Abstract: Described herein are formulations that comprise at least about 50% by weight water and no greater than about 1% by weight of a sphingolipid. The formulations can be applied to a region of skin of a subject. After the formulation is applied to the region of the skin of the subject, a biochemical pathway can be activated by the formulation to cause the production of a ceramide on the region of the skin of the subject. The amount of the ceramide produced on the region of the skin of the subject can be greater than a baseline amount of the ceramide that is produced in the absence of the formulation. In various examples, the increased amount of ceramide produced after applying the formulation to the region of the skin of the subject can modify a condition present on the region of the skin of the subject.

Abstract: A process for producing metallic lead from lead battery plates and other types of lead scrap in a secondary lead smelting operation has been developed which comprises adding from 1% to 8% moisture and 0.5% to 5% oxygen to the air which is used to react with carbonaceous material such as coke to maintain the temperature in the melting region from about 1100.degree. C. to about 1300.degree. C. The moisture is added to the air to react with the coke to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and the oxygen is added to maintain the temperature in the melting zone. Increased amounts of lead are produced using smaller quantities of coke and iron when the moisture and the oxygen are added to the air.

Abstract: Magnesium is removed from an aluminum alloy containing magnesium by reacting the alloy with silica to form silicon metal which dissolves in the aluminum alloy and magnesium oxide. The reaction between the alloy and the silica preferably is initiated as a suspension. The magnesium oxide formed is removed, e.g. by fluxing.