazoles and benzothiazoles), which act as ligands for the ?7 nACh receptor subtype, methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention concerns an exchanger-reactor (1) comprising: a vessel (2); means for distributing a feed through a fixed bed catalytic zone (10); means (6) for collecting effluent from the catalytic zone (10); means for heating the catalytic zone (10); in which said collection means (6) comprise conduits passing right through the catalytic zone (10), said conduits being distributed in the catalytic zone and interposed between the heating means, and in which the heating means of the catalytic zone are contained in sheaths (8) which are partially immersed in the catalytic zone (10), the sheaths (8) being open at one of their ends and closed at the other, the open end being fixed to an upper tube plate (21) defining the collection chamber (19) which is located above the catalytic zone (10), said heating means comprising at least one combustion zone (13) located close to the catalytic zone, means for supplying said combustion zone (13) with an oxidizing gas mixture (15) and with a gaseous fuel (17), and means