Abstract: A scalpel has a handle, houses a mounting in which a diamond blade is mounted. A foot holder with slotted foot is fastened to the handle a fixed axial distance therefrom. The mounting can be moved axially to a first or second position with the aid of a cylinder so that the tip of the blade projects either 0.3 mm beyond the bottom surface of the foot or is located inside the contour of the foot. With the scalpel the meninx can be opened simply and safely.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to contryphan peptides having 6-12 amino acids, preferably including one or more D-tryptophan or D-leucine residues. The peptides of the present invention are generically termed "contryphans," although the D-leucine containing contryphans are sometimes referred to as leu-contryphans. More specifically, the present invention is directed to contryphan peptides having the general formula Xaa.sub.1 -Cys-Xaa.sub.2 -Xaa.sub.3 -Xaa.sub.4 -Pro-Xaa.sub.5 -Cys (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein Xaa.sub.1, is any amino acid or des-Xaa.sub.1, Xaa.sub.2 is Pro, 4-trans-hydroxyproline or Val, Xaa.sub.3 is D-Trp, L-Trp, D-Leu or L-Leu, preferably D-Trp or D-Leu, Xaa.sub.4 is any amino acid and Xaa.sub.5 is Trp or Tyr. When the peptide contains Xaa.sub.1, it is preferably Gly, Glu, or Lys, most preferably Gly. When Xaa.sub.3 is D- or L-Trp, Xaa.sub.2 is preferably Pro or 4-trans-hydroxyproline. When Xaa.sub.3 is D- or L-Leu, Xaa.sub.2 is preferably Val.

Abstract: A vacuum packed food container has a vacuum packed inner bag and a clear or transparent outer container body. The inner bag within the container body has a food product therein. The food product is preferably a food chip, such as a potato chip or a masa based chip. A lid is detachably connected to the container body. The lid covers an opening that leads to the interior of the inner bag. The inner bag has a vacuum therein that draws the bag against the food product therein. When the lid is detached from the container body, the vacuum within the inner container is released while the vacuum in an air space around the inner bag is maintained such that the inner bag expands outward by atmospheric pressure entering the inner bag and moves towards the inner surface of the outer container body.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (1) have utility as dyes for ink-jet printing where Formula (1) comprises:T.sub.q --W Formula (1)which includes all acceptable forms of such compounds selected from one or more of the following (including mixtures thereof and combinations thereof in the same species): stereoisomers, zwitterions, polymorphs, solvates, isotopic forms; and all suitable salts thereof; in which:q represents from 1 to 4 inclusive;W comprises an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group (preferably an optionally substituted aromatic group, or an optionally substituted aliphatic group); andeach T independently comprises a group of the Formula (2):B--N.dbd.N--J--Y-- Formula (2)in which:B comprises an optionally substituted indanyl group;Y comprises a carbonyl group or a sulphonyl group; andJ comprises a group of Formula (3): ##STR1## in which: R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for the manufacture of concrete roof tiles having cut-back sidelock portions such that the tiles are flash free. The process involves the moulding of tiles on pallets which are provided with cut-away portions corresponding to the cut-back sidelock portions to be formed on the tiles and cutting the ribbon of mortar formed in a line of pallets with a knife which cuts the ribbon of mortar to form discrete tiles and to cut back the sidelock portions of the tiles at the same time. The tiles are flash free due to the action of the knife with the cut-away portions of the pallets.

Abstract: A ground-crop harvester for potatoes and the like has two unique control features that enhance the productivity of the device and the quality of the harvested ground-crop (e.g., less bruising). The harvester preferably includes an excavator arranged to scrape up a layer of soil and ground-crop and a primary conveyor configured to receive the soil and ground-crop scraped up by the excavator and to separate soil from the ground-crop. A downstream conveyor is arranged downstream of the primary conveyor (e.g., directly downstream therefrom or after a secondary conveyor and/or other conveyors) to receive the separated ground-crop. A primary conveyor adjustable speed drive mechanism is provided for the primary conveyor. A downstream conveyor adjustable speed drive mechanism is provided for the downstream conveyor. A speed measurer or sensor is provided for sensing the forward speed of the harvester and for emitting signals representative of the speed. An amount sensor (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tilling a seedbed with a soil manipulation device comprising a tilling shank for forming a groove in the soil followed a pair of coulter blades for closing the groove and a rear finishing device such as a rolling basket for further tilling and firming of the soil with improved coulter downward pressure and shank head. Downward pressure on the coulter blades is provided by a coulter spring attached to a lever arm pivotally attached to the framework which applies downward pressure to the framework supporting the coulter blades. The rear finishing device is connected to the same coulter support framework by a pivotal rear arm and a rear arm spring such that when the rear finishing device is displaced upward by changing field conditions, an upward force is imparted to the coulter support framework thus raising the coulter blades in response to changing field conditions.

Abstract: The can is closed on at least one end face with a membrane (2) of paper or plastic or metal foil in such a way that the outside of the foil edge region raised toward the can axis (3) is tightly connected to the essentially cylindrical inside can wall (1). An inverted lid (9) is mounted over the membrane (5), at the end face of the can. The membrane surface (5) comprises at least one contact region (7a, 7b) which projects toward the end face and, when the inverted lid (9) is mounted, can be placed at least partly on a support region (12a, 12b) of the inside of the lid surface (10). Consequently, the outward-directed forces acting on the closure membrane (5) are absorbed by the lid (9) and the danger of leaking membranes (5) is essentially eliminated. The cans according to the invention can be filled at high speed and with materials of high density, can be transported without precautions and can be exposed to large vacuums.

Abstract: The method concerned is for connecting a section of buried main conduit (120) to a secondary conduit. For this purpose, a starting pit (200) and a finishing pit (204) are dug, a drilling device comprising a series of rods to be placed end to end is lowered into one pit in a manner such as to drill along a horizontal axis at the level of or at a height close to that of the main conduit. Upon completion of the drilling, the secondary conduit is passed through the bore-hole (202) in a manner such that an end portion is situated above the pit, this portion is fixed to a first region of a branch connector for connecting the two conduits and this end portion, equipped with its connecter, is lowered into the pit and the connector is fixed to the main conduit.

Abstract: A cargo handling path setting method and apparatus determine arbitrary hoisting and lowering speeds of a suspended load and the times required for hoisting and lowering to set hoisting and lowering speed patterns, determine an arbitrary traversing speed of the suspended load and the time required for traversing to set a traversing speed pattern, set the positions and heights of obstacles present around the cargo handling path based on data from stacked load sensors, and further set an arbitrary waiting time for traversing and an arbitrary waiting time for lowering; then conduct a theoretical simulation test based on these set conditions to compute a cargo handling path, and if it is determined that the suspended load passing along the cargo handling path will collide with the obstacles, repeat the procedure of revising the set conditions and conducting a theoretical simulation test again.

Abstract: A proximal connector includes a stainless steel, cone-shaped ferrule enclosing a proximal end of the optic fiber element. The ferrule is inserted within a matching aperture of a receiving block, which is also made of stainless steel. The matching shapes of the ferrule and the aperture of the receiving block ensure effective heat transfer from the ferrule into the receiving block. The receiving block may be provided with cooling vanes, and air may be circulated over the cooling vanes, to dissipate heat transferred to the receiving block from the connector. Both ferrule and the aperture are axially symmetric such that any rotation of the proximal connector while inserted into the receiving block does not change the location of the entrance aperture of the optic fiber element. The proximal connector also includes a case having an indented ring.

Abstract: An air conditioning device for a seat comprises an air-permeable base body which is fitted under a seat surface, and a heating element fitted in the base body, or between the seat surface and the base body. The base body and the heating element are mat-shaped. They are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and have substantially equal surface areas.

Abstract: A modular approach to constructing a structural member entails utilizing generally identical primary structural elements which are connected together by various different connector elements to create structural members with various different structural properties. Such a structural member may be, for example, a cross-member for use in constructing an automotive frame.

Abstract: A chemically inducible promoter is described which may be used to transform plants with genes which are easily regulatable by adding plants or plant cells to a medium containing an inducer of the promoter or by removing the plants or plant cells from such medium. The promoter described is one which is inducible by a glucocorticoid which is not endogenous to plants. Such promoters may be used with a variety of genes such as ipt or knotted1 to induce shoot formation in the presence of a glucocorticoid. The promoter may also be used with antibiotic or herbicide resistance genes which are then regulatable by the presence or absence of inducer rather than being constitutive. Other examples of genes which may be placed under the control of the inducible promoter are also presented.

Abstract: Two mutations in the human cardiac actin gene are disclosed which have been associated with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) in two families. These mutations cosegregate with IDC in the two families. Both mutations affect universally conserved amino acids in domains of actin that attach to Z bands and intercalated discs. Analysis of the cardiac actin gene can be used to determine the presence in a patient of IDC resulting from mutations in this gene. Such analysis is useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease in patients with mutations in this gene.

Abstract: Fusarium graminearum is a plant pathogen, attacking a wide range of plant species including corn (ear and stalk rot), barley, and wheat (head blight). Fusarium epidemics result in millions of dollars of loses in crop revenues. Fusarium graminearum infection in the cereals reduces both grain yield and quality. Mycotoxins are produced by many fungal Fusarium species and thus the grain becomes contaminated with these mycotoxins, such as the trichothecenes. The major trichothecene produced by F. graminearum is deoxynivalenol (abbreviated as DON, also known as vomitoxin). Trichothecenes are potent protein synthesis inhibitors and are quite toxic to humans and livestock. A yeast gene has been identified which is resistant to the trichothecene, trichodermin. A corresponding plant gene has been prepared, which has been used to transform plants and would be suitable to transform animals. These transformed plants have an increased resistance to Fusarium infestation.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis adapted to be endoluminally inserted into a vascular region, particularly a vascular region having an aneurysm, and a method for implanting the same. The prosthesis features a tubular framework and a sheath bound to the framework for canalizing the flow of blood, with an extension of the sheath extending beyond a free end of the prosthesis. The sheath extension provides an attachment point for a portion of a blood vessel and/or a vessel substitute to be attached chirurgically to the prosthesis. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthesis constitutes a vascular graft extension that is connected to one of the branching portions of an expandable tubular branching vascular graft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to somatic mutations in the Multiple Tumor Suppressor (MTS) gene in human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancer. The invention further relates to germ line mutations in the MTS gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to melanoma, leukemia, astrocytoma, glioblastoma, lymphoma, glioma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, CLL, and cancers of the pancreas, breast, thyroid, ovary, uterus, testis, kidney, stomach and rectum. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the MTS gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of drugs for cancer therapy.

Abstract: A self-adhesive label comprising a multilaminar label portion, a self-adhesive laminar material extending over and adhered by its self-adhesive surface to the multilaminar label portion and a self-adhesive support piece upon which the multilaminar label portion is disposed and to which the self-adhesive laminar material is adhered by its self-adhesive surface, the multilaminar label portion including a first folded part which is attached to the label and a second folded part which is removably attached to the first folded part.