Abstract: A fuel cell stack is disclosed having a number of stacked fuel cells, each having in series an anode-facing end plate, an anode, an ion-exchanging layer, a cathode and a cathode-facing end plate. The stack includes at least one conductive and flexible intermediate layer between elements of the stack. The intermediate layer is deformable implemented in terms of its thickness. The intermediate layer abuts and interacts, in a fluid-tight manner, with the end plates. The intermediate layer is further disposed between at least one of the anode-facing end plate and the cathode-facing end plate of adjacent fuel cells, an end plate of a stack and a cooling plate attached to said end plate and an end plate of the stack and a cathode-facing end plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an electrochemical process area having a cathode area, an anode area and an ion-exchanging membrane that separates these areas. The cathode area has a gas passage way having a gas inlet, a gas channel and a gas outlet, wherein the gas passage way is for an oxygen-containing gas to flow from the gas inlet through the gas channel to the gas outlet. The fuel cell includes further a humidity transfer area having a dehumidifying zone, a humidifying zone and a humidity transfer membrane that separates these zones. An exhaust channel connects the gas outlet to the dehumidifying zone, and an inlet channel connects the gas inlet to the humidifying zone. Humidity is extracted from the oxygen-containing gas in the dehumidifying zone, and added to the oxygen-containing gas in the humidifying zone via the humidity transfer membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of dedifferentiated plant cells in cosmetic preparations for protecting of stem cells against intrinsic and extrinsic stress factors, in particular for promoting proliferation of stem cells and for protecting them against apoptosis. In particular, the invention relates to the use of dedifferentiated plant cells from fruits of Malus domestica (Apple) cultivar Uttwiler Spaetlauber. Further, the invention relates to a method for cultivating of dedifferentiated plant cells, as well as to the preparation of extracts of plant cell cultures which are suitable for such applications.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an electrochemical process area having a cathode area, an anode area and an ion-exchanging membrane that separates these areas. The cathode area has a gas passage way having a gas inlet, a gas channel and a gas outlet, wherein the gas passage way is for an oxygen-containing gas to flow from the gas inlet through the gas channel to the gas outlet. The fuel cell includes further a humidity transfer area having a dehumidifying zone, a humidifying zone and a humidity transfer membrane that separates these zones. An exhaust channel connects the gas outlet to the dehumidifying zone, and an inlet channel connects the gas inlet to the humidifying zone. Humidity is extracted from the oxygen-containing gas in the dehumidifying zone, and added to the oxygen-containing gas in the humidifying zone via the humidity transfer membrane.

Abstract: A mixing capsule for a two-component mixture comprises a preferably cylindrical container part. An axially displaceable piston is guided within the container part. An opening is provided on the front face of the piston and leads into a liquid receptacle with a burstable wall or membrane. The membrane closes the opening in the non-activated condition of the capsule. The hollow between the front faces of the container part and the piston constitutes a mixing chamber. The activation part can be displaced by means of activation pin that closes the discharge nozzle in the non-activated condition. In the activated condition of the capsule the activation part is to all intents and purposes completely accommodated within the liquid receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser (1) for viscous media (3), having a dispenser reservoir (2), an expelling mechanism and a dispenser delivery tube (5). The dispenser reservoir (2) has a nozzle (4) and the expelling mechanism exerts a pressure on the viscous medium (3) in the dispenser reservoir (2). Under that pressure, the viscous medium (3) is expelled by way of an opening (6) of the nozzle (4) of the dispenser reservoir (2) and through the dispenser delivery tube (5). The dispenser delivery tube (5) is removable from the dispenser reservoir (2) and has a seat (7) for a stop check valve (8), which is arranged between the nozzle (4), having the opening (6), and the dispenser delivery tube (5).

Abstract: A method for selectively increasing the production of propionate in the gastro-intestinal tract of a mammal. The method includes the step of enterally administering to the mammal a nutritional composition which contains dextran. Increasing the propionate production results in decreased blood cholesterol levels, decreased blood triglyceride levels, decreased very low density lipoprotein levels, increased high density lipoprotein levels, and increased insulin sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing capsule (11), for a two-component mixture, comprising a container piece (13) and an ejection nozzle (19) on the front face thereof. A piston (15) may be axially displaced in the container piece (13). A through opening (55) is provided in the front face of the piston (15), to which a first chamber (53) is connected. The cavity between the front face of the container piece (13) and the front face of the piston (15) defines a second chamber or a mixing chamber (35). In the unused state of the capsule (11), a bursting membrane (59) seals the through opening (55) between the first and the second chamber. The mixing capsule (11) and the ejection nozzle (19) are embodied in at least two pieces and connected to each other by means of detachable connector means.

Abstract: So that the electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell in the inlet area of the fuels does not dry out, a humidity circuit is provided on the cathode side and/or anode side, by means of which e.g. a fluid entering the cell on the cathode side is first humidified, so that the membrane itself no longer discharges any humidity to the fluid, but can absorb it if required and thus does not dry out.

Abstract: A mixing capsule for a two-component mixture comprises a preferably cylindrical container part (13). An axially displaceable piston (15) is guided within the container part (13). An opening (25) is provided on the front face of the piston (15) and leads into a liquid receptacle (23) with a burstable wall or membrane (29). The membrane (29) closes the opening (25) in the non-activated condition of the capsule (11. The hollow (35) between the front faces of the container part (13) and the piston (15) constitutes a mixing chamber (35). The activation part (33) can be displaced by means of activation pin (37) that closes the discharge nozzle (19) in the non-activated condition. In the activated condition of the capsule the activation part (33) is to all intents and purposes completely accommodated within the liquid receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intermediate layer between end plates of a fuel cell enables individual fuel cells to be removed form the stack in a simple manner, thus reducing production costs.

Abstract: Cosmetics comprising at least one isoflavone aglycone, particularly genistein and/or daidzein, in a biologically active form as active component which is incorporated into liposomes are effective in the treatment of cellulitis, in the treatment of female or male skin after the climacteric, particularly of female skin after the menopause, for increasing the size and firmness of female breasts, and for whitening the skin. Preferably, said isoflavone aglycones incorporated into liposomes are combined with algal extract.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cutting slabs or tiles, comprising a frame which has a support surface for the slabs or tiles and a cutting mechanism which is displaceably mounted on the frame, above the support surface, in order to produce a point of break in the surface of the slab or tile. According to the invention, guiding elements are provided for guiding the cutting mechanism along a curved path while it is displaced on the frame.

Abstract: A food or cosmetic composition containing a dextran composition synthesized by a dextran sucrase enzyme produced by a strain of Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. crenzoris. The food or cosmetic composition is prepared by fermenting a food or cosmetic composition containing sucrose with the strain, or the strain is cultured in a culture medium containing sucrose and the dextran composition produced is incorporated into a food or cosmetic substance.

Abstract: A food or cosmetic composition containing active dextran sucrase enzymes which are produced by a strain of Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris and which synthesize dextran. In addition to culturing the strain in a food or cosmetic composition containing sucrose to obtain a composition containing the active enzymes, the strain may be cultured in a culture medium containing sucrose to obtain a culture product containing the active dextran sucrase enzymes which may be isolated from the culture product and incorporated into a food or cosmetic substance.

Abstract: Strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris which provide, upon culturing, dextran, and the strains include deposited strains CNCM I-1692 and CNCM I-1693.

Abstract: A modular room divider panel includes a raceway along its lower edge which contains and shields one or more multi-wire power harnesses that are protected from unauthorized access by lockable raceway cover plates. The harness comprises a pair of connector blocks, each formed with a pair outwardly endwise facing electrical connector receptacles connected to opposite ends of a bundled plurality of individual and individually insulated conductor wires. A medial web of the raceway frame has a central aperture through which an intermediate portion of the bundled conductor wires pass between opposite sides of the web and a pair of slots at opposite ends of the central aperture which seat the connector blocks such that the pair of receptacles of a connector blocks are disposed on opposite sides of the web. To accommodate a second harness, the medial web may be formed with another pair of openings spaced such that the pair of harnesses are mounted in overlapping or staggered relationship.

Abstract: A modular room divider system has plural upright juxtaposed panels having cylindrical anchor receiving apertures disposed about upright axes in the panels top and bottom surfaces. A coupling assembly has a pair of spaced apart anchors mating with the anchor apertures. Threaded portions having opposingly directed right and left hand threads extend inwardly from the anchors and are centrally engaged by an internally threaded sleeve having adjacent right and left hand threaded portions. The sleeve has a square prismoidal exterior surface and is traverseable by a notched wheel having a mating central aperture. A channel extends from the anchor apertures to the edge of each channel.In use, two panels are assembled by placing them in juxtaposition. The coupling assembly is placed in alignment over the panels, the anchors being lowered into the anchor apertures and the threaded portions over corresponding channels.