Abstract: Provided is an inexpensive process for producing hydrogen absorbing alloy powder suitable for a nickel-metal hydride storage battery having a high rate discharge property, a high capacity and a long cycle life for repetition of charge and discharge. The process comprises a step of an addition of a rare earth metal oxide and/or hydroxide to a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder, a wet or dry mixing step and a thermal treatment step in an inert atmosphere or in a vacuum.

Abstract: An electrical component and a wall plate have portions of a unitary image thereon such that when assembled, the unitary image is perceived. A thermally conductive collapsible sponge fills the contoured surface features of the electrical component during image transfer such that a high quality image transfer is attained.

Abstract: A rivet gun includes a pneumatic motor (4), that drives a segment stem 7. A pneumatic cylinder (21) actuates a hydraulic cylinder (22) which sends oil under pressure to an expansion chamber (10) provided for moving back the segment stem (7) and buckling the rivet (2) fixing it to a laminate structure (100). The rivet gun also includes a change-over switching device (30) linked to controls (50,60) for reversing rotation of the motor (4). The controls (60) include an inlet valve (61) operated by a trigger (64) for connecting a compressed air infeed duct 14 with a feed-discharge duct (23) leading to the pneumatic cylinder (21). A discharge valve (63) is disposed in series with the inlet valve (61) and has an adjustment ring (176) for adjusting of the maximum traction force. Another discharge valve (90) is disposed in series with the discharge valve (63) previously mentioned and is provided for adjustment of the stroke of the segment stem (7).

Abstract: An air pressure stabiliser device is adapted to be located in a aperture in a wall, which may be provided by ductwork, extending into and from a room within which the pressure is to be maintained in excess of atmospheric pressure, but which is vented when the pressure rises above a predetermined maximum. The stabilising device comprises two bearing assemblies defining a longitudinal axis, and a control member extending between the bearing assemblies, being supported thereby for rotation about said axis. Adjustment means are provided positionally to adjust the control member in a direction extending at right angles to the pivot axis, to adjust the excess pressure to which the control member responds and the threshold opening pressure. These adjustment means are provided to enable the control member to open fully in response to the detection of the desired excess pressure within the room being controlled.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical prodrug compositions are provided comprising azide derivatives of drugs which are capable of being converted to the drug in vivo. Azide derivatives of drugs having amine, ketone and hydroxy substituents are converted in vivo to the corresponding drugs, increasing the half-life of the drugs. In addition azide prodrugs are often better able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier than the corresponding drugs. Especially useful are azide derivatives of cordycepin, 2′-F-ara-ddI, AraA, acyclovir, penciclovir and related drugs. Useful azide prodrugs are azide derivatives of therapeutic alicyclic amines, ketones, and hydroxy-substituted compounds, including aralkyl, heterocyclic aralkyl, and cyclic aliphatic compounds, where the amine or oxygen moiety is on the ring, or where the amine or oxygen moiety is on an aliphatic side chain, as well as therapeutic purines and pyrimidines, nucleoside analogs and phosphorylated nucleoside analogs.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a support element (4), that defines a running surface (5), and an endless dragging belt (9,10). The belt (9,10) has seats (3) made, with inwards decreasing section, along one longitudinal edge located over a corresponding section of the surface (5). Containers (1) to be moved rest on the surface (5) and are kept in engagement with the belt (9,10) and in the seats by a lateral striker (7). The belt can be made of synthetic material with cogs (11), or of metallic material with smooth surfaces. The lateral striker (7) is a bar parallel to the straight active run (8) of the belt (9,10), and is moved in relation to the containers (1) size. The support and running surface (5) has indentations in one or more points (4), where there are plates (13) for moving the containers clear of the belt so as to allow additional operations on the containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for the drying of particulate material in superheated steam in a closed vessel (1) has a number of upwardly open, elongated and substantially vertical processing cells (2) which are placed around a central part with a heat exchanger (3). The last of these processing cells (2) has a closed bottom and is the discharge cell (4), while the remainder (2) have bottoms (5) through which steam can permeate. The processing cells (2), which lie at the side of one another, stand in mutual connection through openings (11) at the lowermost ends of the cells, so that the particulate material which is dried by the superheated steam which is blown up from the heat exchanger (3) through the steam-permeable bottoms (5) can pass from one processing cell (2) to the next through the openings (11). The discharge cell (4) and/or the last of the processing cells (2) are provided with one or more substantially vertical plates for restraining and/or controlling the flow of particulate material.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammation in patients in need of such treatment by administering an effective amount of I-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-II (General Formula), wherein A is Ala, Gly, Val, Ser, Thr or absent, B is Ala, Gly, Val, Ser, Thr, or absent, C is Ser, Thr or absent, D is Ser, Thr, Asn, Glu, Arg, Ile, Leu or absent, E is Ser, Thr, Asp or absent, F is Ser, Thr, Asp or absent, G is Tyr or absent, H is Thr, Arg, Gly, Met, Met(O), Cys, Thr, Gly or absent and I is Cys or absent II is Cys, an amide group, an ester group or absent. At least one of the amino acids optionally is substituted by a monomeric or polymeric carbohydrate or derivative thereof, such substitution being accomplished through hydroxyl and/or amino acid and/or amido groups of the amino acids, and wherein the peptide composes at least 4 amino acid residues, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system utilizes dynamic control of an output from a power supply to vary an impressed current applied to a structure to be protected proportional to a measurement of stray electrical current. The current is also supplied to an anode bed in an amount sufficient to maintain the structure more negatively charged than the anode bed such that the stray electrical currents are directed away from the structure, thus avoiding electrolytic attack.

Abstract: Natural product metabolites produced by fungi are synthesized using fungal spores that have been immobilized onto/into a support. Supports that can be used include loofah sponge, synthetic sponge, powdered cellulose paper, wood shavings, calcium alginate gel beads, agar gel beads, channeled aluminum beads, polypropylene beads and glass beads. Immobilizing the fungal spores provides accelerated production of the natural product metabolite in a standard bioreactor. Fungi that can be used include Penicillium cyclopium, Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium citrinum, Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus terreus and Monascus ruber. In a preferred embodiment, spores of Penicillium cyclopium NRRL 6233 immobilized with loofah sponge are cultured in a nutrient media for at least 4 days to produce compactin which is a hypocholesteremic agent.

Abstract: In a device for identification of predetermined coins and/or transponders, coils are connected to a control unit for detecting the passage of predetermined coins and for identifying a code of circular transponders. A stop is operated for stopping the transponders, under control of the control unit, after identification of the transponder code, while the coils read/writes the credit value remaining in the transponder.

Abstract: A pillow-like protector and body support device having a central section stuffed with polyurethane and covered with soft hypoallergenic material is provided with cut-away air gaps and medial seams that form air grooves or channels. The pillows and supports are made for supporting various body parts, e.g., the neck, shoulder, torso, elbows, and tailbone. Many of the pillows/supports are capable of being used together into an integrated system for alleviating bedsores and other medical problems associated with sitting or lying in the same position for long periods of time. One embodiment of the invention relates to a coccyx protector and is adapted to slip over a bedpan. In addition, embodiments are disclosed related to breast supports. One version is a small pillow/protector with an airflow pocket. Another version is sling-like and includes an air circulation seam for the skin just beneath the pillow. Yet another version of the breast support for protecting both breasts.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for fixing a carriage at a specific position automatically is provided. This locking mechanism includes a fixing device and a transmitting device. The fixing device is used for securing the carriage at the specific position, and the transmitting device is used for driving the carriage to be secured to the fixing device in a first instance and detaching the carriage from the fixing device in a second instance.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquid and solid substances, particularly for extracting juice from fruit and the like, such as grapes.