Abstract: A guard rail construction comprises support elements to be provided at a side of a road and a guard member attached hereto, wherein, when a vehicle touches the guard member in and adjacent the collision point thereof, one or more support elements can pivot in rearward direction relative to the road about a pivot point and can absorb at least a part of the collision energy. The guard rail construction can pivot in rearward direction to such an extent that it can be supported on the ground by a support point. The angle &phgr; between the line through the pivot point and the collision point and the line through the pivot point and the support point is greater than 90°.

Abstract: Primary alcohols, especially in carbohydrates, can be selectively oxidized to aldehydes and carboxylic acids in a low-halogen process by using a peracid in the presence of a catalytic amount of a di-tertiary-alkyl nitroxyl (TEMPO) and a catalytic amount of halide. The halide is preferably bromide and the process can be carried out at nearly neutral to moderately alkaline pH (5-11). The peracid can be produced or regenerated by means of hydrogen peroxide or oxygen. The process is advantageous for producing uronic acids and for introducing aldehyde groups which are suitable for crosslinking and derivatization.

Abstract: A protein obtainable from a non pathgenic microorgansim, said protein having mucosa binding promoting activity and a molecular weight of 20-40 kD is disclosed. Application of such a protein or a peptide derived therefrom in a method of screening non pathogenic microorganisms for a microorganism capable of specifically binding mucosa, said method comprising detection in a manner known per se of the presence of a particular protein on or in a microorganism or in a culture of microorganisms, said particular protein being the already defined protein. Kits suitable for such a screening method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described is a method for manufacturing a bipolar plate for, for instance, a bipolar battery. According to the present invention, a negative plate is manufactured by applying a suitable paste in a metal grid, and a positive plate is manufactured by applying a suitable paste in a metal grid. The pasted plates are formed, and arranged on opposite sides of a suitable platelike substrate. The substrate is thermally pressed, then a surface activating treatment is carried out, and thereafter the substrate is lead-plated. That surface activating treatment can be carried out with a corona or, preferably, a plasma. To ensure a good electrical contact, the substrate can be roughened, and the plates can be pressed against the substrate by utilizing a compressed glass fiber mat.

Abstract: In order to remove a component from solid particle material by extraction, use is made of a column with one or more tubes which extend between the ends of the column, at least one filter being fitted in the wall of each tube. The particle material is fed in at a first end of the column and, forced by hydraulic pressure, moves along the abovementioned tubes to scraping means fitted at the second end of the column. Extraction liquid is fed into the column at the abovementioned second end and flows in countercurrent to the particle material in the direction of the abovementioned first end of the column. Extraction liquid with component from the particle material dissolved in said extraction liquid passes by way of the above mentioned filters into the abovementioned tubes and flows in countercurrent to the particle material to an outlet at the abovementioned first end. The particle material is scraped off at the abovementioned second end by the scraping means.

Abstract: The present invention describes a protein having glucosyltransferase activity. This protein is derived from lactobacilli, which are food-grade microorganisms with the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status. The protein produces a glucan with a unique structure having 4-linked, 6-lined and 4,6-linked anhydroglucose units or in the presence of suitable acceptors, oligosaccharides. According to the invention lactobacilli capable of producing this glucan using the novel glucosyltransferase can be used as a probiotic or symbiotic.

Abstract: A compound which is an antagonist of platelet activating factor (PAF-antagonist) or a structurally related compound thereof not having PAF-antagonistic activity can be used for decreasing the plasma level of lipoprotein(a) and/or increasing the plasma level of high-density lipoprotein. The compound may be an azepine derivative, especially a benzo- or thienotriazolo-diazepine derivative, a diphenyl-tetrahydrofuran or diphenyldioxolane derivative or a tetrahydrofuran phospholipid analogue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an orientation mechanism for orienting objects having a bigger convex portion and a smaller projecting portion, such as mushrooms, pears, onions, flower bulbs and the like. The mechanism is provided with an endless conveying member having a plurality of hourglass-shaped rollers arranged transversely of the conveying direction. The rollers are rotatable and spaced apart a specific distance from one another. Tilting belts and upright elements are also located parallel to the conveying member such that the convex portion of the convex portion of the objects to be oriented will be prevented from coming between the rollers. Separate rope carriers are presented parallel to the conveying member for supporting the objects.

Abstract: A diesel powered vehicle is provided with an SCR system which uses an external reducing reagent to convert NOx emissions in a manner which accounts for the effects of NOx transient emissions on the reducing catalyst. Actual NOx emissions produced by the engine are filtered using a variable NOx time constant in turn correlated to the reductant/NOx storage capacity of the reducing catalyst at its current temperature to account for changes in the SCR system attributed to NOx transient emissions. Catalyst temperature is filtered using a variable catalyst time constant corresponding to current space velocity of the exhaust gas to account for changes in the catalyst temperature attributed to NOx transient emissions. The reductant is metered on the basis of the filtered, corrected NOx concentration applied at a NSR ratio based, in turn, on the filtered, corrected reducing catalyst temperature.

Abstract: A composition for generating smoke, consisting essentially of at least one chlorine compound having a chlorine content of at least 56% by weight of the chlorine compound, and a mixture of at least one metal oxide and at least one metal. The metal oxide is an alkaline-earth metal oxide and the metal is an alkaline-earth metal. The molar fraction of alkaline-earth metal, based on the total number of moles of alkaline-earth metal and alkaline-earth metal oxide, is between 0.33 and 0.67. Preferably, the chlorine compound is hexachloroethane. Also preferably, the molar fraction of the mixture of alkaline-earth metal and alkaline-earth metal oxide in the composition is between 0.37 and 0.91. The alkaline-earth metal comprises particles having an average size of 50-100 &mgr;m and particles having an average size of 150-300 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite material, manufactured by dynamic densification of an amount of granular or powdered relatively brittle material or a mixture of one or more of such materials, wherein a continuous porous product is obtained, whereafter, by infiltration thereof with a second material, the brittle material particles are embedded in a continuous network of the second material. The invention further relates to a composite comprising ceramic particles embedded in a continuous matrix of a second material, obtainable by a method according to the invention, and to products manufactured from such composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for performing welding operations, comprising: a core member in which can be guided a welding wire connectable to a voltage source; an extraction member arranged on the outside of the core member for extracting substances inconvenient to the welder; a gas supply member arranged on the outside of the extraction member for supplying gas. The invention also relates to an assembly for welding a weldment, comprising: a device as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, welding wire supply means for supplying welding wire; gas supply means for supplying gas via the gas supply member; a voltage source for applying electrical voltage between the welding wire and the weldment; pumping means for exhausting substances inconvenient to the welder via the extraction member.

Abstract: The invention pertains to novel peptide analogs suitable for inhibiting protein:prenyl transferases. As such they are therapeutically useful in e.g. inhibiting oncogenesis and other unwanted cell proliferation, and in supressing aberrant high signal transduction. The analogs comply with the following formula: in which: R1 is hydrogen or a thiol-protecting group; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; R4 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 acyl or peptidyl; R5 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; R6 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl; A is a direct bond or an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkylene chain; Y represents an oxo group or two hydrogen atoms; Z is oxygen, sulphur, imino or C1-C5 alkyl-, aryl- or acylimino; M is 0, 1 or 2; N is 0 or 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a nanocomposite material based on a polymeric matrix and a layered double hydroxide, comprising the steps of: a) providing a layered double hydroxide which contains an amount of anions of at least 20%, based on the total number of anions of the layered double hydroxide, which anions are compatible and/or reactive with the polymeric matrix: b) mixing the layered double hydroxide with a monomeric material for forming the polymeric matrix, in an amount such that the polymeric matrix is present in the nanocomposite material in an amount of at least 50% by weight, based on the nanocomposite material; c) polymerizing the monomeric material to form the polymeric matrix. The invention further relates to a nanocomposite material obtainable by such method and to a shaped article manufactured from such nanocomposite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanocomposite material based on a polymeric matrix and a layered double hydroxide, wherein the polymeric matrix is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight, based on the nanocomposite material, and wherein the layered double hydroxide contains an amount of anions of at least 20%, based on the total number of anions of the layered double hydroxide, which anions are compatible and/or reactive with the polymeric matrix, and wherein at least 5% of the above amount of anions contain a second charge-carrying group. The invention further relates to a method for preparing such a nanocomposite material and to a shaped article from such a nanocomposite material.

Abstract: A method and equipment for displaying a computer generated color image on which a color transformation is carried out so that a person with normal color vision is able to perceive the colors in a way which corresponds to the perception of a person with abnormal color vision. Use is made of this in order, on the basis of the user's own perception, or on the basis of an expert system, to adjust colors such that these comply with a preset distinguishability criterion which is matched to the ability of the particular target group of users, including users with normal color vision, to distinguish colors.

Abstract: Method for inspecting an article for defects, light scattered by the article is collected. A defect in the article gives rise to a pulse scanning response signal, which is fed to a processing unit. The light beam has a wavelength such that the article is transparent thereto. At least two scanning response signals are obtained, which are associated with focal points at different focal depths in the article. The location of the defect in the direction of the light beam is determined from the steepness of the front and rear flanks of the pulse scanning response signals. By this means it is possible to determine whether a defect is on or in the article. The at least two scanning response signals can be obtained by scanning the article at least twice, with different focal depth for each scan.

Abstract: To adsorb, on solid adsorbent particles, constituents dissolved in liquid, or to desorb (extract), from solid desorbent particles, soluble constituents in liquid, in a container a packed bed formed from granular material is mixed with adsorbent particles or desorbent particles smaller than 200 &mgr;m, said bed moves downwards by virtue of gravity, said liquid is passed upwards through the bed by means of a pressure differential, the said dissolved constituents being adsorbed on the solid adsorbent particles or the said soluble constituents being extracted from the desorbent particles.

Abstract: Method for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other T cell mediated autoimmune disorders is described. The method involves administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of a receptor on a surface of a T cell which mediates contact dependent helper effector functions, for example, an anti-gp39 antibody.

Abstract: Robotically drivable interface mechanism for coupling to a device and for coupling to an end effector attachable to the end of a robot arm. The interface mechanism having a first coupler to couple with an associated second coupler on the device and a third coupler to couple with an associate fourth coupler on the end effector. The first coupler is connectable to an actuator included in the end effector, when the interface mechanism is coupled to the end effector. The first coupler has at least one first roller for cooperating with the second coupler formed by at least one slot in the device.