Abstract: A process for stabilising a natural or synthetic organic polymer or copolymer obtained from a water based latex or emulsion of the polymer or copolymer comprising adding to the later or emulsion prior to coagulation of the polymer or copolymer a substantially water-free self-emulsifying liquid stabiliser mixture comprising (a) a phosphite or phosphonite stabiliser; (b) a phenolic antioxidant and (c) an emulsifying agent. The preferred stabiliser package is a blend of 2 parts by weight liquid phosphite stabiliser to 1 part by weight liquid phenolic antioxidant which has dissolved in it a fatty acid ester emulsifier.

Abstract: A transesterification process for the preparation of tetrakis [3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy phenyl)propionyl oxymethyl]methane by the reaction of methyl-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy phenyl)propionate ester with pentaerythritol wherein the reaction takes place in the presence of an ester exchange catalyst combination consisting of (a) at least one basic or neutral catalyst and (b) at least one metal compound capable of behaving as a Lewis acid and wherein the reaction is conducted through a first stage in which only basic or neutral catalyst is present in the reaction mixture followed by a second stage which commences with the addition of Lewis acid catalyst to the reaction mixture when the amount of di-substituted intermediate product contained within the reaction mixture is less than 20 area % analysed by HPLC. The preferred basic catalysts are lithium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide monohydrate. The preferred Lewis acid catalyst is zinc octanoate.

Abstract: The invention relates to altered immune cells and their use in methods and compositions to alter the immune system in a mammal. More specifically, the invention is directed to the alteration of gene expression in antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DC) and their use in various methods and compositions to alter T cell activity for the treatment of a variety of immune disorders.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing decreased vascular function is disclosed. The method includes assaying the number of endothelial progenitor cells. A method for detecting increased cardiovascular risk is also disclosed, as is a method for diagnosing atherosclerosis. In one example, the methods include assaying the number of endothelial progenitor cells. A method for treating a subject with decreased vascular function is disclosed. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of endothelial progenitor cells to the subject. In one embodiment, the subject has atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A system providing methodology for policy-based resource allocation is described. In one embodiment, for example, a system for allocating computer resources amongst a plurality of applications based on a policy is described that comprises: a plurality of computers connected to one another through a network; a policy engine for specifying a policy for allocation of resources of the plurality of computers amongst a plurality of applications having access to the resources; a monitoring module at each computer for detecting demands for the resources and exchanging information regarding demands for the resources at the plurality of computers; and an enforcement module at each computer for allocating the resources amongst the plurality of applications based on the policy and information regarding demands for the resources.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of sulphonated phenols of general formula (I) where R1 is hydrogen, a C1-C20 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C20 alkoxy, C2-C20 alkoxycarbonyl, acyloxy and/or phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy and/or halogen, R2 is hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl or benzoyl of general formula (II) where R3 and R4 independently of one another are each hydrogen, halogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C4-C12 cycloalkylalkyl, cyano, hydroxyl, or hydroxyethyl or are each phenoxy, C7-C10 phenylalkyl or phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy and/or halogen, and R5 is hydrogen or the group SO3X where X can be hydrogen, a monovalent metal or a group —N(R6)3, where each of the three radicals R6 can be independently of one another hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 hydroxy alkyl, which process comprises reacting a phenol of general formula (III) where R1 and R2 ar

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-(hydroxyalkyl)acrylic compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein X represents a --CN group, a --COOR.sub.3 group, a --COR.sub.4 group or a --CONR.sub.4 R.sub.5 group wherein R.sub.3 is an alkyl group containing 1-4 C atoms and R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 independently represent an H atom or R.sub.3, andwherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent an H atom or an alkyl group with 1-4 C atoms or an (hetero) aryl group, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together represent a cyclic compound with 5-12 C atomsby contacting an acrylic compound H.sub.2 C.dbd.CH--X with a carbonyl compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein X, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 denote the same as in the above, this being effected in the liquid phase in the presence of a tertiary amine, characterized in that the reaction is carried out at a pressure in excess of 500 bar in excess of 500 bar, advantageously 1,500-18,000 bar.