Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating an aqueous flow colonized by cells with a pulsed electric field applied to a flow, characterized in that the applied field is substantially parallel to the direction of flow and to its application to the transfer of nucleic acids (RNA, DNA, oligonucleotides) into cells, to the transfer of proteins to cells, to the extraction of cytoplasmic macromolecules and molecules contained in the cells, to cell fusion and the production of hybrids and/or to insertion of membrane proteins. It also concerns an electropulsing chamber, a method for destroying cells and a membrane permeabilization method.

Abstract: A component cell of an electric double layer capacitor is fabricated by forming first and second half portions of the cell. In each of the half portions a polarized electrode impregnated with electrolyte is pasted to a collector electrode so that a stepped portion is formed on the periphery of the collector electrode. A gasket is attached to the stepped portion of each half portion, and a center gasket is attached to the periphery of a separator which is placed between the first and second half portions. Pressure is then applied to the first and second half portions of the cell in directions towards each other at an elevated temperature so that all gaskets are thermally joined together. A plurality of such component cells are stacked in a layered structure and sealed in a package.

Abstract: A directly thermionic flat emitter is presented whose emitting surface contains meandering conductor tracks. The conductor tracks are formed by slots in the emitting surface. The slots are arranged as claimed in a pattern of cuts which comprises a multiplicity of straight slots (3; 8, 9) which run at least transverse to the course of the main current direction and are arranged in a plurality of rows offset from one another. Meandering current paths (4) are thereby produced.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprises, in combination, a tibial component, a femoral component and two meniscal components. One of the meniscal components is configured to co-operate with the tibial component such that relative movement therebetween is prevented. The other meniscal component is configured to co-operate with the tibial component such that limited relative movement therebetween is allowed. The tibial component has two fixed bollards projecting upwardly from an upper surface thereof. The two bollards have annular outwardly extending portions engageable in corresponding recesses in the one meniscal component in a snap fit manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns compounds CH3—R1—(CH1)2—R2 wherein: R1 is selected among a tertiary alcohol; a 1,2-diol; a halohydrine; an apoxide; an alkene; an aldehyde or an &agr;-hydroxyaldehyde; and R2 is selected among a methylenediphosphonate; a difluoromethylenediphosphonate; or a monofluoromethylenediphosphoneate. The invention also concerns the uses of said compounds as selective inhibitors of T&ggr;9&dgr;2 lymphocytes, and their uses, in particular for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: An active matrix type of a liquid crystal display apparatus, includes a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer and a pixel electrode and a common electrode and a transparent auxiliary electrode. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the pair of substrates. The pixel electrode and the common electrode are provided on at least one side of the pair of substrates. The pixel electrode and the common electrode are provided at established intervals to be shaped like teeth of a comb to generate an electric field substantially parallel to the pair of substrates in the liquid crystal layer. The transparent auxiliary electrode is provided through an insulating film above the common electrode. The same voltage as that of the common electrode is applied to the transparent auxiliary electrode such that the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer is strengthened.

Abstract: A customer is offered a realistic experience of growing and harvesting plants, flowers or fishes through instructions from the customer connected with a network. The home vegetable garden or the network farm includes customer terminals connected with a network and a management terminal connected with the network for receiving instructions from a customer and reporting the growing process of plants, flowers and fishes. The customer terminal decides a kind of farm, land, seed and fertilizer, and then transmits instructions on the basis of the decision. The management terminal receives the instructions, and executes the instructions for growing and harvesting the selected plants, flowers and fishes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage structure having a fluid transfer boom for transfer of cryogenic liquids such as liquified natural gas (LNG) from a first storage structure to a vessel. The boom has two arms which are rotatably connected at their first ends via a swivel joint. In one embodiment a liquified natural gas duct is supported within the first and second arms which form a gas tight housing around the liquified natural gas duct. The transfer boom according to the present invention provides a redundant containment system wherein the LNG duct is supported by the structurally strong and self-supporting transfer boom which confines the natural gas in case of a leak in the inner LNG duct. In a further embodiment the transfer boom comprises seven swivel joints in total such that rotation in all directions is possible when the vessel is moored to the storage structure and has to cope with relative motions of roll, pitch, yaw, heave, sway and surge.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive effect head which is easy to manufacture and in which a sense current is prevented from bypassing a barrier layer is provided. Also provided are a method for manufacturing the head and a magnetic recording apparatus utilizing the head. This magnetoresistive effect head utilizes an MTJ film which comprises, for forming its basic structure, a free layer, a barrier layer, a pinned layer and a pinning layer, wherein an oxide or a nitride layer is formed by oxidizing or nitriding metallic materials constituting the pinned layer and pinning layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are an oxidation catalyst suitable for use in treatment of nonbiodegradable wastewater, a method for preparing the same, a method for recycling the same and a method for treating wastewater using the same. The oxidation catalyst comprises an activated carbon support having surface reformed with a tin compound, in the form of particles, powders and pellets, and metal ions impregnated to surface of the support. The preparation method of the oxidation catalyst comprises reforming surface of an activated carbon support in the form of particles, powders and pellets, impregnating various metal ions to surface of the support, drying the metal-impregnated support, and sintering the metal-impregnated support. In addition, the recycling method of the oxidation catalyst comprises drying the oxidation catalyst used for treatment of nonbiodegradable wastewater, and warming-up at 50-100° C. in a double boiler or sintering at 150-500° C. in a furnace the dried oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A bending head for bending of metallic hollow profile strips (2) in the production of spacer frames for insulating glass panes has a bending abutment (5) and a bending cheek (7). The bending abutment (5) can be placed by swivelling against one side of the section of the hollow profile strip (2) to be bent, conversely the bending cheek (7) can be placed from the outside against the hollow profile strip (2). In the execution of the bending process the bending abutment (5) and the bending cheek (7) are moved at the same time and hold the section of the hollow profile strip (2) to be bent between themselves.

Abstract: A device for dispensing tickets from a continuous strip of paper, the device comprising a mechanism for pinching the paper, a cutter blade extending substantially across the strip and having a cutting edge against which the strip bears, the cutting edge of the blade intersecting the plane of the strip of paper coming into contact with the blade before cutting starts, and a support element for supporting the strip between the pinch mechanism and the cutter blade. In the device, the support element also comprises a flap hinged about a fixed axis, the surface of the flap being of a shape such that after about half of the cut has been achieved, the zone of contact between the flap and the strip remaining to be cut moves away from the blade as cutting progresses.

Abstract: A method for producing sleeves for mounting flexographic printing plates, in which a flexible layered sleeve structure (1) is formed, selected parts (7) being removed from a first (4) of its layers, namely that which is to adhere to a printing cylinder, to leave empty regions for receiving double-sided adhesive tape for fixing the sleeve to the printing cylinder.

Abstract: An optical fiber amplifying apparatus is provided with an optical fiber for amplifying input signal lights, a heating/cooling element for heating or cooling the optical fiber, and a temperature control circuit for controlling the element. The circuit effects control so as to keep the optical fiber at a prescribed temperature on the basis of the output of a temperature sensor. The circuit also controls the heating/cooling element so as to keep the level(s) of at least one signal light extracted out of wavelength-multiplex signal lights at a prescribed value. The circuit can compute the gain from the input and output levels of one or more signal lights, and control the element so as to keep this gain within a prescribed range.

Abstract: An apparatus, especially for clearing landmines, wherein there is arranged on a carrier machine (1) a flail unit (11) connected to an engine to power a flail rotor (12) equipped with chains and weights, which unit (11) comprises two flail arms (13) which at a first end support the flail rotor (12) and at a second end are made in the form of a frame (14), where the arms (13) are pivotally supported at a pivot point (17), so that when the flail rotor (12) is in operation the unit (11) will be maintained in a floating position relative to the surface of the terrain, which apparatus is equipped with a protective shield (15) between the flail rotor (12) and the carrier machine (1).

Abstract: A semiconductor device in which a plurality of semiconductor chips are stacked. The semiconductor device includes a lower semiconductor chip bonded onto a surface of a wiring substrate; an upper semiconductor chip; and one or more spacers which are bonded to the surface of the wiring substrate and which support the upper chip over the lower chip and at a location separated from the lower chip. Conductors electrically connect the lower chip to the wiring substrate and extend through the spacers.

Abstract: An optical wavelength demultiplexer includes an optical lens, a first-side waveguide and a plurality of second-side waveguide. The lens has a wave number distribution-surface having a section where an angular frequency is constant, and said section having a shape which generally represents at least a part of an ellipse or a circle; a medium allowing group-velocity directions toward an inside of the section to allow said medium to exhibit a lens effect; a finite thickness defined by a distance between two parallel planarized surfaces of the medium; a first focusing point at an inside position of the lens; and a second focusing point at an outside position of the lens. The first-side waveguide is positioned for incidence of a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal into the lens. The plurality of second-side waveguide is so aligned that terminals thereof are positioned at respective focusing points of respectively different-wavelength components included in the wavelength-multiplexed optical signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay apparatus, which is improved in miniaturization, performance, assembly accuracy, cost reduction, productivity, and reliability. A plurality of electromagnetic relays, each having an NO contact that is closed by applying exciting current to a coil and an NC contact that is closed when the excitation current is not passed through the coil, are arranged in line, one diagonally opposite to the next, on a base so that the respective NO/NC contacts of adjacent electromagnetic relays are located in diagonally opposed positions in substantially point symmetrical relation. The electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnetic block having a couple of moving contacts, a first stationary contact and a second stationary contact both being connectable to external wiring, which are composed of uniform parts or components.

Abstract: An acetubular implant includes a cup for receiving an insert freely articulated in the cup, equipped with iliac expansions (8) and a plugging element; the cup consists of a hemispherical part extended by a cylindrical part whereto are attached the iliac expansions. The cylindrical part extends over substantially a half circumference of an equatorial edge of the hemispherical part and is defined by a plane (R) inclined on the equatorial plane. Part of the outer surface of the cup (2) is covered with a macrostructure (24) defining a set of raised parts with a series of equatorial and meridian grooves of predetermined shape such that the macrostructure is neither too rough nor too smooth.