Abstract: Biologically active, pure neutrophil-activating factor (NAF) isolated from human monocytes or after expression of a synthetic NAF gene in E.coli and having the following amino acid sequence Ser-Ala-Lys-Glu-Leu-Arg-Cys-Gln-Cys-Ile-Lys-Thr-Tyr-Ser-Lys-Pro-Phe-His-Pro-Lys-Phe-Ile-Lys-Glu-Leu-Arg-Val-Ile-Glu-Ser-Gly-Pro-His-Cys-Ala-Asn-Thr-Glu-Ile-Ile-Val-Lys-Leu-Ser-Asp-Gly-Arg-Glu-Leu-Cys-Leu-Asp-Pro-Lys-Glu-Asn-Trp-Val-Gln-Arg-Val-Val-Glu-Lys-Phe-Leu-Lys-ArgAla-Glu-Asn-Ser.

Abstract: Peptides having the amino acid sequence ##STR1## wherein X is H, Asp-Leu-Tyr-, Ser-Asp-Leu-Tyr- or Asp-Ser-Asp-Leu-Tyr-. The peptide wherein X is H is human neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (hNAP-2) and those wherein X is other than H are natural variants thereof. The peptides have neutrophil-stimulating activity, are structurally related to NAF/NAP-1, .beta.-thromboglobulin, PBP and CTAP-III and may be isolated from leukocytes and platelets and synthesized by standard peptide synthesis processes and recombinant DNA techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel factor comprising a polypeptide denominated ENA-78, said factor being derived from epithelial cells and having the ability to activate neutrophils, as well as DNA coding for such factors, methods of treating neutrophil deficiencies, methods of identifying inhibitors of ENA-78 using a novel assay, the inhibitors identified by such an assay, and methods for treating acute and chronic lung disorders using such inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel factor comprising a polypeptide denominated ENA-78, said factor being derived from epithelial cells and having the ability to activate neutrophils, as well as DNA coding for such factors, methods of treating neutrophil deficiencies, methods of identifying inhibitors of ENA-78 using a novel assay, the inhibitors identified by such an assay, and methods for treating acute and chronic lung disorders using such inhibitors.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing superfine powder in spherical form with a diameter of about 5 to 30 microns in a Laval nozzle system. The material to be powdered is melted in a crucible, and is then superheated after it emerges from the crucible.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing superfine powder in spherical form with a diameter of about 5 to 30 microns in a laval nozzle system. The material to be powdered is melted in a crucible, and is then superheated after it emerges from the crucible.

Abstract: Pore-free metal powders, consisting of powder particles having a singly curved smooth surface and a mean diameter of between 5 and 35 microns are made by providing a container having an inflow opening; flowing metal melt and gas, at a temperature ranging from 0.7 to 1.5 times the solidification temperature of the melt in .degree.K, into the container through the inflow opening; maintaining the ratio of gas pressure within the container to gas pressure outside the container at the inflow opening at less than 1:5, thereby creating a supersonic flow of gas from outside the container, through the inflow opening, and into the container; and contacting the flowing metal melt with the supersonic flow of gas at a point near the inflow opening and thereby forming the melt into threads which subsequently and spontaneously collapse to form the powder particles.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation is the wavelength range between 150 and 300 nanometers, which both generates ozone (O.sub.3) and has a germicidal effect both in ambient air and in a pure oxygen atmosphere, is performed in a highly energy-efficient manner, by utilizing a low-voltage, low-pressure gas discharge lamp, by using a radiation-transparent quartz tube, by equipping it with a long-lasting sintered electrode pair and filling it with a mixture of gas vapor and mercury vapor, by disposing a circuit device between the mains and the gas discharge tube which rectifies the mains alternating current and effects smoothing voltage multiplication, and by coupling this circuit device with an automatic, dry-switching commutator device for the direct current of the gas discharge lamp, in order in principle to avoid a mercury-vapor dissociation (cataphoresis) which would reduce the effectiveness of the radiation.

Abstract: A work light comprising a housing, a gas discharge lamp of the fluorescent type positioned inside a portion of said housing, means defining a compartment which is an extension of said portion of said housing, and a smoothing choke and a rectifier including a voltage multiplier circuit mounted in the compartment. The compartment and the portion of the housing are aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the housing. An electrical power supply cable is connected to the housing in series with an electric switch, and a swivel arm is mounted on the housing, the power supply cable extending through the swivel arm.

Abstract: It is the aim of the exemplary disclosure to create a simple system with as great a variability as possible wherein a pulse generator for each ultrasonic transducer element comprises a digital frequency control member for controlling the pulses to be fed to the transducer element and at which at least the pulse frequency (f.sub.s) can be selected by means of an input digital value (FW).

Abstract: A starting circuit for gas discharge lamps, such as fluorescent lamps, includes a relay coil controllable switch. A rectifier-multiplier has its input connectable to the alternating-current mains via the controllable switch. A polarity-reversing switch is coupled to an output from the rectifier-multiplier for supplying direct-current to electrodes of at least one gas discharge lamp. Devices responsive to energization of the mains effect reversal of the polarity-reversing switch upon each energization of the mains. A time-delay relay responsive to each energization of the mains effects the closing of the relay coil controllable switch subsequent to each polarity-reversing action of the polarity-reversing switch.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an ultrasonic scanning apparatus has an articulated support for at least one scan head and angle indicators for determining point- and/or direction-coordinates of the scanning. An angle detection and processing is desired which is considerably simplified as compared with the state of the art but which is nevertheless highly precise, interference-insensitive and cost-economical.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, an ultrasonic receiver supplies the echo signals with a given dynamic range to an image recording device which manifests a non-linear luminance/control characteristic. An imaging apparatus with a signal transmission chain of such a type is to be produced with which, by simple means, the echo dynamic range can be adapted to the luminance range detectable by the eye. This is achieved in that there is connected between the ultrasonic receiver and the image recording device, a distortion member, particularly a linearization member, which distorts, in particular, linearizes, in accordance with a specifiable pattern, the non-linear luminance/actuating characteristic of the recording device, in dependence upon a predetermined optimum dynamic range of the echo signals.

Abstract: An ignition trigger circuit for luminous and fluorescent discharge tubes, especially for cold electrode tubes. The ignition pulses are generated by placing across the gas discharge tube a relay-activated switch. The relay windings are connected in series with a rectifying diode and a capacitor across the A.C. power source. When a charging current flows into the capacitor, the relay windings are actuated at each A.C. cycle. By suitable choice of the electrical dimensions, the charging phase of the capacitor may be extended over several A.C. cycles, thereby causing repeated actuations of the relay and closures of the switch. Once the charging current falls below the holding current of the relay, the short-circuiting switch stays open permanently. A discharge resistor is provided to return the circuit to its initial state after being removed from the A.C. current source.

Abstract: An amplifier is disclosed for electrical signals which consists of a plurality of series-connected amplification stages each of which has at least one voltage-controlled amplifier element whose control characteristic can be adjusted by means of a control signal. An amplification is desirable for all individual stages which is equally great over an arbitrarily preselectable dynamic range. According to the invention, the amplifier has at least one control signal forming element for each of the amplifier elements of each amplification stage which exhibit different control characteristics compared to one another. This control signal forming element forms a secondary control voltage U.sub.ST2 from a primary control voltage U.sub.ST1 according to the equation U.sub.ST2 =m.multidot.U.sub.

Abstract: A constant current transformer for gas-discharge tubes consisting of an aluminum can containing an iron core made of grain-oriented magnetic sheet material in split-tape core form with electrically isolated primary and secondary windings. The core has gaps on opposite sides with non-magnetic spacers. Stray field yokes are provided adjacent the gaps. A series-resonance capacitor is included in the can. The active parts fit tightly against the can, which serves to carry away heat losses. The parts are impregnated in the can using an epoxy resin in an overpressure centrifuging process. The primary and secondary windings may be connected outside the transformer in a voltage-adding arrangement in series with a load. Two or more transformers may be connected with their primaries in parallel and their secondaries in parallel with a load so that their currents are added, or with their secondaries in series with a load to add their voltages. An inductance may be connected in series with the series-resonance capacitor.

Abstract: Gas discharge lamps, especially of the fluorescent tube type, powered from the A.C. line through a rectifier, with a double electrode arrangement and a discharge-type cross connection of the electrode chambers, characterized by the fact that preferably straight glass tube sections of equal length are connected to form an elongated rectangular unit by means of two geometrically equal U-shaped end pieces by the fact that a gas-discharge-tight diaphragm, which is permeable to mercury vapor is provided on one U-shaped end, as well as electrode holders being provided on both sides thereof and at least one pump nipple tube being provided in the other U-shaped end piece.

Abstract: An arrangement for effecting ultrasonic-echo encephalography, including at least two ultrasonic heads, as well as a recording arrangement for the ultrasonic waves which are received from the skull of a patient, and having at least one marking device associated therewith for marking the position of the theoretical median echo. The marking arrangement incorporates a time measurement element for determining the transit time of the ultrasonic wave through the skull portion being examined by means of the sound-penetrating operation which, after switching over to a reflecting operation, so controls an impulse generator in that the latter, periodically in beat with the ultrasonic radiation, and delayed with respect to the timepoint of the ultrasonic entry into the skull examination area by the amount of the previously determined skull transit time, as to produce a marking impulse at the recording arrangement.