Abstract: Plasmids which comprise: (1) an origin of replication; (2) an additional sequence required for plasmid replication or preferably a gene giving a selective advantage; and (3) two expression cassettes each of which are located between (1) and (2) but are separated by (1) and (2) from each other; and which are free from inverted repeat sequences (other than in (3)) are highly persistent though successive generations of microbes containing them.

Abstract: A hit expectation sound is emitted from a speaker in accordance with the kind of prize line on which a predetermined, prizewinning combination of symbols is expected to be arranged. The emitted hit expectation sound is transmitted to a player via sound transmitting holes provided in a lower portion of the machine. Based on the hit expectation sound being heard, the player can recognize on which of a plurality of prize lines the predetermined combination of symbols is expected to be arranged. The player can enjoy his favorite hit expectation sound by causing part of the predetermined combination of symbols to be stopped on the prize line that is associated with his favorite hit expectation sound.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of flupirtine or its salts for the production of a medicament for the prophylaxis and therapy of disorders which accompany an unphysiologically high cell death rate. Of particular importance here is the treatment of organ disorders with cell-destroying processes, such as myocardial infarct, shock kidney, shock lung, senile macular degeneration or traumas as a result of mechanical, thermal, radiation or toxic influences.

Abstract: Azelastine hydrochloride is combined certain fatty acids. The stability and absorbability of the composition is enhanced.

Abstract: A substantially rectangle shaped frame for holding a flat-shaped electrode unit 7 is fixed to a rear panel 2 at four intermediate parts of the frame and is elastically held by a resilient retaining member 55a- - - 55d and 56a- - - -56d at four corners of the frame. Thereby, an engagement between the rear panel 2 and the flat-shaped electrode unit 7 via the frame is stably retained regardless of difference in degrees of deformations thereamong.

Abstract: A method for preparing high strength and high thermal shock-resistant china for ceramic whiteware which comprises the steps of molding a china-forming raw material which mainly comprises a natural ore material capable of forming corundum through firing or a material obtained by calcining the natural ore material to form corundum, a natural ore material capable of forming mullite through firing or a material obtained by calcining the natural ore material to form mullite, a clayey material and a flux such as feldspar, nepheline or dolomite; and then firing the molded china-forming raw material. The method permits the production of cheaper china for ceramic whiteware having high strength and excellent thermal shock resistance as compared with those prepared by the conventional techniques.

Abstract: Dendrite or asteroidal titanium dioxide micro-particles having a length of 0.2 to 0.5 .mu.m, a thickness of 0.05 to 0.1 .mu.m, and a specific surface area of 20 to 130 m.sup.2 /gram, are produced by treating hydrated titanium oxide particles with an alkali, mixing instantaneously the resulting reaction product with an amount of hydrochloric acid in a ratio of 1 to 4 mols of hydrochloric acid to one mol of the titanium oxide in the reaction product to effect a reaction, then aging under heat at 85.degree. C. or higher, and then drying or, if necessary, firing after the drying, and subsequently may be coated with at least one from oxides and hydrated oxides of elements selected from aluminum, silicon, titanium, zirconium, tin and antimony to improve the dispersibility and resistance to light of the particles, or may be coated with tin oxide containing antimony or indium oxide containing tin to make the particles electroconductive.

Abstract: The side effect of decrease in body weight caused by the alkylphosphocholines such as miltefosine can be antagonized by certain acetylcholine receptor antagonists such as domperidone and pimozide. The combination of alkylphosphocholine plus the antagonist does not have any effect on the anti-tumor action of the alkylphosphocholine. The combination also caused no new side effects in the animals.

Abstract: A novel method for estimating the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship (ESPVR) is presented. The method provides for accurate estimation of the ESPVR from a single beat of the cardiac cycle. The method is based on normalized human time varying elastance curves [E.sub.N (t.sub.N)]. The ESPVR is estimated from one beat using PV data measured at normalized time t.sub.N and end-systole (t.sub.max) to predict intercept: ##EQU1## and slope: E.sub.max(SB) =P(t.sub.max)/[V(t.sub.max)-V.sub.0(SB) ]. The present invention provides a method for ESPVR estimation which is non-invasive and particularly applicable for bedside applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of alkoxy silane compounds of the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is aliphatic or aromatic having from 1 to about 15 carbon atoms and R'comprises a hydrolyzable alkoxy functionality. These compounds are particularly useful as adhesion promoters when used with adhesives such as, for example, phenylethynyl terminated polyimide or polysulfide adhesives. The invention also relates to a method of synthesizing the alkoxy silane compounds defined above.

Abstract: A method of treating HSV-2 infection which comprises administering to a host subject to said infection an effective amount of a polynucleotide of the formula polyrI.polyr(C.sub.12 U) where n is an integer from 4 to 29. The polynucleotide is advantageously administered intranasally.

Abstract: A bradykinin antagonist of the formula:(BKAn)(X)(Y)where BKAn is a bradykinin antagonist peptide; Y is a pharmacore; and X is a bridging link chemically joining the BKAn and Y components.

Abstract: A scroll member has a scroll wall having an axial end having a transverse surface on which a groove 20 is cut along the spiral direction of the scroll wall, to which groove a seal member contacting a facing scroll member is received. The scroll wall has a radially inner portion having a width larger than the width of the remaining part of the scroll wall. At the radially inner portion, the groove is also widened. When molding the scroll member, a recess deeper than the depth of the groove to be machined is created. The groove is obtained by machining the scroll member as molded by a milling tool. The widened portion of the groove is formed by moving a milling tool along a closed trajectory, so that the recess is left un-machined.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analog of human .alpha..sub.1 -antitrypsin characterized in that it is all or part of the protein corresponding to human .alpha..sub.1 -antitrypsin in which, in 358 position, the amino-acid is selected from among arginine and little or non-oxidizable natural amino-acids when they are integrated into a protein.

Abstract: A cooling fin is fixed to a frame and mounts a plurality of rectifying elements. The cooling fin is configured into a circular ring shape separated at a cutout section. A brush holder, a connector casing and an IC regulator are disposed in this cutout section. A circumferential gap of the cutout section is smaller than three times a circumferential width of the brush container.

Abstract: Certain antibody molecules are so stable and so potent at immobilizing sperm as well as the pathogens for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that they make possible new prophylactic contraceptive methods: (a) for men, a skin lotion containing antibodies against sperm and against STD pathogens to be applied to the penis and external genitals during sexual activity, thereby delivering prophylactically effective doses of antibodies to virtually all areas of skin and epithelia across which most STDs, including AIDS, are usually transmitted, and, during vaginal intercourse, the penis will deliver a contraceptively reliable dose of the antibodies to the cervical region of the vagina; and (b) for women, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and intravaginal devices (IVDs) that release antibodies into the uterus or into the vagina to provide continuous protection against pregnancy and STDs for periods of months to years.

Abstract: In an X-ray image intensifier, an incident window on which X-rays are incident is fixed to a support frame fixed to a glass vessel. The incident window has a dome portion and a flat portion around the dome portion, and is fixed to the support frame through an annular brazing sheet. The brazing sheet has brazing material layers. The brazing material layers are melted, thereby welding the brazing sheet, the incident window, and the support frame with each other. A groove is formed in the brazing sheet to form a brazing material puddle, so the brazing material will not reach the input screen of the incident window during melting.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of composite propellants containing rubbery binders and particulate non-binder ingredients. The process consists of curing a mixture of a functionally-terminated hydro-carbon prepolymer and a cross-linking agent to form a viscoelastic first binder composition, mixing the binder with non-binder ingredients to form a plastic propellant, and rubberising at least a part of the plastic propellant by adding to it a further quantity of the cross-linking agent, provided the propellant is formed into a propellant charge while still in a plastic state. The further quantity of the cross-linking agent may be mixed in with the plastic propellant prior to forming, or applied to the surface of the plastic propellant after having been formed into a charge.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the prepolymer consists of an hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene having a molecular weight of about 3000 and a functionally of about 2.

Abstract: The gene of a human CNP (human C-type natriuretic peptide), as well as the hCNP precursor protein that is encoded by said gene. The hCNP precursor is represented by the following amino acid sequence.Met His Leu Ser Gln Leu Leu Ala Cys Ala - Leu Leu Leu Thr Leu Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro - Ser Glu Ala Lys Pro Gly Ala Pro Pro Lys - Val Pro Arg Thr Pro Pro Ala Glu Glu Leu - Ala Glu Pro Gln Ala Ala Gly Gly Gly Gln - Lys Lys Gly Asp Lys Ala Pro Gly Gly Gly - Gly Ala Asn Leu Lys Gly Asp Arg Ser Arg - Leu Leu Arg Asp Leu Arg Val Asp Thr Lys - Ser Arg Ala Ala Trp Ala Arg Leu Leu Gln - Glu His Pro Asn Ala Arg Lys Tyr Lys Gly - Ala Asn Lys Lys Gly Leu Ser Lys Gly Cys - Phe Gly Leu Lys Leu Asp Arg Ile Gly Ser - Met Ser Gly Leu Gly Cys.The hCNP precursor and its derivatives are novel and have natriuretic and hypotensive activities.

Abstract: There is provided an impregnated-type cathode substrate comprising a large particle diameter low porosity region and a small particle diameter high porosity region which is provided in a side of an electron emission surface of the large particle diameter low porosity region and has an average particle diameter smaller than an average particle diameter of the large particle diameter low pore region and a porosity higher than a porosity of the large particle diameter low porosity region, the impregnated-type cathode being impregnated with an electron emission substance.