Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant DNA comprising a transcription promoter and a downstream sequence to be expressed, in operable linkage therewith, wherein the transcription promoter comprises a region found upstream of the open reading frame of a highly expressed Phaffia gene, preferably a glycolytic pathway gene, more preferably the gene coding for Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase. Further preferred recombinant DNAs according to the invention contain promoters of ribosomal protein encoding genes, more preferably wherein the transcription promoter comprises a region found upstream of the open reading frame encoding a protein as represented by one of the disclosed amino acid sequences. According to a further aspect of the invention an isolated DNA sequence coding for an enzyme involved in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway of Phaffia rhodozyma is provided.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of benzyl alcohol via hydrolysis of a benzyl ester with water in the liquid phase, the hydrolysis being carried out in the absence of a strong acid and a base at a temperature between 40° C. and 320° C. The benzyl ester to be hydrolyzed can be chosen from the group comprising benzyl formiate, benzyl propionate, benzyl acetate and benzyl benzoate. A weak acid may optionally be added to the reaction mixture to be hydrolyzed. After the hydrolysis the reaction mixture is preferably cooled to a temperature between 80° C. and 180° C. so that a phase separation takes place. Both the organic phase and the aqueous phase can be upgraded. As such, benzyl alcohol can be obtained with a high overall yield and a purity of more than 98%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to radiation-curable compositions that after cure provide reduced discoloration, or reduced color degradation, and/or high elongation while maintaining other desirable qualities of radiation-cured compositions. These radiation-curable compositions include at least one radiation-curable oligomer and at least one transesterified and/or high-purity monomer. These compositions can be formulated, for example, to serve as protective coatings for substrates manufactured from a wide variety of including glass, plastic, ceramic, metal and wood. The compositions of the present invention are preferably designed for use as an optical fiber coating (including inner primary and, colored or uncolored, outer primary coatings as well as other coatings which include inks, matrix materials and the like) or related optical fiber protective materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of crude &egr;-caprolactam, wherein crude &egr;-caprolactam prepared by cyclization of alkyl 6-aminocaproate, 6-aminocapronitrile, 6-aminocaproic acid, 6-aminocaproic amide and/or oligomers thereof, is subjected to a crystallization process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising benzoic acid or a derivative of benzoic acid capable of giving rise to free benzoic acid in vivo for use as a medicament for animals, wherein said acid/salt functions as an antibiotic, promotes growth, decreases feed conversion and improves digestibility of amino acids administered in animal feeds.

Abstract: A polymer comprising monomeric units linked via 4 H-bridges and bound within said polymer via a different bond. The bond via the H-bridges is much stronger than with known supramolecular polymers.

Abstract: A liquid curable resin composition comprising (1) a (meth)acrylate polymer having a weight average molecular weight relative to polystyrene standard of at least about 5,000, (2) a ring-opening polymerizable monomer containing at least one epoxy group, and (3) a cationic photopolymerization initiator is disclosed. The composition produces cured products which exhibit superior heat resistance, excellent mechanical strength, and superb adhesive characteristics, and is suitable for use as a photo-curable adhesive, a photo-curable sealing material, a resin for optical three-dimensional molding, and a coating material for optical fibers, and optical fiber ribbon matrix.

Abstract: Provided is an improved optical glass fiber, ribbon unit having the capability of providing mid-span access to individual color-coated optical glass fibers contained therein by application of finger pressure from a human hand. The ribbon unit is made of a plurality of coated optical glass fibers each further coated with a cured color-composition; and a matrix material which binds the plurality of color-coated optical glass fibers together, wherein a bonding force between the cured color-composition and the coated optical glass fibers is greater than a bonding force between said cured color-composition and said matrix material, and wherein the matrix material has been selected or formulated to provide a modulus and Tg sufficiently high such that when opposing pressure is applied to the ribbon unit using the fingers of a human hand, the matrix material buckles and separates from said color-coated optical glass optical fibers instead of compressing and absorbing the opposing pressure.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of N-carboxy-t-leucine anhydride in which the corresponding N-carboxy-t-leucine is subjected to a cyclization with the aid of an acyl halogenide. Preferably, acetyl chloride is used as acyl halogenide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically conductive composition comprising a radiation curable resin and a dispersion of electrically conductive particles and in a dispersing agent, wherein the dispersion of electrically conductive particles contains a binder and an electrically conductive polymer and is stabilized by a non-ionic stabilization agent. The invention also relates to the application of this composition in a conductive coating, the coating made using the composition according to the invention and a substrate coated wholly or partly with such a coating.

Abstract: A liquid curable resin composition for optical fibers comprising a polymer (a) having a number average molecular weight of 5,000 or more and containing at least two types of recurring ethylenic units, of which one type has a substituent group containing an ethylenically unsaturated group and the second type is substituted by a group —COOR3 (wherein R3 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1-30 carbon atoms), an aryl group, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms or by one or more halogen atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic molded part comprising at least a polyolefin or a polycondensation polymer and reinforcing fibers, characterized in that 1 to 60 wt. % of the molded part consists of reinforcing fibers with a length of between 0.8 and 15 mm, at least a portion of which is present partly in the center and partly in the non-porous dish surface, and that the molded part has a porosity of between 5 and 95 vol. %. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a molded part.

Abstract: Method for preparing melamine from urea via a high-pressure process in which solid melamine is obtained by transferring the reactor product comprising liquid melamine, CO2 and NH3 to a gas/liquid separator and subsequently transferring the melamine melt coming from the separator to a vessel where the melamine melt is cooled with an evaporating cooling medium, characterized in that, the gas/liquid separation is conducted by addition of 5.10−4-2.10−2 mole of water per mole of melamine.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising either a blend of a thermoplastic resin and a rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomeric styrene based blockcopolymer. The invention resides in that the composition also comprises an adhesion promotor in the form of a reaction product of a functionalized rubber and a polyamide. The invention also relates to articles comprising a combination of a substrate and such a composition.

Abstract: Provided is a ribbon assembly containing a plurality of coated optical glass fibers and a matrix material which binds the plurality of coated optical glass fibers together. At least one of the coated optical glass fibers contains an ink coating or colored outer primary coating. At least one of the ink coating, the colored outer primary coating, or the matrix material contains a phospholipid.

Abstract: Optical fiber coatings are disclosed having excellent ribbon stripping and adhesion behavior. The coatings are radiation-curable. The excellent stripping and adhesion behavior can be achieved by several means which include by use of additives, by use of radiation-curable oligomers having higher molecular weight, or by use of coatings having certain thermal properties. Combination of means can be employed. Stripping behavior can be measured by crack propagation and fiber friction measurements.

Abstract: Radiation-curable inner and outer primary optical fiber coatings are disclosed having both fast cure speed and reduced rates of yellowing. The compositions comprise particular photoinitiators and UV absorbers which are used in amounts to provide the combination of properties. The UV absorber can have ethylenic unsaturation. Outer primary coatings can be formulated to screen inner primary coatings and have fast cure speed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing an (S)-2-amino-&ohgr;-oxoalkanoic acid derivative in which the corresponding aldehyde is converted into the corresponding acetal-protected aldehyde, the acetal-protected aldehyde is converted into the corresponding aminonitrile, the aminonitrile is converted into the corresponding amino acid amide, the amino acid amide is subjected to an enzymatic, enantioselective hydrolysis in which the (R)-enantiomer of the amino acid amide remains and the (S)-enantiomer is converted into the (S)-amino acid, and the (S)-amino acid is isolated. Preferably,the reaction mixture obtained after the conversion of the aminonitrile into the amino acid amide is treated with a benzaldehyde to form the Schiff base of the amino acid amide. The Schiff base is separated out and is converted into the free amino acid amide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation curable binder composition for powder paint formulations. The binder composition comprises: a) a solid polymer with an amount of unsaturation of between 300 and 1800 g per mole of unsaturated group (WPU) and with a molecular weight (Mn) of between 800 and 5000 g per mole and b) a crosslinker comprising units of a prepolymer having a molecular weight (Mn) higher than 400 and units of a vinyl ether or an unsaturated alcohol, the number of polymerizable unsaturations of the crosslinker being higher than or equal to 2.

Abstract: Radiation-curable compositions are disclosed which, after cure, are substantially non-yellowing. The compositions are particularly tailored for coating and bundling of optical fibers. A first preferred composition is based on a polyether-type of oligomer diluted with reactive diluents. Isocyanurate structures are included in the composition to raise Tg. A second preferred composition is based on fatty oil comprising (meth)acrylate groups and bisphenol A derivatives comprising (meth)acrylate groups. Photoinitiators can be included to increase cure speed. The formulations do not include material amounts of ingredients which tend to cause yellowing or, in theory, extended conjugation in the cured compositions.