Abstract: An application service providing method of providing a user with application services, the method including the steps of: selecting applications or application providers and their applications satisfying user requirements from a plurality of applications provided by a application provider or providers; and providing application services by performing data format conversion, communication protocol conversion, or work flow management between the selected applications. Techniques are provided being capable of efficiently providing services of applications requested by a user.

Abstract: The conventional water-resistant silica or alumina plate for thin layer chromatography is converted into a reverse-phase thin layer chromatographic plate by tri-(lower alkyl)silylating the adsorbent in situ. The adsorbent layer containing the tri-(lower alkyl)silyloxy group is found to be superior to either of the known adsorbent layers containing mono- or di-(lower alkyl)silyloxy groups, or mono-(higher alkyl)silyloxy groups. Optimum conditions for performing a method for preparing the plate are also disclosed.