Abstract: A system for generating an audio message over a communications network that is at least partly in a voice representative of a character generally recognizable to a user. Either a voice message or text based message may be used to construct the audio message. Specific recordings of well known characters is stored in a storage means and background sound effects can be inserted into the audio message which are stored in database. The audio message is constructed by any one of the processing means and transmitted to a recipient for play back on a processing terminal.

Abstract: A suspension system connects a wheel axle to a vehicle frame and includes a trailing arm connected at one end to the wheel axle. A pair of extension members are connected to the other end of the trailing arm and extend laterally in opposite directions along a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm. A pair of supports extend along the pivot axis and are connected to the frame and rotatably connected to the extension member to permit pivotal movement of the trailing arm with respect to the frame about the pivot axis. The supports and extension members are dimensioned to provide a gap between the supports and extension members. A pair of resiliently deformable bearing members are interposed between the extension members and the supports in the gap. The gap and the bearing members are of sufficient width to permit limited rotational movement of the axle with respect to the frame about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A device 102 incorporating a sensor 106 for sensing a temperature of the device and/or a local heater 106 for the provision of heat to a minority area within the device, wherein the sensor and/or the local heater comprises at least one semiconductor element 302,804 which is fabricated as part of the device.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds represented by the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and n are as defined in the Summary of the Invention; and individual isomers, racemic or non-racemic mixtures of isomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, methods for their use as therapeutic agents, and methods of preparation thereof.

Abstract: An isolation device that can be used for providing optical and electrical isolation between areas of an integrated chip. The isolation device includes three doped elongate regions which form diodes which can be connected in series. The isolation device can be used in optical devices or optical attenuators.

Abstract: An electro-optic device is disclosed for altering the density of charge carriers within an integrated optical waveguide. The device includes a substrate, and an integrated optical waveguide extending across the substrate with two doped regions being provided such that an electrical signal can be applied across the doped regions to alter the density of charge carriers within the waveguide. The doped regions can each include a plurality of doped areas spaced apart from each other along the length of the waveguide.

Abstract: Apparatus connecting electrical circuit boards (1, 2, 3, . . . N) so each board can communicate with each other. Each board has an optical circuit, which in turn has a transmitter module (T) and a receiver module (R). The transmitter module (T) has electrical to optical converters (11B) for converting electrical signals into optical signals, a wavelength multiplexer (12) for multiplexing the optical signals into a single optical waveguide (12A), and an optical splitter (13) for dividing the multiplexed signal into a plurality of identical signals for transmission to each of the receiver modules (R). The receiver module (R) has an optical selector (14) for selecting signals from the transmission modules (T), a wavelength demultiplexer (21) for demultiplexing the selected signal into signals each of a different wavelength (&lgr;1 . . . &lgr;n), and optical to electrical converters (22B) for converting each of the signals of different wavelengths into an electrical signal.

Abstract: A thermo-optic semiconductor device has one semiconductor region providing an optical waveguide and an adjacent semiconductor region providing a resistive heater between two doped regions, current may be passed through the resistive heater within the adjacent semiconductor region to heat it and thereby vary the optical characteristics of the waveguide.

Abstract: Benzophenoxazine compounds have formula (I) where X is O or NH, Y is NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 or H, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl or -L-A, L is a linker and A may be a reactive group by means of which the compound is linked to a biomolecule. The compounds can be used as fluorescent dyes for labelling biomolecules.

Abstract: Amino-substituted dihydropyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidinones of the formula in which R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl or lower cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, R.sup.2 represents lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl or lower cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, and R.sup.3 represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkenyl or lower cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are protein kinase inhibitors. They can be used in the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory, immunological, oncological, bronchopulmonary, dermatological and cardiovascular disorders, in the treatment of asthma, central nervous system disorders or diabetic complications or for the prevention of graft rejection following transplant surgery.

Abstract: Novel squarate dyes are described, and adducts of these dyes with biologically significant chemical species such as nucleosides or nucleotides. The adducts have useful properties for fluorescent nucleic acid sequencing methods.

Abstract: Peptide sequences and analogs thereof based on amino acid motifs in band 3 which are effective in reducing the adhesiveness of pathologically adhesive red blood cells. One class of peptide sequences are characterized by the sequence motif Z.sup.1 xKxxx+ (SEQ ID NO:45), wherein Z.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of tyrosine, phenylalanine and alanine; x is an unobstructive residue and + is a positively charged residue (e.g., K or P--H). These peptides are used to reduce adhesiveness in the treatment of sickle cell disease, thalassemia and diabetes. A second class of peptide sequences are characterized by the sequence motif Z.sup.2 Z.sup.3 Z.sup.2 -x-xxxx- (SEQ ID NO:46), wherein Z.sup.2 represents a hydrophobic residue, x is an unobstructive residue and - is a negatively charged residue. These peptides can be used to reduce adhesiveness in the treatment of malria, sickle cell disease, thalassemia and diabetes.

Abstract: A process for facilitating the removal of impurities e.g. radionuclides, such as uranium and thorium, and/or one or more of their radionuclide daughters, from titaniferous material includes contacting the titaniferous material with one or more reagents at an elevated temperature selected to enhance the accessibility of at least one of the radionuclide daughters in the titaniferous material. The reagent(s) may be a glass forming reagent and is selected to form a phase at the elevated temperature which disperses onto the surfaces of the titaniferous material and incorporates the radionuclides and one or more radionuclide daughter. The titaniferous material may be, e.g., ilmenite, reduced ilmenite, altered ilmenite or synthetic rutile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of introducing one or more reagents into a rotary and/or elongate kiln in which titaniferous material is being treated eg upgraded wherein the reagent(s) is introduced (I) at a plurality of locations along the length of the kiln and/or (II) at or adjacent to a discharge end of the kiln. The reagents may comprise one or more of chlorine-containing compounds, sulphur, sulphur-containing compounds, magnesium compounds, manganese compounds, fluxes and glass-forming reagents, including a borate salt or mineral. The reagent may be mixed with the discharge end coal or introduced separately.

Abstract: A process for facilitating removal of one or more impurities from titaniferous material containing the impurities in a form which is highly soluble in acid. The material is in turn leached with a sulphuric acid solution and with a hydrochloric acid solution in either order. To enhance the susceptibility of the impurities to removal, the hydrochloric acid leach is augmented by one or more of the following: (i) addition of an effective amount of an added chloride salt; (ii) pre-treatment of the titaniferous material with a solution of an effective amount of a carbonate salt, preferably an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate; and/or (iii) pre-treatment of the titaniferous material with a solution of an effective amount of a hydroxide, preferably an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide.

Abstract: Bacteriologically stable, semi-moist proteinaceous food products, of lower concentration of conventional humectants and consequently higher acceptability to consumers, such as domestic pets, are obtained by including as at least part of the water-soluble humectant content low molecular weight polypeptide materials. Examples of suitable materials are condensed fish solubles and fish or meat autolysates. Especially preferred are compositions including acidified polypeptide sources and which consequently have pH values in the range 3.5 to 5.5 and have water activities in the range 0.85 to 0.95. Minor proportions Nf conventional humectants such as sugar or polyhydric alcohols can be included. Compositions of pH 5.5 to 7 and water activity 0.75 to 0.85 can also be preferred. Products may include heat-coagulable binders such as gluten or albumen and be formed with subsequent cooking into coherent pieces. Burger type products can also be formed from pasteurized meats without subsequent cooking.

Abstract: A novel, highly nutritious, protein-rich, solid food product comprises fermented and autolyzed proteinaceous material, usually meat, fish or other animal tissue, bound into coherent pieces by a gelled or coagulated binder and stabilized against microbiological activity by an acid pH value, preferably below 5.5. The starting material is comminuted, an acid-producing fermentation culture, for example of Lactobacillus species, is added with fermentable carbohydrate, and the mixture incubated until the pH value has fallen to 4 or below. A coagulable or gellable binder, such as gluten or xanthan gum, is then incorporated, preferably also with antimycotic, and the product shaped, for example by extrusion, and cooked.

Abstract: A novel, protein-rich food product, especially suitable for domestic animals, is made by subjecting protein material such as meats or fish to acid-producing fermentation, and preferably also to autolysis or proteolysis, and adding the acidic fermented material to a colloidal solution of protein, such as milk or soya milk, whereupon the diposed protein is precipitated and forms a curd that entraps and binds the particles of fermented material. The curd and entrapped material are separated off and compacted into a coherent mass. The product, which is a compacted mass of the precipitated protein with particles of the fermented material distributed through it, can have the consistency of a cheese and may be formed into "cheese" shapes. The flavor of the product is influenced by the nature of the fermented material.