Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging made up of at least one inner, containing an alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverage based on anethole, in which the inner foil of said packaging is made up of a film of polyamide including aromatic units.The packaging is preferably intended to contain weakly alcoholic beverages and the polyamide results from the polycondensation of meta-xylylenediamine with adipic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use and composition of materials which, when added to oral fluid samples, make such samples suitable for use with microparticle-based immunoassays. In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of reducing false positives in assays for the detection of an analyte in an oral fluid sample. The method involves providing an oral fluid sample combined with a bile acid or salt where the bile acid or salt is present in a concentration sufficient to reduce the rate of occurrence of false positives in said oral fluid based immunoassays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device to remove moisture from a side view mirror and adjacent side window of a vehicle. The device increases mirror clarity and can be installed on a side view mirror housing at the factory or as an after factory installation. The device prevents moisture from interfering with the operator's visual use of the mirror by utilizing the cleansing effects of existing air flow about the mirror housing during vehicle movement when it redirects the air flow past the mirror surface. The device also uses the air flow to prevent the build up of moisture on the adjacent side window of the vehicle. The device can be adapted to accommodate any existing vehicle mirror design that is incorporated into the door frame or in close proximity. The device is a semi-rigid mirror attachment that mounts on the mirror housing without obstructing the operator's field of vision.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating individuals infected with HIV or at risk of being infected with HIV. The method comprises the step of administering to an individual infected with HIV or at risk of being infected with HIV, an effective amount of a phosphoaminolipid extract derived from bacteria. The phosphoaminolipid extract exhibits an immunomodulating effect in humans, promoting a stabilization or improvement in immune system function.

Abstract: A hand held device for preparation of beverages of desired composition and strength has a source stuff (11) of the beverage packaged in a porous pouch (14) supported on a cage framework (12), emanating downwards from a pedestal (16), and the pouch (14) is encased within the device in cavity of a concave cap (13). A plurality of capsules (22,32), each containing an adjunct (21,31) of the beverage respectively, are mounted above the pedestal (16) to form a portable pencil of capsules. The framework (12) and the pouch (14) containing the stuff (11) cooperate as a commingling infuser stirrer, when shuffled in the liquid medium of the beverage, thereby enhancing combination of the stuff (11) and the medium. Fork (44) and knife (43) projections protrude on exterior of the cap (13). A fluid is injectible through the stuff (11) and the prepared beverage.

Abstract: A protective cover for a hand operated computer control device. The device includes a cover having a cavity shaped to receive a control device such that the control device is releasably held within the cavity. The cover further includes weakened sections creating a push button member oriented to be adjacent a button on the control device when the control device is positioned within the cover. The push button member is moveable into the cavity to engage and actuate a button on the control device when a user presses down on the push button member.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel methods and compositions for protecting cats from infection by a broad range of FIV strains using a multi-subtype FIV vaccine. Multi-subtype FIV vaccines comprising either cell free whole virus or cell lines infected with viruses are described. Methods for vaccinating cats with the subject vaccine compositions are also described. Cats vaccinated according to the methods and compositions of the subject invention exhibit protective humoral and cellular immune responses to FIV when challenged with homologous or heterologous strains of FIV. The subject invention also pertains to novel feline cell lines that are susceptible to infection by FIV and their methods of use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to wash blood cells in a discrete manner that is compatible with automated sample preparation systems. The test tube containing the cells to be washed is mounted on a rotatable spindle. The spindle includes central passageways for the introduction of wash fluid and air into the test tube, and radial exit passageways at the bottom of the spindle. The test tube is first spun about its vertical axis to centrifuge cells against the inner wall of the test tube. A vacuum is then applied to the exit passageways so cell supernatant is aspirated out through the exit passageways. Wash fluid is then introduced into the test tube, and aspirated out through the exit passageways, thereby washing the cells. Rotational acceleration and deceleration of the test tube then resuspends the cells in wash fluid.

Abstract: A roofing product is described which includes a substantially rigid foam core backed with a moisture resistant coating, a mineral aggregate layer overlying said foam core, a membrane layer thereon, a plurality of glass fibers embedded within said membrane layer or present as a separate layer between said aggregate and membrane layers, and a topcoat polymer shell on said membrane layer and overlying the edges of the product.

Abstract: Immunologically active peptides which are derived from a novel immunodeficiency virus which has the designation MVP5180/91 are described. A diagnostic composition containing such a peptide and methods of detecting an antibody against a retrovirus that causes immune deficiency using such diagnostic composition are also described. A kit containing the immunologically active peptides is also described. An immunogen and method of immunizing a mammal against HIV infection using the immunologically active peptides is described. DNA encoding the peptides and methods of detecting nucleic acids encoding HIV viruses are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a disk substrate consisting essentially of zirconia partially stabilized by a rare earth oxide, the disk substrate having a thickness of no more than 0.635 mm, a diameter of at least 10 mm, and a mean pore size of no more than 0.1 um.

Abstract: Fluorometric immunological assay method for detection of HIV-1 infection in which Murine anti-gp120 monoclonal antibodies coupled to paramagnetic microspheres (14) and Fluorescein conjugated anti-gp120 polyclonal antibodies IgG (16) are incubated in a few drops of whole blood diluted in 0.5 cc phosphate buffered saline (10). After incubation for 5 minutes, the HIV-infected peripheral blood lymphocytes (18) will be coated with both the Murine anti-gp120 monoclonal antibodies coupled to paramagnetic microspheres (14) and Fluorescein conjugated anti-gp120 polyclonal antibodies IgG (16) at exposed gp120 antigens (20) binding sites. At the time of measurement said HIV- infected peripheral blood lymphocytes (18) will be pulled against the wall of the measurement vessel by means of a magnetic gradient (26). The cells adhering to the vessel wall are illuminated at 488 nm monochromatic light by a focused light source (28) and the resultant emitted fluorescence is imaged, measured and recorded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a susceptor during a cleaning operation by loading a ceramic wafer onto the susceptor before introducing the cleaning agent into the chamber is provided. In particular, the ceramic wafer is chosen to have a dielectric value sufficient to alter the electromagnetic field of a plasma to spread the plasma away from the susceptor during a cleaning operation, directing more of the plasma towards the walls of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and assay device for detecting small analytes. The results of the assay can be directly read from the device, which is a lateral flow device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for handling a brush head for cleaning the surfaces of large objects like aircraft, ships or buildings. The handling device has a multi-joint assembly carrying a brush head (18) on the end extension (14) of an angled mast (13) having, extending from the end extension (14), three motor-driven rotary units (60, 62, 64) arranged one behind the other and having alternately perpendicular axes (60', 62', 64') and a motor-driven telescopic linear unit (66') secured to the last rotary unit (64) and aligned with its axis of rotation (64'). In order to ensure that the brush roller is always perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned along its entire travel, even at points which are difficult of access, the invention proposes that axes (60', 66') of the rotary unit (60) on the end extension side and of the linear unit (66) be arranged in laterally staggered, mutually parallel planes.

Abstract: A catalytic converter structure comprising: cylindrical catalyst substrate; a first cylindrical tube covering a first end of the substrate; a second cylindrical tube covering a second end of the substrate; a support mat surrounding a central portion of the substrate and portions of the first and second cylindrical tubes; and a housing having a cylindrical shape, within which the substrate, first and second cylindrical tubes and the support mat are located, wherein the housing has a central body and first and second housing ends, wherein the housing ends each have a first diameter less than a second diameter of the central body, wherein the first and second housing ends engage the first and second cylindrical tubes, respectively. The structure requires few components, is easy to tool and easy to adapt to different engine implementations.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with Marek's Disease Virus of serotype 1 adapted for growth on an avian cell line. A preferred cell line for adaption of this virus is the quail cell line QT-35. These adapted viruses can be grown on the avian cell line in order to obtain virus material for the preparation of vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus infection (CAEV) in a human sample suspected of being infected with CAEV.

Abstract: An apparatus for cultivating cells as disclosed includes a cell culture chamber having inlet and outlet ports, a substrate (7) with an anchorage surface for attachment of cells, and a system for circulating a culture medium in the cell culture chamber through the inlet and outlet ports. The medium circulating system cooperates with valves to control the surface level of the medium in order to submerge the anchorage surface in the culture medium and intermittently expose the substrate from the culture medium, thereby increasing the rate of gas exchange through a thin film of the culture medium formed on the anchorage surface. A method for cultivating cells by using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a physiological composition for the treatment of thermal and chemical burns comprising an efficient amount of Al(OH)Y complex formed between the aluminum ion Al.sup.3+ and an ethylenediamine-tetraacetic ligand (ligand Y).