Abstract: Alkalophilic and thermophilic cellulases having high stability to elevated temperatures and pH have been isolated from an organism of unknown species, which most closely resembles those in the Caldicellulosiruptor genus and which has been called by us, Tok7B.1, These cellulases have been cloned and expressed in a recombinant system, so that they can be produced in quantity. These are particularly useful in treating cellulosic materials including cotton-containing fabrics, as detergent additives, and in aqueous compositions. We also provide genomic DNA which can be used in recombinant expression vectors and expression systems to produce enhanced alkali and/or temperature stability properties in cellulases other than those specifically described.

Abstract: A stable oral composition comprising a natural or synthetic macromolecule with a monofluorophosphate moiety covalently bonded thereto.

Abstract: A dental implant for anchoring in bone, wherein said bone comprises an outer cortical bone section and an inner cancellous bone section is made of a body of resorbable material such as coral, having a portion capable of being wedged into the cancellous bone. The body of coral has a generally cylindrical root portion, an emergent portion capable of being wedged into said outer cortical bone section, and a transgingival coronal portion being sized to extend beyond said emergent portion to end beyond a gingival layer, and an abutment portion and a head for retention of said prosthetic device at the other end, wherein said abutment portion meets said coronal portion at an interface beyond said gingival layer. The body of coral is substantially electroplated with a suitable plating material such as gold. At least some of the root portion is absent said plating material so as to allow the bone to enter the substantially plated body of coral to resorb and replace at least some of the coral.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for catheterized delivery or infusion of medication and anaesthesia are disclosed. The perforating catheter is first used to perforate the periodontal ligament and/or the cortical plate of bone tissue, and is then left in place and used as a catheter for insertion of a hypodermic needle of smaller gauge to deliver medication or anaesthesia to a target area. The perforator is a bevelled needle for drilling into the ligament or bone tissue. For drilling, the device comprises an adaptor which transmits the rotational movement from a dental hand piece or the like to the bevelled needle. A cap is also included for protecting the bevelled needle during storage of the device. The adaptor may have a rod which extends axially into the bevelled needle when the device is assembled for drilling. The rod is used to prevent the debris resulting from drilling from blocking the passage in the bevelled needle.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a microbiological assay comprises a holder for holding an agar diffusion plate in operative proximity to a sensing system having one or more sensing devices, which in concert are able to read in a digital or digitizable form both pattern information created by the growth of microbial cultures on an agar gel and in particular the patterns created by the diffusion of compounds inimical to the growth of said microorganism from the loci of circular disks impregnated with the compounds, and also identification codes imprinted on the disks prior to use of the disks in a multi-disk agar diffusion assay.

Abstract: The invention provides a oral care composition with particular calcium carbonate as abrasive cleaning agent, and a fluorine-providing compound as anti-caries agent. The loss of available fluorine, caused by interaction between the calcium carbonate and the fluorine-providing compound is reduced by inclusion in the oral care composition of fully neutralized polyacrylic acid.

Abstract: A positionable face mask support for attaching to a pair of glasses. The positionable face mask support is adaptable to be used with any pair of glasses for protecting individuals who work with bodily fluids of humans or animals from direct contact with such fluids. The positionable face mask support comprises attachments, releasable latching members and biasing means for attaching to the face mask and allowing the face mask to be positioned in one of a plurality of positions ranging from being against a wearer's face to being substantially lifted away from the wearer's face. The mask support further comprises flexible members depending therefrom for attaching to cheek portions of the face mask and for conforming to the wearer's face.

Abstract: An open shelf bar arrangement for an hotel or like establishment comprises a plurality of open shelf bars (3), each having shelf units (23) for receiving articles (45) and control arrangements for determining the presence or absence of articles and transmitting data thereabout. A central processor (5) is provided for receiving data from the bar control arrangement of each bar (3) and for controlling the bars, the central processor (5) providing data to reporting means (11) for providing reports on the operation of the bars (3) and to a central billing arrangement (9) for adding the cost of items taken from the bars to appropriate customers billing. The invention also includes the bar control arrangement and the bar shelf units (23).

Abstract: A dental implant for anchoring in bone, wherein said bone comprises an outer cortical bone section and an inner cancellous bone section is made of a body of resorbable material such as coral, having a portion capable of being wedged into the cancellous bone. The body of coral has a generally cylindrical root portion, an emergent portion capable of being wedged into said outer cortical bone section, and a transgingival coronal portion being sized to extend beyond said emergent portion to end beyond a gingival layer, and an abutment portion and a head for retention of said prosthetic device at the other end, wherein said abutment portion meets said coronal portion at an interface beyond said gingival layer. The body of coral is substantially electroplated with a suitable plating material such as gold. At least some of the root portion is absent said plating material so as to allow the bone to enter the substantially plated body of coral to resorb and replace at least some of the coral.

Abstract: A container sealing composition made from a plastisol having a mass of hollow discrete microspheres incorporated therein. The composition is characterized by having increased shelf life, as manifested in reduced separation of the hollow discrete microspheres from the plastisol, and improved viscosity stability. The container sealing composition also exhibits uniform void volume which is essential for good sealability and seal quality.

Abstract: An improvement in vacuum presses for mounting and laminating graphic arts objects such as photographs and the like, the improvement consisting of providing a platen assembly comprising a flexible metal platen that is supported only at its edges and is engaged and heated by a flexible heater unit.