Abstract: 1R-cis, 1'R-cis isomer of a 2',2'-(3,11-dioxo-4,10-dioxatridecylene)-bis-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dimet hoxy-2-methyl-1-veratrylisoquinolinium) salt, substantially free from other geometrical and optical isomers thereof. The 1R-cis,1'R-cis isomer has been found to have an advantageous combination of pharmacological properties, notably greater neuromuscular blocking potency, weaker histamine-releasing potency, and at equivalent levels of neuromuscular blockade, fewer potential adverse effects on the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic blockade), in comparison with the known mixture of geometrical and optical isomers.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a DNA sequence containing a DNA segment coding for endothelin-2 or human endothelin-3, (2) a precursor protein and a mature peptide of endothelin-2 or human endothelin-3, (3) a transformant carrying a DNA sequence containing a DNA segment coding for endothelin-2 or human endothelin-3 and (4) a method for preparing mature endothelin-2 or endothelin-3 which comprises culturing the transformant described in (3), producing and accumulating a protein in a culture medium, and collecting the same. Cells transfected or transformed with the DNA allow large amounts of endothelin-2 or endothelin-3 to be produced, which causes the advantageous production of endothelin-2 or endothelin-3. Endothelin-2 and endothelin-3 can be utilized as hypotension therapeutic agents or local vasoconstrictors to animals including humans.

Abstract: A method for making a test strip is described. The test strip is generally a substrate, a layer disposed on the substrate and located near the distal end of the substrate. The layer typically contains a chemical reagent detection system capable of detecting the presence of a predetermined analyte in a sample of biological fluid, wherein the reagent detection system produces a detectable change in the layer in the presence of the analyte.

Abstract: An anchoring member is provided which comprises a shaft 2 to be fastened to a bone and a head 3 for connection with a rod 10, the head having a substantially U-shaped cross-section and being connected with the shaft 2 at the base 5 thereof, the head further comprising two free legs 6, 7 defining a channel 4 for receiving the rod 10. The free legs 6, 7 are provided with an internal thread 8 extending in direction of the legs. A fastening member 11 and a member 12 embracing the legs at the outside thereof are provided. In order to allow not only straight rods, but also curved rods to be received and thus to allow an individual adaptation to the conditions of the spinal column to be treated the free legs have an external thread 9 and the member 12 has an internal thread cooperating therewith. The fastening member 11 comprises a thread cooperating with the internal thread 8 to allow the fastening member to be screwed in.

Abstract: A swing phase control device for an artificial knee joint which is provided with different first and second throttle controls to permit more natural flexing and stretching of the knee joint.

Abstract: This application discloses a method of inhibiting degradation of the antidepressant bupropion hydrochloride in a solid pharmaceutical formulation, so that the pharmaceutical formulation will maintain at least 80% of its initial bupropion potency after one year.

Abstract: To present a liquid crystal device high in contrast, bright and possessing high speed response characteristics, and to present electronic appliances such as liquid crystal display device and image pickup apparatus of high contrast and brightness, copier, printing plate process machine, facsimile communication apparatus, optical communication apparatus and image operation apparatus. A liquid crystal device comprising a pair of substrates forming electrodes respectively on the confronting surfaces, a power supply for applying voltage to the electrodes, and first and second liquid crystal layers interspaced between the pair of substrates, in which the first and second liquid crystal layers are contained in a three-dimensional reticular high molecular weight compound, the directions of orientation of liquid crystal molecules are aligned almost in one direction, and the directions of their orientations are mutually different near the substrates.

Abstract: The 5'-O-proprionyl and 5'-O-butyryl esters of 2-amino-6-methoxy-9-(B-D-arabinofuranosyl)-9H-purine useful as inhibitors of varicella zoster virus.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an optionally substituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl group, or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group; R.sup.2 represents an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group or an optionally substituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl or aralkyl group; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and either X represents an oxygen or sulphur atom, a group, --CH.sub.2 -- or a group NR.sup.4 where R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group; and Y represents a group --CH.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- or X--Y together represent the group --CH.dbd.CH--; and salts and physiologically functional derivatives thereof are useful in the treatment of tumors. Processes for preparing the compounds, intermediates useful in their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of tumors are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing an object by layerwise solidification of the object by means of electromagnetic radiation is expedited by simultaneously solidifying the material of a layer at a plurality of places.An apparatus for carrying out the method comprises an irradiation device (11, 12, 14, 15, 16) generating a plurality of beams (20, 21, 22) as well as a control device (7, 17, 18, 19) directing each of the plurality of beams independently to different regions of the layer (8a . . . 8d).

Abstract: A virtual processor has a reconfigurable, programmable logic matrix array for processing data in accord with a hardware encoded algorithm, a memory for storing a plurality of hardware configuration files for the programmable logic matrix array, each configuration file for programming an algorithm to be executed by the matrix array, an input/output bus for supplying data to the matrix array for processing and for obtaining processed data from the matrix array, a memory device for storing data, a VPM controller for controlling the overall operation of the virtual processor including providing operation sequence maps, providing parameters for specific operations, and providing status information, a data bus controller for controlling the data flow to the matrix array for processing, and a configuration controller for controlling the sequence of reconfiguration of the matrix array to process data by a specific sequence of algorithms.

Abstract: In a method for producing a three-dimensional object by successive solidification of superposed layers of the object a deformation of the object caused by shrinkage during the solidification shall be reduced. To this end first of all respective partial regions (6a . . . 6k) of a layer are solidified and simultaneously connected with underlying partial regions of the previously solidified layer to form multilayered cells and thereafter adjacent partial regions of the same layer are interconnected by solidifying narrow connecting regions (8a . . . 8p). The intermediate regions (7) between the individual partial regions are solidified by post-curing.

Abstract: Highly effective nematicides against pine wood nematodes containing chlorinated hydroxystilbene or salts thereof (preferably, 3',4'-Dichloro-3-hydroxystilbene and 3',5'-dichloro-3-hydroxystilbene) which are prepared by synthesizing chlorinated methoxystilbenes from chlorinated benzyl chloride compounds and methoxybenzaldehydes by the Wittig-Horner reaction, performing demethylation to obtain the chlorinated hydroxystilbenes, and preparing the salts thereof by conventional methods, if necessary.

Abstract: An infusion supply apparatus is provided which is attachable to a stationary apparatus such as an overhead support (1), on the one hand, and with a patient transporting apparatus (3), on the other hand. The transfer from one such apparatus to the other shall be possible in a simple and locked manner. To this end, the stationary apparatus (1), the patient transport apparatus (3) and a handle (12) each have a coupling member (2, 4, 13) and a support (7) for the medical appliances comprises a coupling (8) cooperating with respective two such coupling members. The coupling (8) comprises a lock means (16, 17) which unlocks in case of engagement of two coupling members in the coupling means for selective detachment of an engagement and locks in case of engagement of a single one of the coupling members.

Abstract: A outer cardboard box is provided for an inner bag, the box having a spout so that viscous, creamy or pasty material can be dispensed from the spout. In this box, the bottom wall opposite to the pouring spout is connected with only two sidewalls so that when the sidewalls are compressed to cause a flow of material from the inner bag and through the spout, the bottom wall bulges inwardly and the other sidewalls bulge outwardly.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprising a full frame transfer vertical shift register. Signal charges stored in two sections, originally stored in two vertically adjacent pixels, are consecutively transferred to a horizontal shift register while the horizontal shift register is inoperative so as to be mixed together therein. Alternatively, a storage register is provided between the bottom section of the vertical shift register and the horizontal shift register so as to accept signal charges stored in two sections and mix them therein before transferring them to the horizontal shift register. In either case, the mixed signal charges are output as data corresponding to a moving image display. A still image display is possible using the same device by changing the timing for driving the vertical shift register or the storage register.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a novel glia activating factor which has glial cell growth promoting activity; (2) a glia activating factor containing a polypeptide represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or a mutein thereof having activity of the factor; (3) a DNA containing a polynucleotide coding for a glia activating factor represented by SEQ ID NO: 10; (4) a host transformed with a vector containing the DNA described in (3); and (5) a method for producing the above glia activating factor which comprises cultivating the transformant described in (4) in a medium accumulating the glia activating factor in a culture broth, and collecting the resulting glia activating factor.

Abstract: A post-filter adapted to be used for a speech synthesizing apparatus includes a filtering unit for filtering a synthesized signal, and a scaling coefficient in accordance with both the synthesized signal and a signal output from the filtering unit. The post filter also includes an amplitude detecting unit for detecting an amplitude of the signal output from the filtering unit and for adjusting a value of the scaling coefficient in accordance with a detected result so that an amplitude of the signal output from the filtering unit is kept within a predetermined amplitude value. The post filter further includes a multiplier for calculating the filtering unit with the adjusted scaling coefficient.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device including a first substrate, a second substrate, and a sealing member for bonding the first and the second substrates, wherein a spacer for determining a thickness of a gap between the first and the second substrates is included only in the sealing member and wherein d<D where D is the thickness of the gap and d is the thickness of the sealing member. The gap is filled with a liquid crystal.

Abstract: A novel trehalase inhibitor having the following physicochemical properties:(1) Activity: a specific inhibitory activity to trehalase;(2) Form: white powder, water-soluble;(3) Somogy-Nelson test: negative(4) Rydon-Smith test: positive(5) Optical rotation [.alpha.].sub.D.sup.23 : 113.8.degree. (C, 0.1, H.sub.2 O)(6) Molecular weight: 335 ([M+H].sup.+ =336)(7) Ultraviolet absorption spectrum: 258.5 nm (max.)(8) .sup.13 C-NMR(ppm): 28.9, 41.0, 56.9, 58.4, 64.3, 65.0, 71.3, 74.0, 75.2, 75.8, 76.0, 77.1, 123.0, 144.