Abstract: A tumor necrosis factor-&agr; converting enzyme (TACE) is produced, purified, and crystallized. The three-dimensional coordinates of the crystal are obtained by X-ray diffraction. The coordinates can be recorded on a computer readable medium, or are part of a video memory, where they can be used as part of a system for studying for studying TACE. The coordinates are also used in designing, screening, and developing compounds that associate with TACE.

Abstract: The process to produce heterologous proteins in a minimal culture medium consists of (i) transforming a bacterial strain that is secretary in a minimal culture medium with a plasmid that contains the coding sequence of said heterologous protein, (ii) culturing said strain in a minimal culture medium, and (iii) recovering the heterologous protein. The bacterial strain that is secretary in a minimal culture medium can be obtained by means of a process that comprises (a) transforming bacteria adapted to grow in a minimal culture medium with a plasmid that comprises a DNA sequence that encodes for a protein that is toxic for a bacteria when it accumulates in the cytoplasm and whose synthesis is coupled to the secretion into the periplasm, (b) culturing said transformed bacteria in a minimal culture medium, and (c) selecting the surviving bacteria. It is applicable in the production of proteins of interest in bacteria that are secretary in a minimal culture medium.

Abstract: A tumor necrosis factor-&agr; converting enzyme (TACE) is produced, purified, and crystallized. The three-dimensional coordinates of the crystal are obtained by X-ray diffraction. The coordinates can be recorded on a computer readable medium, or are part of a video memory, where they can be used as part of a system for studying for studying TACE. The coordinates are also used in designing, screening, and developing compounds that associate with TACE.

Abstract: The invention provides spatial structures and crystal forms of polypeptides comprising at least one subdomain of a protein from the family of proteins that includes calcium-activated cystein proteinases (calpains). Also provided are methods of preparing these crystal forms, and methods of modeling calpains using the coordinates derived from the disclosed crystal forms. The invention further provides compounds that act as ligands for calpains, methods for identifying such ligands, and methods for using such ligands as inhibitors or activators of calpain activity.

Abstract: A tumor necrosis factor-&agr; converting enzyme (TACE) is produced, purified, and crystallized. The three-dimensional coordinates of the crystal are obtained by X-ray diffraction. The coordinates can be recorded on a computer readable medium, or are part of a video memory, where they can be used as part of a system for studying for studying TACE. The coordinates are also used in designing, screening, and developing compounds that associate with TACE.

Abstract: A process for ecologic cooking of food, comprising providing an external container, the external container having a cover, the cover having a regulator for regulating steam, gas generated in cooking of foods, or both; providing an internal container, the internal container containing foodstuff; wherein the internal container hangs inside the external container from one or two points; and a space is formed between the internal container and the external container preventing the foodstuffs from contacting with red-hot metal of the external container, and heating the internal container with water, steam, or water-steam wherein the maximum temperature reached by the foodstuff in the internal container is the temperature of the water, steam, or water-steam. Preferably a first ambient of heat tempered by humidity is formed in the internal container and the first ambient of heat is uniformly tempered with a second ambient of heat comprising heated water, steam, or heated water-steam.

Abstract: A system enabling the performance of ecologic cooking of food, wherein a first ambient of heat tempered by humidity is built up, containing the food and being uniformly tempered from a second ambient consisting of hot water and/or steam, said device comprising an external container and its cover provided with a device for facilitating the regulation of aeriform fluids and/or steam, within said container there is an interchangeable internal container as an accessory in which food to be cooked is placed, the container and cover are fastened together by a semi-hermetic closing system, said cover having the regulation device for outlet of the aeriform fluid; the internal container is hanging, on at least one point, inside the external container permitting the isolation of food from red-hot metal, so that the food placed in said interchangeable internal container or first ambient of heat tempered by humidity are cooked by effect of heat produced from a second ambient consisting of water and/or steam, the second am

Abstract: A guiding catheter introducer assembly that includes a catheter introducer sheath, with a hemostasis valve, attached or molded to a reinforced guiding catheter tubular body into a single assembly. The reinforced guiding catheter tubular body is made of braided wire construction. The catheter introducer sheath assembly includes a side port at which point a multiport stop cock is attached or molded, to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of fluids.

Abstract: In the production of slabstock polymeric foam, foam reactants are delivered to a vessel (1), the reacting foam mixture passes over an overflow outlet (2) from the vessel and along a downwardly inclined fall plate (3) to a conveyor (4), two separate covering layers, namely a lower flaccid plastics film (26) and an upper relatively stiff paper foil (28), are applied over the reacting foam mixture near the overflow outlet (36), a blanket (40) weighted by free floating plates (46) is positioned over the cover layers in the foam expansion zone to press down lightly on the foam. The separate plastics film and paper foil are provided by delaminating a composite sheet (21), and are delivered to the foam surface in substantially tension-free condition by a take-off mechanism (22) which draws the composite sheet from a supply roll. Improved economy is achieved as a result of improved characteristics at the top of the foam block produced.

Abstract: A modular drill bit mounts legs within recesses in a body which are parallel to the central axis of the body using threaded studs with tapered outer portions, in conjunction with an attached pin having recesses therein receiving the upper ends of the legs. The lower ends of the legs terminate in spindles of open face configuration rotatably receiving cones thereon for rotation via a arrangement of bushings, roller bearings and thrust bearings, and a plurality of seals which slide and therefore rotate relative to both the leg spindle and the cone with the help of pressure compensating apparatus. Each cone is provided with cutting teeth which are inclined in the direction of cone rotation and which cover the cone surface in a manner which provides scraping of substantially the entire bottom surface of the hole being drilled and in a manner providing efficient scraping and crushing action.

Abstract: A modular drill bit mounts legs within recesses in a body which are parallel to the central axis of the body using threaded studs with tapered outer portions, in conjuction with an attached pin having recesses therein receiving the upper ends of the legs. The lower ends of the legs terminate in spindles of open face configuration rotatably receiving cones thereon for rotation via a arrangement of bushings, roller bearings and thrust bearings, and a plurality of seals which slide and therefore rotate relative to both the leg spindle and the cone with the help of pressure compensating apparatus. A bushing disposed in the cone-leg spindle interface has oil-lubricated rubber rods disposed in apertures therein to prevent lock-up on an adjacent bearing surface. The cone is held on the leg spindle by a lock nut forming one end of a race for receiving rollers of a roller bearing, in conjunction with a ring-nut secured to an extended portion of the cone protecting the leg from wear and damage.

Abstract: A modular drill bit mounts legs within recesses in a body which are parallel to the central axis of the body using threaded studs with tapered outer portions, in conjunction with an attached pin having recesses therein receiving the upper ends of the legs. The lower ends of the legs terminate in spindles of open face configuration rotatably receiving cones thereon for rotation via a arrangement of bushings, roller bearings and thrust bearings, and a plurality of seals which slide and therefore rotate relative to both the leg spindle and the cone with the help of pressure compensating apparatus. A bushing disposed in the cone-leg spindle interface has oil-lubricated rubber rods disposed in apertures therein to prevent lock-up on an adjacent bearing surface. The cone is held in the leg spindle by a lock nut forming one end of a race for receiving rollers of a roller bearing, in conjunction with a ring-nut secured to an extended portion of the cone protecting the leg from wear and damage.

Abstract: A rock boring bit assembly which includes a body configured for engagement with associated driving mechanism. At least one roller cutter is rotatably mounted on the body. The roller cutter includes a plurality of cutting member disposed about the entire face or surface thereof in generally upstanding relationship. The cutting members are arrayed over the roller cutter surface with no channel between adjacent arrays of cutting members. The cutters have generally rectilinear edges and each of the edges is disposed in substantially oblique relationship to a plurality of other rectilinear edges of other cutting members disposed proximate thereto.

Abstract: A solar or other radiation concentration device comprising non-flexible or foldable panels with reflective inner surfaces so arranged as to provide maximum reflection of said rays on a person or persons situated in the center of a casing of such panels.