Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleotide sequence coding for the mannitol 2-dehydrogenase and a method for producing D-mannitol. Previously known biocatalytic methods for producing D-mannitol yield only small production rates due to the small number of specific activities of mannitol 2-dehydrogenases used for transforming D-fructose into D-mannitol. D-mannitol production can be improved by supplying a nucleotide sequence which codes for a mannitol 2-dehydrogenase having a higher specific activity. Mannitol production can be increased in a particular manner by creating a regeneration system for reduction equivalents by introducing and/or strengthening a formiate dehydrogenase in a microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to increasing efficiency in banking-related software. According to the invention, banking application software is organized into classes according to a type of functionality exhibited by the software. The functionality is generic to avoid redundancy and reduce complexity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage in which difructose dianhydride III is added as prebiotic dietary fibers, wherein the DFA III shows, even at a pH value of <3.9, sufficient storage stability during the entire shelf life of the beverage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of difructose anhydride III by enzymatic decomposition of inulase using an enzyme with inulase II activity. Said enzyme can be obtained from a microorganism of the Arthrobacter sp. Bu0141 species. The invention also relates to DNA sequences derived therefrom comprising a region coding for said enzyme in addition to plasmides and micro-organisms containing said DNA sequences.

Abstract: Implants for use in the spinal column are disclosed. The implants comprise a bone allograft coupled with a non-allogenic plate. The plate has ends that fasten to opposing spine segments, and an intermediate portion that engages the allograft using deformable fingers, or with a hollow portion sized to receive and hold part of the allograft, or with fixed tabs. Methods of using the implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a remote shut-off valve, and in particular to a valve for the remote shutting-off of a fluid such as a main water supply. The remote shut-off valve comprises a diaphragm valve and a pilot valve which are connected together by way of flexible tubes so that that pilot valve can be located in a desired location remote from the diaphragm valve. Part of the flow channels between the diaphragm valve and the pilot valve, and also the flow channel to the control chamber of the diaphragm valve are located within the body of the diaphragm valve. Quick-release connectors can be provided to connect the flexible tubes to the pilot valve and to the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a remote shut-off valve, and in particular to a valve for the remote shutting-off of a fluid such as a mains water supply.

Abstract: Implants for use in the spinal column are disclosed. The implants comprise a bone allograft coupled with a non-allogenic plate. The plate has ends that fasten to opposing spine segments, and an intermediate portion that engages the allograft using deformable fingers, or with a hollow portion sized to receive and hold part of the allograft, or with fixed tabs. Methods of using the implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computerised trading system for the trading of financial instruments or commodities which enables anonymous presentation of quotes on a workstation while still allowing the workstation to filter available quotes for display, on the basis of the nature of the originating party. A central server or network connects a plurality of workstations, each associated with a respective trading floor or institution. For each trading floor or institution, generalized institution status indicators are used to provide display filtration criteria, each indicator indicating a non-specific attribute of the respective institution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor hetereostructure radiation detector for wavelengths in the infrared spectral range. The semiconductor heterostructure radiation detector is provided with an active layer composed of a multiplicity of periodically recurring single-layer systems each provided with a potential well structure having at least one quantum well with subbands (quantum well), the so-called excitation zone, which is connected on one side to a tunnel barrier zone, whose potential adjacent to the excitation zone is higher than the band-edge energy of a drift zone adjoining on the other side of the potential-well structure.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other conditions using newly identified stem cells that are capable of differentiation into a variety of pancreatic islet cells, including insulin-producing beta cells, as well as hepatocytes. Nestin has been identified as a molecular marker for pancreatic stem cells, while cytokeratin-19 serves as a marker for a distinct class of islet ductal cells. Methods are described whereby nestin-positive stem cells can be isolated from pancreatic islets and cultured to obtain further stem cells or pseudo-islet like structures. Methods for ex vivo differentiation of the pancreatic stem cells are disclosed. Methods are described whereby pancreatic stem cells can be isolated, expanded, and transplanted into a patient in need thereof, either allogeneically, isogeneically or xenogenically, to provide replacement for lost or damaged insulin-secreting cells or other cells.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal bonded abrasive product such as a saw or drill segment or bead for a diamond wire is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a mixture of the metal, in particulate form, and the abrasive particles, cold pressing the mixture to the desired final shape at a pressure in the range 320 to 1500 MPa to produce a cold pressed product at a temperature in the range 900 to 1300.degree. C. under conditions which inhibit degradation of the abrasive particles and the particulate metal. The product, after free sintering, will generally have a relatively high porosity, for example, a porosity of 10 to 25 percent by volume.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer for the transmission of ultrasonic energy to a liquid which has ultrasonic generators coupled to opposite ends of rod-like resonators which both operate at the same frequency to transmit ultrasonic vibration to the resonator to be emitted therefrom, no radiation is emitted from the ends occupied by the generators so that all radiation is emitted from the resonator in a desired radial fashion.