Abstract: A rotary thermocycling apparatus, especially for biochemical reactions. The apparatus comprises a plurality of and especially at least four stations for receiving biochemical samples in a flat-bottomed container. Each station has a flat heated plate on which the container is placed and means to independently control the heated plate at a pre-determined temperature.

Abstract: In a database processing system with a partitioned database that provides relational extenders to support storage of and access to complex data types, metadata table rows are collocated with corresponding relational table partitions. Image indexes are generated and stored at system nodes with their corresponding relational table partitions. Image query processing is conditioned to account for the partitioned structure of the database.

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 chemical compound of formula (I), wherein R1 to R3 are independently selected from hydrogen and alkyl; R4 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, formyl and cyano; X1 is selected from N and C—R7; X2 is selected from N and C—R8; X3 is selected from N and C—R9; X4 is selected from N and C—R10; wherein at least one of X1, X2, X3 and X4 is N; and R5 to R10 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, and the use thereof in therapy, particularly for the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system; damage to the central nervous system; card

Abstract: A process for recovering a polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate, from contaminated polyester waste containing non-polyester components, such as polyester blended with cotton or other fibers in fabric or fiber forms, polyester magnetic tapes, coated polyester films and engineering resins, by dissolving the polyester in molten dimethylterephthalate, methyl-p-toluate or dimethylisophthalate as solvent and separating the polyester solution from the non-polyester components. The polyester can subsequently be recovered by crystallization or the polyester solution can be used as a feedstock for methanolysis to form dimethylterephthalate (DMT) and alkylene glycol. The DMT can be subsequently hydrolyzed to recover terephthalic acid (TPA).

Abstract: An earthquake, fire and wind resistant pre-fabricated building panel comprises a plurality of frame members. The frame members are connected together to form a frame lying in a frame plane, the frame defining a perimeter of the panel, the perimeter bounding an interior portion of the panel. At least some of the frame members are biased inwardly, generally in the frame plane, towards the interior portion of the panel. A first solidified castable substance is cast in the interior portion of the frame, between the frame members. A three-dimensional structure such as a house is formed by connecting the panels together. The connections absorb and distribute seismic forces to the entire three-dimensional structure and the biased frame members act to absorb residual seismic forces reaching the individual panels. The castable substance and biased frame members permit the panel to withstand both positive and negative loading and render the panel fire resistant.

Abstract: A method of securing an architectural finish element to a surface ultimately formed by a castable material cast about a mesh material involves securing at least one projection to a backing surface of the architectural finish element such that the projection extends away from the backing surface. The castable material is then cast about the mesh material. The projection is then inserted into the castable material before the castable material has set, until the backing surface rests on the surface of the castable material, whereupon the projection co-operates with the mesh material to engage therewith. The castable material is then permitted to set about the projection, thereby firmly securing the projection in the castable material and securing the architectural finish element to the castable material and the mesh material.

Abstract: A method of forming a paper-like sheet from a dry formed web by pre-bonding the web thereby strengthening it sufficiently that it may traverse a conventional size press but without unduly inhibiting the ability of the web to be penetrated by a binder in a liquid carrier, applying said binder to the pre-bonded web, distributing said binder in said web in a size press at a pressure of 20-150 lbs/linear inch, a temperature of 15.degree. - 80.degree. C and a web speed of at least 50 ft/minute and drying the web to provide a bonded sheet.

Abstract: A method of orbital shearing of elongated stock such as tube stock comprises passing the stock through aligned dies, then causing relative lateral displacement, arcuate or linear, between the axes of dies, and causing a relative orbital movement between one die and the stock held in the other die. The lateral movement causes partial shearing, which is propagated around the stock by the orbital movement. One die may be fixed, while the other performs both the lateral and then the orbital movement. The stock may be rotated, in which case the moving die only has to move laterally to achieve the orbital movement as well.

Abstract: In tube-shearing apparatus of the kind employing relatively transversely moving apertured dies and an internal supporting mandrel, the mandrel comprises an elastomeric body which is compressed axially with the high force to expand it radially against the tube wall such as to form not merely an internal support but effectively a supporting shear blade inside the tube. This allows clean shearing also of tubes having internal protuberances such as welding seams.