Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a titanium boride metal matrix alloy, by firing a particulate reaction mixture comprising titanium, matrix material and a source of boron (e.g. boron carbide), under conditions such that the titanium and boron react exothermically to form a dispersion of fine particles (preferably greater than 1 micron and less than 10 microns in size) comprising titanium boride (plus titanium carbide where the source of boron is boron carbide) in a predominantly metal matrix. The titanium and matrix are preferably added as a titanium alloy such as ferrotitanium (e.g. eutectic ferrotitanium) or titanium-aluminium. The reaction conditions are preferably selected so that during the reaction a molten zone moves through the body of the reaction mixture, and the average size of the resulting hard particles is uniform throughout the resulting dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particular forms of a novel 1-substituted-N-[2-methyl-1-(trifluoroacetyl)propyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxam ide which are inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE), also known as human neutrophil elastase (HNE), making them useful whenever such inhibition is desired, such as for research tools in pharmacological, diagnostic and related studies and in the treatment of diseases in mammals in which HLE is implicated. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions containing such forms, processes for preparing the forms and intermediates useful in the synthesis of the forms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particular forms of a novel 1-substituted-N-[2-methyl-1-(trifluoroacetyl)propyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxam ide which are inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE), also known as human neutrophil elastase (HNE), making them useful whenever such inhibition is desired, such as for research tools in pharmacological, diagnostic and related studies and in the treatment of diseases in mammals in which HLE is implicated. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions containing such forms, processes for preparing the forms and intermediates useful in the synthesis of the forms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrrolidine derivative compounds, and more particularly to the compound (S)-1-[(S)-2-(4-methoxybenzamido)-3-methylbutyryl]-N-[(S)-2-methyl-1-(trif luoroacetyl)propyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide, shown by the formula I, a pharmaceutical composition comprising this compound in a crystalline form and a process for preparing the pharmaceutical composition. The compound of formula I is an inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase and is useful in the treatment of diseases in which the enzyme is implicated, such as, for example, emphysema and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of analyzing and evaluating phosphorus bearing monomeric units as to their suitability for use in preparing randomer oligomer libraries. The invention further provides methods for preparing such randomer oligomer libraries from the selected monomers.

Abstract: A direct die feeder picks known good die from an expanded wafer and places them on a conveyor belt, which conveys the die to a pickup location. Frame (111) supports an expanded wafer (105) which is a wafer that is sawed and adhered onto a flexible film, which is then stretched and mounted in a ring (110). A fork member (125), on which a pick head (150) is mounted slides along an x-axis and frame (111) slides along a vertical axis to allow the pick head (150) to access any die from the expanded wafer. A camera (160) is directed downward at a 45.degree. mirror adjacent to the pick head to capture images of the wafer and determine the precise locations of known good die on the wafer. The pick head (150) can pick die from the wafer and place them directly on the conveyor belt (170) in the conventional orientation, or pass the die to a transfer head (155) which then shifts to the left and lowers the die down past the pick head, placing the die on the conveyor belt in the flipped orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrrolidine derivatives, and more particularly to the compound (S)-1-?(S)-2-(4-methoxybenzamido)-3-methylbutyryl!-N-?(S)-2-methyl-1-(trif luoroacetyl)propyl!pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide, shown by formula I, and solvates thereof. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, intermediates and methods of preparation of the compound. The compound of formula I is an inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase and is useful in the treatment of diseases in which the enzyme is implicated, such as, for example, emphysema and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Abstract: A process for preparing an antifungal azole compound of formula (I) by reacting an epoxide with hydrazine to from a hydrazino compound which is subsequently reacted with an iminoether. The amidrazone product is subsequently reacted with an orthoformate to provide the antifungal azole. The azole, known as ZD0870, shows good activity against human fungal infections including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antigen associated with Alzheimer's disease and to antibodies specific for said antigen. This invention further relates to methods for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease utilizing assays containing Alzheimer's associated antigen, antibodies specific for said antigen and samples from an individual suspected of having Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particular forms of a novel 1-substituted-N-?2-methyl-1-(trifluoroacetyl)propyl!pyrrolidine-2-carboxam ide which are inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE), also known as human neutrophil elastase (HNE), making them useful whenever such inhibition is desired, such as for research tools in pharmacological, diagnostic and related studies and in the treatment of diseases in mammals in which HLE is implicated. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions containing such forms, processes for preparing the forms and intermediates useful in the synthesis of the forms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrrolidine derivatives, and more particularly to the compound (S)-1-?(S)-2-(4-methoxybenzamido)-3-methylbutyryl!-N-?(S)-2-methyl-1-(trif luoroacetyl)propyl!pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide, shown by formula I, and solvates thereof. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, intermediates and methods of preparation of the compound. The compound of formula I is an inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase and is useful in the treatment of diseases in which the enzyme is implicated, such as, for example, emphysema and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Abstract: Methods useful for the determination of oligomers which have specific activity for a target molecule from a pool of primarily randomly assembled oligomers are provided. The disclosed methods involve repeated syntheses of increasingly simplified sets of oligomers coupled with selection procedures for determining oligomers having the highest activity. Freedom from the use of enzymes allows the application of these methods to any molecules which can be oligomerized in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particular forms of a novel 1-substituted-N-?2-methyl-1-(trifluoroacetyl)propyl!pyrrolidine-2-carboxam ide which are inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE), also known as human neutrophil elastase (HNE), making them useful whenever such inhibition is desired, such as for research tools in pharmacological, diagnostic and related studies and in the treatment of diseases in mammals in which HLE is implicated. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions containing such forms, processes for preparing the forms and intermediates useful in the synthesis of the forms.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle suspension device comprising an actuator (10) having a piston (11) and a plurality of chambers (A and B), a source of pressurized fluid (21), an exhaust for pressurized fluid (24), a first sensor (34) senses the force applied to the actuator (10), a second sensor (35) senses the pressure of the fluid supplied by the source of pressurized fluid (21) and a controller (23,27) controls the extension of the actuator (10) by controlling the flow of fluid to and from at least one of the chambers (A, B), the controller (27) receives signals from the first (34) and second (35) sensors and controls the actuator accordingly.

Abstract: Methods useful for the determination of oligomers which have specific activity for a target molecule from a pool of primarily randomly assembled subunits are provided. The disclosed methods involve repeated syntheses of increasingly simplified sets of oligomers coupled with selection procedures for determining oligomers having the highest activity. Freedom from the use of enzymes allows the application of these methods to any molecules which can be oligomerized in a controlled fashion.

Abstract: A device which connects to standard telephone lines and automatically dials into, and receives information from, an automated tee time scheduling system. The device may be programed with information for a specific tee time request in advance of the day selected to play. Information stored in the unit includes day to play, particular course, time requested to play, number of players, and other information. The unit may be programmed with multiple options of the above information, each configured to suit the operation of a given golf club or group of clubs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of analyzing and evaluating phosphorus bearing monomeric units as to their suitability for use in preparing randomer oligomer libraries. The invention further provides methods for preparing such randomer oligomer libraries from the selected monomers.

Abstract: A method of treating mineral tailings such as those derived from mining operations includes the steps of separating the slimes, forming alternate layers of slimes and a coarse material between peripheral berms and intermediate berms, the berms being of a coarse material, and allowing water to pass therethrough and away from the berms. The water moves through the berms by virtue of the pressure exerted on the lower layers by the mass of the layers above. The coarse material may be the coarse fraction of the mineral tailings.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing an electrode in an electric arc furnace comprises an annular chamber which is adapted to encompass the electrode and includes a ring-shaped cover member of a refractory material which is supported above or is formed integrally with an upstanding cylindrical wall member. The wall member has a passageway which is inclined with respect to the radius of the chamber and is connected to receive gas under pressure and to discharge such gas on to and around the encompassed electrode effectively to seal the space around the electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing an electrode in an electric arc furnace comprises an annular chamber which is adapted to encompass the electrode and includes a ring-shaped cover member of a refractory material which is supported above or is formed integrally with an upstanding cylindrical wall member. The wall member has a passageway which is inclined with respect to the radius of the chamber and is connected to receive gas under pressure and to discharge such gas on to and around the encompassed electrode effectively to seal the space around the electrode.