Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides exhibiting antibiotic, and anti-viral and anti-cancer effects. In particular, the invention relates to modified T4 lysozyme, polypeptides comprising fragments of T4 lysozyme and to the production and use thereof. The fields of application for this invention are wide-ranging, and include, for example, human and veterinary uses, resistance cultivation in plants and prevention of bacterial and/or fungal-mediated food spoilage.

Abstract: A pumping scheme for distributed Raman amplification (DRA) in optical fiber telecommunication systems is disclosed in which pump energy at the wavelength(s) required for DRA of the transmitted optical signal(s) is developed within the transmission fiber through a series, n, where n≧1, of Raman conversions. In preferred embodiments, a ‘primary’ pump source of wavelength shorter than the ultimately desired pump wavelength(s) is launched into the fiber along with one or more significantly lower-power secondary ‘seed’ sources. The wavelength and power of the secondary source(s) are chosen such that, when combined with the high-power primary source, Raman conversions within the fiber ultimately lead to the development of high power at the desired pump wavelength(s).

Abstract: ADDS driven DDS Synthesizer (DDS.sup.2 Synthesizer) is disclosed, wherein the first DDS--a Reference DDS--generates a high resolution tunable output signal, which is in turn expanded and/or upconverted to the frequency bandwidth and range required by the clock of the second DDS--a DDS Divider. The DDS Divider acts as a programmable "sinewave divider" of its tunable input clock by division ratios "n" limited to the set of small integer numbers 3; 4; 5; 6 . . . , chosen to eliminate phase truncation spurs and limit quantization spurs to harmonics of the fundamental output and thus to provide a high spectral purity, high resolution, fast switching DDS based synthesizer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-contact and rapid identification of wood species is provided. The method comprises irradiation of a substance with infra-red radiation which is intense enough to introduce microstructural modifications of the substance surface. Various wood species are identified by analyzing intensity of optical radiation which is scattered from the modified surface. The surface is irradiated with two (2) infra-red beams of different level of energy density. A wood sample is analyzed with optical beams: the first optical scanning is done prior to the first infra-red irradiation; the second optical scanning is done after the first infra-red irradiation; the third optical scanning is done after the second infra-red irradiation. It has been determined experimentally, that various wood species can be identified by analyzing intensities of the optical beams scattered from the modified surface. The method allows for non-contact, rapid and in-line identification of various species of wood.

Abstract: A rolling element bearing includes a first ring having a first raceway; a second ring having a second raceway, and rolling elements between the two raceways. The first and second rings are positioned and configured so that the first and second raceways form a channel which retains the rolling elements. A first zinc alloy plated layer is on the first ring including at the first raceway, and a second zinc alloy plated layer is on the second ring including at the second raceway. The rolling elements may also be plated with a zinc alloy layer. The layers are porous and thus permit hydrogen to escape from the rings and rolling elements when baked, so that the rings and rolling elements possess low hydrogen embrittlement. The layers provide physical and galvanic protection to the underlying substrates for the rings.

Abstract: The optically-based frequency synthesizer for generating an electric output signal at a preselected frequency having a given period that can be changed over a wide band of frequencies for communication purposes, comprises a modulator having an input for receiving a command signal, and an output for generating a current driving signal having a DC component, and a modulating component formed of an AC signal having a predetermined time period which is an integer multiple of the period of the preselected frequency, and an amplitude responsive to the command signal, a laser having an input for receiving the current driving signal, the coherent light signal having a given coherence time; optical isolators for receiving the light signal emitted by said laser; a splitter having an input optically connected to the isolators; a first optical path having an end optically connected to the splitter; and a second optical path having an end optically connected to the splitter, and a delay means along its length, the time de

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-contact determination of the moisture content in moving or stationary mass of fibrous products such as wood is provided. The method comprises irradiation of a substance with infra-red radiation which is intense enough to introduce microstructural modifications of the substance surface. The moisture content of the substance is determined by analyzing density of these surface modifications. It has been found, that an optical beam may be used in order to quantify the density of the surface modifications. The surface is scanned with the optical beam two (2) times. The first scanning is done prior to the infra-red irradiation; the second scanning is done following the infra-red irradiation. The invented method allows for non-contact, rapid and continuous in-line measurements of the moisture content.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly including a first gimbal element; a second gimbal element located within the first gimbal element; a bearing assembly comprising a trunnion, the bearing assembly mounted between the first and second gimbal elements for supporting the second element within the first element in a manner to permit pivoting of the second element within the first element; and an adhesive layer bonding the trunnion to the second gimbal element.

Abstract: A self-aligning bearing including a first member having a convex bearing surface and a second member having a concave seat that receives the convex bearing surface of the first member, the second member also having a compliant relief region aligned with and spaced apart from the concave seat, the relief region serving to permit deflection of the second member in response to loading on the first member.

Abstract: A superconducting magnetic bearing assembly has an outer element having an axis. Disposed about the axis, the outer element has first and second inverted generally conical surfaces, each surface disposed at an acute angle to the axis. These surfaces define a volume. Fixedly disposed within the volume is an inner element rotatable relative to the outer element. The inner element has first and second conical inner elements. The first conical inner element has a first surface opposed to and spaced from said first generally conical surface of the outer element, the opposed first surfaces lying generally parallel to each other. The second conical inner element has a second surface opposed to and spaced from the second generally conical surface of the outer element, the opposed second surfaces lying generally parallel to each other.

Abstract: A method of forming a ball bearing assembly capable of withstanding, in a non-operating mode, an axial load exceeding a predetermined axial load at which bearing damage would otherwise occur includes the following steps: assembling a bearing assembly with at least one set of annular bearing races and, disposed therebetween, a multiplicity of balls, each race having a face surface aligned transversely to the axis of rotation of the bearing assembly, (b) mounting the bearing with the first race fixed axially, (c) applying an axially directed load against the second race of a predetermined magnitude selected to be greater than the intended operating preload and less than a bearing damaging load, (d) grinding the face surfaces of the bearing races flush, (e) releasing the force, and (f) in operating condition, providing a stop ring having a flat stop face surface opposed to the face surfaces of the bearing races, the face surface of the first bearing race disposed in engagement with the stop face surface and the

Abstract: The invention is directed to a miniature ball bearing tester which detects vibrations therefrom when such a bearing is rotated by a rotor. The device includes a base upon which are supported reeds. The reeds support an upper housing tooling which includes a bearing support for mounting a bearing thereon for rotation. A rotor is attachable to a bearing mounted on the upper tooling. The rotor is then driven to rotate the bearing and upon a defect being detected, the reeds are as a result forced to move in a direction radial with respect to the axial direction of the bearing. An accelerometer picks up the movement and the signal therefrom is then band pass filtered, integrated to obtain a velocity measurement and output by, for example, a speaker to detect any frequencies resulting from a flaw in the miniature bearing.

Abstract: The admixture of the tri(hydromethacrylate) of tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol with conventional monomer and polymer components of vinylpolymerizable liquid sealants yields compositions which have accelerated cure times and superior adhesion.

Abstract: A device for storage of motor vehicles comprising at least two platforms arranged one above the other and being designed for vertical movement of the platforms to bring them into alignment with a single loading station at a given elevation and a linkage structure for tilting the loading edge of the lower platform(s) upward when being brought into alignment with the loading station.

Abstract: A rolling element bearing includes a first ring having a first raceway; a second ring having a second raceway, and rolling elements between the two raceways. The first and second rings are positioned and configured so that the first and second raceways form a channel which retains the rolling elements. A first zinc alloy plated layer is on the first ring including at the first raceway, and a second zinc alloy plated layer is on the second ring including at the second raceway. The rolling elements may also be plated with a zinc alloy layer. The layers are porous and thus permit hydrogen to escape from the rings and rolling elements when baked, so that the rings and rolling elements possess low hydrogen embrittlement. The layers provide physical and galvanic protection to the underlying substrates for the rings.