Abstract: The present invention is in the field of personal care compositions; in particular skin lightening compositions. A more effective way to reduce melanin content in melanocytes remains to be desired. It has been found that 4-hexylresorcinol in combination with MMP inhibitor galardin synergistically reduces melanin content in melanocytes. The invention thus relates to a composition comprising a synergistic combination of 4-hexylresorcinol and galardin for use in skin lightening. Thus the composition, when applied topically over an appropriate length of time in-vivo, may be used to lighten the skin, or to reduce age spots or freckles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genes conferring acetic acid tolerance in yeast. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of DOT5, preferably in combination with CUP2 and/or HAA1 to obtain acid tolerance in yeast. Even more preferably, the invention relates to specific alleles of said genes, and to yeast strains comprising said specific alleles.

Abstract: A straight, branched or cross-linked polymer, including, per 100 mol %: a) a mole fraction from 75% to 99.95% of monomer units from an N,N-dialkyl acrylamide; b) a mole fraction from 0.05% to 1% of monomer units from a monomer of formula (I): CH2=C(Ri)-C(?O)—O—[(CH2-CH(R2)-O]n-R3 (I); c) optionally a mole fraction higher than 0% to 24% either of monomer units from a monomer including a free strong acid function, partially or totally salified, or of monomer units from a monomer of formula (II): CH2=C(R4)-C(?O)—Y—(CH2)m-N(R5)(R6) (II); d) optionally a mole fraction higher than 0% to 1% of a diethylene or polyethylene cross-linking monomer. Also, a method for treating a surface made of a hydrophobic material, using the polymer, and an aqueous, hydro-organic or organic solution including the polymer for modifying interactions between the species contained the solution and the hydrophobic surface.

Abstract: A method for determining at least one optical design parameter for a progressive ophthalmic lens intended to be fitted in a frame of a wearer, depending on the wearer's visual behaviour, includes: a) placing the wearer in a situation in which he carries out a visual task at a first working distance; b) during this task, determining at least two gaze directions of the wearer at this first working distance in a frame of reference of the wearer's head; c) determining a relative position of a surface related to the frame or to an ophthalmic lens intended to be fitted in the frame; d) determining for each gaze direction at the first working distance the intersection between this gaze direction and the surface so as to establish a map of these points of intersection on this surface; and e) deducing the sought-after optical design parameter from this map.

Abstract: A frequency converter system includes a source that emits a beam having a wide spectral band; and a frequency conversion cell including 1) a birefringent nonlinear crystal having a first phase-matching wavelength, with an input face that receives the beam, an output face that emits at least one frequency-converted beam, and at least two parallel faces different from the input and output faces; 2) means for applying an external mechanical force to at least one of said two parallel faces, resulting in a variation in the birefringence of the nonlinear crystal, the value of the applied external mechanical force being determined so as to obtain phase matching at a second phase-matching wavelength different from the first phase-matching wavelength; and 3) means for adjusting the external mechanical force for wavelength tunability in the frequency conversion cell.

Abstract: A capsule (1) for preparation of a beverage from a beverage ingredient (32). The capsule comprising a first section (12, 14) and a second section (15, 40) which together form a beverage ingredient compartment of the capsule in which is received a beverage ingredient. The first section comprising a pre-formed inlet (23) for entry of aqueous medium into the capsule and the second section comprising a pre-formed outlet (41) for beverage formed, in use, from the beverage ingredient and the aqueous medium. Wherein the capsule is compressible when the capsule is inserted into the receptacle of a beverage preparation machine by the first section of the capsule being engaged by an inlet piercer (60) of the beverage preparation machine so as to cause movement of the first section of the capsule towards the second section of the capsule without piercing of the first or second sections.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1-R5 and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a feature of a target material on a substrate. The method including: forming a feature of a sacrificial material on the substrate; and forming the feature of the target material by a deposition process during which the feature of the sacrificial material is removed from the substrate by forming a volatile reaction product with a precursor of the deposition process, wherein the sacrificial material is replaced by the target material and the target material is selectively deposited on surface portions of the substrate, which portions were covered by the feature of the sacrificial material, to form the feature of the target material.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula I: where R1, R2a, R2b, and R3-R6 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds; methods of using these compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochromic composition comprising at least one reducing compound, at least one oxidizing compound which is selected from specific viologen derivatives, and at least one dye. Said composition can be used as a variable transmittance medium for the manufacture of an optical article, such as an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: A pin fin cooling system may include at least one first surface defining at least a base portion of the cooling system, and at least one pin fin array of a plurality of pin fins and at least one coolant fluid flow detector extending from the first surface. The coolant fluid flow deflector may be configured to split a coolant fluid flow from a primary flow into at least two secondary flows that follow a predetermined path over local heat sources, and may have a maximum wall thickness that is equal to a diameter of a cross-section of one of the pin fins. The cooling system may further include at least one boundary fin extending from the first surface that is in the shape of a spline, at least a portion of which may correspond and match at least a portion of a pattern of the pin fin array.

Abstract: A processor module including a processor configured to share data with at least one further processor module processor; and a memory mapped peripheral configured to communicate with at least one further processor memory mapped peripheral to control the sharing of the data, wherein the memory mapped peripheral includes a sender part including a data request generator configured to output a data request indicator to the further processor module dependent on a data request register write signal from the processor; and an acknowledgement waiting signal generator configured to output an acknowledgement waiting signal to the processor dependent on a data acknowledgement signal from the further processor module, wherein the data request generator data request indicator is further dependent on the data acknowledgement signal and the acknowledgement waiting signal generator acknowledgement waiting signal is further dependent on the acknowledgement waiting register write signal.

Abstract: Method for bio impedance measurement on a skin surface of a living body, using a bio impedance measurement device having a sensing electrode and a pilot electrode, includes the steps of placing the sensing electrode and pilot electrode on the surface of the body; providing a guard electrode adapted to separate the surface in at least two zones, among which a sensing zone including the sensing electrode and a current injection zone including the pilot electrode; providing a controller, electrically connected to the electrodes, adapted to control the current source; and controlling the potential of the guard electrode, at least at given stopping frequencies, in order to stop current from flowing from one zone to the other.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing a chalcogen containing solution that is hydrazine free and hydrazinium free, wherein the method comprises: providing a predetermined amount of elemental chalcogen; providing a predetermined amount of elemental sulfur; providing an amine solvent; and combining the predetermined amount of elemental chalcogen and the predetermined amount of elemental sulfur in the amine solvent, thereby dissolving the elemental chalcogen and the elemental sulfur in the amine solvent. The chalcogen containing solution can advantageously be used as a precursor for the formation of a chalcogen containing layer on a substrate.

Abstract: A decorative composite body includes a glass body and a plastic partly enclosing the glass body, wherein part of the surface of the glass body is arranged on the outside of the decorative composite body, wherein at least two adjacent glass and plastic areas arranged on the outside of the composite body are ground in the composite state, wherein areas of the glass body adjacent to the plastic are at least partly mirrored.

Abstract: Provided is a leveling mechanism for a weighing device that facilitates horizontal leveling of the weighing device. The leveling mechanism (2) includes a foot piece (10) having a foot portion (11) that in contact with an installation surface and a foot piece shaft (12) that extends upward from the foot portion and has a male screw (14) on its outer periphery, a rotatable body (20) having on its inner periphery a female screw, a housing (30) for accommodating the rotatable body engaged with the foot piece, a fixing portion (S2, 36) for fixing the housing to a device case (3), and a housing space (6) covering the housing, provided in the device case. The leveling mechanism converts a rotational motion of the rotatable body to a vertical motion of the foot piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing nylon salt, which comprises mixing 1,5-pentanediamine, water and dicarboxylic acid at a temperature of 65 to 120° C. to obtain a nylon salt, wherein the amount of the water is 2% to 12% by weight based on the total weight of the 1,5-pentanediamine and the dicarboxylic acid. The present invention also provides a nylon salt. According to the present method for preparing nylon salt, the incomplete reaction between the 1,5-pentanediamine and the dicarboxylic acid, which is caused by the nylon salt present during the preparation in a solid state, can be avoided; the reaction between the 1,5-pentanediamine and the dicarboxylic acid can be significantly speeded up, and the reaction time is accordingly shorten. Consequently, the content of diamine and dicarboxylic acid remained in the resulting nylon salt is very low. In addition, the final nylon salt product, which present in a solid state, makes it easier to be stored and transported.

Abstract: The invention provides novel 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, A, and G are defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate thereof, that are antagonists at the mu opioid receptor. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat conditions associated with mu opioid receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.

Abstract: A flexible Peltier device in which emitting heat conversion properties between Peltier elements and an object transferring heat may be improved and a flexible heat-emitting sheet having the Peltier elements bonded thereto may be bent without worrying the separation there between. A flexible Peltier device includes a single or plural Peltier element which is disposed on one surface side of a heat-emitting sheet having flexibility made from heat-conductive rubber containing a heat conductive filler and each semiconductor element which has a heating side and a cooling side and composes the Peltier element at least one of the heating side and the cooling side is bonded integrally to the heat-emitting sheet by a direct covalent bond and/or by an indirect covalent bond through a molecular adhesive at active groups existing on each other surfaces.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where X, Ra, Rb, R2, and R7 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are prodrugs of compounds having neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds; methods of using these compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds.