Abstract: The device compares a voltage representative of the supply voltage of the electromagnet with two distinct inrush thresholds and a drop-out threshold. As soon as this voltage reaches one of the inrush thresholds, the device commands switching to an inrush phase of preset duration. The first inrush threshold is representative of a voltage of about 40 to 50% of the rated supply voltage of the electromagnet, whereas the second inrush threshold is representative of 70 to 85% of this voltage. The same control device can thus be used with both an under-voltage release and a shunt release or for a circuit breaker closing electromagnet.

Abstract: The control device comprises two power supply terminals and a local control terminal connected by a local control means to one of the power supply terminals. A control circuit receives on a first input a first full-wave rectified voltage representative of the supply voltage, and on a second input a second half-wave rectified voltage representative of the voltage applied to the local control terminal. To eliminate spurious orders, it compares a quantity G1 representative of at least one non-null sample of the second voltage to a percentage of a quantity G2 representative of associated samples of the first voltage, sampling of the two voltages being almost simultaneous. If G1≧0.8G2, the device considers that a control order has been received and if G1 ≦0.7G2, that no order has been received.

Abstract: Yeast cells whose DNA has been appropriately engineered to produce and to secrete lysozyme under control of a regulatable promoter are grown in the substantial absence of lysozyme synthesis and then are induced to produce and to secrete lysozyme under growth-limited conditions. This process is particularly suitable for the production of human lysozyme or mutants thereof.

Abstract: Transformed yeasts comprising DNA which include at least one copy of a fragment coding for a 1,4-.beta.-N-acetylmuramidase which is expressed in the yeasts as the corresponding active protein, and a process for preparing lysozyme by growing said transformed yeasts.

Abstract: Isotactic polypropylene and/or ethylene-propylene copolymers are blended with 5-65 wt % of atactic polypropylene and up to 20 wt % of the total blend of a thermosensitive agent. The process is particularly adapted for the incorporation of prodegradents used for reducing the molecular weight and its distribution, thereby producing polyethylene particularly suitable for fiber or film formation.

Abstract: A new lipase and a new protease, which can be produced by a new Pseudomonas strain, and methods of producing such lipase and protease using said strain, protease, or producing enzymatic additives for detergents whose main active component is the lipase of the invention. Further disclosed are detergent washing compositions containing the lipase and/or the protease or the enzymatic additives, and a washing process using said compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing highly digestible feed that may be used among others as feed for aquaculture, by a yeast treatment characterized in that yeast cells are processed to hydrolyze at least partially the external layer of the cell wall without damaging the wall itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for releasing into aqueous medium polypeptides produced by yeasts and localized at least partially within the periplasmic space thereof without breaking the yeast cell. The process involves treating the yeasts in aqueous medium with a neutral water-soluble mineral salt and a non-ionic water-soluble polyethoxylated alkylphenol surfactant having an HLB of between 8 and 15.

Abstract: A new lipase and a new protease, which can be produced by a new Pseudomonas strain, and methods of producing such lipase and protease using said strain, protease, or producing enzymatic additives for detergents whose main active component is the lipase of the invention. Further disclosed are detergent washing compositions containing the lipase and/or the protease or the enzymatic additives, and a washing process using said compositions.

Abstract: Compositions for dispersing oil slicks on water are disclosed comprising a solution of surface-active agents in a mixture of viscosity modifier, water, and hydrocarbon solvent. The surface-active agents are a mixture of emulsifying agents and a lower amount of wetting agent. The mixture of emulsifying agents comprising two blends, A and B, of sorbitan derivatives, blend A having an HLB of about 8.5 to 9.5 and blend B having an HLB of about 8 to 10 wherein the weight ratio of blend A to blend B is between about 0.5:1 and 4:1.

Abstract: A method of feeding fry, shellfish or mollusks comprising directly feeding the fry, shellfish or mullusks a dried yeast feed of enhanced nutritive value comprising active yeast and up to, but not exceeding, 20% by dry weight of fish oil.

Abstract: Promoters capable of ensuring expression in yeast of genes coding for heterologous polypeptides are disclosed, which comprise a DNA fragment or mutants or sub-fragments thereof, said promoter comprising a definite nucleotide sequence commencing with an EcoRI site and terminated by another restriction site. Also disclosed are vector plasmids containing the promoters, transformed yeasts comprising these plasmids, and a process for preparing polypeptides and especially a 1,4-.beta.-N-acetylmuramidase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous flow process for producing polystyrene having discrete particles of rubber included therein. The process utilizes a pre-inversion reactor, in which a solution of styrene, polystyrene and rubber are mixed prior to being introduced into a second stirred tank reactor. The viscosity of the solutions in the pre-inversion reactor and in the second stirred tank reactor are closely controlled to produce desirable HIPS products.

Abstract: A process for removing the basic nitrogen compounds from gas oils comprises treating the gas oils with a homogeneous solvent mixture comprising a diluted aqueous acid solution and an alcohol having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, the volume ratio of alcohol to diluted aqueous acid solution being between 90/10 and 10/90, the volume ratio of solvent mixture to gas oils being between 0.5 and 5.

Abstract: The decomposition of polyhalogenated aromatic compounds, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), is carried out under an inert atmosphere using a reagent comprising a polyglycol partially neutralized with sodium, and a weakly basic compound.