Abstract: A composition for topical application to the skin comprises, in an appropriate cosmetic vehicle, as an active agent, a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent hydrogen or lower alkyl; R.sub.3 represents hydrogen, alkyl containing 1-4 carbon atoms, mono- or polyhydroxyalkyl having 2-16 carbon atoms, carbamylalkyl, carboxyalkyl or alkoxycarbonylalkyl; R.sub.4 represents hydrogen or --COOR.sub.5 represents hydrogen, alkyl having 1-18 carbon atoms optionally interrupted by one or more hetero atoms, or mono- or polyhydroxyalkyl having 2-18 carbon atoms; and n is 0 or 1.This composition improves the elasticity and suppleness of the skin.

Abstract: A substituted derivative of thiamorpholinone, for use in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical field, has the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 0 or 1; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent hydrogen or lower alkyl and R.sub.3 represents hydrogen, mono or polyhydroxyalkyl containing 2-16 carbon atoms, carbamylalkyl, carboxyalkyl or alkoxycarbonylalkyl. When R.sub.3 represents hydrogen, R.sub.4 represents --CO.sub.2 R.sub.5 wherein R.sub.5 is alkyl having 3-18 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, or mono or polyhydroxyalkyl having 2-18 carbon atoms. When R.sub.3 represents mono or polyhydroxyalkyl, carbamylalkyl, carboxyalkyl or alkoxycarbonylalkyl, R.sub.4 represents hydrogen or lower alkyl.

Abstract: Young's modulus and/or the internal damping factor of an elastic material is obtained by subjecting an area of the material to a sustained vibration. The presence of the material being tested changes the resonance of a mechanical resonator and determination of the changed resonance peak enables the required elastic characteristics to be obtained. The sample may be subjected to varying tension during testing and can conveniently be vibrated by signals obtained from a variable frequency generator although, preferably, an electronic circuit for vibrating the resonator has a feed-back loop to operate as an electro-mechanical auto-oscillator.