Abstract: A data management system and method enables the storage of long records in a set of keyed physical records of restricted length while minimising movement of data. The logical record to be stored is logically divided into a number of physical record portions to each of which is prepended a key with a unique sequence number. By starting from one end of the record with the key of highest sequence number and copying the physical record consisting of key plus data into the data set, successive physical records can be assembled in situ by overwriting the previous record's data portion with the current record's key. This ensures that the split logical record data need only be moved once as it is transferred to non-volatile storage as physical records of the data set. The original logical record can be reassembled by reversing the above procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an output frequency of a phase locked loop is accomplished by determining a plurality of divider ratios which are based on an input frequency, parameters, and a desired output frequency. Each of the divider ratios is representative of a ratio between the output frequency and input frequency of the phase locked loop. Having determined the plurality of divider ratios, another determination is subsequently made to determine whether the plurality of divider ratios enable the phase locked loop to produce the output frequency within a given frequency tolerance, i.e., within an allowable error. The determination is based on whether changing the divider ratio from the one of the plurality of ratios to an adjacent ratio causes the output frequency to change more than the allowable error. If so, the plurality of ratios needs to be recalculated based on a change in the input frequency and/or one of the parameters.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system 1 includes a condenser 3 which includes one end cap 5 which has an integral charge port 7. The end cap 5 seals the manifold 9 of the condenser. The condenser 3 is a brazed aluminium construction and the end cap 5 and integral charge port 7 are brazed as one unit.

Abstract: A communications network comprising N node elements operates N decision tables for controlling admission and control of data communications to the N node elements (FIG. 2). The performance of the network is optimised with respect to admission and control of commission data. Each node element generates corresponding performance data (FIG. 5), and the N decision tables and N performance data are collected at a central network controller. The network controller determines a set of new decision tables from the collected decision tables (FIG. 10) and distributes a new set of decision tables to each of the N node elements, which then proceed to operate the new decision tables throughout the network.

Abstract: A chewable tablet comprises a medicament dispersed in a chewable base, such as mannitol, together with an effervescent couple, such as citric acid-sodium bicarbonate. The combination of effervescence and chewability with optional flavorings improves the taste characteristics of the medicament in oral administration. A disintegrant such as microcrystalline cellulose may be added to give the patient the option of dispersing the tablet in water.

Abstract: A dart has a body with a cavity at one end. A collar screwed into the cavity retains the head of a dart point within the cavity; the head of the dart point being able to move longitudinally within the cavity. The collar has fingers, which extend into the cavity, and which, in a first extended position of the dart point, grip a projection from, or a groove in, the dart point and maintains the body and the dart point in a relatively fixed relationship, whilst in a second position in which the dart point is withdrawn in the cavity allow the body and the dart point to rotate relative to one another.

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs comprising hypoxia response elements in operable linkage with a coding sequence of a gene of interest are disclosed. In particular, such nucleic acid constructs comprise genes encoding pro-drug activation systems or cytokines.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting a flexible article, longer than it is wider, in a predetermined orientation which has an orientation for tumbling the article generally about one direction while retaining the article so that it can rotate about another direction while it is being tumbled. The retention mechanism on the apparatus includes a retention face and is moveable between a first position in which the retention face is disposed to receive the article generally downwardly from the orientation head while it is being tumbled thereby, and a second position displaced from the first. Additionally, when the article is received on the retention face, it can be detected if it is correctly orientated on the retention face. In response to this detection, the retention mechanism moves to the second position and the article is received in a predetermined orientation from the retention face at the second position of the retention mechanism.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator and an automatic recloser incorporating such actuator are disclosed. The actuator is shown to include a housing, a permanent magnet member, a coil, an armature, mounted to move axially within the housing between first and second positions, and a non-magnetic spacer. The armature, when in the second position, is spaced a distance from the housing by the spacer. The spacer is mounted to stop movement of the armature in the second position. In the preferred embodiment, the permanent magnet member includes a core and a number of magnet segments attached thereto. It is especially preferred for each of the permanent magnet segments to be arcuate shaped and that each segment be polarized substantially radially or in a direction parallel to the center radius of each segment.

Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery and reuse of a salt solution obtained from a salty effluent (as herein defined) comprising: (1) passing said salty effluent, optionally after removing any fine particles therefrom, through a membrane filtration system which separates the salt in the form of a salt solution from the food residues; (2) passing said salt solution through an evaporator to decrease the water content thereof; (3) adjusting the temperature of the salt solution, typically within the range 15.degree.-25.degree. C.

Abstract: A class of substituted pyrimidine derivatives are ligands for dopamine receptor subtypes within the body and are therefore useful in the treatment of disorders of the dopamine system, in particular schizophrenia ##STR1##

Abstract: A class of fused tricyclic heteroaromatic compounds of formula (I), or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof containing a fused pyrazole ring are ligands for dopamine receptor subtypes within the body and are therefore of use in the treatment and/or prevention of disorders of the dopamine system, such as schizophrenia.

Abstract: Chiral compounds useful as radiosensitizers or chemosensitizers having the formula ##STR1## wherein X is halogen or ##STR2## intermediates used to prepare these compounds, and a novel process to prepare these compounds are described.

Abstract: A detection system for use in an aircraft which is able to monitor atmospheric conditions ahead of the aircraft, generate an alarm signal if adverse atmospheric conditions exist ahead of the aircraft and generate information which indicates the position of the adverse conditions so the adverse conditions can be avoided. The system is able to detect the presence of volcanic ash cloud ahead of the aircraft and, if desired, can also be used to detect a high density of sulphur dioxide gas and/or clear air turbulence ahead of the aircraft. The system monitors infrared radiation received by the aircraft, generates intensity signals representative of at least one predetermined wavelength of the radiation and compares intensity signals with reference signals or intensity signals of another infrared wavelength.

Abstract: A human or animal subject having a solid tumour is treated by administering to the subject therapeutically effective amounts of a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor and a compound which is an imidazole or 1,2,4-triazole derivative of formula (A) ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## wherein R is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group; each of R'.sub.1 to R'.sub.5 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, hydroxy(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl), phenyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl)phenyl and phenyl(C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl); m is 0 or 1; n is 1 or 2; and Z' represents a leaving group which has the potential for expulsion via an intramolecular cyclisation reaction and which is not negatively-charged; or a physiologically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

Abstract: Suction cleaning apparatus such as a road cleaning machine comprises a closed chamber for receiving dust and similar matter together with liquid such as water intermingled therewith, the chamber having a suction duct thereto for taking up dust and similar matter from a road or like surface due to suction in the duct created by suction means such as a centrifugal fan communicating with the duct and chamber, return flow means or pipework being provided for passing water from the chamber to the suction duct for intermingling with dust or similar matter drawn into the duct. On discharge of the water laden with dust and similar matter from the duct into the chamber the laden water separates by reduction in velocity from the suction air flow while the water draining from dust and similar matter deposited in the chamber is re-circulated by the return flow means to the suction duct.

Abstract: A money-dispensing system is operative to dispense packets of money in selected number to a bank customer in response to presentation to the system of his credit card and keyed-entry of a personal identification number corresponding uniquely to the account number recorded magnetically on the card. Magnetic heads read from the card recordings defining the maximum number N of packets that can be withdrawn in any period of D days, the date of card expiry, and, as of the last use of the card, the date of commencement of the next period of D days and the extent to which the limit N has not been reached. If the date of commencement of the next period, which date is recorded as the number of days to the end of the expiry year, is after the current date, the transaction proceeds with up-dating of the extent of use recording accordingly, provided the limit N is not exceeded.