Abstract: This invention relates to an air valve which includes a deflector positioned inside a float chamber in order to improve the flow of air through the air valve. Further, the air valve includes an upper opening leading from the float chamber and having a transverse cross-section which increases away from the float chamber in order to smooth air flow. The invention further relates to an air valve accessory whereby an air valve can be modified in order to improve air flow therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a topical composition comprising a 100 ?g/mL ethanolic extract from the plant Aspalathus linearis together with a dermatologically acceptable carrier for use in a method of preventing or treating a hypopigmentary disorder of skin in a subject comprising applying the topical composition to the skin of the subject. The invention further relates to methods of preventing or treating a hypopigmentary disorder of skin in a subject comprising applying the topical composition to the skin of the subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method (30) and system (10) for evaluating circuit protection of a power network. The method (30) includes simulating (32) a multisource, interconnected power network (40) comprising circuit protection elements (A, B, C, D), setting (33) circuit protection element parameters for each circuit protection element, simulating (35) at least one fault (42) on the power network (40) at a predetermined fault position for a predefined simulation time. In a next step, the method includes calculating (38) conductor LTE exposure and determining (39) an LTE threshold. Furthermore, the method (30) includes simultaneously graphically representing (41) a three-dimensional visualisation of the conductor LTE exposure (50) for the predefined simulation time and the LTE threshold (51), on the same three-dimensional visualisation.

Abstract: Immobilising isolated mycolic acid antigens of tuberculous mycobacterial origin or a synthetic analogue thereof on a screen-printed electrode by binding of the antigens to a self-assembled monolayer comprising a thiolated hydrophobic substance to produce immobilized mycolic acids antigens in the form of a mycolic acid antigen-containing self-assembled monolayer coating on a surface of the electrode.

Abstract: A method (400) of determining blade tip deflection characteristics is applied to moving rotor blades (R1, R2) in a turbomachine (10) comprising a housing and rotor including a shaft with the rotor blades attached thereto and at least one proximity probe (202). The method (400) includes measuring ((402) a proximity signal caused by a presence of a proximate tip of a moving rotor blade (R1) and calculating (404) by a control module (212) a shaft Instantaneous Angular Position (IAP) as a function of time, and performing (410) an order tracking process which includes expressing (412) the measured proximity signal in the angular domain and resampling (414) the expressed proximity signal to render it equidistant in the angular domain.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft having a tailless fuselage. The fuselage has a body which includes a transverse trailing edge. The aircraft further includes a wing having two sides which protrude from opposite sides of the fuselage. The body typically has a fineness ratio of between 3 and 7. Each side of the wing has an inner section having a first dihedral angle and an outer section having a second dihedral angle, the second dihedral angle being less than the first dihedral angle. At least part of the outer section is typically swept back. The configuration of the aircraft provides it with improved flight efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tunable, silicon-based negative-resistance circuit (10, 30) and to an active filter (50) for E-band frequencies (60 to 90 GHz). A base of a transistor (11) is connected to an on-chip inductive transmission line (13) which has a length of approximately a quarter-wavelength at a frequency of 83.5 GHz. The transmission line connects a DC voltage source (14) to the base terminal of the transistor (11) in order to bias the base. Another DC voltage source (15) is connected to the collector of the transistor (11) to bias the transistor. A capacitor (16) operatively bypasses or decouples the voltage source (15) in order to shunt high frequencies or alternating current (AC) signals to ground. The emitter terminal of the transistor (11) is connected to ground through a resistor (18) to limit the collector current (le). The circuit gives rise to improved quality factor of resonators.

Abstract: A method (400) of measuring rotor blade tip deflections of turbomachine rotor blades (R1, R2) during operation using Blade Tip Timing (BTT) includes measuring (402), by a proximity sensor (202), a proximity signal caused by a moving rotor blade (R1, R2) and determining (412), by a control module (212), a Time-of-Arrival (ToA). The method (400) includes measuring a time that the shaft starts to rotate a measurable angular distance and a time the shaft has completed its rotation of the measurable distance and storing (406) timing data indicative of a plurality of ToA measurements of the rotor blade (R1, R2) and the zero crossing times.

Abstract: A second-order all-pass network has at least three Second Generation Current Conveyors (CCIIs). A network input is connected or connectable to a Y port of a first CCII, a Z port of the first CCII is connected to a Y port of a second CCII, an X port of the first CCII is connected to a Y port of a third CCII, and a network output is connected or connectable, directly or indirectly, to a Z port of the second CCII. The X port of the first CCII is connected via a first network element to ground, the Z port of the first CCII is connected via a second network element to ground, an X port of the third CCII is connected via a third network element to ground, and an X port of the second CCII is connected via a fourth network element to ground.

Abstract: A method of estimating vibration characteristics of moving rotor blades in a turbomachine comprising a housing and rotor including a shaft with the rotor blades attached thereto includes measuring, by at least one proximity sensor, a Time-of-Arrival (ToA) of a proximate tip of a moving rotor blade. The method includes manipulating, by a control module, timing data to determine a corresponding blade tip deflection at each measured ToA, expressing blade tip vibration behaviour as a Bayesian statistical model consisting of intermediate model parameters, wherein model coefficients in the statistical model are probabilistic quantities as opposed to conventional, deterministic quantities, and expressing, by the control module, the determined blade tip deflections as observed values in the statistical model.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst system and method for the deoxygenation of hydrocarbons, such as bio-oil, using a sulphide-sulfate or an oxide-carbonate (LDH) system. The invention extends to a pyrolysis process of a carbonaceous bio-mass wherein a first combustion zone is carried out in one or more combustion fluidised beds in which a particulate material including chemically looping deoxygenation catalyst particles is fluidised and heated, and a second pyrolysis zone carried out in one or more pyrolysis fluidised beds in which the hot particles, including the catalyst particles, heated in the combustion zone are used for pyrolysis of the bio-mass, said combustion zone being operated at a temperature of from 250° C. to 1100° C., typically around 900° C., and the pyrolysis zone being operated at a temperature of from 250° C. to 900° C., typically 450° C. to 600° C.

Abstract: A carbonaceous feed pyrolysis apparatus is provided including two or more hot particle fluidised beds, one of which contains a combustion zone, and one or more positive displacement apparatus for the transfer of hot particles beds. Also provided is a bio-oil production process including two or more fluidised beds, a first combustion zone carried out in one or more combustion fluidised beds in which a particulate material is fluidised and heated, and a second pyrolysis zone carried out in one or more pyrolysis fluidised beds in which hot particles heated in the combustion zone are used for pyrolysis of bio-mass, the combustion zone being operated at or about atmospheric pressure at a temperature of from 400° C. to 1100° C., and the pyrolysis zone being operated at a pressure of from atmospheric to 100 Barg at a temperature of from 400° C. to 900° C.

Abstract: Mycolic acid antigen containing liposomes, and an electrode immobilised antigens of tuberculous mycobacterial origin are produced. A diagnostic sample from a human suspected of having tuberculosis is diluted and divided into first and second samples. A control sample comprising the first sample and a redox probe is exposed to the liposomes. A test sample comprising the second sample and a redox probe is exposed to liposomes not containing mycolic acid antigens. The control sample is contacted with the immobilised antigens to allow antibodies therein to bind to the antigens. The test sample is contacted with the immobilised antigens to allow any antibodies therein to bind to the antigens. The degree of binding in the samples is compared by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Any observed lesser binding by the control sample is an indicator of antibodies to the antigens in the diagnostic sample, indicating tuberculosis in the human.

Abstract: A method (400) of measuring rotor blade tip deflections of turbomachine rotor blades (R1, R2) during operation using Blade Tip Timing (BTT) includes measuring (402), by a proximity sensor (202), a proximity signal caused by a moving rotor blade (R1, R2) and determining (412), by a control module (212), a Time-of-Arrival (ToA). The method (400) includes measuring a time that the shaft starts to rotate a measurable angular distance and a time the shaft has completed its rotation of the measurable distance and storing (406) timing data indicative of a plurality of ToA measurements of the rotor blade (R1, R2) and the zero crossing times.

Abstract: A method (400) of determining blade tip deflection characteristics is applied to moving rotor blades (R1, R2) in a turbomachine (10) comprising a housing and rotor including a shaft with the rotor blades attached thereto and at least one proximity probe (202). The method (400) includes measuring ((402) a proximity signal caused by a presence of a proximate tip of a moving rotor blade (R1) and calculating (404) by a control module (212) a shaft Instantaneous Angular Position (IAP) as a function of time, and performing (410) an order tracking process which includes expressing (412) the measured proximity signal in the angular domain and resampling (414) the expressed proximity signal to render it equidistant in the angular domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to extracts from Helichrysum odoratissimum for use in the prevention of and treatment of skin cancer. The invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions containing the extract and to the use of medicaments containing the extract.

Abstract: A liposomal composition comprising a sterol-modified lipid and a purified mycobacterial lipid cell wall component or analog or derivative thereof is described. The composition is useful as a lipid antigen-presenting vehicle for the detection of lipid antigen specific biomarker antibodies in antibody containing biological samples in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis. The purified lipid cell wall component is typically a purified mycolic acid or a mixture of mycolic acids from a mycobacterium that produces mycolic acids. The sterol-modified lipid is typically a phospholipid.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus which consists of two fluidized beds 1 and 2 separated by a vertical divides' 5. A positive displacement device such as an auger 3 moves the bed material from the reduction side to the combustion side of the device below the fluidization zone. The height of the two fluidized beds is equalized by movement of the bed material through a hole 4 In the vertical divider, from the high temperature side 1 (zone 1) to the tow temperature side 2 (zone 2). The bed material that moves through the hole 4 provides energy to drive reactions that may occur on the reduction side. Energy may also be provided to zone 2 by means of conductive and radiative heat transfer through the dividing wall 5. Energy is provided to zone 1 by means of an exothermic reaction, typically combustion of a fuel 13 using air 12.

Abstract: This invention relates to an antimicrobial and antihelminthic agent comprising a compound of formula (I), to a process for extracting the antimicrobial and/or antihelminthic agent from plant material, to a composition containing the antimicrobial and/or antihelminthic agent, and to a plant extract containing the antimicrobial and/or antihelminthic agent.

Abstract: A carbonaceous feed pyrolysis apparatus is provided including two or more hot particle fluidized beds, and one or more positive displacement apparatus for the transfer of hot particles between two or more of the beds, wherein one or more of the fluidized beds contains a combustion zone. A bio-oil production process is also provided, including pyrolysis of a carbonaceous bio-mass using two or more fluidized beds, including a first combustion zone carried out in one or more combustion fluidized beds in which a particulate material is fluidized and heated, and a second pyrolysis zone carried out in one or more pyrolysis fluidized beds in which the hot particles heated in the combustion zone are used for pyrolysis of the bio-mass.