Abstract: A method for removing surface layers of a metal coating is disclosed. The method comprises applying an aluminum containing slurry to the surface of the metal coating, melting and diffusing the aluminum to form an aluminide layer within the surface of the metal coating, and removing the aluminide layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithium ion cell, comprising a positive electrode which contains a chalkogen compound, containing lithium, of a transition metal, a non-aqueous electrolyte and a negative electrode which is separator-isolated and contains carbon, which is characterized in that the cell contains lithium metal or a lithium alloy in a form physically separated from the electrodes, the lithium metal or the lithium alloy having a connection for the main lead of an electrode and, via the electrolyte, an ionic connection for the electrodes.

Abstract: Dental reamers are manufactured from a cylindrical metallic blank (e.g., made of a nickel-titanium alloy) that is moved at a feed speed V.sub.A past a rotary grinding wheel whose disk, of variable diameter, determines a linear speed V.sub.L at which material is removed. The feed speed V.sub.A is greater than 91440 cm/min, while the linear speed V.sub.L is less than 7.62 cm/min.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cloning of a member of a new potassium channel named TWIK-1. More specifically, it relates to an isolated and purified nucleic acid molecule coding for a protein constituting a potassium channel exhibiting the properties and structure of the TWIK-1 type channel, as well as the protein coded by this nucleic acid molecule.The invention also relates to the use of this nucleic acid molecule to transform cells, and the use of these cells expressing the potassium channels exhibiting the properties and structure of the TWIK-1 type channel for the screening of drugs.

Abstract: A dual state mirror assembly for use with motor vehicles includes a housing having an open front for receiving an outer substrate to form an enclosure. The outer substrate has a surface coated with a thin metal film to act as a beam splitter. An inner substrate having a reflective front surface is mounted within the enclosure so that in a first position, the inner substrate is in direct contact with the outer substrate, to produce a single bright reflected image, and so that in a second position, the inner substrate is placed at an angle with respect to the outer substrate, to provide a dimmed image and to minimize glare.

Abstract: Multilayered coatings comprising a sacrificial primer layer, a non-sacrificial second layer, and a polymer topcoat are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the translation of bacterial mRNA is disclosed, which 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.

Abstract: A lightweight, remote-controlled, self-propelled equipment support and transport system is stabilized against unwanted angular deviation in each of three perpendicular axes and adapted for motion at high speed along a simple tubular monorail. The system can be quickly and efficiently ground-mounted on stands, suspended horizontally from brackets or from a variety of overhead supports, or vertically mounted alongside a mast or wall. The system includes an elongated drive car running on and partly surrounding a rail, and an equipment support associated with the drive car and configured so that the supported equipment is transversely and longitudinally spaced and balanced about a point just below the center of the rail. The equipment support is mounted in angular isolation relative to the drive car by a system of damped pivots about pitch and yaw axes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental reamer (2) which tapers right down to its tip (1), of the type including helical slits which, on their sides, have cutting lips for boring out dental canals, in which the characteristics of the cutting conditions are defined by, on the one hand, a cutting angle .alpha. determined by the tangent to the cutting edge at the cutting point and the perpendicular to the surface to be cut at this point and, on the other hand, a clearance angle .beta. determined by the plane of the cutting surface and the tangent to the inactive face of the cutting edge, characterized in that the value of the cutting angle .alpha. is greater than or equal to zero and that of the clearance angle .beta. is greater than zero.

Abstract: A method for counting cells and microorganisms in a fluid medium, particularly in food and biological fluids, by labelling with a colored or fluorescent label which selectively labels the microorganisms and cells to be detected, and counting the labelled microorganisms and cells, wherein said colored or fluorescent label is a stoichiometric label, particularly a DNA or RNA label, the microorganisms and cells are concentrated at the same time as or prior to counting by means of a fluid medium concentration step, and counting is achieved by measuring the overall brightness of the concentrated medium and comparing it with a calibration curve.

Abstract: A battery housing for an electrical device, such as a portable telephone, has a locking mechanism that locks the battery housing in place onto the housing of the portable device. The locking mechanism has a locking finger that is inserted into an opening in the device housing. The locking finger is spring mounted on the housing bottom of the battery housing and collaborates with at least one sliding surface which preferably has the shape of an inclined plane over which the locking finger can be forced out of the locked position by means of a movable key.

Abstract: Translocations of chromosome 22 are associated with various cancers. Hybrid DNA sequences, having a portion of the Ews gene of chromosome 22 and a portion of either the Hum-Fli-1 gene of chromosome 11, the Erg gene of chromosome 21, or the Atf-1 gene of chromosome 12, are disclosed. Proteins encoded by these hybrid DNAs are disclosed. Diagnosis of specific cancers based on detection of the translocations is disclosed.

Abstract: A device and a method for purifying and decontaminating air uses an exchanger of the cyclone type and furthermore employs a combination of the action of cyclonic centrifugation and the action of at least one path enhancing field. A tranquilizing chamber, which is separated from the cyclone exchanger by a vent, maintains a volume of liquid into which particles and droplets are received from the peripheral wall. To this end, particulates are partially electrified before entering the enhancing field.

Abstract: A web or film is electrostatically charged by sequentially subjecting the web or film to a series of electric fields such that adjacent electric fields have substantially opposite polarities. Both a method and apparatus are disclosed for charging the web or film.

Abstract: The surface of a workpiece is cleaned by generating a steady-state one atmosphere glow discharge plasma above the surface of the workpiece. The use of one atmosphere, uniform glow discharge plasmas generated by a low frequency RF ion trapping mechanisms is preferred. The plasma used to effect surface cleaning may be formed in atmospheric air or other gases at about one atmosphere of pressure, or at pressures below or above one atmosphere.

Abstract: Methods for the transformation of etioplasts and of chloroplasts are disclosed. One method comprises incubating isolated etioplasts with a chelating agent to bind metal ions on which chloroplast nucleases are dependent and incubating the resultant nuclease-inactivated etioplasts with foreign DNA. By an alternative method of transforming chloroplasts, foreign DNA comprising expression cassettes are coated on metal particles and inserted by high-velocity impact into plant cells. For transformation into a plant chloroplast, DNA molecules containing an expression cassette includes a DNA fragment containing appropriate control sequences. The expression cassette may also be flanked by chloroplast DNA which facilitates stable integration of the gene(s) of interest into the recipient chloroplast genome. It is desirable to include within the expression cassette a selectable marker gene that encodes a selectable phenotype which allows for the identification of the cells expressing the introduced gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a procedure for irreversibly transferring a diffraction grating, such as a stamped hologram, onto a substrate, such as a document or a product to be secured, which procedure consists of preparing a transfer film consisting of a supporting film substrate that carries at least one layer formed by a protective film overlay, a metallized or transparent reflective layer that carries the stamped optical image, and a layer of activatable adhesive. The procedure consists of superimposing the transfer film prepared in the above-described manner and of applying pressure with a transfer tool. The stage consisting of the preparation of the transfer film consists of depositing, onto a supporting film substrate whose dimensions are greater than those of the element to be transferred, at least one optical element whose dimensions correspond exactly to those of the element to be transferred onto the substrate.

Abstract: The oxidation and corrosion resistance of a nickel-base alloy are enhanced by a process which includes first enriching the surface of an alloy substrate with platinum, as by electrolytic deposition, and then simultaneously diffusing aluminum and silicon from a molten state into the platinum-enriched substrate. The invention further provides coatings and coated substrates with enhanced oxidation and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A spray booth includes an outer enclosure in which the temperature and humidity of a fluid (such as air) is not controlled and a fluid handling unit within this enclosure, which circulates and controls the temperature and humidity of a smaller volume of the same fluid (air) to develop an environment suitable for application of coatings to desired substrates. In use, fluid is drawn from the outer enclosure into the inner, fluid handling unit in order to clean and modify the temperature and humidity of the fluid being handled, conditioning it to be delivered to the region of limited size which is established for receiving the substrate to be coated.

Abstract: The invention relates to alkaline primary cells comprising a zinc gel as the anode material, an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, a separator and a cathode material containing manganese dioxide, wherein the cathode material comprises 0.1-5% by weight of alkali metal titanates and/or alkaline earth metal titanates.