Abstract: A method for producing non-human conditionally immortalized mast cell progenitors comprises: introducing a nucleic acid molecule comprising an inducible homeobox gene into myeloid progenitor cells, wherein said myeloid progenitor cells are derived from a non-human animal and are engineered to express a heterologous high-affinity IgE receptor alpha subunit (Fc?RI?); and selecting for cells which contain the nucleic acid molecule. The non-human conditionally immortalized mast cell progenitors may be cultured to obtain differentiated mast cells. The mast cells find utility in assays for the determination of IgE mediated allergies.

Abstract: In order to improve a coupling unit that is mountable on the rear end of a vehicle body and comprises a carrier unit which, for its part, is mountable on the vehicle body hidden by a bumper unit and which comprises a coupling arm held on the carrier unit for coupling a trailer or a rear load carrier, in such a way that detection of the mechanical loads on the coupling unit is possible in a simple way, it is proposed that there be provided at least one force detecting region on sections of the coupling unit that are mechanically loaded by the coupled trailer or the coupled rear load carrier, in which a sensor associated with this force detecting region detects the mechanical load acting on this force detecting region by means of the magneto-elastic effect.

Abstract: A process for preparing aliphatic carboxylic acids having 3 to 10 carbon atoms by oxidizing the corresponding aldehydes with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases, characterized in that (i) the oxidation is performed in a microreactor at elevated pressure and with an oxygen excess based on the stoichiometrically required amount of oxygen, and (ii) in that the reaction mixture removed from the microreactor is passed through at least one postreactor without further addition of oxygen, and (iii) wherein the oxidation reaction in the microreactor is performed under such conditions that aldehyde and corresponding peracid formed are present in the reaction mixture removed in a molar ratio within a range of 1:(0.9 to 1.1), preferably of 1:(0.95 to 1.05).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining neopentyl glycol by hydrogenating cracking of high-boilers occurring in the production process in the presence of copper-chromite catalysts. The hydrogenating cracking proceeds in the absence of solvent at a temperature of 140 to 220° C. and at pressures of 7 to 28 MPa.

Abstract: A process for preparing aliphatic carboxylic acids having 3 to 10 carbon atoms by oxidizing the corresponding aldehydes with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases, characterized in that (i) the oxidation is performed in a microreactor at elevated pressure and with an oxygen excess based on the stoichiometrically required amount of oxygen, and (ii) in that the reaction mixture removed from the microreactor is passed through at least one postreactor without further addition of oxygen, and (iii) wherein the oxidation reaction in the microreactor is performed under such conditions that aldehyde and corresponding peracid formed are present in the reaction mixture removed in a molar ratio within a range of 1:(0.9 to 1.1), preferably of 1:(0.95 to 1.05).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining neopentyl glycol by hydrogenating cracking of high-boilers occurring in the production process in the presence of copper-chromite catalysts. The hydrogenating cracking proceeds in the absence of solvent at a temperature of 140 to 220° C. and at pressures of 7 to 28 MPa.