Abstract: A sail fastening apparatus (18) for a yacht. The apparatus (18) comprises a first track (21) extending along a sail clew (12) in a direction generally normal to a preferred vertical sheeting angle of the sail, a first carriage (22) slidably mounted for movement along the first track (21), and a sheet (16) extending between the first carriage and a sheeting point (27) on the yacht aft of the clew. The first carriage tends automatically to adopt a stable equilibrium position on the track such that the preferred vertical sheeting angle (B) for the sail is maintained.

Abstract: A process for producing energy from sulphur containing carbonaceous fuels comprises partially oxidizing the carbonaceous fuel to produce off gasses including carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide; removing hydrogen sulphide from the off gasses and combusting the off gasses from which the hydrogen sulphide has been removed to produce energy.

Abstract: The invention provides 3-(2-formyl-3-hydroxy-5-oxocyclopent-1-enyl)-p ropanoic acid and derivatives thereof having anti-thrombotic activity coupled with low toxicity. Also provided is a method for preparing such compounds by subjecting a 3-[3-hydroxy-5-oxo-2-(.beta.-styryl)cyclopent-1-enyl]-propanoic acid or derivative thereof to oxidative cleavage.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula I: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 -R.sup.4 which may be the same or different represent hydrogen atoms, or C.sub.1-6 straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group or an alkyl group substituted by a cycloalkyl group, or represents a cycloalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryl, aralkyl, acyl (which includes arylsulphonyl) groups in which the alkyl group or the alkyl portion of the aralkyl group may be substituted with one or more hydroxy or esterified hydroxy groups and in which the aryl groups or the aryl portion of the acyl or aralkyl group may be substituted by one or more halogen atoms, alkyl groups, hydroxy groups, alkoxy groups, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino or dialkylamino groups, and in which R.sup.5 -R.sup.8 which may be the same or different represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups except that not all groups may be hydrogen, or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 together represent a carbonyl (.dbd.O) oxygen and in any of the pairs of groups R.sup.1 /R.sup.2, R.

Abstract: Propanoic acid derivatives of formula: ##STR1## where X represents a ketonic or hydroxylic function, R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1.sub.-8 alkyl group optionally substituted by hydroxy or --COOH and R.sup.2 is hydrogen or a protecting group, having spasmolytic activity.

Abstract: The invention provides 3-(2-formyl-3-hydroxy-5-oxocyclopent-1-enyl)-propanoic acid and derivatives thereof having anti-thrombotic activity coupled with low toxicity. Also provided is a method for preparing such compounds by subjecting a 3-[3-hydroxy-5-oxo-2-(.beta.-styryl)cyclopent-1-enyl]-propanoic acid or derivative thereof to oxidative cleavage.

Abstract: The invention provides styryl cyclopentenyl propanoic acids and derivatives thereof having spasmolytic activity coupled with low toxicity. Also provided is a method of preparing styryl cyclopentenyl propanoic acid compounds which involves cyclising 7-hydroxy-5,8-dioxo-10-phenyldec-9-enoic acid in the presence of a base.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula I: ##EQU1## in which R.sup.1 - R.sup.4 which may be the same or different represent hydrogen atoms, or C.sub.1.sub.-6 straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group or an alkyl group substituted by a cycloalkyl group, or represents a cycloalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryl, arakyl, acyl (which includes anylsulphonyl) groups in which the alkyl group or the alkyl portion of the aralkyl group may be substituted with one or more hydroxy or esterified hydroxy groups and in which the aryl groups or the aryl portion of the acyl or aralkyl group may be substituted by one or more halogen atoms, alkyl groups, hydroxy groups, alkoxy groups, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino or dialkylamino groups, and in which R.sup.5 - R.sup.8 which may be the same or different represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups except that not all groups may be hydrogen, or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 together represent a carbonyl (=O) oxygen and in any of the pairs of groups R.sup.1 /R.sup.2, R.

Abstract: Grain, (or a milling intermediate, e.g. semolina) is heated at a temperature of 100.degree. to 140.degree.C (or 100.degree.-200.degree.C for semolina) for a period inversely related to temperature and not less than 1 hour at 100.degree.C, so as to improve the quality of cake flour produced by milling (or further milling). The time of heating t (in minutes) is preferably related to the temperature T (in .degree.C) by the equation t = a' - b'T + c'T.sup.2 where for wheat a'= 2188, b'= 31.535 and c' = 0.11438 and for semolina a' = 408, b' = 4.252 and c' - 0.1121. The need for chlorination of the flour produced is thus avoided.