Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for topical application of material for cosmetic purposes (10). The apparatus for topical application of material (10) comprises measurement apparatus configured to measure a property of skin of a human or animal subject and actuating apparatus configured to change a permeability of the skin of the human or animal subject in dependence on the measured property of the skin. The apparatus for topical application of material (10) further comprises application apparatus configured to apply material for cosmetic purposes to the skin whilst substantially no iontophoretic current flows through the skin and after the permeability of the skin has been changed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for topical application of material for cosmetic or medical purposes. The apparatus comprises measurement apparatus (154), (156), (158), (152) configured to measure a property of skin of a human or animal 5 subject,actuating apparatus (146), (148), (152) configured to change a property of the skin of the human or animal subject and application apparatus (162) configured to apply material for cosmetic or medical purposes to the skin. The apparatus further comprises a processor (132) which is configured: to receive operational data based on data received from each of plural other apparatus for topical application of material, (10) said received operational data pertaining to operation of the other apparatus for topical application of material; and to control the apparatus for topical application of material in dependence on the property measured by the measurement apparatus and the operational data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for topical application of material for cosmetic purposes (10). The apparatus for topical application of material (10) comprises measurement apparatus configured to measure a property of skin of a human or animal subject and actuating apparatus configured to change a permeability of the skin of the human or animal subject in dependence on the measured property of the skin. The apparatus for topical application of material (10) further comprises application apparatus configured to apply material for cosmetic purposes to the skin whilst substantially no iontophoretic current flows through the skin and after the permeability of the skin has been changed.

Abstract: A client-server based system for building and executing flows (i.e., interconnected systems of algorithms). The client allows a user to build a flow specification and send the flow specification to the server. The server assembles the flow from the flow spec and executes the flow. A decision flow builder allows the user to build a flow targeted for the analysis/optimization of decisions (modeled by decision variables) regarding a plurality of assets in view of various underlying uncertainties (modeled by uncertainty variables). The user may specify a global objective (as a function of asset level statistics) as well and one or more constraints for the optimization. The flow may account for inter-asset correlations and inter-asset dependencies between uncertainty variables, and, inter-asset constraints between decision variables.

Abstract: A stump grinder having a grinding member with a plurality of stacked plates. The stacked plates are joined by at least three bolts that extend the entire length of the plate stack and are secured by nuts at each end thereof. Adjacent plates are held apart from each other via spacers. Each spacer has a aperture through which one of the bolts passes. Each plate has three cutting elements secured thereon. The three cutting elements are spaced at approximately one hundred-twenty degrees apart from an adjacent cutting element. The three cutting blades are each mounted to have a different cutting path. To this end one of the blades is mounted on a first surface of the plate. The second blade is mounted on a second opposed surface of the plate and the third blade is mounted intermediate the first and second blades. The cutting paths may slightly overlap to ensure that now material is left uncut. The plates are mounted on a driven shaft.

Abstract: A client-server based system for building and executing flows (i.e., interconnected systems of algorithms). The client allows a user to build a flow specification and send the flow specification to the server. The server assembles the flow from the flow spec and executes the flow. A flow may be configured to analyze the impact (e.g., the financial impact) of a number of uncertainties associated with a plurality of assets. Uncertainty variables are used to characterize the uncertainties associated with the assets. An uncertainty variable associated with one asset may be functionally dependent on an uncertainty variable associated with another asset.

Abstract: A client-server based system for building and executing flows (i.e., interconnected systems of algorithms). The client allows a user to build a flow specification and send the flow specification to the server. The server assembles the flow from the flow spec and executes the flow. A decision flow builder allows the user to build a flow targeted for the analysis/optimization of decisions (modeled by decision variables) regarding a plurality of assets in view of various underlying uncertainties (modeled by uncertainty variables). The user may specify a global objective (as a function of asset level statistics) as well and one or more constraints for the optimization. The flow may account for inter-asset correlations and inter-asset dependencies between uncertainty variables, and, inter-asset constraints between decision variables.

Abstract: A process for administering to an animal progressively increasing doses of one or more biologically active agents which are released over a predetermined period of time from a delivery means which is administered to an animal on a single occasion.

Abstract: Microparticles of a water-soluble material, which are smooth and spherical, and at least 90% of which have a mass median particle size of 1 to 10 &mgr;m, and which carry a therapeutic or diagnostic agent can successfully be used in dry powder inhalers to deliver the said agent.

Abstract: Microparticles of a water-soluble material, which are smooth and spherical, and at least 90% of which have a mass median particle size of 1 to 10 &mgr;m, and which carry a therapeutic or diagnostic agent can successfully be used in dry powder inhalers to deliver the said agent.

Abstract: Microcapsules are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microcapsules and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microcapsules. Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin. The microcapsules have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilization and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced.

Abstract: An ignition system for energizing an ignition coil of an internal combustion engine. The system including a high voltage unit for energizing the ignition coil of the engine, a memory for storing system function indices and a processor. The processor receives a timing signal from an engine speed pick-up device, accesses the memory to retrieve the system function indices, and causes the high voltage unit to energize the ignition coil based on the system function indices and the frequency of the timing signal. System function indices data includes ignition timing curve data with a nominal or base curve and a plurality of adjustment timing curves for cylinder-specific timing calibration. The system also provides for optimal multiple sparking at low engine speeds by taking into consideration battery voltage and capacitor charge times.

Abstract: Soluble microparticles comprising fibrinogen or thrombin, in free-flowing form. These microparticles can be mixed to give a dry powder, to be used as a fibrin sealant that is activated only at a wound site.

Abstract: Microcapsules are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microcapsules and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microcapsules.Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin.The microcapsules have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilisation and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced.

Abstract: Microparticles of a water-soluble material, which are smooth and spherical, and at least 90% of which have a mass median particle size of 1 to 10 .mu.m, and which carry a therapeutic or diagnostic agent can successfully be used in dry powder inhalers to deliver the said agent.

Abstract: Platelet substitutes, comprising fibrinogen, or analogous products useful in therapy, which further comprise an insoluble carrier to which is bound an essentially non-degraded active protein including the sequence Arg-Gly-Asp. Such conjugates can be made by a conjugation process comprising 0.01 to 2.5% by weight active fibrinogen, and no more that 50% inactive fibrinogen.

Abstract: Microcapsules are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microcapsules and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microcapsules.Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin.The microcapsules have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilization and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced.