Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of formula I or a salt or prodrug thereof: ##STR1## wherein the dotted line represents an optional chemical bond in one of the two possible positions;A represents a group of formula II: ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, hydroxy, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl, C.sub.2-6 alkynyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, benzyloxy, hydroxy (C.sub.1-6)alkyl, halogen, amino, cyano, nitro, --CONR.sup.6 R.sup.7 or --SO.sub.2 NR.sup.6 R.sup.7, in which R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently represent hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl or C.sub.2-6 alkynyl;R.sup.2 represents hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy or C.sub.1-6 alkylcarbonyl;V represents nitrogen, --CH or --C--; andW represents oxygen, sulphur or --NR.sup.8, in which R.sup.8 represents hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkenyl or C.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents lower alkyl, phenyl, or phenyl lower alkyl; R.sub.2 represents lower alkyl; and R.sub.5 represents lower alkyl. These compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of collagenase inhibiting compounds which are useful in the treatment of arthritis and are of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 represents lower alkyl, phenyl or phenyl lower alkyl; R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 represent lower alkyl; and R.sub.3 represents lower alkyl, benzyloxyalkyl, alkoxybenzyl or benzyloxybenzyl wherein the oxyalkyl or alkoxy moiety contain 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and a, b, and c represent chiral centers with optional R or S stereochemistry.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents lower alkyl, phenyl or phenyl lower alkyl;R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 represent lower alkyl; andR.sub.3 represents lower alkyl, benzyloxyalkyl, alkoxybenzyl or benzyloxybenzyl wherein the oxyalkyl or alkoxy moiety contain 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and a, b, and c represent chiral centers with optional R or S stereochemistry. These compounds inhibit collagenase and are useful in the treatment of arthritis. Also disclosed are processes for manufacture of the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: This invention provides a mine roof support in which the cover, or canopy, is connected to a framework in such a way that the canopy can tilt relatively to the framework both in the fore-and-aft sense of the support and from side to side of the support. Thus, even though the framework can not tilt relatively to the base, the cover can nevertheless tilt to take up irregularities in the lie of the roof.

Abstract: A method for the diminution of high temperature oxidation in an iron alloy ontaining chromium consisting of at least partially enclosing the alloy and a volatile inorganic boron compound, heating the boron compound and allowing the volatile constituent of the boron compound to contact at least one surface of the alloy.

Abstract: A method for the determination of total carbon, calculated as carbon dioxide, present in aqueous solutions containing organic compounds and/or inorganic carbonates by mixing the aqueous solution with a solid reagent active at elevated temperature for the displacement of carbon dioxide from inorganic carbonates, contacting the mixture with oxygen at elevated temperature whereby carbon dioxide is produced by oxidation of organic compounds and by displacement from any inorganic carbonates present, drying the carbon dioxide so produced, separating the carbon dioxide from the oxygen by selective adsorption on a bed of particulate adsorbent which preferentially retards the passage of carbon dioxide, flushing the bed with inert gas to displace the oxygen, thereafter eluting the carbon dioxide by raising the temperature and reversing the flow of inert gas through the bed and finally measuring the eluted carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method of protecting an article having at least a surface layer of an alloy of iron and/or nickel which contains at least 1 per cent of chromium, against high temperature oxidation, by contacting the article with a solution or a suspension of a borate and/or a phosphate in a volatile polar organic solvent so that, after removal of the solvent, a film weighing at least 3 .mu. g / cm.sup.2 of the borate and/or phosphate material is deposited on the surface of the article.