Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for preparing Bi-213 to be integrated in a radioimmunocojugate for human therapeutic use. According to the invention the method comprises the sequence of steps as follows: a) an ampoule 5 containing colloid-free actinium-225, obtained from drying an actinium nitrate solution, is loaded into a container 20 provided with radiation panels 21; b) a dissolving medium is poured into the ampoule 5; c) the solution obtained in the ampoule is transferred into an ion exchange column 6; d) an elution medium is circulated through the column 6; e) the eluate containing eluted Bi-213 is pumped towards a vial 10 for quantification and quality control.

Abstract: The bolus is intended to be received in the reticulum of a ruminant. It comprises a body (10) having a housing (12) for containing a data interchange device (14). According to the invention, the body (10) is made of a material based on alumina, Al2O3, and/or on silica, SiO2.

Abstract: A differential transducer for measuring the curvature variations of a surface such as the surface of a diaphragm (5). The transducer includes an assembly of two L-shaped optical elements (6, 7) having first legs (8) intended to be mounted on the surface in such a way that the outer faces of both second legs (9) extend substantially in parallel to each other and at a right angle away from the surface, an optical cavity (19) defined therebetween, a laser source (17) having a beam (16) directed parallel to the surface onto the assembly and perpendicularly to the outer faces of the second legs (9), and a photodetector (18) for receiving the beam after having passed through the cavity (19). The optical elements (6, 7) are provided with three support tips (10, 11, 12) firmly applied against the surface and arranged at the corners of an equilateral triangle whose symmetry axis is parallel to the beam (16) axis, one of the support tips (10) on the symmetry axis being located close to one of the second legs (9).

Abstract: A method is provided for the quantitative determination of fissile material content in small size particles present in samples. The samples are sandwiched in organic sheets and then submitted to a defined thermal neutron fluence whereupon fission products of the fissile material in the sample create in the sheets fission tracks which are rendered visible by etching the sheets. Then the size of selected particles having created such tracks is. determined by means of a microscope and thereafter these visible tracks of the selected particles are compared to pre-established standard tracks obtained by the same process from particles of different stepped known size and enrichment ratio.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a fuel cell comprising: a chamber suitable for holding an electrolyte therein; a mechanism which enables rotation of the electrolyte about an axis of rotation of the chamber; one or more structures which define one or more inlets for introducing an oxidant and/or a fuel into the chamber, which one or more inlets are spaced from the axis of rotation of the chamber; at least one electrode contactable with the electrolyte and the oxidant and at least one electrode contactable with the electrolyte and the fuel. It also provides a method for improving the efficiency and performance of fuel cells.

Abstract: To improve the contrast of images obtained using the pulsed image-addition ESPI technique relative to a mechanically stressed object, a preliminary measuring cycle is performed, with the object in the unstressed condition, to obtain a predetermined number of interference images (110-160) differing from one another by a controlled phase shift of a fraction of the pulses traveling along one of the branches of the interferometer; a mean luminous intensity value is calculated (170) from the interference images, is memorized (180), and is subtracted (220) from each of the interference images obtained during the actual measuring cycle to improve the contrast of the images.

Abstract: The method consists of transforming a digital two-dimensional image defined by a real function into a complex two-dimensional image defined by a complex function, oversampling the complex image, simulating the production of a diffracted image resulting from the diffraction of an optical wave by the oversampled complex image, and adding a complex field representing a reference optical wave to the resulting diffracted image to produce a hologram. The hologram produced in this way can be used to produce images in three dimensions or in telecommunications.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus comprises a processing chamber having at least one opening for receiving field energy by inductive coupling, and at least one field energy source arranged to induce the field energy into the chamber via the corresponding opening. The field energy source comprises an inductor device associated with a magnetic core. The magnetic core forms a closure and gas seal for the corresponding opening.

Abstract: This invention refers to a method for producing Actinium-225, comprising the steps of preparing a target (1) containing Radium-226, of irradiating this target with protons in a cyclotron and of chemically separating Actinium from the irradiated target material thereafter. According to the invention the proton energy in the cyclotron is adjusted such that the energy incident on the Ra-226 is between 10 and 20 MeV, preferably between 9 14 and 17 MeV. By this means the yield of production of the desired isotope Ac-225 is enhanced with respect to other radioisotopes.

Abstract: A vehicle shows a vehicle bumper (9) having a first member (10) and a second member (11) connected to a vehicle. Low viscosity liquid (12) is trapped in between members (10 and 11) and on impact of member (10) with an obstacle a frangible membrane (13) can burst causing a high velocity liquid jet to be expelled through channel (11a) thus dissipating the impact energy.

Abstract: The bolus is intended to be received in the reticulum of a ruminant. It comprises a body (10) having a housing (12) for containing a data interchange device (14). According to the invention, the body (10) is made of a material based on alumina, Al2O3, and/or on silica, SiO2.

Abstract: A compression wave or pulse generation apparatus and method are capable of generating a compression wave or pulse in a vehicle or large structure under test, and include an impactor bar or member held during use adjacent one end of the vehicle or large structure under test and supported to resist movement in a direction away from the large vehicle or structure. The impactor bar is preloaded in the direction away from the vehicle by a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator. In use, the preload force can be quelled suddenly, for example, by triggering an explosive bolt in the impactor bar, so that the impactor bar is released into impact or energy transfer with the vehicle or large structure under test to transmit a compression wave or pulse through the vehicle or structure. Energy flow transducers in the form of elongated bar members are selectively arranged to measure the mechanical energy propagated along the vehicle or structure subjected to the stress wave under simulated crash conditions.

Abstract: The bolus is intended to be received in the reticulum of a ruminant. It comprises a body (10) having a housing (12) for containing a data interchange device (14). According to the invention, the body (10) is made of a material based on alumina, Al2O3, and/or on silica, SiO2.

Abstract: A device for directing a defined light beam onto a photosensitive area, for testing the performance of a photovoltaic module including said photosensitive area, comprising a support structure (1) which can be turned about a vertical central axis (4) in accordance with the actual azimuthal sun position. Housing (7) receives the photovoltaic module with the photosensitive area (6) of said module in a horizontal position, the housing being located in the lower portion of the support structure. A first mirror (2) which can be tilted about a horizontal axis (3) in order adapt its position continuously to the sun elevation position and to optimize the sun light impact thereon, and a second mirror (5) is fixed to the support structure (1) vertically above the photosensitive area (6) of the module and receives the light beam from the first mirror (2) for reflexion towards said area (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and vehicle for the disposal of carbon dioxide. Gaseous carbon dioxide is solidified and allowed to free fall through open water where i at least partially embeds itself in sedimentary formations. Sedimentation ensures that the marine environment is an overall carbon sink through carbonate sequestration.

Abstract: Real scale investigations can be carried out on vehicle impacts using a vehicle, or part hereof, or crash barrier, tested on a large dynamic testing facility (LDTF). The LDTF includes nodes connected at either end of a sample under test crash barrier. The forces in the bar are measured by Hopkinson output bars connected at right angles at each node to measure perpendicular components of a force in the barrier. Vehicle may be equipped with additional instrumentation and used as an impactor against the barrier.

Abstract: Split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus capable of generating a compression wave or pulse in an input bar or member, said apparatus comprising an input bar or member, actuator means, a fragile or frangible component and an impactor bar or member held, in use, adjacent one end of the input bar or member and supported to resist movement in a direction away from said input bar/member when the impactor bar/member is pre-loaded in said direction by actuator means, the apparatus being such that, in use, the pre-load force can be quelled suddenly so that the impactor bar/member is released into impact or energy transfer with the input bar/member thereby transmitting a compression wave or pulse through the input bar to a specimen under test.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention comprises a biopolymer nanoparticle for drug delivery wherein the nanoparticle comprises a homogeneous blend of an aliphatic polyester polymer blended with a polyether, a lipophilic or polypeptide drug and a biocompatible cholesterol interacting agent for preserving the activity of the drug administered to the patient while at the same time controlling the release of the drug. Methods for making the homogeneous drug delivery nanoparticles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical three-dimensional profilometry method in which are recorded SPECKLE images formed by the interference, due to different optical paths, of the rays reflected/diffused by a rough object and the rays generated by a beam source. The method presents a number of processing steps including the steps of digitizing a first SPECKLE image, modifying the optical path difference, and digitizing a second SPECKLE image recorded after modifying the optical path difference. The difference in the modulus of the corresponding pixels of the first and second digitized images is determined to generate a difference image which is subsequently analyzed. A first arbitrary value is assigned to all the difference image pixels exceeding a given threshold value, and a second arbitrary value is assigned to all the difference image pixels of a value below the threshold.

Abstract: A conjugate of a carrier polymer and aziridine ring containing mitomycin (MMC) drug molecules is prepared by coupling the MMC molecules via their aziridine imino groups to spacer groups that terminate in protected amino groups, deprotecting said amino groups, recovering and purifying the spacer-MMC derivatives, and then coupling these derivatives via said deprotected amino groups to the carrier polymer. Alternatively, the MMC may first be treated with an activating agent, e.g. carbodiimidazole, to form an activated MMC derivative which is then coupled directly to spacer groups linked to the carrier polymer.