Abstract: The present invention forms screw-like projection at the entrance of ceramic bottle and enables air-tightening with plastic cork, formed with screw-like projection in its body. It guarantees air tightening of ceramic bottle, and does not use imported cork, which decreases the need to import. Moreover, increases productivity by automating the air-tightening process of plastic cork. The present invention can reduce cost of production, at the same time, increasing productivity, and it can be re-used multiple times after the air-tightening.

Abstract: A process for producing hollow bodies comprising fiber-reinforced ceramic materials, in which a green body comprising compressible cores and a mouldable composition comprising binders and fiber material which is pressed with compression of the core is produced, the green body is cured and carbonized and pyrolysed by heating in a nonoxidizing atmosphere and, if desired, the body is silicized, hollow bodies produced in this way and their use, in particular as brake and clutch disks

Abstract: The invention provides a carburization treatment method in which a carburization treatment is conducted simultaneously with an operation of supplying a hydrocarbon gas and an oxidative gas into a furnace kept under a reduced pressure. Preferably, the internal pressure within the furnace is kept at 0.1 to 101 kPa, the hydrocarbon gas is one, two or more than two kinds of gases selected from the group consisting of C3H8, C3H6, C4H10, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6 and CH4, while the oxidative gas is an air, an O2 gas, or CO2 gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to an injection device for the reliable introduction of a fluid into a metallurgical vessel having a refractory lining, the device being removably insertable in the lining; comprising a refractory first body (2) and a refractory second body (3) fittingly assembled, the first body (2) being made of a refractory material less permeable to the fluid than the material of the second body (3), the first and second bodies having each a surface (4, 5) adapted to contact molten metal; and having each fluid passages (6, 7) extending from fluid feeding means (8) to a surface (4, 5) adapted to contact molten metal, the relative flow resistance of the fluid passages (7) in the second body (4) being higher than that of the fluid passages (6) in the first body (2), the fluid passages (6) in the first body (2) being constituted of slots or bores. According to the invention, the fluid passages (6) in the first body (2) are independent from the fluid passages (7) in the second body (3).

Abstract: Methods of identifying activators and inhibitors of voltage-gated ion channels are provided in which the methods employ electrical field stimulation of the cells in order to manipulate the open/close state transition of the voltage-gated ion channels. This allows for more convenient, more precise experimental manipulation of these transitions, and, coupled with efficient methods of detecting the result of ion flux through the channels, provides methods that are especially suitable for high throughput screening.

Abstract: Described is a fluidic microsystem with at least one compartment for the receiving and/or the through-flow of a liquid and having an electrode arrangement with a multiplicity of electrodes, between which a coaction zone is established, whereby the compartment possesses at least one wall, through which electromagnetic radiation can be linked into the said coaction zone in accord with a predetermined incident direction, and on at least one electrode a cooling apparatus is provided, and on which at least one respective electrode at least one reflector layer is provided, and wherein the respective electrode is at least partially shielded in reference to the incident beam direction, and having at least one heat conducting layer by means of which the respective electrode stands in thermal communication with a wall of the compartment, and/or includes an active cooling element, which is placed in thermal contact with the respective electrode.

Abstract: A sample carrier comprising a lower support wall, a base joined to or in fixed proximity to a bottom end of the lower support wall, and sample tube receiving areas in fixed proximity to the lower support wall for receiving and holding a plurality of sample tubes in substantially vertical orientations. The sample carrier further comprising a blocking wall joined to a top end of the support wall which extends laterally over portions of sample tubes held by the sample carrier, thereby limiting vertical movement of the sample tubes during automated sampling procedures. The contents of sample tubes held by the sample carrier can be accessed by a robotic pipetting device. Additionally, a drip shield comprising a cover plate, a pair of through-holes for accessing sample tubes held by a the sample carrier, and a depending runner for maintaining the sample carrier on a sample carousel.

Abstract: Systems and methods create an air-gas mixture supply for an endothermic generator. The systems and methods convey a hydrocarbon gas under pressure through a valve, to thereby form an air-gas mixture supply for the endothermic generator. The systems and methods sense an actual air-gas ratio of the air-gas mixture supply. The systems and methods receive from an operator a set point air-gas ratio. The systems and methods compare the actual value to the set point value and generate a deviation. The systems and methods generating a control signal to operate the valve based upon the deviation, and, preferably, to minimize the deviation.

Abstract: A stripping apparatus for desorbing gases from solid particles through which flows counter-currently a stripping fluid is described, which comprises a series of sets of at least two parallel, segmented, baffle plates each, with the segmented baffles being oriented so that the rows are offset relative to rows of other levels, where the thickness and separation of said sets of baffles is so dimensioned as to reduce coalescence of the size of the formed bubbles and optimize the hydrocarbons desorption from said fluidized solid particles. The solid particles are mainly spent catalyst particles from a FCC process. The stripping process to be carried out in a fluidized bed comprises contacting the spent catalyst with a stripping fluid that flows upwardly in the fluidized bed in the form of bubbles. Adsorbed hydrocarbons present in the spent catalyst are transferred from the catalyst emulsion that flows downwardly to the upwardly moving bubbles, so as to promote the efficient recovery of cracked products.

Abstract: A process for producing a one-piece, structured metal sheet having an interior with a hole, provides a predetermined, curved outer contour and inner contour that delimits the hole. A smooth, shaped blank is produced, having an outer edge substantially concentrically outside the predetermined outer contour and an inner edge substantially concentrically outside the predetermined inner contour. A structure, which preferably has formations running substantially radially, is then stamped into the metal sheet so that the sheet is formed with an approximately uniform degree of deformation in an inner boundary region and an outer boundary region. A metal sheet for a catalyst carrier body has an interior hole, an outer contour, an inner contour delimiting the hole and a structure with formations running approximately in radial direction. The metal sheet is produced in one piece and in particular is seamless.

Abstract: Provided is a base metal undercoat containing catalyst and an exhaust article containing the catalyst. The catalyst contains a base metal undercoat with an oxygen storage component, and at least one catalytic layer. Also provided are methods for preparing the catalyst and methods for monitoring the oxygen storage capacity of an exhaust article containing the catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, including a housing, at least one gas treating body, a first support material, an internal shield, and a second support material. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet and an interior chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The gas treating body or bodies are located within the chamber, and the first support material is located between the outer surface of the gas treating body or bodies and the inner surface of the chamber. The internal shield is coupled with the inner surface of the housing via the second support material, which is located between the outer surface of the internal shield and the inner surface of the housing. The cross sectional area of the housing is generally constant in the region proximal to the internal shield.

Abstract: A chemical reactor is disclosed and which has a core composed of a stack of metal plates that are diffusion bonded in face-to-face relationship. A plurality of reaction zones are located within the core, as are a plurality of catalyst receiving zones, and both the reaction zones and the catalyst receiving zones are defined by respective aligned apertures in the plates. A first channel arrangement is provided in some of the plates for transporting a first reactant to and between the reaction zones, portions of the first channel arrangement that interconnect the reaction zones being formed over at least a portion of their length as heat exchange channels. A second channel arrangement is provided in others of the plates and is arranged to deliver a second reactant to each of the reaction zones.

Abstract: In a vertical reactor vessel through which vapor and liquid flow concurrently, the fluids pass vertically through a horizontal mixing box having internal flow baffles that form at least one mixing orifice through which the process stream flows at high velocity. In the mixing orifices the liquid is dispersed to obtain a large area for interphase heat and mass transfer. Each mixing orifice is followed by structure that divides the process stream into two lower velocity streams, whereby turbulent flow conditions are generated, and wherein hold-up time is provided to allow for heat and mass transfer. The fluids exit the mixing box through an outlet opening in a bottom wall of the mixing box. An impingement plate is located below this outlet opening to spread the liquid and decrease the velocity of the exiting jet. The outlet stream from the mixer is equilibrated regarding temperature and chemical composition.

Abstract: A kit for prescreening protein concentration for crystallization includes a multiplicity of vials, a multiplicity of pre-selected reagents, and a multiplicity of sample plates. The reagents and a corresponding multiplicity of samples of the protein in solutions of varying concentrations are placed on sample plates. The sample plates containing the reagents and samples are incubated. After incubation the sample plates are examined to determine which of the sample concentrations are too low and which the sample concentrations are too high. The sample concentrations that are optimal for protein crystallization are selected and used.

Abstract: A process for mitigation of fouling deposits within a combustion zone, capturing of toxic metal emissions, and reduction of visible sulfur emissions attributable to sulfuric acid mist during coal combustion. SO3 formed during coal combustion is reduced by the addition to the coal of raw, unprocessed magnesium-containing minerals such as magnesite ore or brucite ore. The minerals are pulverized to a fine particle size and combined with pulverized coal to provide a mixture of the particles. The mixture is combusted and the ore particles calcine and decrepitate to very fine magnesium oxide particles that have a significant particle surface area. The magnesium oxide particles react with the SO3 produced during combustion of the coal and also capture toxic metals to reduce the quantity of undesirable stack discharge components.

Abstract: A method for carrying out solid state reactions under reducing conditions is provided. Solid state reactants include at least one inorganic metal compound and a source of reducing carbon. The reaction may be carried out in a reducing atmosphere in the presence of reducing carbon. Reducing carbon may be supplied by elemental carbon, by an organic material, or by mixtures. The organic material is one that can form decomposition products containing carbon in a form capable of acting as a reductant. The reaction proceeds without significant covalent incorporation of organic material into the reaction product. In a preferred embodiment, the solid state reactants also include an alkali metal compound. The products of the method find use in lithium ion batteries as cathode active materials. Preferred active materials include lithium-transition metal phosphates and lithium-transition metal oxides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making large diameter metal fluoride sungle crystals that can be used in optical lithograpby systems, for example, excimer laser that operate below 200 nm. In addition, the invention is directed to metal fluoride single crystals suitable for use in such lithographic ststems, such fluoride crystals having a internal transmission of ?99.9% at 193 nm and ?99.0% at 157 nm.

Abstract: Iron pentacarbonyl is prepared by reacting iron with carbon monoxide in suspension and in the presence of a polysulfide of the general formula RSxR? as a catalyst, where R is an organic radical and x is a number from 2 to 8.

Abstract: A method of producing carbonated water comprises the steps of adding liquid oxygen to a vessel, heating a diamond or quantity of diamonds, and adding the heated diamond(s) to the liquid oxygen to produce carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is next infused into water or first pressurized and then infused into water. The resulting product is a diamond derived carbonated water.

Abstract: Novel uses of diamondoid-containing materials in the field of microelectronics are disclosed. Embodiments include, but are not limited to, thermally conductive films in integrated circuit packaging, thermally conductive adhesive films, and thermally conductive films in thermoelectric cooling devices. The diamondoids employed in the present invention may be selected from lower diamondoids, as well as the newly provided higher diamondoids, including substituted and unsubstituted diamondoids. The higher diamondoids include tetramantane, pentamantane, hexamantane, heptamantane, octamantane, nonamantane, decamantane, and undecamantane. The diamondoid-containing material may be fabricated as a diamondoid-containing polymer, a diamondoid-containing sintered ceramic, a diamondoid ceramic composite, a CVD diamondoid film, a self-assembled diamondoid film, and a diamondoid-fullerene composite.

Abstract: A gas/liquid reaction with a liquid containing at least one chemical compound in solution which can react with a gas in the presence of a solid catalyst maintained in suspension in the liquid, the reaction being carried out with separation (recovery) of said solid catalyst by filtering. Recirculating a fraction of the reacted solution without involving any additional pump or ejector, wherein the recirculated fraction provides for a primary filter for reacted solution being tangentially skimmed over.

Abstract: Methods of producing nanoporous particles by spray pyrolysis of a precursor composition including a reactive precursor salt and a nonreactive matrix salt are provided, wherein the matrix salt is used as a templating medium. Nanoporous aluminum oxide particles produced by the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing valve metal oxides, such as tantalum pentoxide or niobium pentoxide with a narrow particle size distribution within a desired particle size range, is provided. According to the process of the present invention, the valve metal fraction from digestion of valve metal material containing ore is processed under controlled temperature, pH, and residence time conditions to produce the valve metal pentoxide and pentoxide hydrates. Also, disclosed are new tantalum pentoxide and niobium pentoxide products and new tantalum pentoxide precursors and niobium pentoxide precursors.

Abstract: A novel process for preparing chromium dioxide of substantially high purity as well as composites of CrO2/Cr2O3 and CrO2/Cr2O5 following a sequence of simple steps. The process does not require pressure as a control parameter during the process of synthesis. No chemical modifier has been used to bring down the working pressure during synthesis. Fairly hard sintered pellets of CrO2 can be obtained without introducing any detectable impurity phase that usually appears during the process of sintering. Further, CrO2/Cr2O3 and CrO2/Cr2O5 composites have also been prepared where the fraction of insulating Cr2O3 or Cr2O5 in metallic CrO2 can be easily controlled. Significant negative magnetoresistance is found in pure CrO2 (5% MR) as well as CrO2/Cr2O3 (33% MR) composites near room temperature. The MR studies on the CrO2/Cr2O5 composites have been done and significant negative MR (22%) has been found in CrO2/Cr2O5 composites near room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified or isolated obligate domain-swapped dimer of CVN and a composition comprising the same.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating hematological disorders by inhibition of DNA hypomethylation and histone deacetylase. Such disorders include, for example, acute promyelocytic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and sickle cell anemia. The methods comprise: administering to a patient suffering from the disease a therapeutically effective amount of a DNA methylation inhibitor such as a cysteine analog such as decitabine, in combination with an effective amount of histone deacetylase inhibitor such as hydroxamic acid, cyclic peptide, benzamide, butyrate, and depudecin.

Abstract: The use of viscosity modifying polymer materials, commonly used as stabilisers, thickeners and emulsifiers, as tooth erosion inhibitors in acidic compositions for oral administration, especially in acidic beverages such as fruit drinks and oral healthcare products such as mouthwashes, in which the effective pH of the composition is less than or equal to 4.5.

Abstract: There is provided a photostable and synergistically enhanced topical sunscreen composition that provides increased substantivity, waterproofness, sweat resistance and rub off resistance. There is further provided methods of enhancing the photostability of a sunscreen active in a topical sunscreen composition, synergistically enhancing the UV absorbance of a topical sunscreen composition having a sunscreen active, and enhancing the substantivity, waterproofness, sweat resistance and rub off resistance in a topical sunscreen composition.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for reducing the chemical activity and photo activity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles comprising adding an amorphous alumina-stabilizing agent, specifically an anion, such as citric acid, to an aqueous slurry of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles; treating the aqueous slurry with a source of alumina, such as a solution of sodium aluminate, to form alumina-treated titanium dioxide nanoparticles; recovering the alumina-treated inorganic nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles have a particle size of about 50 to about 300 nm; and milling the nanoparticles to form nanoparticles having a particle size about 15% smaller than silica-treated inorganic nanoparticles milled under similar conditions. The titanium dioxide nanoparticles described herein are useful in cosmetic, coating and thermoplastic compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing different stages of pathogenic protozoans in a gel and to their use for controlling rodents.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of treating neoplasia using combinations of target cell-specific replication competent adenoviral vectors and chemotherapy, radiation therapy or combinations thereof. The adenoviral vectors are target cell-specific for the particular type of neoplasia for which treatment is necessary and the combination with the chemotherapy and/or radiation leads to synergistic treatment over existing adenoviral therapy or traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is to provide a method of acquiring immunological tolerance to a foreign DNA or its expression product whereby the foreign DNA such as a vector carrying a foreign gene incorporated thereinto or its expression product can be recognized not as non-self but as self; a method of sustaining a gene therapeutic effect whereby a rejection to a foreign DNA such as a vector carrying a foreign gene incorporated thereinto or its expression product can be avoided; and a non-human animal which has acquired immunological tolerance to a foreign DNA such as a vector carrying a foreign gene incorporated thereinto or its expression product. Fetal immature T lymphocytes transferred with a foreign DNA, such as a foreign gene-incorporated viral vector, are introduced into thymus and said foreign DNA is expressed in the thymus organ.

Abstract: The use of a tissue glue comprising a stabilized fibrinogen preparation, which can be stored in the liquid or frozen state and comprises a chaotropic substance, and a thrombin preparation, for reducing or preventing tissue adhesions, is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods of preparing purified immune globulins, immune globulin compositions, and methods of treating allergies and conditions by administering immune globulin compositions. For example, the present invention provides for purified IgG4 that is essentially free of other IgG subtypes that can be used to treat allergies and other conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides the receptors for Mob-5 (IL-24). One of the Mob-5 receptors comprises IL-22R1 and IL-20R2. Another Mob-5 receptor comprises IL-20R1 and IL-22R2. The invention also provides methods of inhibiting the Mob-5 receptor as well as methods of detecting cancer by detecting the presence of the Mob-5 receptor.

Abstract: Novel chemokines from mammals, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding said chemokines. Chemokine receptors are also provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

Abstract: Anti-TNF antibodies, fragments and regions thereof which are specific for human tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF?) and are useful in vivo diagnosis and therapy of a number of TNF?-mediated pathologies and conditions, as well as polynucleotides coding for murine and chimeric antibodies, methods of producing the antibody, methods of use of the anti-TNF antibody, or fragment, region or derivative thereof, in immunoassays and immunotherapeutic approaches are provided.

Abstract: Novel proteins and their corresponding nucleotide sequences in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) are provided. In particular, Aap and the five gene cluster (aat) of the AA probe region of the pAA plasmid of EAEC 042 have been identified, sequenced, and further characterized. The use of these novel proteins and their corresponding nucleotide sequences for diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of EAEC infections is also provided.

Abstract: A novel receptor in the TNF family is provided: APRIL-R. Chimeric molecules and antibodies to APRIL-R and methods of use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fowl pox virus encoding an HIV antigen (gag and/or pol) and a cytokine (?-interferon).

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV31 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV31 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are free from internal transcription termination signals that are recognized by yeast. Also provided are synthetic polynucleotides encoding HPV31 L1 wherein the polynucleotides have been codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV31 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV31 VLPs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating abnormalities of the first metatarsophalangeal joint of the foot of a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of neuromuscular toxin to the mammal. Preferred embodiments include administering toxins capable of interfering with the connection between muscle and nerve, e.g. botulinum toxin, to the patient to treat such abnormalities as hallux abductovalgus, hallux varus, hallux limitus, and hallux rigidus.

Abstract: Methods for treating a non-spasm caused pain by peripheral administration to a patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin.

Abstract: A water-dissolvable drug delivery device designed so as to reliably maintain a drug or active agent within a defined region against a mucosal surface. The drug delivery device comprises a water-dissolvable backing layer, an adhesive layer adjacent to at least a portion of the backing layer, and an active layer that is circumscribed by the backing layer and adhesive layer. The backing layer may optionally include a water-dissolvable hydrophilic region and a non-hydrophilic region at least partially encapsulated within the hydrophilic region that inhibits migration of water, drugs, or other active agents through the backing layer. The adhesive layer may be water-activated or it may have a peelable cover layer that, when removed, exposes the adhesive material.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinkable compositions useful in the preparation of hydrophilic gels, and are prepared from oligomers having pendent hydrophilic, poly(alkylene oxide) groups, pendent photoinitiator groups, and optionally polymerizable functional groups, and crosslinked by polyfunctional poly(alkylene oxides).

Abstract: Conjugates of a hydrophobic moiety, such as a lipid, linked through a cleavable dithiobenzyl linkage to a therapeutic agent are described. The dithiobenzyl linkage is susceptible to cleavage by mild thiolysis, resulting in release of the therapeutic agent in its original form. The linkage is stable under nonreducing conditions. The conjugate can be incorporated into liposomes for administration in vivo and release of the therapeutic agent in response to endogeneous in vivo reducing conditions or in response to administration of an exogeneous reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fibrate compositions having improved pharmacokinetic profiles and reduced fed/fasted variability. The fibrate particles of the composition have an effective average particle size of less than about 2000 nm.

Abstract: Sustained release formulations of oxymorphone or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; methods for making the sustained release formulations of oxymorphone or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; and methods for using the sustained release formulations of oxymorphone or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to treat patients suffering from pain are provided.

Abstract: A sustained-release drug composition consisting essentially of microparticles of hyaluronic acid having a high molecular weight or an inorganic salt thereof and a protein or peptide drug encased in said microparticles, wherein the average size of said microparticles ranges from 0.1 to 40 ?m.