Abstract: The present invention relates to two ATP diphosphohydrolases (ATPDase enzymes) isolated from bovine aorta and pig pancreas, which enzymes have a molecular weight for their catalytic unit of about 78 and 54 Kilodaltons, respectively. A first process for obtaining a highly purified ATPDase is also an object of the present invention. This process has been successfully applied to the purification of both the pancreatic and the aorta enzymes and is deemed to work in the purification of any ATPDase. For both sources of enzymes, the process allows the specific activity of the enzyme to be increased by at least 10,000 fold when compared to the activity retrieved in the crude cell homogenates. The novel process involves an ion exchange chromatography step, a separation on an affinity column, followed by an electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions.

Abstract: A modular robotic platform is provided having four legs mounted to a body. Each of the legs is mounted to the body via a steering assembly so as to pivot in a first plane relatively to the body. Each leg includes an endless track assembly having a first wheel, a drive system for driving the first wheel, a second wheel, an endless track for rotatably coupling the second wheel to the first wheel, and a track tensioning assembly for pivoting the leg in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. Each leg includes a locomotion controller and a local environment recognition module. Synchronisation of the legs is achieved by a central controller, which gathers data information from each leg through a synchronisation bus. A coordination bus allows to exchange data information between different modules of the robotic platform, including the legs, the central control system and other systems or modules such as an energizing system, a pitch gauge system, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying marine mammal oil enriched in omega 3 fatty acids and to compositions comprising such oils. The invention also relates to a method of preparing such oils from the seal and other marine mammals. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the transformation of subcutaneous and muscular tissues from the seal and other marine mammals. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a process for obtaining lipid and protein extracts from the carcasses of seal and other marine mammals and to these extracts. In addition, the invention relates to fractions obtained by the methods of the present invention and to food supplements comprising same.

Abstract: An induction plasma torch comprises a tubular torch body, a gas distributor head located at the proximal end of the torch body for supplying at least one gaseous substance into the chamber within the torch body, a higher frequency power supply connected to a first induction coil mounted coaxial to the tubular torch body, a lower frequency solid state power supply connected to a plurality of second induction coils mounted coaxial to the tubular torch body between the first induction coil and the distal end of this torch body. The first induction coil provides the inductive energy necessary to ignite the gaseous substance to form a plasma. The second induction coils provide the working energy necessary to operate the plasma torch. The second induction coils can be connected to the solid state power supply in series and/or in parallel to match the impedance of this solid state power supply.

Abstract: C8-substituted purine nucleotide analogs, such as ATP analogs, and their use is described, including their use as inhibitors of NTPDases and thereby as tools to modulate the conversion of nucleotides into nucleoside derivatives, and thus modulate the levels of these compounds. Such modulation further provides for the modulation of the activity and function of many processes which are affected by these compounds.

Abstract: Novel 2-pyrrolylthione derived metal chelate compounds are disclosed as imaging and therapeutic agents. Compositions and methods for their preparation and use as diagnostic imaging and therapeutic agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: To fabricate masks for deep ultra-violet lithography and for extreme ultra-violet lithography, a layer of material opaque to deep ultra-violet radiation and an extreme ultra-violet radiation absorbent layer are each deposited successively with a layer of silicon and a layer of metal on a respective transparent substrate. A focused electron beam is displaced on the superposed layers of metal and silicon to form a structure of etch-resistant metal/silicon compound. The deep ultra-violet mask is then formed by etching the three layers to leave on the substrate, the metal/silicon compound structure with the extreme ultra-violet absorbent layer beneath it.

Abstract: A detector assembly for multi-modality PET/SPEC/CT scanners comprises a first layer for detecting low energy gamma radiation and X-rays and a second layer for detecting high energy gamma radiation. The first layer is generally transparent to high energy gamma radiation. The second layer may advantageously provide measurement of depth of interaction of the high energy radiation. The first layer is preferably in the form of a thin CsI(TI) scintillator, while the second layer includes a pair of LSO/GSO scintillators. The detector assembly includes a photodetector, preferably in the form avalanche photodiode to transform the light signals from the scintillators into electric signals. The detector assembly is advantageously incorporated in a multi-modality PET/SPECT/CT scanner allowing simultaneous transmission and emission imaging with the same detection geometry.

Abstract: Provided herein is a granular filtration apparatus for the removal of particulate material from hot gas by contacting said hot gas with granular filtration material. The apparatus being of the type having a filtration chamber containing granular filtration material and having a tapered lower portion comprising at least one inlet tubing for feeding therein hot gases to be filtered and at least one outlet tubing for drawing filtered hot gas. The main feature of the present invention consists in a filtration unit mounted in the filtration chamber above each inlet tubing. The filtration unit comprising a first tubular member mounted above the inlet tubing so as to prevent granular material from entering or blocking said inlet tubing and a second tubular member having a bottom and a top end and being mounted essentially in a co-axial and spaced relationship above the first tubular member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to two ATP-diphosphohydrolases (ATPDase enzymes) isolated from bovine aorta and pig pancreas, which enzymes have a molecular weight for their catalytic unit of about 78 and 54 Kilodaltons, respectively. A first process for obtaining a highly purified ATPDase is also an object of the present invention. The process has been successfully applied in the purification of both the pancreatic and the aorta enzymes and is deemed to work in the purification of any ATPDase. For both sources of enzymes, the process allows the specific activity of the enzyme to be increased by at least 10,000 fold when compared to the activity retrieved in the crude cell homogenates. The novel process involves an ion exchange chromatography step, a separation on an affinity column, followed by an electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions.

Abstract: The robot ball comprises an encapsulating shell, a drive system and a steering system. The shell has an axis of rotation and an outer annular tread surface centered on the axis of rotation. The drive system is encapsulated in the shell and comprises a first motorized mechanism and a counterweight. The first motorized mechanism has a stator portion and a rotor portion centered on the axis of rotation and connected to the shell. The counterweight is connected to the stator portion and is spaced apart from the axis of rotation whereby, due to inertia of the counterweight, rotation of this rotor portion rotates the shell to roll the tread surface on the ground. The steering system comprises a second motorized mechanism through which the counterweight is connected to the stator portion. This second motorized mechanism includes a pivot assembly having a pivot axis transversal to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arbitrarily primed PCR-based method to identify genetic marker associated with a pathology, which comprises the steps of: a) collecting heterogeneous nucleic acid samples from diseased and healthy tissues; b) determining quantities of the nucleic acid pools by specific amplification of a fragment of glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA; c) amplifying nucleic acid pools of step b) using non-specific sense and antisense primers to obtain clear patterns of nucleic acid sequences; and d) subjecting amplified nucleic acid sequences to gel electrophoresis to obtain fingerprints of both diseased and healthy, wherein bands predominantly associated with diseased tissues are markers for the pathology. The present invention also relates to a RNA expression marker for the diagnosis of Crohn's disease, which comprises a 3.1 kb RNA sequence, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Pyruvate kinase deficiency is a blood disease characterized by hemolytic anemia. PCR analysis of cDNA leukocytic extracts of patients with hereditary pyruvate kinase deficiency anemia revealed two overexpressed markers when compared to extracts from healthy individuals. These two markers, proposed as human markers A and B and associated with hereditary hemolytic anemia, have been cloned (HUMDNAMA and HUMDNAMB, Gen Bank Association numbers M64700 and M64701). Our attention has focused on human DNA marker B, a 451 bp open-reading frame. The marker has been cloned in the bacteria vector pGEX-2TK and the expressed protein, called HMF (hemolytic anemia related factor), has been tested for biological activity. It has been observed that the HMF-glutathione transferase fusion protein, added to freshly prepared leukocytes cultures, has an immediate cytotoxic effect and a delayed lymphoblastic effect. The lymphoblastic effect is greatly enhanced when erythrocytes are added to the leucocytes.

Abstract: The strand of telomeric DNA that runs 5' to 3' towards a chromosome end is typically G-rich. Due to the properties of conventional DNA polymerases, telomerase-generated tails of this G-rich strand are expected on only one end of individual linear DNA molecules. In Saccharomyces, TG.sub.1-3 tails are detected on chromosome and linear plasmid telomeres late in S-phase. Moreover, the telomeres of linear plasmids can interact when the TG.sub.1-3 tails are present. Molecules were generated in vitro that mimic the structures predicted for telomere replication intermediates. These in vitro generated molecules formed telomere--telomere interactions similar to those on molecules isolated from yeast but only if both ends that interacted had a TG.sub.1-3 tail. Moreover, TG.sub.1-3 tails were generated in vivo in cells lacking telomerase. These data suggest a new step in telomere maintenance cell cycle regulated degradation of the C.sub.

Abstract: Instability inherent in analysis-by-synthesis speech/audio codecs and caused in particular by channel errors during transmission of highly periodic signals such as high-frequency sine waves is removed. Analysis-by-synthesis techniques involve production, in response to the speech/audio signal and at regular time intervals called frames, of (a) a set of spectral parameters for use in driving a synthesis filter in view of synthesizing the speech/audio signal, and (b) a pitch gain for constructing a past-excitation-signal component supplied to the synthesis filter.

Abstract: To decontaminate soil, a generally thin porous medium is used. A cathode is applied to one face of the porous medium and an anode is spaced apart from the other face of that porous medium to define a generally thin spacing for receiving a generally thin layer of soil to be decontaminated. An electric potential is applied to the first and second electrodes in view of transferring the contaminants from the thin layer of soil to the porous medium. A porous membrane may be positioned between the thin layer of soil and the anode. The system may be of the conveyor type to enable displacement of the porous medium, the porous membrane, and the layer of soil between the anode and the cathode. Also, the system may comprises a series of at least two pairs of anode and cathode supplied with electric potentials of different amplitudes.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a sub-micron structure of etch-resistant metal/semiconductor compound on a substrate of semiconductor material comprises the step of depositing onto the substrate a layer of metal capable of reacting with the semiconductor material to form etch-resistant metal/semiconductor compound, and the step of producing a focused electron beam. The focused electron beam is applied to the layer of metal to locally heat the metal and semiconductor material and cause diffusion of the metal and semiconductor material in each other to form etch-resistant metal/semiconductor compound. The focused electron beam is displaced onto the layer of metal to form the structure of etch-resistant metal/semiconductor compound. Finally, the layer of metal is wet etched to leave on the substrate only the structure of metal/semiconductor compound.

Abstract: A method and device eradicate the occasional instability inherent in analysis-by-synthesis speech/audio codecs and caused in particular by channel errors during transmission of highly periodic signals such as high-frequency sine waves. Analysis-by-synthesis techniques involve production, in response to the speech/audio signal and at regular time intervals called frames, of (a) a set of spectral parameters for use in driving a synthesis filter in view of synthesizing the speech/audio signal, and (b) a pitch gain for constructing a past-excitation-signal component supplied to the synthesis filter.

Abstract: The present invention is for a method of chemically treating plant biomass with an enzyme system that retains function at low pH and high temperature. Enzyme preparations enriched in xylanase enzymes which retain activity in low pH and high temperature are described. Such preparations may be utilized in a crude unpurified form, and are especially useful in the production of pulp and paper.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel trisulfonated phathalocyanines, processes for making them and their derivatives. Also disclosed are key intermediates consisting of Boron(III) subphathalocyanines. Further disclosed are novel uses for various water soluble trisulfophathalocyanines, trisulfobenzonapthoporphyrazines and trisulfonated phathalocyanines. The new uses are directed to photsensitizers for the photodynamic therapy of cancer, the inactivation of viruses in stored blood, organic semiconductors, disk memory material or as materials for gas sensors. In the compounds of the present invention, the central metal atom may be Zn, Co(II), Ni or Cu(II).