Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the cytokine or biological activity of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) comprising contacting MIF with a compound of formula (I) are provided. The invention also relates to methods of treating diseases or conditions where MIF cytokine or biological activity is implicated comprising administration of compounds of formula (I), either alone or as a part of combination therapy. Novel compounds of formula (I) are also provided for.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the cytokine or biological activity of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) comprising contacting MIF with a compound of formula (I) are provided. The invention also relates to methods of treating diseases or conditions where MIF cytokine or biological activity is implicated comprising administration of compounds of formula (I), either alone or as a part of combination therapy. Novel compounds of formula (I) are also provided for.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for power generation, and in particular a method and apparatus for the control of electrical power generation for use primarily with wind turbines. A method of electrical power generation is described including the steps of: receiving power in the form of alternating current; rectifying said alternating current power to direct current power; control said direct current power to produce controlled direct current power; and inverting said near constant direct current power to produce alternating current.

Abstract: A sensor system comprises a mat (20) for placement over a patient's mattress including a number of sensors (10) located in the mat. The sensors include a sensor housing (12), a sound vibration sensing element in the form of a PVDF membrane (13), and means for amplifying sensed sounds. The PVDF membrane is coated/covered with a typically latex, impedance matching layer (14). The sensor automatically provides for auscultation, in which the patient's own weight, from the patient lying on the bed, compresses their thorax against the membrane, compressing also the patient's clothing, bed sheet and mattress cover material between the two. The recoil in the mattress opposes the body mass, thus compressing the membrane against the thorax. The impedance matching layer on top of the membrane transmits fine breath sounds through to the membrane as the latex does not weaken or attenuate the fine breath sounds but transmits them to the PVDF membrane. However being flexible, it is not uncomfortable to lie on.

Abstract: A composition for control of diseases on useful plants or on propagation material thereof caused by phytopathogens, comprising (A) a compound of formula (I) or a tautomer of such a compound; and component (B) and component (C) are pesticides as described in claim 1.

Abstract: A mask for supplying gas under pressure to the nasal airway of an infant human includes a manifold for supplying air to an aperture in the mask. A shaped membrane structure formed from a thin walled membrane defines an enclosure for receiving at least the nares of an infant human nose and a generally trapezoidal aperture adapted to fit around the nasal area of the infant human. Part of the membrane around the aperture is sufficiently flexible to mould to the shape of the infant human's nasal area or is contoured to generally match the contours around that nasal area whilst the membrane structure itself has sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the backing plate without collapsing. The provision of a generally trapezoidal rather than the generally triangular apertures for fitting around the nares provides a substantially improved fit when the mask is used with infants.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and methods for removing heavy metals and heavy metal-containing compounds from fluid streams. The invention also provides new uses and methods for removing heavy metals and heavy metal-containing compounds from a natural gas stream, or a gas stream produced during the combustion or gasification of a fossil fuel, such as coal or petroleum fuels or oil.

Abstract: A modular storage system comprises boxes and/or bridge frame members. The frame members each have longitudinal tracks and grooves, which allow members to be slotted together to form a rigid, 2-dimensional frame in which drawers can be inserted.

Abstract: A method of controlling phytopathogenic diseases on turfgrass or on seeds thereof, which comprises applying to the turfgrass, the locus thereof or seeds thereof a composition, that, in addition to formulation adjuvants, comprises a fungicidally effective amount of at least one compound of formula I wherein A is or a tautomer of such a compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition capable of regulating growth of a plant or propagation material thereof comprising as plant growth regulating active ingredient a mixture of component (A) and component (B) wherein component (A) is Paclobutrazole and component (B) is selected from the group consisting of Difenoconazole, Ipconazole, Metconazole, Tebuconazole, Prothioconazole, Cyproconazole, Propiconazole and Epoxiconazole wherein component (A) and component (B) are present in said composition in amounts which produce a synergistic effect. Preferably the composition comprises Paclobutrazole and Difenoconazole and the composition inhibits growth of the plant upon application thereby increasing yield/quality. The compositions are also capable of preventing and/or treating growth and/or infestation of phytopathogenic fungion a plant or propagation material thereof.

Abstract: A composition suitable for control of diseases caused by phytopathogens comprising (A) a compound of Formula (I) or a compound of Formula (II) wherein R1b is difluoromethyl or trifluoromethyl and R2b is alkyl, alkoxyalkyl or haloalkyl, or tautomers of such compounds; and (B) a compound selected from compounds known for their fungicidal activity.

Abstract: A method of co-locating threads and corresponding system are described. The method comprises a first thread executing on a first processor awakening a second thread for execution on a second processor and assigning the second thread to execute on the first processor based on a determination that the first thread awakened the second thread at a prior awakening of the second thread.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of specific benzimidazolone analogues and derivatives to inhibit the cytokine or biological activity of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and diseases or conditions wherein MIF cytokine or biological activity is implicated. Novel benzimidazole analogues and derivatives are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a ball games apparatus comprising a support, a target mounted on the support, and a tether connected to the support, the tether comprising a ball at a free end thereof, wherein the target comprises a border frame member comprising an aperture therethrough, the ball being arranged to pass through the aperture, in use, and wherein the border frame member comprises a gap in the border frame member, through which gap the tether can pass, in use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implanatable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the patient's heart. In addition, the device is adapted to be wholly positioned within the right chest cavity of the patient. The aortic compression means of the device may be curved along its length so as to substantially replicate the curve of the ascending aorta.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices, including computer executable instructions for transferring threads are described. The method comprises determining an idle processor by checking a handoff state of the processor prior to placing an identified runnable thread in a run queue of an idle processor. The method also comprises transferring the runnable thread to a determined idle processor by setting the handoff state of the processor to a handle of the runnable thread.

Abstract: The present invention provides fire retardant compositions that have the further advantage of conferring resistance to insects, mould, mildew and fungus species. The composition includes a metal ion, a borate ion, and a borate ion-complexing species. Also provide are methods for producing a fire retardant composition as described in the specification.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implanatable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the patient's heart. In addition, the device is adapted to be wholly positioned within the right chest cavity of the patient. The aortic compression means of the device may be curved along its length so as to substantially replicate the curve of the ascending aorta.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly adapted to be connected to a gas supply pump to deliver breathable gas to the inlet of a patient's respiratory system comprises a supply conduit, a patient interface, a branch swivel connector including a Y-piece and an elbow that swivels relative to the Y-piece, the branch swivel connector being adapted to be located to the rear of a patient's head in use and being connected to the supply conduit. A pair of inlet tubes each have a first end positioned in use near a mouth of a patient and are connected to the nose mask, a middle portion arranged to pass across a cheek of a patient and an end portion being joined to the Y-piece of the branch connector. The inlet tubes have a flat configuration and are provided with a plurality of internal ribs which prevent the tubes being crushed. A strap is secured to the patient interface and adapted to pass around the sides and rear of the head to hold the patient interface in position on the head.