Abstract: Signal transmission apparatus for use, for example, in a passive sensor system such as an in-vehicle tyre pressure sensing system, comprises transmitter circuitry and receiver circuitry coupled together by a coupling, preferably a wireless coupling such as two opposed plate-form antennae. The transmitter circuitry includes a resonator having at least one component whose value influences a natural resonant frequency of the resonator and can be changed in use of the circuitry. The effective value is changed, for example, by a physical parameter being sensed or by a control signal to be transmitted. The receiver circuitry includes a driver section for applying to the resonator an excitation signal having a predetermined excitation frequency that is different from the natural resonant frequency. The transmitter circuitry preferably derives its power supply from the excitation signal via a rectifier circuit. The receiver circuitry detects such a change in the effective value via the coupling.

Abstract: This invention relates to (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-amino-5-methylpiperidine-3,4-diol or a (2S,3S,4R,5R)-2-N-substituted-2-amino-5-methylpiperidine-3,4-diol represented by the general formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 each are a hydrogen atom, or R1 is a hydrogen atom and R2 is a lower alkanoyl group or a lower &ohgr;-trihaloalkanoyl group, or R1 and R2 together denote phthaloyl group, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Said compound can be prepared from a (2S,3S,4R)-5-N-protected-2,3,4-O-tri-protected-5-aminopentane-1,2,3,4-tetraol by multi-steps of reactions.

Abstract: An adhesive composition which is switchable under irradiation to change from a tacky to a less tacky state which includes a switchable polymer. The polymer comprises a backbone polymeric moiety bound to a plurality of curable moieties, each of which comprises a free-radically active group and has an amine functionality. Also, the switchable polymer, processes for producing such polymers and compositions, and switchable adhesive articles comprising the adhesive compositions, such as light-switchable pressure sensitive adhesive dressings, and methods of using such articles.

Abstract: Wheeled personal mobility vehicles with extremely thin stowed profiles are provided, which in one embodiment, include a plurality of movable, collapsible wheel axle assemblies which are supported on a support frame and movable between an operative state where the wheels provide rolling support, and a collapsed state where the wheels are moved into the side elevational profile of the device. The embodiment provides for both integrated propulsion and steering linkage to the wheels when they are manually moved into their operative position, along with a collapsible steering mechanism, a support base and at least one collapsible seat. This embodiment may also provide for pedal power, battery, fuel cell or motive power as well as remote control operation.

Abstract: For displaying a selected zone of images belonging to a sequence of video images, each in the form of a matrix of pixels, on a display unit, a signal is generated by a fixed large-field camera having a definition that is greater than that of the display unit. A TV user or an operator at a control station selects a zone of format corresponding to that of the display unit in a field of view of the camera. The pixels of a modified image having the size and definition of the display unit are generated by interpolation from the pixels in the selected zone of the image supplied by the large-field camera. A device for implementing the method includes a module for warping the selected zone by operations of interpolation and resampling.

Abstract: A device for the formation and delivery of a mixture, notably a surgical adhesive, consisting of a receptacle adapted for easy handling by the surgeon, and including the means of receiving two syringe barrels containing the constituents of the mixture, the means of simultaneously expelling the contents, the means of maintaining the contents of syringe containing the first constituent, at a predetermined temperature setting which is higher than body temperature, and a mixer simultaneously receiving the contents of the two syringes, and the mixer also being used for cooling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst obtained by deposition of a zeolite of TS-1 type on an inert honeycomb-shaped support which can be used in liquid-phase reactions for the epoxidation of olefins under the action of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A device is provided for producing a distributed wave winding. To improve the currently used method for producing a distributed wave winding the device provides for a relative indexing to be carried out between a template and a coil receiver after a first concentric coil group has been transferred from the template to the coil receiver. After this indexing, a further concentric coil group of the same phase, with a connection to the first coil group, is wound on the template and transferred to the coil receiver. The template and coil receiver rotate synchronously during the winding of the further coil group.

Abstract: Strain of Lactobacillus useful as probiotics in food and naturopathic medicines and which is resistant in vitro against hydrochloric acid and gastric juices and tolerates bile salts without deconjugating them whereas strong assimilation is occurring and which has good survival at the passage through the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract and which strain is growing optimally at about 37° C., which strain is Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, which is a Gram-positive, homofermentative, rod-shaped bacterium capable of producing L-lactic acid and containing three plasmids having a size of 2.2, 4.36 and 9.1 Kb, respectively. The invention also relates to a composition containing the strain and a product consisting of or containing a concentrate of the strain.

Abstract: On the basis of a first repertoire of genes coding for a population of one of two kinds of polypeptides capable of being combined, particularly an antibody light chain variable region, and at least one gene, and preferably a second repertoire coding for the other kind of polypeptide, particularly an antibody heavy chain variable region, the genes from the first repertoire are inserted into a first vector to form a vector population and the genes from the second repertoire are inserted into a second vector, at least one of said vectors being a recipient for the expression of both genes as polypeptides irreversibly combined with the outer surface of the product of said vector.

Abstract: Valve for the control of large-section flows with high operating frequency, and in particular for compressors or the like, comprising a flow aperture (102; 106) and a closure device (3; 8), said flow aperture comprising one or more orifices (102; 106) formed on a fixed body (2; 6) cooperating with said closure device (3; 8) and introduced into the flow channel (1), said closure device (3; 8) rotating with respect to an axis perpendicular to the plane on which said fixed body (2; 6) lies, and being equipped with driving means (5); said closure device (3; 8) is equipped with at least a hollow (123; 138) on the surface facing said fixed body (2; 6) which houses an insert (113; 118), said insert being formed so as to be substantially complementary with said orifice (102; 106) of said fixed body (2; 6).

Abstract: A demountable drive mechanism for the landing gear of a semi-trailer, the landing gear including legs that are extendable and retractable by rotation of a drive shaft through a gear mechanism, the drive shaft being axially displaceable to change the ratio of the gear mechanism, the drive mechanism comprising an electric motor having an output shaft adapted to be coupled to the drive shaft of the landing gear assembly, the electric motor being coupled to the landing gear through a torque arm so that the electric motor can impart torque to the drive shaft, means to axially displace the drive shaft to change the gear ratio, and means to control operation of the electric motor and axial displacement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for detecting faults in the exterior surface of elongate material especially enamel coated wire (W). The apparatus (20) comprises an optical head (22) through which the material (W) passes, the optical head (22) including means (35) to emit light onto the material; means (45) to collect reflected light from the material and means to monitor changes in the reflected light to indicate the presence of faults. A computer (60) is used to record the faults, their characteristics and position on a length of the material.

Abstract: A rice pudding formulation which incorporates 2-16% dry weight parboiled medium grain rice which is processed by ultra-high temperature treatment of at least 230° F. for a time effective to produce sporecidal activity and to produce a rice pudding product which has a relatively-low level of microbiological activity and which is suitable for refrigerated distribution. The parboiled, medium grain rice is more tolerant to the high temperature and shear conditions of UHT processing. The rice maintains a soft texture for greater than 60 days of refrigerated storage in the finished rice pudding product.

Abstract: A bicomposite material based on collagen is prepared which has two closely bound layers and is biocompatible, non-toxic, hemostatic and biodegradable in less than a month, and can be used in surgery to achieve hemostasis and prevent post-surgical adhesion. To prepare the material, a solution of collagen or gelatin, which may contain glycerine and a hydrophilic additive such as polyethylene glycol or a polysaccharide, is poured onto an inert support to form a layer 30 &mgr;m to less than 100 &mgr;m thick. Then a polymeric porous fibrous layer is applied during gelling of the collagen or gelatin, and the resultant material is dried. The polymeric porous fibrous layer may be made of collagen or a polysaccharide, and have a density of not more than 75 mg/cm2, a pore size from 30 &mgr;m to 300 &mgr;m and a thickness of 0.2 cm to 1.5 cm.

Abstract: A method of recognizing holes and hole chains in a solid model of a part and suppressing at least some of these holes and hole chains in the solid model. In general, the method analyzes each face of a solid model to determine if it is a closed periodic face and, if so, it determines the partner faces of each of the two external loops of the closed periodic face. The closed periodic face is considered to be the shell of a hole and the partner faces are considered to be the end faces of the hole. Hole chains are recognized by determining holes that share an axis and an end loop and interaction of these hole chains is recognized by determining hole chains that share a common loop but have dissimilar axes. Suppression of the suppressible holes is completed by providing to the geometric kernel listings of interacting hole chains for deletion.

Abstract: A road gully or inspection cover assembly comprises an outer frame having an upstanding outer wall and integrally formed support structure extending inwardly of the lower regions of the outer wall over part at least of the peripheral extent of the outer wall, a first temporary inner frame for location within the outer frame, the outer frame and the first temporary inner frame co-operating to support a cover for the assembly in a first, lowermost position associated with the base course level of the road, and a second inner frame which, on removal of the first inner frame from within the outer frame, can be located within the outer frame to support the cover at a higher position associated with the wearing course level of the road.

Abstract: Using an inertial master box mounted on a carrier for measuring its movements with respect to a geographic frame of reference of fixed directions along three axes Xg, Yg, Zg, a measuring method provides for continuously measuring an orientation of a frame of reference Xm, Ym, Zm tied to the inertial master box. Positioning is provided by applying a sequence of cycles of eight inversions of the inertial master box while keeping the axis Ym in a direction parallel to the axis Yg. A first motor causes a gimbal to pivot on a first axle secured to the carrier, while a second motor causes the inertial master box to pivot about a second perpendicular axle secured to the gimbal. A processor calculates three attitude angles by running a first inertial navigation program of the strapdown type and controls the first and second motors by running a second program.

Abstract: A shaft coupling element for windscreen wipers that solves the problem entailed by the multiplicity of fastening device coupling elements and shafts by providing a universal device that allows the installation by the user, in a simple, easy and quick way. The universal device includes a central body, three transversal coupling bores of different dimensions set on the central area of the main body, two lateral bulges located at both lateral walls of the main body, two flexible adjustment pawls located transversally on the upper part of the main body, a slack reducing moving part located at the end of the main body (1) over which rests the windscreen wiper's shaft hook, two protuberances adjacent to the central hole and two moving locking bulges located at the end of the main body between which rests the windscreen wiper's shaft hook.