Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing isocyanates by reaction of amines with phosgene in the presence of inert organic solvents in a reactor and subsequent work-up of the reaction mixture leaving the reactor, wherein the solvent is separated off in a two-stage or multistage, preferably two-stage, distillation process in which the solvent is separated off at a pressure of 0.1-15 bar in a first apparatus and at 1-900 mbar in a second apparatus or further apparatuses, with the heat of condensation of the solvent vapor from the first apparatus being used for partial or complete vaporization of solvent in the second apparatus.

Abstract: A process for preparing methylenedianiline by reacting aniline with formaldehyde in the presence of acid catalysts comprising, in a semicontinuous process, introducing aniline with or without acid catalyst, feeding formaldehyde with or without acid catalyst through a mixing element into a circuit in which aniline with or without acid catalyst and with or without previously added formaldehyde is circulated and, after feeding in at least 50% of the total amount of formaldehyde to be fed in, heating the reaction mixture to a temperature above 75° C. In addition, the invention relates to a process for preparing polyisocyanates by phosgenation of amines obtainable in this manner and to the polyisocyanates obtainable by this process.

Abstract: A process for preparing methylenedianiline by reacting aniline with formaldehyde in the presence of acid catalysts comprising, in a semicontinuous process, introducing aniline with or without acid catalyst, feeding formaldehyde with or without acid catalyst through a mixing element into a circuit in which aniline with or without acid catalyst and with or without previously added formaldehyde is circulated and, after feeding in at least 50% of the total amount of formaldehyde to be fed in, heating the reaction mixture to a temperature above 75° C. In addition, the invention relates to a process for preparing polyisocyanates by phosgenation of amines obtainable in this manner and to the polyisocyanates obtainable by this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for image guided automated insertion of an elongated an elongated hollow needle to a desired location in an animal body for effecting radiation therapy of cancerous tissue in said body comprising needle positioning means for positioning said needle having a distal end and a proximal end relative to said desired location; needle drive means for driving said needle with its distal end towards said desired location; and real time imaging means for creating and presenting an image of said desired location and the position of the distal end of said needle during insertion of said needle.

Abstract: In a process for preparing mixtures of diphenylmethane diisocyanates and polyphenylpolymethylene polyisocyanates having a reduced content of chlorinated by-products and a reduced iodine color number by two-stage reaction of the corresponding mixtures of diphenylmethanediamines and polyphenylpolymethylenepolyamines with phosgene in the presence of at least one inert organic solvent at elevated temperature, separation of the excess phosgene and solvent after the phosgenation is complete and thermal treatment of the reaction product, the mass ratios of phosgene to hydrogen chloride in the residence time apparatus of the second stage of the phosgenation are at the same time 10-30:1 in the liquid phase and 1-10:1 in the gas phase.

Abstract: Transferring genetic material to eukaryotic cells by a process resembling conjugation, particularly, a system partially based on Agrobacterium tumefaciens-like transfer systems. The transfer of genetic material into plant cells using mobilizable, but non-conjugative, plasmids by means of an Agrobacterium virulence system. The method for transferring genetic material, which is not a typical T-DNA surrounded by Agrobacterium T-borders from an Agrobacterium virulence system, to a eukaryotic host cell includes providing the genetic material on a mobilizable plasmid capable of forming a relaxosome, bringing the mobilisable plasmid in an Agrobacterium having at least the activity of the transfer genes of Agrobacterium not present on the mobilizable plasmid, wherein the necessary gene products providing the same or similar activity as a functional VirB operon are also present, and co-cultivating the Agrobacterium with the eukaryotic host cell.

Abstract: This transmission system includes at least one transmitter station (8) for transmitting data blocks and at least a satellite station (1) receiving the blocks. The satellite station cuts off the power supply of certain of its circuits when a block does not relate to the satellite station.

Abstract: A process for preparing methylenedianiline by reacting aniline with formaldehyde in the presence of acid catalysts comprising, in a semicontinuous process, introducing aniline with or without acid catalyst, feeding formaldehyde with or without acid catalyst through a mixing element into a circuit in which aniline with or without acid catalyst and with or without previously added formaldehyde is circulated and, after feeding in at least 50% of the total amount of formaldehyde to be fed in, heating the reaction mixture to a temperature above 75° C.

Abstract: Method for detecting Ki-ras mutations in exon I, codon 12 to 13 in samples of tissue, tumor tissue, tissue secretions, excretions, expectorates, blood and lymph by two subsequent PCR amplifications comprising a regular PCR amplification and an allele specific amplification and wherein the identification step may comprise a Phast Gel SSCP, characterized in that by a specific selection of oligoprimers in the combination of two PCR amplifications and the Phast Gel identification or in the combination of the said regular PCR amplification and Phast Gel identification produced direct detection of the mutations is produced.

Abstract: A process for preparing methylenedianiline by reacting aniline with formaldehyde in the presence of acid catalysts comprising, in a semicontinuous process, introducing aniline with or without acid catalyst, feeding formaldehyde with or without acid catalyst through a mixing element into a circuit in which aniline with or without acid catalyst and with or without previously added formaldehyde is circulated and, after feeding in at least 50% of the total amount of formaldehyde to be fed in, heating the reaction mixture to a temperature above 75° C. In addition, the invention relates to a process for preparing polyisocyanates by phosgenation of amines obtainable in this manner and to the polyisocyanates obtainable by this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to Agrobacterium mediated transformation of moulds comprising species of the fungal sub-divisions Ascomycotina, Basidiomycotina, Deuteromycotina, Mastigomycotina, and Zygomycotina. Examples demonstrate the transformation of Aspergillus awamori (both protoplasts and conidia), Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium solani pisi, Neurospora crassa, Trichoderma reesei, Pleurotus ostreatus and Agaricus bisporus (all conidia), and Fusarium graminearum (both conidia and rehydrated freeze dried ATCC material). Especially for Aspergillus awamori the transformation frequency is much higher than with conventional mould transformation techniques. It has further been found that not only one expressable gene can be introduced into these moulds, but even multiple copies of such gene, which, moreover, can be targeted e.g. in the chromosomal pyrG locus, as exemplified for A. awamori.

Abstract: A laminated pneumatic tire is disclosed which may be free of reinforcing fabric and which is made of a substantial number of alternating layers of high-modulus and low-modulus polymeric material such as synthetic rubber, polyurethane rubber, and various elastoplastic and high-modulus plastic materials including polycarbonate, nylon, epoxide resins, polystyrene and the like. The alternating hard and soft layers provide the tire with a necessary durability and resistance to flex cracking. The tire may contain low-modulus polymeric layers with a Young's modulus from 300 to 2000 or higher. The high-modulus layers of the tire may have a Young's modulus from 3000 to 50,000 or higher.

Abstract: The invention relates to a low pressure sodium vapor discharge lamp for generating a directed light beam in which the lamp is provided with a cylindrical discharge tube which is enveloped by a cylindrical outer bulb.According to the invention the inside of the outer bulb is provided, in a cross-section of the lamp over at least 270.degree. of arc, with a reflecting layer which has a large reflection factor for sodium light and a very small reflection factor for infra-red radiation.The lamp according to the invention may for example be used in an exposure apparatus for photocopying texts and figures.