Abstract: An unlocked self-loading pistol and a conversion kit for modifying a locked self-loading pistol adapted for firing normal and powerful cartridges into an unlocked self-loading pistol capable of firing weak cartridges as well as normal and powerful cartridges is disclosed. The unlocked self-loading pistol includes a return spring which is closely surrounded on the outside by a sleeve composed of an elastomer material. The length of the elastomer sleeve corresponds approximately to the length of the compressed return spring. The sleeve absorbs a part of the movement energy of the breech and passes it on into the grip. The conversion kit can be used to convert a locked self-loading pistol into an unlocked self-loading pistol as stated above and vice versa. The disclosed conversion kit includes: an alternate barrel which does not come into locked engagement with the breech, the abovementioned elastomer sleeve, and, optionally, a substitute return spring.

Abstract: An applicator for a correction fluid includes a stem, an applicator tip including foam, and a flexor within the foam portion. The applicator preferably has a flexibility of at least 0.0005 inch of deflection per gram of force.

Abstract: The invention concerns gene banks and combinatorial derivatives thereof, prepared using phagemid- or phage-display in combination with type IIS restriction enzymes and cosmid packaging; their use for the isolation of ligands, including enzyme inhibitors, agonists and antagonists for receptors, competitive binding peptides to a defined target, diagnostic ligands for diseases and autoimmune syndromes, including surveillance tools for immune status, post-translationally modified peptides, and such ligands generated by this technology.

Abstract: A spark ignition motor fuel composition consisting essentially of: a hydrocarbon component containing one or more hydrocarbons selected from five to eight carbon atoms straight-chained or branched alkanes, wherein the hydrocarbon component has a minimum anti-knock index of 65 as measured by ASTM D-2699 and D-2700 and a maximum dry vapor pressure equivalent (DVPE) of 15 psi (one atmosphere (atm.)) as measured by ASTM D-5191; a fuel grade alcohol; and a co-solvent for the hydrocarbon component and the fuel grade alcohol; wherein the hydrocarbon component, the fuel grade alcohol and the co-solvent are present in amounts selected to provide a motor fuel with a minimum anti-knock index of 87 as measured by ASTM D-2699 and D-2700, and a maximum DVPE of 15 psi (1 atm.) as measured by ASTM D-5191, and wherein the fuel composition is essentially free of olefins, aromatics, and sulfur.

Abstract: A splash-blendable, solubilized diesel fuel composition includes a diesel fuel, ethanol, a stabilizing additive and, optionally, an alkyl ester of a fatty acid and/or a co-solvent. The stabilizing additive is either a mixture of fatty acid alcohols, a polymeric material, or a combination of the mixture and the polymeric material.

Abstract: During the treatment of biological tissues by high-frequency surgery, contaminants, in particular smoke, are produced. In the present invention a suction device for removal of the contaminants is controlled in such a way that it becomes active only when a voltage sufficient to ignite an arc exists at an applicator of the HF-surgery device, and/or an arc is burning between the applicator and the treatment region, and/or the treatment region reaches a temperature at which smoke can be produced.

Abstract: A urine collection device for women has a bowl with sides that bow inwardly to provide a comfortable fit while minimizing spillage. The bowl has an aperture through which urine can pass to a removable specimen jar. An elongated handle extends from the front of the bowl, and is provided with fingergrips on its bottom edge. The device can be molded from plastic, permitting it to be sanitized and reused.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool automatically collects and stores data indicative of a variability parameter, a mode parameter, a status parameter and a limit parameter associated with each of the different devices, loops or function blocks within a process control system, processes the collected data to determine which devices, loops or function blocks have problems that result in reduced performance of the process control system, displays a list of detected problems to an operator and then suggests the use of other, more specific diagnostic tools to further pinpoint or correct the problems. When the diagnostic tool recommends and executes a data intensive application as the further diagnostic tool, it automatically configures a controller of the process control network to collect the data needed for such a tool.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a formulation for the stabilization of an enzyme for storage at temperatures above freezing. Specifically, the invention involves the use of formulated excipients that when added to an enzyme or mixture of enzymes and subsequently lyophilized renders stability. Upon reconstitution, the stabilized materials are useful in assays, diagnostic or molecular biology research kits, and other biological applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleic acids, the novel polypeptide sequences encoded by these nucleic acids and uses thereof. These novel polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences were determined to be a novel Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist. Also provided are antibodies which bind the antagonist, methods of detecting the antagonist, and kits containing the antibodies.

Abstract: An open frame-type electronic frame in which the two sides are each formed of two separate corrugated channel members rigidly connected by a series of cross struts having specially configured bent tang ends and heavy duty offset weld joints.

Abstract: A rocker arm assembly for an engine is disclosed. The rocker arm assembly comprises a rocker shaft having a first side and a second side and a rocker arm pivotably disposed on the rocker shaft. The rocker arm comprises a first portion disposed on the first side of the rocker shaft for receiving a force in a first direction from a brake actuator. The rocker arm further comprises a second portion disposed on the second side of the rocker shaft for engaging a valve in a second direction opposite the first direction. When the braking mode is desired, the brake actuator forces the first portion of the rocker arm in a first direction causing the rocker arm to transfer motion from the brake actuator to the exhaust valve or valves, thereby allowing exhaust to exit the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An ostomy faceplate for a two-piece appliance is disclosed in which the coupling ring is partially recessed into the wafer of the faceplate. The wafer includes a hydrocolloid-containing adhesive layer that is provided with a recess that receives a portion of the coupling ring, thereby resulting in a faceplate of distinctively low profile and enhanced conformability.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmitter having a tunable radio frequency signal generator and an amplifier coupled to the tunable radio frequency signal generator. An aerial is coupled to the amplifier and transmits the amplified radio frequency signal, which may then be received by various radio receivers. The aerial has an output voltage and an impedance. The impedance includes inductive and capacitive reactances. In order to maximize the output voltage of the aerial, an adjustable inductor is coupled to it. The adjustable inductor includes a pair of tuning coils with adjustable ferrite cores. A sampler measures the output voltage of the antenna. The sampled output voltage of the aerial is converted to a digital signal and then compared with a DC reference voltage produced by a processing unit in a comparator. The processing unit is coupled to the comparator and the adjustable inductor and receives the converted signal and analyses its amplitude.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of separating or distinguishing carbohydrate substances. More particularly the method includes using fluorescent labeling reagents which have a positive charge when bound to a carbohydrate, involves separating the labeled carbohydrate substances, such as by performing electrophoresis to cause differential migration of different labeled carbohydrate substances, or by isoelectric focusing in a pH gradient. The fluorescent labeling reagents are preferably cyanine dyes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preventing and/or reducing stress-induced gastric injury by administering an amount of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract effective to inhibit injury is administered to persons identified as among those with or at risk for such injury.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improving the primary energy metabolism of mammalian cell lines, in which by means of genetic engineering a structural gene for a cytoplasmic yeast pyruvate carboxylase is inserted into the mammalian cells and expressed.