Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery, isolation, sequencing and characterization of two protease genes present in B.t. One is an alkaline protease gene generally designated "apr." The other is a neutral protease gene generally designated "npr." The invention also includes genetically disabling the apr and the npr genes to reduce proteolytic activity of the proteases encoded by the genes, and using the disabled genes in insecticidal B.t. constructs along with one or more B.t. protein toxin genes. These resulting B.t. constructs are useful for the enhanced production of B.t. toxin protein. The B.t. toxin protein recovered from the fermentation production of these B.t. constructs also exhibits improved stability with respect to its insecticidal activity.

Abstract: In a temperature sensor with a platinum resistance thermometer accommodated in a tube-shaped housing, the platinum resistance layer belonging thereto should be protected against pollution or contamination of the platinum, since the electrochemical characteristics of platinum can be reduced by substances in the surroundings in the event of too low a partial pressure of oxygen. For this purpose, a mechanically solid and liquid-impermeable, connection is provided in the connection region of the tube-shaped housing, which permits an admission of air-oxygen into the housing from the environment of the connecting cable. The air-oxygen admission is made possible through a liquid-impermeable oxygen-permeable jacket for the connecting cable and/or over an accompanying connecting plug, whereby the admission of air-oxygen takes place along a glass filament filler running parallel to the electrical leads inside the jacket of the connecting cable.

Abstract: Noise reduction schemes are provided in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system for use with RFID intelligent tags. Fiber optics are used to communicate analog tag response signals from the output of the receiver circuit to the input of a tag response signal analyzing module, which includes a digital signal processor (DSP). The fiber optics creates electrical isolation between these circuit elements breaking ground loops, stopping internal switching noise from the DSP from entering the receiver circuitry, and preventing common mode signals from interfering with the desired RFID tag signal.

Abstract: Therapeutic treatment as well as prophylactic measures are provided by topical application of compositions containing an aryl 2-acetoxyethanoic acid to eradicate or prevent the development of axillary foul odor, foot malodor and other body odors, e.g. scalp, and skin, nail and follicular infections caused by microorganisms. The compositions are antimicrobial against several organisms that infect the skin and are specifically effective against P. acnes. The compositions are therapeutically effective against folliculitis and perifolliculitis and are useful for other skin lesions, nail and mucosal infections such as impetigo, seborrheic dermatitis, erythrasma and trichomycosis axillaris, associated with or caused by microorganisms. The therapeutic effect of the composition may be synergized or amplified by incorporating a cosmetic or dermatologic agent into the formulation for topical treatment of cosmetic and dermatologic indications.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter for pneumatic circuits includes a filtering baffle (1) mounted on a drum (2) rotated steadily, the flow (A) of the air to be filtered being from outside to inside the baffle (1), as well as a suction mouth (5) longitudinally positioned in the vertical mid-plane at the lowest point of the baffle (1) and externally adjacent thereto, and a blowing nozzle (6) internally adjacent to the baffle (1) at a position exactly opposite the mouth (5), both the mouth (5) and the nozzle (6) extending along the whole length of the filtering baffle (1). The nozzle (6) has a plurality of aligned bores suitable to emit a narrow jet of counter-current air, with adjustable incidence, and the mouth (5) is shaped as a trapezoidal hopper with a small adjustable blowing nozzle (C) at one end.

Abstract: A storage apparatus of the present invention has an HDA of a storage portion, a box frame for containing the HDA and fixed to the HDA by bolts, and a protection box for incorporating at least the HDA and the box frame. A plurality of supporting members are arranged between the box frame and an inner surface of the protection box, so that the supporting members elastically support the HDA and the box frame in the protection box.

Abstract: As shown in FIG. 9, a switching control part 310 detects voltage drops of FET power transistors 81 to 83, and outputs a switching control signal Vd responding with a modulated signal changed in synchronization with a movement of a motor, and a detected operation voltage. The switching operation of a switching transistor 61 is controlled responding with the switching control signal Vd, so that a converted DC voltage of a voltage converting part 52 is controlled. The converted DC voltage of the voltage converting part is supplied to power amplifying parts 11 to 17. The power amplifying parts configured by FET power current-mirror circuits analoguely alter current paths from the converted DC voltage of the voltage converting part to three-phase windings 2, 3, and 4, whereby pulsation of drive currents I1, I2, and I3 to the windings is reduced and a motor vibration is decreased in level.

Abstract: Noise reduction schemes are provided in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system for use with RFID intelligent tags. Amplitude and phase noise is minimized by starting with a low noise crystal oscillator having an output frequency which is an integer multiple n of the desired RF field frequency, and then dividing this frequency by the integer multiple n. One or more cascaded flip-flops are used for the frequency dividing. Both outputs of the final stage flip-flop are used to drive the transmitter antenna to produce a continuous wave signal.

Abstract: Hollow polymer microcapsules are made by the method of dissolving a film-forming polymer in a volatile nonaqueous solvent; dispersing into the polymer solution finely divided particles of a volatilizable solid core material; inducing formation of a solid polymer coating on the particulate solid core material in the nonaqueous liquid mixture to produce polymer microcapsules having an encapsulated core of particulate core material; recovering the polymer microcapsules from the nonaqueous liquid mixture; and removing the encapsulated core material from the microcapsules to make hollow polymer microcapsules. Gas-filled polymer microcapsules that are made according to the method of this invention are useful in medical applications such as imaging contrast agents because they may be prepared to precisely controlled size specifications.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer has a toner recycling mechanism with a belt conveyor that transports toner from a toner collection chamber, in which toner removed from the photosensitive drum of the printer is collected, to a toner delivery chamber, from which toner is returned to the developing unit of the printer. The belt conveyor is disposed in a channel that loops around the ends of roller shafts in the printer, and does not increase the width of the printer. The toner recycling mechanism is easily assembled, and can be driven without motion irregularities.

Abstract: A container device that dispenses paper from a roll, with a roll (B) in reserve. The device has two substantially parallel pins (4,4') for supporting and unwinding paper (10) from the rolls (A, B) with two openings (20) corresponding to the pins in the lower portion of the device contained within a housing. A sector (5) shaped as part of a circle is mounted to freely rotate about one of the pins. The sector (5) has a peripheral flange (5a) that is adapted to obstruct the corresponding opening (20). When the sector (5) is kept at a first, substantially vertical position, the opening (20) is obstructed. A spring (15) urges the sector (5) to rotate until reaching a second position at which point, the previously obstructed opening (20) is made accessible.

Abstract: A virtual RAM read address generating circuit (41) generates a virtual address on the basis of an output signal of a crystal oscillation circuit (36). A phase comparison circuit (39) which performs phase comparison with a write address, and a spindle control circuit (3) which controls rotation of a disk with reference to outputs of a frequency comparison circuit (38) and the phase comparison circuit (39) are disposed. Therefore, a phase error can be fed back to a spindle motor, thereby preventing linear velocity deviation from occurring in a steady state. By using the thus configured reproducing device, the reproduction quality in the case where a disk wherein recording was performed by the CLV system is reproduced by the variable linear velocity reproduction system is ensured, and both high-speed access and low power consumption are realized.

Abstract: A modular, one piece two-stepped cabinet which provides expanded storage capacity is shown. The cabinet is intended for use in the spacing between two adjacent studs in a wall. The cabinet comprises a first-step portion with lateral sides spaced to fit within a cabinet space, upper and lower sides and a rear wall. A second-step portion, integrally formed with the first, comprises lateral sides, upper and lower sides which are spaced further apart than those of the first portion, and a rear wall extending inward and joining the sides of the first portion at their forward edges. Shelves, which may be re-positionable, are provided and a mirror is provided on the rear wall of the first-step portion. In addition, a removable, re-positionable convenience cup is provided.

Abstract: An endoscope, in particular a mediastinoscope, in which the handle and the optics guided therein form an inseparable unit and which includes a first and second spatula-like part which can be separated from one another in the longitudinal direction. An adjusting mechanism is provided which permits a separation, a fastenable displacement parallel to the axis and a fastenable pivoting of the two parts relative to one another. In particular by way of the pivotability an expansion of a body cavity to be visually examined or which is to undergo therapy by way of introduced auxiliary instruments is made possible according to requirements.

Abstract: A device for measuring strain parameters of a stem, shaft or other cylindrical member of virtually any size or diameter includes a pair of generally flexible holders, each holder supporting a substrate having at least one strain gage thereon. Each substrate is bonded in a predetermined aligned position on the cylindrical member relative to the other substrate to permit strain measurement of the cylindrical member. The holders each include at least one guide. A flexible tensioning band engages the guide on each of the holders for placement and retention of the substrates in the predetermined positions. The band is tightened to provide pressure on the substrates during bonding for proper bonding of the substrates to the cylindrical member to provide adequate transfer of strain. In an alternate embodiment a single holder having a single strain gage substrate thereon is employed.

Abstract: A lithium iron oxide which can be used as an electrode active material for a lithium battery is disclosed. A lithium iron oxide represented by Li.sub.x FeO.sub.2, where 0<x<2, having a tunnel structure similar to .beta.-FeO(OH) can be synthesized by heating a suspension prepared by suspending .beta.-FeO(OH) and a lithium compound in an alcohol at a temperature of not lower than 50.degree. C., more preferably at a temperature of lower than the boiling point of the alcohol used for the suspension.

Abstract: A sealed alkaline storage battery of the present invention employs a non-woven fabric having a double-layer structure of a dense and sparse layers as a separator to separate a positive electrode from a negative electrode, the sparse layer facing the negative electrode and being lower than the dense layer in fiber density.

Abstract: For the collection of hair clippings (21) during cutting of the hair of a person, a collar (1) is fitted around his/her neck. The collar (1) has a surface on which the hair clippings (21) falling from the person's head are caught. The surface is coated with an adhesive for that purpose.

Abstract: A transport cart which can be stacked in a column with other carts is equipped with a deposit lock for uncoupling it in return for a deposit token and for coupling it up again in exchange for returning the deposit token. For moving the cart, it is provided at its rear end with a handle bar extending transversely between lateral supporting arms with handle caps standing at either end. The token device housing is formed in one piece laterally directly on one side of one of the handle caps and is provided on its opposite side with a receptacle for the correspondingly shortened handle bar.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has a print head adapted to move in a printing area and in a wiping area outside of the printing area. The print head ejects ink drops through orifices in accordance with print data while it is moving in the print area. The wiper is disposed in the wiping area. The nozzle plate having orifices formed therethrough is wiped off when the print head moves in the wiping area. A wiper transporting mechanism includes a supporting mechanism for supporting and moving the wiper parallel with the print head when the print head moves in the wiping area, the wiper being transported at a velocity lower than the print head so that the wiper gently wipes the nozzle plate preventing the ink adhering to the wiper from splashing.