Abstract: A flexible, kink-resistant, low-friction guidewire for positioning a medical instrument through tortuous passageways within a patient is disclosed. The guidewire includes a core wire which remains substantially free of any residual strain when it is positioned within the patient, a metal coil about the core wire and extending substantially the entire length of the core, a primer coating on the coil and a hydrophilic, lubricous coating on the primer coating. The core wire is preferably a superelastic metal alloy such as Nitinol. The metal coil is preferably formed from a wire with a rectangular cross section. The primer is preferably one which reacts with species of isocyanate or hydroxyl, and the hydrophilic, lubricous coating is preferably a cross- linked polymer selected from the group of polyurethane, polyurea, and polyurethaneurea, complexed with a hydrophilic complexing species such as poly(ethylene oxide) or polyvinylpyrrolidone. A method for manufacturing and coating such a guidewire is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for removing wafer processing by-products from gas fluid exhaust systems utilizing an energy source placed within an exhaust channel either alone or in combination with a cleaning gas. The placement of the energy source in an exhaust channel enables emitted energy to react with wafer processing by-products to convert the by-product residues to more removable forms. Additionally provided is a cleaning gas source internal to the exhaust channel to further react with and convert exiting by-product residues to gaseous fluids.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I) in which X represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or a methyl, methoxy or phenylmethoxy group, Y represents a hydrogen atom, 1 or 2 halogen atoms or a hydroxyl, methoxy, nitro or methyl group, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C4)alkyl group, R2 and R3 each represent a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C4)alkyl group or a phenylmethyl group or else R2 and R3 form, with the nitrogen atom which carries them, an azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, 3-ethoxypyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, 4-methylpiperazinyl or 1,3-thiazolidinyl group. Application in therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions that provide a positive control to identify inhibition during a signal amplification reaction. The methods and compositions of the present invention are designed to run in the same tube or assay environment as the experimental or target sample and contain a copy of the target sequence in an inverted form.

Abstract: A method of cooling an optical fiber during drawing through contact with at least one cooling fluid in at least one cooling area,

Abstract: An inactivated dengue virus vaccine to immunize and protect humans against dengue fever is described. The vaccine is based on dengue viruses which have been propagated to high titers in suitable cells, purified and inactivated under conditions which destroy infectivity but preserve immunogenicity, a high level of which is demonstrated in animal models.

Abstract: A toy sprinkler with the appearance of an amusing figure or creature with appendages that simulate movement of the appendages of the figure or creature. Liquid carrying conduits extending along appendages of the figure cause the appendages to move either in a planar path when liquid at low pressure passes through the conduits, or randomly when liquid at high pressure passes through the conduits.

Abstract: This invention relates compositions and methods for increasing the uptake of polynucleotides into cells. Specifically, the invention relates to vectors, targeting ligands, and polycationic agents. The polycationic agents are capable of (1) increasing the frequency of uptake of polynucleotides into a cell, (2) condensing polynucleotides; and (3) inhibiting serum and/or nuclease degradation of polynucleotides.

Abstract: The article, for example a glass bottle, may exhibit at least one feature, in particular a defect, visible from outside the article, from among features of different types T1, . . . , Ti, . . . , Tn. In this process, acquisition of a digital image of the article is carried out, this image is processed so as to extract therefrom a region corresponding to this visible feature, the type of the visible feature is identified from among the various types Tl by calculating at least one discriminating parameter P1, . . . , Pj, . . . Pn characterizing the region, and the type of the feature is used to decide whether the quality of the article is adequate or inadequate. As appropriate, a reference parameter PR characterizing the region is calculated, this reference parameter PR is compared with a threshold parameter dependent on the type of the visible feature, and the result of this comparison is used to decide whether the quality of the article is adequate or inadequate.

Abstract: A system for sealing the legs of two stages of cyclones in series used in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes, comprising a terminal leg configuration, which is devoid of moving parts and makes use of a long-radius curve, and which changes the flow direction of the descending mass flow of catalyst in dense phase into a plane orthogonal to the ascending gaseous flow. This prevents the entry of gaseous phase inside the leg, and promotes efficient sealing and preventing the “packing-down” of the dense bed of particulates.

Abstract: A flexible, kink-resistant, low-friction guidewire for positioning a medical instrument through tortuous passageways within a patient is disclosed. The guidewire includes a core wire which remains substantially free of any residual strain when it is positioned within the patient, a metal coil about the core wire and extending substantially the entire length of the core, a primer coating on the coil and a hydrophilic, lubricous coating on the primer coating. The core wire is preferably a superelastic metal alloy such as Nitinol. The metal coil is preferably formed from a wire with a rectangular cross section. The primer is preferably one which reacts with species of isocyanate or hydroxyl, and the hydrophilic, lubricous coating is preferably a cross-linked polymer selected from the group of polyurethane, polyurea, and polyurethaneurea, complexed with a hydrophilic complexing species such as poly(ethylene oxide) or polyvinylpyrrolidone. A method for manufacturing and coating such a guidewire is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions which include (A) a skin enhancing agent; (B) glycerin; (C) one or more emollients; and (D) a salt of cocoyl isethionate, a mono alkyl phosphate or a salt thereof, or a combination thereof, neutralized to a pH ranging from about 5 to about 8.

Abstract: A system for supporting a user's arm, comprises an armrest. The armrest is suspended and supported from a horizontally movable structure comprising a vertically movable member through which the armrest is suspended, a counterbalancing return-force producing assembly connected to the vertically movable member to counterbalance at least in part the weight of the user's arm, and a movement-resisting assembly connected to the vertically movable member to resist to vertical movement of the vertically movable member. According to a preferred embodiment, the vertically movable member comprises a cable, the counterbalancing return-force producing assembly comprises a first, spring-loaded reel, and the movement-resisting assembly comprises a second reel on which turns of the cable are wound and provided with at least one lateral face, and at least one friction disk applied to the lateral face of the second reel to resist to vertical movement of the wire.

Abstract: A marine propulsion assembly comprises a drive shaft, a first propeller fixed to the drive shaft and turnable therewith in a first direction, an annular array of gear teeth disposed on the first propeller and turnable therewith, a second propeller aligned with the first propeller, and an annular array of gear teeth disposed on the second propeller. Bevel gears are disposed between the first and second propellers and engaged with the first and second annular arrays of gear teeth. The bevel gears transmit rotation of the first propeller to the second propeller, such that the second propeller turns in an opposite direction relative to the first propeller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nuclease resistant nucleic acids in general and ribonuclease resistant RNAs in particular. Methods of making and using such nucleic acids are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a filled polymer composite comprising from 1 to 98 percent by weight of an interpolymer and from 2 to 99 percent by weight of a filler, said process comprising copolymerization in the presence of a cyclopentadienyl-containing transition metal catalyst and a filler, said filler having immobilized thereon a suitable cocatalyst.

Abstract: An optical fiber preform comprising a core of radius R, and a sheath comprising cladding and outer sheath, wherein the outer sheath comprises an inner zone, and a peripheral zone made of silica doped with alumina and of thickness lying in the range 0.08 R to 2.2 R, and the proportion by weight of alumina in the peripheral zone is such that the equivalent concentration of alumina in the outer sheath as a whole lies in the range 100 ppm to 1000 ppm by weight of aluminum relative to silica. A method of manufacturing said preform, and an associated optical fiber.

Abstract: A device for the generation of a drive signal phase-shifted with respect to an external synchronization signal includes a first digital phase-locked loop to give a reference signal, servo-linked to the external synchronization signal by a current phase among N phases of a high frequency signal. The device includes a second digital phase-locked loop including a measuring circuit to measure the position of an active edge of the drive signal or a derived signal that is delayed with respect to an active edge of the reference signal. The second phase-locked loop also includes a circuit to compute the phase shift to be made and a phase-shift circuit. The measurement circuit includes a circuit for the rough measurement of the position, controlled by a fixed phase of the high frequency signal independent of the present phase of locking in the first loop. The digital computation circuit accounts for this shift between the fixed phase and the present phase.

Abstract: A composite barrel for use in extrusion or injection molding is disclosed. The composite barrel includes an outer housing having a cylindrical bore that extends throughout the length of the outer housing. A wear-resistant lining is disposed on an interior surface that defines the cylindrical bore. The lining is fabricated from an alloy that includes a base metal and phosphorus and the lining may contain hard abrasion-resistant particulate, such as tungsten carbide. The base metal is nickel or cobalt or a mixture of nickel and cobalt. The alloy is typically applied by centrifugal casting and can be cast in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere without creating undesirable lining porosity. Such linings can be made for a fraction of the cost of comparable linings that must be cast under vacuum or in an atmosphere of argon.

Abstract: The new cultivar is a variety of dwarf rose plant having a broad bushy growth habit. The semi-double flowers are very small and light red/deep pink in color.