Abstract: A lock cylinder which can be fitted into a part of a lock assembly of a door or other operable panel. There is provided a lock cylinder (114; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614; 714) adapted for fitment into the lock housing (12), the lock cylinder comprising a key-operated locking part and an actuator (50), the lock cylinder having a predetermined profile for most of its length, and a securing part (70; 72,74; 76,78; 80,82; 170,172; 270,272; 370) projecting from the predetermined profile. The securing part is adapted to lie underneath a part of the lock assembly in use, such as a face plate of an operating handle of the lock assembly, so that the securing part prevents unauthorised removal of the lock cylinder through the face plate.

Abstract: A high-strength pearlitic steel rail with an excellent combination of wear properties and rolling contact fatigue resistance wherein the steel has 0.88% to 0.95% carbon, 0.75% to 0.92% silicon, 0.80% to 0.95% manganese, 0.05% to 0.14% vanadium, up to 0.008% nitrogen, up to 0.030% phosphorus, 0.008 to 0.030% sulphur, at most 2.5 ppm hydrogen, at most 0.10% chromium, at most 0.010% aluminium, at most 20 ppm oxygen, the remainder being iron and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: The present invention thoroughly cleans hairbrushes and combs and comprises an upper portion with at least two openings for containing a hair remover and an item to be cleaned, a rotating roller brush, and a housing portion. The roller brush, together with the hair remover, effectively clean and remove hair from styling combs and brushes and prevent accumulated hair from impeding the cleaning action by removing it from the roller brush. The device is configured in a specialized concave crescent shape, and the pattern of bristles on the roller brush is configured to optimize cleaning action on hairbrushes and styling combs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) for stabilizing the tetrameric form of transthyretin, compounds for use in the treatment or prevention of amyloidosis, and agents and medicaments comprising such compounds. wherein X, Y, R1, R2, R3, R4, m, n, p, q, and the linker are as defined herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to fragments of a mammalian nervous system protein, agrin, and to their use as a screening and therapeutic agents in controlling neural activity associated with the function of the Na+/K+-ATPase pump's function in neurons. Na+/K+-ATPases are the most important active transporters in animal cells, required for maintaining the electrochemical gradient responsible for resting membrane potential and function of other transport proteins. Accordingly, the current invention demonstrates agrin's ability to modulate activity of the ?3Na+/K+-ATPase and suggests a direct role in controlling activity-dependent processes in neurons and other excitable cells, including cardiac muscle fibers, providing a molecular framework for identifying treatments for a variety of disorders characterized by dysregulation of cellular excitability such as epilepsy, nervous tissue trauma and coronary diseases.

Abstract: In a computer implemented currency trading support system trades are provided to a third party (400) for settlement, and at least one of the parties (1) has a checking system (102) at which trades are checked individually. A method is described in which one or both of the parties receives data relating to individual agreed trades, identifies trades involving the same currency and the same counterparty and aggregates them into a single aggregate trade corresponding to a plurality of individual trades. The data relating to trades is then passed directly to the third party settlement system and the checking system receives data relating to any aggregate trades resulting from the aggregating step as well as data relating to the corresponding individual trades.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rapidly and conveniently creating prescriptions through the use of portable digital assistants (PDAs) and bar code scanning technology are provided. Prescriptions are created using a form-based approach in which prescribing options are presented to the prescriber for selection. The system allows entry of medication and patient ID by scanning bar codes. A bar code is generated for each prescription and is used to access the prescription information in a database. The bar code and prescription information can be printed on a ticket, which can be presented at a pharmacy when the prescription is picked up. The use of bar codes allows several levels of checking to ensure that the correct medication is dispensed and that the prescription is valid. Prescription information is transmitted between prescribers and pharmacies via a central site at which prescription information is stored.

Abstract: Space division multiple access scheduling for a transmitter having an antenna array with multiple beams includes determining, and storing at the transmitter, angles of arrival of signals and identifiers from user equipments, such as cellular telephones. The user equipment identifiers are sorted at the transmitter in order of angle of arrival to form an ordered list. The ordered list is subdivided into ordered sub-lists of user equipment identifiers in order of angle of arrival. The transmitter sequentially transmits simultaneously to a group of each respective ordinal member of each sub-list of user equipments, which are well-spaced.

Abstract: The present invention thoroughly cleans hairbrushes and combs and comprises an upper portion with at least two openings for containing a hair remover and an item to be cleaned, a rotating roller brush, and a housing portion. The roller brush, together with the hair remover, effectively clean and remove hair from styling combs and brushes and prevent accumulated hair from impeding the cleaning action by removing it from the roller brush. The device is configured in a specialized concave crescent shape, and the pattern of bristles on the roller brush is configured to optimize cleaning action on hairbrushes and styling combs.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for rapid nucleic acid purification from sources heavily contaminated with high particulate material, such as cellular debris, and solids, including suspended solids. In particular, this invention provides methods for rapid, quantifiable recovery and purification of nucleic acids from a variety of sources heavily contaminated with solids, such as small organisms, tissue samples, samples of blood found on soil, or samples of washing from foods, which are frequently difficult sources for nucleic acid isolation due to their propensity to clog filters and columns. A device and kit are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lock cylinder, and in particular to a lock cylinder which can be fitted into a part of a lock assembly of a door or other openable panel. There is provided a lock cylinder (114; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614; 714) adapted for fitment into the lock housing (12), the lock cylinder comprising a key-operated locking part and an actuator (50), the lock cylinder having a predetermined profile for most of its length, and a securing part (70; 72,74; 76,78; 80,82; 170,172; 270,272; 370) projecting from the predetermined profile. The securing part is adapted to lie underneath a part of the lock assembly in use, such as a face plate of an operating handle of the lock assembly, so that the securing part prevents unauthorised removal of the lock cylinder through the face plate.

Abstract: A method of managing lost returns in a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes contacting a filter cake with a treating fluid to remove metallic weighting agents from the filter cake, wherein the filter cake is disposed on a face of a formation fracture in the wellbore. The method also includes contacting the filter cake with a proppant slurry, wherein the proppant slurry contacts the filter cake concurrently with the treating fluid or after the treating fluid contacts the filter cake. This method may include increasing the filter cake permeability and may utilize a barite removal agent, such as a chelation agent. At least one related wellbore management method is disclosed, which provides for creating a fracture in the wellbore and propping open the fracture to increase wellbore integrity to utilize higher weight drilling fluids and prevent fractures from forming further down the wellbore.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and apparatus for transmitting data between a first node and a second node in a communications network, for example a wireless network. The method comprises the steps of selecting a transmission channel from a predetermined set of transmission channels according to probability information and transmitting data using the selected channel. The probability information is based on a determination of a characteristic of previous transmissions using each of said set of channels. The invention is also directed to a method of selecting a channel at a node in a communications network for communication with a second node.

Abstract: The invention provides a multiple beam antenna and a method of fabricating such an antenna. The multiple beam antenna comprises: a flexible substrate having a conductive layer; a plurality of directional antennas; and a plurality of electrical connections being routed from each of the plurality of directional antennas to at least one area of the substrate. The plurality of directional antennas and the plurality of electrical connections are formed in the conductive layer, and the flexible substrate is shaped so that the plurality of directional antennas point in prescribed directions. This provides a low cost, high functionality multiple beam antenna. The multiple beam antenna can be shaped such that the directional antennas cover a full 360° or alternatively cover any range of other angles, (e.g. 270° or 180°).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the insertion of a medical tool, for example a needle, within the human body. The apparatus and method are particularly useful in prostate brachytherapy and in prostate biopsy. The apparatus comprises a telescoping guide universally coupled to a first and second positioning means that are used to automatically and/or manually position the guide at a desired needle insertion trajectory. Automatic positioning of the guide is accomplished with reference to three-dimensional transrectal ultrasound images that can also be used to show needle insertion in real-time. The apparatus may be manually positioned in the approximate insertion trajectory and then a computer interconnected with the apparatus may be used to achieve the final trajectory based upon the ultrasound images. The apparatus is particularly useful in cases where multiple needles are to be inserted into a small target area and in cases where pubic arch interference prevents direct access to the target area.

Abstract: The present invention thoroughly cleans hairbrushes and combs and comprises an upper portion with at least two openings for containing a hair remover and an item to be cleaned, a rotating roller brush, and a housing portion. The roller brush, together with the hair remover, effectively clean and remove hair from styling combs and brushes and prevent accumulated hair from impeding the cleaning action by removing it from the roller brush. The device is configured in a specialized concave crescent shape and the pattern of bristles on the roller brush are configured to optimize cleaning action on hairbrushes and styling combs.

Abstract: An allergen-barrier fabric includes a tightly-constructed fabric substrate, woven from 0 to 45% continuous synthetic filament yarns and 55 to 100% natural or synthetic spun yarns. The fabric substrate is finished to produce a fabric with a mean pore size of 4 to 10 microns, an air permeability of 0.5-25 cfm, a mean fabric flexibility of 0.5 to 6.5 grams (bending resistance), and a moisture vapor permeability in excess of 800 g/m2/24 hours. This fabric provides a barrier to mite-induced allergen particles. Various additional finishes can be included on the fabric. For example, an antimicrobial finish may be provided on the fabric to extend fabric wearlife by providing protection against mold and mildew. As another alternative, a fluorochemical finish can be provided to extend fabric wearlife by providing protection against fluid stains.

Abstract: A module (38), a terminal (12) including the module, and a system (10) including the terminal (12), are described. The module may be a printer module (38) comprising a print engine (60), a microcontroller (62), and a wireless receiver (66), such as a wireless modem, so that the module (38) is operable to receive data from a remote server (18) and to print the received data. The module (38) also includes a coupler (70 or 270) for directing data received from the wireless modem (66) to the microcontroller (62) and for directing data from the terminal (12) to the microcontroller (62). A method of printing tickets at a terminal (12) and a method of retro-fitting a self-service terminal (12) are also described.

Abstract: To provide a catalyst for synthesis reaction which can achieve good yield in the Sonogashira reaction and also can be recovered after the reaction, and a method for synthesizing a compound in which the catalyst for synthesis reaction is used, a perovskite-type composite oxide containing palladium is used as the catalyst for synthesis reaction in the Sonogashira reaction represented by the following reaction scheme (1): R1—X+HC?CR2?R1C?CR2 ??(1)