Abstract: The present invention describes the isolation and nucleic acid sequence of genes associated with cyptokine induced cell death. As long as these genes function normally, cytokines induce cell death; once the expression of these genes is inhibited, cytokine induced cell death is inhibited One aspect of the invention comprises expressing or the use of expression vectors to promote cell death in abnormal, pathological, cell growth such as cancer and psoriasis and another aspect of the invention is the protection of cells from programmed cell death in abnormal conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. The invention can also be used as a screening device for predisportion to cancer or other uncontrolled cell growth diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a double chamber container with tapering/conical inner chamber for a pressure-valve can. The container is usable for dispensing flowable products, in particular, products containing solvents or products for the cosmetics industry, and comprises a single or multiple part metallic outer container and a compressible metallic inner container. The invention also relates to a double chamber container produced according to this method and its use in pressure-valve cans.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful method and apparatus for the controlled non-pyrolytic reduction of organic material comprising subjecting the material to microwave radiation in a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: A vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat, with a pair of runners (7) for longitudinal adjustment, a seat-back (3) which can be tilted forward after releasing a locking device, and a runner latching device (10), which is unlatched at release of the locking device to longitudinally displace the seat. A mechanical detection system (12) detects the distance of the momentary seat position from the initial position based on longitudinal displacement, and is active only at release of the locking device. A tracking and blocking device (13) cooperating with the detection system (12) is provided. The latter allows opening and closing of the runner latching device (10) and/or the locking device only at the zero position of the detection system (12).

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of an assayed nucleic acid in a sample is an essentially two-stage procedure. In a first stage the sample is reacted in a manner which gives rise to the production of a triggering RNA where the sample contains the assays sequence. In the second stage, the reaction product is incubated under appropriate conditions with an amplification reagent ensemble whereby, in the presence of triggering RNA a large amount of a nucleic product is obtained. The detection of this product thus indicates the presence of the assayed sequence in the sample.

Abstract: An afterloader for use in radiation oncology or intravascular radiotherapy comprises a wire storage mechanism for storing a radioactive-tipped sourcewire, a drive mechanism for advancing the sourcewire into a catheter or other channel implanted in a patient. A computer control system receives information from an encoder and a force sensor, which monitor the displacement of and the force exerted on the sourcewire, respectively. The displacement and force information are used to advance the wire at the fastest possible speed to the treatment site without exceeding a pre-programmed force profile designed to ensure the sourcewire does not puncture the catheter. The force profile is dynamic depending on the particular catheter being used, and catheter information may be inputted into the computer controller using a bar code or other information storage means in the catheter itself.

Abstract: A non-human animal model for CNS and eye-infiltrating lymphomas is produced by inoculating a rodent with the cells of a lymphoma causing cell line capable of infiltrating into the CNS or eye of the inoculated host.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing material from moving metal workpieces, particular for cutting sheet metal. It entails preheating, without melting, the surface of the workpiece to a temperature at which ignition is triggered by a combustible gas directed onto the preheated section as a jet under pressure, while burnt material from the workpiece is blown away from the cut recess thus produced. In order to achieve smooth edges on large-gauge workpieces with a relatively high feed-rate, a laser beam is also directed onto the cutting front in the cut recess.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of photochromic material, in particular of photochromic compounds and matrices suitable for use in optical memory systems, including three dimensional optical memory systems for computers, multimedia applications and the like. The photochromic compounds have the following formula: ##STR1## wherein the substituents are defined in the specification.

Abstract: Index for use in measuring instruments includes a main body formed with a transparent synthetic resin and having an indicating portion for indicating measured values; a skirt portion formed on the base of the main body with the same transparent synthetic resin as that of the main body and having a hole through which the distal end of an index shaft of a movement element from the measuring instrument is inserted; a balancer disposed on a side opposite to that of the indicating portion and over the skirt portion with a synthetic resin blended with a high specific gravity material for adjusting the balance to the indicating portion; and a cap formed with a non-transparent synthetic resin for covering the base portion of the main body and balancer.

Abstract: An earthquake resistant foundation based on the method of longitudinal wave filtration by periodic or quasi-periodic septate waveguides. The generic septate waveguide comprises either a series of cylindrical or annular polymer members or a stratified medium with air-filled cylindrical channels. In all cases, the polymer members are reinforced along their torsional surfaces. As the waveguides are distributed into a specific matrix, they serve as an isolating and damping device which is placed between the source of sound, shock or vibration waves and the object of protection. The elements of the waveguide are the individual septate cylindrical cross sections, which comprise a configuration of polymer, viscous or non-viscous liquid and air constituents bonded to and separated by the rigid end plates. The method postulates that radial displacement be zero at the boundary between the polymer member and the septum. Furthermore, the polymer member should be incompressible, and the septa are rigid.

Abstract: A protein complex for inducing growth of bone in the maxillary sinus of an animal is disclosed. The complex is generally made from animal bone, defated, demineralized, ground, slurried, and fractional such that functional structural, adhesive, chemotaxis, and growth components are isolated and purified.

Abstract: This invention provides a new strain Rhodococcus rhodochrous having a high nitrile hydratase activity and capable of hydrating aliphatic and aromatic nitriles to corresponding amides. An isolated culture of Rhodococcus rhodochrous VKM Ac-1515D is also disclosed for use in the production of nitrile hydratase. An enzymatic inducer is not required in the growth medium, however, the growth medium does include a salt, a carbon source, and a nitrogen source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspection of metallic surfaces before subsequent treatment thereof (for example, painting) are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, several light sources illuminate the inspected surface with light beams having different wave lengths, reflected radiation is detected and converted to electrical signals, the electrical signals are processed digitally, and the results of processing are displayed. Some of the light sources are mounted so as to produce light beams inclined with respect to the inspected surface. These light beams are defined by an angular divergence of not more than 5 degrees. Display of results can be presented, in terms of the ISO standard, for inspection and assessment of industrial steel surfaces (i.e., in terms of preparation grades).

Abstract: Method and devices for manufacturing biaxially oriented tubing from thermoplastic material. The method includes forcing the tube over a mandrel at an orientation temperature of the plastic material, which mandrel includes an expansion part which produces expansion in the circumferential direction of the tube. The forcing over the mandrel is achieved by exerting a pushing force on the tube upstream of the expansion part of the mandrel by a pushing device acting upon the outside of the tube, and by exerting a pulling force on the tube downstream of the mandrel. The pushing device acts upon the tube at a distance upstream of the mandrel, and the tube is supported between the place where said pushing device acts and the expansion part of the mandrel.

Abstract: An improved vehicle seating row, in particular an airplane passenger seating row. The seating row is provided with at least one seat which can be displaced in the direction of the cross struts of a framework relative to the neighboring seat between two positions in which the seat row has a maximum or a minimum width and which can be locked in these positions to the framework by means of a latching mechanism, and with a hand lever mounted at one of the two end seat dividers which can be moved to three different tilted positions for actuating of the latching mechanism as well as a manually releasable locking device for the hand lever. The center position of the hand lever is associated with the released state of the latching mechanism and the two other tilted positions are associated with the effective state of the latching mechanism for the installation of the seating row with minimum or maximum widths, respectively.

Abstract: The turret punch press has a body frame (3); a ram (51) for striking a punch (41) to punch out work (W) in cooperation with a die (35); an upper turret (39) rotatably mounted on the body frame and having a plurality of punches (41), any desired punch being selectively located at a punch area (A1); and a lower turret (33) also rotatably mounted on the body frame and having a plurality of dies (35), any desired die mated with the desired punch being selectively located at the same punch area (A1). In particular, the upper turret (39) is formed smaller in diameter than the lower turret (33), and further the upper turret (39) is dislocated eccentrically from the lower turret (33) toward the punch area (A1) to provide an open die exchange area (A2) over a part of the lower turret (33). Or else, the upper turret (39) is formed with a cutout portion (53) to provide an open die exchange area (A2) over a part of the lower turret (33) when the upper turret is disposed concentrically on the upper turret (39).

Abstract: In a work feeding device for a plate work processing machine (e.g., a turret punch press), when a ball screw (1) is rotated by a drive motor, a ball nut (103) in mesh with the ball screw and fixed to a worktable is moved in the work feeding direction. Here, the ball screw is divided into a central portion (3) and an outer portion (5). The outer portion (5) thereof is formed of an ordinary material (e.g., steel), and the central portion (3) thereof is formed of a hard material (e.g., cemented carbide) of high longitudinal elastic coefficient. Since the maximum number of revolutions of the ball screw (i.e., the resonance frequency of the ball screw) can be increased, it is possible to move and locate plate work at a high speed, thus realizing a high speed punching processing to improve the working efficiency.

Abstract: A composite source wire for use in a patient's body to irradiate preselected tissue by localized in vivo radiation with a radioactive source, via a path from a point external to the body to the site of the tissue to be irradiated. The source wire includes a thin elongate stainless steel wire with a substantially cylindrical central aperture at its distal tip, a cylindrical radioactive fiber core tightly sealed without welding within and abutting at one end the floor of the aperture and at the other end a cylindrical plug sealing the aperture at the distal tip of the source wire, the distal tip being securely enclosed about the plug and forming a tapered tip portion at that point. The source wire has an overall diameter sized to permit ease of movement through the path formed by a vessel or duct in the patient's body during advancement to the site of the tissue to be irradiated and to allow its retraction along the path from the point external to the body.