Abstract: The invention features retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigment) cell lines with extended life-span and capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a polynucleotide containing an oncogene, which polynucleotide is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: A variator assembly is disclosed comprising a variator of the toroidal-race rolling-traction type having input and output discs, rollers which are acted on by hydraulic roller control actuators and are positioned between the discs to transmit torque from one disc to the other and hydraulic end loading means (200) supplied with fluid at an end load pressure to apply an end load to bias the discs and the rollers toward each other thereby enabling the transmission of torque. The assembly further comprises reaction pressure supply means connected to the roller control actuators to cause them to apply an adjustable reaction force to the rollers. In accordance with the invention hydraulically influenced valve means (204) are provided which respond to the reaction pressure and the end load pressure to control the end load pressure and thereby maintain a relationship between the end load and reaction pressures. Further adjustment means (350) to adjust the relationship between the end load and reaction pressures.

Abstract: A protein prenyl transferase inhibitor is used in the treatment of neuroinflammatory disease such as MS, uveitis, alzheimers or neuroAIDS. The inhibitor may be a combination of a farnesyl transferase inhibitor and a geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor. Preferably, FTI-277 and/or GGTI-298 is employed.

Abstract: A security system which is suitable for use in a vehicle. The security system is a passive entry and passive re-mobilization system in which a security controller transmits a command signal LCs to a remote transponder, which replies with a LF response signal LRs. If an LF response signal is not received in response to the transmission of a command signal LCs, the security controller re-transmits the command signal, again as an LF command signal LCs. On determining that a command signal is a re-transmitted command signal, the remote transponder re-transmits the response signal as an UHF response signal URs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an hydraulic control circuit for a continuously-variable-ratio transmission An hydraulic control circuit for a CVT transmission includes a first hydraulic pressure control valve V1 for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid to be supplied to the roller control pistons of the variator and a second hydraulic pressure control valve V2 for controlling the pressure of hydraulic fluid to be supplied to a clutching arrangement of the transmission. Said valves V1, V2 are connected in flow series and by a first fluid directing valve means V3(S1, S2) for directing flow from each pump PL, PR to a first point P upstream of valve V1 or to a second point P downstream of valve V1 but upstream of valve V2. By adopting such an arrangement it is possible to control the clutches without affecting the roller position and vice versa.

Abstract: A security system suitable for a vehicle 10 comprises a remote transponder 16 and a transmitter/receiver 14 which is mounted on the vehicle 10 and which is associated with a controller 12 for controlling the security functions of the vehicle 10 in response to a signal from the transmitter/receiver 14. The transponder 16 includes a transmitting means 18 which is arranged to transmit a security signal in one or more of a predetermined range of channels. The transmitter/receiver 14 is arranged to scan the range of channels and to determine in which one or more of those channels the security signal has been transmitted.

Abstract: The invention features retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigment) cell lines with extended life-span and capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a polynucleotide containing an oncogene, which polynucleotide is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of processing digital image data, wherein cinematographic film is scanned to produce digital image data corresponding to the image(s) stored on the film; the digital image data is stored in data storage means; adjustments are made to the digital image data by a processor at the request of an operator; when an adjustment is requested by an operator the adjustment is compared to predetermined criteria; and a signal is generated if the adjustment requires the digital image data to be re-scanned from the film. There is also disclosed a method of processing digital image data, produced by scanning a plurality of frames of cinematographic film, wherein a region of a frame of digital image data is selected and that region is replaced with a computer generated image data.

Abstract: An Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) power line communications system comprising a power line for distributing electricity to a plurality of premises and a communication station coupled to the power line at one of the premises, which station uses a part of the power line external to the premises as a communications medium. The communications station includes a receiver which comprises a clipping system adapted to clip an incoming OFDM data waveform, which includes a regular impulsive noise component, so as to reduce the level of noise on the waveform.

Abstract: A security system is disclosed which is suitable for use in a passive entry and passive starting arrangement for a vehicle 10. A set of transmitters in the form of coils A, B, C are spaced around the vehicle 10, one A, B in each door mirror 20R, 20L and one in a high level brake light 16 at the rear end.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for an infinitely-variable-transmission in which a relatively flexible member 32 connects one or other of the discs 14 to the shaft 10, thereby to accommodate a degree of shaft flexing without distortion of the toroidal cavity.

Abstract: A method of controlling a telecine machine to produce an exposure log of cinematographic film, comprising the steps of: using a telecine machine to generate video images from the cinematographic film, and displaying the video images on a monitor; generating timecode data for frames of the cinematographic film; generating image adjustment control data to adjust image parameters of the video images generated by the telecine machine so as to produce video images of a desired quality; using the image adjustment control data to generate exposure level information for frames of the cinematographic film; and logging in a film exposure logging system timecode data and exposure level information for frames of the cinematographic film so as to provide the exposure log. In one arrangement the cinematographic film is negative cinematographic film and the exposure log is used to generate exposure compensation printing settings for frames of the negative cinematographic film.

Abstract: The invention features immortalized retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigmentary) cell lines capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a nucleic acid fragment containing at least one immortalizing fragment of a heat-sensitive viral oncogene, which nucleic fragment is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: Immortalized cell lines of retinal origin (retinal endothelial and retinal pigmentary epithelial origin) which are capable of being implanted in the retina and of conveying a substance of therapeutic interest into the eye and the central nervous system. Such lines can also serve as a model for studying the blood/central nervous system interfaces.These lines are derived from primary cultures of retinal cells selected from the group comprising the primary retinal endothelial cells and the primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a nucleic acid fragment containing at least one immortalizing fragment of a heat-sensitive viral oncogene, which nucleic acid fragment may be associated with at least one selection gene, and exhibit the morphological characteristics and at least the surface antigen expression characteristics of the corresponding primary culture cells.

Abstract: A roller control system for a continuously-variable-ratio transmission (CVT) of the toroidal-race rolling-traction type. The system includes an operating mechanism having a first part (5, 6) operable to control the position of the roller center along the torus center circle but incapable of defining the tilt angle (36) adopted by the roller (7), and a second part comprising a mechanical link (13) connected to the roller bearings and operable to control the tilt angle (36). The link (13) lies substantially parallel to the plane of the roller (7) and is constrained to pass through a predetermined single point (14).

Abstract: A position servo system exemplified by a power-assisted steering system in which a power-driven continuously-variable-ratio transmission ("CVT") of the variable-ratio-epicyclic type, and particularly of the toroidal-race rolling-traction type, is arranged coaxially with the wheel or other rotary actuating member and the steering or other driven mechanism, and delivers an output to augment the steering effort in response to an error between the positions of the actuating member and the steering mechanism. Mechanisms described to prevent interference with the normal manual connection between the actuating member and the steering mechanism should the CVT cease to rotate, and on occasions when the normal sense of operation is reverse and the steering mechanism tends to steer the actuating member. Mechanisms are also described, where the CVT is of the toroidal-race type, to ensure quality between the forces exerted on the steering mechanism by all its connections with the CVT.

Abstract: A variator assembly comprises a variator of the toroidal-race rolling-traction type using double-acting pistons to control the rollers and differential end load pressure to load the variator, and control means operative to vary the differential end load pressure in sympathy with changes in the net pressure exerted by the roller-control pistons so as to maintain the traction coefficient at the roller disc interface consistently below the limit at which traction would be lost.

Abstract: A roller assembly (10) for use in a toroidal-race rolling-traction variator or like device includes a roller mounted in a carriage (19) which is provided with passageways (33) so that cooling oil from the variator lubrication circuit can be sprayed on to the roller rim via apertures in the carriage and/or in two specially-located spray-bars 38,39 extending from the carriage.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system (70) for a multi-regime CVT (8) includes regime-change clutches (37, 38) which are controlled independently of the variator (10) so that a smooth change of regime may be effected.

Abstract: A variator for a continuously-variable-ratio transmission (CVT) of the half-toroidal traction roller type in which a ratio change results when a roller exercises a first freedom of movement by rotating about a first or precession axis. In addition, the roller mounting has a further freedom of movement about a second or tilt axis. The precession axis is inclined at an angle ("the castor angle") to a plane lying normal to the axis of the races and each equilibrium value of the ratio angle correlates with a unique angular orientation of the roller about the tilt axis.