Abstract: In a video signal processing method of processing a luminance signal of a video signal generated by causing a CCD to receive light transmitted through color filters, a control signal yf1 is generated by calculating Cy/Y using a complementary color signal Cy and a luminance signal Y, and coring correction is performed to the luminance signal by using the control signal yf1. The characteristic difference between the color filters is suppressed, and, as a result, flickers are suppressed from being generated.

Abstract: To connect a connection element (12) to one end (10A, 10B) of the strip (10) from which the swaging ring is made, the connection element is placed against said end in such a manner that at least one anchor edge (14) of the connection element (12) is in register with said end, and pressure is exerted on the connection element (12) so as to displace the material of said end (10A, 10B) of the strip that lies beneath the connection element (12) while forming a fixing member (15) in said end that is suitable for co-operating with said anchor edge so as to hold together the connection element and said end of the strip.

Abstract: A substantially non-toxic fraction isolated from the venom of Vipera xanthina is disclosed which fraction has an analgesic effect. The fraction is preferably purified on an ion exchange column from Vipera xanthina palestinae. Also described are a pharmaceutical composition for use as an analgesic comprising the non-toxic fraction, and a method for the relief of pain comprising administrating the non-toxic fraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a sound-absorbent insulating element with at least two metallic leaves or sheets (2, 3) in the form of films or sheets. According to said method, at least one of said elements is provided with knobs in such a manner that the limit of elasticity of the respective sheet (2, 3) is exceeded during the knobbing process, resulting in the formation of fissures (4, 11). Said fissures substantially help to improve the acoustic absorption capacity of the insulating element produced according to the inventive method.

Abstract: A novel encapsulated product is provided and includes: at least one active ingredient; at least one compressible material; and at least one tableting material; wherein the encapsulated product is in the form of a caplet having a diameter of from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters and a length from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters. A method for preparing the encapsulated product is also provided. The encapsulated product may be incorporated into a food item, a confectionery product or chewing gum product.

Abstract: A micro porous plastic sheet is stencil plate made by a method for stencil plate making of a stencil sheet for stencil printing under the following conditions: heat is provided to form a negative image with TPH at −30≦Tp−Tm≦300° C. (Tp is heating peak temperature and Tm is melting temperature (melting point) of the sheet) and in 10≦To×100/Ts≦80% (To is current-carrying time period and Ts is current-carrying cycle), micro pores are closed by the pressure for stencil plate making of 0.1≦P≦1.0 MPa, and the thermal shrinkage rate of the sheet measured by TMA is set to 1≦STm-30≦20% (STm-30 is a thermal shrinking rate of the sheet at a temperature 30° C. lower than the melting point TM).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for use as an immunomodulator comprising small molecular weight components of less than 3000 daltons, and having the following properties: a) is extractable from bile of animals; b) is capable of stimulating monocytes and macrophages in vitro; c) is capable of modulating tumor necrosis factor production; d) contains no measurable IL-1a, IL-1b, TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4, GM-CSF or IFN-gamma; e) has an anti-proliferative effect in a malignant mouse hybridoma cell line; f) shows no cytotoxicity to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells; and g) is not an endotoxin. The invention also relates to a method of preparing the composition and its use as an immunomodulator.

Abstract: The compounds of formula (I) in which R1, R2, A and Ar have the meanings as given in the description are novel effective PDE4 inhibitors.

Abstract: An oscillating element, particularly for a level sensor, comprises an oscillating diaphragm (3), a stack of piezoelectric elements (6, 7), and a tie bolt (4) connected to the diaphragm (3) for pressing the piezoelectric elements (6, 7) against the diaphragm (3). The tie bolt (4) forms a single piece with the diaphragm (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for blinding the administration of nonsolid pharmaceutical presentations. The device is in particular an opaque container which has at least two attachments, one of which is intended for connection to a dispenser for the pharmaceutical presentation, and the other of which is intended for connection to an applicator, the inside of said container having means for holding back the pharmaceutical presentation.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating power includes a gas turbine unit having a compressor for compressing ambient air and producing compressed air, a combustion chamber to which the compressed air is supplied, a source of relatively high grade fuel for burning in the combustion chamber and producing combustion gases, and a gas turbine connected to generator and to the compressor for expanding the combustion gases and producing exhaust gases. The apparatus further includes a combustor that burns relatively low grade fuel, and produces combustion products, and an indirect contact heat exchanger responsive to the combustion products for heating the compressed air before the latter is applied to the combustion chamber, and for producing cooled combustion products. In addition, an energy converter is provided having an organic working fluid responsive to the exhaust gases for converting heat in the exhaust gases to electricity.

Abstract: An invalid frame in 60P images supplied from a 60P camera head is delayed by a single frame by a 1-frame delay circuit. A differential between the delayed invalid frame and the valid frame is computed by a subtracting circuit. Of the differential signal, only a portion over a predetermined value is picked out by a level filter. The picked out signal is attenuated to ½ by a ½ attenuator. By adding that attenuated signal to the valid frame by an adder, the invalid frame is superimposed on that valid frame. As a result, a natural picture is obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing power and desalinated water from geothermal fluid according to the present invention comprises: a geothermal power plant that produces power from geothermal fluid supplied thereto; means for supplying sea water to the condenser of said geothermal power plant that produces heated sea water; and a desalination plant to which the heated sea water is supplied and which produces drinking water. Preferably, the geothermal power plant that produces power comprises an organic Rankine cycle geothermal power plant that produces power. Alternatively, the geothermal power plant that produces power comprises an organic combined cycle Rankine cycle geothermal power plant that produces power. In a further alternative, the geothermal power plant that produces power comprises a closed cycle steam geothermal power plant that produces power. In a still further alternative, the geothermal power plant that produces power comprises an ammonia cycle geothermal power plant that produces power.

Abstract: A device for preparing beverages of the type having a closed compartment, an open compartment, an ascension pipe connecting the two compartments and a location for a filtering device between the ascension pipe and the open compartment. The closed compartment has a bottom that has at least a first and a second area which are at different levels and has a member for separating the two areas. The first area is larger than the second area, is heated, and is at a higher level than the second level and than the end of the ascension pipe. The second, smaller area is unheated and is located near the ascension pipe, but at a level that is below the end of the ascension pipe. In one embodiment the separating member is a rim and in a second embodiment the separating member is an inclined bottom.

Abstract: The N-oxides of the compounds of formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, R31, R4, R5, R51 and R6 have the meanings indicated in the description, arm novel active bronchial therapeutics.

Abstract: A frame/field converter circuit addition-processes image data constituting respective fields in a ratio corresponding to an image pickup mode or the like and outputs the resulting image data. As a result of this, it is possible to perform addition processing on image data constituting respective fields in an optimum ratio corresponding to an image pickup mode or the like and output the resulting image data. This makes it possible to improve the frequency characteristic and S/N ratio of the image and thereby enhance the quality of the displayed image. A contour compensation circuit performs contour compensation processing with respect to the frequency band of the image data in correspondence with the zoom magnification. As a result of this, it is possible to mitigate the level of the return noises generated in correspondence with the zoom magnification and thereby prevent the deterioration of the frequency characteristic and S/N ratio of the image to thereby enhance the quality of the image.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, R31, R4, R5, R51 and R6 have the meanings indicated in the description, are novel active bronchial therapeutics.