Abstract: A contact device includes a first plug connector, which for forming a plug contact is pluggable onto a corresponding second plug connector of a first component, and comprising at least one first abutment section, which for forming a pressure contact is pressable against a second abutment section of a second component and/or of an additional element that is connectable to the second component. At least one spring section is provided between the first plug connector and the first abutment section and/or between a fastening section of the additional element and the second abutment section. The spring section presses the two abutment sections against one another with an elastic force when the two components are electrically connected to one another. The first plug connector is designed as a push-on sleeve, so that it is pluggable onto a second plug connector, designed as a plug, of the first component.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of selecting a mutant polypeptide having lysine demodification, in particular lysine deacylation, activity, wherein the method comprises the following steps (a) incubating a mutant polypeptide having an amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 with a peptide or polypeptide comprising an inactivated essential lysine residue; and (b) determining the activity of the mutant polypeptide to activate the peptide or polypeptide comprising the inactivated essential lysine residue, wherein the mutant polypeptide and the peptide or polypeptide comprising an inactivated essential lysine residue are incubated in a biological cell. The invention furthermore relates to an acylated luciferase, particularly Firefly luciferase, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a polypeptide comprising an orthogonal functional group, said orthogonal functional group being comprised by an aliphatic amino acid or amino acid derivative, said method comprising providing a host cell; providing a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of interest; providing a tRNA-tRNA synthetase pair orthogonal to said host cell; adding an amino acid or amino acid derivative comprising the orthogonal functional group of interest, wherein said amino acid or amino acid derivative is a substrate for said orthogonal tRNA synthetase, wherein said amino acid or amino acid derivative has an aliphatic carbon backbone; and incubating to allow incorporation of said amino acid or amino acid derivative into the polypeptide of interest via the orthogonal tRNA-tRNA synthetase pair. The invention also relates to certain amino acids, and to polypeptides comprising same.

Abstract: There is provided a method for evolving an orthogonal rRNA molecule, comprising the steps of: providing one or more libraries of mutant orthogonal rRNA molecules and introducing the libraries into cells such that the orthogonal rRNA is incorporated into ribosomes to provide orthogonal ribosomes; providing one or more orthogonal mRNA molecules which (i) are not translated by natural ribosomes, and (ii) comprise one or more orthogonal mRNA codons; assaying the translation of the orthogonal mRNA and selecting the orthogonal rRNA molecules which translate the orthogonal mRNA, wherein the assay in step (c) requires translation of one or more orthogonal mRNA codons in the orthogonal mRNA; and orthogonal ribosomes incorporating such rRNA molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to 16S rRNA comprising a mutation at A1196, and to 16S rRNA further comprising a mutation at C1195 and/or A1197, and to 16S rRNA which comprises (i) C1195A and A1196G; or (ii) C1195T, A1196G and A1197G; or (iii) A1196G and A1197G. The invention also relates to ribosomes comprising such 16S rRNAs and to use of same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tRNA synthetase capable of binding N?-acetyl lysine, wherein said synthetase comprises a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of MbPyIRS, and wherein said synthetase comprises a L266M mutation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a polypeptide comprising an orthogonal functional group, said orthogonal functional group being comprised by an aliphatic amino acid or amino acid derivative, said method comprising providing a host cell; providing a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of interest; providing a tRNA-tRNA synthetase pair orthogonal to said host cell; adding an amino acid or amino acid derivative comprising the orthogonal functional group of interest, wherein said amino acid or amino acid derivative is a substrate for said orthogonal tRNA synthetase, wherein said amino acid or amino acid derivative has an aliphatic carbon backbone; and incubating to allow incorporation of said amino acid or amino acid derivative into the polypeptide of interest via the orthogonal tRNA-tRNA synthetase pair. The invention also relates to certain amino acids, and to polypeptides comprising same.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell for preparing alkali metals from a liquid alkali metal heavy metal alloy, including a tube arranged essentially horizontally having a closure device at each of the two ends of the tube. At least one solid electrolyte tube arranged concentrically in the tube and oriented with openings towards one end of the tube such that a first annular gap for conducting a liquid alkali metal, which forms an anode, is present between the inside of the tube and the outside of the solid electrolyte tube. An interior space in the solid electrolyte tube, sealed off from an alloy inlet, first annular gap and an alloy outlet, accommodates liquid alkali metal that can be used as a cathode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tRNA synthetase capable of binding N?-acetyl lysine, in particular, the invention relates to a tRNA synthetase capable of binding N?-acetyl lysine wherein said synthetase comprises a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence of MbPy1RS. The invention also relates to a method of making a polypeptide comprising N?-acetyl lysine comprising arranging for the translation of a RNA encoding said polypeptide, wherein said RNA comprises an amber codon, wherein said translation is carried out in the presence of a polypeptide according to any of claims 1 to 11 and in the presence of tRNA capable of being charged with N?-acetyl lysine, and in the presence of N?-acetyl lysine.

Abstract: There is provided a method for evolving an orthogonal rRNA molecule, comprising the steps of: providing one or more libraries of mutant orthogonal rRNA molecules and introducing the libraries into cells such that the orthogonal rRNA is incorporated into ribosomes to provide orthogonal ribosomes; providing one or more orthogonal mRNA molecules which (i) are not translated by natural ribosomes, and (ii) comprise one or more orthogonal mRNA codons; assaying the translation of the of the orthogonal mRNA and selecting the orthogonal rRNA molecules which translate the orthogonal mRNA, wherein the assay in step (c) requires translation of one or more orthogonal mRNA codons in the orthogonal mRNA; and orthogonal ribosomes incorporating such rRNA molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolysis cell for preparing liquid alkali metal from a liquid alkali metal-heavy metal alloy, which comprises a tube (1) which is arranged essentially horizontally and has a closure device (4) at each of the two ends of the tube (1), at least one solid electrolyte tube (12) arranged in the tube (1), which conducts alkali metal ions and is closed at one end and has an opening (11) at the other end, with the solid electrolyte tube (12) being arranged concentrically in the tube (1) and having the opening (11) facing one end of the tube (1) so that a first annular gap (13) for conducting the liquid alkali metal-heavy metal alloy which forms one anode is present between the inside of the tube (1) and the outside of the solid electrolyte tube (12), an interior space (14) in the solid electrolyte tube (12) for accommodating the liquid alkali metal which can be utilized as cathode, where the closure device (4) comprises an alkali metal-heavy metal alloy inlet (8) or outlet (9) op

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of nitrobenzoic acids by oxidizing particular nitrotoluenes, nitrobenzyl alcohols, esters and/or ethers in the presence of nitric acid at elevated temperature and elevated pressure. It has been found that the particular nitrotoluenes, nitrobenzyl alcohols, esters and/or ethers may be oxidized particularly reliably and in high yields using nitric acid to the benzoic acid derivatives when they are metered into the nitric acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of nitrobenzoic acids by oxidizing particular nitrotoluenes, nitrobenzyl alcohols, esters and/or ethers in the presence of nitric acid at elevated temperature and elevated pressure. It has been found that the particular nitrotoluenes, nitrobenzyl alcohols, esters and/or ethers may be oxidized particularly reliably and in high yields using nitric acid to the benzoic acid derivatives when they are metered into the nitric acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of nitrobenzoic acids by oxidizing particular nitrotoluenes, nitrobenzyl alcohols, esters and/or ethers in the presence of nitric acid at elevated temperature and elevated pressure. It has been found that the particular nitrotoluenes, nitrobenzyl alcohols, esters and/or ethers may be oxidized particularly reliably and in high yields using nitric acid to the benzoic acid derivatives when they are metered into the nitric acid.

Abstract: A method for exterminating existing infestations of ants, termites, insects or other living organisms in structures, soils and other materials using a capsicum-containtg killing solution in either a liquid or vapor form, including the steps of delivering the killing solution to the infested portions of the structure, and contacting the termites, insects or other living organisms forming the infestation. The method obviates the need for toxic or environmentally unsafe chemical compounds, and capsicum is readily available and economical. More importantly, the novel pesticide and method of use of the present invention is highly effective against termites in dry areas, wet areas, inaccessible and exposed areas, including around and under foundations, in ceiling and in wall portions of structures.

Abstract: A method for exterminating existing infestations of ants, termites, insects or other living organisms in structures, soils and other materials using a capsicum-containing killing solution in either a liquid or vapor form, including the steps of delivering the killing solution to the infested portions of the structure, and contacting the termites, insects or other living organisms forming the infestation. The method obviates the need for toxic or environmentally unsafe chemical compounds, and capsicum is readily available and economical. More importantly, the novel pesticide and method of use of the present invention is highly effective against termites in dry areas, wet areas, inaccessible and exposed areas, including around and under foundations, in ceiling and in wall portions of structures.

Abstract: A method for exterminating existing infestations of termites, insects or other living organisms in structures, soils and other materials using a capsicum-containing killing solution in either a liquid or vapor form, including the steps of delivering the killing solution to the infested portions of the structure, and contacting the termites, insects or other living organisms forming the infestation. The method obviates the need for toxic or environmentally unsafe chemical compounds, and capsicum is readily available and economical. More importantly, the novel pesticide and method of use of the present invention is highly effective against termites in dry areas, wet areas, inaccessible and exposed areas, including around and under foundations, in ceiling and in wall portions of structures. Boring small holes into the structure, from either the inside or the outside and penetrating into the interior wall, ceiling and foundation spaces will allow the capsicum based killing solution to be pumped directly therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of carbonates having a six-membered ring, of the formula ##STR1## by transesterification of 1,3-propanediol compounds with carbonic acid esters and subsequent distillative depolymerization of the oligo- or polycarbonate initially formed, one or more catalysts from the group consisting of compounds of Sn, Ti or Zr being employed both for the transesterification and for the depolymerization and, if appropriate, the distillation residue is at least partly recycled into the transesterification. Such carbonates having a six-membered ring can furthermore be stabilized against undesirable polymerization by addition of small amounts of acids of sulfur or phosphorus or esters or salts thereof.

Abstract: Hydroxypivalic acid is obtained from aqueous solutions by removal of the water by azeotropic distillation and subsequent crystallization from a solvent mixture which is composed of a polar and a non-polar component. The distillation is carried out under reduced pressure and at a maximum bottom temperature of 90.degree. C., until a residual water content of at least 0.1% of the total weight of the resulting solution is achieved.

Abstract: Hydroxypivalic acid can be prepared by oxidation of hydroxypivalaldehyde with hydrogen peroxide by metering the hydrogen peroxide, as the oxidizing agent, into an aqueous hydroxypivalaldehyde reservoir in the temperature range from 60.degree. to 80.degree. C. such that a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the reaction mixture, is not exceeded, and ending the addition of hydrogen peroxide as soon as the concentration of hydroxypivalaldehyde in the reaction mixture falls below 1% by weight.