Abstract: The present invention relates to latex paints containing a) a multistage carboxylated polymer latex binder obtainable by multistage aqueous emulsion polymerisation of at least one non-ionic monomer which is selected from C1-C20-alkyl esters of acrylic acid, C1-C20-alkylesters of methacrylic acid, and vinyl aromatic monomers; one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers M2, which are selected from monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 6 carbon atoms and monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 6 carbon atoms, and where in at least one stage, monomers M2 added in this stage is at least 6% by weight; b) a titanium dioxide pigment; c) a polymeric dispersant selected from monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 6 carbon atoms and monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 6 carbon atoms, where the monomers make up at least 85% of the monomers forming the polymeric dispersant; and d) a thickener polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to latex paints, which contain a) a multistage carboxylated polymer latex binder obtainable by multistage aqueous emulsion polymerisation of a monomer composition M consisting of at least one non-ionic monomer M1, which is selected from C1-C20-alkyl esters of acrylic acid, C1-C20-alkylesters of methacrylic acid, and vinyl aromatic monomers; one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers M2, which are selected from monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 6 carbon atoms and monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 6 carbon atoms, and optionally one or more non-ionic monomers M3, which are different from monomers M1; where in at least one stage, the relative amount of monomers M2 in added in this stage is at least 6% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers added in said stage, the total amount of monomers M2 being from 0.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a latex paint containing i) a multistage carboxylated polymer latex binder, ii) a titanium dioxide pigment, and iii) a polymeric dispersant PD having a number average molecular weight, as determined by GPC, of at most 5500 Dalton. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the latex paint, and coatings containing the latex paint.

Abstract: A pigment is disclosed wherein the pigment includes a platy substrate or uniform platy substrate coated with an odd number of layers of alternating layers of high or low refractive index material, wherein each layer has a refractive index that differs from adjacent layers by at least 0.2; and the pigment has from about 40 to about 100% reflectance of light having a wavelength of 280 nm to 400 nm. Processes for making and using the pigments are also disclosed. These pigments can find application in paints, plastics, cosmetics, glass, printing inks, and glazes.

Abstract: A method for sensing a wave-front of specimen light scattered from an illuminated area in a specimen (10) includes the steps of focusing illumination light into the specimen (10), directing specimen light scattered in the specimen (10) to a detector device (50) having a plurality of detector elements (51) and being capable to sense light with local resolution, detecting sample light contained in the specimen light with the detector device (50), said sample light being scattered in a predetermined sample plane (11) of the specimen (10) and being selected by a time-based gating of the specimen light, locally resolved measuring phase information of the sample light, and reconstructing the wave-front of the sample light on the basis of the phase information. Furthermore, a method of microscopic imaging with adapted illumination light is described.

Abstract: A fermentation assembly comprising: (a) a vessel for culturing living cells; (b) at least two storage flasks in fluid communication with the vessel for supply of liquids and a first transport means for transferring the liquids from the storage flasks to the vessel; (c) individual appliances operably connected to the transport means for monitoring the supply of the contents of the storage flasks to the vessel; (d) a harvest flask in fluid communication with the vessel and a second transport means for transferring the fermentation broth from the vessel to the harvest flask; and (e) a device operably connected to the first transport means for controlling and maintaining a constant dilution rate in the vessel with varying rates of individual supply of liquid from the storage flasks to the vessel is disclosed.

Abstract: A fermentation assembly comprising: (a) a vessel for culturing living cells; (b) at least two storage flasks in fluid communication with the vessel for supply of liquids and a first transport means for transferring the liquids from the storage flasks to the vessel; (c) individual appliances operably connected to the transport means for monitoring the supply of the contents of the storage flasks to the vessel; (d) a harvest flask in fluid communication with the vessel and a second transport means for transferring the fermentation broth from the vessel to the harvest flask; and (e) a device operably connected to the first transport means for controlling and maintaining a constant dilution rate in the vessel with varying rates of individual supply of liquid from the storage flasks to the vessel is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of optimized performance of bioprocesses involving complex nutrient mixture. This process includes periodically and alternately stopping a supply of each nutrient in the complex nutrient mixture to a culture of microorganisms until the metabolic activity of the microorganisms decreases by a preset percentage, calculating a new feed concentration of the complex nutrients, and adjusting the amount of each nutrient supplied to the microorganism with an optimization routine. Devices for implementing the present methods and processes are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid or a salt thereof from D-sorbitol by fermentation with microorganisms in a nutrient medium containing D-sorbitol that is incubated in a first fermentation vessel with a microorganism capable of converting D-sorbitol to L-sorbose, whereafter the resulting fermentation broth containing L-sorbose is transferred to a second fermentation vessel where it is incubated with a microorganism capable of converting L-sorbose to 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. In a particularly preferred embodiment of this process, the fermentation broth from the first fermentation vessel is sterilized before being transferred to the second fermentation vessel. 2-keto-L-gulonic acid is a valuable intermediate for the production of vitamin C.