Abstract: In a musical instrument (1), comprising a so-called cabasa (2) with a cylindrical main body (3), about the periphery of which beaded sounding bodies (4) extend that interact with the surface of the main body (3) to produce a tone when a shaking movement is performed, and a joined-on handle (5) that extends away from the main body (3), provision is made that the joined-on handle (5) is mounted in a manner so as to be able to pivot, that a foot pedal (12) is provided, and that a pivot movement of the foot pedal (12) is converted by means of a transmission device, particularly a transmission linkage or toothed belt, into a pivot movement of the joined-on handle (5).

Abstract: An electrical contact device of a probe card includes a base and probes on the base. The base has a top side with a cavity thereon, and the cavity has sidewalls connected to the top side. Anchored portion are provided on the sidewalls of the cavity. Each of the probes has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the anchored portion, and the second end is extended toward the cavity respectively.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for synchronizing the receiver and the emitter in an autocompensating quantum cryptography system it is allowed to one of the stations (for example the emitter) to define the timing of all its operations (for example the application of a signal onto the modulator used to encode the values of the bits) as a function of a time reference. This time reference can either be transmitted using a channel from the other station (for example the receiver). It can also consist of a time reference synchronized with that of the other station through using information transmitted along a channel and a synchronization unit. Preferably a time reference unit is provided at each station. One of these time reference units functions as a master, while the other one function as a slave. The slave is synchronized with the master using information transmitted over a communication channel by a synchronization unit.

Abstract: A powered sliding device comprises wire cables (21?, 21?) provided between a sliding door (11) and a vehicle body (10), and a power unit (20) for sliding the sliding door when the wire cables are moved by the power of a motor. The power unit is provided in the inner space of the sliding door. The wire cables are composed of the door-opening cable (21?) and the door-closing cable (21?) connected to the power unit at a base end side, respectively. A front end of the door-opening cable is fixed to the vicinity of the rear end of a lower rail (14) after having passed through a lower roller bracket (18) of the sliding door, and the front end of the door-closing cable is fixed to the vicinity of the front end of a center rail (16) after having passed though a center roller bracket (19) of the sliding door.

Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a container defining a central axis and a toner-guiding member. The container is provided at one end thereof with an opening having a radius. The toner-guiding member is provided with an annular connecting portion connected with the container, an outlet at one end thereof, a longitudinally-extending portion at the other end thereof extending into the container through the opening, an inlet formed on the longitudinally-extending portion, and a flexible scraping piece mounted on the longitudinally-extending portion and adjacent to the inlet. The scraping piece has a distal end defining with the central axis a distance longer than the radius of the opening, such that the toner in the container can be substantially fully discharged out of the toner cartridge so as to lower the residual quantity of toner in the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A procedure for manufacturing ladderproof fabrics on a warp knitting machine (1) comprising stitch-forming members (4) and at least one guide bar (2), with a plurality of guides (2a) for guiding a plurality of yarns (10) towards the stitch-forming members (4), wherein each of the guides (2a) belonging to at least one of the guide bars (2) guides a plurality of yarns (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the controlled amplification of at least one part of a starting DNA containing a plurality of restriction sites for a determined specific restriction endonuclease, and of which at least part of its nucleic acid is unknown. Application of this process to human, animal or plant DNA fingerprinting, to identification of restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Kit for the application of the process.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide having a thermostable ribonuclease H activity from Archaeoglobus profundus is highly useful in genetic engineering, as well as a gene encoding this polypeptide and a genetic engineering process for producing the polypeptide.

Abstract: There is provided a sliding bearing, which can continuously enhance conformability even when deformation by high oil film pressure in the vicinity of a central part of the sliding bearing occurs. The sliding bearing includes crownings which are each formed in an inclined shape toward an outer peripheral surface from an inner peripheral surface, at end parts in an axial direction, of an inner peripheral surface of a sliding bearing, so that even when the region in the vicinity of the central part of the sliding bearing 1 receives the oil film pressure and deforms in the recessed shape so as for both the end parts in the axial direction to locally contact a shaft, conformability can be enhanced not only at an early stage of use of the sliding bearing but also continuously by relief by the crownings.

Abstract: Cycic di-GMP, or a cyclic dinucleotide analogue thereof that has the same effect as cyclic di-GMP, stimulates or enhances immune or inflammatory response in a patient or enhances the immune response to a vaccine by serving as an adjuvant. Cyclic di-GMP, or a cyclic dinucleotide analogue thereof, also has neuroprotective properties for use as a neuroprotective agent to inhibit, treat, or ameliorate the effects of injuries, diseases, disorders or conditions that result in neurodegeneration.

Abstract: A play and/or exercise hoop for hip gyration is formed of a tube formed into a circle, the tube having a cross-section with a flat outwardly facing wall suitable for accepting a decorative strip adhered thereto. The cross-sectional shape of the tube is preferably D-shaped, with the flat wall of the D extending between two outwardly projecting ribs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food cooking surface for kitchen utensils or cooking appliances. The invention is characterised in that the cooking surface is a metallic compound containing, by weight, at least 50% cobalt and at least 18% chrome. Advantageously, the compound comprises at least 5% of one or more metals from tungsten, nickel and molybdenum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the individual distribution of small stick-shaped objects (7), this device (1) making use of: a conveyor (2) comprising an endless conveyor belt (3) circulating around at least two pulleys or rollers (4, 4?), the outer side of this belt (3) being provided with transversal separators (5) which delimit a succession of compartments (6); a hopper (9) wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) contained in compartments (6) are successively dumped; an individual distributor (10) arranged in the base of hopper (9) and wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) become engaged via gravity, and comprising: a support and guide casing (8) comprising a semi-cylindrical form, substantially coaxial to the downstream pulley (4?), this casing (8) being oriented in such a way that it maintains the small stick-shaped objects (7) inside their respective compartments (6) during the passing of the belt (3) on said pulley (4?); a flexible vertical partition (11) separating the internal s

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety/security method and device for two-wheeled vehicles and similar. The inventive device comprises a processor which is connected to a geographic positioning centre (CL) and to a communication unit (UT) with a cellular telephone system which can communicate with a party. The aforementioned processor is also connected to a start/stop sensor (M/A), a movement sensor (AC) and an inclinometer (CV) and to means of identifying the vehicle and/or the driver. The processor is programmed so as to: centralise and store the data originating from the above-mentioned sensors; select a device state from numerous pre-determined states including one or more sensitive states; and, when a sensitive state has been selected, compose and transmit a message containing data relating to said state, vehicle and/or driver identification data and geographic positioning data.

Abstract: An abutment module, in particular for automatic processing and conveying systems, including an abutment member, arranged on a base body, for articles moving in a plane of motion in a current working direction, an electrical servo member capable of shifting the abutment member back by a downward stroke out of the plane of motion and by an upward stroke back into the plane of motion, a damping mechanism, coupled with the abutment member, to shift the abutment member from a first abutment position to a second terminal position in a damped manner and a return mechanism for the return of the abutment member from the terminal abutment position to the first abutment position.

Abstract: An excess flow valve (EFV) for installation in a service line of natural gas distribution system serving an existing structure. The EFV has a cylindrical housing having a first length and a second length and a through hole therethrough for passage of gas. The EFV 11 engaged in the through hole of the first length and the second length has an expandable wall which can be expanded and fixed in said service line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and composition for treating tumors or infectious diseases, wherein the composition includes CD40 binding molecules together with CTL-activating peptides, e.g., tumor antigens. Such composition is useful for enhancing the anti-tumor effect of a peptide tumor vaccine, or for otherwise activating CTLs so that the activated CTLs can act against tumorous or infected cells. The CD40 binding molecules can include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, (Fab?)2 and Fv, as well as other molecules including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds which bind to CD40 and activate the CTL response.