Abstract: A method of selecting for analysis a sample of a biological material anisotropically distributed on a substrate is disclosed, comprising the steps of directing a beam of radiation onto the substrate, said radiation being selected to interact with the biological material to an extent corresponding to the anisotropy; measuring the interaction at plurality of locations; and selecting the sample by reference to the measurements. An inspection apparatus for selecting for analysis a sample of a biological material anisotropically distributed on a substrate is disclosed comprising a source of radiation selected to interact with the anisotropically distributed biological material to an extent corresponding to the anisotropy; a detector for measuring the interaction at plurality of locations on the substrate; and a processor coupled to the detector for utilizing the measurement to select a portion of the sample for further analysis.

Abstract: A method of translating clinical information into one or more standardised systems of coding or nomenclature processes received clinical information (202) relating to a patient, which includes at least one free text description of a clinical status of the patient. The free text description is analysed (208-218) to identify one or more terms relevant to the clinical status of the patient. One or more translation sets are constructed (220), each of which includes one or more sequential identified terms. Each translation set is translated (234-252) into one or more standardised health codes or terms selected from a predetermined system of classification and/or nomenclature, and the selected standardised health codes or terms are output (254). The method may be computer-implemented, either as a standalone program, or in a networked configuration supporting access from remote terminals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for acquiring photoluminescence images (2) of silicon solar cells and wafers (4) as they progress along a manufacturing line (36). In preferred embodiments the images are acquired while maintaining motion of the samples. In certain embodiments photoluminescence is generated with short pulse, high intensity excitation, (8) for instance by a flash lamp (50) while in other embodiments images are acquired in line scanning fashion. The photoluminescence images can be analysed to obtain information on average or spatially resolved values of one or more sample properties such as minority carrier diffusion length, minority carrier lifetime, dislocation defects, impurities and shunts, or information on the incidence or growth of cracks in a sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bellows hose, which is capable of being used without leakage, and which has a longer length and/or diameter than has been previously achievable. A bellows hose comprises an inner tubular bellows and an outer tubular bellows. An insulation layer is provided between the bellows. An armoured layer is provided around the outer bellows, to improve the insulation further. The hose can have length above 30 m and a diameter above 400 mm. A method of, and apparatus for, making the hose are also described, which involves the use of a non-metallic mandrel.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading medication doses (4?) into a cavity (15?) of a blister sheet (12?) made from a resilient plastics material, is provided with a number of horizontally-arranged containers one of which is shown at (6?). Each container can be operated to release a solid medication dose (4?) into a cavity (15?) of a selected blister. The blister sheet to have its cavities loaded with medication doses is supported horizontally on a table spaced beneath the level at which the containers (6?) are located. A thick horizontal plate (1) is disposed between the level of the containers and the level of the table, and an array of inclined and axially-parallel bores (2?) are formed through the plate. The upper ends of the bore associated with each blister cavity can be located beneath the container which is to deliver a dose to the cavity so that a released dose travels down the bore and impacts against one side of the bore which acts to deflect the dose and thus reduce its vertical momentum.

Abstract: The invention provides an undershot sluice gate (17) to control flow of liquid through an open channel (10). The gate (17) includes a gate leaf (18) adapted to be raised and lowered by a control means (22) to allow flow of liquid along open channel (10). Gate leaf (18) has at least a pair of opposing liquid level sensors (44, 46) on, or in, gate leaf (18) to provide measurement of liquid level upstream and downstream of gate leaf (18). The sensors (44, 46) are located at a predetermined distance from the lowermost edge of gate leaf (18) to allow said measurements without disturbance from the fluid flow profile resulting from movement of liquid beneath the lowermost edge of gate leaf (18).

Abstract: A coating composition resistant to heat, flame and molten metal when applied as coating to a substrate. The composition includes an elastomeric binder and a particulate filler dispersed in the binder. The filler comprises particles of high aspect ratio in two dimensions relative to a third that co-operate when in a coating to provide a barrier within the binder. Also disclosed are an assembly comprising a substrate with a coating thereon, a fabric assembly resistant to spills and splashes of molten metal and a flame resistant building product.

Abstract: A die apparatus for forging a steering rack having a toothed portion and an array of gear teeth. The die apparatus comprising first and second assemblies movable towards each other. The first assembly comprising a first bolster and a tooth die. The second assembly comprising a second bolster, first and second side dies, a centre punch, and a third bolster. The third bolster being disposed between the first and second bolsters and being movable relative to the second bolster. The first and second side dies being supported by the third bolster, and the centre punch being supported by the second bolster. As the die apparatus closes, the third bolster abuts the first assembly to form a closed forging cavity and then, as the die apparatus continues to close, the centre punch penetrates the closed forging cavity to complete the forging of the steering rack.

Abstract: Mantle lifting device (10) has a body (26) configured to selectively engage and disengage an opening (24) of a mantle (12) by rotation in respective opposite directions about a central axis (28) of the body (26). The body (26) is provided with a lifting point (30) which is configured to couple with a lifting device such as a crane (not shown). The body (26) is in the general form of a plug having an upper surface (34) and an opposite surface (36) and tapered circumferential surfaces (38 and 40). The surface (40) is provided with indicia (43) commencing at a distance d on the surface (40) below the edge (42). This is used to indicate safe or unsafe lifting conditions. The indicia (43) being visible when the device (10) is engaged with the mantle (12) is an indication that the mantle (12) is worn to the extent that it may not be safe to lift the mantle (12) by way of the device (10), or at least not without additional safety precautions being taken.

Abstract: A motor start circuit for an induction motor includes a start switch device serving the purpose of interrupting the current or voltage flow through the start winding after the start of the motor. The motor includes a main winding and a start winding, which are supplied with alternating current or voltage from a mains power supply.

Abstract: A drilling or tapping machine includes a housing having a front end through which a drill mounting stub projects; a drill shaft having an inner drill tube carrying a splined bush at a rear thereof and carrying the drill mounting stub at a front thereof, a support tube coaxial with the drill tube, having front and rear bearing nuts mounting the support tube on the drill tube for relative rotation; a spline shaft extending from rear to front through the drill tube, and slidably engaged within the splined bush whereby rotation thereof rotates the drill tube; a moving plate fixed to the rear bearing nut and moveable axially relative to the spline shaft, the moving plate engaging the drill tube to axially move the drill tube relative to the housing; a first drive rotating the spline shaft; and a second drive causing the moving plate to move axially.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first metal layer and a first metal oxide layer coupled to the first metal layer. The memory device includes a second metal oxide layer coupled to the first metal oxide layer and a second metal layer coupled to the second metal oxide layer. The formation of the first metal oxide layer has a Gibbs free energy that is lower than the Gibbs free energy for the formation of the second metal oxide layer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing remote user access to secure financial applications by deployment of SSO software (126) to client workstations (120), including receiving a password for collaborating access to a secure server (110); navigating to the secure server (110) using a web browser (124) on a remote workstation (120); providing user authorization details and the received password to the secure server (120); generating a subsequent password at the secure server (110) upon validation of the user authorization details and received password; downloading an SSO deployment file (122) to the remote workstation (120), said deployment file (122) including the subsequent password; executing the SSO deployment file (122) to install an SSO client application (126) on the remote workstation; reading workstation settings and user credentials from a secure file or data store; and running the SSO client application (126) on the workstation to employ the user credentials and subsequent password to logon to the secure

Abstract: A method of temporarily reducing the diameter of a stent graft (10) and a stent graft with its diameter reduced. The stent graft has a tubular body and self expanding stents.

Abstract: A gaming system and a method of operating a bonus prize awarding system, the system comprising a plurality of electronic gaming console having a console cabinet 10 including a prize display 12, a coin entry slot 13, a pay out tray 14 and internally mounted game control processor circuits. A video game is provided for play on the console in which images of objects (balls) are dropped through a series of obstacles (pins) and eventually fill a number of containers. Prizes are paid according to either the number of balls which are in each container at the end of the ball drop and/or the manner in which the pins are hit, and bonus prizes are increased progressively upon the occurrence of predetermined game events within the game or external to the game.

Abstract: A videoscope preheater for preheating an endoscope includes: a support tube; an electrical heating layer uniformly coated on an outer surface of the support tube, one side of the electrical heating layer being connected with a power cable for connecting with an external power supply; and a capsule layer coated on an outer surface of the electrical heating layer for fixing and protecting the electrical heating layer and the power cable. The capsule layer is a thermally contractible capsule film, which is fitted around the electrical heating layer and then heated to contract for insulating the electrical heating layer and the support tube from ambient environment. In use, the endoscope is fitted into the support tube and the electrical heating layer is powered on to generate heat and uniformly heat the endoscope. The heating efficiency of the videoscope preheater is controllable by means of adjusting the current and voltage input.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I) that are useful for modulating the biological activity of the melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5R). Compounds of this invention can be used to treat diseases and/or conditions in which downregulation of MC5R is beneficial. Such diseases and/or conditions include, but are not limited to, acne, seborrhea, seborrheic dermatitis, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.