Abstract: A topical composition comprising at least 10 isolated active agents which each have at least one activity selected from the group consisting of anti-oxidant activity, anti-matrix metalloproteinase (MPP) activity, anti-elastase activity, anti-inflammation activity, anti-irritation activity, microcirculation support activity, collagen synthesis activity, energy production activity, oxygenation activity, DNA protection and repair activity, cell anchorage support activity, dermal-epidermal cohesion support activity, cellular renewal activity, synthesis and/or protection of glycosaminoglycans activity, prevention and/or repair and/or elimination of damaged proteins activity, protection of skin immune function activity, hydration activity, modulation of skin pigmentation activity, and anti-cellulite activity, the composition possessing at least five of the foregoing activitie. Methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A separation device comprises a cylindrical separation pack including a spirally wound porous medium, a feed channel including a shear region, a plurality of permeate passages extending along the permeate side of the porous medium opposite the shear region and perpendicular to the feed channel, a feed inlet, a retentate outlet, and a plurality of permeate outlets.

Abstract: A separation device comprises a cylindrical separation pack including a spirally wound porous medium, a feed channel including a shear region, a plurality of permeate passages extending along the permeate side of the porous medium opposite the shear region and perpendicular to the feed channel, a feed inlet, a retentate outlet, and a plurality of permeate outlets.

Abstract: Separation device comprising a feed channel including a shear region, permeate passage(s) extending perpendicular to the direction of the feed flow and a porous medium positioned between the shear region of the feed channel and the permeate passage(s). Separation process comprising generating a shear layer in a feed fluid and passing permeate into the permeate passage(s).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing calorimetry. The apparatus include optical devices for detecting thermal processes and multiwell sample plates for supporting samples for use with such optical devices. The methods include measurement strategies and data processing techniques for reducing noise in measurements of thermal processes. The apparatus and methods may be particularly suitable for extracting thermal data from small differential measurements made using an infrared camera and for monitoring chemical and physiological processes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing calorimetry. The apparatus include optical devices for detecting thermal processes and multiwell sample plates for supporting samples for use with such optical devices. The methods include measurement strategies and data processing techniques for reducing noise in measurements of thermal processes. The apparatus and methods may be particularly suitable for extracting thermal data from small differential measurements made using an infrared camera and for monitoring chemical and physiological processes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing calorimetry. The apparatus include optical devices for detecting thermal processes and multiwell sample plates for supporting samples for use with such optical devices. The methods include measurement strategies and data processing techniques for reducing noise in measurements of thermal processes. The apparatus and methods may be particularly suitable for extracting thermal data from small differential measurements made using an infrared camera and for monitoring chemical and physiological processes.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for facilitating transactions over the Internet using pre-paid cards, such as pre-paid telephone cards. A third-party phone-card payment facilitator represents that it will coordinate payment to vendor web sites for on-line customer purchases with the value of pre-paid phone cards. The vendor's web site operator posts a branded logo from the third party phone-card payment facilitation web site, which is linked to the database of phone card value and verification process operated by the phone card manufacturer or sponsor. The link allows the customer to verify from the third-party phone-card payment facilitation web site that the vendor's web site is in cooperation with certain phone card manufacturers and can be utilized to make a purchase against the current value of the customer's pre-paid phone card. A customer who owns an anonymous pre-paid phone card can purchase goods, services or information from a web site using existing phone card telephony infrastructure.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous solutions of sodium salts of trimercapto-s-triazine whose molar saturation concentration at 0.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. is above the saturation concentration of trimercapto-s-triazine trisodium salt (TMT-Na.sub.3). More than two but less than three hydrogen atoms of the trimercapto-s-triazine are replaced by sodium ions. The solutions preferably contain trimercapto-s-triazine disodium salt (TMT-Na.sub.2) in addition to a little TMT-Na.sub.3. Surprisingly, the water solubility of TMT-Na.sub.2 is greater than that of TMT-Na.sub.3. The solutions represent a suitable supply form for the active substance trimercapto-s-triazine (TMT-H.sub.3) used in the separation of heavy metals The preparation takes place by means of reacting TMT-Na.sub.3 with TMT-H.sub.3 in a molar ratio of 1:greater than 0-less than 0.5, especially 1:0.1 to 1:<0.5 in aqueous solution.

Abstract: The disodium salt of trimercapto-s-triazine hexahydrate (TMT-Na.sub.2.6H.sub.2 O) which has a considerably higher water solubility than previously known TMT sodium salts. It is used for separating heavy metals from aqueous phase, especially from waste water.TMT-Na.sub.2.6H.sub.2 O is prepared by reacting TMT-Na.sub.3 .9H.sub.2 O, available from cyanuric chloride, with trimercapto-s-triazine (TMT-Ha.sub.3) in a molar ratio of 2-2.1 to 1 in aqueous medium with subsequent crystallization of the TMT-Na.sub.2 .6H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of 2-alkyl-1,4-butanedial by hydroformylation of acetals of a 2-alkyl-substituted-1-propenal in the presence of a complex rhodium catalyst. The 3-alkyl-4,4-dialkoxybutanal obtained in this manner is separated and hydrolyzed to the desired compound.

Abstract: The preparation of 1,4-butandial (succindialdehyde) is obtained using acrolein. The acrolein is first converted with an alkanol into 3,3-dialkoxy-1-propene and this is then hydroformylated in the presence of hydridotristriphenylphosphine-rhodiumcarbonyl mixed with triphenylphosphine or triphenylphosphite as the catalyst. The thereby obtained 4,4-dialkoxy-butanal is removed from the hydroformylation product by means of distillation and is then hydrolyzed to 1,4-butandial.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cyclic acetal of N-acylglutamic acid-.gamma.-semialdehyde of the formula ##STR1## in which A is an unsubstituted alkylene group having 2 to 3 carbon atoms or such an alkylene group substituted by 1 to 2 methyl groups and R is a methyl, methoxy, phenyl, or benzyloxy group and to a method of producing a compound of formula (I) by reaction of a compound of the general formula ##STR2## in which A is as defined above, with hydrogen cyanide or a cyanide ion supplying compound, ammonia or an ammonium ion supplying compound and carbon dioxide or a carbonate ion supplying compound and basic hydrolysis of the reaction mixture obtained and reaction of the hydrolysis mixture with a suitable acylating compound and use of the compounds of formula (I) to produce .alpha.-N-acyltryptophane.

Abstract: The invention is directed to 4-methylmercapto-2-cacetoxy-butyraldehyde of the formula ##STR1## and a process for its production by hydroformylating 3-methylmercapto-1-acetoxy-propene-1 of the formula ##STR2## 4-methylmercapto-2-acetoxy-butyraldehyde can be used as an intermediate product for the production of 4-methylmercapto-2-hydroxy-butyric acid, the hydroxy analogue of methionine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to cyclic acetals of glutamic acid-.gamma.-semialdehyde of the formula ##STR1## in which A is an unsubstituted alkylene group having 2 to 3 carbon atoms or such an alkylene group substituted by 1 to 2 methyl groups and to a method of producing a compound of formula (I) by reaction of a compound of the general formula ##STR2## in which A is as defined above with hydrogen cyanide or a cyanide ion supplying compound, ammonia or an ammonium ion supplying compound and carbon dioxide or a carbonate ion supplying compound and basic hydrolysis of the reaction mixture obtained and to using the compound of formula (I) to produce D,L-proline.

Abstract: Tryptophane hydantoin is prepared by(a) reacting a compound of the general formula ##STR1## where A is an alkylene group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms or such an alkylene group substituted by 1 to 2 methyl groups in aqueous or aqueous alcoholic solution with hydrogen cyanide or a cyanide ion supplying compound, ammonia or an ammonium ion supplying compound and carbon dioxide or a carbonate ion supplying compound and(b) reacting the reaction mixture obtained with phenyl hydrazine at a pH between 0.1 and 4.

Abstract: There are produced peptides by asymmetrical hydrogenation of dehydropeptides of the general formula ##STR1## in which n is a whole number from 1 to 4, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different, and are hydrogen, a straight or branched chain alkyl group with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or such a group substituted with a carboxyl group, a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted in the 3 or 4 position or in both the 3 and 4 positions by a hydroxyl, alkoxy, or acyloxy group or an indolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted in the 6 position by fluorine or chlorine or an indolyl group substituted by a methyl group. R.sub.3 is hydrogen, an alkali metal, or a lower alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.4 is hydrogen, an acetyl group or a chloroacetyl group and R.sub.5 is hydrogen or a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms with the proviso that when n is 2, 3, or 4, the individual groups R.sub.5 are the same or different, in the presence of chiral rhodium-complexes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to 2-[2'-(hydanto-5-yl)-ethyl]-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane of the formula ##STR1## its production by reaction of 2-(2'-formylethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane with hydrogen cyanide or a cyanide ion supplying compound, ammonia, or an ammonium ion supplying compound and carbon dioxide or a carbonate ion supplying compound in aqueous alcoholic solution and its use for the production of tryptophane-hydantoin.

Abstract: A process is described for the catalytic, selective preparation of 2-vinylpyridine from acetylene and acrylonitrile using a cyclopentadienylcobalt catalyst or .pi.-allylcobalt catalyst at elevated temperature in an inert solvent, wherein the acrylonitrile concentration is up to 2 mols/liter and the reaction is carried out at a temperature over 140.degree. C. and up to 180.degree. C., the reaction time being not more than 50 minutes.

Abstract: A process is described for the catalytic, selective preparation of 2-vinylpyridine from acetylene and acrylonitrile using a cyclopentadienylcobalt catalyst or .pi.-allylcobalt catalyst at elevated temperature in an inert solvent, wherein the acrylonitrile concentration is up to 2 mols/liter and the reaction is carried out at a temperature over 140.degree. C. and up to 180.degree. C., the reaction time being not more than 50 minutes.