Abstract: A method of compacting a mat of hot mix asphalt which has been laid by an advancing asphalt paver, the method comprising advancing an asphalt compactor over the laid asphalt such that a compaction surface of the compactor, formed by a lower run of at least one belt, is engaged with any one portion of the mat for a period of at least 1.5 seconds, the compaction surface applying a maximum average load stress to the mat of less than about 50 kPa. Compaction may be achieved using a compactor (60) comprising two longitudinally spaced modular compaction units (62) connected relative to each other, and a power source for driving at least one of the modular compaction units (62), wherein at least one of the modular compaction units (62) is adjustable to permit steering of the compactor, and wherein each of said modular compaction units (62) comprises a compaction belt (74), support means (78, 80) for the belt to define a planar lower run of the belt (74) forming a compaction surface.

Abstract: Compounds according to Formula (I) or a salt thereof are selective ligands for GABAA receptors useful for treatment of disorders of the central nervous system:

Abstract: A method of compacting a mat of hot mix asphalt which has been laid by an advancing asphalt paver, the method comprising advancing an asphalt compactor over the laid asphalt such that a compaction surface of the compactor, formed by a lower run of at least one belt, is engaged with any one portion of the mat for a period of at least 1.5 seconds, the compaction surface applying a maximum average load stress to the mat of less than about 50 kPa. Compaction may be achieved using a compactor comprising two longitudinally spaced modular compaction units connected relative to each other, and a power source for driving at least one of the modular compaction units, wherein at least one of the modular compaction units is adjustable to permit steering of the compactor, and wherein each of said modular compaction units comprises a compaction belt, support means for the belt to define a planar lower run of the belt forming a compaction surface.

Abstract: The pedicle attachment assembly comprises a pedicle attachment device having a head. A polyaxial housing has a through bore comprising a base portion and two posts upstanding from the base portion, the posts defining therebetween a slot for receiving a rod. A saddle-shaped element is disposable in the slot and has a part cylindrical recess in an upper surface for engagement in use with the rod. The saddle-shaped element has a convex lower portion for engagement in a complimentary concave recess in an upper surface of the head of the attachment device. The lower surface of the head of the attachment device and the lower end of the through bore in the housing have complementary part spherical surfaces for engagement with one another. A cap assembly is provided for clamping the rod in the housing.

Abstract: A thruster is adapted to be laterally mounted through the hull of the vessel and has propulsive ducts for opening to respective sides of the vessel and an inlet to the inboard end of both of the ducts, the inlet being at least partially provided by a tunnel having an internal cross-sectional area greater than that of the ducts, the tunnel at least partially surrounding each of the ducts and opening to each side of the vessel.

Abstract: Substituted or 6,7-ring fused 1,2,3-triazolo[1,5-&agr;]-pyrimidine derivatives are selective ligands for GABAA receptors useful in the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system, including anxiety and convulsions.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a water craft having at least one shaft extending rearwardly form the transom of the hull of the craft and a drive system for driving the at least one shaft. A surface piercing propeller is mounted on the at least one shaft, proximal to the trailing edge of the hull, so that the propeller operates in a transom cavity created behind the hull, in use of the craft. The ratio (S/C) of the spacing of the blades to the blade cord for each propeller is at least 2.0 along substantially the whole length of the blades. The propulsion system has a high operational efficiency particularly suited for high speed marine craft.

Abstract: An arithmetic division for implementation using hardware or software is performed by firstly storing the reciprocal of each nth value in a range 0 to X where n is greater than 1 and storing the differences between the reciprocals of the intervening n-1 values. A mantissa and an operand for an arithmetic division are received. one of the stored reciprocals is retrieved in response to the most significant part of the received mantissa and a set of differences is retrieved in response to a least significant part of the received mantissa. The differences and the reciprocal are summed and the result is multiplied by the received operand, other thereby giving the result of the arithmetic division.

Abstract: A system and method for registering computer software modules to allow or reject it for opportunities of interacting with a computer system, hardware and software and receiving service requests is described. The method is designed to receive the module; to check whether the module contains any suspect “virus type” code; to check the module's version compatibility; to check if the module contains an agreement string, a trademark string and a copyrighted text string. If all checks are valid, the module is registered and permitted to link and receive service requests. If not the module is rejected.

Abstract: A process is claimed whereby an aqueous solution of agar, in which most (ideally all) 4-linked residues consist of 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose, is subjected to partial acid hydolysis and upon neutralization following the time appropriate for the chosen conditions, a low strength gel is obtained, from which, contrary to expectations, a polyagarobiose can be obtained by freeze-thawing and straining, thereby eliminating undesirable agaroid materials without the appropriate 3,6-anhydrogalactosyl content. The appropriate time of hydrolysis depends on initial gel strength, pH, counterion concentration and temperature. As an example, agar (gel strength 700 g/cm2, made to 1.86% solution) pH 3.25, counterion citrate (360 mg/L) at 96° C. requires 25 minutes to yield a material with an eventual gel stregth (1.5% solution) of 40 g/cm2. A stabilized product can be prepared by reducing terminal anhydrogalactosyl residues with sodium borohydride.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying the status of tasks or processes in a computer system is described. The method is designed to receive the expected time for task completion and by comparing the time used per task computes a task status indicator. The method displays the resulting status to the user in an intuitive manner with four configurations indicating: process running normally, process running intermittently, process stopped normally, and process halted unexpectedly. The device when properly used by the method combine to form a communications device which clearly and easily communicates to the user of the computer system the operational status of the selected program, routine or process and does so without requiring the allocation of significant continuous processing overhead.

Abstract: A three dimensional image is textured for display on a screen by firstly receiving data comprising the location of each elementary area (pixel) of the screen and associated image data for that pixel. Texture image data is retrieved from a memory means in dependence on the image data and an appropriate portion of that texture image data is mapped onto the pixel. The number of pixels which share the same associated image data is determined and an incremental change in the mapping of the texture data onto pixels corresponding to a one pixel increment is also determined. For each pixel sharing the same image data as an adjacent pixel the previously derived texture image data for that adjacent pixel is combined with the incremental change in texture image data to thereby derive texture image data for that pixel.

Abstract: Isoxazole estrogen receptor agonist and antagonist compounds having unexpected and surprising activity in modulating estrogen receptor activity are described. In addition, methods and compositions for treating or preventing estrogen receptor-mediated disorders are disclosed. The compounds, methods, and compositions of the invention have utility in preventing or treating estrogen receptor-mediated disorders such as osteoporosis, breast and endometrial cancers, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A system for cooling electronic equipment, especially modular electronic units mounted in racks, each having a casing with an air inlet, an air outlet and a fan for cooling the contents of the unit. The system uses a chiller unit, between adjacent racks for returning cooled air to ambient, each of which can be a piping array connected to a supply of chilled water. A baffle backing the piping array improves heat exchange and provides a more uniform transfer of heat to each array, thereby enabling optimum temperature differences to be achieved across each rack. A slidable framework supports the piping array and defines an air space on the cooled air side of the array. An auxiliary piping array extends rearwardly of racks so as to communicate with rear air spaces behind the racks and thereby cool heated air flowing in the rear air spaces.

Abstract: A transaction processing method, system and computer program product for processing applications comprising multiple component transactions. A transaction failure of a component transaction causes a reliable admission of failure by means of a failure indicator to be made available to one or more further transactions. The failure indicator is stored in recoverable storage, so that its effect can survive system failure and recovery.

Abstract: Estrogen receptor-modulating pyrazole compounds are described in addition to methods and compositions for treating or preventing estrogen receptor-mediated disorders. The compounds described have been found to have unexpected and surprising activity in modulating estrogen receptor activity. Thus, the compounds of the present invention have utility in preventing or treating estrogen receptor-mediated disorders such as osteoporosis, breast and endometrial cancers, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Metal lumps or pebbles are produced by introducing a molten metal stream into a stream of water in a direction which is substantially the same as the direction of the water stream and at a velocity which is substantially the same or slightly less than the velocity of the water stream.

Abstract: Compounds according to Formula (I) or a salt thereof are selective ligands for GABAA receptors useful for treatment of disorders of the central nervous system: 1

Abstract: A buoyancy device is described comprising a number of buoyancy members (9, 9A, 9B) which are substantially equi-spaced around the circumference of a coupling member (7) and the buoyancy members (9, 9A, 9B) being coupled to the coupling member (7) At least two of the buoyancy members (9, 9A, 9B) are inflatable members (9, 9A, 9B). The inflatable members (9, 9A, 9B) are formed from a substantially flexible material such that an inflatable member (9, 9A, 9B) substantially collapses when deflated. The coupling member (7) is is typically coupled to a structure, which may be a drilling rig (3) which requires to be lifted and subsequently moved, or which may be a large device such as a well head Christmas tree for an oil well which requires to be deployed in deep water.