Abstract: The present invention describes the isolation and nucleic acid sequence of genes associated with cyptokine induced cell death. As long as these genes function normally, cytokines induce cell death; once the expression of these genes is inhibited, cytokine induced cell death is inhibited One aspect of the invention comprises expressing or the use of expression vectors to promote cell death in abnormal, pathological, cell growth such as cancer and psoriasis and another aspect of the invention is the protection of cells from programmed cell death in abnormal conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. The invention can also be used as a screening device for predisportion to cancer or other uncontrolled cell growth diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a double chamber container with tapering/conical inner chamber for a pressure-valve can. The container is usable for dispensing flowable products, in particular, products containing solvents or products for the cosmetics industry, and comprises a single or multiple part metallic outer container and a compressible metallic inner container. The invention also relates to a double chamber container produced according to this method and its use in pressure-valve cans.

Abstract: A device which is shaped like a mitt or glove and has surfaces for covering the palm and back of the human hand. Each of the palm and back surfaces is formed as a plenum which is filled with a heat exchange material. The heat exchange material is selected to provide cooling over a reasonably extended period of time, at an appropriate therapeutic temperature. The heat exchange material is preferably a phase change material such as a paraffinic phase change material having a phase change temperature on the order of 50.degree. F. However, other temperatures and materials are contemplated. The mitt or glove is made of a flexible plastic sheet material such as a tripolymer material or polypropylene. The mitt is formed of four die cut sheets of the plastic sheet material which are shaped in the pattern of the outline of a human hand and forearm. The patterned sheets are stacked together and heat sealed together along their periphery.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful method and apparatus for the controlled non-pyrolytic reduction of organic material comprising subjecting the material to microwave radiation in a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: A vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat, with a pair of runners (7) for longitudinal adjustment, a seat-back (3) which can be tilted forward after releasing a locking device, and a runner latching device (10), which is unlatched at release of the locking device to longitudinally displace the seat. A mechanical detection system (12) detects the distance of the momentary seat position from the initial position based on longitudinal displacement, and is active only at release of the locking device. A tracking and blocking device (13) cooperating with the detection system (12) is provided. The latter allows opening and closing of the runner latching device (10) and/or the locking device only at the zero position of the detection system (12).

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an assayed nucleic acid in a sample is an essentially two-stage procedure. In a first stage the sample is reacted in a manner which gives rise to the production of a triggering RNA where the sample contains the assays sequence. In the second stage, the reaction product is incubated under appropriate conditions with an amplification reagent ensemble whereby, in the presence of triggering RNA a large amount of a nucleic product is obtained. The detection of this product thus indicates the presence of the assayed sequence in the sample.

Abstract: An afterloader for use in radiation oncology or intravascular radiotherapy comprises a wire storage mechanism for storing a radioactive-tipped sourcewire, a drive mechanism for advancing the sourcewire into a catheter or other channel implanted in a patient. A computer control system receives information from an encoder and a force sensor, which monitor the displacement of and the force exerted on the sourcewire, respectively. The displacement and force information are used to advance the wire at the fastest possible speed to the treatment site without exceeding a pre-programmed force profile designed to ensure the sourcewire does not puncture the catheter. The force profile is dynamic depending on the particular catheter being used, and catheter information may be inputted into the computer controller using a bar code or other information storage means in the catheter itself.

Abstract: A non-human animal model for CNS and eye-infiltrating lymphomas is produced by inoculating a rodent with the cells of a lymphoma causing cell line capable of infiltrating into the CNS or eye of the inoculated host.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing material from moving metal workpieces, particular for cutting sheet metal. It entails preheating, without melting, the surface of the workpiece to a temperature at which ignition is triggered by a combustible gas directed onto the preheated section as a jet under pressure, while burnt material from the workpiece is blown away from the cut recess thus produced. In order to achieve smooth edges on large-gauge workpieces with a relatively high feed-rate, a laser beam is also directed onto the cutting front in the cut recess.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of photochromic material, in particular of photochromic compounds and matrices suitable for use in optical memory systems, including three dimensional optical memory systems for computers, multimedia applications and the like. The photochromic compounds have the following formula: ##STR1## wherein the substituents are defined in the specification.

Abstract: Index for use in measuring instruments includes a main body formed with a transparent synthetic resin and having an indicating portion for indicating measured values; a skirt portion formed on the base of the main body with the same transparent synthetic resin as that of the main body and having a hole through which the distal end of an index shaft of a movement element from the measuring instrument is inserted; a balancer disposed on a side opposite to that of the indicating portion and over the skirt portion with a synthetic resin blended with a high specific gravity material for adjusting the balance to the indicating portion; and a cap formed with a non-transparent synthetic resin for covering the base portion of the main body and balancer.

Abstract: A ram driving device for a press machine having: a ram; a horizontal drive axle (33) rotatably provided horizontally in a frame (3) of the press machine; a motion converting mechanism (35, 63, 83) associated with the horizontal drive axle, for converting a rotational motion of the horizontal drive axle into up-and-down motion of the ram (29); and a plurality of servomotors (43, 47) linked with the horizontal drive axle, for rotating the horizontal drive axle in synchronism with each other, to drive the ram up and down. The motion converting mechanism is a connecting rod (35); and a link mechanism (63) driven by a ball screw (61) and a nut member (77); and an eccentric ring cam (33) and a cam follower (91). Since the ram can be driven by a plurality of the servomotors synchronously, the device can generate a large press power of various moving stroke and various moving speed freely, without increasing the maintenance cost thereof.

Abstract: An earthquake resistant foundation based on the method of longitudinal wave filtration by periodic or quasi-periodic septate waveguides. The generic septate waveguide comprises either a series of cylindrical or annular polymer members or a stratified medium with air-filled cylindrical channels. In all cases, the polymer members are reinforced along their torsional surfaces. As the waveguides are distributed into a specific matrix, they serve as an isolating and damping device which is placed between the source of sound, shock or vibration waves and the object of protection. The elements of the waveguide are the individual septate cylindrical cross sections, which comprise a configuration of polymer, viscous or non-viscous liquid and air constituents bonded to and separated by the rigid end plates. The method postulates that radial displacement be zero at the boundary between the polymer member and the septum. Furthermore, the polymer member should be incompressible, and the septa are rigid.

Abstract: A protein complex for inducing growth of bone in the maxillary sinus of an animal is disclosed. The complex is generally made from animal bone, defated, demineralized, ground, slurried, and fractional such that functional structural, adhesive, chemotaxis, and growth components are isolated and purified.

Abstract: In opposition to a lower electrode (31) fixed to a frame (3), an upper electrode (29) is carried by an upper pressing base (23), which is engaged with a vertical guide rail (25) and joined by a resilient slide mechanism to a piston rod (35L) of a hydraulic cylinder (35) connected to a hydraulic circuit operable for an increased distance (L3) between electrode shanks (15, 7) and fastened at a head end thereof to a lower pressing base (33), which is engaged with the guide rail and joined to a piston rod (37L) of an air cylinder (37) fastened at a head end thereof to the frame and connected to a pneumatic circuit operable for supplying a balancing pressure to have the piston rod (37L) thereof contracted to stand with a total load and for relieving the pressure when a mechanical valve (85) is operated with a pedal arm (49) stepped down for starting a welding, while the pneumatic circuit is changed over by a limit switch (57) to force down the lower pressing base.

Abstract: This invention provides a new strain Rhodococcus rhodochrous having a high nitrile hydratase activity and capable of hydrating aliphatic and aromatic nitriles to corresponding amides. An isolated culture of Rhodococcus rhodochrous VKM Ac-1515D is also disclosed for use in the production of nitrile hydratase. An enzymatic inducer is not required in the growth medium, however, the growth medium does include a salt, a carbon source, and a nitrogen source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspection of metallic surfaces before subsequent treatment thereof (for example, painting) are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, several light sources illuminate the inspected surface with light beams having different wave lengths, reflected radiation is detected and converted to electrical signals, the electrical signals are processed digitally, and the results of processing are displayed. Some of the light sources are mounted so as to produce light beams inclined with respect to the inspected surface. These light beams are defined by an angular divergence of not more than 5 degrees. Display of results can be presented, in terms of the ISO standard, for inspection and assessment of industrial steel surfaces (i.e., in terms of preparation grades).

Abstract: A method of joining or welding of at least a portion of a first metal workpiece to at least a portion of one or more second metal workpieces, comprising inducing movement in said portion of the first workpiece by means of a pulsed magnetic force so as to impact said portion of the second workpiece, the movement imparting a kinetic energy on the at least portion of the first workpiece to cause the two at least portions to join or weld to one another.

Abstract: A solid state moisture gauge is disclosed in which a quartz-halogen bulb is used with an acousto-optic tunable filter to launch light of specific desired wavelengths into a parallel plate cavity device which contains or is adjacent to material having a moisture content which is to be measured. The light exiting from the parallel plate device is detected, converted to a digital signal and then stored in a computer for later comparison to the detection of light exiting from the parallel plate device of a different wavelength.

Abstract: Method and devices for manufacturing biaxially oriented tubing from thermoplastic material. The method includes forcing the tube over a mandrel at an orientation temperature of the plastic material, which mandrel includes an expansion part which produces expansion in the circumferential direction of the tube. The forcing over the mandrel is achieved by exerting a pushing force on the tube upstream of the expansion part of the mandrel by a pushing device acting upon the outside of the tube, and by exerting a pulling force on the tube downstream of the mandrel. The pushing device acts upon the tube at a distance upstream of the mandrel, and the tube is supported between the place where said pushing device acts and the expansion part of the mandrel.