Abstract: The invention relates to a new cholesterol derivative for liposomal gene transfer. Areas of application of the invention are medicine and genetic engineering.The new cholesterol derivative, 3.beta.(N-(N,N'-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl) cholesterol (DAC-Chol) is prepared by the reaction between N,N'- dimethylethylenediamine and chloroformyl cholesterol in equimolar mounts and purified by chromatography.DAC-Chol is nontoxic and can be used advantageously for the in vivo direct liposomal gene transfer.The object of the invention furthermore is a new method for the direct, in vivo liposomal gene transfer, which is characterized in that the liposomes/DNA complexes are applied continuously or repeatedly at selected time intervals by means of automatic or refillable pumping systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing compact discs (2) having a non-circular outer profile (8) includes imprinting digital information in an annular region (12) on the under face of a compact disc blank (36) such that an outer limit (14) of the annular region (12) does not extend beyond the innermost reach (16) of the edge of the compact disc (2) in its final shape, forming a first alignment mark (20a, 20b) on the blank (36), applying a label (22) to the upper face of the blank (36), orienting the blank (36) on a manufacturing platform (26) by aligning the first alignment mark (20a, 20b) with respect to an alignment mark (34a, 34b) on the manufacturing platform (26), securing the blank (36) against rotation with respect to the platform (26) and shaping the blank (36) into its final shape by removing portions of the blank with a grinding tool (44) which cooperates with a form (38) to provide the final shape.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus for the automated testing of the flash point and can be used for determining the flash point of flammable liquids. In particular, the inventive method makes is possible to automate the phase of preparing and changing the samples. The apparatus described is characterized in that the whole of the test equipment (1) consists of a stationary simultaneous function head (2) and a mobile test insert (3), which can be separated completely from the simultaneous function head (2), the test insert (3), pre-installed, having the temperature sensor (4) and the flash point indicator (5) and contacting elements (6) for producing the electrical connection to the temperature sensor (4) and to the flash point indicator (5) and at least one coupling element (10) for producing the mechanical connection between a stirrer driving mechanism (7) and the stirrer (8) being disposed at the simultaneous function head (2).

Abstract: A radio-frequency tuning circuit includes an input tuning transformer, and an output tuning transformer. The input tuning transformer comprises a primary coil adapted to serve as input coil, and a secondary coil to which a pair of variable-capacitance diodes having cathodes thereof connected together are connected in parallel therewith to form a first tuning circuit. The output tuning transformer comprises a primary coil to which a variable-capacitance element is connected to form a second tuning circuit, and a secondary coil adapted to serve as output coil. The input and output tuning transformers are connected in such a manner as to form a double-tuning circuit. Q-factor of the output tuning transformer is made to be twice as high as that of the input tuning transformer, and resonant impedance of the first tuning circuit and that of the second tuning circuit are made to be substantially equal to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a superabsorbent foam is provided. The method includes forming a reaction mixture comprising at least one compound capable of forming a superabsorbent foam, stirring the reaction mixture, applying mechanical waves to the reaction mixture and repeating the stirring and applying a selected number of times thereby forming the superabsorbent foam.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus for generating and receiving electromagnetic waves for test purposes and is applicable particularly for measurements, investigations and tests of electromagnetic compatibility. For testing the immunity, the test piece is acted upon with defined field parameters and, during the emission measurement, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the test piece is measured. It is an important distinguishing feature of the invention that a cell, constructed as a TEM waveguide, is rotated about the test piece. The apparatus is characterized in that the lid and bottom of the pyramidal cell are constructed so as to be electrically conducting and in that two-dimensional septa, which consist of individual wires of equal length, are disposed in each case symmetrically at a small distance from the lid and the bottom.

Abstract: This invention describes a new analysis and dosing system and a method to manufacture such devices based on the latest microelectronic and micromachining working methods. On chip or wafer 1 which consists of the one- or multilayer substrate 2 and one- or multilayer cover 3, are arranged the essential construction components as reactor 6a, detector 6b, converter/collector 6c, injection valve 6d, micropumps, sensors, and valves V1 to V30, of the system, and the connection(s) to a detecting/metering device. The substrate 2 and/or the cover 3 show depressions 4 to build cavities and the co-operation of the elements 6a . . . 6n.

Abstract: Agents for stimulating the dividing activity of mammalian cells are presented, which have as an active substance a nucleotide sequence with a complimentary sequence (anti-sense) to a domain of the mRNA of tumor suppressor retinoblastoma or p16 genes acting on cell dividing activity. For Rb, the agents are nucleotide sequences5'-GGTTTTGGGCGGCATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1) and5'-CTCAGTAAAAGTGAACGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2); a nucleotide sequence comprising 49 base pairs, wherein the domain of the mRNA comprises nucleotides 124 to 152; and a 360 base pair nucleotide wherein the domain of the mRNA comprises an Hpa I restriction endonuclease site, an ASP718 endonuclease site, a portion of the 5' untranslated domain of the Rb gene, and a first exon of the Rb gene. For p16, the agent comprises GATCCATGCT GCTCC (SEQ ID NO: 3).

Abstract: A fitting for holding rollers of roller pull-out guides, for the rear wall of drawers, below the bottom and next to a side wall of the drawer, and protruding beyond the underside of the bottom. The longitudinal edges of the bottom of the drawer are held in grooves in the respectively assigned side walls of the drawer. The roller is rotatably mounted on a bearing flange section of the holding fitting, which can be mounted on the drawer. The bearing flange section protrudes downwards at right angles from a panel-shaped supporting flange section that can be fastened in horizontal abutment to the underside of the bottom of the drawer at a distance from and parallel to the side wall of the drawer. At least one matching flange section is provided at a distance from the bearing flange section and essentially parallel to the supporting flange section.

Abstract: A device for locating in a desired position two or more bones or bone pieces that are in an undesired relative position, by bringing such pieces from the undesired position into the desired position, each piece having at least a pair of pins firmly fixed thereto, which pair of pins is, in turn, firmly retained in a retaining jaw member, the device comprising a straightforward and simple structure including two arms to be fixed to the jaw members and connected to arm driving motors for moving the arms along the three Cartesian axes, whereby the bones can be moved and located, or relocated, into the desired position under a controlled and programmed moving pattern, to achieve a non painful, accurate and exact correction of the bones position.

Abstract: A failure reporting system which includes a plurality of reporting tools for reporting detected failures in a system to be observed is provided. The reporting tools include at least two tools from the group consisting of an audio reporting tool, a visual reporting tool and a text reporting tool. The audio reporting tool includes at lest one microphone, the visual reporting tool includes at lest one video camera and the text reporting tool includes at least one keyboard. The system also includes a control system for activating a selected number from the plurality of reporting tools at a time and an audio recognition unit for discriminating between audible reports and other audible information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sterile dental floss segments having integral tips on the ends thereof, that are compatible for use in dental floss rings and similar type dental floss holders. The dental floss segments have a predetermined length, and are enclosed in a laminated web matrix containing multiple strands of dental floss, which maintains the integrity of the sterility of the dental floss, even after one or more of the strands are removed for use, and also allows for the sterilization of the dental floss strands after laminating the web. The present invention further relates to the method and apparatus to manufacture the sterile web units containing the sterilized dental floss segments with the integral tips on the ends.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate and shoe combination includes a shoe having a sole with at least one recess therein opening downward to the bottom face. The bottom face of the sole is generally flat and free of protrusions to permit walking when the wheel support frame is not engaged. A wheel support frame has at least two in-line wheels rotatably secured to a base of the frame. The recess forms a longitudinal track running from a region of the sole adjacent a toe end of the sole towards and opening out of a heel end of the sole and continuing, curving upwards along the back of the shoe. A wheel support frame assembly has wheels residing rotatably, each within a separate wheel housing, with each wheel housing being linked, preferably by a flexible wire. An upper portion of each wheel housing is shaped to conform to the track so as to be able to ride along said track while being supportingly retained therein.

Abstract: A conditioning aqueous hair shampoo composition having good lathering properties, an excellent conditioning effect and outstanding skin compatibility containsa) 1% to 25% by wt., of at least one alkyl amidoether carboxylic acid of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein R denotes an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and n is a number between 1 and 10, and (or) the water-soluble salts thereof;b) 1% to 25% by wt. of at least one anionic surfactant of the sulfate and (or) sulfonate type;c) 0.1% to 10% by wt. of at least one compound selected from the group of C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 -acyl mono- and -dialkanolamides, surface-active betaines and sulfobetaines and (or) surface-active amine oxides; andd) 0.05% to 5% by wt. of at least one cationic polymer.

Abstract: Detection or determination of a protease in a sample by incubating the sample with a substrate of the protease and observing proteolytic cleavage of said substrate. The substrate is a modified proenzyme containing a recognition site, e.g., an activation site, cleavable by said protease. Proteolytic cleavage of the modified proenzyme is detected by observing the resulting activity using a suitable substrate of the activated proenzyme. The protease may be e.g. an aspartic protease or a metalloprotease, and the modified proenzyme e.g. pro-urokinase having a mutant activation site which is cleavable by the protease to be determined.

Abstract: In an inverter transformer comprising a primary winding and secondary winding which are wound on a first and a second spool respectively and disposed in juxtaposing relationship.with each other with the axes of the first and second spools being substantially parallel to each other, and a pair of cores which are disposed in abutting relationship to each other so as to define a closed magnetic path, the primary and secondary windings being electromagnetically coupled to each other through the pair of cores, at least one of said cores being provided with a protuberance which is disposed in opposing relationship to the other core, with a small distance maintained therebetween, the protuberance being interposed between the primary winding and the secondary winding, the arrangement is made such that secondary-side minimum sectional area of that portion of the cores through which magnetic flux is permitted to pass, is given substantially by S.sub.1 K, where S.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal force separator whose rotor shaft protrudes at at least one of the two axial ends through a chamber for the discharge of the fines and the air. Particularly, the invention relates to the problem, in a centrifugal force separator with bilateral aspiration of fines and air, of reducing the distance between the bearings of the rotor shaft, while at the same time achieving an optimum between the requirement for unhampered outlet of the fines and the separating air, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the requirement of a short distance between the bearings and, therefore, a short, light rotor shaft. According to the invention, each outlet chamber 17,18 provides an extension 19,20 or boss reaching inward axially, in which a bearing 21,22, for the rotor shaft is contained.

Abstract: A device for releasing the products in a vending machine includes a structure for containing the stack of products consisting in a front plate (1) and a rear plate (2) to which two flanks (3a, 3b) and two walls (4a, 4b) are secured, a pair of rocker levers (5a, 5b) and a revolving basket (6) being rotatably mounted inside structure for alternately supporting the two staggered columns forming the stack of products and for releasing the products. The driving components, which impart a unidirectional revolving motion to the basket (6), and the controlling components of the rockers (5a, 5b), which consist in a pair of cams (14) which rotate at half the revolving speed of the basket (6), are positioned outside said structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new gene which codes for a NADPH cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase from filamentous fungi. Also disclosed are a recombinant DNA molecule which comprises at least a part of that gene, an RNA molecule derived therefrom and a new polypeptide (or protein), as well as at least one host cell transformed with such recombinant DNA molecule. Particularly suitable host cells are those originating from a filamentous fungus. With the polypeptides (proteins) and the host cells according to the invention, new processes for enzymatic conversions can be performed. In particular, enzymatic conversions by means of monooxygenases, more particularly by means of enzymes from the cytochrome P450 superfamily are improved with the invention.