Abstract: A series of fused pentacyclic imidazole derivatives, being potent modulators of human TNFa activity, are accordingly of benefit in the treatment and/or prevention of various human ailments, including autoimmune and inflammatory disorders; neurological and neurodegenerative disorders; pain and nociceptive disorders; cardiovascular disorders; metabolic disorders; ocular disorders; and oncological disorders. In particular, the present invention is concerned with 6, 7-dihydro-7, 14-methanobenzimidazo[1, 2-b][2,5]benzodiazocin-5(14H)-one derivatives and analogs thereof.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically assisted braking and steering system of a vehicle having a hydraulic pump communicating with a hydraulic steering assist device and including a hydraulic brake assist device coupled in series between the pump and the steering assist device includes the provision of a flow splitter which operates to reduce the interdependence of the hydraulic brake and steering assist devices on the flow of fluid from the pump. The flow splitter communicates with the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the brake assist device and is operative when the back pressure from the brake assist device exceeds a predetermined control value to divert a fraction of the flow of fluid around the brake assist device directly to the steering assist device, thereby providing sufficient flow to operate both the brake and steering assist devices within their normal design limits, rather than having the brake assist device starve the steering assist device when under heavy load.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically assisted braking and steering system of a vehicle having a hydraulic pump communicating with a hydraulic steering assist device and including a hydraulic brake assist device coupled in series between the pump and the steering assist device includes the provision of a flow splitter which operates to reduce the interdependence of the hydraulic brake and steering assist devices on the flow of fluid from the pump. The flow splitter communicates with the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the brake assist device and is operative when the back pressure from the brake assist device exceeds a predetermined control value to divert a fraction of the flow of fluid around the brake assist device directly to the steering assist device, thereby providing sufficient flow to operate both the brake and steering assist devices within their normal design limits, rather than having the brake assist device starve the steering assist device when under heavy load.

Abstract: An appointment booking and scheduling system is described, for booking appointments with operatives (e.g. service engineers) visiting customer sites within a defined geographic area. The system includes a table for storing a number of routes, each of which specifies a sequence of regions to be visited by a particular operative, and jobs to be performed by the operative in each of the regions. An appointment server is provided for offering appointments at specified times, using the table to check for availability of operatives in specified regions at specified times, and for inserting new jobs in the routes to reflect booked appointments. A scheduler periodically updates the routes e.g by means of a simulated annealing process, to generate a new set of routes.