Author: claimsbot

1-57. (canceled)
58. A method for treating a patient with a gastrointestinal disorder, the method comprising administering to the patient a composition comprising a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence Asn Asp Glu Cys Glu Leu Cys Val Asn Val Ala Cys Thr Gly Cys Leu (SEQ ID NO:73), wherein one or two amino acids are substituted by a D-isomer of the amino acid, wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is selected from the group consisting of a gastrointestinal motility disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional heartburn, dyspepsia, functional dyspepsia, nonulcer dyspepsia, gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and colonic pseudo-obstruction.
59. (canceled)
60. The method of claim 58, wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is dyspepsia, functional dyspepsia or nonulcer dyspepsia.
61. The method of claim 60, wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is functional dyspepsia.
62-63. (canceled)
64. The method of claim 58, wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is irritable bowel syndrome.
65. The method of claim 64, wherein the irritable bowel syndrome is constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (c-IBS).
66. The method of claim 58, wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is constipation.
67. The method of claim 66, wherein the constipation is idiopathic constipation.
68. The method of claim 58, wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is gastroparesis.
69. A The method of claim 58, wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is a gastrointestinal motility disorder.
70. (canceled)
71. A method for treating a patient suffering from constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, the method comprising orally administering to the patient a composition comprising a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence Asn Asp Glu Cys Glu Leu Cys Val Asn Val Ala Cys Thr Gly Cys Leu (SEQ ID NO: 73), wherein one or two amino acids are substituted by the D-isomer of the amino acid.
72. The method of claim 71, wherein two amino acids are substituted by the D-isomer of the amino acid.
73. A method for treating a patient suffering from constipation, the method comprising orally administering to the patient a composition comprising a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence Asn Asp Glu Cys Glu Leu Cys Val Asn Val Ala Cys Thr Gly Cys Leu (SEQ ID NO: 73), wherein one or two amino acids are substituted by the D-isomer of the amino acid.
74. The method of claim 73, wherein two amino acids are substituted by the D-isomer of the amino acid.
75-93. (canceled)
94. The method of claim 58, wherein two amino acids are substituted by the D-isomer of the amino acid.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An eccentric shaft assembly for a compacting machine, the eccentric shaft assembly comprising:
an eccentric shaft rotatable about a rotational axis in first and second rotational directions;
said eccentric shaft including a fixed eccentric mass and a movable eccentric mass;
said movable eccentric mass coacting with said fixed eccentric mass in said first rotational direction and partly balancing said fixed eccentric mass in said second rotational direction;
said fixed eccentric mass having a section defining a maximal radial extension (UB) with respect to said rotational axis;
said maximal radial extension (UB) being delimited by an imaginary arc-shaped curve having a diameter (D) and being defined by points andor segments of the outer periphery of said fixed eccentric mass;
said fixed eccentric mass defining a section plane perpendicular to said rotational axis and said section plane and said rotational axis conjointly defining an intersection point; and,
said imaginary arc-shaped curve having a point (P) thereon coinciding with said intersection point or said point (P) being on said imaginary arc-shaped curve at a location closest to said intersection point at a distance A\u22660.1(D) therefrom.
2. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said distance A\u22660.05(D).
3. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said compacting machine has a drum and said eccentric shaft assembly is mounted in said drum; said fixed eccentric mass has a recess for accommodating said movable eccentric mass therein so as to cause any section thereof to be included within a projection of said imaginary arc-shaped curve when said eccentric masses coact with each other to cause the drum of the compacting machine to vibrate with a predetermined amplitude.
4. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 3, wherein said movable eccentric mass is pivotally mounted about a pin shaft extending in the same direction as said rotational axis.
5. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 4, wherein said eccentric shaft has respective ends defining respective diameters; and, said pin shaft has a diameter smaller than each of said diameters of said ends of said eccentric shaft.
6. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 4, wherein said pin shaft defines a center axis offset and parallel to said rotational axis.
7. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 4, wherein said pin shaft is mounted in said fixed eccentric mass.
8. The eccentric shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein said imaginary arc-shaped curve defines a circle.
9. A drum assembly for a compacting machine, the drum assembly comprising:
an eccentric shaft rotatable about a rotational axis in first and second rotational directions;
said eccentric shaft including a fixed eccentric mass and a movable eccentric mass;
said movable eccentric mass coacting with said fixed eccentric mass in said first rotational direction and partly balancing said fixed eccentric mass in said second rotational direction;
said fixed eccentric mass having a section defining a maximal radial extension (UB) with respect to said rotational axis;
said maximal radial extension (UB) being delimited by an imaginary arc-shaped curve having a diameter (D) and being defined by points andor segments of the outer periphery of said fixed eccentric mass;
said fixed eccentric mass defining a section plane perpendicular to said rotational axis and said section plane and said rotational axis conjointly defining an intersection point;
said imaginary arc-shaped curve having a point (P) thereon coinciding with said intersection point or said point (P) being on said imaginary arc-shaped curve at a location closest to said intersection point at a distance A\u22660.1(D) therefrom;
a drum for imparting vibration to a surface;
said drum having a gable end and a cassette mounted in said gable end;
said eccentric shaft having respective ends and being mounted in said cassette; and,
said cassette having a set of bearings for rotatably mounting corresponding ones of said ends therein.

1. Supporting and guiding mechanism (5), characterized in that it comprises
a central fastening base (6) comprising two inclined surfaces (17) convergent towards a frame (1) and perpendicular to a perimetric guiding profile, wherein central bearings (8b, 9b) are coupled to said inclined surfaces (17) in the
area opposite the frame (1), such that they allow their viewing and handling from the exterior, and
two side extensions (7a, 7b) which are pivoting with respect to the central fastening base (6), wherein each side extension (7a, 7b) has coupled thereto an outer bearing (8a, 9a) such that:
a pair of upper bearings (8a, 8b) is formed by a central bearing (8b) and an upper bearing (8a) closer to a side extension (7a), and
a pair of lower bearings (9a, 9b) is formed by a central bearing (9b) and an upper bearing (9a) closer to the other side extension (7b),
each pair of bearings (8a, 8b) (9a, 9b) being located symmetrically with respect to said conveyor belt (2),
further characterized in that each side extension (7a, 7b) comprises two curved flat elements (12) parallel to one another, attached by means of an attachment element (13) located at ends of both curved elements (12) farthest from the central fastening base (6), such that each outer bearing (8a, 9a) is coupled at an outer surface (11) to each attachment element (13) which allows its viewing and handling from the outer area opposite the frame (1).
2. Supporting and guiding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one central fastening base (6) forms part of the frame (1).
3. Supporting and guiding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one central fastening base (6) is coupled to a rear part of the frame (1).
4. Supporting and guiding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that each side extension (7a, 7b) is articulated at articulation points (16) located at ends (15) of both curved elements (12) closest to the central fastening base (6) such that
each side extension (7a, 7b) can pivot with respect to the central fastening base (6) and can be removed when the operator wishes to do so, and
the articulation points (16) are located in the interior of each curved element (12) such that the torque applied on each pair of bearings (8a, 8b) (9a, 9b) by the movement of said at least one conveyor belt (2) causes a moment of forces assuring the guiding geometry of said conveyor belt (2) without needing additional fastening elements for each side extension (7a, 7b).
5. Supporting and guiding mechanism according to any of claim 1, characterized in that said at least one supporting and guiding mechanism (5) comprises means for fixing the blocking in a determined position of the side extensions (7a, 7b) with respect to the central fastening base (6).
6. Supporting and guiding mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for the positioning and blocking comprise a slide device (20) which positions and blocks the side extensions (7a, 7b) in three operating positions with respect to the central fastening base (6):
a)a first position in which both side extensions (7a, 7b) can freely pivot,
b)a second position in which one of the side extensions (7a, 7b) is blocked in the service position and the other one can freely pivot, and
c)a third position in which the two side extensions (7a, 7b) are blocked in the service position.
7. Supporting and guiding mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that the slide device (20) comprises a part having a U-shaped geometry located coplanar with respect to a larger surface of said at least one conveyor belt (2) such that
side branches (21) of the slide device (20) are coupled to the central fastening base (6) through cavities (22) shaped in said central fastening base (6),
a branch base (10) of the slide device (20) is located such that it allows the operator to handle it from the exterior and define the three operating positions, and each side branch (21) of the slide device (20) comprises two holes (23) for

the coupling of the side extensions (7a, 7b), wherein two first holes (23a) corresponding to a side extension (7a, 7b) comprise a greater length with respect to the other two second holes (23b) corresponding to the other side extension (7a, 7b), such that it allows the sequential blocking of the side extensions (7a, 7b) defined in operating positions a) and b).
8. Perimetric guiding profile, characterized in that it comprises
a protrusion (14) on which at least one pair of bearings (8a, 8b) (9a, 9b) contact; and wherein said protrusion (14) comprises a symmetrical through hole (28) with respect to a transverse axis of symmetry (29) of said at least one perimetric guiding profile,
an elastic area (27) located after said protrusion (14),
a U-shaped extension (26) located after said elastic area (27) and wherein the perimetric edge of a conveyor belt (2) is coupled at said extension (26),
further characterized in that the area existing between said protrusion (14) and the elastic area (27) comprises respective grooves (30) defining a contact-free space between the bearings (8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) and the elastic area (27) preventing the contact of said bearings (8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) with said elastic area (27).
9. Perimetric guiding profile, characterized in that it comprises
a protrusion (14) on which at least one pair of bearings (8a, 8b) (9a, 9b) contact; and wherein said protrusion (14) comprises a symmetrical through hole (28) with respect to a transverse axis of symmetry (29) of said at least one perimetric guiding profile,
an elastic area (27) located after said protrusion (14),
a U-shaped extension (26) located after said elastic area (27) and wherein the perimetric edge of a conveyor belt (2) is coupled at said extension (26),
further characterized in that the U-shaped extension (26) comprises two branches (26a, 26b) inclined with respect to one another, which allows securing the perimetric edge of said conveyor belt (2).

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A heat loss gauge for measuring gas pressure in an environment comprising:
a resistive sensing element;
a resistive compensating element in circuit with the sensing element and being exposed to a substantially matching environment;
at least one electrical source connected to the sensing element and compensating element for applying current through the elements, the amount of power dissipated in the sensing element being substantially greater than the amount of power dissipated in the compensating element; and
measuring circuitry connected to the sensing element and the compensating element for determining gas pressure in the environment to which the sensing element and compensating element are exposed based on electrical response of the sensing element and the compensating element.
2. The gauge of claim 1 further comprising feedback circuitry for controlling the current through the sensing element and the compensating element.
3. The gauge of claim 2 wherein the compensating element is in series with a non-temperature-sensitive resistive element.
4. The gauge of claim 3 wherein the electrical source applies current to heat the sensing element to a temperature at which the resistance of the sensing element matches the combined resistance of the compensating element and the non-temperature-sensitive resistive element.
5. The gauge of claim 1 wherein the electrical source applies current to heat the sensing element to a temperature at which the resistance of the sensing element matches the combined resistance of the compensating element plus a constant number of ohms.
6. The gauge of claim 1 wherein the sensing element and the compensating element have the same cross sectional dimensions.
7. A heat loss gauge for measuring gas pressure in an environment comprising:
a resistive sensing element;
a resistive compensating element in circuit with the sensing element and being exposed to a substantially matching environment;
at least one electrical source connected to the sensing element and compensating element for applying current through the elements in a manner to provide independent heating of the sensing element; and
measuring circuitry connected to the sensing element and the compensating element for determining gas pressure in the environment to which the sensing element and compensating element are exposed based on electrical response of the sensing element and the compensating element.
8. A method of measuring gas pressure in an environment comprising:
providing a resistive sensing element;
providing a resistive compensating element that is in circuit with the sensing element and is exposed to a substantially matching environment;
applying current through the sensing element and compensating element from at least one electrical source, the amount of power dissipated in the sensing element being substantially greater than the amount of power dissipated in the compensating element; and
with measuring circuitry connected to the sensing element and the compensating element, determining gas pressure in the environment to which the sensing element and compensating element are exposed based on electrical response of the sensing element and the compensating element.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising controlling the current through the sensing element and the compensating element with feedback circuitry.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising positioning the compensating element in series with a non-temperature-sensitive resistive element.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising applying current from the electrical source to heat the sensing element to a temperature at which the resistance of the sensing element matches the combined resistance of the compensating element and the non-temperature-sensitive resistive element.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising applying current from the electrical source to heat the sensing element to a temperature at which the resistance of the sensing element matches the combined resistance of the compensating element plus a constant number of ohms.
13. The method of claim 8 further comprising providing the sensing element and the compensating element with the same cross sectional dimensions.
14. A method of measuring gas pressure in an environment comprising:
providing a resistive sensing element;
providing a resistive compensating element that is in circuit with the sensing element and is exposed to a substantially matching environment;
applying current through the sensing element and compensating element from at least one electrical source in a manner to provide independent heating of the sensing element; and
with measuring circuitry connected to the sensing element and the compensating element, determining gas pressure in the environment to which the sensing element and compensating element are exposed based on electrical response of the sensing element and the compensating element.