A method of disinfecting a medical device comprises three steps. First, a disinfectant is contacted with a process indicator and the medical device. The disinfectant comprises at least one aldehyde. The process indicator contains a synthetic amine-containing compound disposed on a substrate. The synthetic amine-containing compound comprises at least one of primary amino groups or secondary amino groups, and is reactive with the disinfectant to form at least one adduct. The synthetic amine-containing compound and the medical device are in fluid communication through the disinfectant. A predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion exists for contacting the disinfectant with the medical device. Second, the process indicator is spectrally observed and at least one parameter is obtained therefrom that is predictive of the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion. The third step is determining that the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion has been achieved.

A method of disinfecting a medical device comprises three steps. First, a disinfectant is contacted with a process indicator and the medical device. The disinfectant comprises at least one aldehyde. The process indicator contains a synthetic amine-containing compound disposed on a substrate. The synthetic amine-containing compound comprises at least one of primary amino groups or secondary amino groups, and is reactive with the disinfectant to form at least one adduct. The synthetic amine-containing compound and the medical device are in fluid communication through the disinfectant. A predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion exists for contacting the disinfectant with the medical device. Second, the process indicator is spectrally observed and at least one parameter is obtained therefrom that is predictive of the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion. The third step is determining that the predetermined disinfectant exposure criterion has been achieved.

This invention relates to anti-microbial active particles, compositions and uses thereof for inhibiting bacterial growth on surfaces or devices. This invention further discloses methods of making such anti-microbial active particles.

This invention relates to anti-microbial active particles, compositions and uses thereof for inhibiting bacterial growth on surfaces or devices. This invention further discloses methods of making such anti-microbial active particles.

This invention relates to compositions and medical devices comprising anti-microbial active particles, for inhibiting microbial growth. This invention further provides methods of making such compositions and medical devices.

Primarily, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) defined below and to their use as herbicides, in particular for controlling broad-leaved weeds and/or weed grasses in crops of useful plants and/or as plant growth regulators for influencing the growth of crops of useful plants. The present invention also relates to herbicidal or plant growth-regulating compositions comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I). Moreover, the present invention relates to processes for preparing the compounds of the formula (I).

Primarily, the present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) defined below and to their use as herbicides, in particular for controlling broad-leaved weeds and/or weed grasses in crops of useful plants and/or as plant growth regulators for influencing the growth of crops of useful plants. The present invention also relates to herbicidal or plant growth-regulating compositions comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I). Moreover, the present invention relates to processes for preparing the compounds of the formula (I).

Anti-microbial compositions are described which contain: (i) an active agent component containing: (A) a compound of formula (A)

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently a C.sub.8-12 alkyl group and X.sup.? is a halide anion such as chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide or sulphonate, saccharinate, carbonate or bicarbonate; (B) a compound of formula (B)

##STR00002## wherein m is from 8 to 18, and X.sup.? is a halide anion such as chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide or sulphonate, saccharinate, carbonate or bicarbonate; and (C) a compound of formula (C)

##STR00003## where R is an unsubstituted C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 alkyl group; wherein: (a) (C) is present in an amount of from 5 to 95 wt % of the active agent component; and (b) the ratio by weight of A:B is 1:9 to 9:1; and (ii) a polar solvent.

Anti-microbial compositions are described which contain: (i) an active agent component containing: (A) a compound of formula (A)

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently a C.sub.8-12 alkyl group and X.sup.? is a halide anion such as chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide or sulphonate, saccharinate, carbonate or bicarbonate; (B) a compound of formula (B)

##STR00002## wherein m is from 8 to 18, and X.sup.? is a halide anion such as chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide or sulphonate, saccharinate, carbonate or bicarbonate; and (C) a compound of formula (C)

##STR00003## where R is an unsubstituted C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 alkyl group; wherein: (a) (C) is present in an amount of from 5 to 95 wt % of the active agent component; and (b) the ratio by weight of A:B is 1:9 to 9:1; and (ii) a polar solvent.

The invention is directed to methods and compositions for increasing a growth characteristic of a plant, increasing nutrient use efficiency of a plant, or improving a plant's ability to overcome stress comprising applying a composition comprising ketosuccinamate, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, to the plant or to a propagation material of the plant.