Abstract: A highly branched polymer in the form of a comb, star, nanogel and structural combinations thereof in which a plurality of polyolefin arms formed of polymers of 1-alkenes are attached to a backbone having repeating units containing aliphatic groups, aromatic groups, heteroatom-containing groups and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation-curable, glass optical fiber coating composition which when suitably cured exhibits resistance to attack from hydrocarbon gel cable filing material. The composition containsabout 10 to about 90% by weight of a first radiation-curable oligomer;from 0 to about 40% by weight of a reactive diluent;from 0 to about 40% by weight of a photoinitiator;from 0 to about 10% by weight of a pigment; andabout 10 to about 90% by weight of a second radiation-curable oligomer according to the following formula:R.sup.1 -L.sup.1 -C.sup.1 -L.sup.2 -R.sup.2 (1)where:R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, independently, each represent a radiation-curable functional group;L.sup.1 and L.sup.2, independently, each represent an alkyleneoxy chain having from about 2 to about 40 carbon atoms, wherein L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 are linked to C.sup.1 through an oxygen atomC.sup.1 comprises a hydrocarbon having from about 5 to about 40 carbon atoms and containing at least one cyclic group.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acid-dyeable polyamide fiber which can be obtained very reproducibly and unsusceptibly to faults during the production process. The fiber is characterized in that the amino end group content is less than 10 meq/kg. A very reproducible affinity for dyestuffs is obtained by copolymerization of a compound containing an acidic end group and having a basic nature. Compounds derived from melamine are particularly suitable.

Abstract: Polysubstituted cyclopentadiene-containing compound, in which at least one substituent is has the formula --RDR'.sub.n, in which R is a linking group between the cyclopentadiene and the DR'.sub.n group, D is a hetero atom selected from group 15 or 16 of the Periodic Table of Elements or an aryl group, in which case R has at least the length of an ethylene group, R' is a hydrocarbon radical containing 1-20 carbon atoms (e.g., alkyl, aryl, aralkyl,. and the like, including straight chain, branched, cyclic, and derivatives thereof, and n is the number of R' groups bound to D (note that the R' groups may be identical or different).

Abstract: A liquid radiation curable resin composition comprising a polydimethylsiloxane compound which has (i) at least two urethane bonds in one molecule, (ii) an unreactive organic group at at least one of the ends of the molecule, and (iii) a radical curable ethylenically unsaturated group at the other end of the molecule. The resin composition exhibits superior shelf life in a liquid state and produces cured products having slippery surface. It is suitable as a coating material for optical fibers.

Abstract: Polysubstituted cyclopentadiene compound wherein at least two different substituents are present from the group consisting of linear, branched and cyclic alkyls, aralkyls and alkenyls, and a process for the preparation of a cyclopentadiene compound substituted with at least two different groups chosen from the group consisting of linear, branched, cyclic and aromatic alkyls and alkenyls, characterized in that it comprises the reacting of a halide of a first substituting group in a mixture of the cyclopentadiene compound and an aqueous solution of a base, in which the quantity of the base relative to the cyclopentadiene compound is between 5 and 30 mol/mol, in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, followed by the addition of a halide of a second or optionally a third substituting group to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a selection marker free system which can be used to introduce genetic modifications in bacteria, yeasts and fungi. The system can be employed to introduce or delete desired genes or DNA fragments in the genome of the indicated host species without leaving any undesired DNA i.e. the selection marker used for selection of transformants or other DNA used for cloning. In this way strains have been developed containing only desired genes introduced at desired chromosomal sites. Similarly, desired DNA fragments have been deleted or replaced at desired sites.

Abstract: The invention relates to a star-shaped branched polyamide that has a high thermal stability and can be produced in existing production facilities for the corresponding linear polyamide. This is achieved by allowing the polyamide branches, at least three, to be formed from a multifunctional core having functional groups chosen from the group comprising amine and carboxyl groups, the amine or carboxyl groups being bound to an acyclic compound in which branching occures, if it is branched, at a carbon atom, or via an acyclic chain to a heterocyclic compound showing point symmetry.The process for the preparation is carried out under the conditions of the preparation of the corresponding linear polyamide. It proves to be possible to obtain, after shorter polymerization times, a product with mechanical properties that are comparable with those of the linear polyamide after significantly longer polymerization times.

Abstract: 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, is provided. 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. A bonding force between the cured color-composition and the coated optical glass fibers is greater than a bonding force between the cured color-composition and the matrix material. 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 the color-coated optical glass fibers instead of compressing and absorbing the opposing pressure.

Abstract: Novel phytosphingosine-based analogs of ceramide I, methods for the preparation of these novel compounds, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods for the use thereof are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a thermoplastic elastomer comprising preparing a blend of a rubber and a thermoplastic resin, in which the rubber is at least partially vulcanized by using a phenolic curative. The invention is that, to overcome problems with surface quality, an effective amount of a Lewis base is added after the desired degree of vulcanization of the rubber is obtained.The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of an UV-stable thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing at least one olefin by contacting at least one olefin with a polymerization catalyst and an organometallic compound containing a metal from group 1, 2, 12 or 13 of the Periodic System of Elements under effective polymerization conditions. The polymerization catalyst is obtained by contacting metallic magnesium with an aromatic halide, RX, under conditions effective to obtain a first reaction product and solid residual products. The first reaction product is then separated from the solid residual products. A silane compound containing an alkoxy or aryloxy group is added to the first reaction product between -20.degree. C. to 20.degree. C. to obtain a precipitate which is purified to obtain a second reaction product. Subsequently, the second reaction product is contacted with a halogenized titanium compound, such as titanium tetrachloride, to obtain a further reaction product. The polymerization catalyst is obtained by purifying the further reaction product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of porous polyolefin particles, which process comprises the following steps:1) dissolution of at least one crystallizable polyolefin in a solvent, which results in a solution being formed which comprises 0.1-50 wt. % polyolefin, and the initial polyolefin solution formed containing between 5 ppm and 20 wt. % of nucleating agent,2) dispersion of the resulting polyolefin solution in a non-solvent, at a temperature that is higher than the crystallization temperature of the polyolefin in the polyolefin solution, upon which a multiphase system is formed,3) cooling of the multiphase system, with simultaneous stirring, the cooling rate being between 0.05 and 10.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyamide fiber whose polyamide is heavily branched. The branched polyamide preferably has 3-20 branches which are joined to a core molecule which is smaller than the polyamide arms. The arms originate preferably from functional groups which are identical and are preferably carboxyl groups. The polyamide is chosen from the group of polyamides which are produced by polycondensation of .alpha.,.omega.-aminocarboxylic acids or by ring-opening polymerization of lactams. Preferably, the polyamide is nylon-6. The properties of the fiber according to the invention are at least at the same level as those of fibers obtained by spinning linear polyamide. The spinning process for the fiber according to the invention is less susceptible to faults. Inter alia, the viscosity of the polyamide no longer changes during the spinning process.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a melamine condensation product comprising the step of heating a starting material comprising melamine or a melamine salt in the presence of: (i) at least one organic acid, (ii) at least one ammonia or melamine salt of the organic acid, or (iii) a mixture of (i) and (ii), under reaction conditions effective for the formation of the melamine condensation product. The melamine condensation product with a residual condensation agent content of less than 1 wt. % is useful in a moldable polymer composition possessing flame-retardant properties.

Abstract: Provided is an optical glass fiber assembly containing a matrix material and a plurality of coated optical glass fibers bound together by said matrix material, said matrix material having a swell index and/or glass transition temperature which provides the combination of properties of: (i) a swell index of a magnitude functionally capable of facilitating mid-span access to said optical glass fibers by a solvent stripping method of said matrix material from said optical glass fibers; and/or (ii) a glass transition temperature of a magnitude to facilitate end-access to said optical glass fibers by a heat stripping method of said matrix material from said optical glass fibers at an end terminus of said optical glass fiber assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a selection marker free system which can be used to introduce genetic modifications in bacteria, yeasts and fungi. The system can be employed to introduce or delete desired genes or DNA fragments in the genome of the indicated host species without leaving any undesired DNA i.e. the selection marker used for selection of transformants or other DNA used for cloning. In this way strains have been developed containing only desired genes introduced at desired chromosomal sites. Similarly, desired DNA fragments have been deleted or replaced at desired sites.

Abstract: Process to prepare a pentenoic acid anhydride in the pressence of a catalyst comprising palladium and an organic phosphine ligand, wherein the corresponding alkoxycarbonyl butene is reacted with carbon monoxide at a temperature between 50 and 130.degree. C. and that the phosphine is a monodentate phosphine or a bidentate phosphine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-containing composition where a PUFA-containing lipid is adsorbed onto a solid carrier, such as a powder. This can be used in a process for preparing an infant formula, such as where the powdered PUFA-containing lipid is added after an emulsion of oil and water phases has been formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel copolyether-ester containing hard segments derived from at least one low-molecular-weight glycol and at least two dicarboxylic acids, or esters thereof, chosen from the group comprising 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 4,4'-diphenyldicarboxylic acid and terephthalic acid, which contains, if desired, isophthalic acid, and containing soft segments derived from the group comprising poly(alkylene oxides).The copolyetherester according to the invention has improved properties at high temperature while retaining the properties at low temperature.