Abstract: An optical arrangement for disinfection in apparatuses operating with air or a liquid comprises at least one radiation source or at least one group of radiation sources, which emits or jointly emit radiation in the ultraviolet wavelength range, at least one beam collecting optical unit, which collects the radiation emitted by the radiation source or the group of radiation sources, a number of beam delivering optical units, each configured to receive the radiation collected by the at least one beam collecting optical unit, and also a number of effect zones spatially separated from one another, into which the radiation delivered via the beam delivering optical units is emitted in order to bring about a disinfecting effect.

Abstract: Glycine is an organic compound that can be used in the making of a synthetic base that obviates all the drawbacks of strong bases such as sodium hydroxide. The new compound is made by dissolving glycine in water and adding calcium hydroxide at a molar ration of about 1:1. Next, sodium percarbonate is dissolved in the solution to produce the new compound, which can be referred to as glycine hydroxide.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of cleaning a tooth comprising administering a composition comprising a zinc amino acid halide complex to the oral cavity; and retaining the composition in the oral cavity for a time sufficient to form a precipitate.

Abstract: A dietary supplement composition as a prophylactic and treatment for skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis and the like, the composition comprising a phase II liver detoxification component having glycine, and magnesium, wherein glycine and magnesium are present in the supplement composition in a ratio of between about 20:1 and 20:8.

Abstract: Glycine is an organic compound that can be used in the making of a synthetic base that obviates all the drawbacks of strong bases such as sodium hydroxide. The new compound is made by dissolving glycine in water and adding calcium hydroxide at a molar ration of about 1:1. Next, sodium percarbonate is dissolved in the solution to produce the new compound, which can be referred to as glycine hydroxide.

Abstract: A process for recovery of silver from silver-containing photographic emulsion-coated films, particularly films with paper or polymeric substrates. The process includes immersing photographic silver emulsion coated substrates, particularly paper, in a water-based solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium borohydride, with sufficient presence of an alkali metal hydroxide to maintain the solution at a pH of 11.0 to 12.0. Silver-containing emulsion layers are stripped from the substrate, while gelatin and other adhesive layers are dissolved. Silver present in a silver halide form is reduced to form metallic silver. The silver-laden emulsion is then treated using a polyamine coagulant and flocculant to induce precipitation of solids, particularly metallic silver, out of the solution. The exposure time of the paper to the wash bath is carefully controlled to permit recovery of the paper substrate.

Abstract: A graphite oxide or graphene preparation method includes providing a plasma electrolytic apparatus, where an electrolytic solution is provided and a graphite electrode is configured as a cathode of the plasma electrolytic apparatus; and providing a cathodic current so as to initiate a plasma electrolytic process at the graphite cathode to obtain graphite oxide or graphene. The graphite oxide can be synthesized through plasma electrolytic processing at relatively low temperature under atmospheric pressure within a very short period of time, without the need for concentrated acids or strong oxidizing agents. The present invention may prepare graphite oxide with plasma electrolytic process directly from graphite, without requiring any prior purification. This plasma electrolytic process of the present invention is quite promising and provided with advantages such as low cost, simple setup, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a flow of fluid with microwave radiation, the apparatus comprising: a vessel having a sidewall and opposed first and second end walls defining a substantially cylindrical chamber, the first end wall being disposed a predetermined distance d1 from the second end wall; a pipeline for flowing fluid through, the pipeline passing through the first end wall towards the second end wall of the vessel, the chamber and the pipeline being substantially co-axial and the pipeline being substantially transparent to microwave radiation; and a microwave radiation inlet in the side wall of the vessel for admitting microwave radiation of wavelength ? into the chamber, wherein the distance d1 is substantially equal to an integral multiple of ?/2 so that the chamber is a microwave resonator.

Abstract: Reduced glutathione is produced by a process for producing reduced glutathione by electroreduction of oxidized glutathione using a cathode cell and an anode cell separated from each other by a separating membrane, comprising using, as a solution in the cathode cell, an aqueous oxidized glutathione solution having a pH adjusted to higher than 3.0 and not more than 7.0 by adding a base, in which oxidized glutathione itself also acts as a conducting agent.

Abstract: A method for producing amino acids includes collecting feather waste into a container, with the feather waste having a pH value between 8 to 9.5; mixing from 5 weight percent to 8 weight percent of an alkaline solution having a pH value between 10 to 12 with from 30 weight percent to 40 weight percent of the feather waste and from 52 weight percent to 65 weight percent of water at room temperature for 12 to 48 hours to produce a preproduct; electrolyzing the preproduct to produce a product mixture; adding from 3 weight percent to 5 weight percent of an acid solution having a pH value between 3 to 6 into from 95 weight percent to 97 weight percent of first mixture to produce a second product via neutralization reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for treating ship ballast water, wherein electron beams are irradiated into the ballast water to induce radiolysis of the water, and harmful marine organisms present in the ballast water are killed by radicals produced by the radiolysis. The electron beams are continuously irradiated into the ballast water under operating conditions of an energy of 0.5-5 MeV, an electron beam irradiation dose of 0.1-30 kGy and a flow rate of 1-200 m3/hr.

Abstract: The selective electrochemical reduction of halogenated 4-aminopicolinic acids is improved by activating the cathode at a final potential from about +1.0 to about +1.8 volts.

Abstract: An ultraviolet reactor for treating a fluid. The reactor includes a vessel having an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for discharging fluid. The reactor further includes an ultraviolet light source and baffle plates. The baffle plates include holes arranged in a predetermined pattern for providing plug flow in areas in the reactor near the ultraviolet light source.

Abstract: A method for converting carboxylic acids (including carboxylic acids derived from biomass) into hydrocarbons. The produced hydrocarbons will generally have at least two oxygen containing substituents (or other substituents). In one example of application, the electrolysis converts alkali salts of carboxylic acids into diols which can then be used as solvents or be dehydrated to produce dienes, which can then be used to produce elastic polymeric materials. This process allows custom synthesis of high value chemicals from renewable feed stocks such as carboxylic acids derived from biomass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the electrochemical transformation of a compound to form a product, the process comprising (i) effecting the transformation in the presence of an electrolyte comprising at least one room temperature ionic liquid, wherein the ionic liquid is air-stable and moisture-stable, (ii) recovering the product, and optionally (iii) recovering the ionic liquid. The process can be used to effect the electrochemical transformation of a wide range of organic compounds.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable terminal which non-contact communicates with an external reader/writer at a specified relative position to the reader/writer, including: a second antenna configured to carry out non-contact communication with a loop shaped first antenna whose arrangement position and size are defined in the external reader/writer; and a magnetic sheet having no magnetic body in a part of a region where the magnetic sheet at least partly overlaps with the first antenna when the portable terminal is at the specified relative position to the external reader/writer.

Abstract: Systems and processes for producing hydrogen using bacteria are described. One detailed process for producing hydrogen uses a system for producing hydrogen as described herein, the system including a reactor. Anodophilic bacteria are disposed within the interior of the reactor and an organic material oxidizable by an oxidizing activity of the anodophilic bacteria is introduced and incubated under oxidizing reactions conditions such that electrons are produced and transferred to the anode. A power source is activated to increase a potential between the anode and the cathode, such that electrons and protons combine to produce hydrogen gas. In one system for producing hydrogen is provided which includes a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reactor and an exterior of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of obtaining substantially-salt-free cyclic amino acids having formula (I), where n is a whole number selected from 2, 3 and 4, and, in particular, gabapentin (compound having formula (I) with n=3), with a high degree of purity. The inventive method comprises a step involving the electrolysis of a solution containing an addition salt of the cyclic amino acid with a mineral acid, which serves to eliminate the anion from the mineral acid for concentrations of no more than 3 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for the electrochemical preparation of p-aminophenols, especially 5-aminosalicylic acid. The process can be performed at a low temperature of below 50° C.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of glycine derivatives, which comprises electrochemically oxidizing &bgr;-hydroxyethylammonium compounds to give the corresponding acids.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed a method for producing a basic amino acid solution which comprises subjecting a solution of a basic amino acid salt to electrodialysis with the use of an electrodialyser equipped with cation exchange membranes and anion exchange membranes in combination, wherein an alkali aqueous solution is added to the solution of a basic amino acid salt during the electrodialysis, whereby not only desalting is caused but also the counter anions of the basic amino acid are removed to such degree that the said counter anions remain in an amount of 40 mol % or smaller based on the basic amino acid, as well as a method for producing a basic amino acid solution which comprises subjecting a solution of a basic amino acid salt to electrodialysis with the use of an electrodialyser equipped with anion exchange membrane alone, wherein an alkali aqueous solution is added to the solution of a basic amino acid salt to adjust the pH of the solution to 7 to 10 during the electrodialysis, whereby the counter anions ar

Abstract: A method for disinfecting liquids and gases includes the steps of distributing at least one optical fiber in the region containing the liquids or gases to be disinfected; aligning at least one radiation unit having a high intensity source of light into said fibers; radiating the liquid or gases by the optical fiber over a predetermined period of time. The present invention further related to devices using the same method.

Abstract: A cathode is made of an electrically conducting support with a coating ot electrochemically deposited lead with a density between 0.001 and 2 g/cm3.

Abstract: An amino acid-N,N-diacetic acid (AADA) or its salt with an equivalent or less of an alkali metal is produced by reducing, through electrodialysis, alkali metal ions from an aqueous solution of the alkali metal salt of an AADA. By this configuration, an AADA salt can be produced in a much higher yield than conventional equivalents without requiring a regeneration operation of a resin as in the use of an ion exchange resin or without requiring crystallization-separation of crystals of the AADA salt as in the addition of an organic solvent. A salt of an amino acid-N,N-diacetic acid is also produced by reacting an AADA with any of metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, metal hydrogencarbonates, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogencarbonate or organic amine compounds. By this configuration, a metal salt, ammonium salt or organic amine salt of an AADA can be produced with efficiency without the formation of by-products.

Abstract: A process for preparing phthalides by I. reducing phthalic acid or phthalic acid derivatives, where the carboxyl groups may be replaced by units which can be derived from the carboxyl groups by a condensation reaction and where one or more of the hydrogens of the o-phenylene unit may be substituted by inert radicals, at a cathode in a undivided electrolytic cell and dissolved in an electrolyte, II. discharging the electrolyte from the electrolytic cell when the reaction has proceeded to the stage where the molar ratio (M), formed by the proportion of phthalide and the sum of the proportions of phthalide and phthalic acid of phthalic acid derivatives in the electrolyte, is from 0.8:1 to 0.995:1, and III. crystallizing the phthalides from the electrolyte and removing them from the mother liquor, if appropriate after distillative work-up of the electrolyte is described.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of chiral 2-aryl or 2-heterocyclyl-propionic acids of the formula wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing and treating septicemia in patient blood. The extracorporeal system includes an anti-microbial device to kill at least 99% of bloodborne microorganisms, a hemoconcentrator/filtration unit to remove approximately 90% of target molecules from the patient blood and a filter unit to remove target molecules from patient blood from the sieved plasma filtrate. Target molecules are produced by microorganisms as well as the patient's cells and include endotoxins from gram negative bacteria, exotoxins from gram negative and gram positive bacteria, as well as RAP protein mediator from Staphylococcus aureus, and cell mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 1-beta, complement proteins C3a and C5a, and brandykinin.

Abstract: The process comprises: (A) obtainment of N-acetyl-cysteine from L-cystine, by means of the following steps:(i) acetylation of L-cystine to produce N-acetyl-cystine;(ii) electroreduction and desalination by electrodialysis of the N-acetyl-cystine thus produced to give N-acetyl-cysteine; or (B) obtainment of N-acetyl-cysteine from L-cystine, by means of the following steps:(i) acetylation and desalination of L-cystine to produce N-acetyl-cystine;(ii) electroreduction of N-acetyl-cystine which may or may not come from the preceding step (i) to produce N-acetyl-cysteine; (C) obtainment of N-acetyl-cysteine from L-cystine by means of the following steps:(i) electroreduction of L-cystine to produce L-cysteine;(ii) acetylation and desalination by electrodialysis of L-cysteine, which may or may not come from the preceding step (i) to produce N-acetyl-cysteine.The N-acetyl-cysteine thus obtained has important uses in the pharmaceutical sector.

Abstract: An electrodeposition coating method characterized in that in electrodeposition coating of a water soluble composition of a polyimide precursor which is prepared by using 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid or its imide-forming derivative and a diamine and has a percentage of residual acid value of 30 to 3%, there is added previously a water soluble solvent selected from the group consisting of an alcoholic solvent, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide to the above-mentioned composition, and an electrodeposition coating agent used therefor. There can be provided the electrodeposition coating method practicable for the use of a water soluble polyimide composition which is capable of forming a uniform baked coating film having a continuous surface and being excellent in adhesivity to substrate and in toughness.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing 3-exomethylene cephalosporanic acid derivatives for use in the synthesis of cephalosporin antibiotics such as ceftibuten. The process comprises electrochemical reduction of a compound of the formula (IV) ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.3 is CH.sub.3 C(O)--; ##STR2## is an optional sulfoxide group; n is 2 or 3; R.sup.1 is H and R is H or NHR.sup.2, where R.sup.2 is H or a protecting group selected from C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2 OC(O)--, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 C(O)-- or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkoxy-C(O)--; or wherein R and R.sup.1 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached comprise --C(O)--, and produces the desired 3-exomethylene compounds with low levels of the corresponding 3-methyl tautomers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for the preparation of substituted diaminodicarboxylic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1## in a high yield by a modified Kolbe synthesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel asymmetrically substituted diaminodicarboxylic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1##