Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of xenon as a neuroprotectant and/or as an inhibitor of synaptic plasticity. In a preferred aspect, the xenon acts as an NMDA antagonist. The present invention also provides a method of reducing the level of activation of the NMDA receptors in a mammal, the method comprising modulating the activity of the NMDA receptor by administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of xenon, wherein said reduction achieves neuroprotection and/or an inhibition of synaptic plasticity. A further embodiment of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for providing neuroprotection and/or inhibition of synaptic plasticity, together with a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a method for generating a brick model. The method includes receiving an electronic representation of an item to be represented by the brick model. The electronic representation is processed to generate building instructions for building the brick model and connected to an order interface for enabling the user to order bricks to make a model for shipment to the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the response pressure of motor vehicle brakes, according to which the brakes to be inspected are subjected to a test pressure, whereby before and after the creation of the test pressure, a test-pressure indicator signal is generated, which is a linear combination of an acceleration signal and a differential speed signal. If the two test-pressure indicator signals correspond, (considered to be a “non-response of the brakes”), the test-pressure is increased and a new test-pressure indicator signals do not correspond, the prevailing brake pressure is considered to be the response pressure.

Abstract: The camera system consists of a folded optical system that focuses object in the visible waveband on a plurality of CCD detector arrays (6). The camera system is a push-broom imager with a plurality of long, substantially linear CCD arrays (6) arranged orthogonal to the scan direction S. The camera system is capable of image resolutions down to 1 m from a space orbit.

Abstract: A device for contactless cargo load control for shipping container crane installations, by x-raying the containers in the course of loading and unloading of transport vehicles. An X-ray device for contactless control of the shipping container is mounted on the crane, and the shipping containers are driven through the X-ray device. This offers the advantage that shipping containers can be checked in a quick and safe manner.

Abstract: A snap-on or screw type, tamper evident closure having first and second relatively moveable plastic parts (16, 18) which move from an initial position to a new limiting position when the closure is first opened, the new limiting position being visually distinguishable from the initial position to provide the tamper evidence. The two plastics parts are formed in mutually intimate association but have inter-engaging complimentary formations (22, 28, 40, 42) which become irreversibly disengaged on first opening of the closure.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is described. The composition comprises a formulation. The formulation comprises an NMDA antagonist and an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. In a preferred aspect, there is provided an improved anaesthetic comprising an NMDA antagonist and an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.

Abstract: In a piezoelectric acoustic alarm piezoelements (2a, 2b) each excited by a square-wave voltage are arranged opposite each other in a resonance cavity (1) and each oscillate in opposing directions. The two square-wave voltages (Va, Vb) controlled by a microprocessor (8) are phase displaced by a square-wave pulse length and are positive or negative. A piezo-sound source designed and excited in this way is characterised by a high sound volume with low current consumption and small size.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for establishing a communication connection between two programs, each running on multiple processors of a distributed or shared memory parallel computer, or on multiple computers in a cluster of workstations or a set of network connected workstations. The invention includes all protocols that require one of the two programs that wish to communicate to actively initiate the communication session, while the other program passively accepts such direct communication session initiations. No task of the active program of the connection will attempt to communicate with tasks of the passive program until after it has been notified that all passive program tasks are prepared to receive messages, and that all other active program tasks are prepare to receive messages from the passive programs tasks, and vice versa.

Abstract: A warp oriented woven sailcloth is provided in warp yarns are relatively uncrimped relative to the fill yarns. The yarn weight ratios (fill vs. warp) are 1.0 to 1 and 0.22 to 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a batter mix comprising genetically modified potato starch (GMPS), a process for the production of said batter mix, the use of said batter mix for the production of food products comprising said batter mix, preferably batter coated food products, which may be pre-fried, frozen and then preferably cooked in a microwave oven, whereby the use of the genetically modified potato starch in the batter mix compositions results in unexpected superior crispness of the food product.

Abstract: A control element arrangement is disclosed for controlling a motor vehicle without conventional pedals and steering wheel. Two control elements are provided which can be operated independently of one another, in which case at least the longitudinal speed and/or at least the steering angle can be controlled optionally by operating one or the other control element. As a result, with respect to the longitudinal and/or the lateral dynamic control, on the one hand, a redundancy is created which increases the operating reliability and, on the other hand, the control-comfort-increasing possibility is created of being able to guide the vehicle alternated by means of one or the other control element.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for measuring and testing components of optical networks. This is with an optical connector (5), over which an optical cable (8) may be optically connected to the device's (1) measuring and/or testing equipment; wherein a first connector element (15) is provided, onto which a complimentary second connector element (10), attached to the optical cable (8) or to this connectable adapter (17), may be connected to form an optical coupling; wherein the first connector element (15) is attached to one end of the tubular connection elements (12), which is connected at its other end to the connector (5) and is reversibly and three-dimensionally flexible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of xenon as a neuroprotectant and/or as an inhibitor of synaptic plasticity. In a preferred aspect, the xenon acts as an NMDA antagonist. The present invention also provides a method of reducing the level of activation of the NMDA receptors in a mammal, the method comprising modulating the activity of the NMDA receptor by administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of xenon, wherein said reduction achieves neuroprotection and/or an inhibition of synaptic plasticity. A further embodiment of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for providing neuroprotection and/or inhibition of synaptic plasticity, together with a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for welding a bore of a work piece 24 comprises a torch tube 18 carrying a welding torch 20. The torch tube is removably connected to a housing (12) which houses a rotating drive motor (14) for rotating the torch tube (18). A feed screw (34) extends from the housing. The axial position of the feed screw (34) is controlled by an axial positioning motor (16). In use, align bore bearings (26,28) are mounted to the work piece (24). Torch tube (18) is then positioned within the align bore bearings (26,28). The torch tube is then fixed in the housing. Feed screw 34 is adjusted until its free and contacts the work piece (24). Welding commences when drive motor 14 starts rotating the torch tube (18). In order to deposit a head of weld metal in the bore, the feed screw (34) is moved to adjust the axial position of the torch tube (18) and housing (12) relative to the work piece (24).

Abstract: A motion sensor device comprises a conductive cap fixed to one layer of a printed circuit board to define a volume half of which is filled with a dielectric liquid. A conductive layer on the opposite side of the printed circuit board forms with the cap a capacitor, the capacitance of which is dependent upon the location of the liquid within the cap. A motion signal is generated in response to a change of capacitance from that presented in any static orientation of the device, so long as the capacitance change exceeds a threshold and occurs within a predetermined interval.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of xenon as an NMDA antagonist. In particular, the invention relates to a method of treatment comprising modulating the activity of an NMDA receptor in a mammal, the method comprising modulating the activity of the NMDA receptor by administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of xenon. In a further aspect, the invention provides a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition suitable for modulating the activity of an NMDA receptor.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for braking a vehicle by means of at least a service brake and a retarder brake, the brake pedal velocity (vB) is detected and the brake pressure is increased by a control device (10) if the pedal velocity exceeds a definable activation threshold value (S). In addition, the position of an operating element of the retarder brake is detected, and the activation threshold value (S) is reduced if the position of the operating element exceeds a definable limit value (G).

Abstract: Per(poly)fluorinated polyoxyethylated carbamates of general formula (I) in which R.sub.F represents a perfluorinated group containing between 1 and 18 carbon atoms, W represents an oxo group or nothing, n is an integer from 1 to 10, m is from values 2 to 6, 80 or not defined, R is an alkyl group, R.sub.F W(CH.sub.2).sub.n+1 NHC(O)-- in which R.sub.F and W are as defined above, --(CHCH.sub.3 CH.sub.2 O).sub.30 (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.80 C(O)NH(CH.sub.2).sub.n+1 R.sub.F in which R.sub.F is a perfluorinated group containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, R' is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group containing between 1 and 18 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted, an optionally substituted aryl or aralkyl group, an allyl, methallyl or propargyl group or a perfluorinated chain having between 1 and 18 carbon atoms.