Abstract: Branched polyarylene polymers are provided comprising monovalent endcappers, divalent linear units, and polyvalent branching units. The composition of the polymers is controlled by adjusting the ratio of the three types of monomers.

Abstract: The invention provides novel organometallic complexes useful as olefin metathesis catalysts. The complexes have an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and a chelating carbene ligand associated with a Group 8 transition metal center. The molecular structure of the complexes can be altered so as to provide a substantial latency period. The complexes are particularly useful in catalyzing ring closing metathesis of acyclic olefins and ring opening metathesis polymerization of cyclic olefins.

Abstract: Methods of using modified lecithin to delivery various benefits to plants and plant parts are disclosed. Modified lecithins, applied to growing plants, can cause improvements in fruit and plant firmness, size, color and stability, in economically important fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for secured access to applications of a chip card, bringing into operation instructions that provide information, at each point in time, on the rights, especially in terms of access to the chip card, of a software component or a hardware action performed in the chip card. In the case of each new software component and at each new hardware action, a register R of the microprocessor of the chip card stores a specific code that makes it possible to check the authorized nature of the operations of access to the memory of the chip card that are performed by the new software component or hardware action.