Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detection of predisposition to emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It particularly relates with the regulation of the key molecular and biochemical components of the pathway leading to the manifestation of emphysema in COPD.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of testing the installation quality of a grouted anchor system comprising at least one tendon anchored by grout in a hole in a surrounding mass. The system typically includes a group of roof bolts (10, 12) each having a tendon (10.1, 10.2) anchored in a rock mass (22) by grout (14, 16). The method includes the steps of applying an acoustic signal to the system, detecting the acoustic response(s) of the tendon(s) and assessing the installation quality of the tendon(s) from an analysis of such response(s). The invention also includes apparatus for use in the method.

Abstract: A process of separating a single desired stereoisomer from a racemic mixture of eight stereoisomers of a compound of formula (III), wherein R1 represents an isopropanol group, an isopropyl group or an isopropylene group, includes the steps of: contacting the racemic mixture in a suitable organic solvent with an esterifying agent and a stereospecific enzyme which stereoselectively esterifies the —OH group of the desired stereoisomer, for a time sufficient to convert a desired percentage of the desired stereoisomer to a compound of formula (IV), wherein R1 is as defined above and R4 is an alkyl or an aryl group, to give a first reaction product including the compound of formula (IV), the organic solvent, the unconverted stereoisomers of the compound of formula (III), excess esterifying agent and by-products of the reaction; and separating the compound of formula (IV) from the first reaction product.

Abstract: A security apparatus (10) is provided in an enclosed area to be secured against an external threat, e.g. a load volume of a vehicle transporting valuables is secured against unauthorized entry. Two chemical components are contained separately. When a danger situation occurs, the security apparatus (10) is actuated via control means to expose the chemical components to each other and to mix them. After a predetermined, short, time period, the mixture is released and is distributed over the area being secured. Foaming and solidification take place in short time to occupy the enclosed area and to prevent entry and exit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method treating acid raw water including the step of neutralising the water by adding calcium carbonate to it in a neutralising stage. The neutralised water is then rendered alkaline or more alkaline by adding an alkali thereto selected from calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide and mixtures thereof in a lime treatment stage. The alkaline water is then treated with carbon dioxide in a carbon dioxide treatment stage, with the carbon dioxide reacting in the carbon dioxide treatment stage with calcium hydroxide dissolved in the water.

Abstract: The present Application relates to a process for the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes from polyacrylonitrile using malic acid as additives, with said membrane of molecular weight ranging between 80 to 180K, showing high purification and water permeating ability.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition contains an extract obtainable from a plant of the genus Trichocaulon or Hoodia containing an appetite suppressant agent having the formula (1). A process for obtaining the extract and a process for synthesizing compound (1) and its analogues and derivatives is also provided. The invention also extends to the use of such extracts and compound (I) and its analogues for the manufacture of medicaments having appetite suppressant activity. The invention further provides novel intermediates for the synthesis of compound (1).

Abstract: A strain/electrical potential transducer (10) includes a rigid base (12), a rigid beam (18) hinged to the base (12) at (20), an elongate stack (14) of dielectric substance, e.g. piezoelectric material, generally parallel with the beam (18) and hinged to the base at (16), and a rigid link (22) interconnecting ends of the beam and stack remote from the base (12). The transducer can be operated as a displacement generator by applying potential difference to the stack (14) via contacts (15) to strain the stack (14) and to cause amplified, transverse displacement as shown at (32). Conversely, the transducer can be operated as a sensor. Displacement at (32) causes strain in the stack (14) which generates a potential difference at the contacts (15). Composite transducers are disclosed. A manipulating device in the form of an arrangement of displacement generators and use thereof for microscanning are disclosed.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition contains an extract obtainable from a plant of the genus Trichocaulon or Hoodia containing an appetite suppressant agent having the formula (1). A process for obtaining the extract and a process for synthesizing compound (1) and its analogues and derivatives is also provided. The invention also extends to the use of such extracts and compound (1) and its analogues for the manufacture of medicaments having appetite suppressant activity. The invention further provides novel intermediates for the synthesis of compound (1).

Abstract: A gas borne substance sampling device (10) includes a housing (12) through which gas can be passed, and a holder (14) for gas borne substance capturing material. The holder (14) is located or locatable inside the housing (12) to contact the capturing material with gas passing through the housing (12). The device (10) has a sampling condition in which at least a major portion of the holder (14) is protected inside or covered by the housing (12) and an analysis condition in which at least a portion of the holder (14) is exposed or outside the housing (12).

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel strain of Streptomyces sp. Having Accession Number PTA 973 and a process for the preparation of an alkaline protease inhibitor employing the said strain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel strain of Streptomyces sp. having Accession Number PTA 973 and a process for the preparation of an alkaline protease inhibitor employing the said strain.

Abstract: A method and installation for forming and maintaining a slurry are disclosed. The method withdraws a slurry from a reservoir and directs it at a heap of solid material from which the slurry is drained into the reservoir, the slurry containing additional solid material from the heap to increase its specific gravity. The volume of slurry in the reservoir and its specific gravity are controlled. The installation comprises a support having a support surface which slopes to permit slurry to drain therefrom A reservoir receives slurry draining from the support and has a liquid feed. A pump withdraws the slurry from the reservoir and pumps it to a spray nozzle for spraying slurry at a heap of material on the support.

Abstract: 1

Abstract: A displacement generator (10) has a housing (12) defining a chamber (14) containing an incompressible liquid (15). A port (22) of the housing (12) is closed by a movable member (24). Within the chamber (14), opposing, convex, flexible walls (16.1, 16.2) form an internal modulating chamber (18), which optionally contains a compressible gas. Opposed ends of the walls (16.1, 16.2) can be displaced toward and away from each other by a motion transducer, e.g. a stack of ceramic piezoelectric members (20), respectively to pressurize and depressurize the chamber (14) and thus to displace the member (24) to and fro to form an output of the displacement generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of refined hard sugarcane wax having improved qualities from press mud which comprises digesting press mud with a non polar solvent in the presence of activated charcoal and separating the sugarcane wax from the residue.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition contains an extract obtainable from a plant of the genus Trichocaulon or Hoodia containing an appetite suppressant agent having the formula (1). A process for obtaining the extract and a process for synthesizing compound (1) and its analogues and derivatives is also provided. The invention also extends to the use of such extracts and compound (1) and its analogues for the manufacture of medicaments having appetite suppressant activity. The invention further provides novel intermediates for the synthesis of compound (1).

Abstract: A method and installation for forming and maintaining a slurry are disclosed. The method withdraws a slurry from a reservoir and directs it at a heap of solid material from which the slurry is drained into the reservoir, the slurry containing additional solid material from the heap to increase its specific gravity. The volume of slurry in the reservoir and its specific gravity are controlled. The installation comprises a support having a support surface which slopes to permit slurry to drain therefrom A reservoir receives slurry draining from the support and has a liquid feed. A pump withdraws the slurry from the reservoir and pumps it to a spray nozzle for spraying slurry at a heap of material on the support.

Abstract: A water treatment process for raw water containing dissolved Fe2+ and H+ cations to reduce the Fe2+ cation concentration therein involves oxidation of the Fe2cations to Fe3+ cations with the formation in the water of solid Fe(OH)3 from the Fe3+ cations. The process comprises the steps of oxygenating the water and raising the pH of the water. The oxidation of the Fe2+ cations and the fromation of the Fe(OH)3 are carried out in the presence of suspended particulate material in the water, the particulate material being present in the water at a concentration of at least 5 g/l.

Abstract: A method of making a compound selected from metal and silicon carbides and nitrides includes the steps of providing a solution of a coal-derived material in a solvent, the coal-derived material having a composition, free of solvent, of 70 to 91 percent by mass of carbon, 2 to 6 percent by mass of hydrogen and 3 to 20 percent by mass of oxygen, and a source of an oxide of silicon or the metal, causing the coal-derived material in solution and the source of the oxide to interact, removing the solvent to form a precursor and heat treating the precursor to produce the compound.