Abstract: The present invention relates to excipients for stabilizing active agents, in particular peptides, polypeptides, nucleic acids, viruses, virus-like particles, proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics. The excipient reduces aggregate and/or particle formation in preparations comprising said agents. The excipient is a diamide of a dicarboxylic acid comprising at least one N—H amido group, at least one unsubstituted or substituted N-hydroxyethylamido group and/or at least one unsubstituted N-hydroxymethylamido group. In particular, the excipient is N,N,N?,N?-tetrakis-(2-hydroxyethyl) adipinic acid amide.

Abstract: The invention relates to case-hardening of a stainless steel article by means of gas including carbon and/or nitrogen, whereby carbon and/or nitrogen atoms diffuse through the surface into the article. The method includes activating the surface of the article, applying a top layer on the activated surface to prevent repassivation. The top layer includes metal which is catalytic to the decomposition of the gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for continuous separation of dry matter from a fluid, comprising an enclosed environment capable of being under vacuum or under positive pressure, in which enclosed environment a number of rollers (1, 3, 4, 4?, 6, 6?, 20, 21, 22, 23) form a chamber which is divided into two or more compartments (12, 13, 24, 27, 25, 26) by filtration means (7, 8, 16, 29, 36, 37, 38, 40), wherein one or more filtrated chambers (9, 10) are placed on the pure side of the filter means. In order to allow for cleaning and/or maintenance of the filtrate chambers, additional filtrate chambers are provided, which are separated from the first filtrate chambers by a wall. One of the filtrate chambers at any time is placed under the filter, while the other filtrate chambers are situated outside the enclosure for maintenance/cleaning.