Abstract: A third party that performs data stream computation is requested to return not only the solution to the computation, but also “annotations” to the original data stream. The annotations are then used by the data owner (in actuality, a “verifier” associated with the data owner) to check the results of the third party's computations. As implemented, the verifier combines the annotations with the original data, performs some computations, and is then assured of the correctness of the provided solution. The cost of verification is significantly lower to the data owner than the cost of fully processing the data “in house”.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for recovering power from the gaseous stream produced by an oxidation reaction. Specifically, the invention is based on heating the gaseous stream from the oxidation reaction to a temperature of at least 800° C. and recovering energy through a gas turbine. The compressor stage of the gas turbine compresses the oxidant feed to the reactor thereby at least partially offsetting the cost of providing the high temperature and pressure reaction conditions in the reactor. The invention also provides improved control of the power recovery system by optimising the efficiency of the gas turbine by feeding gas to the gaseous stream to modulate the flow of gas to the turbine relative to the compressor discharge flow in order to compensate for the consumption of oxidant in the reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus for a bottle forming machine; wherein the apparatus comprises i) a tong arm assembly for gripping a formed bottle and for transferring it from a first location to a second location through a swinging action about a shaft, and ii) a drive that drives said swinging action; characterised in that the apparatus further comprises the following: a) a release mechanism that can disengage a tong head assembly from the drive when a collision occurs; and/or b) a tensioning device that automatically maintains tension in a drive belt or chain when the assembly is in use.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric material is described, the method comprising contacting, for example polycondensing, a compound of formula with a compound of formula wherein each X is selected from a group comprising a chlorine and a fluorine atom, n represents 1, 2 or 3 and each Y1 is selected from a group comprising an alkali metal and a hydrogen atom.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1-halo-2,7-naphthyridinyl derivatives is described (I), wherein X is Cl or Br; which process comprises the following steps: (i) reaction of a 3-cyano-4-methylpyridine derivative of formula (A): with a compound of formula (II), in the presence of an N,N-dimethylformamide diC1-6alkylacetal; to give an enamine derivative of formula (III), (ii) cyclisation of the enamine of formula (III), to obtain the compound of formula (IV), (iii) reaction of the compound of formula (IV) with a halogenating agent, to obtain a compound of formula (I).

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for presenting projection image information, including a first image generating module or step, for generating a first image representing a first projection of a three-dimensional object; a second image generating module or step, for generating a second image representing a second projection of the three-dimensional object; an image display module or step, for displaying the first and second images; a region selection module or step, for selecting a first region in the first image; a correspondence module or step, for determining a second region in the second image that corresponds to the first region; and a marking module or step, for displaying a first mark on the first image to identify the first region, and a second mark on the second image to identify the corresponding second region.

Abstract: This invention provides a class of 3-amino-7H-thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-6-one derivatives, substituted in the 7-position by an aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl moiety, and in the 2-position by a specified range of substituent groups; also provided is a process for preparing those compounds, and the use thereof as intermediates in the manufacture of certain p38 MAP kinase inhibitors.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a lactam from an amino alkane nitrile and/or its hydrolysis derivatives, comprising reacting a solution comprising at least about 5% by weight amino alkane nitrile in water at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 350° C. and at a pressure of greater than about 250 bar. Optionally, a dilute acid may be added as a catalyst.

Abstract: Floor sweeping apparatus (9) of the type having a rotary brush member (20), which in use is driven to rotate about a generally horizontal axis, the brush member (20) having bristle elements (22) that, as the brush member (20) rotates, extend during part of their range of movement through an aperture (13) in a base plate (12) of a housing (10) in which the rotary brush member (20) is rotatably journalled has at least one bristle element (22), hereinafter called an end-most bristle element (25), arranged immediately adjacent to each end of said brush member (20), and a deflector member (26) is provided at each end of the aperture (13) to co-operate with said end-most bristle element (25) at the respective end of the brush member (20).

Abstract: A power distribution/generation system is disclosed for supplying electrical power to a number of sites (32, 33, 34), one or more of which has a generator (53, 1) such as a Stirling engine (1) which is capable of generating electrical power. The generators (53, 1) are linked together on a local network that is connectable to an external power grid (31). A controller (35) can hold the distribution of power so that a site is supplied with electrical power from the local network if its power demand exceeds the power generated by the generators in that network. However, if the total power demand of all the sites in the network exceeds the total power available from the generators in that network, then the controller (35) causes power to be drawn from the grid (31) instead.

Abstract: A domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit includes a Stirling engine (1) to provide heat for a domestic dwelling along with a source of electrical power. Under normal operation, the dchp is supplied with power from the national grid. When there is an interruption in the mains power from the grid, the dchp switches into a grid independent mode wherein power is generated by the dchp and is supplied to a controller (26) and to a water pump so as to maintain integrity of heat supply to the dwelling; the remaining power after that is supplied to selected domestic electrically powered equipment such as lights or television sets. The invention also discloses methods for black start of the dchp during a mains power loss, and also modification of the operating voltage on start up of electrical equipment during a power loss, to prevent the Stirling engine stalling.

Abstract: A signal processing technique applied to the readout of two-dimensional detector arrays provides a dynamic correction mechanism for the varying offsets of the different elements of the array. The outputs of the elements are supplied to an offset correction circuit operative to compensate for the differences in the d.c. or low frequency outputs from a predetermined voltage wherein a fraction of the difference is subtracted at each successive cycle to gradually reduce the difference.

Abstract: A food product is prepared by taking an undried or dried extruded piece of fibrous material, and combining the said piece with a protein based brine, flavors, salts and optional colorant, The extruded chunk and brine are combined under vacuum conditions for a period of time whereby the brine and soluble proteins therein are carried into the fibrous structure of the extruded chunk. This process is continued with gentle agitation of the product under vacuum until the required quantity of the brine is absorbed into the chunk. When the said absorption of the brine is complete, a known moisture content of the chunk will be achieved, with equal distribution of the solubilized proteins.

Abstract: A dispenser, in the form of a sachet, made from a water-soluble plastics material, containing a personal care composition including at least one surfactant together with an effervescent base material, the base material including any material or combination of materials that when in contact with a sufficient amount of water liberates gas.

Abstract: A signal processing technique applied to the readout of two-dimensional detector arrays provides a dynamic correction mechanism for the varying offsets of the different elements of the array. The outputs of the elements are supplied to an offset correction circuit operative to compensate for the differences in the d.c. or low frequency outputs from a predetermined voltage wherein a fraction of the difference is subtracted at each successive cycle to gradually reduce the difference.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to single morphic forms of a compound selected from 2S-[4-(2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-2S-mercaptobutyrylamino]4-methylpentanoic acid (2,2-dimethyl-1S-methylcarbamoylpropyl)amide and 2S-[2S-mercapto-4-(3,4,4-trimethyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-1-yl)butyrylamino]-4-methylpentanoic acid (2,2-dimethyl-1S-methylcarbamoylpropyl)amide, isolable as such.