Abstract: Methods are provided for the treatment of symptoms of sepsis and other conditions that are mediated by the action of CD14 myelomonocytic antigen ("CD14"). The embodiments herein include treatments for symptoms of sepsis that are triggered by lipopolysaccharide ("LPS"). A genetically engineered recombinant soluble CD14 ("rsCD14") and fragments thereof are also provided. Both rsCD14 and a fragment thereof have been isolated and purified. The rsCD14 or fragments thereof can be administered to mammals to prevent or treat symptoms that are associated with sepsis.

Abstract: A method of propagating data through a distributed information system is closed wherein in a computer implemented distributed information system, a method of maintaining referential integrity of a plurality of links and documents by propagating updates from a server to a plurality of servers, comprising the steps of; i) the server maintaining an ordered list of the plurality of servers in the distributed information system; ii) the server maintaining a link database containing the plurality of links for locating remote documents stored remotely which are referenced by documents stored locally at the server; iii) the server maintaining an update list including messages reflecting changes to local documents and links and remote documents and links; iv) selecting a priority value (p) with which to transmit the update list wherein the priority value is a real number greater than or equal to 1; v) on a predetermined clock cycle, the server transmitting the update list according to the priority value wherein, the s

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting the forces exerted by a helical coil spring on relatively movable elements is disclosed in which a movable element is movably mounted within a casing so as to move along a movement axis, in which a helical coil spring is interposed between the casing and the movable element so as to exert opposite forces on the casing and the movable element. The lateral forces and the torque forces on the movable element are eliminated by using a swivel joint interposed between the piston and one end of the helical coil spring. The use of the swivel element insures that the force exerted on the movable element by the helical coil spring is coincident with the movement axis of the movable element. A second swivel joint may be utilized between the second end of the helical coil spring and the casing, if desired.

Abstract: A nozzle of a multilayer headbox wherein the headbox includes a nozzle for distributing the stock suspension on a wire. The nozzle is subdivided by at least one machine-wide fin, the fin forming with the nozzle at least two machine-wide nozzle ducts. At least the mean value of the clearance of at least one nozzle duct diminishes steadily in the flow direction, the percentage decrease of the clearance in the fluidically essential area of the nozzle being at least twice as large as in the starting area of the nozzle.

Abstract: This invention discloses the DNA sequences coding for the Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia hemolysin(s). It further discloses a method of producing the A. pleuropneumoniae hemolysin(s) from recombinant cells. It also provides a method of using the hemolysin(s) antigen as a protective immunogen against porcine pleuropneumonia.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a composition comprising macrophages, optionally activated, and/or cells derived from monocytes with a strong potential for antigen presentation, said process comprising a stage of culture of monocytes present in the starting composition, this stage being preceding and/or followed by a stage of elimination of all or part of the constituents other than the monocytes present in the starting composition, with the aid of antibodies directed against said constituents, and/or followed by a stage of elutriation. The invention also concerns the compositions of kits for reducing this process to practice.

Abstract: In a system for stepless feeding of articles (2) such as tablets, pills, capsules and the like, to blisters (41) of a blister band (4), moved in direction (M), placement means (3) are located between an article storage magazine (1) and the blister band (4) running thereunder. An outer cylindrical mantle (33) of the placement means is rotated by a brushless motor (5), in a direction (N) that is in accordance with the band motion direction (M). The mantle (33) features depressions (31) which receive articles from the magazine (1), and is rotated in phase relation with the movement of the band (4), so that in every moment, the position of the depressions (31) is in register with the position of the blisters (41) in the band (4).

Abstract: Between a machine that manufactures bags of variable volume containing cohesionless material (exemplified by tea bags), and a packing machine which packs the bags as stacks, an indexing rotor with pockets in its outer periphery acts, in cooperation with a loading mechanism and an unloading mechanism at respective angularly distributed stations, at which each bag is respectively oriented bottom down and bottom up, to tend to redistribute the cohesionless material away from each bag bottom and to cause individual bags to be generally equally thick relative to one another.

Abstract: A heat fusible laminate for imprinting a design on an article of stretchable fabric such as polyamide, polyester and other synthetic materials. The laminate includes a release layer, a first adhesive layer, at least one ink layer of heat fusible composition and a second adhesive layer. The laminate is responsive to heat and pressure, when placed with the second adhesive layer against the fabric article, for securing the design to the fabric and allowing removal of the release layer therefrom.

Abstract: A multi-track road crossing including a roadway positioned at the level of the rails, which roadway is formed by self-supporting slabs, wherein inner slabs (4) are provided which bridge the space between the rails (2, 3) of each track (G1, G2) and are supported on these rails (2, 3), and wherein outer slabs (6) are provided which are supported on the outer side of a rail (2, 3) of the track (G1, G2) by one of their sides (6a) and on a supporting body (10) arranged beside the track by the other one of their sides (6b). In the intermediate region (Z) between two tracks, the roadway is formed by self-supporting compensating slabs (11, 11a) which on both of their longitudinal rims (12) are supported on the supporting bodies (10, 10a) which also support the outer slabs (6) of the respective tracks (G1, G2). The compensating slabs (11, 11a) preferably are polymer concrete slabs, in particular made of polyester concrete.

Abstract: Device for carrying out a method of odor detection comprising, in particular, a plurality of chambers (1, 2, 2a, 3), each including a plurality of semi-conductor gas sensors (6), conductive polymer gas sensors (7), surface acoustic wave gas sensors (8), as detection means, a variable flow gas pump (10) for forming a gas flow in said chambers (1, 2, 2a, 3), measurement electronic device (16) for operating the detection means (6, 7, 8), a data processing unit (15) for recording in a file the olfactory prints obtained using the detection means, and for comparing the detected impressions with those in the file so that odors may be identified and recognized. Applications, especially to drugs, explosives, body odours and food seals.

Abstract: A self-contained magazine for a firearm includes a housing for receiving a plurality of rounds therein, the housing including an open end through which rounds are loaded and unloaded, a follower provided in the housing, said follower being slidable along a longitudinal axial direction of the magazine, a spring biasing the follower toward the open end, to bias rounds toward the open end, an electronic counter means integrated in the magazine for calculating the number of rounds contained in the magazine upon loading rounds into and unloading rounds from the magazine, and display means for displaying the number of rounds in the magazine. The present invention provides a self-contained magazine for a firearm that incorporates all essential features for calculating and displaying the number of rounds therein as the number changes due to loading and unloading.

Abstract: A method of treating a spent dry film stripping and/or developing solution comprising the steps of adding about 0.01 to 15 grams of an aluminum source per liter of solution; adding about 0.05 to 25 grams of a metal precipitating agent per liter of solution; mixing the aluminum source, the metal precipitating agent and the solution with one another to form a mixture; adding an acid source to the mixture to lower the pH to less than about 6.5; and filtering the mixture to separate the metals and the photoresist from the remainder of the solution. The composition may also include 0 to 10 percent by weight of a dust-suppression agent, per liter of the solution, 0.1 to 10 grams of siliceous particulates per liter of spent stripper solution and/or an agent to enhance flocculation of the polymer precipitate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for pickling material strips made of steel, in particular stainless steel, where the strip passes through at last one pickling bath with at least one pickling acid. It is above all characterized by the fact that the acid concentration and/or the acid composition is controlled as a function of the material quality, of the pre-treatment and of the operating parameters of the pickling plant. Furthermore, the invention concerns a plant for carrying out the process, where at least two circulation tanks having different acid concentrations and/or acid compositions are provided.

Abstract: For the continuous remelting of metals--in particular steels and Ni-- Co-base alloys--in a short, downwardly open water-cooled chill mold (20) for producing an elongate casting portion (26) the latter is produced either by continuous or stepwise withdrawal from the chill mold (20) or when the elongate casting portion (26) is stationary by corresponding lifting movement of the chill mold (20). In order to ensure on the one hand a sufficiently high and thus economical smelting rate and on the other hand a high level of quality in respect of the remelted elongate casting portions (26), the cross-sectional area of the smelting-off electrode (16) should be at least 0.5 times the cross-sectional area of the remelted elongate casting portion (26) and the smelting-off rate should be so adjusted that it corresponds to between 1.5 and 30 times the equivalent elongate casting portion diameter (D.sub.eq) calculated from the circumference (U) of the casting cross-section, in accordance with the relationship:D.sub.eq =U/.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding thermoplastic material has mold halves carried by stationary and movable mold mounting plates which are mounted on a frame. A control mechanism actively applies a variable torque to one of the mold mounting plates for compensating for any bending of the frame due to the closing force applied between the mold halves.

Abstract: An aligning tool, involving plumb bob usage, for a fully assembled underground elevator ram system is provided and makes it possible to align the elevator ram into a required vertical position. Further this allows the fully assembled elevator to be vertically installed at site in a hole which often is flooded by groundwater.

Abstract: A foldable electronic percussion synthesizer assembly is disclosed that includes two fixed drum heads that are permanently mounted on the synthesizer housing and two movable drum heads that are mounted on respective movable support arms. Each support arm pivots the movable head between a folded position where its striking surface is juxtaposed to and faces the striking surface of a fixed drum head and an unfolded position where the striking surfaces of the fixed and movable head are substantially coplanar and separated from each other. The assembly includes vibration isolation means for each drum head that reduces crosstalk. A latch member is pivotably mounted to the vibration isolation means on the movable drum head to support the movable drum head in the unfolded position and secure the movable drum head on the fixed drum head in the folded position.

Abstract: The method comprises several card customization steps and uses a data base formed by files containing customization data. To prevent the recording on a particular card, during one of the steps, of data designed for another card, there is provided a preliminary identification step that consists of the recording, on the card, of an identification element associated with one of the files. At each following steps, the identification element is read on the card so as to gain access to the associated file. Application notably to identity or credit cards.

Abstract: A method and system for computerizing learning, response, and evaluation is provided. The computerized system comprises a central processing unit and related memory and storage capacity to operate a learning, response, and evaluation system stored in a computer program. The learning, response, and evaluation system comprises an authoring portion and a presentation portion. Through the use of intuitive interface elements, the authoring portion allows an author to quickly and easily construct a lesson from a pool of relevant data. Due to the design and capabilities provided, the authoring portion reduces the time it takes for an author to learn how to construct a lesson and reduces the time it takes to construct the lesson. Data can be organized into pages which are presented to the user and pages which are hidden from the user. The presentation portion allows a user to view and learn the information contained in a lesson.