Abstract: A method and system for periodically updating data in a relationship system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying a set of desired data concerning elements of a relationship graph. The elements of the relationship graph include nodes representing entities and edges representing relationships between entities. The method further includes determining which pieces of the desired data are important to users and finding one or more information suppliers for each important piece of the desired data.

Abstract: A free acid form of a polysaccharide is produced from its alkali-metal salt. In one example, free-form hyaluronic acid is produced by preparing a solution of an alkali-metal salt of hyaluronic acid, dispersing into the solution a strong acid, enclosing the dispersion within a semi-permeable membrane, dialyzing the dispersion in water, and harvesting the product from within the membrane. The strong acid can be hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, orthophosphoric acid, or oxalic acid, for example. The semi-permeable membrane is non-ionic, and has a molecular weight cut-off large enough to pass the strong acid, and preferably much larger. The invention provides a simple and economical way to produce a product which is not commercially available.