Abstract: A computer-based prosthodontic method is provided, for enabling a dental practitioner to define a finish line of a dental prosthesis of at least one tooth to be fitted over a tooth preparation. The method comprises the following steps: providing a three-dimensional (3D) digital data relating to the patient's dentition, the 3D data includes data representative of the surface topology of the preparation and its surroundings; generating first finish line data representative of at least a portion of the finish line and superimposing an image of the finish line on an image of the dentition; obtaining second finish line data determined on the basis of input received from a dental practitioner; and using the second finish line data to update the first finish line data and superimposing the updated data on the dentition image.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel isolated natural or synthetic polynucleotides and polypeptides coded by said polynucleotides, involved in the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives, vectors comprising said polynucleotides, micro-organisms transformed with said polynucleotides, uses of said polynucleotides and said polypeptides, as well as methods for the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives, including cyclodipeptides and diketopiperazine derivatives 3- and 6- substituted by ?,?-unsaturated amino acid side chains.

Abstract: A dipole fractal antenna and a method of manufacturing thereof are described. The antenna includes a pair of oppositely directed radiating arms coupled to a feeding terminal and extended therefrom along a central axis in a common plane. At least a portion of each radiating arm has a fractal geometric shape. The antenna also includes at least one pair of electrical shunts configured for connecting at least two points selected within the fractal portion of one radiating arm correspondingly to two points selected within the fractal portion of another radiating arm. The dipole fractal antenna further may comprise a balun arranged at the feeding terminal and configured for coupling the pair of oppositely directed radiating arms to a coaxial cable to provide a balanced feed.

Abstract: An auto-focusing method and device are presented for determining an in-focus position of a sample supported on a substrate plate made of a material transparent with respect to incident electromagnetic radiation. The method utilizes an optical system capable of directing incident electromagnetic radiation towards the sample and collecting reflections of the incident electromagnetic radiation that are to be detected. A focal plane of an objective lens arrangement is located at a predetermined distance from a surface of the substrate, which is opposite to the sample-supporting surface of the substrate. A continuous displacement of the focal plane relative to the substrate along the optical axis of the objective lens arrangement is provided, while concurrently directing the incident radiation towards the sample through the objective lens arrangement to thereby focus the incident radiation to a location at the focal plane of the objective lens arrangement.

Abstract: A wax model of a required coping is produced using CNC machining techniques based on a virtual model of the coping created from digital data obtained from the intraoral cavity. The dental coping is then fabricated from the wax model.

Abstract: The invention provides composite membrane materials comprising a polymer of the state of art uniformly filled with a zirconium phosphate, preferably ?-zirconium phosphate or zirconium phosphate sulfoarylenphosphonate particels. The composite membrane materials are preferably prepared starting from a solution of a polymer of the state of art and from a colloidal dispersion of ?-zirconium phosphate or a zirconium phosphate sulfoarylenphosphonate. The colloidal particles are transferred into the solution of the polymer preferably by mixing the dispersion with the solution or by means of phase transfer. The membrane material is preferably obtained by removing the solvent by evaporation or by a suitable non-solvent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor (2) with a housing (20, 22), a front-end sensor device (24), and a sensor-fastening device (25, 26, 27, 28) for fastening the sensor device (24) to and/or in the housing (20, 22). An advantageous ratio of the diameter (dS) of the sensor device (24) relative to the housing-fastening device (23) is achieved inasmuch as the sensor-fastening device (25, 26) encompasses and provides support to the sensor device (34) from the front end outwards, at least in the section of the front end rim area, and is attached by a joint to the housing.

Abstract: The micro-lens array in which a plural of convexly-protruded micro-lens are closely arranged two-dimensionally and a plural of convex sub-lenses having a curvature-radius smaller than that of the micro-lens are protrusively formed on the surface of each micro-lens has a large view angle, since Dsav/D is in a range from 0.1 to 0.3 where D is the micro-lens bottom face width obtained by halving the summation of the maximum and the minimum width which are measured along the line passing through the center of the bottom face of the micro-lens; Ds is the sub-lens bottom face width obtained by halving the summation of the maximum and the minimum width which are measured along the line passing through the center of the bottom face of the sub-lens; and Dsav is the average sub-lens bottom face width obtained by averaging a plural of the sub-lens bottom face widths Ds.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (1) in which the substituents have the meanings mentioned in the description, are suitable for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

Abstract: A positioning appliance adapted to facilitate an orthodontics procedure in which a bracket or other orthodontic component is placed at a desired site on the surface of a tooth and affixed thereto. The appliance comprises a hand-held tubular wand that has a protective sleeve section and a camera section telescoped in the sleeve section. A window is mounted at the front end of the sleeve section and a finger projecting therefrom is adapted to hold the bracket at a position abutting the tooth surface. A camera is housed in the camera section to capture through the window an image of the bracket on the surface of the tooth. One or more light sources are housed in the camera section, for irradiating the bracket and the tooth surface with light detectable by the camera. Additional one or more light sources are housed in the camera section and are capable of irradiates light at a wavelength that can cure an adhesive used for affixing the bracket or other orthodontic component to the surface of a tooth.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing pellets from hot heavy hydrocarbon or asphaltene, in accordance with the present invention, includes flow means that supplies the hot heavy hydrocarbon or asphaltene through a conduit to its outlet; and pellet producing medium or means that breaks up the liquid stream of the hot asphaltene flowing out of the outlet of the conduit and produces pellets of asphaltene. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a reservoir or container that collects the pellets of heavy hydrocarbon or asphaltene together with some fluid producing a slurry; and transporting means that transports the slurry to the required location. Preferably, the fluid is liquid water. In addition, the pellet producing medium preferably is liquid water.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I, in which M, A1, A2, K1 and K2 have the meanings given in the description are novel effective tryptase inhibitors.

Abstract: A method is provided for use with a telecommunication relay device adapted to convey voice-band data signals over a given transmission path in a telecommunication network, which relay comprises a transmitter operative to encode and transmit voice-band data information, and a receiver operative to receive and decode said information and regenerate a voice-band data signal therefrom. The method that is provided comprises handling an echo associated with the regenerated signal and returned from the telecommunication network, in order to prevent it from being relayed backwards, thus impairing the voice-band data call process. The method comprises detecting and identifying the returned echo as such, and preventing it from being relayed.

Abstract: The invention concerns peptides which bind antibodies that are found in elevated levels in body fluids of schizophrenic patients and are found at a lower level or not found at all in body fluids of non-schizophrenic individuals. Using a computerized program, the antigenic epitope of the peptides of the invention is predicted as having a core of hydrophobic amino acids which is surrounded by positively charged amino acids. The peptides of the invention are useful in the diagnosis of schizophrenia in an individual.

Abstract: An orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signal transmitting apparatus executes a time-division multiplexing process that inserts a reference signal at a predetermined interval based on reference signal position information into an information signal to be transmitted. The transmitting apparatus generates an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signal by digital-modulating the time-division multiplexed signal to radiate into a spatial transmission line. An orthogonal frequency division multiplexed signal receiving apparatus receives the signal from the transmitting apparatus to get the reference signal by demodulating the signal.

Abstract: A sprinkler assembly comprising in combination a sprinkler mounting stake and a sprinkler comprising. The sprinkler comprises a sprinkler body formed with a support member receptacle and locking portion. The sprinkler mounting stake comprises a ground insertion portion and a sprinkler support portion. The sprinkler support portion comprises a lateral support member extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stake and retention member. The support member is insertable within the support member receptacle and a retention member prevents unintentional disengagement of the sprinkler body from the mounting stake.

Abstract: A device for applying a sheet of covering material (4, 40) to boxes (1) having at least one wall (2, 200) with an outside surface (5, 50), an inside surface (6, 60) and a free edge (3, 30) intermediate between the surfaces (5, 6; 50, 60) comprises one or more elements (10, 100) for folding a flap (7, 70) of the sheet (4) around the intermediate edge (3, 30) so that the flap (7, 70) is made to cover the edge (3, 30) and then applying the flap (7, 70) to the inside surface (6, 60) of the wall (2, 200).

Abstract: A Pipe Wrench with: reasonable coordination on distance between—Center of Arcuate Teeth and Link-Hole, eccentric length of Tips of Arcuate Teeth and Link-Hole; Instant Grip and Release, Time-Saving, Power-Saving, easy Operation is disclosed. It is composed of Heading-Hook, Main Body, Arcuate Jaw-Block, Spring-Guard Plate, Spring, Oil-Rope, Pin and Screw Bolt. The Jaw-Block designed by two (2) different sizes of Arc is inlaid in Slot B on Handle, due to designed size of Link-Hole being eccentric from center of Arcs of Jaw-Block is well coordinated with Arcs on Tip Teeth of Jaw-Block, which enables this Invention with Reliable and Firm Self-Lock on workpiece as well as its Open-Width being enlarged.

Abstract: A transceiver unit, particularly for measuring applications, comprising a transmitter (1) for generating a signal, an acquisition antenna (5) for emitting the signal in an acquisition volume and for picking up an effective echo signal reflected by the acquisition volume, as well as a receiver (2) for evaluating an echo signal supplied by the acquisition antenna (5). The echo signal is composed of the effective echo signal and an unwanted echo signal generated by the acquisition antenna (5). In order to compensate for the unwanted echo signal, an antenna simulation (6) is connected via a coupler (3) to the transmitter (1) and the receiver (2) which, after having received the signal, supply an correction signal in proportion to the unwanted echo signal. The coupler so heterodynes the correction signal and the echo signal that the correction signal and the unwanted echo signal cancel out each other.