Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter a copper-containing porphyrin or an iron analog of C.I. Reactive Blue 21 dye. A method of making a first tobacco smoke filter segment, comprising the steps of, first, providing one or more than one substance; producing a mixture of cellulose fiber and the substance; heating the mixture for a sufficient time at one or more than one temperature sufficient to covalently link the substance to the cellulose fiber; and forming the cellulose fiber with covalently bound substance into the first tobacco smoke filter segment. The substance can be a copper-containing porphyrin or an iron analog of C.I. Reactive Blue 21 dye.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic converter, comprising a barrel shaped diaphragm (2) formed about a longitudinal axis (3) and comprising first and second annular opposed ends (4, 5), and a first electrically driven vibration generator (6-11) for inducing a vibrational movement in the first annular end in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sign of abnormality of a valve apparatus during its operation is grasped, an abnormal position and a portion requiring repair are specified, a range of inspection of an electric valve is limited and the degree of the sign of abnormality is judged without touching at all the valve apparatus. A driving force sensor provided to a driving portion of a valve apparatus is connected to a diagnosing apparatus, an energy sensor for detecting feed energy to the driving portion and a vibration sensor for detecting vibration of the valve apparatus are provisionally fitted to the valve apparatus. A data conversion unit converts the detection signals outputted from these three kinds of sensors to predetermined signals.

Abstract: A plant-based edible vaccine against autoimmune disease prepared by expressing a CTB-autoantigen chimeric gene construct in plant cells and transgenic plants is disclosed. DNA constructs, expression vectors comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a CTB-autoantigen chimeric gene, which are optimized for expression in plants, are described.

Abstract: A device 10 for aligning a patient for delivering a plurality of radiation beams comprising a patient support surface 12, a coarse alignment subsystem 14 connected to the patient support surface, and a fine alignment subsystem connected to the patient support surface 16. A method of aligning a patient for delivering a plurality of radiation beams from a plurality of device positions comprising compensating for flexion of a radiation beam delivery device within a gantry during movement of the radiation beam delivery device from a first device position to a second device position by using a set of predetermined data describing the flexion behavior of the radiation beam delivery device so that the target tissue within the patient is placed at the beamline center for the radiation beam delivery device at the second device position.

Abstract: A catheter for the administration of fluid or pharmaceutical agents, or for hemodialysis comprising a proximal control end comprising a housing with a proximal end and a distal end, a distal delivery end, an elongated intermediate portion between the proximal control end and a distal delivery end, one or more than one delivery lumen within the intermediate portion extending from the proximal control end to the distal delivery end; one or more than one inflation balloon in each delivery lumen, and one or more than one inflation lumen in the intermediate portion extending from the proximal control end to the one or more than one inflation balloon in the one or more than one delivery lumen, and connected to the one or more than one inflation balloon through one or more than one fenestration, where the proximal control end further comprises a mechanism for aspiration and injection of fluids through the distal delivery end, and where the proximal control end further comprises a mechanism for controlling inflation

Abstract: Grinding machine for machining sheets of glass; in the machine, a sheet which has one of its own perimeter edges which is at least partially to be ground, is advanced on a horizontal plane, through a single work station, where the sheet itself is disposed in an unambiguous reference position on the plane, relative to a support structure, it is held in the reference position itself by a plurality of suckers, and is ground by motorized grinding heads; the machine is provided with actuators for vertically displacing the suckers and, therefore, the sheet of glass between a lowered rest position and a raised position in which the sheet is ground.

Abstract: Ti alloy is embedded in a powder such as graphite and heated with the powder in an oxygen atmosphere. Oxygen atoms are diffused into the Ti alloy to form an oxygen diffusion layer of Ti—O solid solution, thereby increasing wear resistance of the valve. A poppet valve in an internal combustion engine may be made of such Ti alloy.

Abstract: A non-virulent, recA defective mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis. The Porphyromonas gingivalis strain which is deposited at ATCC under accession number 202109. Also a method of decreasing the growth rate or reproduction rate of Porphyromonas gingivalis in a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal at least one dose of Porphyromonas gingivalis according to the present invention. Further, a method of preventing or treating a Porphyromonas gingivalis infection such as periodontitis in a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal at least one dose of Porphyromonas gingivalis according to the present invention. Further, a method of preventing or treating a Porphyromonas gingivalis infection such as periodonitis in a mammal comprising the step of administering to the mammal at least one dose of Porphyromonas gingivalis according to the present invention. Also, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a non-virulent, recA defective mutant of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Abstract: The Porphyromonas gingivalis strain which is deposited at ATCC under accession number 202109. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the Porphyromonas gingivalis strain of the present invention.

Abstract: Assembly for supporting and retaining sheets of glass, particularly in a machine for machining the sheets of glass; the assembly possesses a support structure, a plurality of suckers carried by the support structure to hold the sheet of glass in an unambiguous reference position on a horizontal plane and, for each sucker, a corresponding actuator for vertically displacing the suckers between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: A polynucleotide molecule encoding human minor vault protein p193, or its complementary strands. A purified and isolated polynucleotide molecule consisting essentially of a nucleotide sequence encoding human minor vault protein p193, or its complementary strands, or a combination of a nucleotide sequence encoding human minor vault protein p193 and its complementary strands.

Abstract: An enzyme mixture for tenderizing raw beef comprising between about 98.7% and about 99.7% bromelin, between about 0.02% and about 0.08% ficin and between about 0.01% and about 0.05% papain. A method of tenderizing raw beef to produce a product that can be cooked by the consumer using the same methods as preparing naturally tender beef, and that results in a post-consumer preparation product that is consistently tender. The method comprises providing a suitable cut of raw beef and treating the raw beef with an enzyme mixture comprising between about 98.7% and about 99.7% bromelin, between about 0.02% and about 0.08% ficin and between about 0.01% and about 0.05% papain.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter comprising a porous substrate comprising dry water and a porphyrin dispersed therein. The porous substrate can further comprise microcapsules. The microcapsules can comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of chlorophyllin, methylcellulose, sodium pyroglutamate and a vegetable oil. The porous substrate can further comprise sodium pyroglutamate.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of biosolids, the method comprising a) providing a supply of biosolids; creating a slurry of the biosolids suitable for injecting; selecting an injection formation below a ground surface, the injection formation comprising a natural gas formation in a gas accumulation zone; injecting the biosolids slurry into the injection formation at a pressure sufficient to create and maintain fractures within the selected injection formation; and allowing degradation of the injected biosolids slurry.

Abstract: A laser insole having one or many vertical cavity surface emitting lasers embedded therein may be worn by a patient and applied to an area of the foot. The device supplies the patient with a preprogrammed laser therapy regimen. A physician programs the device in a patient's shoe. The device is small enough to allow the patient's normal activities. The laser therapy regimen promotes healing of a wound on the foot. Alternatively, the device may be adapted as a flexible device applied to the skin, or implanted into the body, or provided in a catheter that is inserted into a body region.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘Cal Giant 5’ that is a short-day style of plant with a strong ever-bearing tendency, producing runners freely at the nursery while producing high levels of fruit early in the fruiting season, and continuing production through the summer and into the autumn months. ‘Cal Giant 5’ displays very good tolerance to a number of soil-borne, foliar and fruit diseases, and pollinates exceptionally well in both inclement and ideal conditions, retaining size, shape, high gloss, and overall good appearance throughout the entire season.