Abstract: A resource management and control system includes real-time visibility to energy and water consumption. The resource management platform is flexible and allows users to create a system to suit their individual needs, and to make changes to that platform as their needs change and new needs arise. The resource management and control system monitors electricity and gas consumption, solar production, and water use in real time. The control system includes a number of wireless access nodes for interfacing with the various systems within a property, and also includes monitoring, diagnostic and alerting capabilities. Billing system integration provides historical data for the cost of resource usage and production relative to time, geography and consumer service level agreements and allows the user the ability to directly correlate consumption behaviors with cost implications.

Abstract: A pharmaceutically acceptable deliverable composition and methods for administration of macromolecules for sequence-specific gene-silencing in bladder to treat overactive bladder (OAB), interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) locally in the bladder, or other diseases or disorders of the bladder or LUTS, has been discovered. In the preferred embodiment, a liposome based delivery system is used to deliver an effective amount of antisense oligonucleotides (ODN) or siRNA that interact with or bind to messenger RNA (mRNA) coding for human nerve growth factor (NGF) to stop the synthesis of NGF.

Abstract: A secondary payload interface for payload communications using a primary payload communications channel is provided. The secondary payload interface may include a plurality of input/output couplers which may connect the primary payload communications channel to a secondary payload. The plurality of input/output couplers may establish an isolated secondary payload communications channel within the primary payload communications channel. The secondary payload interface may be designed such that control and telemetry interactions with the operators of the communications satellite are limited.

Abstract: A benzoquinone or hydroquinone for use in the topical treatment of a condition which is caused, exacerbated or transmitted by bacterial, in particular staphylococcal or propionibacterial, activity. The condition may be a skin or skin structure condition such as acne. The invention also provides the use of a benzo- or hydroquinone in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of such a condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the fluid permeability of an earth formation is described. An instrument comprising an acoustic source and acoustic and electrokinetic sensors is located in a borehole at a site of interest. The acoustic source is fired and the resulting variations in pressure and electric field generated are measured and recorded. The Biot equation, and an equation for the streaming potential coupled to fluid displacement terms, is solved using finite element analysis to give an expected pressure waveform and electrokinetic waveform based on estimated earth formation properties. By comparison of the measured waveforms and those calculated from the equations, the actual permeability of the earth formation can be deduced.

Abstract: An antimicrobial formulation containing (a) a peroxide selected from the group consisting of diacyl peroxides, alkyl hydroperoxides and metal peroxides and (b) a benzoquinone or hydroquinone. The formulation may in particular be used against staphylococci or propionibacteria, more particularly to treat skin and skin structure conditions such as acne.

Abstract: A method for reducing crazing in a plastics material characterised in that it comprises the steps of: (1) cleaning the surface of the material; and (2) exposing the cleaned surface to plasma of a monomer vapour so as to produce a substantially non-oxidising plasma polymer coating on the surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for promoting the curing reactions of an acetylenic oligomer or polymer, characterized in that the oligomer or polymer is cured in the presence of sulfur or an organic sulfur derivative which is capable of lowering the temperature of cure of the oligomer or polymer. The invention also provides a process for producing a polyimide oligomer or polymer containing an aliphatic or aromatic disulfide moiety which is covalently bound to, and forms an integral part of the oligomer or polymer and which is capable of lowering the temperature of cure of the oligomer or polymer, characterised in that a suitable amount of a diamino-disulfide or dianhydride-disulfide, or any suitable derivative or precursor thereof, is introduced into the mixture of aromatic diamines, tetracarboxylic dianhydrides, and the phenylethynyl-substituted amine or anhydride normally used for the reparation of the oligo-imide.

Abstract: A method for reducing crazing in a plastics material characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an oligomeric polyimide comprises: mixing a tetracarboxylic acid, a dianhydride, a partially hydrolysed dianhydride or a mixture thereof with a diamine in a reaction medium comprising greater than 80% by weight water, and heating mixture in said reaction medium at a temperature above 100° C. for a time sufficient to form said oligomeric polyimide.

Abstract: An electrochemical gas sensor having a housing in which components of the sensor are mounted. A number of electrical connectors are secured to the housing and coupled to respective sensor components enabling the sensor to be connected to a sensor monitoring system for monitoring an electrical output from the sensor and for determining gas concentration. The housing includes one or more indicating formations whose position on the housing causes an appropriate calibration parameter to be selected.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a diaminobisimide compound of the formula (I) substantially free of oligomers: ##STR1## wherein Ar.sup.1 is an optionally substituted aromatic residue which provides for good conjugation between the nitrogen containing groups; andAr is an optionally substituted aromatic residue characterized in that at least two molar proportions of an aromatic diamine of the formula (II)H.sub.2 N--Ar.sup.1 --NH.sub.2 (II)wherein Ar.sup.1 is as defined above,are heated with one molar proportion of an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid of the formula (III) or the corresponding dianhydride,(HOOC).sub.2 Ar(COOH).sub.2 (III)wherein Ar is as defined above,optionally in the presence of a polar solvent and optionally including 0.1 to 2 molar proportions of a tertiary amine.The compounds of formula (I) are useful curing agents in epoxy resin formulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a PMR type resin which comprises a mixture of:(a) nadic acid of Formula (Ia) or a derivative thereof ##STR1## (b) a diaminobisimide of Formula (Ib) ##STR2## (c) an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid of Formula (Ic) or a derivative thereof ##STR3## the components (a), (b) and (c) being present in the approximate molar proportions of 2:n:n-1 respectively.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of diaminobisimide compounds of the formula (I) which are substantially free of oligomers and are useful as curing agents in epoxy resin formulations: ##STR1## wherein Ar.sup.1 is an optionally substituted aromatic residue which provides for good conjugation between the nitrogen containing groups; and Ar is an optionally substituted aromatic residue, comprising heating an aromatic diamine of the formula H.sub.2 N--Ar.sup.1 --NH.sub.2, with an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid of the formula (HOOC).sub.2 (COOH).sub.2 or the corresponding dianhydride.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surface properties of titanium dioxide pigments and fillers by forming on the particles a surface coating of an aluminium compound, the coating having a significant number of acidic sites with pKa values of less than 2.8.