Abstract: A method and a device for ventilation of a room with walls (11) and a ceiling (10), clean air being conducted at least to a portion of the room from the ceiling through a first air stream (12), and air being exhausted through first discharge openings (15) provided in the walls (11) of the room. Air contained in a second air stream (13) along at least one wall (11) is exhausted from the room through at least a second discharge opening (32) provided above the walls of the room outside of a designated work area in the room. The supplied is conducted towards a sloping flow director (20) arranged at the second exhaust opening (32).

Abstract: Cyano and carboxy derivatives of substituted styrenes are inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor &agr;, nuclear factor &kgr;B, and phosphodiesterase and can be used to combat cachexia, endotoxic shock, retrovirus replication, asthma, and inflammatory conditions. A typical embodiment is 3,3-bis-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile.

Abstract: Substituted 1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3-yl)isoindolines are useful in treating inflammation, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, and oncogenic or cancerous conditions in a mammal. Typical embodiments are 1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxopiperidin-3yl)4-aminoisoindoline and 1-oxo-2-(2,6-dioxo-3-methylpiperidin-3-yl)aminoisoindoline.

Abstract: In a packed column handling an easily polymerizing substance, the packing with which the column is stuffed is subjected to a water-repelling treatment or a wetting treatment to prevent the easily polymerizing substance in the packed column from polymerizing. By preventing the occurrence of a polymer, it is made possible to ensure continuous production of an easily polymerizing substance-containing solution and decrease the content of the easily polymerizing substance in the product and consequently improve the quality of the product.

Abstract: A method of assessment of bone conditions comprises acquiring of unilateral sequential ultrasonic measurements along the trajectory over the surface of an examined bone. The method utilizes measurements of a set of ultrasonic parameters from a plurality of ultrasonic transfucers moved along the tested bone surface. Measured parameters are displayed as profile graphs characterizing bone conditions. The set of measured and displayed ultrasonic parameters can include: velocity of a longitudinal wave; velocity of a flexural wave; attenuation of the longitudinal wave; attenuation of the flexural wave; frequency slope of attenuation of the longitudinal wave; frequency slope of attenuation of the flexural wave; changes of spectral characteristics of propagating the longitudinal wave; and changes of spectral characteristics of propagating the flexural wave.

Abstract: A method and device in accordance with the present invention enable detecting changes in mechanical and structural properties of the breast tissue that are indicative of breast cancer development. In one embodiment of the invention, an array of force sensors based on PVDF piezopolymer film, data acquisition circuit, and a microprocessor are mounted in a hand held pad. Detection of nodules is achieved by pressing the sensing pad onto the breast, oscillating it over regions under investigation, and analyzing spectral and phase characteristics of the signal from the sensors in the array. The device is able to objectively detect presence of suspicious lesions in the breast and provide a warning signal.

Abstract: A method for washing a spent solid catalyst is disclosed which is characterized by washing the solid catalyst used for the reaction of generating an esterified compound in a device packed with the solid catalyst, distilling the cleaning fluid in a distilling part, and circulating the fraction obtained by the distillation to an esterification reactor. According to this invention, the existing apparatus used during the process for the production of an esterified compound can be adopted without any modification, the water by-produced in the reaction for production an esterified compound and an alcohol as the raw material for esterification can be used as the cleaning fluid, and these effective components can be recovered from the cleaning fluid. Thus, the stimulation from the offensive odor and the volatile component which has heretofore posed a problem during the removal of the solid catalyst is eliminated and the safety in terms of heath and in terms of operation is secured.

Abstract: The present invention is a spine supporting system where a screw, with a head having an interior female thread, is attached to the spine. An interior bolt is temporarily held by the interior female threads of the outer cap, where the outer cap aligns the inner bolt with the interior female threads of the screw. The inner bolt attaches to the interior threads of the screw and the outer cap secures a support rod to the screw. The present invention allows the support rod to be secured to the screw in one step, using a single tool during an operation.

Abstract: Isoindolin-1-one and Isoindoline-1,3-dione substituted in the 2-position with a 2,6-dioxo-3-hydroxypiperidin-5-yl group, which may be further substituted in the 5-position with alkyl or halogeno, and in the 4-position with alkyl or a nitrogen-containing group are inhibitors of, and thus useful in the treatment of disease states mediated by, TNF&agr;. A typical embodiment is 2-(2,6-dioxo-3-hydroxy-5-fluoropiperidin-5-yl)-4-aminoisoindolin-1-one.

Abstract: Rolling apparatus for rolling of turf or grass surfaces including a mobile main frame (11) and one or more undercarriages (45, 46) attached to the main frame (11) wherein the or each undercarriage has one or more smoothing rollers (45A, 46A) and there is further provided a control (62) pivotally attached to the main frame (11) wherein the or each undercarriage is pivotally attached to the control such that, in use, the or each smoothing roller closely follows ground contours.

Abstract: A compound of the formula wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 are as defined herein, useful for the inhibition of inhibition of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs)and for treating conditions mediated by elevated levels of MMPs such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, periodontal disease, gingivitis, solid tumor growth and tumor invasion by secondary metastasis, corneal ulceration, dermal ulceration, epidermolysis bullosa, neural degeneration, multiple sclerosis and surgical wound healing.

Abstract: Aryl substituted phosphoryl derivatives of the formula In which Ar is phenyl, naphthyl, or pyridyl, Y is O or S, X1 is O, NR3, S, CR3R4, CR3W1 or CW1W2, X2 and X6 are a bond or X6 is CH2 and X2 is O, NR3, S, CR3R4, CR3W1 or CW1W2, R3 and R4 are H, alkyl or phenyl, groups, W1 and W2 are heteroatoms, X3 is alkylene, X4 is oxygen or CH2, X5 is a bond or CH2, Z is O, NR5, S, alkyl or phenyl, R5 is H, alkyl or phenyl, J is H, alkyl, phenyl, or a heterocyclic or polycyclic group, Q is O, NR6, S, CR6R7, CR6W3 or CW3W4, R6 and R7 are H, alkyl, or phenyl, and W3 and W4 are hetero atoms, T1 and T2 are H or CH2R8, R8 is H, OH or F, or T1 and T2 together are —CH═CH— or —C(R9)(R10)C(R11)(R12)—, R9 is H, halogeno, CN, NH2, CO-alkyl, or alkyl, R10, R11, and R12 are H, N3, halogen, CN, NH2, CO-alkyl, or alkyl, and B is a purine or pyrimidine base, have antiviral activity, as for example against HIV.

Abstract: A method and system for a promotional game for automated transactions in which customer receipts of certain types of transactions are imprinted with a game piece. The game piece is a portion of a game winning sequence or an instant winning sequence. The game pieces are collected to win a prize.

Abstract: A device for supply of heat to body tissue, comprising a heating device (10) and a first temperature transducer (11) which is insertable in the body tissue, the heating device (10) being connected with an energy supply unit (13) governed by a control unit (14) via a catheter for treatment (12) which is insertable in a body cavity and said first temperature transducer (11) being operatively connected to the control unit (14). The control unit (14) is operatively connected with first memory means (15) for storage of data corresponding to the survival of cells as a function of cell temperature.

Abstract: Compositions for stabilizing polynucleic acids and increasing the ability of polynucleic acids to cross cell membranes and act in the interior of a cell. In one aspect, the invention provides a polynucleotide complex between a polynucleotide and certain polyether block copolymers. The polynucleotide complex can further include a polycationic polymer, as well as suitable targeting molecules and surfactants. The invention also provides a polynucleotide complex between a polynucleotide and a block copolymer comprising a polyether block and a polycation block.

Abstract: A method and a device for the protective encapsulation of an oil or natural gas pipe loop within an outer jacket or cover for installation on the seabed, where the end portions of the pipe loop are coupled to an underwater structure. The protecting encapsulation of the pipe loop within the cover or outer jacket is performed on the surface and the pipe loop is lowered, substantially completely protected, to an installation position. On the seabed, the outer jacket or cover in which the pipe loop is confined may be covered with a layer of chippings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a frequency domain near infrared oximeter (fdNIRS) instrument and associated method of determining the oxygenation level of tissue. The tissue is irradiated by a near infrared light source whereby the incident light passing through the tissue is detected by a light detector. Specifically, light signals of a single frequency at at least three separate wavelengths are provided from the near infrared light source. The near infrared light signals are collected with the light detector and, the phase differences between the collected near infrared light signals and a reference near infrared light signal are determined. The fdNIRS oximeter utilizes frequency domain technology to monitor phase shifts relative to a reference signal to derive SO2 through photon transport and Beer-Lambert equations.

Abstract: The temperature distribution in a shell and tube type heat exchanger having an expansion joint is uniformized by improving the circulation efficiency of fluid in the shell side. The uniformization is attained by the heat exchanger having an invasion-preventing plate against the fluid in the shell side attached to the expansion joint installed around the periphery of the shell, and a method of catalytic gas phase oxidation reaction that uses the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A dry fragrance composition having from about 0.1 to about 20%, by total carrier weight, of a fragrance composition substantially uniformly deposited on the surface of a nonabsorbent solid inorganic particulate substrate is used to impart a fragrance to a second material. The nonabsorbent solid inorganic particulate substrate can be an alkali metal chloride, sulfates, or tripolyphosphates, soda ash, borax, or a zeolite.