Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that block the binding of fibronectin protein to fibronectin. Also disclosed are site specifically-mutated and truncated peptide epitopes derived from the fnbA and fnbB genes of Staphylococcus aureus, the fnba and fnbB genes of Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and the sfb gene of Streptococcus pyogenes, and nucleic acid segments encoding these peptides and epitopes. The anti-(fibronectin binding site) antibodies, peptides and epitopes that give rise to antibodies that block the binding of fibronectin binding proteins to fibronectin, and DNA segments encoding these proteins and are of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of streptococcal and staphylococcal colonization in animals or humans. These. DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are proposed to be of use directly in the preparation of vaccines and also for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations.

Abstract: The calcium carbonate particles of the present invention are coated on their surface with (1) a fatty acid mixture comprising (1A) at least one of saturated fatty acids and salts thereof and (1B) at least one of unsaturated fatty acids and salts thereof, the (1A):(1B) weight ratio being in the range of 30:70 to 70:30, and (2) an organic compound such as a phthalic ester. The calcium carbonate particles of the invention easily disperse in the resin and other components that constitute an adhesive composition, and impart excellent viscosity stability and highly improved adhesion to the resulting adhesive.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the wavelength of a sample source of light, the apparatus having a reference light source of known wavelength, a collimator for collimating light from the sample source and from the reference source, a dispersing means for receiving and spatially dispersing collimated light from the collimator according to wavelength, focusing means for focusing dispersed light from the dispersing means, and a photodetector located in the focal plane of the focusing means and having an aperture for spatially selectively admitting light from the focusing means, and operable to provide a temporally calibratable output signal indicative of the wavelength of the selectively admitted light, wherein the apparatus is operable to scan the focused spatially dispersed beam across the aperture, and the photodetector output includes resolvable features corresponding to light from the reference source and sample source, whereby a time difference between the features is indicati

Abstract: Multilayer hollow body made of plastic, especially a fuel tank, having at least two molded multilayer parts welded together to form a multilayer hollow body having a hollow portion formed by a multilayer wall, each of the multilayer parts comprising at least one thermoplastic non-barrier layer and at least one barrier layer which may be comprised of a liquid-crystal polymer (LCP).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system with electronic control devices for blending of Chinese herbal medicine. The system includes a container consisting of a multiplicity of cases having units for storing a series of bags packed with specified concentrated medicinal herbal particles; a taking device for getting certain amount of the said bags from the specified units according to the computer instruction; a guide device for guiding the bags to the conveyor belt; a warning and pilot device for warning of running short and wrong filling the medicine. With such kind of method and system, the packed Chinese herbal medicine can be offered easy for carrying and convenient for serving. With the warning and pilot device, missing or wrong-filling of medicine can be avoided, and the reliability and safety are greatly improved.

Abstract: A method for convolutive encoding process and transmission by packets of a digital data series in which a set of successive n=K−1 bits are discriminated to form a current word of n bits. A stable starting binary value for the convolution encoding is defined and the current word is subjected to a convolutive encoding of depth K, at each bit value i(k) corresponding thus an encoded symbol S(k)={a(k);b(k)}. A packet of encoded symbols is formed by concatenating the encoded symbols and the stable constraint value is assigned to the convolutive encoding at the packet end. An encapsulation message the packet of encoded symbols is generated and the encapsulation message and packet of encoded symbols are transmitted in the same message for decoding and use. Decoding of the encoded symbols takes place in relation to the encapsulation message value and packet of encoded symbols length.

Abstract: Turbine for flowing fluid, especially a turbine having a vertical power output shaft and formed with several wings projecting radially out from the power output shaft, which wings are rotatable over an angle of about 90° about horizontal shafts extending closely adjacent and along the trailing edge of the wing as seen in the flow direction, so that the wings, in an operative, first position, are positioned at right angle to the flowing fluid and in a second, non-operative position, are located horizontally or nearly horizontally and on plane with the flowing fluid. Each wing is formed with a fin portion for catching, at a very early stage of an operation cycle, flow medium passing by and to thereby initiate a pressing down of the wing to a portion at right angle to the flow medium for, as far as possible, maintaining the flow medium against the wing during the active moving path thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roaming service system in a CDMA service area for GSM service subscribers, which comprises a CDMA system comprising a CDMA HLR storing information on subscribers' locations and services, a CDMA MSC connected to the CDMA HLR and accessing calls, and a CDMA terminal wirelessly connected to the CDMA MSC and capable of having a SIM card removably installed therein; a GSM system comprising a GSM HLR storing information on the subscribers' locations and services, a GSM MSC connected to the GSM HLR and accessing calls, an authentication center (AuC) connected to a GSM network and authenticating terminals, and a GSM terminal wirelessly connected to the GSM MSC; and an IRGS connected between the CDMA system and the GSM system and converting signals to execute signal communications between the systems, and when a subscriber of a service provided by the GSM system moves to an area in which the subscriber can use the service provided by the CDMA system and installs the subscriber's SIM card

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for treating waste water in a reactor in order to remove contaminants, including: mixing the waste water with a biomass, the biomass for consuming a quantity of the contaminants or adsorbing the contaminants; dosing the waste water with a micronized zeolitic material; mixing the zeolitic material with the biomass; allowing solids to settle from the waste water; and discharging resultant effluent, wherein a significant portion of the micronized zeolite material has a grain size less than or equal to 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The method implements mobile terminals and an operating infrastructure having at least one call center, each portable terminal being given a credit of telephone charging units that is determined before said terminals are purchased, and each having means for calling a single call center. On the first occasion a call is made from a terminal, the terminal transmits an identifier to the single call center and the call center transmits a temporary subscriber number to the terminal, thereby enabling said terminal to be called via the network, and said number is stored in the call center.

Abstract: Isolated extracellular matrix-binding proteins, designated ClfB, SdrC, SdrD and SdrE, and their corresponding amino acid and nucleic acid sequences and motifs are described. The proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection and as scientific research tools. Further, antibodies or antibody fragments to the proteins, peptides, fragments thereof or antigenic portions thereof are also useful for the prevention, inhibition, treatment and diagnosis of S. aureus infection. In particular, the proteins or antibodies thereof may be administered to wounds or used to coat biomaterials to act as blocking agents to prevent or inhibit the binding of S. aureus to wounds or biomaterials. ClfB is a cell-wall associated protein having a predicted molecular weight of approximately 88 kDa and an apparent molecular weight of approximately 124 kDa, which binds both soluble and immobilized fibrinogen.

Abstract: A piston device for dispensing controlled amounts of pasty substances, such as ice creams, that is connectable to the freezing chamber of an ice cream making machine.

Abstract: At least one restriction (R) of the terminal part of the fluid mixture delivery channel (20) is introduced upstream of each bifurcation (B), preferably at the branching point of the said bifurcation, this restriction having the function of recompacting the said mixture on the mid-line of the said bifurcation, in such a way that the distribution of the said mixture can be carried out in an equal way in the two following channels. The aforesaid restriction also has the function of progressively calibrating the pressures in the fluid mixture transport circuits, in such a way that identical quantities and qualities of mixture reach the various outlet holes (10), even when the transport channels (1000) are made with sufficiently large dimensions to ensure that the quantity of air required for effective spraying of the transported detergent liquid reaches the final outlet holes (10).

Abstract: An adjuvant for vaccines comprising lecithin and a polymer, whereby the polymer is preferably polyacrylic acid.

Abstract: A neutron radiation installation for treatment of different types of cancer tumours, comprising a source of neutrons (11), like a nuclear reactor or an accelerator dependent source of radiation, a conventional filter (14) for reducing the radiation energy to a suitable level for radiation treatment of cancer tumours, having low energetic neutron beams of an energy of between 1 eV and 40 keV, or preferably between 1 keV and 20 keV, and a radiation tube (22) out of which radiation beams are emitted towards a patient (10) having a cancer tumour (23), whereby an optimum radiation is obtained at a distance of between 50 and 100 cm from the output surface of the conventional filter (14), and in which the installation comprises an additional radiation filter (21) mounted between the conventional filter (14) and the output of the radiation tube, which additional filter is of a material which filters off neutrons in the epithermic spectrum from low energetic neutron beams up to an energy of about 1 keV, in particular

Abstract: A respiration assistor (10) for use in an anaesthesia breathing system. The respiration assistor is intended to provide respiratory assistance for a patient (14) who is breathing spontaneously under anaesthesia in order that the patient's end-expired CO2 will be maintained at or near the normal physiological level. For this purpose, the respiration assistor incorporates a blower (15) which is located in series with a gas flow detector (20 or 39) and an electric control circuit (19) is provided for activating the blower (15) when inspired gas flow is detected by the detector (20 or 39). Also, the respiration assistor incorporates an expiratory valve (23) that is actuated to a closed condition when the blower is activated.

Abstract: A golfer training device (50) is disclosed. The device (50) includes a first strap (52) which is fastened around a golfer's leg above the knee (36). A second strap (14) is fastened just above the ankle (38) and below the calf muscle of the same leg. A third strap (16) is joined to and interconnects both the first and second straps (52, 14), and runs vertically up behind the leg to a type of quick-release adjusting clasp (70). All three straps are made of a substantially inextensible, flexible material. The length of the third strap (16) can be shortened by pulling on an adjusting strap (30), thereby causing the leg to bend at the knee (36). A tube (64) behind the golfer's knee (36) ensures that there is also a horizontal pull on strap (52), which helps to securely hold strap (52) in place and prevent it from slipping down the leg.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting and sorting flowers or other stem-shaped or elongate products with a conveyor provided with arm-fork units which are moved along a transport path in a substantially horizontal plane. In one form, the method includes taking over a substantially vertically hanging flower from a take-over position with a fork at the end of the arm-fork unit remote from the conveyor. The flowers are transported along the transport path, with the arm-fork unit in a transport position, to an apparatus for bunching the transported flowers with generally several bunching stations. The transporting takes place in the plane along at least one detector for detecting at least one respective flower characteristic, whereby detection signals are obtained. The detection signals are processed in a processing unit into corresponding selection signals.