Abstract: An extruder mixer and method for mixing plastic materials utilizes an elongated screw having an inlet channel connected to a first cross-axial pump that feeds, at an angle to the screw axis, a subsequent channel, wherein the subsequent channel becomes a further inlet channel connected to at least one subsequent cross-axial pump, and wherein the cross-axial pump is bounded by a flight on at least one side.

Abstract: A support apparatus of adjustable height having at least one leg assembly with a first leg unit, a second leg unit and a third leg unit. The first and second leg units are slidably movable relative to each other, and the second and third leg units are slidably movable relative to each other. A first fixing clamp selectively locks and unlocks the first leg unit relative to the second leg unit, and a second fixing clamp selectively locks and unlocks the first leg unit relative to the second leg unit. First and second actuating levers are independently actuatable to selectively lock and unlock the first and second fixing levers. The first and second actuating clamps can be operated simultaneously to simultaneously lock or unlock both of the first and second fixing clamps, irrespective of the positions of the first, second and third leg units relative to each other.

Abstract: An adaptor (2) for fitting a fluorescent tube (80) to a fluorescent tube housing. The adaptor includes a body portion (6) for attachment to an end of the fluorescent tube (80), a pair of contact and arm assemblies and a lid portion (8). Each contact (10, 12) in the pair of assemblies is electrically connectable to a power source. Each arm (14, 16) in the pair of assemblies is adapted for electrical connection to a respective contact (76, 78) of the fluorescent tube (80) so as to provide power from the power source to a fluorescent tube (80).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for isolating an intact clone of one target nucleic acid fragment having a known characteristic, from a group of fragments by preparing an initial library of clones from the group of fragments using a vector containing no more than a predetermined number of known restriction sites, preferably 1–3 restriction sites, subjecting the initial library to at least 10, and preferably between 50 and 70 restriction enzymes different from those to which the vector is susceptible, to produce a group of monodigested libraries, screening the group of monodigested libraries for the target fragment to determine those restriction enzymes to which the target fragment is insensitive, and subjecting the initial library to substantially all of the restriction enzymes to which the target fragment is insensitive, to produce a multidigested library having an intact clone of the target nucleic acid fragment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cervical brace that has a chest plate secured to the thorax of a wearer and a chin strut attached to the chest plate. In a preferred embodiment, the chin strut extends to a point on a chin support of a cervical collar disposed adjacent a wearer's chin so as to provide better support. The chest plate is in the form of a vest or can be comprised of a chest plate and a back plate. In preferred embodiments the chin strut extends in a straight line from the chest plate to the chin support and is adjustable and maybe positioned securely, relative to the chest plate, the cervical brace also has a back plate and an occipital support. In certain embodiments it has a rear strut extending between the occipital support and the back plate. In such embodiments, the back plate and the chest plate are preferably attached to each other around the body.

Abstract: A stretch fabric material having an elongation of at least 20% in the warp direction is provided with both of the stretchability and the stiffness, which is composed of a Raschel warp knit fabric formed of non-stretchable fiber yarns having no rubbery elasticity, wherein loops of tuck warp are engaged with loops of a ground fabric structure. Since the stretch knit fabric material of the invention exhibits a gentle tightening force when covering or bandaging a human body, it is suitably used for a medical material for covering or bandaging a human body having curved or irregular portions, a reinforcement material for a molded object having curved or irregular figure or portions, a stretchable bandage, a casting tape or a splint for orthopedic surgery use.

Abstract: A skull pin including a removable tip is disclosed where the tip of the pin is manufactured from a ceramic material. Alternatively, the tip can be manufactured from other insulating, non-conducting materials. The tip may either be inserted into a bore in the center of the pin, or may be a cap placed over the pin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable device for carrying out examinations of turbid media using a three-dimensional cross-correlation technique and for suppressing the influence of multiple scattering, as well as to an adjustment method for adjusting the device. The device has a base plate (1) upon which an adjustable laser (2) is positioned in tilting devices or by means of mirrors for directing the laser beam perpendicularly onto the wall of a cuvette (6) filled with a medium to be examined. The device is provided with a translucent plate (7) which in some sections is completely mirror-coated and in other sections is partially mirror-coated and which serves as a beam splitter (4). The plate is firmly secured to the base plate (1) using a positioning fixture (8) whose support surface (16) for the translucent plate (7) is situated at a fixed angle with respect to the base plate (1).

Abstract: Heating and extruding a polymeric sheet having a predetermined thickness and introducing it into and through a gap between cooling rolls, measuring directly by laser beam and without reflection the gap between the cooling rolls, and controlling the gap to control minimal pressure on the softened and heat-plastified sheet.

Abstract: A process for producing olefins and diolefins. A flow of gas is compressed with a prime mover in a near adiabatic path. Resistance to the flow within the adiabatic path causes a temperature rise with respect to its pressure, where it enters a near adiabatic tunnel. At least one other gas is provided into the tunnel at a prescribed, independently controlled temperature and pressure. The compressed flow is comingled and mixed with at least one other gas. Hydrogen and oxygen are fed into the tunnel to produce steam. Steam is applied to at least one hydrocarbon for pyrolysis or thermal cracking to yield at least one of olefins and diolefins.

Abstract: An optical device in the form of reading glasses is made to be discreet and easily transported. The device comprises a lens; a nosepiece; a weighted counterbalance; and a supporting bar interconnecting said nosepiece between said lens and said counter balance. At least one of the lens, the nosepiece, and the counterbalance is adjustably displaceable about and along said supporting bar for maintaining balance.

Abstract: An improved plastic border utilized in cathodes used in the processes for the electrolytic refinement of minerals, characterized in that the plastic border presents a transversal aperture of a conical like base section with straight walls, thereafter converging with another quadrangular aperture, to end in an oblong section aperture opening.

Abstract: A shelving unit has left- and right-hand side rails for engaging the inner surfaces of opposed sidewalls of a display system. A generally trapezoidal bridge member having its upper lateral edge as the major side, is defined by two outer, longitudinal edges which slope inwardly at a prescribed angle as each moves from the upper lateral edge. The sloping longitudinal edges are adapted for frictionally engaging each respective side rail such that pressure exerted by the bridge member is sufficient to hold each side-rail in place between the inner walls of a display system. Each side rail and the bridge member define an upper surface for supporting a display item.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the translation of bacterial mRNA is disclosed. The method comprises overexpressing in a bacterium an mRNA which contains a sequence which is complementary to the anti-downstream box region of the 16S rRNA. RNA and DNA constructs for the overexpression of the mRNA of the invention are disclosed. Further, there are disclosed isolated DNA constructs that direct the prolonged expression of a heterologous gene in a cold-shocked bacterium at reduced temperature. The construct can comprise a promoter region of a cold-shocked inducible gene. The replication vehicle comprising such DNA constructs and a method for overexpressing a heterologous gene in a bacterium transformed with such a replication vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetically attachable sealed pressed flower in which a sheet 3 having a pressed dry flower 2 is sealed and fixed by melting and fixing therein is disposed integrally on one surface of a sheet-shaped magnet substrate 1, which can improve the degree of freedom for the selection and alteration of the position or replacement of the kinds of pressed flowers and also enables re-utilization.

Abstract: A web site provides educational information over a computer network such as the Internet. The web site includes a plurality of web pages that can be displayed by the user. The web pages have a particular construction and content to facilitate review by the user. A first web page can be displayed that includes a combination of original information on a given educational topic, a hypertext link corresponding to the educational topic linked to a third party site and customized information corresponding to the third party site. The original information can be comprised of text and/or graphical images. The customized information comprises text in a form designed to encourage curiosity and visitation of a third party site for more information on the given educational topic.