Abstract: In an automatic bread baking machine, a temperature detecting circuit and a control method thereof detect the change of a temperature during the baking of bread. According to temperature programming, a microprocessor outputs from its output terminals a high signal in a defined order onto numerous resistors. The resistors have predetermined resistor values different from each other. A temperature sensor is connected in common to the resistors. Moreover, a comparator compares the voltage across the temperature sensor to the comparator's reference voltage. The output of the comparator is connected to and monitored by the microprocessor. Consequently, the temperature detecting circuit and the control method allow for the elimination of an A/D convertor and the self-diagnostic functions for a thermistor.

Abstract: The cloning of truncated versions of Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase enzyme in E. coli is disclosed. The truncated reverse transcriptase enzymes have improved half-life when compared to native reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an intermediate layer for a shoe sole consisting of a hollow shell having convolutions disposed along the periphery thereof. The convolutions are adapted to cushion the foot by compressing when force is applied thereto, and expanding to their original configuration when the force is relieved. An inner filler material may be provided within the shell for added cushioning and resilience.

Abstract: A large number of fish species exhibit protease activity and are therefore unacceptable for preparing processed fish products such as surimi. The present invention is directed to a composition containing alpha-2-macroglobulin for inhibiting protease activity contained in the fish material during the preparation of a processed fish product. Thus, the invention provides suitable protease inhibitors to treat a number of fish species which were previously unsuitable for preparing processed fish products such as surimi.The present invention also relates to a method of preparing a processed fish product comprising contacting the fish material with alpha-2-macroglobulin in an amount sufficient to neutralize or inhibit the protease contained in the fish material.In addition, the present invention is directed to a fish product prepared using the composition of this invention and to a fish product prepared according to the method of this invention.

Abstract: A sequential encoder/decoder pair for error correction using block and convolutionally encoded data. The encoder includes a block coder with up to t bit error correction capability and a convolutional coder, so that the block encoded bits are also convolutionally coded. The convolutional decoder includes a block decoder, which renders the convolutional decoding process more efficient by reducing the amount of computation required to correct t or fewer errors in a received block of data. Since the most likely error patterns involve the least number of bits, most of the correction is accomplished by block decoding, with only minimal use of the convolutional-encoding algorithm, thus saving valuable computation time for more complex but less likely error patterns. The decoder employs an error pattern estimator and branch metric generator to correct all error patterns using the Fano algorithm, using stored values which are derived from known probability of random errors in the data channel.

Abstract: A gel electrophoresis/electro-blot transfer apparatus comprising a buffer tank having a upper and lower section adapted to maintain a buffer solution, a support frame for supporting a gel slab, a first member for securing the gel slab in a substantially vertical direction in the support frame, a support frame for supporting a filter paper, gel slab, and a blotter membrane, a second member for securing the filter paper, gel slab, and membrane in intimate contact with the support frame. Assembly of the buffer tank, support frame, and securing means or the buffer tank and electro-blot support frame forms an upper buffer solution reservoir and a lower buffer solution reservoir substantially isolated from each other. The upper buffer solution reservoir and the lower buffer solution reservoir are electrically connected so that electrophoresis or electro-blot transfer can be performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the treatment or prevention of neuronal loss in ischemia, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, brain and spinal cord trauma as well as for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and Down's Syndrome by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of 10,5-(iminomethano)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene (IDDC) or derivatives thereof to an animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-6-carboxylic acid improved in the yield and the selective ratio, in which .beta.-naphthol and water formed in the reaction system are eliminated therefrom through the reaction.

Abstract: Apparatus for fabricating a fused biconical taper fibre optic coupler includes a hollow furnace (12) having a longitudinal slot (50). Clamp units (14, 16) are provided to hold at least two suitably prepared optical fibres (8, 9) in intimate side-by-side contact. The clamp units are moveable by motors (18, 20) to relatively laterally move the fibres into and out of the furnace (12) through the slot (50). A power supply (60) heats the furnace (12) to in turn heat segments of the fibres therein while these segments are in intimate side-by-side contact to a temperature sufficient to cause the fibre segments to fuse together. Drawings devices (22, 24) associated with the clamp units (14, 16) longitudinally draw the heated fibres while in the hot furnace to cause each fused fibre to develop a biconical taper and so form a coupler.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunometric assay for a multivalent antigen in a sample which comprises forming a complex of the antigen together with multiple immobilized monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of the antigen and with a detectably labeled soluble monoclonal antibody which is identical to one of the multiple immobilized antibodies. The labeled antibody associated with the complex is separated from the remaining soluble antibody and the detectably labeled antibody associated with the complex or unassociated with the complex is detected. Any one of the multiple immobilized monoclonal antibodies shows, by itself, substantially less binding towards the antigen in the immunometric assay, when used with itself or another monocolonal antibody in soluble labeled form, than when used with the multiple immobilized antibodies in combination.

Abstract: The invention discloses a novel use of Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) as a contraceptive agent. MIS has been found to reversably inhibit the maturation of oocytes in vitro. Additionally, the invention provides a means for restoring the fertility of females who are infertile due to abnormal production of MIS.

Abstract: An output control circuit of a 4-burner electronics induction heating cook system comprises a unit for measuring the proportional setting time to selectively operate the timing on-off control and the frequency control of a heating load; an invertor circuit for generating a proportional time and applying this to the load; a current feedback/output adjusting circuit provided with a differential amplifier inputing a high or low level signal according to a signal from the current detector; an output setting control portion provided with a unit for comparing the signals from the circuit connected to the adjusting circuit and the saw tooth wave generating circuit and then outputing a pulse width modulation signal; an output setting control portion provided with at least one photocoupler wired in an OR configuration to control the operation of the control portion and a microprocessor connected to control the operation of the photocouplers; a base operating portion and a timing circuit for controlling an invertor cir

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant DNA molecules and to methods for producing proteins by means of said molecules. Particularly, the present invention relates to recombinant DNA molecules which are synthetized in Bacillus strain bacteria and are characterized by DNA which codes for exoenzymes excreted by a bacterium of the Bacillus strain and which are present in tens of copies in Bacillus strain bacteria, as well as to recombinant DNA molecules which are modified from the above recombinant DNA molecules and are characterized by DNA containing the regulation and excretion signals of the .alpha.-amylase gene of B. amyloliquefaciens, to which signals a gene of any protein can be joined. These recombinant DNA molecules can be used, for example, to improve the production of .alpha.-amylase in Bacillus strain bacteria, and their modifications to produce any protein in Bacillus strain bacteria.

Abstract: A selected protein or protein part is prepared in Bacillus strain bacteria by joining DNA encoding the selected protein or protein part essential to its biological activity to a bacterium gene. The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens gene for .alpha.-amylase is cleaved at a location after the excretion signal following the regulation sequence, or at a location after a part essential with respect to its excretion. The cleaved gene is joined to a plasmid present in Bacillus strain bacteria in several copies, and the DNA sequence encoding the selected protein or protein part essential to its biological activity is joined to the cleavage site by recombinant DNA techniques. Bacillus strain host bacteria are transformed with the recombinant DNA molecules so obtained, and the transformed host bacteria cultivated to produce the selected protein or protein part.

Abstract: A system and method for merging two or more analog video signals under control of a third analog video signal. A standard video output from one processor's video signal digital to analog converter (DAC) is used as the control signal for the merging of two or more other video signals. This enables the video outputs of even highly diverse processing schemes to be easily merged. In its preferred embodiment, the system includes analog switching circuitry which is used to mix the video outputs from two or more different systems. The system also includes circuitry which converts the standard video output from a third processor into a large swing TTL signal which is used to control the analog switch.

Abstract: An end-locking device for slide fasteners which enables the end of a first row of zipper teeth to be releasably locked in a socket terminal which is fixed to the end of a second row of zipper teeth. The device includes locking means mounted to pivot on the socket terminal and engaging means located at the end of the second row of zipper teeth. When the end of the first row of zipper teeth is inserted into the socket terminal in order to fasten the zipper, the locking means and the engaging means are brought into interlocking engagement with each other and held in the socket terminal. In order to unfasten the zipper, the locking means is manually pushed and this causes the ends of the rows of zipper teeth to be disengaged, thereby permitting the end of the second row of zipper teeth to be escaped from the socket terminal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a CO.sub.2 detector for the detection of CO.sub.2 in respiratory gases. In particular, the invention relates to medical devices which contain a CO.sub.2 detector disposed within the devices to allow detection of CO.sub.2 within respiratory gases.The invention also relates to a method for determining the proper placement of an intubation device comprising inserting a tracheal tube having a CO.sub.2 detector disposed within, and observing whether the CO.sub.2 detector changes color in response to the CO.sub.2 which is present in respiratory gases.The CO.sub.2 detectors of the invention comprise a pH sensitive dye and a solid phase support. The CO.sub.2 detectors of the invention may further comprise a phase transport enhancer which allows the CO.sub.2 detector to respond contemporaneously with the presence or absence of CO.sub.2 in a respiratory gas on a breath by breath basis.