Abstract: An insulating spacer for use in glazing assemblies is provided. The spacer comprises a foamed insulating body and further includes a second sealant material. The insulating body partially contacts the substrates as does the sealant to provide a double seal when used in a glazing assembly. In other embodiments the spacer is a composite of foam, sealant material, rigid plastics and desiccated matrices. A further embodiment discloses an undulating foam spacer body for easy manipulation about the corner in glazing assemblies. The result of incorporation of the foam is a substantially energy efficient spacer and assembly.

Abstract: A device for the removal of liquids and/or impurities from a gas includes a primary receiver which at an upper area thereof communicates with a space or conduit in which liquid or impurities containing gas is contained and in this primary receiver a secondary receiver that is cut off from the gas is provided, and in the space between both receivers a generally vertically extending connecting conduit is provided which at its bottom communicates with a lower area of the space between both receivers and at its upper end empties through a passage into the secondary receiver. A float controlled valve is provided in the secondary receiver which keeps an outlet normally closed, but which is openable by rising of the float under the influence of liquid in the secondary receiver to drain liquid from the secondary receiver. Impurities remain in the primary receiver from which they can be periodically removed.

Abstract: Tricyclic retinoids having activity for retinoic acid receptors and/or retinoid X receptors are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such tricyclic retinoid compounds and methods for their therapeutic use.

Abstract: A steel cord (10) comprises eight or more strands (12, 14) twisted together. Each of the strands has a substantially same cord twisting direction and a substantially same cord twisting pitch in the steel cord, and each of the strands consists of two to five individual filaments (16, 18) twisted together. Such a multi-strand steel cord can be manufactured without having to twist the individual strands separately and beforehand.

Abstract: The inventors disclose nucleic acids of HIV-2 encoding the entire envelope glycoprotein and peptide regions thereof. Also described are purified and cloned nucleic acids having the entire HIV-2 genome. The nucleic acids can be used to produce polypeptides corresponding to the HIV-2 envelope gene or peptides from specific regions of the HIV-2 envelope gene. Uses in hybridization assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air heating and humidifying system and method using direct contact heating principles. The system consists in providing a source of hot water by feeding hot flue gases in a direct contact water heater and wherein the water sprayed over a packing in the water heater is heated as it percolates through the packing and is in contact with the hot rising flue gases. This hot water from the direct contact water heater is used in a direct contact air treating chamber wherein it is sprayed over a further packing whereby to heat and humidify fresh air which is pushed through the packing by a fan and exits at an outlet flue of the treating chamber to supply hot moist fresh air in a building air conditioning system. The cooled water in the direct contact air treating chamber is collected and supplies the spray nozzle of the direct contact water heater to cool the hot flue gases which are rising therein and thereby enhances considerably the efficiency of the direct contact water heater.

Abstract: Novel unsaturated peroxides useful as molecular weight regulators in polymerization reactions are disclosed. Also disclosed are a polymerization process employing these novel unsaturated peroxides as molecular weight regulators, polymers and oligomers made by this process and articles of manufacture comprising one or more polymers or oligomers made by this process. These molecular weight regulating peroxides provide the ability to introduce an epoxy functionality to the oligomer or polymer as well as an additional functionality. Further, omega (di) substituted or alpha, omega disubstituted polymers may be synthesized using the unsaturated peroxides of the present invention.

Abstract: An optical fibre distributed feedback laser comprises an amplifying optical fibre (50) operable to provide optical gain at a lasing wavelength, in which a diffraction grating (30) is disposed on at least a portion of the amplifying optical fibre to provide distributed optical feedback for sustaining lasing action at the lasing wavelength.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device, particularly a rate responsive cardiac pacemaker having reduced power consumption. The device has a first sensor to measure a parameter that is used to control at least one function of the device, particularly a cardiac stimulation frequency, and a first sensing circuit for receiving and processing the output signals delivered by the first sensor. A switch is used to switch in and out of service the first sensing circuit according to the determined activity level of the patient bearing the device. The first sensing circuit determines a state of activity of the first sensor, this state being susceptible to take, according to predetermined criteria, a calculated value that is representative of a state of rest of the patient. The first sensing circuit is then switched according to the determined state of activity of the first sensor being established at the state of rest.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electrophotographic imaging process wherein a two-component developer is mixed and activated to obtain a uniform distribution and triboelectric charging of the toner, by interruption of the process and carrying out extra activation and mixing cycles as a function of image area coverage and/or distribution of the image over the image field.

Abstract: A switching arrangement that can be connected in a communications channel that comprises a pair of lines between sets of terminal equipment, which comprises: (i) a series switch (1,2) for connection in each of the lines; (ii) a shunt switch for connection between the lines; and (iii) a control circuit (5) that can actuate the series switches (1,2) and can actuate the shunt switch on receipt of a signal sent along the channel: wherein the control circuit (5) can actuate the shunt switch and the series switches (1,2) on receipt of one or more signals but the shunt switch will remain closed over a different time period than that during which the series switches remain open, in order to allow different tests to be performed on the channel, and wherein one or more of the switches comprises a solid state switch.

Abstract: A device of forming a plug base for an electric relay to be fit through an opening in a panel is disclosed. The device comprises a body having a plurality of electric sockets and a width. An electric relay is part of the device and has pins engageable in respective electric sockets of the body and has a plug position where the sockets and the pins are engaged in an approach position where the sockets and pins are in contact. Snap-in resilient lugs are mounted adjacent the body and are flexible between a first position where the lugs are elastically contracted towards the center of the body and a second position in which the lugs are in a normal, non-contracted position. Each of the lugs has a width substantially equal to the width of the body. The relay, when the relay is in the plug and the approach positions, prevents the resilient lugs from moving to the first position.

Abstract: A dual direct contact water heater is described and consists of a heater housing having two sections, each section having a water reservoir. One section provides hot water at a high temperature and provides a source of heat exchange to heat an external source of water for commercial use. A burner is provided in the first section to provide the heat source to a packing through which water percolates. The source of water for the first section is the outlet of a heat exchanger whereby water from the reservoir is recirculated in a closed circuit in the first section. Hot gases rising from the first section is directed to a second section which also includes a second packing and a reservoir and it also has a closed loop whereby a second source of hot water, at a lower temperature, is utilized in a closed loop and in heat exchange with a second external source to produce domestic hot water or without heat exchanger to produce hot water for various processes.

Abstract: A roll of film consists of polyester film having a film thickness of less than 2 .mu.m and having a water content of less than 0.06 weight percent, based on the weight of polyester. The roll of polyester film is suitable for vacuum metallization.

Abstract: A flap valve vent hood for discharging air to atmosphere from clothes dryers and bathroom vents is provided freeze-free by a secondary valve that is mounted on the principal flap valve and covering an open area that provides a secondary air flow path through the principal flap valve. The principal flap valve and the secondary valve are normally closed and the principal flap valve is biased to its closed position by gravity. A lip along an edge of the open area may be provided to minimize accumulation of moisture where the two valves are in contact with one another. A soffit vent hood of particular construction is provided in which there are two members detachably interconnected one being a downwardly directed hood and the other an insert therefor which carries the valves for respective ones of a pair of outlet discharge openings.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for applying sealant material to the void in the perimeter between spaced-apart substrates in an insulated glass assembly. An apparatus includes a traveling applicator head and a stationary head, both applicator heads including a nozzle member and independently movable wiper member which cooperate to apply a smooth and even layer of sealant material. An advantage of the cooperating nozzle and wiper members is the ability to mold corners and to apply sealant material without lifting the applicator from the glass assembly. The method is sequential and employs two cooperating applicator heads, conveyors and position sensors to permit fully or semi-automated operation. The smoothing plates move in concert with the extrusion nozzles to ensure uniform distribution of the sealant material from the spacer, and a uniform and planar surface at the perimeter.

Abstract: Microvoid polyurethane materials having densities below 300 kg/M.sup.3 and void sizes below 5 micron which are suitable for use as insulating filler in evacuated insulation panels.

Abstract: The invention relates to binders for self-crosslinkable varnishes and paints comprising one or a number of hydroxylated and/or carboxylated fluorinated copolymers and one or a number of epoxidized and/or alkoxylated acrylic copolymers.

Abstract: An insulating spacer for use in glazing assemblies is provided. The spacer comprises a foamed insulating body and further includes a second sealant material. The insulating body partially contacts the substrates as does the sealant to provide a double seal when used in a glazing assembly. In other embodiments the spacer is a composite of foam, sealant material, rigid plastics and desiccated matrices. A further embodiment discloses an undulating foam spacer body for easy manipulation about the corner in glazing assemblies. The result of incorporation of the foam is a substantially energy efficient spacer and assembly.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Vriesea named `Condor` characterized by its upright branched dark purple inflorescence, and its medium green, glossy foliage with thin dark green transverse markings.