Abstract: A mixture of estradiol or other estrogen and an uncrosslinked, water-insoluble vinylpyrrolidone copolymer provides a matrix which gradually releases the medicament upon application to the skin of a patient in the form of an ointment, gel or film. The polymer provides for the slow and sustained release of the medicament upon topical application to the skin so that the concentration of drug in the blood plasma of the patient is maintained within the levels required for clinical efficacy.

Abstract: A mixture of estradiol or other estrogen and an uncrosslinked, water-insoluble vinylpyrrolidone copolymer provides a matrix which gradually releases the medicament upon application to the skin of a patient in the form of an ointment, gel or film. The polymer provides for the slow and sustained release of the medicament upon topical application to the skin so that the concentration of drug in the blood plasma of the patient is maintained within the levels required for clinical efficacy.

Abstract: The ankle section of an ice skate, especially an ice hockey skate, should press as little as possible on the ankle of the foot inserted therein, even with tight lacing of the ice skate. For this purpose, the ankle section of the ice skate leg is provided with a recess, and this recess is filled with a pad. The ice skate leg is provided, in the ankle section, with a pivotable leg flap, by means of which the recess and the pad lying therein is coverable from outside. The leg flap is provided with a second lacing region, which cooperates with the other leg lacing. Upon movements of the foot relative to the leg, the pad does not shift relative to the ankle, thus does not rub on the ankle, and accommodate these movements by flexible deformation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the adverse reaction of skin to chemicals and compositions that contact the skin, e.g., topical cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations, and to contact physical irritants. The active ingredient of the composition of the invention comprises a hydro-alcoholic extract of Cola nitida.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of inclusion of microorganisms of the group consisting of mycorrhizae and actinorhizae in a polymer gel matrix to prepare a solid, stable, storable preparation suitable for use in particular for agronomic purposes. The polymer gel matrix is based on at least one polymer from the polysaccharide group, with at least partial cross-linking of the polymer.

Abstract: Cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions and methods comprising delivery systems for the controlled release and enhanced penetration of biologically active materials (e.g., Vitamin A) to the skin. The delivery systems comprise cholesteric liquid crystals wherein the active material is retained within the lamellar molecular structure (i.e., between the molecular sheets) of the cholesteric liquid crystal.

Abstract: A method of preparing inocula of low water activity is disclosed. The inocula are prepared by admixing microorganisms with a polymer gel and lowering and maintaining the water activity below 0.3, preferably below 0.1. These inocula are useful in the treatment of plant disease, particularly crown gall and Dutch elm diseases, as well as in the biological control of insects.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved cosmetic container and applicator comprising: (a) a container having an open and a closed end; (b) an applicator including a cap, an elongated rod, and a brush; (c) an upper wiper element located at or near the open end of the container; and (d) a lower wiper element located further from the open end of the container than the first wiper element, the lower wiper serving to divide the container into two chambers. The upper wiper removes excess makeup from the brush when it is removed from the container and, preferably, also wipes the surface of the rod clean when the rod is removed from the container. The lower wiper cleans the brush after every use, thereby virtually eliminating the building up and drying of makeup that would otherwise occur on the brush.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition and to a method of using that composition to enhance the penetration of topically applied ingredients into the cells of the skin. The composition preferably comprises:(a) at least one cosmetic ingredient selected from the group consisting of retinyl palmitate at a concentration of about 0.01 to about 1% by weight, pantethine or a cosmetically acceptable ester of pantethine at a concentration of about 0.1 to about 2% by weight, superoxide dismutase at a concentration of about 0.001 to about 1% by weight, and epidermal growth factor at a concentration of about 0.001 to about 1% by weight;(b) about 0.1 to about 20% by weight of trehalose; and(c) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are a composition for protecting hair from damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light and a method of using the composition. The composition comprises:(a) a first component selected from the group consisting of a material having superoxide dismutase activity, ascorbic acid, Cytochrome C, mixtures of nicotinamide dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, uric acid, uric acid salts, and mixtures thereof;(b) a second component selected from the group consisting of mannitol, catalase, and mixtures thereof, and(c) a third component selected from the group consisting of a disulfide, a thiol, and mixtures thereof, said disulfide and said thiol each having a molecular weight of at least about 100.

Abstract: A system and method for encoding objects with a microscopically visible code are provided. A laser beam is passed through a mask to impose a pattern representative of the code on the beam. The power level of the beam is adjusted in accordance with the output of a reflectivity sensor which measures the object, so that the beam intensity is sufficient to produce a microscopically visible pattern, but insufficient to produce a visible pattern.

Abstract: Inocula having a long storage life and improved resistance to temperature and rehydration and a method of preparing them are disclosed. The method of the invention comprises admixing a culture medium containing microorganisms of the genus Rhizobium and at least one carbohydrate source in a polymer gel and then lowering the water activity of the resulting inoculum and maintaining the water activity at less than 0.1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cosmetic composition comprising a resin, a polysiloxane, a polyolefin that is fluid at room temperature, and at least one hardening agent. Suitable coloring materials include dyes, pigments and pearling agents. The compositions of the present invention may be molded into the shape of a lipstick. They may also be applied in the form of a cream, especially when the composition is intended to be used as a lip gloss or as a lip balm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing very highly alkaline, calcium-based, detergent-dispersant additives for lubricating oils and products produced by such a process. The process includes the steps of reacting an alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, an alkylphenol, diluent oil, halogen ions and lime, removing water formed during the reaction, sulfurizing the resultant product in the presence of glycol and at least one additional alcohol having a boiling point in excess of about 155.degree. C., carbonating the sulfurized product, removing the glycol and heavy alcohol from the sulfurized, carbonated reaction product, and filtering to remove sediment and to obtain a reaction product comprising a highly-alkaline, calcium-based detergent-dispersant additive for lubricating oils.

Abstract: Disclosed are antireflective layers for use in the manufacture of semi-conductor devices, methods and solutions for making such antireflective layers, and the use of such antireflective layers to absorb light in ultraviolet photolithography. The antireflective layers that are utilized comprise a polyphenylquinoxaline.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating carbonaceous materials is disclosed. The carbonaceous material is contacted with steam and with empirical hydrates of alkali metal hydrosulfides, monosulfides, or polysulfides. The process hydrocracks, hydrogenates, denitrogenates, demetallizes, and desulfurizes. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen sulfide is co-fed to the reaction zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel collapsible containers having laminated tubes and methods for making such containers. The containers are made from three preformed components which are designed and joined together in such a manner as to permit the economical manufacture of containers having a number of different tube diameters. The containers are characterized by soft shoulders that facilitate removal of the containers' contents. Preferred containers of the invention include tamper-proof closure members.

Abstract: Absorbable, substantially amorphous surgical fasteners having good in vivo strength-retaining and absorption characteristics may be made of copolymers of lactide and glycolide made from 70-85% m lactide and 15-30% m glycolide provided the inherent viscosity and glass transition temperature of the copolymers have at least certain minimum values.