Abstract: Apparatus (10) for monitoring the condition of an item of electrical equipment (1) whilst in operation comprises a vibration sensor (11) and an electrical sensor (12) operable to detect a characteristic operational electrical signal of the equipment (1). The output of the vibration sensor (11) and the electrical sensor (12) is supplied to a spectrum generator (13) and then to a processing unit (14) operable to process the respective frequency spectrums to generate a frequency response function. Once a frequency response function is generated, the processing unit (14) is operable to compare the generated frequency response function to a model frequency response function. This allows any variations between the generated frequency response function and the model frequency response function to be identified. This could be indicative of a fault and could provide an identification of the nature of the fault.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the values of one or more characteristics of a liquid that has support means for supporting a filter member in use, a reservoir for holding a sample of liquid in direct or indirect contact with the filter member in use and at least one device operable to record one or more images of the filter member and/or liquid to record the value of one or more characteristics of a liquid moving through the filter member in use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring polarization of electromagnetic illumination. The method includes the steps of modulating a polarization state of illumination received from a target object to generate modulated intensity illumination, selectively measuring an intensity of the modulated intensity illumination by periodically gating an exposure of an imaging device to the modulated intensity illumination at a first gating frequency; responsive to the measured intensity, determining polarization parameters of the received illumination, and generating image data corresponding to the target object with a plurality of the polarization parameters, wherein the illumination from the target object is modulated in accordance with a first frequency and the first gating frequency is associated with and synchronized with at least the first frequency.

Abstract: Intensifying contextually relevant sound events for time-delayed broadcast uses multiple directional microphones that capture sound events from a specific location within regions of a stadium. The events are contextually relevant to the environment, such as a referee's whistle sound. A processor executes signal processing of the captured events on each channel to produce audio samples each having a signal profile. The profiles are automatically compared to reference feature templates stored in a database, correspond to pre-identified sound events of contextual relevance. The signal processing accentuates characteristic traits in the events, reflective of contextually relevant events that should be included in a final composite audio output for transmission. If the comparison of samples to the feature templates suggests a high probability of a correspondence, then buffered audio for that channel is introduced into a final audio mix.

Abstract: Intensifying contextually relevant sound events for time-delayed broadcast uses multiple directional microphones that capture sound events from a specific location within regions of a stadium. The events are contextually relevant to the environment, such as a referee's whistle sound. A processor executes signal processing of the captured events on each channel to produce audio samples each having a signal profile. The profiles are automatically compared to reference feature templates stored in a database, correspond to pre-identified sound events of contextual relevance. The signal processing accentuates characteristic traits in the events, reflective of contextually relevant events that should be included in a final composite audio output for transmission. If the comparison of samples to the feature templates suggests a high probability of a correspondence, then buffered audio for that channel is introduced into a final audio mix.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated extract comprising glycosaminoglycans from whelk and/or cockle species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stilbene and quinine compounds related to combretastatin A-4 and their use as anticancer compounds and prodrugs. The compounds include those with an alkyl group on the double bond of cis- or trans-stilbenes, compounds with one or more (and preferably 2 or 3) alkyl group substituents on the stilbene A ring, compounds with an alkoxy group other than methoxy at position 3, 4, and/or 5 of the stilbene A ring, compounds (or prodrugs) in which BBOC amino acid esters are formed with the phenolic hydroxyl at the 3-position of the B ring and compounds (or prodrugs) based on a benzoquinone B ring. The present invention further relates to the photochemical reactions of stilbene compounds, either the above compounds disclosed for the first time herein or compounds based on prior stilbenes.

Abstract: A discharge assembly apparatus for discharging a metered volume of a liquid when used in combination with a liquid-containing, pressurized or pressurizable container includes an actuator assembly incorporating a valve stem having a discharge conduit arrangement with an inlet and an outlet, a metering chamber formed within the valve stem and incorporating a liquid discharge element, an inlet/outlet arrangement, and a housing wherein the valve stem and the inner surface of the housing define a fluid transfer passageway therebetween, the discharge conduit arrangement of the valve stem providing communication between the outlet of the metering chamber and the outlet of the valve stem via the fluid transfer passageway.

Abstract: A discharge assembly for discharging a metered volume of a liquid held in a pressured container includes an elongate tubular housing, a valve stem having a body locating within the housing, a chamber provided within the body of the valve stem and having a liquid inlet, and a liquid discharge element moveable along the chamber from a liquid primed position to a liquid discharged position to effect discharge of the metered volume of liquid, wherein a second fluid transfer passageway is formed along the outside of the valve stem between the inlet of the housing and the first fluid transfer passageway, and a seal is provided for relative sliding movement onto a seat as the valve stem moves to close the second fluid transfer passageway to fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valving arrangement device for an aerosol spray device comprising a pressurized or pressurizable container which, when in its fully open configuration, has a loss coefficient of 10 or less. There is also provided a valving arrangement device for an aerosol spray device wherein, when in its fully open configuration, said valving arrangement is such that fluid passes from the upstream fluid flow path section into the downstream fluid flow path section with any change of the cross-sectional area of the fluid being less than 50% and with any change in direction of the flow being less than 40°.

Abstract: A Bernoulli Effect pick-up device (1) for the handling of products (20) comprises a surface (4) adapted such that gaseous fluid flow across said surface (4) provides a pick-up force to be generated, by the Bernoulli Effect, in a direction towards said surface (4), and a conduit (2) for the supply of the gaseous fluid. The conduit (2) has an outlet opening (5) at the surface (4) and is adapted to supply gaseous fluid in a direction opposed to the pick-up direction. The outlet (5) of the conduit (2) is associated with a deflector (9) for directing gaseous fluid across the surface (4) and preventing direct impingement of the fluid on a product (2) that has been picked-up by the device (1). The product (20) may for example be a slice of a foodstuff, e.g. tomato or hard-boiled egg.

Abstract: A Bernoulli Effect pick-up device (1) for the handling of products (20) comprises a surface (4) adapted such that gaseous fluid flow across said surface (4) provides a pick-up force to be generated, by the Bernoulli Effect, in a direction towards said surface (4), and a conduit (2) for the supply of the gaseous fluid. The conduit (2) has an outlet opening (5) at the surface (4) and is adapted to supply gaseous fluid in a direction opposed to the pick-up direction. The outlet (5) of the conduit (2) is associated with a deflector (9) for directing gaseous fluid across the surface (4) and preventing direct impingement of the fluid on a product (2) that has been picked-up by the device (1). The product (20) may for example be a slice of a foodstuff, e.g. tomato or hard-boiled egg.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel benzoquinone, 2,5-diaziridinyl-3-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone and its esters. The compounds can be used to treat tumors exhibiting elevated levels of the enzyme DT-diaphorase.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing decay time weighted information (e.g. a decay time weighted image) of a luminescent sample, comprises an excitation light source arranged to illuminate the sample, means for modulating or pulsing the intensity of the excitation light in a predetermined cyclical manner, detector means for detecting photons emitted by the sample as a result of luminescence, means for storing data representative of detected photons, the stored data being weighted as a function of phase difference between detection of photons and the cyclically varying modulation, and means for producing decay time weighted information from the stored data.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of modifying the properties of a material.A single ion beam from a source in a vacuum chamber is deflected by an electrostatic deflection system between a target and a substrate. When on the target, the beam sputters material therefrom on to the substrate. When on the substrate the beam bombards material previously deposited on it from the target which mixes it with the material of the substrate. A modified surface layer may therefore be achieved. The target and substrate may be moved relative to the beam if desired and the process may be monitored and controlled using appropriate sensors and controls.

Abstract: A structural element of concrete is selectively reinforced over that part of the surface where, when the element is loaded, tensile stresses can occur which might exceed the tensile strength of the concrete. The reinforcement comprises a relatively thin, integral external layer preformed from a cement composition reinforced with fibres disposed in a random two-dimensional distribution essentially parallel to the surface of the layer, the latter extending over the whole area of said part of the surface liable to tensile stress.