Abstract: There are described pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment of gingivitis. Such a composition contains, as active ingredient from 0.5 to 25% by weight of at least one carraghenin in combination with a suitable vehicle. The compositions, which may contain various auxiliary components, can be in the form of toothpaste, mouthwash and like products. Even a short, but regular, use of a toothpaste containing the aforesaid composition results in a substantial improvement of gums and dental surfaces.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the variations of the foetal heart rate particularly during labor. According to this method, an average value is determined from zones where no deceleration occurs. In order to avoid variations due to small parasitic signals, this average value is compared with a filtered value, corresponding to the average value during a small number of periods of the electrocardiogram. This apparatus allows a practitioner to obtain a binary indication on the decelerations of foetal heart rate and accordingly an indication on the possible foetal stress.

Abstract: Olefinic sulfones of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein one of X and Y represents a hydrogen atom and the other represents an -SO.sub.2 -Ar radical in which Ar represents an aryl radical and n is an integer from 1 to 3, the > CH-SO.sub.2 Ar group may be reduced to a methylene group to give Olefins which are known sexual attractants for flies.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of dispersion-polymerizing vinyl monomers promoted by free-radical catalysts. This process comprises dispersing under stirring in water a block copolymer of the A-B type wherein A represents a lipophilic block and B a hydrophilic block, adding one or more vinyl monomers containing the promoter and heating the mixture with stirring to the desired temperature. This process enables beads or balls of the desired polymer to be obtained having very regular size distribution.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for reducing the cooling of metal and the projection of metal onto the walls in the course of degasing of liquid metals by vacuum jet, which comprises establishing, in the area of the nozzle extending into the vacuum chamber and beneath said nozzle, a magnetic field tending to contract or confine the jet admitted by the nozzle into the vacuum chamber.It further comprises an apparatus for degasing liquid metals by vacuum jet technique, comprising, around the nozzle which forms the jet between an upper ladle containing the liquid metal to be degased and the vacuum chamber containing a lower laddle or an ingot mold to receive the degased liquid metal and beneath said nozzle, a solenoid having an a.c. electric current flowing therethrough such that the electric currents induced in the liquid metal tend to contract or confine the liquid metal jet ejected from said nozzle.

Abstract: A linear motor comprises an electrically conductive tubular track consisting of one or more pairs of helically wound strips and a movable assembly. The movable assembly includes a superconducting field winding freely spinning about an axis close to the axis of the track and at least one auxiliary polyphase winding of normally conducting material coaxial to the field winding and adapted to develop a rotating field when AC currents circulate therein. The auxiliary winding supporting structure is connected to a vehicle to be driven along the track.

Abstract: The magnetic energy contained in a storage inductance coil is transferred with a high degree of efficiency into a load impedance which forms part of the same circuit. The transfer is performed gradually in a series of transformations of at least one of the circuit elements so that the successive states of the circuit deviate only to a slight extent from positions of balance corresponding to a constant total magnetic energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shredding machine, more particularly for shredding fibrous, lignin-containing or analogous materials. It comprises an endless belt carrying grinding tools such as gouges and forming an upper lap onto which the material to be defibred is delivered. The front portion of said belt rotates about a countershaft. The shredding machine, moreover, comprises a fixed end stop member located above the countershaft, while the lower profile of said stop member is adapted to the passage of the gouges. Means are also provided which cooperate with the said stop member to prevent the passage of thick fragments of the material to be defibred. The invention can in particular be applied to the grinding or defibring of pieces of wood, logs, branches, planks and similar lignin-containing materials.

Abstract: A polarization analyzer of the type comprising a non-absorbent or weakly absorbent body comprising a dielectric layer with two interfaces, one of which receives an incident wave produced by an external source and under an angle of incidence so that the reflected wave is perpendicular to the refracted wave, with at least one of the interfaces of the dielectric layer being provided with an anti-reflecting coating.

Abstract: A process for treating a steel surface, comprising the steps of immersing the surface in a bath of molten tin at a temperature and for a period of time suitable to cause a layer of tin containing diffused iron to adhere to the surface and, after removal of the surface from the bath, removing a surface layer in which iron and tin accord substantially with the formula of Fe Sn.sub.2 so as to expose a layer in which iron and tin accord substantially to the formula Fe Sn.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for obtaining acetylated watersoluble extracts of corynebacteria and specifically of Corynebacterium parvum, of low molecular weight. Said process comprises acetylating delipidated bacterial residues of bacteria cells and isolating the watersoluble extracts by physico-chemical means. Said extracts are useful as immunological adjuvants in veterinary and human therapy.

Abstract: A process for grafting polymers on carbon black through a free radical mechanism comprising contacting of the black with the polymer and a thermal treatment.After formation of the carbon black mixture with at least one polymer, said mixture is degassed under vacuum at approximately room temperature, at least one substance acting as a solvent for said polymer is then introduced on said degassed mixture which is under vacuum, so as to form a solution of the latter containing the carbon black, said solution is heated with stirring at least at 50.degree. C until a carbon black bearing polymer grafts is obtained and the latter can, if desired, be separated by filtration or centrifugation of the unattached polymer solution.The carbon black products bearing polymer grafts as well as this carbon black itself are easily dispersed in solvents. They find valuable applications in paints, varnishes, printing inks, among others.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a thin semi-conductor coating on a substrate in a vacuum enclosure, by depositing on the substrate a semi-conductor substance volatilized by a plasma from a source in the enclosure and also depositing on the substrate a metallic doping impurity volatilized by the plasma from another source in the enclosure.

Abstract: Watersoluble extracts of corynebacteria cells are obtained by a process which comprises the steps of subjecting bacterial residues of corynebacteria containing diaminopimelic acid, e.g. Corynebacterium parvum cells, to a mild extraction and of isolating the watersoluble extracts so obtained by physico-chemical methods. Said extracts are useful as immunological adjuvants.

Abstract: A photosensitive layer comprises (a) at least one heterocyclic photochromic spiropyrane which can exist in a closed or open structure, the closed structure being converted to the open structure on irradiation with ultra-violet light, and the open structure being reconverted to the closed structure on irradiation with visible light, (b) at least one ortho-substituted nitrogen-containing thioether, and (c) at least one reagent capable of developing a latent image produced in the layer. In use of the layer, it is exposed to ultra-violet or visible light, and after exposure the layer is heated to cause conversion of the thioether to a thione at those areas of the layer in which spiropyrane in the open form is present: the spiropyrane in the open form catalyzing the conversion of thioether to thione and thereby amplifying the latent image produced on irradiation of the layer. The thione produced then reacts with the developing reagent to form a visible image.

Abstract: The plant comprises two electrodes connected to a high-frequency generator and adapted to apply an electric field to the object to be heated. The first of the electrodes defines a space which is open on at least one of its sides and adapted to receive the object to be heated.The second electrode is contained in a framework which is advantageously closed by shielding plates. The framework serves as a connection between the first of said electrodes and the high-frequency generator through contact shoes.

Abstract: A lockable articulation for permitting relative angular rotation between a first and a second part, such for example as the body of a three-wheeled vehicle and the rear axle of the vehicle, said articulation comprising a hollow cylindrical drum centered and mounted on one part, e.g. the axle, two cylindrical sector-shaped jaws arranged inside the drum for contacting the inner surface of the drum and with their ends facing each other, at least two facing ends defining dihedral surfaces whose angle is outwardly opening, and means coupled to the other part, e.g. the vehicle body, for spreading the jaws apart into frictional engagement with the drum to lock the other part against rotation relative to the one part, said means including a roller interposed between the drum wall and the dihedral surface of the jaws and a knee lever having two-pivotally connected links one of which is pivotted on the other part and the other of which rotatably supports the roller.

Abstract: In a first step, the semiconductor material is doped in a known manner with impurities having a given conductivity type and a given concentration profile. In a second step, the material is maintained at a high temperature, bombarded with a beam of particles which are accelerated with a given energy so as to penetrate into the crystal during a predetermined time interval. The resultant migration of impurities produces an increase in the impurity concentration irrespective of the sign of the initial concentration gradient within a zone adjacent to the zone of stopping of the particles.

Abstract: There is described a novel copolymer comprising approximately equimolar proportions of N-vinylcarbazole and a copolymerisable ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, which can be prepared by mixing the monomers in a wide range of relative proportions, alone or diluted in a solvent, and initiating copolymerisation by methods known to the art, and which can be cross-linked, e.g. by means of polyvalent metal cations; this cross-linking is reversible on treatment with strong acid. The copolymer has good thermal and mechanical properties and adhesive properties, e.g. for metals, and can be used to form protective coatings on metals and to form metal and metal/plastics laminates.

Abstract: A microwave furnace having a tunnel-like structure within which are arranged paired coherent sources of electromagnetic radiation that develop electromagnetic fields that have an interference pattern in which the average density of electromagnetic waves in each cross section of the furance is substantially constant. The paired coherent sources are box horns with each pair connected to a corresponding microwave generator that applies its microwave energy directly to one of the box horns of the pair and applies it through a phase shifter to the other box horn of the pair. The phase shifter shifts the relative phase shift cylically and effects for all points of each cross section an average valve of electromagnetic energy density that is constant over a cycle of variation of each phase shift. The box horns are arranged aligned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the tunnel-like furnace with the radiation openings thereof aligned and extending in the longitudinal direction of the furnace.