Abstract: A variant of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae surface protective antigen SpaA protein or of a shortened form of SpaA (?SpaA) in which a portion of SpaA protein is deleted for protection from Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infection and a process for preparing the same are provided. Introduction of amino acid substitution at a specific site in the amino acid sequence of SpaA or ?SpaA protein provides a variant of SpaA or ?SpaA protein which is immunogenic and is expressed in E. coli as inclusion bodies. The variant of SpaA or ?SpaA protein of the present invention may easily be recovered and purified since it is expressed in E. coli as inclusion bodies.

Abstract: Lipidated glycosaminoglycan particles, prepared by reacting a glycosaminoglycan with at least one lipid to cross-link the carboxylic acid groups in the glycosaminoglycan with a primary amine in the lipid, are used to encapsulate drugs for use in the treatment of pathological conditions in an animal.

Abstract: A seat adjuster for an article of sports equipment includes a base, a locating frame pivotally connected with the base for connection of a seat, a first locating plate mounted with the base, and a second locating plate pivotally connected with the locating frame so as to be pivotable between a first position where a second teeth portion of the second locating plate is engaged with a first teeth portion of the first locating plate such that the locating frame can't be pivotable relative to the base for fixing the seat in position, and a second position where the second teeth portion of the second locating plate is disengaged from the first teeth portion of the first locating plate such that the locating frame can be pivotable relative to the base for allowing the angle of inclination of the seat to be adjustable.

Abstract: A process for the production of a grain oriented magnetic strip, made of steel containing 2.3 to 5.0% of silicon, obtained by producing a hot-rolled sheet containing a distribution of second phases capable of controlling the secondary recrystallization by means of a two-step hot-rolling with an intermediate annealing, and by changing it into the final product.

Abstract: A plant for manufacturing single-dose capsules for preparing beverages, comprising a conveyor (2) for advancing impermeable shells (101) in succession along a production line, which plant comprises at least: forming means (3) for forming individual beaker-shaped filters (105) of filtering material and for releasing each of the beaker-shaped filters (105) inside an impermeable shell (101), means for adjusting the level of each beaker-shaped filter (105) inside the relative impermeable shell (101), and welding means (5) for welding the upper edge of each beaker-shaped filter (105) to the upper edge of the impermeable shell (101) in which the beaker-shaped filter (105) is inserted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fungal bed culture of a hon-shimeji mushroom inoculated with a liquid seed culture wherein the surface of a culture medium for cultivation has a liquid seed culture inoculated portion and a liquid seed culture non-inoculated portion as well as provides a fungal bed cultivation method of a hon-shimeji mushroom which generates a fruit body from the fungal bed culture. According to the present invention, the formation rate of budlet in the fungal bed cultivation of a hon-shimeji mushroom is improved, thereby enabling stable production of a hon-shimeji mushroom in large scale commercial cultivation.

Abstract: A modular floor is composed of a plurality of floor panels and combination members. Each of the floor panels includes a rectangular main body, a ridge formed at one side of the main body, an outer socket formed at an opposite side of the main body relative to the ridge, a first lateral bottom portion formed below the ridge, and a second lateral bottom portion formed below the outer socket. Each of the combination members includes a base, a front retainer protruding upward from one side of a top side of the base, a rear retainer protruding upward from an opposite side of the top side of the main body relative to the front retainer, and a partition protruding upward from a midsection of the top side of the base.

Abstract: Peptide of a size comprised between 5 and 40 amino acids, originating from a cytokine, in which at least one of its amino acids comprises at least one of its atoms separated by a distance d of less than 5 angströms from an atom of the receptor corresponding to said cytokine, the spacing d being evaluated on the basis of structural data, derivatives, immunogenic compounds comprising them, use of a peptide or peptide derivative or immunogenic compound for the preparation of a curative or preventative medicament intended for the treatment or prevention of diseases linked to an excess or to the presence of cytokines or for the treatment of an auto-immune disease and pharmaceutical compositions which contain at least one abovementioned peptide or peptide derivative or immunogenic compound as active ingredient.

Abstract: A hybrid material bat comprises an elongate shaft, a reinforcing member, a barrel body and a grip body. The shaft is made of rigid materials and includes a front portion, an intermediate portion and a rear portion. The barrel body is made of materials with good striking performance and includes a striking section for striking, impacting, or hitting and a mid-section. The grip body is made of resilient materials with good shock absorbing property, and has a front end and a terminal end. The reinforcing member is made of rigid materials and disposed on a distal end of said front portion of said shaft. The barrel body intimately surrounds the front portion of the shaft and the reinforcing member. The grip body intimately surrounds the rear portion of the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use a substance signaling through gp130 for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of diabetic neuropathy. The use of IL-6 is preferred.

Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus for stamping can lids or the like, having a bridge (10) supported on a frame and carrying stamping tools (1) actuated vertically in a continuously repeating manner, having a longitudinal conveying device (30) gradually transporting metal sheets (11, 12) under said tools (1) in each case with the latter opened, and having a transverse conveying device (20, 40) laterally displacing to a limited extent the metal sheet (11, 12) moving or moved longitudinally in each case, wherein a separately controllable transverse conveying device (20, 40) is arranged in a stationary position in each case on the feed and discharge side approximately symmetrically to the tools (1) close in front of and behind the latter, said transverse conveying device (20, 40) in each case carrying a driving roller pair (31, 32; 51, 52) as the longitudinal conveying device (30, 50), which delivers the metal sheet (11, 12) in a controlled clamping manner or releases it in a controlled manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molecular-based system for the optical detection, quantification and detoxification of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) by reversible metal-substrate electron transfer. More particularly, the invention provides a Cr6+ sensor device comprising a divalent osmium (Os2+)-, iron (Fe2+)- or ruthenium (R2+)-based pyridyl complex capable of changing its oxidation state in response to a reduction of Cr6+ at the presence of H+, thereby causing a reversible and optically readable change in optical properties of said complex. The Os2+-, Fe2+- or R2+-based pyridyl complex used according to the invention can be used for selective detection and quantification of Cr6+, as well as for catalytic detoxification of Cr6+.

Abstract: A device and a method for checking an attitude of a vehicle (100), comprising at least a measuring instrument (3) for measuring at least one characteristic attitude parameter, in which the measuring instrument (3) is installed on board a self-propelled unit (2) which moves autonomously on the ground, in such a way as to follow variable trajectories.

Abstract: A slide member including a base material; and an overlay that is formed over the base material and that consists of Ag or Ag alloy including crystal planes (hk1) represented by Miller indices; wherein a relative X-ray diffraction intensity of crystal plane (200) to a sum of X-ray diffraction intensities of crystal planes (200), (111), (220), (311), and (222) of the overlay ranges between 1%?(200)/{(200)+(111)+(220)+(311)+(222)}?20% and the relative X-ray diffraction intensity of the crystal plane (200) to the X-ray diffraction intensity of the crystal plane (111) ranges between 1%?(200)/(111)?30%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging tube for a pre-determined volume of a biological substance to be stored at a low temperature and to a system including same. The inventive packaging tube comprises a portion (2) for receiving the volume and an annular end portion (3) designed to be more easily crushed by pinching than the receiving portion (2) and to adopt a flattened position in which two lips (30) are in contact with one another. In addition, the annular end portion (3) is designed such that the lips (30) are secured to one another in order to form a seal (31) on the tube. The system includes at least one such tube and a jaw welding device designed to move the annular portion (3) into the flattened position and to weld the lips (30) to one another in order to form the seal (31).

Abstract: A device for coupling signals between first and second coaxial cables, the first coaxial cable being connected to carry a first bi-directional digital data signal in a first digital data frequency band, and the second coaxial cable being connected to carry a second bi-directional digital data signal in a second digital data frequency band, and each of the coaxial cables being connected to carry, multiplexed with the respective digital data signal, an analog video signal in an analog video signal frequency band distinct from each of the first and second digital data frequency bands.

Abstract: The dispenser for a W.C. bowl comprises a support means (40) having a support (41, 42) for containing a first active substance in liquid or solid form and provided with at least one exit aperture (3) for said active substance; and hooking means (43) for supporting said support (41, 42) below the rim (21) of the W.C. bowl (20), in a position exposed to the action of the flushing water flow. According to the invention, at least one pocket (5) is provided, shaped to be associated with the outside of the support means (40), within said pocket (5) there being defined a chamber (6) comprising a perfuming substance or other active substance. Preferably, said perfuming substance is in the form of granules formed of absorbent plastic material. Alternatively, said perfuming substance is liquid and contained in an enclosure with an osmotic membrane.

Abstract: The invention herein is fallback function communications device comprised of a microprocessor, utilized to perform a predetermined operation and processing of a predetermined input signal and then output a corresponding signal, as well as a minimum of one relay circuit having an amplifier circuit and a relay. The terminal at the first side of the relay is connected to the telephone line tip/ring terminal, while the terminal at the second side of the relay is connected to the Public Services Telephone Network (PSTN) tip/ring terminal of the microprocessor. An off-hook detection circuit is connected to the PSTN tip/ring terminal and also connected to the ring detection terminal of the said microprocessor. A dummy load circuit is connected to the tip terminal and the ring terminal of the PSTN. As such, in the event of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) system failure, the present invention is capable of automatically switching to the PSTN and thereby maintain telephone system operation.