Abstract: A web page provides users with a number of options for accessing help information over the internet relating to the use of desktop software. The options include help by e-mail, via an internet chat session, via voice-over-IP, via a conventional telephone line and through searching a knowledge database. Users can choose the type of help they feel will be most appropriate to their particular problem by clicking on the icon which represents their preferred option. The user request is passed to an intelligent router which treats all internet requests in the same way and routes the request to the most appropriate person to deal with the particular request, based on a predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: A pet bed (1) for use on a floor, the pet bed (1) including a pair of frames (2), each including a floor engaging end (4) and an upper end (6) distal the floor engaging end (4). Hinge means (8) interconnect the frames (2) intermediate the floor engaging end (4) and the upper end (6), to form a scissor arrangement (10), and a flexible sling (12) extends between the upper ends (6) of the frame (2) to define a support area (14) for a pet. In use, the frames (2) engage the floor at an angle of less than 45°.

Abstract: A self-contained automatic lubricator (1) for automatically dispensing fluent lubricant over a period of time, comprising cylinder means (2) having front wall means (15) with a discharge outlet (4), rear wall means (3) and cylindrical side walls, piston means (18) movable within the cylinder means (2) from a rear position to a forward position, the piston means (18) and the side and front wall means of the cylinder means defining a variable volume chamber (5a) for containing the lubricant to be dispensed, and spring means (6, 22) for moving the piston means (18) from its rear position towards its front position to reduce the volume of the variable volume chamber (5a) over a period of time for expelling lubricant through the discharge outlet (4).

Abstract: Compound of formula I activate the insulin receptor kinase. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of treatment of hyperglycemia and other diseases involving imbalance of glucose levels, especially for the treatment of type II diabetes, by administering these compounds to mammalian hosts, and processes for their preparation, are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for routing messages comprising: converting a message received from a sender into an internal format comprising at least an attribute part and a data part, writing into said attribute part data extracted from said received message; and routing said converted message in dependence on the data in said attribute part.

Abstract: A certificate validation mechanism is provided for a network interface. The certificate validation mechanism maintains a certificate cache containing local copies of certificates with associated validity indications. The certificate validation mechanism is operable to compare a certificate associated with a received message to the certificate cache and, where the certificate associated with the received message is held in the certificate cache, to associate with the message an indication of validity retrieved from the certificate cache. By providing a cache for certificates local to the network interface, the need always to verify a certificate by reference to a public repository is removed. If a certificate is not held in the local cache, then it can still be necessary to query the public repository. Nevertheless, the verification mechanism provides more immediate verification of certificate validity as this can be made locally without the cost and time of the remote verification at the public repository.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I activate the insulin receptor kinase. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of treatment of hyperglycemia and other diseases involving imbalance of glucose levels, especially for the treatment of type II diabetes, by administering these compounds to mannnalian hosts, and processes for their preparation, are also described.

Abstract: A vertical fall arrest device that combines, in a single unit, a fall arrest function, the capability to automatically traverse intermediate supports provided along a safety line and ease of attachment and detachment from the safety line at any point throughout the length of the safety line with dismantling the device. When the device is attached to the safety line, the safety line is captured in a retaining recess and is always in a ready state to lock-on to the safety line in the event of a fall condition. The device can be removed from the safety line easily and without disassembly by depressing a release catch while at the same time pulling a rotatable member a limited distance in a direction away from the main body. The rotatable member moves away from the main body against a spring bias and creates an opening for the withdrawal of the safety line from its captured position. When the pulling force is relaxed, the spring bias causes the rotatable member to relax to the fully locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method transmits a font available on a computer to an output device supporting a page description language with a download format. The apparatus determines whether a character set associated with the font can be represented in a byte and if so, downloads the font to the output device using a first font format. Otherwise, the apparatus determines whether the number of glyphs in the font is below a threshold and if so, downloads the font to the output device using the page description download format and otherwise breaks the font glyph data into one or more blocks of glyph data, each of which having fewer glyphs than the threshold. Once broken up, the apparatus downloads the blocks to the output device using the download format and stitches the blocks together during a subsequent font reassembly in the output device.

Abstract: Compounds having immunomodulating activity are identified using a methodology which employs TER14687, TER10311 and/or TER17210 as standards. The effect candidate compounds have on PKC-theta interaction with cognate binding proteins is measured and compared with the standards. The interaction can be measured by a variety of techniques, including assessing translocation of said PKC-theta or fragment. Kits containing the TER14687, TER10311 and/or TER17210 standards are disclosed. TER14687, TER10311 and/or TER17210 are useful in modulating the immune system in a subject by reducing T-cell activity. TER14687, TER10311, TER17210 are used as leads to develop other compounds having immunomodulating activity.

Abstract: A lock nut threadably engageable and lockingly retainable about a threaded shaft extending through a workpiece, the lock nut having at least one deformable slot disposed on a side portion thereof and disposed transversely relative to the lock nut bore axis, the lock nut also having a nut deforming member protruding from a bottom end thereof, wherein at least a portion of the nut deforming member is in substantial axial alignment with the deformable slot. The lock nut is undeformed prior to installation thereof about the threaded shaft. The nut deforming member is engageable with the workpiece to deform the lock nut upon threadably installing the lock nut about the threaded shaft, thereby retaining the lock nut thereabout, whereby the lock nut has a relatively consistent torque performance with reduced statistical spread over several installation and removal cycles of the nut about the threaded shaft.

Abstract: A radiographic film mask includes a planar sheet sized for receipt on an illuminated radiographic film examination box. The mask has two opaque sections and a transparent section. The transparent section is disposed on the sheet between the two opaque sections to form a radiographic film viewing area which has an area less than the entire area of the sheet. The sheet may include semi-transparent sections which border the viewing area and interconnect the opaque portions to provide reduced transmission of light along the marginal edges of the radiographic film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and composition for animal husbandry comprising administering to livestock and other animals at least one composition selected from the group consisting of a caramel composition comprising a high content of fructose oligosaccharides, termed sucrose thermal oligosaccharides (STO), and a product comprising sucrose thermal kestoses. The growth of livestock and other animals may be greatly increased by administering STO caramel or sucrose thermal kestoses. The compositions alter specific microflora within the gastrointestinal tract to enhance the health of the animal by increasing the numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and decreasing the numbers of undesirable microorganisms.

Abstract: A chip control insert is disclosed having positive, concave radiused chip breaker entry surfaces, and a locating surface which is equipped with a planar sealing surface and inclined, convex, radiused chip breaker ramp surfaces which undulate along the length of the insert. The intersection of the back ramp surface and the entry surface defines a chip groove. The locating surface has radial nose projections and radius bulges intermediate the length of the polygon sides of the insert.