Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds of Formula (I), to a process for their manufacture, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to their use in therapy, in particular their use in the prophylaxis and treatment of respiratory diseases.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of butane triols is provided. In the process, a malic acid diester is reduced with sodium borohydride in the presence of an ether and an alcohol. Preferably, the malic acid diester is an ethyl or methyl ester, the ether is tetrahydrofuran or bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (diglyme), and the alcohol comprises ethanol. Advantageously, the reaction is carried out at ambient temperature.

Abstract: 2-Benzyloxyalkyl halophenones of the formula (3): wherein X1 and X2 are each independently H, Cl or F, provided that at least one of X1 and X2 is Cl or F; one of R3 and R4 is H and the other is optionally substituted benzyloxy; and R5 is an unsubstituted alkyl, preferably a C1-6 alkyl group. The compounds are useful as intermediates for preparing 2-hydroxyalkyl halophenones.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of compounds of Formula (1): wherein X1 and X2 are each independently H, Cl or F, provided that at least one of X1 and X2 is Cl or F; one of R1 and R2 is H and the other is OH; and R5 is an unsubstituted alkyl, preferably a C1-6 alkyl, group.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a substituted aromatic compound in which a chloroaromatic compound and an alkyl-, alkenyl- or aryl-boronic acid ester or anhydride are coupled in the presence of palladium and a lipophilic aliphatic phosphine comprising at least one branched aliphatic group or a lipophilic aliphatic Dis(phosphine). Preferred phosphines include triisopropyl, triisobutyl and tricyclohexylphosphine.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sieving apparatus (10) is described which comprises a de-coupler (18) for enabling a combination of a transducer (T) and a first resonator (16) to be supported with respect to a sieve which includes a separation medium (14) provided in a frame (12) such that vibrations generated by the transducer (T) are transmitted to the separation medium (14) via the first resonator (16). The first resonator (16) is of substantially circular cross-section and has first dimensions. The ultrasonic de-coupler (18) which is also of generally circular cross-section and of second dimensions, is connected to and is concentric with the first resonator (16). In use the de-coupler (18) is attached to a bracket (20) adapted to mount the de-coupler (18) onto the frame (12).

Abstract: A stick-free blood collection system includes elongated inner and outer sheaths and a syringe, including a needle and blood collection tube, mounted with the inner sheath. The inner sheath--and hence the syringe--are axially moveable within the outer sheath. The outer sheath has a small aperture at the distal end thereof to permit passage of the needle through the outer sheath and into the patient. The outer sheath also includes an angled flat portion at the distal end to mount the outer sheath onto the patient in a practical fashion whereby the needle can be telescopically injected into the patient. During operation, the outer sheath is mounted at an angle relative to the surface of the patient, and the needle enters the surface at that angle to draw blood therein. The inner and outer sheaths have mating interconnections which engage when a user twists the inner sheath relative to the outer sheath, thereby preventing axial displacement of one sheath relative to the other sheath.

Abstract: Sieving apparatus has a piezoelectric transducer directly bonded to a grating (100), the transducer comprising a number of piezoelectric elements (1) sandwiched between first and second bodies (2,3 ). The first body (2) is in two parts (2A, 2B) which are releasably secured together (6, 7), one part (2B) being directly bonded (5) to the grating (100). The arrangement allows use of a transducer with different gratings with different parts (2B) of a first body (2) bonded thereto in order to achieve a required operational mode.

Abstract: Sieving apparatus has a piezo-electric transducer (1) directly bonded to a grating (100), the supply to the transducer (1) being controlled by sensing resonance of the grating (100) and any deviation therefrom and controlling the supply to maintain resonance.