Abstract: Computer-assisted microsurgery equipment, of the type including an articulated tool support, with one of the ends being integral with a fixed reference system R.sub.c. The system comprises cameras for determining the tool coordinates in said fixed reference system R.sub.c, and an image data base wherein are recorded images from an imaging system in the image reference system R.sub.i. The inventions characterized by having at least two sensors integral with the fixed reference system R.sub.c supplying an electrical signal depending on the patient reference position R.sub.p in the fixed reference system R.sub.c, and a computer for matching the tool reference system R.sub.o with the patient reference system R.sub.p and the image reference system R.sub.i according to data from the bidimensional sensor, cameras for determining the coordinates of the tool in the fixed reference system R.sub.c and data from the image base.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable (shrink-resistant) polyester fibers, webs and fabrics, comprising a nucleating agent incorporated into the fibers are disclosed. Methods of incorporating the nucleating agent within the polyester are disclosed.

Abstract: A complete sorting system is provided herein including a sequence of interlacing cable conveyors for conveying objects to be sorted, such as apples or other agricultural produce, from bulk storage at the input to the system, through the system, and along to drops at the output of the system. The cable conveyors are configured and arranged to handle even delicate agricultural produce without damage and at high speed. The produce or objects which are conveyed typically do not roll along the conveyors. Preferably, objects of substantially any shape can be conveyed along the system.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs consolidated and elastic transverse direction, laminates and methods of making same are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for controllably dispensing a liquid or viscous material comprises a chamber which is subdivided by a piston into a pressurized gas chamber and a mass chamber. The container includes electrochemical, tablet-shaped, completely enclosed diffusion electrodes, aqueous electrolytes, a gas development cell containing a counter-electrode, an adjusting rheostat and contacts held by a clamping device in the bottom of the container. A vibration-dampening funnel-shaped container cap encloses the top end of the container and is totally compliant and shock-proof. The piston includes a piston seal which has a sealing lip monolithically connected to the piston with a space for a film of grease. An alternative embodiment has exchangeable electric elements and a refilling device. Other alternative embodiments have a simplified compact design for small sizes or for infusion devices or are associated with piston sensors.

Abstract: To provide an improved high-temperature cycle lifetime, an alloy for use as active material for the negative electrode of an alkaline, rechargeable nickel-metal hydride battery has the compositionMm.sub.1-u E.sub.u Ni.sub.v Co.sub.w Al.sub.x Mn.sub.y M.sub.z, whereMm is a misch metal including La and Ce, and which can further include Pr, Nd and/or other lanthanides,E is Ti and/or Zr, with 0.01.ltoreq.u.ltoreq.0.1, andM is Fe and/or Cu, with 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.4, wherein0.2.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.0.4,0.3.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5,0.2.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.4, and4.9.ltoreq.v+w+x+y+z.ltoreq.5.1.

Abstract: As an active material for its negative electrode, a hydrogen storage alloy for a Ni/H battery has the compositionMmNi.sub.v Al.sub.w Mn.sub.x Co.sub.y M.sub.z,where Mm is a misch metal, M is Fe, Cu, or a mixture of Fe and Cu, and where0.1.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.4,0.2.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.4,0.3.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.0.5,0.2.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.4, and4.9.ltoreq.v+w+x+y+z.ltoreq.5.1.The partial substitution of Co by M, in conjunction with a special production method including the steps of atomizing the molten alloy, followed by heat-treatment and pulverization, leads to an alloy having a particularly high cycle lifetime and discharge capability.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody, or fragments thereof, against human TNF receptor protein which antibody neutralizes the known actions of TNF.alpha. and/or TNF.beta. is disclosed. The antibody may be chimeric or humanized. Furthermore, the present invention provides a process for obtaining the above monoclonal antibody, as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing the above monoclonal antibody and/or the above protein with antibody properties.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for the treatment of acne by topical application comprise clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide. Kits for preparing the compositions include a solution of clindamycin in a first container and a gel suspension of benzoyl peroxide in a second container. Each component is stored at a pH which promotes stability, and the combination of the two components provides a final composition having a pH which promotes stability and enhances viscosity.

Abstract: A method for post-treating a precursor nonwoven web including consolidating the web laterally, thereby reducing the maximum pore size measure of the web and improving the filtration efficiency of the web, and subjecting the consolidated web to an electrostatic field to further enhance filtration efficiency.

Abstract: Sea water previously filtered and temperature controlled, and which includes added hydrogen is continuously pumped at a constant rate to a deoxygenation reactor containing a divided platinum catalyst on a granular activated carbon support. The deoxygenated sea water is continuously discharged from the reactor through a line. The divided platinum of the catalyst is present in a superficial layer of the support grains and the platinum dispersion in the catalyst grains is at least 10%.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a biochemically active polypeptide from a biochemically inactive polypeptide. The polypeptide is normally but need not be expressed in a precursor form containing a pro-sequence. The inactive polypeptide is reacted with a tailor-made activating peptide. The activating peptide can be synthetic or made by recombinant DNA procedure. The activating peptide is a peptide which contains one or more functional domains which are necessary for folding the inactive polypeptide into a biochemically active conformation. The activating peptide may but need not contain a sequence of amino acids which is identical to the sequence of the natural occurring pro-sequence of the polypeptide. Also, a method is disclosed which permits to identify the one or more functional domains in the pro-sequence of a polypeptide which contribute(s) to the folding of the inactive polypeptide into a biochemically active conformation.

Abstract: A method of synthesis of new and useful single-stranded DNAs which have a stem-loop configuration (ss-slDNA). The method is an in vivo or an in vitro synthesis. Replicating vehicles which produce these ss-slDNAs. The ss-slDNAs are described. Uses for these slDNAs are disclosed. They can be used for introducing random mutations, they lend themselves for replication by a variant of the PCR method. They can also be used for regulating gene function. Other uses are disclosed.

Abstract: A family of stimuli-induced in particular stress or cold-shock induced genes and proteins are disclosed which have conserved amino acid domains. Nucleic acid sequences of the genes and the promoters are also described. Various utilities of the promoters and of the proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite structure comprising one or more plies of nonwoven and one or more plies of film, these being manufactured from thermoplastics, wherein all the plies making up the structure, for example (12, 13, 14), are totally manufactured from a member of the group: a polymer derived from lactic acid, a copolymer of lactic acid, a blend of polymers derived from lactic acid.The invention also relates to a process for obtaining said composite structure.

Abstract: Novel chimeric constructions and methods for their use are provided for expression of exogenous genes in a plant chloroplast. Particularly, expression is achieved by the use of a chloroplast or bacterial 5' untranslated region in the expression cassette. The expression cassette may be integrated into the chloroplast genome by the use of chloroplast DNA flanking sequences, or may replicate autonomously if provided with a chloroplast origin of replication. Plants and cells containing the transformed chloroplasts are also provided. The constructs may be used with both monocotyledenous and dicotyledenous chloroplasts.

Abstract: A plant peptide transport gene and its nucleotide sequence are disclosed. The gene may be used to confer herbicide resistance to plants, and to render plants resistant to insect pests. The invention also relates to plants that possess non-naturally occurring alleles of peptide transport gene.

Abstract: A connector for a composite pipe includes a male conical member to be inserted between inner and outer layers of the pipe. The outer layers have oppositely wound composite strips which are overlapped along the conical surface. The ends of the strips are braided and a cup located over the conical surface. A filler is injected between the cup and conical member to fill the voids formed between the overlapping strips.

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: A multilayered nonwoven composite web particularly useful as a substitute for a woven web such as a textile web, and having improved liquid wicking and retention properties comprising a first layer of fibrous material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic meltblown man-made fibers, thermoplastic spunbonded man-made fibers, thermoplastic man-made staple fibers and combinations thereof, this first layer being light weight, and a second layer of cellulosic-based fibers, preferably cotton fibers, the first and second layers being thermally bonded together over about 5 to 75% of the surface area of the web to form a coherent web having an air permeability of between about 25 and about 37 ft.sup.3 /min/ft.sup.2 (0.127 and 0.188 m.sup.3 /sec/m.sup.2). In a preferred embodiment, the composite web includes at least a third layer of thermoplastic man-made fibers and the layer of cellulose-based fibers is sandwiched between the two layers of thermoplastic man-made fibers.