Abstract: Particulate ceramic precursor gel compositions (e.g., particulate silica gel) are formed by mechanically extruding a substantially monolithic, substantially undried ceramic precursor. gel through a screen using a mechanical force which is supplied substantially normal to the plane of the screen to directly form the particulate composition, collecting the extrudate in a substantially non-stacked configuration, and drying the extrudate, e.g., in a dryer without imposition of strong vacuum when the extrudate is in substantially nonlayered configuration, to substantially maintain its particle morphology.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process, a combination of means for isolating nucleic acid from a nucleic acid-containing starting material and a testkit in order to amplify the nucleic acid obtained by said process. More in particular, the invention relates to a process and a kit for isolating nucleic acid from a nucleic acid-containing biological material such as whole blood, blood serum, urine, feces, cell cultures and the like.

Abstract: Bis(pentaerythritol phosphate) carbonate can be formed by the reaction of pentaerythritol phosphate alcohol and dihydrocarbyl carbonate, such as diphenyl carbonate, preferably in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, such as an imidazole, and in a high boiling organic solvent, e.g., a phosphate ester solvent, which allows for removal of by-product.

Abstract: An accelerator composition for the curing of unsaturated maleic, allylic, vinylic and epoxy-type polyester resins is disclosed. The accelerator composition includes a complex of a salt of a metal selected from lithium, copper, manganese, magnesium, vanadium, iron and cobalt, with an oxygen-containing compound which is capable of forming a complex with the metal salt and includes at least one functional group selected from aldehyde, ketone, ether, ester and alcohol. Also disclosed are a curable resin composition including the foregoing accelerators and a curing process employing these accelerators.

Abstract: A live or inactivated canine corona virus vaccine is provided which is derived from a virus of the novel antigenic type of the canine corona virus strain I-743 (CNCM, Institut Pasteur, Paris). A method for the preparation of this vaccine and the use of said vaccine in protecting susceptible animals against canine corona virus injection are also disclosed.

Abstract: Catalyst residue (e.g., trace Group VIII metal) is removed from a polyketone solution, and from the polyketone resin itself, by passing the solution through a column comprising a metal oxide (e.g., silica gel) which is effective in removing the residue therefrom or by mixing the polyketone solution with particulate metal oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Marek's Disease Virus Type I as a viral vector capable of expressing foreign genes in some poultry. Claimed are a nonessential insertion region on the DNA genome of the Virus; a plasmid comprising this region; a host cell containing the plasmid; and a vaccine comprising the recombinant virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preprimed metal substrates suitable for use in formed metal applications. The preprimed metal substrate is coated with, as primer layer, (1) a first coating layer applied onto the metal substrate, the first coating layer being based upon a particular hydroxyl group-containing block copolymer, and (2) at least one flexible subsequent coating layer applied onto the first coating layer. The preprimed metal substrates are especially useful in automotive applications.

Abstract: A method of amplifying production of IgG, IgA and IgM antigen specific human monoclonal antibodies from transformed, T-cell depleted, human peripheral blood lymphocytes through the use of an adjuvant system consisting of 8-mercaptoguanosine and at least one of the cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-6. Also included in the invention is the adjuvant system and a kit comprising the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to pyrazole derivative having formula I ##STR1## whereinR.sub.1 is ##STR2## and R.sub.2 is hydrogen, or R.sub.1 iswherein n is 1 or 2 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or halogen; and R.sub.3 is bromine or iodine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.The compounds of this invention have muscarinic properties and can be used for the treatment of cognition disorders, for analgesia, and afore the treatment of cholinergic deficiencies.

Abstract: The activity of herbicide and fungicide compositions is enhanced by the incorporation therein of certain alkoxylated fatty amines, amidoamines or imidazolines. The alkoxylation of the amines is conducted with ethylene oxide and either propylene oxide or butylene oxide using a molar ratio of ethylene oxide to the other oxide in the range from 1:14 to 13:2 and to such extent that the molecular weight of the alkoxylated product is kept below 2500.

Abstract: A method and device for producing woven hollow fiber tape, for use in exchange devices such as blood oxygenators and heat exchangers, having weft threads and hollow fibers as warp threads, formed as a double weft tape. The device feeding a plurality of parallel hollow fibers as warp threads in a first direction, dividing alternating adjacent hollow fibers to create two sets of hollow fibers, separating one set of the hollow fibers from the second set to create a gap therebetween, inserting a double weft thread into the gap and knitting the double weft thread at a side of the plurality of parallel hollow fibers away from that side where the double weft thread is initially inserted. The hollow fibers are separated into the two sets by a reciprocating shedding device thereby creating the gap for insertion of the weft threads.

Abstract: An endpoint assay for measuring fibrinogen utilizing strong thrombin and weak plasma. In a preferred embodiment the assay is based on the direct conversion of a normalized signal from a sensor to fibrinogen concentration.

Abstract: A fast-curing hybrid binder is disclosed which is suitable for use in refractory molds, which has the advantage of a reduced organic-solvent content. The binder contains two silica sources: colloidal silica and a prehydrolyzed organosilicate in the form of a mixture of an alkylpolysilicate and an alkyl or aryl alkoxy silane, preferably selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl trialkoxy silanes, di (C.sub.1 to C.sub.6) alkyl dialkoxy silanes, phenyl trialkoxy silane, diphenyl dialkoxy silane, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the alkylpolysilicate is prehydrolyzed tetraethyl orthosilicate and the alkoxy silane is methyl triethoxy silane, dimethyl diethoxy silane or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: In a purification process for brine, impurities such as calcium, magnesium and/or sulphate are precipitated by the addition of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH).sub.2) and sodium carbonate (Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3). Following NaCl crystallization by evaporation of the brine, a mother liquor is obtained which still contains among others sulphate, potassium and bromide ions. Further concentration of this mother liquor by evaporation results in the precipitation of both NaCl and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and a more strongly concentrated mother liquor with respect to both potassium and bromide remains. This concentrated mother liquor is drained off. Either the precipitated NaCl and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 are dissolved in water or the Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is dissolved in purified brine or crude brine and then returned to the brine purification process, thereby lowering both the potassium and bromide ion levels in the purified brine. As a consequence the contents of both potassium and bromide of the NaCl are reduced.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a (co)polymer containing at least one unit derived from a citraconimide by curing curable composition comprising at least one substituted or unsubstituted citraconimide and a sufficient amount of an anionic curing catalyst to convert at least 10% of the citraconic alkyl groups on the citraconimide units to alkylene bridges; at a temperature above the melting point of the citraconimide unit and the product of that curing process, are disclosed. The invention also relates to the cured oligomers and articles of manufacture embodying them. These novel, cured oligomers are thermoplastic and offer several advantageous properties.

Abstract: A thermosetting coating composition is provided, which composition is based upon (A) an activated unsaturated group-containing compound, (B) an activated CH group-containing compound and (C) a strong basic catalyst, wherein the strong basic catalyst is blocked with a [particular] carboxylic acid which is volatile and/or undergoes decarboxylation under curing conditions. These coating compositions possess extended potlife, good curing speed, and a good balance of physical and mechanical properties making them especially well suited for a variety of coatings uses such as in paint, impregnating, sealing and bonding compositions.

Abstract: An instrument and a sealable, sterilizable vessel for detecting the presence of microorganisms in a specimen, the vessel containing a liquid culture medium and a sensor means with an indicator medium therein. Changes in the indicator medium resulting from pH change or change in CO.sub.2 concentration in the medium are detected from outside the vessel.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon oil contaminated with suspended solid particles and dissolved metallic compounds, comprising the contacting of the oil at an elevated temperature in the presence of hydrogen with porous inorganic oxide particles having a surface area of 1 m.sup.2 /g or less and a pore volume of at least 0.1 ml/g in pores having a diameter of at least 10 microns.

Abstract: Preparation for preventing or combating complications in diabetes, characterized in that it comprises:(a) insulin or a salt or complex thereof, and(b) a peptide of the general formula I:H-L-Met(X)-L-Glu-L-His-L-Phe-D-Lys-L-Phe-Yor a salt or a N-acyl derivative thereof, whereinMet(X) represents the amino acid radical Met, Met(O) or Met(O.sub.2),Y represents the group Gly-Z or Z, andZ represents the hydroxyl group, an esterified hydroxyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted amino group.