Abstract: A process employs amidine or amidine base and a metal compound in the presence of an alcohol or water to transesterify, or saponify esters or amides. Since the process employs relatively mild conditions, it is especially suitable for the production of optically active substances and biomolecules, e.g. peptides, amino acids and nucleic acids which are sensitive to elevated temperatures, extreme pH values and/or long reaction times since these compounds are easily racemised or denatured. The conditions additionally find use in solid phase systems. When amino acid or peptide esters are saponified, the splitting is brought about with lithium hydroxide alone under mild conditions. The use of an amidine base, more particularly DBU or DBN, in combination with the metal salt additionally accelerates the reaction so strongly that even sensitive acid derivatives can be reacted under mild conditions.

Abstract: Method of blocking aberrant Ras signaling in a mammal while avoiding excessive cell toxicity by administration of lovastatin and geranylgeraniol.

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 composite electrode, comprising:a solid non-metallic substrate, (such as ceramic, glass, or epoxy resin,)and, bonded directly or indirectly to said substrate,a non-conducting matrix, incorporating particles which are accessible to the electrode surface and contain an insoluble metal salt (e.g. halide) in direct electrical contact with the metal corresponding to said salt, said metal being present either (i) in the form of metallic particles incorporated in a non-conducting matrix zone disposed so that said metal salt-containing particles are located between said metallic particles and said electrode surface, and/or (ii) a solid metallic surface in the form of an intermediate layer between said matrix and said substrate.

Abstract: Novel strains of the insecticidal microorganism Bacillus thurinaiensis are described. These contain novel genes, and in particular a gene coding for a novel insecticidal endotoxin, 81 kilodaltons in length, toxic to both Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. The novel strains and the genes they contain may be used to combat insect attack against plants.

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: A semiconductor light-emitting device involving the steps of: forming a first semiconductor layer; forming a light-emitting layer of superlattice structure by laminating a barrier layer being made of In.sub.Y1 Ga.sub.1-Y1 N (Y1.gtoreq.0) and a quantum well layer being made of In.sub.Y2 Ga.sub.1-Y1 N (Y2>Y1 and Y2>0) on the first semiconductor layer; and forming a second semiconductor layer on the light-emitting layer, an uppermost barrier layer, which will become an uppermost layer of the light-emitting layer, is made thicker than the other barrier layers. Further, at the time of forming the second semiconductor layer, an upper surface of such uppermost barrier layer is caused to disappear so that the thickness of the uppermost barrier layer becomes substantially equal to those of the other barrier layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified stress protein of 86 Kd and fragments thereof isolated from the genus Corynebacterium. Particular fragments include those with apparent molecular weights of 50 Kd and 52 Kd. The stress protein has been found to be an immunodominant conserved antigen. Patients with Corynebacterium jeikeium septicemia or endocarditis have antibody to the 52 Kd breakdown product. The protein cross-reacts with a peptide antigen KVIRKNIVKKMIE (see SEQ ID No. 1) using a mouse monoclonal antibody against the peptide. The stress protein is useful for improved diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of Corynebacterium infections and diseases.

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.

Abstract: A method is provided for immobilizing an enzyme, comprising immobilizing the enzyme or a functional part thereof to the cell wall of a microbial cell using recombinant DNA techniques. The enzyme is immobilized by linking it to the C-terminal part of a protein that ensures anchoring in the cell wall. Also provided is a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a structural gene encoding an enzyme protein, a part of a gene encoding the C-terminal part of a protein capable of anchoring in a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell wall, as well as a signal sequence, in addition to a chimeric protein encoded by the recombinant polynucleotide and a vector and a microorganism containing the polynucleotide. The microorganism is suitable for carrying out enzymatic processes on an industrial scale.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radio system where oriented antenna beams are used over a radio connection between a network subsystem and a subscriber terminal with a fixed location. The network subsystem comprises means for storing parameters of a bidirectional radio connection, including e.g. the transmit beam angle, the receive beam angle, the air interface delay profile, the air interface impulse response, the transmit power of the network subsystem, the transmit power of the subscriber terminal, and the number of rake branches. The network subsystem also comprises a common measuring unit that measures parameters of a bidirectional test radio connection of a new user.

Abstract: A (substituted-aralkyl)heterocyclic compound of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an azido, carbamoyl, cyano, formyl, hydroxy or nitro radical, a 1-6C 1-hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, alkylcarbamoyl, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl radical, a 2-cyanoethyl radical, optionally bearing one to four 1-6C alkyl substituents, or a 2-6C alkanoyl, halogenoalkanoyl, alkanoyloxy, alkanoylamino, dialkylcarbamoyl or alkoxycarbonyl radical; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which may be the same or different, are each a hydrogen atom, a 1-6C alkyl, dueterioalkyl or halogenoalkyl radical, or a phenyl or phenyl(1-6C alkyl) radical, in each of which the phenyl may optionally bear one or more substituents; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, may form a 3- to 6-membered ring; or R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 C- is a 1,1-dicyanoethyl or trifluoromethylsulphonyl radical; R.sup.4 is a hydrogen or halogen atom, a cyano or nitro radical or a 1-6C alkyl or halogenoalkyl radical; R.sup.