Abstract: Disclosed is a medium for the propagation of early stage embryos to blastocyst stage. The medium contains an effective amount of GM-CSF to increase the percentage of pre-blastocyst embryos which develop to transfer ready blastocysts. Also disclosed is a method of growing early stage human embryos to transfer ready blastocysts. The method includes the step of incubating the embryos in vitro in a culture medium containing an effective amount of human GM-CSF for a time and under conditions to increase the proportion of transfer ready blastocysts. An IVF program that includes the method of growing early stage human embryos to transfer ready blastocysts is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a device for recovering exceeding articles from a blister band on a blistering machine, the blister band is moved in a forward movement direction through a station for feeding the articles to the blisters. A displacing device is situated very close to the blister band for removing exceeding articles while a conveying device recovers the exceeding articles removed from the blister band by the use of a rotating drum. The rotating drum is hollow and has a plurality of radial separating plates defining a number of niches. The niches receive the exceeding articles removed from the blister band and a transport conveyor receives the exceeding articles present in the niches and brings the articles to the feeding station.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to disinfecting compositions for dental unit water lines, particularly effective against microbial flora in biofilms which form on the luminal walls of the piping and reservoir components of dental equipment, as well as methods related to the use of such compositions to reduce microbial numbers in water-bearing dental and other equipment and maintain reduced levels on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for whitening teeth using a fluid delivery toothbrush to deliver a bleaching liquid to the teeth during brushing. The fluid delivery toothbrush may be manual or powered, delivering fresh relatively high strength bleaching liquid to the tooth surfaces, preferably on a daily basis, for one to three minutes.

Abstract: According to a method for filling containers (2) with a metered quantity of products (10), the products is supplied to a reservoir (3), inside which there is a metering receptacle (7). In its upper part, the metering receptacle (7) is open and its lower part features a discharge pipe (8), which communicates with a container (2) to be filled. A moving element (13) moves between a filling position in which it causes the raising of level of the products (10) over the opening (7a) of the metering receptacle (7), so that the latter is filled with the products and a non-filling position, in which the level of the products (10) is lowered below the opening (7a) of the metering receptacle (7). Thus a metered quantity (11) of products is collected inside the metering receptacle (7) The metered quantity (11) of products is delivered to the container (2) through the discharge pipe (8), by opening of valve means (9).

Abstract: A device for folding vertical flaps of a container (1) moved along a line (100) for packaging products (3) into these containers (1) includes a (cam) member (11), guided along a cyclical trajectory (T) by support and operating means (20) cooperating with trajectory correcting means (6). The trajectory (T) includes a first part (T1), along which the (cam) member (11) moves close to container (1), upstream of said rear vertical flap (5) with respect to the container (1) movement direction (W), and a second part (T2), along which the rear vertical flap (5) is pushed. The second part (T2) is substantially parallel to the direction (W) and concordant therewith. The supporting and operating means (20) include a pulley (21) and a connecting rod (22), aimed at guiding the (cam) member (11) and a bar (13), connected thereto, along a circumference arc. The trajectory correcting means (6) include a rotating body (31), aimed at receiving slildingly the bar (13) in a seat (32) made therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dimeric urethane compounds derived from monohydric alcohols, generally fatty alcohols, and a diisocyanate according to the following reaction scheme: wherein R1 is selected from the group of saturated, unsaturated or halogen substituted linear, cyclic or branch-chained hydrocarbons and R2 is a linear, cyclic or branch-chained alkyl or aminoalkyl group ranging from two to 200 carbon atoms, preferably two to 50 carbons, more preferably 6 to 36 carbons, even 6 to 24 carbons, said urethane compound being substantially free from terminal hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: A device for feeding liquid substances in filling machine for filling bottles and the like includes a first tubular member (4), which is integral with a stationary structure (1) of the machine (M) and a second tubular member (5) made integral with a rotating head (6) of the machine (M). The tubular members (4,5) are coaxial and have head surfaces tightly connected to each other by means of a first, upper ring (8) and a second, lower ring (9). The upper ring (8) and lower ring (9) are made of ceramic material and touch each other with their flat surfaces (8A,9A).

Abstract: A composition exhibiting reverse thermal gellation properties comprises a block polymer having the structure: {[An(BCB)An]}m wherein A is a polyester unit, B is a poly(ethylene oxide) unit, C is a poly(propylene oxide unit, E is a chain extender or crosslinking agent unit, n ranges from 0 to 20, and m is greater than 2, said block polymer possessing an EO (ethylene xide):PO (propylene oxide) ratio ranging from about 0.2:1 to about 40:1, said composition having a final viscosity at a final temperature of more than twice the initial viscosity at an initial temperature, said final temperature being at least 10° C. higher than said initial temperature.

Abstract: An antenna for use in a portable wireless communication system in which the antenna is integral in its structure so as to function as a helical antenna when retracted and as a rod antenna when extended. A spring arranged in the helical antenna is formed as a leaf spring rolled to a thickness of 0.5 mm for enhancing bandwidth. A C-ring coupled to a lower end of the leaf spring has a circular configuration and is provided along its sides with a plurality of resilient plates inserted into a supporting member and contracted so that the antenna is resiliently fixed whether extended or retracted.

Abstract: A surgical method for assisting cardiac function utilizes a balloon initially in a collapsed configuration. The balloon is inserted into an intrapericardial space about a patient's heart and is disposed about one portion of the patient's heart. The method further includes inflating the balloon in the intrapericardial space to compress one portion of the patient's heart. A lower end portion of the patient's heart is separately compressed by an additional instrumentality to reduce ventricular volume.

Abstract: Ink feeding circuit device for a raster drawing machine comprising an ink jet printing head 1 moving in x and y direction over the drawing plane 20 of the drawing machine 10 and comprising a feed circuit including an ink supply reservoir 2 connected with the ink jet printing head 1 by a conduit 31 which communicates with a gas damper 9.

Abstract: A device moves and orients spraying nozzles (4) inside a coating pan (1). The spraying nozzles (4) are carried, arranged in a line, by a shaft (5), which rotates on a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of the rotating drum (1). The shaft (5) is supported by a support frame (7), which is fastened to a bar (10), which is rotated to adjust the distance between the spraying nozzles (4) and the free surface (20) of said mass of articles (2) being treated. The shaft (5) is fastened to the lever mechanism (16,17) of a positioning member (15) for changing the inclination of the spraying nozzles (4), so as to maintain constant their orientation with respect to said free surface (20) of the mass of articles (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression vector which expresses a malaria MSA1 peptide in combination with a signal peptide and anchor peptide in a host animal. The MSA1 peptide is combined with a signal peptide and anchor peptide for expression. Chimeric peptides being expressed with both signal peptides and anchor peptides were the most effective in eliciting an immunogenic response from a vaccinated host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic, novel, preferably fatty phosphoric acid esters which, when neutralized with a neutralizing agent, is revealed as a new surface active agent. Formulations are presented which demonstrate a method for using the disclosed surface active agent to prepare stable oil-in-water, water-in-oil emulsions and various solutions of varying polarity and viscosity for use in a variety of dermatological applications, and/or wherever emulsions or solutions according to the present invention may be used.

Abstract: In a support device for printed circuit broads with a support structure, equipped with at least one board guiding groove, a locking group has the task of locking detachably the boards. The support structure has at least one transversal cutting which crosses the groove and cooperates with the locking group. The locking group includes a guiding element which slides inside a relative guiding seat. One end of the guiding element is connected to a plate provided with at least one locking element which is introduced inside the transversal cutting for locking the board.