Abstract: An optical fiber cable is constituted by a cylindrical spacer having on its surface helical grooves reversing their direction at a given pitch in which a stack of ribbon optical fibers is received.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a polyimide film, a flexible printed wiring board consisting thereof, and a polyimide molding, wherein various metal compounds are added to improve their properties and to provide them with noble properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated bacterial strain capable of oxidizing nitrite to nitrate and a method of use thereof for preventing or alleviating the accumulation of nitrite in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapid, continuous flow histological processing of tissues is disclosed. The steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing and impregnation are performed in less than one hour; this allows a pathologist to evaluate samples shortly after receipt, perhaps while the patient is still in the operating room. Rapid and continuous processing is accomplished by decreasing the thickness of tissue sections, use of non-aqueous solutions composed of admixtures of solutions, solution exchange at elevated temperature and with agitation, and impregnation under vacuum pressure. The patient in surgery is thus provided with point-of-care surgical pathology.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a disc includes an operating member for manually operating an unloading tray from the body of the apparatus when the disc is clamped. The operating member is supported on a shaft and fixed to the main chassis and is thus capable of rotating around the shaft. The operating member is also provided with a protrusion for permitting a cylindrical cam to support the mechanical unit when the disc is being driven. With a supporting member of the operating member and the cylindrical cam positioned on the front side of the mechanical unit, fluctuations in disc can be reduced.

Abstract: Compacts based on pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide and having the following physical and chemical characteristics: Outer diameter 0.8-20 mm BET surface area 30-400 m2/g Pore volume 0.5-1.3 ml/g Breaking strength 10-250N Composition >99.8 wt. % SiO2 Other constituents <0.2 wt. % Abrasion <5 wt. % Apparent weight 350-750 g/l are produced in that pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide is homogenized with methyl cellulose, microwax and polyethylene glycol with addition of water, dried at a temperature of 80-150° C. and comminuted to a powder, optionally the powder is compressed into compacts, and heat-treated at a temperature of 400 to 1200° C. for a time of 0.5 to 8 hours. These compacts can be used as catalysts or catalyst carriers in vinyl acetate monomer production and ethylene hydration.

Abstract: An improved needle (1) to attach a filter bag (2) containing a product for infusion to a pick-up tag (3) using a thread (4) knotted at least at one of its end sections (5; 6) comprises two eyes (7, 8) located at different distances from the point (9) of the needle (1). The first eye (7) is designed to hook the thread (4), stretched and retained at the end sections (5, 6) and to make a loop (10) in the thread when the needle (1) is pulled in the direction of its axis (1a). The second eye (8), on the other hand, is located closer to the point (9) and is oriented at right angles to the first eye (7) so that it can be surrounded by the loop (10) and can guide an end section (5; 6) of the thread (4) across the loop (10) to make a knot. The needle (1) also comprises two lengthways grooves (11) that connect the first eye (7) to the second eye (8) and that are especially shaped to accommodate the loop (10) and to keep it in position while the knot is being formed.

Abstract: A process for inducing a transcriptionally active chromosome (i.e., a “lampbrush” chromosome) from condensed chromatin or nucleus is disclosed. The condensed chromosome is contacted with the contents of a germinal vesicle. Preferably, the nuclear envelope is disrupted or removed. Moreover, a heterologous system of chromosome and germinal vesicle derived from organisms of different species is preferred because it permits analysis of organisms that do not have lampbrush chromosomes or cannot be manipulated by other techniques. Such lampbrush chromosomes can be attached to a substrate, and then analyzed by a variety of molecular and cytological techniques such as, for example, antibody detection of chromosomal protein, autoradiography, electron and light microscopy, histochemistry, image analysis, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization of nucleic acids, morphology, and the like.

Abstract: In a lithographic projection apparatus, a time-saving height measurement method is used. While in a projection station (105,108,111) the pattern of a mask (129) is projected on the fields of a first substrate (120), the height of the fields of a second substrate (121) is measured in a measuring station (133). In the measuring station, the height of the substrate fields and the height of the substrate holder (113) are measured by a first height sensor (150) and a second height sensor (160), respectively, and the value of the height of the substrate holder associated with the ideal height of the substrate field is determined for each substrate field. In the projection station, only the height of the substrate holder (111) is controlled by a third height sensor (180). The second and third height sensors are preferably part of a composite XY interferometer system extended with a Z measuring axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exterior vehicle mirror assembly. The mirror comprises a housing with an electrically powered adjusting mechanism mounted therein, and a support structure to be fixed to the vehicle exterior. The housing is pivotally mounted to the support structure and both the housing and support structure provide structure cooperating to define an indexing pivot assembly. The support structure has a wire receiving passage formed therein and the housing has a wire passage access opening. The access opening provides access to the passage to facilitate passing electroconductive wire though the passage so as to allow the adjusting mechanism to be connected to an electric power source and a control signal source within the vehicle. A lighting assembly is constructed and arranged to be mounted to the support structure so as to close the wire access opening after an installer has passed the wiring through the wire receiving passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an end module assembly for installation on a motor vehicle and a method for assembling the same. The assembly comprises an exterior fascia configured to comprise a portion of a vehicle body when the assembly is installed on the vehicle. An external visible component is configured to be positioned in a predetermined orientation with respect to the fascia with surfaces thereof facing exteriorly of the fascia. The external component is positioned relative to the fascia such that the position controlling portion guides the external component into the predetermined orientation and supports the component thereat, thereby allowing the assembly to be installed on the vehicle without requiring reorientation of the component. The present invention also relates to a loading fixture for installing a front end module assembly onto a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A fusion splicer for which maintenance can be performed efficiently is provided. A fusion splicer 1 for splicing optical fibers comprises a CCD camera 14 for capturing an image of a fusion splicing process of the optical fibers, a main memory 21 for storing image data obtained by the CCD camera 14, and a communication controller 3 adapted to make the image data transmittable and effect communication with a service station.

Abstract: A device for the removal of anatomical parts by laparoscopy, comprising a bag to be inserted by means of a tube applicator inside the abdominal cavity. A flexible element is provided along the edge of the mouth of the bag, having such resilient characteristics as to spring back to a loop configuration when it is not subjected to a deformation. According to a preferred embodiment, the flexible element is formed by a helicoidal spring with a ring clip slidingly coupled thereto, so that the resilient action of the spring keeps the mouth open when the bag is inserted in the abdominal cavity, and by making the clip to slide along the spring it is possible to close again the bag when needed.

Abstract: An adjustable rear suspension system for a tracked vehicle comprises a slide frame for guiding a portion of the endless track, the slide frame having a pair of substantially parallel slide rails, the slide rails defining a longitudinal direction. The rear suspension system further comprises at least one spring-like member for urging the slide frame away from the chassis. A front suspension arm assembly has an upper end pivotally connected to the chassis and a lower end pivotally connected to the slide frame. A rear suspension arm assembly has ail upper arm pivotally connected to the chassis and a lower end connected to at least one block capable of limited displacement in the longitudinal direction between a front stopper and a rear stopper. The rear suspension system further includes a rocker arm having an upper end connected to at least one block and a lower end pivotally connected to the slide frame.

Abstract: A nucleic acid primer is bound to a soluble carrier macromolecule, a multitude of primer molecules thus being carried by each carrier macromolecule, and hybridisation of the primer to a template followed by extension of the primer to replicate the template in complementary form is carried out as part of a PCR procedure or other amplification, or to form an extended primer of greater hybridization affinity. A second primer used in the amplification may also be bound to a carrier macromolecule.

Abstract: An air bag system comprises an air bag having an opening through which gas is supplied. The air bag is folded in a predetermined polygonal shape and is then contained in a pad. An expansion restraining member is provided in the air bag system. The expansion restraining member temporarily holds a peripheral portion of the folded air bag so as to suppress rapid expansion thereof when the air bag is developed. Because the expansion of the peripheral portion is delayed by the expansion restraining member, it is possible to prevent the air bag from developing in the straight thin form toward a passenger. That is, the air bag can be developed in a round shape from its center portion when the gas is supplied into the air bag.

Abstract: An illumination system for endoscopes has a light guide bundle constructed and arranged to illuminate an object to be observed. The light guide bundle is extended in an axial direction of the endoscope and branched into a plurality of branch portions in a frame which is adapted to be disposed inside of the endoscope. Each of the branch portions have a crescent-shaped cross-section at a mid-portion along the axial direction of the endoscope and each of the branch portions have at least one bent portion in which a protective glass plate is disposed on each exit surface of the branch portions. An endoscope system includes the above illumination system.

Abstract: A liquid crystal material is injected into a liquid crystal cell while a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal cell rendering the liquid crystal molecules parallel to the substrates. The temperature of the vacuum chamber during injection of liquid crystal material is higher than the room temperature to reduce the viscosity of the liquid crystal material, and below the liquid crystal-isotropic transition temperature to maintain the liquid crystal state. To avoid the evaporation of the liquid crystal material, the temperature is preferably lower than the clearing point of the liquid crystal material. The voltage applied to the liquid crystal cell is over the threshold voltage so that the liquid crystal molecules align themselves parallel to the substrate, and the AC voltage having a low frequency of equal to or lower than 60 Hz is preferably used to make the liquid crystal material oscillate laterally.

Abstract: A process and a system for the continuous manufacture of polymeric foams. Reactive chemical components and additives comprising a low boiling blowing agent are mixed under pressure; the mixture is then frothed before chemical reaction takes place by feeding the mixture through a pressure equalizing and frothing device having a pressure-drop zone opening into a frothing cavity having an output aperture to discharge the froth onto a moving substrate.