Abstract: Endodontic instruments having a desired cutting edge are formed, at least in part, using a cold forming process. The method of forming the endodontic instrument includes providing a blank metal thread or wire and at least one die that has a negative impression of a cutting edge. The die is pressed against the blank with sufficient force in order for the die to form an at least partially formed cutting edge in the blank. Any desired shape can be formed into the blank by selecting a die with the proper corresponding negative impression. Cold forming techniques suitable for forming endodontic instruments include roll forming, flat rolling, radial forming, cold drawing, and similar techniques. The files can be sharpened or otherwise modified before or after cold-forming using techniques such as cutting, grinding, and chemical milling.

Abstract: A container consisting of at least two layers, the inner layer consisting of a PE or PP film and the PCTFE layer consisting of a PCTFE film, and the thickness of the PCTFE layer being about 40-100 ?m, which container is equipped with a device where the liquid can be lead out through when desired and which container is transparent, shows superior properties for storing liquid pharmaceutical compositions, especially insulin compositions containing preservatives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical screw container including: at least one recess which is adapted to receive therein a screw having a head and a threaded shank, said recess having an opening at one end to allow said screw to pass into or out of said recess, said recess being such that said screw lies within said recess with said head of said screw facing said opening; and retaining means for retaining said screw within said container, said retaining means being disposed within said recess and being releasable by insertion of a screwdriver shaft into said recess through said opening to allow withdrawal of said screw through said opening after said screw engages said screwdriver.

Abstract: A lifting system for a stairway provides steps that remain horizontal at all times. Thus the system may be used for lifting a person who is in a wheelchair or who in other ways is physically disabled, together with functioning as an ordinary stairway; hence, it also can be usable for walking-enabled persons.

Abstract: Invasive remodelling in a mammal may be inhibited by (1) inhibiting or abolishing the protein cleaving action of plasmin and (2) inhibiting or abolishing the protein cleaving action of at least one additional proteolytic enzyme active in invasive remodelling, such as a metalloprotease.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising a backing layer, an adhesive layer and an absorbent layer between the backing layer and the adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer secures the absorbent layer to the backing layer and that the adhesive layer is interrupted in at least one zone enabling a direct contact between the absorbent layer and the backing layer and exposing at least a part of the skin contacting surface of the absorbent layer, characterised in that at least the skin-facing surface of the adhesive layer is provided with a non-detachable, non-adhesive cover layer.

Abstract: A method of preparing the sugar 1,5-D-anhydrofructose is described. The method comprises treating an &agr;-1,4-glucan with an &agr;-1,4-glucan lyase wherein the enzyme is used in substantially pure form. In a preferred embodiment, if the glucan contains links other than and in addition to the &agr;-1,4-links, the &agr;-1,4-glucan lyase is used in conjunction with a suitable reagent that can break the other links.

Abstract: A method of preparing the sugar 1,5-D-anhydrofructose is described. The method comprises treating an &agr;-1,4-glucan with an &agr;-1,4-glucan lyase wherein the enzyme is used in substantially pure form. In a preferred embodiment, if the glucan contains links other than and in addition to the &agr;-1,4-links, the &agr;-1,4-glucan lyase is used in conjunction with a suitable reagent that can break the other links.

Abstract: A process is described wherein there is added to an acidic environment, which contains at least one protein, a block-wise enzymatically de-esterified pectin, and wherein the pectin is a high ester pectin. Also described is a recombinant pectin methyl esterase.

Abstract: A combined use CU timer system establishes expiry times by which partially filled cells in each of a number of data streams should be transmitted. A record is kept of groups of one or more data streams which share the same expiry time. Upon the expiry time for a group of data streams being reached the partially-filled cells for the data streams in the group are sent. The invention facilitates tracking expiry times for a large number of data streams. Implementations of the invention may be used in sending AAL2 packets over ATM links according to the I.363.2 standard.

Abstract: A process is described wherein there is added to an acidic environment, which contains protein, a block-wise enzymatically de-esterified pectin, and wherein the pectin is a high ester pectin. Also described is a recombinant pectin methyl esterase.

Abstract: A minimum visibility seam tape and method of joining at least two substrates with the tape. The substrates joined typically are sign faces or awnings comprising a composite of thermoplastics and a woven scrim. The seam tape is a woven or nonwoven scrim embedded in or coated with a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for effecting regulation of the effective noise figure of a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) receiver. The regulation process can be used to control the receiver during the activation/deactivation of a cell/sector in a CDMA wireless system and during normal operation when the service area of the cell/sector needs to enlarge or shrink. In a most preferred embodiment the CDMA receiver includes a source of pseudo-random noise that is injected in the received signal, downstream of the signal digitization stage. A power detector measures the power in the received digitized signal and a program logic determines the amount of noise figure degradation to be applied. The actual noise power regulation is effected by multiplying the output of the noise generator by a weighing factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for effecting regulation of the effective noise figure of a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) receiver. The regulation process can be used to control the receiver during the activation/deactivation of a cell/sector in a CDMA wireless system and during normal operation when the service area of the cell/sector needs to enlarge or shrink. In a most preferred embodiment the CDMA receiver includes a source of pseudo-random noise that is injected in the received signal, downstream of the signal digitization stage. A power detector measures the power in the received digitized signal and a program logic determines the amount of noise figure degradation to be applied. The actual noise power regulation is effected by multiplying the output of the noise generator by a weighing factor.

Abstract: A process is described wherein there is added to an acidic environment, which contains protein, a block-wise enzymatically de-esterified pectin and wherein the pectin is a high ester pectin. Also described is a recombinant pectin methyl esterase.

Abstract: A method of preparing .alpha.-1,4-glucan lyase enzymes is described. The method comprises isolating the enzymes from a fungally infected algae. The amino acid sequences of the enzymes have been determined. The nucleic acid sequences coding for the enzymes have also been determined.

Abstract: A method of selecting genetically transformed cells from a population of cells comprising introducing a desired nucleotide sequence and a co-introduced nucleotide sequence into the genome of a cell whereby the desired nucleotide sequence or the co-introduced nucletoide sequence induces a positive effect by giving the transformed cells a competitive advantage when the population of cells are supplied with an inactive compound thereby allowing the transformed cells to be identified and selected from the non-transformed cells by means defined as positive selection; as well as cells transformed according to the method and plants derived therefrom. The invention further relates to novel glucuronide compounds including cytokinin glucuronide compounds for use in the method.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle includes a traction drive variator having an input disc, an output disc, and rollers driveably engaged with the discs and adapted to vary continuously the ratio of the speeds of the output disc and input disc. The input disc is reversed and overdriven by a gearset whose ring gear is connected to an input shaft; carrier is held permanently; and sun gear drives the input disc. A planetary gear unit driven by the output disc produces a speed reduction in response to alternate engagement of a forward drive brake and reverse drive brake.

Abstract: A minimum visibility seam tape and method of joining at least two substrates with the tape. The substrates joined typically are sign faces or awnings comprising a composite of thermoplastics and a woven scrim. The seam tape is a woven or nonwoven scrim embedded in or coated with a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying or selecting from a population of eukaryotic cells cultivated on or in a medium containing at least one compound, cells which have a metabolic advantage as a result of having being transformed, wherein:i) the cells are transformed with a nucleotide sequence or a co-introduced nucleotide sequence one of which comprises a region which: (a) encodes a protein which is involved in the metabolism of the compound, and/or (b) regulates the activity of the protein; andii) the compound is mannose or xylose or a derivative or a precursor of these, or a substrate of the protein, or is capable of being metabolized by the transformed cells into such a substrate, with the proviso that the compound is not mannose when the protein is mannose 6 phosphate isomerase.