Abstract: A distal component for an interphalangeal prosthesis suitable for insertion into a proximal end of a distal phalangeal bone includes a stem portion shaped to be received within a surgically prepared bore in the proximal end of the distal bone. A head portion has an under-surface and an upper-surface, the under-surface of which in use will bear on the bone into which the stem is implanted.

Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibres, for example, made from melt spun thermoplastic polymers treated after spinning to increase their permeability to oxygen, used, for example, in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibres. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods, for example endogenous respiration, are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.

Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibers, for example, made from melt spun thermoplastic polymers treated after spinning to increase their permeability to oxygen, used, for example, in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibers. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. In one process, oxygen travels through fibers, optionally through an attached biofilm, to oxygenate surrounding water. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods, for example endogenous respiration, are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.

Abstract: A wellstring assembly comprising a tubular first wellstring part with a passageway; a second wellstring part co-operating with the first wellstring part; and a releasable wellstring-interconnecting means for selectively interconnecting the first and second wellstring parts; an auxiliary tool for manipulating the second wellstring part, which auxiliary tool can pass along the passageway in the first wellstring part to the second wellstring part, comprising a tool-connecting means for selectively connecting the auxiliary tool to the second wellstring part, and an operating means for operating the wellstring-interconnecting means.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus such as multi-cycle circulating subs used during downhole drilling operations includes a piston (42) slidably mounted in a body (4) between positions in which at least one aperture (40) in the body is opened and closed. Movement of the piston (42) is controlled by a pin (86) secured to one of the body and a control member, and a control groove (52) in which a portion of the pin is received formed in the other of the body and control member. An arrangement of elements (32,76) respectively connected to the control member and body is such that, as the control member moves axially, increasing lengths of the elements locate adjacent one another so as to provide resistance to relative rotation in at least one direction of the control member and body. The relative rotation is rotation which presses the control member against the control groove. The risk of damage to the control pin is thereby reduced.

Abstract: An object handling device includes a support body, and an elongate anchor body mounted at the inner end thereof to the support body so as to project from the support body for insertion into an undercut cavity in an object to be handled. At least one anchor lug at or adjacent to the outer end of the anchor body is movable with the anchor body between a first position in which the anchor body is able to be inserted into or withdrawn from the cavity, and a second position in which the lug(s) engage respective undercut shoulder portions in the cavity. Means on the anchor body is engagable for moving the anchor body to move the anchor lug(s) between the first and second positions. Lift means on the support body is engagable by a crane to lift the object. Lock means is provided to block movement of the anchor lug(s) from the second position. In one aspect, the anchor body is rotatable to effect said movement of the anchor lug(s).

Abstract: An infant cup includes a cup body 12, a cover 16, a flexible mouthpiece 24 and a valve element 26. The valve element 26 includes a sealing face 70 which closes an orifice 44 in the mouthpiece in a relaxed position. The valve element includes an angled face cooperating with an internal angled face of the mouthpiece such that when pressure is applied the valve element moves downwardly, opening the mouthpiece orifice 44. The valve element is resiliently biased upwards such that when relaxed it springs back to close the mouthpiece orifice 44 once again, and is biased upwards in the closed position.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus permitting separation of one part of downhole equipment from another part thereof includes a first part connected to a second part by a connecting member which limits axial and rotational movement of the first and second parts and has first and second ends connected respectively to the first and second parts. The connecting member includes a cross bar extending between the first and second ends having an aperture therein that results in a region of weakness, a portion of the cross bar spaced from the aperture minimizing stress at the region of weakness when torque is transmitted in use between the first and second parts via the connecting member.

Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibres, for example, made from dense wall Poly methylpentene (PMP) used in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibres. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of organic pigments with enhanced fluorescence, which process comprises treating said pigments with a surfactant, and to the fluorescent organic pigments obtained by said process. The pigments according to the present invention can be used in marking applications, wherein durable fluorescence is required.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel cyclic compounds which have the ability to modulate the activity of G protein-coupled receptors. The compounds preferably act as antagonists. In preferred embodiments, the invention provides cyclic peptidic and peptidomimetic antagonists of C5a receptors, which are active against C5a receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages. The compounds of the invention are both potent and selective, and are useful in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and equipment for recovering use of a well-bore in circumstances where the well bore has become blocked by downhole equipment. The invention provides a method comprising the steps of separating, at a release joint, a portion of equipment from a jammed portion (6) of equipment; running the separated portion of equipment uphole out of the wellbore (100); running a deflector assembly (60) downhole into the wellbore (100); and deflecting a milling tool (64) from the wellbore into surrounding formation. The method is characterised by restricting relative movement between the deflector assembly (60) and the wellbore (100) by engaging, prior to deflecting the milling tool (64), the deflector assembly (60) with said jammed portion (6) of equipment.

Abstract: Azo compounds of formula (I), wherein X stands for halogen, in particular for chlorine, or C1-C4alkoxy, in particular for methoxy, Y stands for —CH2— or —O—, R1 and R2, independently from each other, stand for hydrogen, C1-C8alkyl, or C6-C14aryl, which may be substituted up to three times with C1-C8alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy or halogen, a process for their preparation and their use as fluorescent compounds, in particular as solid fluorescent compounds, such as for special effect printing, sectrity printing or in the opto-electronic field.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of organic pigments with enhanced fluorescence, which process comprises treating said pigments with a surfactant, and to the fluorescent organic pigments obtained by said process. The pigments according to the present invention can be used in marking applications, wherein durable fluorescence is required.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of phospholipases A2 inhibitors in compositions and in methods for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of dysmenorrhoea, menstrual migraine and menorrhagia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and equipment for recovering use of a well-bore in circumstances where the well bore has become blocked by downhole equipment. The invention provides a method comprising the steps of separating, at a release joint, a portion of equipment from a jammed portion (6) of equipment; running the separated portion of equipment uphole out of the wellbore (100); running a deflector assembly (60) downhole into the wellbore (100); and deflecting a milling tool (64) from the wellbore into surrounding formation. The method is characterised by restricting relative movement between the deflector assembly (60) and the wellbore (100) by engaging, prior to deflecting the milling tool (64), the deflector assembly (60) with said jammed portion (6) of equipment.

Abstract: An architecture for resource management in a telecommunications network includes two or more nodes connected over a logically direct path in a peer-to-peer manner. At each node, local events typically trigger the node to transmit a broadcast to every other node. Broadcast information comprises a status of the local node's resources. Remote nodes receive the local node's broadcast and independently transmit their own broadcasts with similar information. Each node stores the received broadcast information in a local storage for future retrieval. When a session is desired with a remote node, the local node simply retrieves the remote node's resource status information from its local storage and determines if a session can occur. In this manner, every node of the network is aware of the nodal addresses of the other nodes, remote node's resource status, and can quickly retrieve, from its own local storage, the availability of the remote node's resources.

Abstract: A membrane supported biofilm reactor uses modules having fine, hollow fibres, for example, made from dense wall Poly methylpentene (PMP) used in tows or formed into a fabric. In one module, one or more sheets of the fabric are potted into a module to enable oxygen containing gas to be supplied to the lumens of the hollow fibres. Various reactors and processes, for example to treat wastewater, using such modules are described. Mechanical, chemical and biological methods are used to control the thickness of the biofilm.