Abstract: A chemical compound of formula (I), wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen and alkyl; R3 is alkyl; R4 to R7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, alkylsulfoxyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfoxyl, arylsulfonyl, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, nitro, cyano, carboxaldehyde, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, monoalkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, monoalkylaminocarbonyloxy, dialkylaminocarbonyloxy, monoalkylaminocarbonylamino and dialkylaminocarbonylamino, or R5 and R6 together form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, and the use thereof in therapy, particularly for the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system; damage to the central nervous system; cardiovascular disorders; gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes insipidus, and sleep apnea, and particularly for the treatment of obesity

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens drive circuit for a pair of spectacles has user-controllable components which can be used to adjust a response time of the circuit to changes in ambient light and to adjust the particular response of the circuit to excess light above a threshold in accordance with a desired response characteristic. Momentary changes in the light level from the general ambient can be prevented from changing the optical density of the lenses unnecessarily, and individual preferences as to the darkening characteristics can be accommodated in a standard pair of spectacles.

Abstract: A lactamase enzyme having good stability, capable of hydrolysing an enantiomer of the bicyclic lactam, 2-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-3-one, to give (−) lactam and (+) amino acid, has been found in a strain of Comamonas acidivorans. The enzyme has been isolated and cloned, and its structure identified.

Abstract: A process for catalytic production of diaryl carbonates by oxidative carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds with carbon monoxide and oxygen achieves water removal during reaction by a process comprising the steps of: removing a liquid stream from an oxidative carbonylation reaction mixture in a reaction vessel, subjecting the liquid stream to reduced pressure, and returning at least a portion of dried liquid stream to the reaction vessel. Typical catalyst systems for oxidative carbonylation contain (A) at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal having an atomic number of at least 44 or a compound thereof; (B) at least one alkali metal salt; (C) at least one metal co-catalyst; (D) at least one activating organic solvent; and (E) optionally, at least one base.

Abstract: A polymorph of 1-{6-ethoxy-5-[3-ethyl-6,7-dihydro-2-(2-methoxyethyl)-7-oxo-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl]-3-pyridylsulfonyl}-4-ethylpiperazine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an antiblock coating comprised of a composition that contains a dibenzoate ester moiety. The dibenzoate ester compounds, particularly 1,4-CHDM dibenzoate, provide an excellent non-stick coating to hot melt adhesives, thus providing for easier packaging, storage, and processing. In addition, such a coating facilitates recycling of materials to which the hot melt adhesive is applied.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating discolored natural diamond, especially Type IIa diamond and Type IaA/B diamond with nitrogen as predominantly B centers, for improving its color. The method includes placing a discolored natural diamond in pressure transmitting medium powder which is consolidated into a pill. Next, the pill is placed into a high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) press at elevated pressure and elevated temperature within the diamond stable range of the carbon phase diagram for a time sufficient to improve the color of said diamond. Finally, the diamond is recovered from said press. Colorless diamond can be made by this method.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a process for the preparation of (7-(3-carboxyphenyl)-4-chloroisoquinolin-1-yl)guanidine (I), intermediates thereto and new forms and formulations thereof, including the zwitterion monohydrate of (I), suitable for pharmaceutical use.

Abstract: A process for catalytic production of diaryl carbonates by oxidative carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds with carbon monoxide and oxygen achieves water removal during reaction by a process comprising the steps of: removing a liquid stream from a reaction vessel by transferring the stream to a disengagement vessel, transferring a stream from a disengagement vessel to a flash vessel and subjecting the liquid stream to reduced pressure, and returning at least a portion of dried liquid stream to a reaction vessel. Typical catalyst systems for oxidative carbonylation contain (A) at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal having an atomic number of at least 44 or a compound thereof; (B) at least one guanidinium salt or onium salt; (C) a metal co-catalyst comprising at least one copper source and at least one titanium source; and (D) at least one base.

Abstract: A process for catalytic production of diaryl carbonates by oxidative carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds with carbon monoxide and oxygen achieves water removal during reaction by a process comprising the steps of: removing a liquid stream from an oxidative carbonylation reaction mixture in a reaction vessel, subjecting the liquid stream to reduced pressure, and returning at least a portion of dried liquid stream to the reaction vessel. Typical catalyst systems for oxidative carbonylation contain (A) at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal having an atomic number of at least 44 or a compound thereof; (B) at least one alkali metal salt; (C) at least one metal co-catalyst; (D) at least one activating organic solvent; and (E) optionally, at least one base.

Abstract: A process for catalytic production of diaryl carbonates by oxidative carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds with carbon monoxide and oxygen achieves water removal during reaction by a process comprising the steps of: removing a liquid stream from an oxidative carbonylation reaction mixture in a reaction vessel and transferring the stream to a disengagement vessel, transferring a stream from the disengagement vessel to a flash vessel and subjecting the liquid stream to reduced pressure, and returning at least a portion of dried liquid stream to the reaction vessel. Typical catalyst systems for oxidative carbonylation contain (A) at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal having an atomic number of at least 44 or a compound thereof; (B) at least one guanidinium salt or onium salt; (C) at least one metal co-catalyst; and (D) at least one base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for electronically disabling a motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to a transmitter that is aimed by law enforcement personnel at a receiver attached to a motor vehicle driven by a suspect. The transmitter emits signals that cause the receiver to trigger a relay to open thereby terminating the power to the ignition coil (or to a microprocessor) and shutting off the engine of the suspect's motor vehicle.

Abstract: ShopLive system supports existing merchants and malls to better serve customers by providing easy access to merchandise and sales assistants over a communication network to display items and to provide expert information on products. The shopping experience is enhanced by tokens to allow ease of shopping and checkout. Items purchased that need installation or service or supported by accessing live experts. Direct connection to service providers is available over the network. If a shopper does not find the desired merchandise they are referred to another merchant who has the product and the referring merchants receives a commission or other consideration.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a compound that mimics, potentiates or inhibits the physiological effect of the ob-protein, which method comprises: (a) for a compound which mimics the physiological effect of the ob-protein; assessing the effect of the compound upon an ob-protein activated signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) NDA response element coupled to a reporter gene; or (b) for a compound which potentiates or inhibits the physiological effect of the ob-protein assessing the effect of the compound upon the response provided by ob-protein upon an ob-protein activated STAT DNA response element coupled to a reporter gene; the response element and the reporter being expressed in an ob-protein responsive cell line; a kit of parts adapted for use in such method and a compound when identified by such method.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming cadmium and tellurium from cadmium telluride solar cell. The system comprises a crushing apparatus for crushing cells into pieces, a first conveyor for transporting solar cells to the crushing apparatus, a barrel for receiving etchant for etching the crushed cell pieces, a second conveyor for transporting crusehed pieces of cells from the crushing apparatus to the barrel, and a screen separator for separating the crushed cell pieces into at least three components.

Abstract: A process for catalytic production of diaryl carbonates by oxidative carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds with carbon monoxide and oxygen achieves water removal during reaction by a process comprising the steps of: removing a liquid stream from an oxidative carbonylation reaction mixture in a reaction vessel, subjecting the liquid stream to reduced pressure, and returning at least a portion of dried liquid stream to the reaction vessel. Typical catalyst systems for oxidative carbonylation contain (A) at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal having an atomic number of at least 44 or a compound thereof; (B) at least one guanidinium salt or onium salt; and (C) at least one metal co-catalyst.

Abstract: For use in therapy a chemical compound of formula (I), wherein R1 to R3 are independently selected from hydrogen and alkyl; R4 to R7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, alkylsulfoxyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfoxyl, arylsulfonyl, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, nitro, cyano, carboxaldehyde, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, monoalkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, aminocarbonyloxy, monoalkylaminocarbonyloxy, dialkylaminocarbonyloxy, monoalkylaminocarbonylamino and dialkylaminocarbonylamino, wherein at least one of R4 to R7 is a substituent group other than hydrogen, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, particularly for the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system; damage to the central nervous system; cardiovascular disorders; gastrointestinal disorders; diabetes insipidus, and sleep apnea, and especially for the treatment of obesit

Abstract: A connecting arrangement for connecting hip rafters at the apex of a hipped roof comprises a plurality of hip rafter support members arranged sequentially around the apex of the roof. Each support member includes at least one outwardly extending member and a carrier member to carry the outwardly extending member. The outwardly extending members are pivotally attached to the carrier member. The outwardly extending member of each support member is adapted to support a respective hip rafter such that adjacent outwardly extending members on adjacent support members can support the same hip rafter.

Abstract: A method for detecting whether a natural diamond has been processed at high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions comprises steps of disposing the diamond in a cyrostat that is provided at temperatures equal to or less than liquid nitrogen; illuminating the diamond with a laser beam; recording an optical spectrum of the diamond with a photoluminescence spectrometer; and examining the optical spectrum of the diamond to detect an absence of selected photoluminescent spectral lines.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a compound of general formula (R3—C)2P—L1—X—L2—P—(C—R3)2, in which each R is independently a pendant, optionally substituted, organic group through which the group is linked to tertiary carbon atom C; L1, L2 are independently a linking group selected from an optionally substituted lower alkylene chain connecting the respective phosphorus atom to the group X and X is a bridging group comprising an optionally substituted aryl moiety to which the phosphorus atoms are linked on available adjacent carbon atoms, comprises: i) reacting together a compound of formula H—L1—X—L2—H with an organometallic compound to form an intermediate compound of formula M—L1—X—L2—M, where M is an alkali metal atom; ii) reacting said intermediate compound with a compound of formula (R3—C)2P—A, where A is a halogen atom, to form said compound of general formula (R3—C)2P—L1—X—L2—P&