Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a library of template polynucleotides and use thereof in methods of solid-phase nucleic acid amplification. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for preparing a library of template polynucleotides that have common sequences at their 5? ends and at their 3? ends.

Abstract: A substantially white powder for use as a filler and/or extender derived from by-products of manufacturing vitreous low alkali, low iron glass fibers, and a method for producing the powder. The filler has very low alkalinity and by virtue of its being essentially free of crystalline silica is non-hazardous to health and therefore safe for consumer-based and industrial-based uses.

Abstract: A process of producing 99% plus titanium dioxide product by using conventional and microwave heating and leaching of the titanium compound feedstock using acid and oxidants. The solid residue from the leaching is used to produce the high quality titanium oxide by froth flotation. Hydrochloric acid can be recovered by multi-stage evaporation. The process can be modified to produce nano-size titanium dioxide product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sunflower seeds which have been genetically modified through two artificial induction cycles of mutations followed in each case by processes for the identification of mutant individuals which have the desired character. The disclosed seeds are characterised in that they contain between 26% and 80% of the tocopherols as delta-tocopherol. This high delta-tocopherol production is determined by the genotype of the seeds which have been modified to this effect, and is always obtained independently of the culture conditions, thereby obtaining an inheritable character. Today, sunflower seeds producing such high levels of delta-tocopherol do not exist. Genetically modified sunflower plants which produce through self-fertilization seeds with high delta-tocopherol levels and the oil with high natural delta-tocopherol concentration, extracted from the seeds, are also objectives of the present invention.

Abstract: This process applies to a number of user kits (A, B, . . . X) and a head-end kit (1) communicating over the electricity network (2) using an upstream channel and a downstream channel. In essence, the process comprises accessing by multiple user kits (A, B, . . . X) in the upstream channel and the sending of multiple information frames by the head-end (1) in the downstream channel simultaneously applying OFDMA/TDMA/CDMA multiplexing and dynamically assigning each carrier so as to maximize transmission capacity in both the upstream and downstream channels. In turn, the process allows the adjustment of the quality of service according to the type of information and the user that requires the transmission and the dynamic allocation of bandwidth through constantly calculating the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition of matter comprising novel prostaglandin E2 receptor antagonists, and their use in treatments for regulating the fluid filtration in the kidney, preventing bone mineral loss in osteoporosis and dental disease and additionally, closure of ductus arteriosus (DA) in premature infants or fetal animals. Additionally, the compositions include linear peptides, peptide analogs, and peptidomimetics.

Abstract: The system in this invention is applicable to bi-directional communication over the electricity network between a head-end and a plurality of users, and permits the synchronization in time and frequency of multiple users in a multi-carrier OFDM communication system. It is characterized in that it consists of the generation of synchronization sequences by means of two identical synchronization symbols, periodically transmitted in the downstream, from the head-end to the users to estimate and correct the sampling frequency and simultaneously estimate the moment in which each OFDM symbol commences.

Abstract: Sealing device for the flap track for the flap-actuating shaft, in the belly fairing of an aircraft, with a top hollow body 1 and a bottom hollow body 7 which are flexibly compressible, each comprising at least one interior chamber 2, 8 with open sides 2a, 2b, a wall 3, 9 with respective external contact surfaces 3a which are in flexible contact with each other, the outer surfaces 4a, 10a of the front walls 4, 10 of the hollow bodies 1, 7 jointly forming an outer sealing surface 11 which covers the flap track 19, said hollow bodies 1,7 having jointly a vertical compression flexibility such that the contact surfaces 3a, 9a retract around the actuating shaft 20, the interior chambers 2, 8 extending between the front walls 4, 10 and rear walls 5, 11 of the hollow bodies 2, 7.

Abstract: A catalytic testing device comprising a reaction block comprising a set of reaction chambers, each chamber comprising a fluid inlet and outlet connected to an outgoing fluid duct connected to analysis means, fluid feed means capable of performing regulated dosing of flows of the fluid at the required pressure independently in each of the reaction chambers, automatic and dynamic pressure control means, capable of performing pressure regulation in each reaction chamber, which comprise a non-return valve in the outgoing fluid duct between the outlets of the reaction chambers and a common regulating tank that receives the outgoing fluid from the chambers, a pressure sensor provided in a first outlet duct and an automatic needle valve provided in a second outlet duct from the tank.

Abstract: Compositions useful in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and for bone and fracture repair. Slow-releasing calcium phosphate-based materials are disclosed, incorporating Mg, Zn, F and carbonate, which will promote bone formation and inhibit bone resorption and thus be agents for the cited uses.

Abstract: A detector assembly (10) powered by mains electricity and an elongate backup battery (76) is disclosed. The assembly includes: a ceiling mountable base (10) having a body defining a downwardly opening socket (24); a detector module (20) having a battery support portion (75) for holding the battery (76) in a vertical orientation, the module (20) receivable by the socket (24); a quick connection means for mechanically and electrically connecting the module (20) to the base (10); and shutter (50) mounted to the base (10). The shutter (50) prevents operation of the quick connection means when no vertical battery (76) is installed within the module (20). The quick connection means comprises co-operable pairs of conductors. The conductor pairs transmit power from the base (10) to the module (20). The pairs of conductors each comprise a stud conductor mounted to the base (10) and a forked conductor mounted to the module (20).

Abstract: A cord having two electrodes for generating a shark-repelling electromagnetic field about a user. The cord is connected to a field generator supported by the user, and in use, maintains contact with surrounding water, even if the user is out of the water.

Abstract: A games table such as a billiards table (1) has an upper support pad (7) on each leg (3, 4) and a planar glass playing surface (9) supported on the support pads. Pockets (11) are formed around the periphery of the playing surface and cushions (13) are positioned around the periphery of the playing surface. The cushions are fastened to the playing surface. A transparent liquid or gel layer (42) is provided on the playing surface with a flexible transparent liquid impervious material (44) over the liquid gel to provide a rolling resistance and sound deadening on the surface of the table. A laminate (27) for use as a ball playing surface which provides rolling resistance is also provided.

Abstract: A test unit for the study of catalysts in short contact time reactions between a catalyst and at least one reagent, with a down transported flow reactor (4), with a load inlet (13, 13a, 13b) and a discharge outlet (14) linked with an admission inlet (15) to an upper chamber (39) of a separator (5) internally divided into an upper chamber (39) and a lower chamber (41) by a porous element (40) that is permeable to gases and impermeable to solid particles of catalyst, and a first preheater (1) provided with an outlet (2, 2a) connected with the inlet (13, 13a, 13b) of the reactor (4) via a load duct (42) in such a way that arranged between the outlet (2, 2a) and the load inlet (13, 13a, 13b) are some obturator means (3, 3a) in which the catalyst is heated to a desired temperature before they are loaded into the reactor (4).

Abstract: HNF-4 (hepatocyte nuclear factor 4) is a protein enriched in liver extracts that binds to sites required for the transcription of the transthyretin (TTR) and apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) genes (Costa et al., 1989; Costa et al., 1990; Leff et al., 1989). We have purified HNF-4 protein (54 kD) and isolated a cDNA clone encoding the protein. HNF-4 is a member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily with an unusual amino acid in the conserved “knuckle” of the first zinc finger (DGCKG). This and the fact that HNF-4 does not bind significantly to estrogen, thyroid hormone or glucocorticoid response elements indicate that HNF-4 may represent a new subfamily. HNF-4 binds to its recognition site as a dimer and activates transcription in a sequence-specific fashion in nonhepatic (HeLa) cells. HNF-4 mRNA is present in kidney and intestine as well as liver but is absent in other tissues.

Abstract: Critical current densities of internal tin wire to the range of 3000 A/mm2 at temperature of 4.2 K and in magnetic field 12 T are achieved by controlling the following parameters in a distributed barrier subelement design: wt % Sn in bronze; atomic Nb:Sn; local area ratio; reactable barrier; barrier thickness relative to the filament thickness; additions of a dopant such as Ti or Ta to the Nb3Sn; and the design for restacking and wire reduction to control the maximum filament diameter at the subsequent heat reaction stage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for determining the identity of one or more mutations or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a genome, comprising: a contacting a sample genome, under conditions which permit template dependant oligonucleotide ligation, with a plurality of different oligonucleotide molecules which comprise (i) a first set of oligonucleotides each comprising a sequence of nucleotides that is complementary to a region on said genome that includes a known SNP site and which oligonucleotides are complementary to said region other than at a base at or near the 5? end of said oligonucleotides that is to be tested for complementarity to a base at the SNP site, each of said oligonucleotides comprising a unique label to identify both the base to be tested and the position of the SNP to be scored, (ii) a second set of oligonucleotides each comprising a sequence of nucleotides complementary to a region on said target genome for hybridisation with said target genome adjacent the 5? end of an oligonucleot

Abstract: A composition and method for producing interconnective macroporous, resorbable and injectable calcium phosphate-based cements (MICPCs). The composition of the invention sets to poorly crystalline apatitic calcium phosphate after mixing a powder component and an aqueous solution. The multiphasic calcium phosphate components in the cement resorb at different rates allowing the timely replacement by new bone. The interconnected macroporosity in the cement allows for vascularization, entrapment of growth factors, cell colonization and tissue ingrowth. This MICPC can be used for dental and medical applications relating to bone repair, augmentation, reconstruction, regeneration, and osteoporosis treatment, and also for drug delivery, and as scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Abstract: A method for treating a glycolipid storage-related disorder, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of glycolipid synthesis in combination with an agent capable of increasing the rate of glycolipid degradation or in combination with bone marrow transplantation. Inhibitors of glycolipid synthesis include N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NB-DNJ), N-butyldeoxygalactonojirimycin (NB-DGJ) or N-nonyldeoxynojirimycin (NN-DNJ). Glycolipid storage-related disorders include Gaucher disease, Sandhoff's disease, Fabry's disease, Tay-Sach's disease, Niemann-Pick C storage disease, GM1 gangliosidosis, genetic disorders in which neuronal glycolipid accumulation contributes to disease pathology.

Abstract: Receptor recognition factors exist that recognizes the specific cell receptor to which a specific ligand has been bound, and that may thereby signal and/or initiate the binding of the transcription factor to the DNA site. The receptor recognition factor is in one instance, a part of a transcription factor, and also may interact with other transcription factors to cause them to activate and travel to the nucleus for DNA binding. The receptor recognition factor appears to be second-messenger-independent in its activity, as overt perturbations in second messenger concentrations are of no effect. The concept of the invention is illustrated by the results of studies conducted With interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene transcription, and particularly, the activation caused by both IFN? and IFN?. Specific DNA and amino acid sequences for various human and murine receptor recognition factors are provided, as are polypeptide fragments of two of the ISGF-3 genes, and antibodies have also been prepared and tested.