Abstract: This invention relates to an optic multiplexer or demultiplexer comprising an inlet optic fibre, a wavelength dispersive optic system, outlet optic fibres and a two-wave interferometer. The two-wave interferometer has a spectral response exhibiting minima at twice the frequency of the response of the multiplexer or demultiplexer.

Abstract: Copolymers of perfluoro-4-alkyl-1,3-dioxoles having the general formula wherein Rf is a perfluoroalkylic radical having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, allow to prepare copolymers with Tg higher than those of the copolymers containing the same molar percentage of fluorinated dioxoles of the art.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of melatonin and melatonin-containing preparations for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia of the female type.

Abstract: Ethylene copolymers with octene and/or ethylene terpolymers with alpha-olefins from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, optionally in the presence of other comonomers containing more than one unsaturation, usable as additives to increase the gas oil properties at low temperatures, obtainable by polymerization of the monomers in the presence of catalysts comprising: a bis-cyclopentadienyl derivative having the general formula: (Cp1Cp2)—M—(L2L3) containing groups with oxygen bound to the transition metal, wherein M is a metal from the IIIb group to the Vb group or of the lanthanide series of the Element Periodic Table; Cp1 and Cp2, equal to or different from each other, represent cyclopentadienyls bound to M with delocalized &pgr; bonds.

Abstract: A system for the generation of live, nonpathogenic infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), a segmented double-stranded (ds)RNA virus of the Birnavirdae family, using synthetic transcripts derived from cloned DNA has been developed. Independent full-length cDNA clones were constructed which contained the coding and non-coding regions of RNA segments A and B of IPNV, respectively. Segment A was modified to prevent the expression of NS protein. Synthetic RNAs of both segments were produced by in vitro transcription of linearized plasmids with T7 RNA polymerase. Transfection of CHSE cells with combined plus-sense transcripts of both segments generated infectious virus. The development of a system for producing NS protein deficient IPNV will greatly facilitate studies of viral pathogenesis, and the development of live attenuated vaccines for IPNV.

Abstract: A process for preparing halogenated &bgr;-lactam compounds, characterized in that a &bgr;-lactam amino compound of the formula (1) is reacted with nitrous acid or nitrite in a slurry dispersion state in water, under acid condition in the presence of halogen molecules, thereby obtaining a halogenated &bgr;-lactam compound of the formula (4) wherein n is an integer of 0 to 2; A is the formula (2) or (3); R1 and R2 are the same or different and are hydrogen atom, halogen atom, C1˜C3 alkyl group, C2˜C4 alkenyl group, C2˜C4 alkynyl group, nucleophilic group, or CH2R3; and R3 is halogen atom or nucleophilic group  wherein A is as defined above; X1 is hydrogen atom or halogen atom; and X2 is halogen atom.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device which enables an integrated amplification and detection of nucleic acids.

Abstract: A combustion chamber component for an internal combustion engine has a water and oil repellent coating which has good adhesive power and in which the effect of suppressing the accumulation of deposits is well maintained. The coating is formed from an organosilicon compound represented by the formula Rf—R1—Si(NH)3/2 wherein Rf denotes a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and R1 denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: DNA molecule comprising a structural gene which codes for a bacterial protein with the enzymatic activity of 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (3-HBDH), a recombinant DNA containing the DNA molecule, microorganisms transformed accordingly, a process for obtaining 3-HBDH by culturing a suitable transformed microorganism as well as a method for the determination of ketone bodies in the presence of the enzyme. A structural gene from Rhodobacter sphaeroides is preferred.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a luminous sticker having heterogeneous pasteboard 1, double-faced adhesive paper 2, and a luminous layer 3, wherein the sticker has a luminous layer 3 by adding light condensing material, which has good brightness and has long luminous time, to plastics which is a family of polyurethane, and has a surface protection layer 4 by attaching a transparent plastic film, on which a decorative pattern is printed on the back surface, to the upper of the luminous layer 3.

Abstract: Description of a new use of creatine in the preparation of a drug for the treatment of cardiac and/or respiratory insufficiency.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meanings indicated in the specification. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of metalloproteases of the M2, M3 family and the astacin subfamily of M12 and M13.