Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a new approach for the therapy of allergic responses, based on targeted elimination of cells expressing the Fc?RI receptor by a chimeric cytotoxin Fc2?-3-PE40. A sequence encoding amino acids 301-437 of the Fc region of the mouse IgE molecule was genetically fused to PE40—a truncated form of PE lacking the cell binding domain. The chimeric protein, produced in E. coli, specifically and efficiently kills mouse mast cell lines expressing the Fc?RI receptor, as well as primary mast cells derived from bone marrow. The present invention provides a chimeric protein for targeted elimination of Fc?RI expressing cells especially useful for the therapy of allergic responses. The said chimeric protein is comprised of a cell targeting moiety for Fc?RI expressing cells and a cell killing moiety. The preferred killing moiety is the bacterial toxin Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). This Pseudomonas exotoxin is a product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin film electrochemical apparatus is disclosed. A near net shape ceramic element is molded including a planar base region and a plurality of tubular regions. The planar base region is infiltrated with a non-conductive material. Each of the tubular regions is infiltrated with a porous conductive material. A porous catalytic electrode material is applied onto the infiltrated regions to form one of a cathodic and anodic surface. A ceramic electrolyte coating is deposited onto the porous catalytic electrode material. A porous catalytic electrode material is applied onto the deposited ceramic electrolyte coating. A porous conductive material is deposited onto the porous catalytic electrode to form the other of the cathodic and anodic surface.

Abstract: Variable capacitive device, such as a capacitor, controllable in voltage Vc including at least one first armature (L) and one second armature (R), the armatures being separated by an insulation layer (D) including several conducting aggregates separated from each other. The use of the capacitor according to the invention in a resonant circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to low-frequency underwater detection systems comprising a towed linear antenna (12, 13). It consists in producing the transducers of the transmission antenna (12) in the form of flextensional arrays of cylindrical type (20) and in forming directional transmission channels covering all of space. It makes it possible to lighten the assembly and to facilitate implementation at sea, which becomes able to be automated.

Abstract: A processor, bar code scanner, and a smart card interface at a checkout stand track customer purchase habits. The smart card includes memory storing accumulated values in each of several profit categories and a second processor for executing instructions. The first processor transfers data to and from the smart card. The smart card, while coupled to the first processor, transfers stored category values containing accumulated purchase values in each of different profit margin ranges stored to the first processor. The first processor responds to the bar code scanner to retrieve profit margin data for a purchased product carrying the bar code read by the bar code scanner. The first processor adds the retrieved profit margin data and the accumulated profit margin data transferred from the smart card to the first processor for the profit margin category that is the same as the profit margin category of the purchased product.

Abstract: A control unit (3) for controlling an electric household appliance, e.g. a refrigerator, is connected in series with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistive unit (4) which, when supplied with electric current, generates sufficient heat to activate a thermally activated actuating element (6) for selectively turning on/off respective auxiliary switches (9) of the electric household appliance. The thermally activated actuating element (6) includes a temperature-deformable element (7), e.g. a bimetallic plate, the deformation of which is transmitted by kinematic links (10) to a camshaft (8), the cams (12) of which cooperate with the auxiliary switches (9) of the electric household appliance to selectively turn on/off the auxiliary switches (9).

Abstract: A precise 3D position-finding system and method comprises at least the following elements: a set of beacons working on the basis of differential global positioning satellites (DGPS), the beacons being connected to one another and temporally synchronized, spread-spectrum radio means between the members of the network whose position is to be located and said beacons, and a computation station. The computation station is provided with a processor adapted to finding the position of one or more elements from a list of direct paths and/or multiple paths with the time and direction of arrival of each of the direct paths and/or multiple paths, and from the position of the beacons and in taking account of data that represents obstacles.

Abstract: A hinge for a vehicle lid includes a main biasing element operable to urge the hinge into an open position, and a mechanism for assisting the initial opening of the hinge from a closed position. The mechanism includes a rotary cam engagable with another portion of the hinge to provide assistance, and a further biasing element which acts on the cam to rotate it relative to the other portion of the hinge. A lifting aid includes a main biasing element for attachment between a lid and a body, which lid is pivotally moveable towards and away from the body. The main biasing element is operable to urge the lid from a closed position relative to the body to an open position. The lifting aid further has a cam attachable to the body for relative rotation thereto and a further biasing element for attachment between the body and the cam and operable to rotate the cam relative to the body and lid. The cam is operable to assist the initial opening of the lid.

Abstract: Compressed gas canister (1?) intended to supply gas to a fastening appliance (2) that runs on compressed gas, includes a protective edge (12) forming a bowl inside which an ejection valve (16) having a bearing and displacement surface (26) is mounted so that it can move in translation between a position of rest and a gas-ejection position. The ejection valve (16) is mounted, inside a seal (3?), set back from the edge (15) of the bowl. The bearing surface (26) of the valve (16) does not protrude beyond the edge (15) of the bowl in the position of rest and is set back from the surface (30) facing towards the outside of the seal (3?, 23) in the gas-ejection position.

Abstract: A ring allowing a longer length of an arm attached to a ring main body is provided. The tilted ring is tiltingly attached to the ring main body. The tilted ring is in an ellipse shape, and the major axis of the ellipse projected on the plane where the ring main body exists is longer than the diameter of the ring main body. Thus, if the ring main body is worn on the finger on which a wedding ring or the like is already worn, the tilted ring does not interfere with the wedding ring. Thus, since the tilted ring can extend downward in addition to upward of the ring main body, the tilted ring can be longer, and the esthetic appearance increases.

Abstract: A radar comprising transmitter means for generating bursts of radar pulses, each scan of a radar consisting of a number (Nb) of bursts, the method comprises, for each scan k: a first step, in which a radar cell is pre-selected in a validation gate; a second step, in which a Track-Before-Detect processing is initialized upon the pre-selected cells, using a track filter to construct the validation gate associated to the next scan k+1; the steps being repeated scan to scan. The invention can be applied to surveillance radars, for example with multi-beamforming in elevation, and more generally to all kinds of radars.

Abstract: An anti-static hard coat film is easy to manufacture, has a high total light transmission, achieves favorable viewability for displayed images, and has a superior balance between an anti-static effect and a resistance to scratch. A hard coat layer made of an ionizing radiation-curable resin and an anti-static layer, which is about 0.03 to 2 ?m thick and is made of ionizing radiation-curable resin that includes anti-static particles with an average particle diameter of about 0.01 to 2 ?m, are formed in order on a base film, and the Taber abrasion resistance is set at 25 or below as measured in accordance with JIS K5400.

Abstract: The invention concerns panoramic audio devices to process the impulsive signals received by passive sonars. It consists in isolating, in each beam, impulsive signals in the frequency and time domains and then filtering them according to the characteristics of the human ear. All left and right signals are then summed in order to be listened to in a headset. It allows rapid processing of impulsive signals.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus and methods for monitoring the reaction of people to a performance use two or more monitoring devices of different types. Output signals from the monitoring devices are combined to produce at least one crowd reaction signal indicative of the reaction of those people to the performance. Particularly appropriate types of monitoring device are described, as is automatic performance generating apparatus, such an automatic DJ, adapted to use crowd reaction signals to modify performances.

Abstract: A method for removing acidic gases from waste gases is disclosed. The invention relates to a method for removing acid gases, in particular from SO2 and NOx, by contacting the waste gas with an emulsion of water in organic sulfoxides, in particular of water in oil-derived-sulfoxides. The organic sulfoxide phase can be regenerated after the emulsion is loaded with polluants, by letting the emulsion to settle down and separate into two phases. The aqueous phase obtained after the separation contains sulfate and nitrate ions which can be collected and used as valuable chemicals.

Abstract: The inventive photoreactive device has a semiconductor and an oxidation-reduction material. The semiconductor has a conduction band with a potential and being capable of producing electrons under the irradiation of light on the semiconductor. The oxidation-reduction material has a redox potential being positive compared with the potential of the conduction band. The semiconductor supplies electrons into the oxidation-reduction material to reduce it under the irradiation of light for storing the electrons. The stored electrons are discharged from the oxidation-reduction material into a metal material to prevent the corrosion of the metal material.

Abstract: The invention relates to acoustic transducers which comprise a ceramic ring formed from a pre-stressed set of segments. It consists in using, as screws for tightening pre-stressing wedges, screws with hexagonal heads and in placing on the inner face of these wedges a plate provided with recesses in which the cants of these screw heads become anchored. This plate comprises transverse channels allowing the passage of the power supply wires for the sectors. The central screw is removed after the desired pre-stressing has been obtained. It makes it possible to improve the manufacture of these transducers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for fast finding the best resolution of an optical scanning device during assembling steps. The present invention improves the graphics of the calibration device. Accompanying with calculation of an adjustment device, the present invention generates a referencing parameters. The parameters represent the resolution of the optical scanning device; and further is able to show the balance of horizontal resolution and the balance of vertical resolution. In this case, technicians can optimize the best position of the lens in order to build an optical scanning with precision and narrow the misalignment during assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is an air conditioner housing for automobiles and air conditioner using the same. The air conditioner housing includes a housing body having evaporator and heater core accommodating spaces. Upper and lower air passages are defined by partitioning the inner air passage of the housing body. A front foot vent is formed at the air outlet end of the lower air passage, and defrosting and face vents are formed at the air outlet end of the upper air passage. A front air passage is formed by a guide wall slantingly upwardly extended to partition the space behind the heater core accommodating space, and a rear air passage is formed behind the guide wall to communicate with the upper and lower air passages. A combined door of foot and combination door is positioned on a boundary of the rear air passage and the lower air passage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a structure for coupling a plug connector to a receptacle connector by simply pushing the plug connector to lock into place on a receptacle connector and pull the coupling nut to release. Although the action of the push to lock and pull to release is not unique to the connector industry, the present invention is unique in that the plug and receptacle connectors are locked from relative circumferential motion or axial motion to each other when coupled. The connector in a locked mated condition prevents relative motion during high shock and vibration applications. This is achieved by making surface contact between the plug connector and the receptacle connector with a considerable force.