Abstract: The present invention relates to a planar optical waveguide device, especially an optical amplifier, comprising: a substrate (11); an active guiding layer (13) arranged on the substrate (11); a bottom layer (12) arranged between the active guiding layer (13) and the substrate (11); a top cladding layer (14) arranged over the active guiding layer (13).According to the invention, the active guiding layer (13) has the following composition:______________________________________ Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 8-20 mol % Na.sub.2 O 5-18 mol % La.sub.2 O.sub.3 6-35 mol %, preferably 10-30 mol % R.sub.2 O.sub.3 >0-6 mol %, preferably 0.5-1.5 mol % P.sub.2 O.sub.5 balance ______________________________________wherein, R represents Erbium (Er), Neodymium (Nd), or Ytterbium (Yb), or a combination of Er+Yb.

Abstract: Method for anaerobic removal of a sulphur compound from waste water containing such compound, comprising the steps of: 1) feeding the waste water to an anaerobic digestion system; 2) converting the sulphur compound in the digestion system to a sulphide; 3) circulating an effluent containing the sulphide from the digestion system in a by-pass channel, the channel comprising a stripper system for stripping the sulphide from the effluent; 4) removing the sulphide from the effluent by contacting with a transporting gas in the stripper system; and 5) converting the sulphide to sulphur; wherein 6) the sulphide is absorbed from the transporting gas in an absorber system by an absorbing liquid, which absorbing liquid is passed in a closed loop through the absorber system and a regenerator system, and comprises a regenerable redox liquor, which redox liquor has a pH-value in the range of 4 to 7, preferably about 6.5.

Abstract: Method for a visual measurement, in which an image sector of an image with a target object is presented to an eye of an operative by a display unit, and in which the fovea of the eye is placed into such a reference position relative to the display unit, or the image sector is shifted in such a way towards the periphery relative to the fovea of the eye in a reference position, that the target object lies outside the fovea and the operative decides whether the target object is still visible, and the extent to which the target object is situated outside the reference position is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removing one or more undesirable or dangerous substances for the human race from a gas or vapour mixture, the device comprising: a predetermined amount of adsorbent for adsorbing the substances and an odourant for releasing an odour in order to alarm a person, wherein the odourant is arranged in such a manner that the odourant is displaceable by the substances, following a predetermined level of saturation of the adsorbent.

Abstract: Test system for viewing systems, such as CCD cameras, infrared viewers, or binoculars or telescopes, which test system is provided with a test object having various component test objects to be shown to the viewing system, which test object is to be placed at a distance from the viewing system and which is to be tendered displayable with the viewing system for an inspection unit (for example, a test operative), with which inspection unit the quality of the operation of the viewing system can be determined on the basis of said display, the test object comprising component test objects differing in appearance from one another and the test system being suitable for presenting said component test objects simultaneously or one after another to the inspection unit to determine a property of the displayed component test objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of non-bacterial plasminogen activators in the manufacture of a topical medical preparation for the treatment of slow- or non-healing wounds. In addition, the present invention relates to a composition comprising a physiologically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a non-bacterial plasminogen activator, with the exclusion of t-PA. Finally, the present invention is directed to a method of treatment of slow- or non-healing wounds comprising the topical application of a non-bacterial plasminogen activator to the site of a wound.

Abstract: A method is described for the in-situ cleaning by means of microorganisms of a polluted soil portion which contains ground water. In this method, the soil portion to be cleaned is enclosed, and one or several electrodes which are permeable to liquid are placed in or adjacent the soil portion. A negative or positive voltage is applied to these electrodes. The enclosure of the polluted soil portion takes place in such a manner that the ground water present in the soil portion flows mainly through the one or several electrodes.

Abstract: Telescope comprising two or more reflecting elements, wherein a light beam impinging on a first reflecting element leaves through a second reflecting element, in which the shape of the reflecting surface of the second reflecting element is concave. The shape of the reflecting surface of the first reflecting element is concave. An entrance pupil is arranged in the light path in front of the first reflecting element and the first reflecting element images the entrance pupil nearly in the focus of the second reflecting element.

Abstract: Ergols, particularly for propelling missiles, containing at least one oxidant, a fuel and an energy-releasing binder. The oxidant is selected from the group which includes a nitroformate of a nitrogen compound, particularly hydrazinium or ammonium nitroformate, and a perchlorate of a nitrogen compound, particularly nitronium or ammonium perchlorate. The fuel is selected from the group which includes boron and boranes, aluminium and aluminium hydribe. The energy-releasing binder is selected from the group which includes polyglycidyl nitrate, polyglycidyl azide, polynitromethoxymethyloxetane and poly-3,3bis(azidomethyl)oxetane. Said ergols are particularly useful for propelling aerospace missiles, particularly rockets.

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: The invention provides a method for inhibiting protein isoprenylation by administration of a polyisoprenyl pyrophosphate analogue. The polyisoprenyl pyrophosphate analogue may have formula 1, ##STR1## wherein: Pren represents a C.sub.10 -C.sub.30 terpenoid group or a derivative thereof;A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 independently represent a direct bond or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylene or alkenylene group, optionally having substituents selected from methyl, hydroxy, methoxy, mercapto, methylthio, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, halogen and a group having formula --X.sup.5 --A.sup.5 --P(.dbd.Z.sup.2)Y.sup.2 Y.sup.3 ; A.sup.5 represents a direct bond or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkylene or alkenylene group;X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3, X.sup.4 and X.sup.5 independently represent a direct bond, oxygen, sulphur, imino or methylimino;Y.sup.1, Y.sup.2 and Y.sup.

Abstract: Detection or determination of a protease in a sample by incubating the sample with a substrate of the protease and observing proteolytic cleavage of said substrate. The substrate is a modified proenzyme containing a recognition site, e.g., an activation site, cleavable by said protease. Proteolytic cleavage of the modified proenzyme is detected by observing the resulting activity using a suitable substrate of the activated proenzyme. The protease may be e.g. an aspartic protease or a metalloprotease, and the modified proenzyme e.g. pro-urokinase having a mutant activation site which is cleavable by the protease to be determined.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new gene which codes for a NADPH cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase from filamentous fungi. Also disclosed are a recombinant DNA molecule which comprises at least a part of that gene, an RNA molecule derived therefrom and a new polypeptide (or protein), as well as at least one host cell transformed with such recombinant DNA molecule. Particularly suitable host cells are those originating from a filamentous fungus. With the polypeptides (proteins) and the host cells according to the invention, new processes for enzymatic conversions can be performed. In particular, enzymatic conversions by means of monooxygenases, more particularly by means of enzymes from the cytochrome P450 superfamily are improved with the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the absorption of one or more gaseous components from a gas phase, in that the gas phase with the component(s) to be absorbed present therein is brought into contact with a liquid phase, wherein the gas phase and the liquid phase are separated by a hydrophobic membrane of a material other than polytetrafluoroethene, wherein the liquid phase comprises water and a water-miscible and/or water-soluble absorbent, and wherein the liquid phase does not give rise to any leakage from the membrane or is effective in preventing or counteracting leakage from the membrane. According to a first preferred aspect, the liquid phase comprises waterand a water-miscible and/or water-soluble organic absorbent, wherein the surface tension at 20.degree. C. has been brought to at least 60.times.10.sup.-3 N/m by adding a water-soluble salt.

Abstract: Method and device for determining a proximal arterial blood pressure waveform in a person, starting from a distally measured arterial pressure waveform, by first applying age-dependent waveform filtering to the distal pressure waveform, in order to obtain the proximal pressure waveform with mutually correct systolic, diastolic and mean pressure levels, and by then shifting the filtered pressure waveform by means of calibration to the correct proximal pressure level, for example by calibration of one level of the filtered systolic, diastolic or mean pressure levels with the corresponding proximal pressure level. This can be a single noninvasively measured systolic or diastolic or mean pressure level. The age for the purpose of the age-dependent waveform filtering is derived from the distally measured pressure waveform, for example by means of a trained neural network.

Abstract: In order to produce ceramic hollow fibers, in particular hollow fiber membranes for microfiltration, ultrafiltration and gas separation, a paste is made filling a polymer binder system with a ceramic powder. The paste is processed by extruding through a spinneret to give hollow fibers. The binder system is removed with the aid of thermal diffusion and the powder particles are sintered to each other.

Abstract: Biological filter for removing volatile, hydrophobic compounds, such as toxic styrene, from gas emissions. These are broken down with a fungus, which is immobilized on a carrier of inert material, such as perlite. Preferably active carbon is also added. The filter is manufactured by cultivating the fungus on the carrier with the aid of the compound which is to be removed. In order to be able to make a filter quickly with a homogeneous distribution of the fungus therein, it is preferable to use a spore forming fungus.

Abstract: A mechanical linear guide for making a body move in an axial direction, comprising a system which is preferably made up of reinforced leaf springs and/or hole-type hinges, and which is rotationally symmetrical about an axial direction and mirror-symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. The system is connected to a fixed base at six points (A, D, I, L, M, P), and a body (18) is suspended between two points (F, G) in such a way that it can carry out only movement in the axial direction, and not in the lateral direction.

Abstract: In a composition for delayed release of an active substance, the active substance is incorporated in a polysaccharide matrix which consists of an essentially crystalline straight-chain glucan and contains a glucan-degrading agent. The glucan is in particular an .alpha.-glucan which has essentially a helix structure. The glucan-degrading agent is preferably .alpha.-amylase. The composition can contain high-molecular materials such as proteins, allergens, vaccine substances and microorganisms, and preferably has the form of compressed tablets.

Abstract: Composition for delayed release of an active substance, such as a medicament, the active substance being incorporated in a polysaccharide matrix which is formed by an essentially crystalline straight-chain glucan, in particular an .alpha.-glucan which has a helix structure, such as amylodextrin or a fraction having a helix structure obtained from amylose V. The composition can contain an amount of active substance of from 0.1 to 80% by weight and the active substance can, depending of the hydrophilicity, have a molecular weight of up to 500 to 1500 daltons. The active substance is released from the composition at a constant rate.