Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of fine chemicals in a microorganism, a plant cell, a plant, a plant tissue or parts thereof by increasing or generating the biological activity of a ras-Like GTPase or the homologues thereof and growing the organism under conditions which permit the production of the fine chemicals in the organism. Preferred fine chemicals produced by the present invention include amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, fatty acids, and carotenoids.

Abstract: A multilayer effect pigment includes a transparent substrate, a layer of high refractive index material on the substrate, and alternating layers of low refractive index and high refractive index materials on the first layer, the total number of layers being an odd number of at least three, all adjacent layers differing in refractive index by at least about 0.2 and at least one of the layers having an optical thickness which is different from all of the other layers. The resulting multilayer effect pigment is not a quarter-wave stack. The present effect pigments may be used in cosmetic and industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorescent diketopyrrolopyrroles of the formula (I), or (III), a process for their preparation and their use for the preparation of inks, colorants, pigmented plastics for coatings, non-impact-printing material, color filters, cosmetics, polymeric ink particles, toners, as fluorescent tracers, in color changing media, in solid dye lasers, EL lasers and electroluminescent devices. A luminescent device comprising a compound, or composition according to the present invention is high in the efficiency of electrical energy utilization and high in luminance.

Abstract: A composition which comprises a light absorbing layer adhered to an underlying layer containing a photo-chromic colorant, which photo-chromic colorant has been activated by exposure to UV light to undergo a reversible color change, and wherein the rate of color reversion is dependent on temperature, is provided. The ultraviolet light and/or visible light absorbing layer may also contain components which reflect rather than absorb light and can be conveniently applied via thermal transfer or ink jet to a substrate comprising the photo-chromic colorant to protect it from unwanted exposure to UV and/or certain wavelengths visible light. The composition is conveniently employed in a temperature time indicator (TTI).

Abstract: A layered, three-way conversion catalyst having the capability of simultaneously catalyzing the oxidation of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide and the reduction of nitrogen oxides is disclosed. Methods of making and using the same are also provided. In one or more embodiments, the catalyst comprises three layers of catalytic material in conjunction with a carrier. A first layer comprises a platinum component on a first support; a second layer comprises a rhodium component on a second support; and a third layer comprises a palladium component and a third support. The palladium, rhodium, and/or platinum can independently be deposited on a support of high surface area refractory metal oxide, or of an oxygen storage component, or both.

Abstract: A method for preparing optically active methyl 4-(1-ammoniumethyl)benzoate sulfate by reacting racemic methyl 4-(1-aminoethyl)benzoate with an acylating agent in the presence of a lipase to give methyl 4-(1-aminoethyl)benzoate and subsequently precipitating methyl 4-(1-ammoniumethyl)benzoate sulfate by adding sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Piperazine compounds of the formula I in which the variables are defined according to the description, their agriculturally suitable salts, processes and intermediates for preparing the piperazines of the formula I, compositions comprising them and their use as herbicides, i.e. for controlling harmful plants, and also a method for controlling unwanted vegetation which comprises allowing a herbicidally effective amount of at least one piperazine compound of the formula I to act on plants, their seed and/or their habitat.

Abstract: A process for the hydrolysis of polymers comprising vinylcarboxamide units by heating polymers comprising vinylcarboxamide units in an aqueous medium in the presence of acids or bases, wherein an aqueous solution or dispersion of a polymer comprising vinylcarboxamide units and an aqueous solution or a base or acid are fed continuously to a tubular reactor at elevated pressure, from 0.05 to less than one equivalent of a base or acid being used per vinylcarboxamide equivalent and the mixture being passed through the tubular reactor at a temperature of >100° C. to 250° C., depressurized and cooled.

Abstract: A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles, wherein an aqueous polymer gel is dried in a forced-air belt drier on a circulating conveyor belt and the surface of the conveyor belt has a roughness of at least 0.9 ?m.

Abstract: A method for improving the health of a plant, which method comprises treating the plant and/or the locus where the plant is growing or is intended to grow and/or the plant propagules with a plant health improving amount of at least one heteroaroyl-substituted alanine compound (A) of the formula I, in which the variables are defined in the description.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ether carboxylates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable emulsion, ready for use, of fat-soluble vitamins or carotenoids, a process for the preparation thereof, and the use thereof as addition to animal feeds, human foods and dietary supplements, and cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the use of an aqueous dispersion of particles composed of polymer and finely divided inorganic solid (aqueous composite-particle dispersion) as a binder in elastic coatings, such as paints, more particularly exterior architectural paints, comprising preparing the aqueous composite-particle dispersion by dispersely distributing ethylenically unsaturated monomers in an aqueous medium and carrying out polymerization by means of at least one free-radical polymerization initiator in the presence of at least one dispersely distributed, finely divided inorganic solid having an average particle diameter ?100 nm and at least one dispersant by the method of free-radically aqueous emulsion polymerization, and using as ethylenically unsaturated monomers a monomer mixture which comprises ethylenically unsaturated monomers A and optionally 0% to ?10% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer B containing an epoxide group (epoxide monomer).

Abstract: The present invention relates to new borane complexes with substituted pyridines, a process for the synthesis of new borane complexes with substituted pyridines, solutions comprising new borane complexes with substituted pyridines and a method of using new borane complexes with substituted pyridines for organic reactions.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for treating soil adjacent a structure includes a handle and a manifold head connected to the handle. The manifold head has a first high pressure nozzle, a second high pressure nozzle, and a contact member having at least one opening therein. The contact member is configured to rest on the ground surface during operation of the injection apparatus. The first high pressure nozzle is adapted for emitting a discharge stream of pesticide through the at least one opening in the contact member for injection of the pesticide into the soil. The discharge stream from the first high pressure nozzle is emitted in a first direction. The second high pressure nozzle is adapted for emitting a discharge stream of pesticide through the at least one opening in the contact member for injection of the pesticide into the soil.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved multistage process for the continuous preparation of diisocyanates by reaction of the corresponding diamines with carbonic acid derivatives and alcohols to form low molecular weight monomeric urethanes and thermal dissociation of the latter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing ether carboxylates.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for improving various plant growth characteristics by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a PRE-like (Paclobutrazol REsistance) polypeptide. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a PRE-like polypeptide, which plants have improved growth characteristics relative to corresponding wild type plants or other control plants. The invention also provides constructs useful in the methods of the invention. In another embodiment, the present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing various yield-related traits by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding an SCE1 (SUMO Conjugating Enzyme 1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalyst systems containing solid catalyst components comprising titanium, magnesium, halogen and an internal electron donor compound having at least one ether group and at least one ketone group; organoaluminum compounds and alkyl benzoate derivatives as external electron donors. The present invention also relates to methods of making the catalyst systems, and methods of polymerizing or copolymerizing alpha-olefins using the catalyst systems.

Abstract: A high pressure injection system for applying a pesticide includes a portable, handheld application tool and a manifold head connected to the application tool. The manifold head has at least one internal passage. At least one high pressure nozzle is positioned in the manifold head and in fluid communication with the at least one internal passage. The at least one high pressure nozzle is operable at pressures between about 25 psi and about 10,000 psi. A contact plate is mounted to the manifold head and has at least one opening aligned with the at least one high pressure nozzle. A source of pesticide is fluidly connected to the at least one high pressure nozzle. A discharge valve is moveable between a closed position wherein the pesticide is inhibited from flowing to the at least one high pressure nozzle and an opened position wherein pesticide flows to the at least one high pressure nozzle.