Abstract: Slurry coating compositions are provided for metal substrates, particularly nickel or cobalt-containing alloys, that enable inward-type diffusion aluminide coatings having a substantially uniform coating thickness to be formed thereon. Substantially uniform coating thicknesses are achieved independent of applied slurry composition thickness or application method. The slurry coating composition of the invention comprises a Cr--Al alloy containing about 50 wt % to about 80 wt % Cr in the alloy, LiF in an amount greater than or equal to 0.3 wt % of the Cr--Al alloy, an organic binder, and a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for generating a CNC program for machining a part having planar and curvilinear surfaces and surfaces of revolution comprising an interface for inputting part information including for at least one face corresponding to at least one surface of the part and having face information comprising a boundary, an orientation, and a type of machining function corresponding to the face. A set of features corresponding to each face is also input via the interface. Thereafter a set of machining operations to machine the set of features is generated. The machining operations are optimized to achieve a minimum process time to machine the part.

Abstract: A laser method for delivery of pulsed infrared laser energy to a predetermined depth below the surface of the epidermis is disclosed. The method can be used to increase skin tone and reduce wrinkles. For the purposes of increasing skin tone, a novel method for quantifying the effect in vivo is disclosed. Post-treatment topical application of a pharmaceutical mixture including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and neocollagen promoting agents can be used to increase new collagen synthesis stimulated by the present invention.

Abstract: A method is set forth for separating a sterol or sterol ester from crude tall oil comprising fractionating the crude tall oil into a residue fraction and a volatile fraction, wherein the temperature of the residue fraction does not exceed about 290.degree. C., and wherein the residue fraction includes the sterol or sterol ester. By application of this method, which can be implemented in existing fractionating equipment or in specially designed pitch collecting apparatuses disclosed herein, the yield of sterols can exceed 50% with respect to the sterols present in crude tall oil. A method is also provided for separating unsaponifiable material from a tall oil stream comprising saponifying the stream with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide to form sodium and potassium salts of fatty acid, rosin acids, or both; evaporating the unsaponifiable material; and acidulating the unevaporated sodium and potassium salts.

Abstract: The process includes the steps of filling a first reactor (10) with a particulate support (22) comprising a solid matrix to be decontaminated and treated, or a matrix impregnated by a liquid or gaseous matrix to be decontaminated and treated; and introducing at one end (23) of the reactor (10) an oxidative flow triggering a thermoxidation reaction at the opposite end (24) in such a manner that a mobile flame front (26) is generated in the direction opposite (28) to the oxidative flow. The flame front has a temperature of at least 1200.degree. C. so as to substantially decompose or destroy contaminants, undesired substances and compounds initially present in the matrix. Preferably, prior to triggering the thermoxidation reaction, the particulate support (22) is mixed and/or treated with a decontaminating reagent.

Abstract: A method of inducing expression of immune active cytokines in tumors in situ is provided wherein a vaccinia virus vector capable of inducing expression of a selected cytokine is generated and injected into a tumor so that cells of the tumor express the selected cytokine. A method of enhancing immunity in a host by administration of a vaccinia virus vector is also provided. Methods of treating cancer by administration of these vaccinia virus vectors are also provided.

Abstract: Copper alloy foils are provided having far greater strength and heat resistance than conventional copper foils, and having better productivity, are characterized by a composition comprising, all by weight, from 0.01 to 0.4% Cr, from 0.01 to 0.25% Zr, from 0.02 to 2.0% Zn; and when necessary from 0.05 to 1.8% Fe and from 0.05 to 0.8% Ti; and when further necessary one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Sn, In, Mn, P, Mg, Al, B, As, Cd, Co, Te, Ag, and Hf in a total amount of from 0.005 to 1.5%; the balance being copper and unavoidable impurities. Inclusions in the copper foil not larger than 10 .mu.m in size, and the inclusions between 0.5 and 10 .mu.m in size number less than 100 pieces/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: An isolated transcribed nucleotide sequence, termed interferon Responsive Transcript -1 (IRT-1), encodes a deduced 132 amino acid basically-charged protein. The invention is directed to IRT-1 nucleic acid, its structural and functional homologs, including portions of the nucleotide, and complements of the nucleotide sequence. Also provided are isolated amino acid sequences encoded by the IRT-1 nucleotide sequences, structural and functional homologs of the isolated amino acid sequences, including portions of the amino acid sequences and antibodies to the amino acid sequences. The IRT-1 nucleic acid sequences may be used to detect and produce other sequences, to regulate or oppose production of vascular smooth muscle cells, and to prevent or treat proliferative arterial disease and/or vascular restenosis.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement is disclosed for protecting an electrophoresis gel from damage during shipment and storage. The package arrangement includes first and second sheets that are sealed about their respective edges to form an enclosed cavity. The cavity is at least partially evacuated of air. An electrophoresis gel is located within the cavity. A support sheet may be disposed between the electrophoresis gel and the package to facilitate removal of the gel and to further stiffen the package. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of electrophoresis gels are disposed within the cavity. Each gel is preferably separated from adjacent gels by a spacer.

Abstract: A wheel-arch cover panel for a motor vehicle is formed by a thermoformed, laminar structure, and comprises a layer of plastics material impermeable to liquids, at least one layer of fabric, particularly a non-woven fabric, which is applied to the face of the layer of plastics material facing towards the wheel of the motor vehicle and at least a third layer of expanded plastics material on the face facing towards the bodywork.

Abstract: Anthraquinone is removed from tall oil or tall oil fraction by adsorption with activated carbon. The process is particularly useful in the removal of anthraquinone from tall oil heads.

Abstract: A getter heating coil assembly producing a focused magnetic field for heating objects in close proximity to the coil assembly. The coil assembly comprises electrical conductors wound on a coil bobbin, the coil bobbin having a central spindle around which the conductors are wound. The wound bobbin is assembled with a magnetic field concentrator, said field concentrator having a central core extending from a base, and a side wall extending from the base to enclose the wound bobbin. The central core of the field concentrator fits within the spindle on the bobbin and extends through it. The coil bobbin remains exposed on one side for emission of focused electromagnetic energy when alternating current is supplied to the coil windings. A button of high magnetic permeability material may be attached to the field concentrator for focusing the emitted electromagnetic energy toward the center of the coil.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of decorating articles which are transported on article carriers through a treatment station along a transport path which is linear at least over a portion of its extent, the article carriers are transported through the linear portion of the transport path by a screw having a screw flight adapted to engage with a respective article carrier required to move along the linear portion of the transport path. Rotation of the screw advances the respective article carrier along the linear transport path portion. The screw preferably rotates at a constant speed so that changes in the speed of movement of the article carrier along the linear portion of the transport path are implemented by variations in the screw flight pitch over the length of the screw.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a thin film comprises a housing defining a reaction chamber; a pair of electrodes securely fixed in the reaction chamber of the housing such that they are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance; and a plasma carrier detachably disposed between the pair of electrodes and having at least one substrate assembled thereto, the plasma carrier and at least one substrate cooperating with each other to delimit a glow discharge space, the plasma carrier being formed with a plurality of gas intake holes and a plurality of gas exhaust holes for communicating the glow discharge space with the outside. According to the present invention, in a plasma chemical vapor deposition device, a glow discharge space is delimited by a plasma carrier, whereby a cleansing procedure is simplified and productivity is enhanced while advantages of a box carrier type plasma chemical vapor deposition device are afforded.

Abstract: A robotic sampling device has a maneuverable, telescoping sample collector comprising a sample collecting arm and a propulsion module containing means for supporting and facilitating movement. Most preferably, the means for supporting and facilitating movement are wheels. The robotic sampling device also contains means for increasing traction for the propulsion module. The sampling device is remotely controlled. The sampling device contains at least one light source and a viewer that provides information for navigation and sample collection. The wheels of the propulsion module contain extendable pins which promote increased traction. The telescoping sample collector may also be rotated or tilted through a 180 degree arc relative to the axis of the pipe. The robotic sampling device also provides a means for collecting, labelling, and storing a sample, as well as cleaning the sample collector in preparation of another sampling event.

Abstract: An injection assembly of low thermal mass which has a molded bearing plate which reduces the total amount of material required and thus the amount of heating or cooling necessary to raise or lower the temperature of the injection assembly. The assembly includes a molded bearing plate with structural ribs and a cast heating distributor connectable to the matrix of an injection mold. The heating distributor has connectors for at least one central nozzle for receiving plastics material and connectors for at least one injection nozzle for injecting the plastics material into the injection mould, and branches containing ducts for transferring the plastics material from the at least one central nozzle to the at least one injection nozzle. The branches include a heater for controlling the temperature of the heating distributor, and at least one central nozzle and at least one injection nozzle.

Abstract: An irrigation control system for land includes a weather station to measure one or more weather conditions in a first area; means to measure rainfall in a sub-area of the first area; and a computer connected directly or indirectly to the weather station and rainfall-measuring means. The computer is adapted to monitor the measurements of the weather station and rainfall-measuring means, to calculate a moisture content value for the sub-area from the measurements and a predetermined moisture loss for the sub-area, and to regulate irrigation of the sub-area.

Abstract: A wafer scrubbing device for cleaning the surfaces of a thin disk disposed on a stationary spin chuck employs a double brush arrangement whereby brush rotation induces rotation of the disk to be cleaned and whereby the speed differential between the constant rotational speed of the brushes and the .[.variable.]. rotational speed of the disk due to the relative position of the brushes on the disk causes the scrubbing of both surfaces and the edge of the disk.