Abstract: A process for preparing alkenylaromatic compounds by reacting alkylaromatic compounds in the presence of steam and natural gas or methane over a suitable catalyst at a temperature of from 400 to 800° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 10 bar, wherein the molar ratio of steam to alkylaromatic compound is from 6.9:1 to 1:1 or the molar ratio of methane to alkylaromatic compound is from 0.1:1 to 8:1.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ergonomically improved tampon applicator having a plunger and a barrel. The barrel has four distinct sections, namely a finger grip section, a reverse taper section, a main body section, and an insertion tip section. The reverse taper section is tapered towards the fingergrip section and the main body section is tapered in an opposite direction towards the insertion tip section. A maximum diameter is formed where the reverse taper section and main body section meet on the barrel. The maximum diameter provides a sensory means to the user to alert the user when the applicator has been inserted at the proper depth in the vagina.

Abstract: The invention provides water-soluble copolymers without crosslinking, consisting of the following components: A 5-95% by weight of bivalent structural units derived from acrylamidopropenylmethylenesulfonic acid or its salts, B 1-45% by weight of bivalent structural units derived from open-chain N-vinylamides, C 1-45% by weight of bivalent structural units derived from cyclic N-vinyl-substituted amides, and if desired D 0-50% by weight of a further comonomer selected from the group consisting of acrylamide, acrylic acid and acrylonitrile, the components A to C and, if present, D adding up to 100% by weight.

Abstract: The crosslinkable nematic polyorganosiloxanes are cyclic polyorganosiloxanes containing at least three different mesogenic side groups per polyorganosiloxane, where at least two mesogenic side groups per polyorganosiloxane each contain at least three radicals selected from aromatic, heteroaromatic and cycloaliphatic radicals. They contain a methacrylic or acrylic group in at least one of the mesogenic side groups. The cyclic polyorganosiloxanes have a broad nematic phase and can be readily aligned.

Abstract: A dental ceramic restoration having a multi-layered structure on a core, obtainable by applying an opaque layer composed of from 50 to 60 wt.-% of SiO.sub.2, 4 to 10 wt.-% of Na.sub.2 O, 0 to 2.5 wt.-% of CaO, 8 to 14 wt.-% of K.sub.2 O, 10 to 20 wt.-% of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0 to 6 wt.-% of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 5 to 12 wt.-% of TiO.sub.2, and pigments, preferably on oxide basis, onto a core, followed by sintering this assembly, and thereafter applying dentin and enamel layers composed of from 50 to 60 wt.-% of SiO.sub.2, 4 to 10 wt.-% of Na.sub.2 O, 0 to 2.5 wt.-% of CaO, 8 to 14 wt.-% of K.sub.2 O, 10 to 20 wt.-% of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 2 to 10 wt.-% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, preferably 4 to 8 wt.-% of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, and pigments, preferably on oxide basis, onto a core, followed by firing this assembly.