Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing repair of a cartilage and/or inducing formation of a cartilage by administering a cell, which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an engineered cell, which is transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family, thereby expressing a factor of the T-box family. In another embodiment, the invention relates to compositions comprising a vector, which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family and in another embodiment the composition-comprising cell that expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury.

Abstract: A distributor is provided for selectively connecting with a voltage source a plurality of electrical load devices, such as the sensors or actuators of an electrical and mechanical installation, characterized by the provision of an illuminating field that illuminates the addressing switches and/or the changeover switches of the distributor.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing repair of a cartilage and/or inducing formation of a cartilage by administering a cell which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an engineered cell, which is transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family, thereby expressing a factor of the T-box family. In another embodiment, the invention relates to compositions comprising a vector which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family and in another embodiment the composition comprising cell which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury.

Abstract: The polyester polyols according to the invention with an average equivalent weight in the range from 200 to 4,000, which were prepared by reacting &agr;,&ohgr;-dicarboxylic acids with butane 1,4-diol, hexane 1,6-diol, propane 1,3-diol or pentane 1,5-diol and with polyols having 3 to 6 hydroxyl groups, are used for the preparation of PUR pourable elastomers with improved resistance to hydrolysis.

Abstract: A shaped part or article of manufacture is formed of a selected gamma titanium aluminide alloy with outstanding mechanical properties which can be produced particularly economically. First, a semi-finished article is formed in a hot forming process with a degree of deformation of greater than 65%. Then the semi-finished article is shaped with the alloy being in a solid-liquid phase by applying mechanical forming forces during at least part of the shaping process.

Abstract: A shaped part or article of manufacture is formed of a selected gamma titanium aluminide alloy with outstanding mechanical properties which can be produced particularly economically. First, a semi-finished article is formed in a hot forming process with a degree of deformation of greater than 65%. Then the semi-finished article is shaped with the alloy being in a solid-liquid phase by applying mechanical forming forces during at least part of the shaping process.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing repair of a cartilage and/or inducing formation of a cartilage by administering a cell, which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an engineered cell, which is transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family, thereby expressing a factor of the T-box family. In another embodiment, the invention relates to compositions comprising a vector, which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family and in another embodiment the composition-comprising cell that expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing prepolymers, which contain isocyanate terminal groups and which have a very low content of free isocyanate starting materials, from polyester polyols and polyisocyanates.

Abstract: This invention provides method for repairing, regenerating, treating, or inducing the repair of an injury, a defect or a condition of a connective tissue of a subject. This invention provides a method of regenerating, enhancing, inducing repair and/or development of connective tissue as a result of a defect, injury or condition of the connective tissue of a subject comprising the step of inserting an engineered cell which comprises a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD protein or variant thereof, so as to induce regeneration, repair and/or development of the connective tissue. This invention further provides methods of ex-vivo implantation of engineered cells into an injury, defect or condition of the connective tissue. This invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD 8 protein variant, cells comprising such SMAD 8 variant, include mesenchymal stem cells, progenitor cells or cells derived from a connective tissue. Lastly, this invention provides SMAD 8 protein variant.

Abstract: This invention provides method for repairing, regenerating, treating, or inducing the repair of an injury, a defect or a condition of a connective tissue of a subject. This invention provides a method of regenerating, enhancing, inducing repair and/or development of connective tissue as a result of a defect, injury or condition of the connective tissue of a subject comprising the step of inserting an engineered cell which comprises a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD protein or variant thereof, so as to induce regeneration, repair and/or development of the connective tissue. This invention further provides methods of ex-vivo implantation of engineered cells into an injury, defect or condition of the connective tissue. This invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding a SMAD 8 protein variant, cells comprising such SMAD 8 variant, include mesenchymal stem cells, progenitor cells or cells derived from a connective tissue. Lastly, this invention provides SMAD 8 protein variant.

Abstract: A method of simulating a program. Compiled and interpretive techniques are combined into a just-in-time cached compiled technique. When an instruction of a program simulation is to be executed at run-time, a table of compiled instructions is accessed to determine whether compiled data for the instruction is stored in the table. If the compiled data is not therein, the instruction is compiled and stored in the table. The compiled data is returned to a simulator that is executing the program simulation. In another embodiment, before storing new information in the table, another table may be consulted to determine if the location to which the new information is to be stored is protected. If the table location is protected, the new information is not stored in the table. Rather, the new information is simply passed on to the simulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of enhancing repair of a cartilage and/or inducing formation of a cartilage by administering a cell which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury. In another embodiment, the invention relates to an engineered cell, which is transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family, thereby expressing a factor of the T-box family. In another embodiment, the invention relates to compositions comprising a vector which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a factor of the T-box family and in another embodiment the composition comprising cell which expresses a factor of the T-box family, which includes inter-alia the brachyury.

Abstract: Solid polyurethane moldings having high inherent rigidity, thin walls and a complex geometry are produced. These polyurethane moldings can be produced by reacting a selected polyisocyanate with a selected compound having groups that are capable of reacting with isocyanate groups by means of the casting process which is a simple and inexpensive processing technology.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel titanium/zirconium catalysts, and to a process for the preparation of these titanium/zirconium catalysts. The process comprises reacting orthoesters or condensed orthoesters of titanium and/or zirconium, with one or more polyalcohols. Suitable polyalcohols comprise those compounds having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight of at least 180 g/mol. The invention also relates to a process for preparing (poly)esters from these novel catalysts, which exhibit little discoloration and are suitable to be used as a reaction component in the preparation of polyurethane (PUR) foams.

Abstract: 1,4-diaminonaphthalene and/or 1,5-diaminonaphthalene are produced by (a) reacting naphthalene with a halogen, (b) optionally, separating 1,4-dihalogen naphthalene or 1,5-dihalogen naphthalene from the mixture from step (a), and (c) reacting the mixture from step (a) or the 1,4-dihalogen naphthalene or the 1,5-dihalogen naphthalene from step (b) with ammonia and/or an organic amine in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: The polyester polyols according to the invention with an average equivalent weight in the range from 200 to 4,000, which were prepared by reacting &agr;,&ohgr;-dicarboxylic acids with butane 1,4-diol, hexane 1,6-diol, propane 1,3-diol or pentane 1,5-diol and with polyols having 3 to 6 hydroxyl groups, are used for the preparation of PUR pourable elastomers with improved resistance to hydrolysis.

Abstract: 1,4-diaminonaphthalene and/or 1,5-diaminonaphthalene are produced by (a) reacting naphthalene with a halogen, (b) optionally, separating 1,4-dihalogen naphthalene or 1,5-dihalogen naphthalene from the mixture from step (a), and (c) reacting the mixture from step (a) or the 1,4-dihalogen naphthalene or the 1,5-dihalogen naphthalene from step (b) with ammonia and/or an organic amine in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to gas chromatography analysis of a sample having components to be investigated and water contained therein, which after thermodesorption is separated and analyzed, the thermodesorbed sample being transferred by a carrier gas into a first polar separation column which retains higher-boiling components and water and passes low-boiling components, the latter being led, past a branching point which leads, on the one hand, to a second polar or non-polar separation column and, on the other hand, to the non-polar separation column, to the non-polar separation column in a fashion excluding access to the second polar or non-polar separation column, after which higher-boiling components and water are transferred to the second polar or non-polar separation column in a fashion excluding access to the non-polar separation column, water being eliminated upstream of the second polar or non-polar separation column by cryofocussing.

Abstract: Polyurethane prepolymers and polyurethane elastomers based on 1,4-naphthalene are described. Methods of preparing the polyurethane prepolymers and elastomers are also described. Molded articles capable of withstanding high mechanical stresses, prepared from the polyurethane prepolymers and/or polyurethane elastomers of the present invention, are further described.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel titanium/zirconium catalysts, and to a process for the preparation of these titanium/zirconium catalysts. The process comprises reacting orthoesters or condensed orthoesters of titanium and/or zirconium, with one or more polyalcohols. Suitable polyalcohols comprise those compounds having at least two hydroxyl groups and a number average molecular weight of at least 180 g/mol. The invention also relates to a process for preparing (poly)esters from these novel catalysts, which exhibit little discoloration and are suitable to be used as a reaction component in the preparation of polyurethane (PUR) foams.