Abstract: This invention relates to a composition for improving skin conditions comprising, as an active ingredient, a yeast cell wall fraction obtained by removing soluble intracellular component from an enzymatically treated and/or non-enzymatically treated yeast. The composition of this invention is effective for improving skin conditions, such as, moistening, whitening, or active oxygen elimination.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a method for grouping many messages having variable formats transmitted to a unit of server from many clients in the manner that a user can easily verify such messages on the server. A client server system including a plurality of clients and a server is constituted so that the clients transmit messages to a server and the server comprises a grouping rule generating block for generating a grouping rule on the basis of comparison of messages, from the clients and a grouping block for grouping messages from the clients on the basis of the grouping rule generated by the grouping rule generating block.

Abstract: A load sharing system composed of a plurality of servers that are interconnected over a network for providing optimum and efficient operations at high reliability. The system employs a plurality of servers and a communication controller. A state manager in the communication controller first establishes connection paths on the network to reach the state management agents. The state manager then performs a centralized management of activity status of the servers based on status information collected from the state management agents via the established connection paths. A distribution processor disposed in the communication controller receives service requests from user terminals via a network and determines their respective destinations according to management data provided by the state manager. The distribution processor then forwards the service requests to the servers over the communication medium to direct their execution.

Abstract: At least one enzyme selected from .alpha.-amylase of various types, an oligosaccharide-forming amylase, .beta.-amylase and a debranching enzyme and an enzyme capable of forming nigerooligosaccharide by transglycosylation and/or condensation reaction are allowed to successively or simultaneously act on a material comprised of at least one selected from i) starch, ii) a maltooligosaccharide with a degree of polymerization not lower than maltose and iii) a dextrin, to form nigerooligosaccharide, which is thereafter optionally reduced to obtain a starch sugar composition containing the nigerooligosaccharide or a reduction product thereof. This starch sugar composition may be added to food and drink as at least part of its sweeteners, whereby various advantages can be provided, e.g., not only a sweetness can be imparted, but also the quality of sweetness can be improved, and the moisture retention of foods can be improved.