Abstract: A process for purifying a nitrile such as acrylonitrile is disclosed. The process comprises (1) contacting a product mixture, which comprises acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide, with an acid or a precursor of the acid to produce an acid-treated product; and (2) recovering the nitrile from the acid-treated product. The product mixture can be produced by contacting ammonia with a hydrocarbon such as an olefin under a condition effective to produce a nitrile and hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract: A construction membrane that resists liquid and air penetration, is moisture vapor permeable, and has integral drainage channels is provided. An exterior wall construction incorporating such barrier sheet material is also provided. The wall construction may be faced with stucco, siding, brick or stone. A method for bonding and texturing the construction membrane is also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing a poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG) or copolymer having a narrowed molecular weight ratio of 1.9 to 2.07 and a dispersity of 1.2 to 1.65 from a starting PTMEG or copolymer with a broader molecular weight distribution having a dispersity of 1.9 to 2.3 and a molecular weight ratio of 2.3 to 2.6 is provided by feeding the PTMEG or copolymer and an effective amount of an inert solvent to a stripping apparatus and stripping at a temperature of 150 to 220 degrees C. and a pressure of 0.5 to 5 mm of mercury.

Abstract: A 12 kb gene cluster has been isolated from Rhodococcus erythropolis containing several open reading frames implicated in the degradation of picric acid. The gene cluster contains 12 ORF's, all of which were isolated by a method employing differential gene display.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers; in the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator; the process comprises: I) introducing mono-olefinic monomer, catalyst, and initiator into a reactor in the absence of multi-olefinic monomer and producing an activatable prepolymer, component B; II) contacting the product of I) with multi-olefinic monomer to produce components A and C, optionally in the presence of additional initiator; also optionally in the presence of additional mono-olefinic monomer and initiator; the ratio of components A/(B+C) can be controlled by varying the mole ratio of Component B/ multi-olefinic monomer from 0.05/1 up to 5/1, by decreasing the mole ratio to increase the ratio of A/(B+C), and increasing the mole ratio to decrease the ratio of A/(B+C).

Abstract: An inertially responsive switch for use in footwear for electrically connecting a battery with a light includes an electrically conductive ball mounted in a housing for rolling movement about an upright axis along which a pair of electrical terminals are spaced apart. When the ball contacts the terminals, an electrical current from the battery passes along the terminals and the ball in order to illuminate the light.

Abstract: A process for multi-layer coating by application of a base coat layer of a water-borne base coat to a substrate and subsequent application of a clear coat layer of a powder clear coat, followed by joint baking of both coating layers, wherein said water-borne base coat contains an effective amount, preferably 0.5 to 10 wt. %, of one or more water-insoluble cellulose esters, largely avoids the formation of blisters in the powder clear coat layer.

Abstract: A series motor with commutator is disclosed which is especially suited as universal motor for a braked power tool. The series motor comprises a switch for switching between a motor mode and a braking mode, wherein, in motor mode, at least one field winding is connected in series with an armature winding in a motor circuit, which is connected to an a.c. power source, and wherein, in braking mode, the at least one field winding and the armature winding form together a closed braking circuit disconnected from the power source. The secondary winding of a mains-operated transformer is connected within the braking circuit. This arrangement guarantees improved safety of the braking action.

Abstract: A process for flash spinning polymethylpentene alone or as a blend with polyethylene or polypropylene using various spin agents having essentially zero or very low ozone depletion potential.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a composition for coating synthetic grain leather having both dynamic water repellency and oil repellency comprising a copolymer or blend of copolymers and a polyurethane resin in solvent.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a prepolymerizer. Bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and the low molecular weight polyesters are continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a first stream of gaseous by-products. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer having a relative viscosity of at least about 5 is continuously withdrawn from the prepolymerizer and continuously fed to a final polymerizer, where it is continuously polymerized to form a higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and a second stream of gaseous by-products.

Abstract: Device capable of varying tool resting spaces, including a plate body, at least one insertion key and at least one container. The plate body is formed with multiple insertion holes arranged at predetermined intervals. The insertion hole has a profile corresponding to that of the insertion key. A bottom of the container is formed with at least one perforation having a profile corresponding to a profile of the insertion key. When placing various types of tools on the plate body, the insertion keys are respectively elastically inserted in the insertion holes of the plate body around the tools to fix the tools with different pattern. Alternatively, the container is placed on the plate body and by means of inserting the insertion keys into the insertion holes around the container or inserting the insertion keys through the perforations of the bottom of the container into the insertion holes, the container can be fixed on the plate body for resting various kinds of small parts or mini-tools in the container.

Abstract: A method for anodic electro-dip lacquer coating, wherein coating medium which is consumed in an anodic electro-dip bath is compensated for by an under-neutralised anodic replenishment material, wherein the replenishment material comprises A) a pigment-free aqueous binder vehicle component with a solids content of 40 to 70% by weight, an MEQ value of 15 to 40 and a content of organic solvent of ≦0.5% by weight, and B) a pigment-containing aqueous paste resin component with a solids content of 60 to 75% by weight, an MEQ value of 5 to 15 and a content of organic solvent of ≦1.0 % by weight, wherein A) and B) are present in a ratio by weight of 1:1 to 4:1 and the mixture of A) and B) has a solids content of 45 to 73% by weight, a solvent content of ≦0.75% by weight and an MEQ value which is 50 to 70% lower than the MEQ value of the electro-dip bath.

Abstract: A process for coating three-dimensional, electrically conductive substrates by applying a coating layer of a stoving coating composition substantially only to the exterior surfaces of the substrates at a layer thickness sufficient to electrically insulate such surfaces, stoving the coating layer and then coating the interior surfaces with an electrodeposition coating composition, wherein the stoving coating composition is characterised by a volume resistivity from 108 to 1011 Ohm·cm of applied and stoved coating layers of said composition.

Abstract: Novel reactions used to prepare phosphole and bisphosphole compounds are detailed. Novel phosphole compounds and metal coordination compounds of phosphole and bisphosphole compounds are also provided. These metal coordination compounds are useful as catalysts for the polymerization or olefins with carbon monoxide and for the polymerization of acrylic monomers.

Abstract: Certain polyamide molding compositions are disclosed having improved flame resistance and heat stability. These compositions comprise in weight percent, 20-78% polyamide having a melting point of 280-340° C.; 10-60% inorganic filler; 10-35% flame retardant (brominated or chlorinated); 1-10% antimony compound; 1-10% of one or more oxides, hydroxides, or salts of weak mineral acids, and combinations thereof; and 0-2% heat stabilizer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement for the preparation of bis(3-hydroxypropyl) dicarboxylate monomers using 1,3-propanediol and a dialkyl dicarboxylate in the presence of a catalytic amount of such yttrium and/or samarium compounds as yttrium/samarium acetylacetonate or tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato) yttrium/samarium which act as a catalyst for the transesterification reaction

Abstract: D1 protease has been isolated from the alga (Scenedesmjus obliquus), wheat, and Synechocystis PCC 6803 and the genes encoding these enzymes have been cloned and sequenced. Native or recombinantly produced enzyme has been used to develop assays to detect herbicidal compositions capable of inhibiting the D1 protease enzyme.

Abstract: Through function complementation of E. coli auxotrophs, the ultimate and pentultimate enzymes of the spinach riboflavin biosynthetic pathway have been cloned, namely, lumazine synthase (LS) and riboflavin synthase (RS). This invention relates to the isolation of nucleic acid fragments from plants or fungi that encode LS protein. The invention also relates to the isolation of nucleic acid fragments from plants or fungi that encode RS protein. In addition, the invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all of a portion of LS, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein the expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of plant LS in a transformed host cell. Furthermore, the invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all of a portion of RS, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein the expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of plant or fungal RS in a transformed host cell.