Abstract: A method of object identification comprising, for an image in which an object is to be identified, determining for each of a set of location in the direction in which the gradient of intensity change to an adjacent location is greatest together with the magnitude of that gradient, modifying the gradient magnitude using a nonlinear function, the modified gradient and the associated direction for the set of location providing a vector representative of the image, and comparing the vector with a previously generated statistical model which provides identification of the object.

Abstract: A pipe inspection apparatus comprising an acoustic source (3) for location at a first position in a pipe or pipe network, one or more acoustic or pressure detectors (4) for location at one or more positions in the pipe or pipe network, means for recording and/or displaying a signal detected by the one or more detectors following the generation of an acoustic pulse, and means for allowing the comparison of the detected signal with a predetermined reference signal, differences between the detected and reference signals being indicative of a blockage or leakage in the pipe or pipe network (10).

Abstract: An analysis for determining a characteristic cycle time of a sample. Active elements in the sample are excited with sufficient intensity and duration larger than the characteristic cycle time that at least some of the active elements are re-excited to an excited state substantially immediately following relaxation to a ground state, detecting quanta emitted by the active elements in the sample to obtain a detected signal, and analyzing the detected signal to derive the characteristic cycle time. The number of active elements in the sample and the intensity of the excitation are such that quanta are detected in a stream in which individual quanta are distinguishable from each other.

Abstract: A method of identifying an object class uses a model based upon appearance parameters derived by comparing images of objects of different classes. The model includes a representation of a probability density function describing a range over which appearance parameters may vary for a given class of object, the model further including a defined relationship between the appearance parameters and the probability density function. The method generates appearance parameters representative of an unknown object, estimates an appropriate probability density function for the unknown object using the defined relationship between the appearance parameters and the probability density function, then iteratively modifies at least some of the appearance parameters within limits determined using the probability density function to identify the object class.

Abstract: Methods of treating a microbial infection comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment are disclosed. In one aspect the method comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of Erythromycin B (or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof). In another aspect the method comprises a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least 50% by weight of Erythromycin B (or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof) of the total weight of antibiotic present in the composition. Also disclosed are 2?-esters of Erythromycin B and Erythromycin B enol ether.

Abstract: A method of producing a desired procolagen or derivative thereof in a system which co-expresses and assembles at least one further procollagen or derivative thereof. The gene(s) for expressing pro-? chains or derivatives thereof for assembly into the desired procollagen has or have been exogenously selected from natural pro-? chains or exogenously manipulated such as to express said pro-? chains or derivatives thereof with domains which have the activity of C-terminal propeptide domains but which will not co-assemble with the C-terminal propeptide of the pro-? chains or derivatives thereof that assemble to form the said at least one further procollagen or derivative thereof.

Abstract: A bioreductive conjugate comprises a bioreductive moiety with at least one therapeutic agent linked thereto and physiologically acceptable derivatives thereof. The bioreductive moiety incorporates an aromatic ring substituted with a nitro group and the conjugate is such that bioreduction of the nitro group causes release of the therapeutic agent by a through bond elimination and the residue of the bioreductive moiety to undergo an intramolecular cyclization reaction in which the nitrogen of the original nitro group provides an atom of the thus formed ring.

Abstract: Electrical muscle stimulation relies upon the application to the muscles of a patient of a stimulating signal which comprises a series of regularly spaced bursts of pulses. Each burst includes a first component as a first continuous train of regularly spaced pulses and a second component as a series of regularly spaced second trains of regularly spaced pulses. The second component is combined with the first component and the spacing between successive pulses in the second pulse trains is less than the spacing between successive pulses in the first pulse train. A third component as a series of regularly spaced third trains of regularly spaced pulses may be combined with the first and second components, the spacing between successive pulses in the third pulse train being less than the spacing between successive pulses in the second pulse trains.

Abstract: A characteristic response of a medium to an excitation transient of predetermined duration which causes the medium to emit a series of signals over a period of time which is long relative to the duration of the excitation transient is assessed. The signals are detected and the duration of each interval between successive signals is measured. A relationship relating the interval between the excitation transient and the emission of each signal to the interval between each signal and the preceding signal in the series is derived to represent the characteristic response.

Abstract: A method for generating an intermediate representation of computer program code written for running on a programmable machine comprises: (i) generating a plurality of register objects for holding variable values to be generated by the program code; and (ii) generating a plurality of expression objects representing fixed values and/or relationships between said fixed values and said variable values according to said program code; said objects being organized into a branched tree-like network having all register objects at the lowest basic root or tree-trunk level of the network with no register object feeding into any other register object.

Abstract: A method for generating an intermediate representation of computer program code written for running on a programmable machine comprises: (i) generating a plurality of register objects for holding variable values to be generated by the program code; and (ii) generating a plurality of expression objects representing fixed values and/or relationships between said fixed values and said variable values according to said program code; said objects being organized into a branched tree-like network having all register objects at the lowest basic root or tree-trunk level of the network with no register object feeding into any other register object.

Abstract: A method for emulating a processor of a first endian type on a processor of a second endian type, wherein each memory access address B of string length L is transformed to the address A-B-L+S, wherein A is the total number of bytes allocated to a program, and S is the start address of the program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to yeast cells containing the SRB1/PSA1 gene and/or the PKC1 gene or functional derivatives thereof operatively linked to a heterologous inducible promoter and also to methods of regulating yeast cell lysis and flocculation and methods of fermentation using such yeast cells.

Abstract: A method of detecting an object located within a dynamic scattering media, includes i) directing a continuous coherent light wave of predetermined wavelength into the media; ii) detecting dynamically scattered light emerging from the media; iii) correlating the detected light photons in the time or frequency domain; iv) determining the presence of an object from analysis of differences between the correlation and a correlation which would arise from photons scattered by the media only; and v) determining the approximate position of the object within the media from the analysis of the correlation and knowledge of the mean transport path of the light wave of predetermined wavelength within the media.

Abstract: Aqueous membrane permeable by mass transport to a charged and uncharged species of interest, comprising a synthetic polymeric material and a surface active agent which is miscible with the synthetic polymer. The surface active agent is distributed throughout the membrane and is present in an amount such as to provide for the permeability of the membrane to the species of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of prolonging the expression of an exogenous gene in a cell transduced with the exogenous gene. The method comprises co-administration of the exogenous gene with a herpes virus gene, whereby such co-administration prolongs the expression of the exogenous gene in the transduced cell. The method is particularly useful as a means of effecting gene therapy.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying air comprising two electrodes having a dielectric material such as glass extending therebetween. The dielectric material is air permeable, for example, in the form of a bed of discrete particles such as glass beads. The electrodes are also air permeable, allowing the air to flow through the electrodes and dielectric. Ozone is generated by discharge at points of contact of the dielectric particles. Airflow through the device is improved, allowing greater cooling, and higher volumes of airflow but at lower concentrations of ozone production than with prior art devices, thus reducing toxicity.

Abstract: A method of handling exceptions for use in an emulator (20) performing program code conversion. Registers (X) of a subject machine (11) being emulated (20) are represented by a pair of abstract registers (XA,XB) on the target machine (31), suitably using memory locations of the target machine and/or any available target registers. One of the pair (e.g., Reg XA) holds a definitive value at entry into a section (100) of subject code (10) while the other (e.g., Reg XB) holds a speculative value which is updated during translation and execution of that section of code. Exceptions are handled by recovering the conditions of the virtual subject machine (11) upon entry into the section of subject code (100) using the definitive version of each abstract register (i.e., Reg XA).

Abstract: Use of a foam control laser having a wavelength corresponding to a mode specific peak of the absorption spectrum of a liquid constituent of the form greatly increases the efficiency of foam control.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of compounds which inhibit selectively mu opioid receptor activity, or activation, for the treatment of dyskinesia (which, for example, may arise as a side effect of L-DOPA therapy). The compounds used are preferably mu opioid receptor antagonists such as cyprodime.