Abstract: Pancreatic carboxypeptidase B or an isoform or a mutein of carboxypeptidase B may be prepared by (a) expressing a natural or unnatural enzymatically inactive precursor form of carboxypeptidase B in a microorganism by secretion, (b) purifying the precursor form expressed by secretion, and (c) converting the purified precursor form into the active form by an enzymatic treatment. A nucleic acid construct and a host cell containing the construct are useful for preparing pancreatic carboxypeptidase B or an isoform or a mutein thereof by this method.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a compound is an insulin receptor kinase activator.

Abstract: Device for treating a fluid, including a number of columns which are arranged on a support frame and through which the fluid is guided. This support frame rotates with respect to the environment and communication with the environment is achieved by means of a valve. This valve encompasses a plate which is rotationally fixed to the support frame and opposite to which there is a plate whose feed and discharge is in communication with the environment. This latter plate, or auxiliary member, can execute a limited reciprocating rotation, in order to achieve an indexing movement with respect to the first plate. These movements are realized with electromotors and wherein position sensors are provided.

Abstract: A method and device for bandwidth efficient multi-channel optical single sideband modulation with suppressed carrier and a corresponding method and apparatus for demodulation are disclosed. The modulator includes a bandwidth efficient coder/modulator, a Microwave/millimeter-wave upconverter and an OSSB modulator, an optical notch filter and a chirped fiber grating. The demodulator uses at least one narrowband optical bandpass filters in combination with at least one baseband optical receiver to recover the transmitted baseband digital signals. The modulation method and device are suitable for short or long-distance optical fiber transmission systems.

Abstract: A system transfers data between a client computer and a server computer over a network, wherein communications are established over a first data link between the client and the server to provide the server with identification of the data to be transferred, then communications are established over a second data link between the client and the server for data transfer such that the second data link has a faster data transfer rate than the first data link, then the identified data is transferred from the client to the server; and then finally the client computer is provided with status information relating to the transfer of the identified data. The first data link is sufficient to support normal data operations utilizing existing network resources. The second data link can connect the clients to one or more of the servers, or may connect only particular clients and servers with special needs for large data transfer.

Abstract: A feedforward amplifier is linearized by adapting off the detection of an applied modulation source. The feedforward amplifier has two loops: a first loop and a second loop. Modulators in the two loops are adjusted by controllers that adapt in response to detection of the modulation source injected into the first loop.

Abstract: Substituted diarylureas, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use for stimulating Fas-mediated apoptosis. The compounds, as single stereoisomers or mixtures of stereoisomers, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful in methods of treating autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and malignancies.

Abstract: Bioerodible polyorthoesters useful as orthopedic implants or vehicles for the sustained delivery of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural agents contain amine functionalities and &agr;-hydroxy acid-containing groups.

Abstract: A push-lock includes a body. The body is formed with a channel having a pair of portions. A cylinder is movable in the body between a front position and a rear position, and has a latch rotatably connected thereto. The latch defines two opposed cutouts in a periphery thereof. A clip has a pair of shanks resiliently flexible in the portions of the channel. The shanks normally abut the periphery of the latch. A spring is provided for moving the cylinder back to the front position. Additionally, the latch can be turned relative to the cylinder in such a manner that the shanks snapped in the cutout may be pushed outward by the turning latch till the shanks fully slide out of the cutouts and abut the periphery of the latch again.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of biologically active polypeptides in powder form suitable for nasal administration, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a biologically active polypeptide and a water-soluble polysaccharide.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I in which B, D, E, R, W, Y, Z, b, c, d, e, f, g and have the meanings indicated in the claims, are inhibitors of the adhesion and migration of leucocytes and/or antagonists of the adhesion receptor VLA-4 which belongs to the group of integrins. The invention relates to the use of compounds of the formula I, and of pharmaceutical preparations which contain such compounds, for the treatment and prophylaxis of diseases which are caused by an undesired extent of leucocyte adhesion and/or leucocyte migration or which are associated therewith or in which cell—cell or cell-matrix interactions play a part which are based on interactions of VLA-4 receptors with their ligands, for example of inflammatory processes, rheumatoid arthritis or allergic disorders, and it also relates to the use of compounds of the formula I for the production of pharmaceuticals for use in such diseases. It further relates to novel compounds of the formula I.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and reading a radiation image of an object is provided. The method is performed by placing an object of which a radiation image is to be taken adjacent a platform that is positioned between a storage layer radiation screen and an electromagnetic wave radiation source such that radiation from the electromagnetic wave radiation source which traverses the object is absorbed by the storage layer radiation screen; forming a latent radiation image of the object on the storage layer radiation screen by causing the electromagnetic wave radiation source to emit radiation, a portion of the emitted radiation traversing the object and being absorbed by the storage layer radiation screen; and reading the latent radiation image of the object from the storage layer radiation screen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for actively supporting the flow of body fluids, comprising an artificial flow guide system (10) with an operational area into which a pump (1) is embedded in such a way that it can transport blood from at least one inlet opening (3) situated in the guide system to at least one outlet opening (4) situated in the guide system; a flexible feed hose (5) connected to the flow guide system; an energy or force transmission line (6) which is guided through the interior of the flexible feed hose and which, when the device is in the operational state, transmits energy or force substantially continuously to the pump from a drive unit for the extracorporeal generation of this energy or force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implanting seeds in or about a target area, such as a tumor, within a patient. The implantation device includes an implantation needle having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough from a proximal and to a distal end of the needle, the needle bore being adapted to permit at least one seed to pass therethrough. An elongated plunger extends longitudinally through the implantation device in aligned relation to the needle bore and is selectively movable in the longitudinal direction relative the needle from a retracted position spaced apart from the needle to an extended position wherein the plunger is advanced through the needle bore to eject at least one of the seeds through the bore, out of the distal end of needle and into the target area. An optical device is carried by and operatively connected to the plunger to provide visual assistance to an operator of the implantation device to guide and verify implantation of the ejected seed into the target area.

Abstract: Bis-(N,N′-bis-(2-haloethyl)amino)phosphoramidates, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, methods of treatment using them, and processes for their preparation. The compounds possess anti-tumor activities or are capable of being modified to have anti-tumor activities; and this invention relates to the use of the compounds in methods for the treatment of tumors and, especially, for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A high power, diode pumped laser has a Nd:YVO4 gain media. Scaling to higher powers is achieved with the use of a low doped gain media, increasing the length of the gain media as well as increasing the pump volume. Passive cooling is extended to output powers of 10 W or greater.

Abstract: The invention relates to powder-coated substrates bearing on a powder-coated surface a scratch-resistant and abrasion-resistant topcoat of a coating material which comprises: a) condensates based on hydrolyzable silanes containing at least one non-hydrolyzable substituent, the hydrolyzable silanes having an epoxide group on at least one non-hydrolyzable substituent; b) a curing catalyst selected from Lewis bases and alkoxides of titanium, zirconium or aluminium; c) nanoscale particulate inorganic solids having a particle size in the range from 1 to 100 nm; and d) at least one organic monomer, oligomer or polymer containing at least one epoxide group.

Abstract: Method and an apparatus for determining the pathloss between a base transceiver station (BTS) and a mobile station (MS) in a mobile radio network. In detail, a signal carrier (BCCH) having a transmitting power (PTXAV) is transmitted by a first base transceiver station (BTS-1). Thereafter, said signal carrier (BCCH) transmitted by said first base transceiver station (BTS-1) is received by a mobile station (MS) spatially separated from said first base transceiver station (BTS-1), and the signal level (PTXAV) of the received signal carrier (BCCH) is detected by said mobile station (MS). Furthermore, the detected signal level (PTXAV) of said received signal carrier (BCCH) is transmitted to a second base transceiver station (BTS-2) of a neighboring cell. In addition, the detected signal level (PTXAV) of said signal carrier (BCCH) received by said mobile station (MS) is compared with the transmitting power (PTXAV) of said signal carrier (BCCH) transmitted by said first base transceiver station (BTS-1).