Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preventing (meth)acrylic acid from polymerizing during the course of distillation. The method provides for refining (meth)acrylic acid by a procedure including the steps of feeding a mixed gas obtained by catalytic gas phase oxidation of propylene and/or acrolein with a molecular oxygen-containing gas or a mixed gas obtained by catalytic gas phase oxidation of at least one compound of isobutylene, t-butyl alcohol, or methacrolein with a molecular oxygen-containing gas, to a (meth)acrylic acid collection column, collecting a (meth)acrylic acid-containing solution from the mixed gas, and feeding the (meth)acrylic acid-containing solution to a distillation column while maintaining the total concentration of aldehydes of 2-4 carbon atoms and acetone in the solution at a level of not more than 2000 ppm based on the amount of (meth)acrylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controlled delivery system that can be incorporated in liquid, as well as, dry granular, or powder, fabric care products, such as fabric softeners, laundry detergents, rinse added products, and other fabric care products, to enhance fragrance performance. The controlled delivery system of the present invention is a solid, substantially spherical particle comprising hydrophobic cationic charge enhancing agents in conjunction with cationic fabric softening agents that assist in adhering the particles onto fabric. The particles can also include a fragrance. The particle can have an average particle diameter of from about 1 micron to about 500 microns. The controlled delivery system of the present invention can be utilized to deliver a broad range of fragrance ingredients onto fabric and prolong fragrance release from the dry laundered fabric over an extended period of time, or yield a high impact fragrance “burst” upon ironing the fabric.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-invasive method for administering polypeptides across epithelial membranes. The formulations in the present invention comprise solid polypeptide particles mixed with a permeation enhancer and excipients which are dispersed in a media for oral or intranasal administration. Also provided in the present invention is a process to prepare the formulations.

Abstract: A novel microporous membrane comprising a hot-melt adhesive and an engineering plastics, the methods of preparing such microporous membrane and the uses of the microporous membrane in, e.g., batteries, super capacitors, fuel cells, sensors, electrochromic devices or the like.

Abstract: A device for treatment of the prostate, comprising a catheter for treatment which is inserted through the urethra. The treatment catheter being provided with a front portion that comprises an expandable container for fixation of treatment catheter with a front portion in the urinary bladder and with a drainage channel ending in the front portion for drainage of urinary bladder. At least one hollow tip is provided to be extendible from treatment catheter into the surrounding prostate tissue of catheter. The tip is connected with a syringe for supply of an astringent and analgesic medicine. By this method, tip is extended from the treatment catheter into the surrounding prostate tissue of catheter. An astringent and analgesic medicine is supplied from the syringe and administered to the prostate tissue through the tip.

Abstract: An adjustable securing device capable of tightly securing various sizes of plugs to a socket for use in an electric appliance is disclosed. The adjustable securing device includes a casing having a first receptacle for retaining the socket therein and a second receptacle adjacent to the first receptacle, a holder slidably mounted in the second receptacle of the casing and having one portion exposed from the casing for supporting and retaining various sizes of plugs, a resilient element disposed in the casing and having a first engaging element thereon, and a slider having a second engaging element for engaging with the first engaging element of the resilient element and slidably disposed under the holder for regulating and securing the position of the holder relative to the casing, thereby causing the various sizes of plugs to be tightly secured to the socket.

Abstract: For the production of an aromatic compound by hydrolyzing and decarboxylating a corresponding aromatic cyano compound in the presence of an acidic substance, this invention provides a method for the production of the aromaic compound, characterized by carrying out the reactions of hydrolysis and decarboxylaion in multiple steps. Particularly when the aromatic cyano compound contains a halogen, this method effectively prevents the reaction vessels from being corroded by the by-produced hydrogen halogenide and enables the target compound to be produced in a high yield.

Abstract: Novel amides and imides are inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor&agr; and phosphodiesterase and can be used to combat cachexia, endotoxic shock, retrovirus replication, asthma, and inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A formulation is described for straightening hair comprising alkanoic acids and a diluent, wherein the diluent is advantageously present at greater than 5% by volume, and more preferably greater than 20% by volume. The inventive formulation is acidic and does not use an effective amount of an alkaline hair-straightening agent to perform the hair straightening function. Instead, the step of hair straightening is accomplished by applying the non-alkaline formulation to the hair and then either leaving the formulation in the hair without rinsing or rinsing the formulation out of the hair followed by optional shampooing and/or conditioning. Consequently, a safe and surprisingly effective solution is provided for hair-straightening including hair-straightening maintenance, relaxation of curl, and reduction of frizziness (e.g., in humid weather).

Abstract: An agent for preventing and curing the hindrance of ischemic reperfusiton is disclosed which has as an active component thereof a chromanol glycoside represented by the following general formula: [wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 independently denote a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, R5 denotes a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a lower acyl group, X denotes a monosaccharide residue or an oligosaccharide residue which may have a lower alkyl group or a lower acyl group substituted for the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group of the saccharide residue, n denotes an integer of 0-6, and m denotes an integer of 1-6]. The agent, even in a small dosage, acts safely and effectively on the affected part and allows the hindrances of ischemic reperfusion induced in heart, stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen, kidney, brain, and skin, and the hindrance induced during the transplantation of an internal organ to be prevented and cured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule isolated from the 5′ untranscribed region of a translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) gene from Arabidopsis. The nucleic acid molecule, referred to as TCTP promoter in the present invention, directs the high-level expression of a reporter gene that is properly placed under its control. The TCTP promoter initiates and regulates the gene expression to a level that is comparable to those by the currently available promoters in plant genetic engineering. A minimum of 300-bp region is enough for fill regulatory activity. The TCTP promoter is functional in all plant tissues tested with the highest activity in the meristem tissue of root tip. The present invention can be utilized to express useful genes to a high level in agronomically important plants.

Abstract: Bis-maleimido cross-linking reagents join labelled antibodies having at least one sulphide interchain bridge. The conjugates have an enhanced binding capacity and have good blood clearance in vivo. The conjugates are of use in the diagnosis and therapy of tumors and may be prepared by reaction of the cross-linking reagent with the antibody.

Abstract: A solid substance removing device comprising a body provided with a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe and a filtering part disposed between the fluid inlet pipe and the fluid outlet pipe inside said body, the filtering part having (a) a thickness in the range of 5-500 mm, (b) a percentage of voids in the range of 60-99.5 vol. %, and (c) a contact surface area in the range of 100-2000 m2/m3. Owing to the construction described above, it is made possible to facilitate removal of the solid substance and, at the same time, prevent new generation of a polymer during the production of an easily polymerizing substance.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring, preferably in real time, the physical or chemical conversion of a grain material. The method employs multivariate analysis of a collected sample. In a preferred embodiment a steeping conversion is monitored by multicomponent chemical analysis of the steepwater.

Abstract: A stable formulation is disclosed that enables the effective intra-oral delivery to a patient of a pharmaceutical agent. The formulation comprises the pharmaceutical agent mixed with an orally-acceptable oral-absorption enhancer in an orally-acceptable carrier-solvent, wherein the oral-absorption enhancer is adapted to modify the surface membrane such that absorption through the surface membrane is initiated or increased. The oral-absorption enhancer may comprise hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and surfactants including benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, polysorbate 80, sodium lauryl sulfate, Brij surfactants, Tween and Pluronic surfactants. Also disclosed is a system for delivering the formulation including a mechanism for dispensing predetermined doses of the inventive formulation intra-orally as with an aerosol or spray pump or propellant device.

Abstract: The present invention is a controlled delivery system that can be incorporated in hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products, and other hair care products to effectively deliver a broad range of active agents and sensory markers, such as fragrances or cooling agents onto the hair. The system also prolongs the release rate of the active agents or sensory markers over an extended period of time, or provides heat triggered release of the active agents and yields a high impact fragrance “burst” upon blow drying the hair or other types of heat treatment. The controlled delivery system of the present invention is a nano-particle, having an average particle diameter of from about 0.01 microns to about 10 microns. The nano-particle comprises hydrophobic polymers and co-polymers, cationic charge boosters in conjunction with cationic surface-active conditioning agents that assist in adhering the particles onto hair.

Abstract: A &bgr;-D-galactosidase which is encapsulated with fatty acid ester, does not exert its hydrolysis function in milk but hydrolyze lactose in the human body. Hence, the milk containing the encapsulated &bgr;-D-galactosidase, does not change in sweetness with storage and is digestible to the &bgr;-D-galactosidase-deficient people. In addition, the milk can maintain its characteristic taste without off-flavor by virtue of the excellent feature of fatty acid ester.