Abstract:
Compounds of general formula (I): wherein R 2a , R 2b , R 3a , R 3b , R 5 , Y and R 7 are as defined herein are selective agonists at the FXR receptor and are useful for the treatment or prevention of diseases and conditions including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); primary biliary cirrhosis; primary sclerosing cholangitis; biliary atresia; cholestatic liver disease; hepatitis C infection; alcoholic liver disease; fibrosis; or liver damage arising from fibrosis.
Abstract:
The invention is based on the discovery that under certain conditions lasing at room temperature can be achieved in a Pr -doped fluorozirconate fibre pumped in the infrared at 1.01 mu m and 835nm, the lasing taking place in the blue (491nm), green (520nm), orange (605nm) and red (635nm and 715nm). One laser comprises a length of Pr -doped potical waveguide such as a fibre, and means for exciting the Pr ions to an energy level in the band ( P2, I6, P1, P0), in which the Pr concentration is in the range substantially 50 ppm to substantially 10,000 ppm (by weight). The Pr concentration is preferably in the range substantially 200 ppm to substantially 2,000 ppm (by weight). The optical fibre is preferably a fluorozirconate fibre doped at the foregoing concentrations with Pr ions. The fibre preferably comprises a doped core clad with a further glass. The excitation means is preferably arranged to excite the Pr ions from the H4 level, and this is preferably achieved by upconversion by way of the G4 level, but excitation may be achieved by transfer of energy from a co-dopant.
Abstract:
A glass laser includes a glass optical gain medium containing samarium ions. The laser is capable of producing visible light as well as infrared emission.
Abstract:
An aerofoil structure for wind propulsion of a ship or boat characterised by a carrier angularly movable about an upright axis on the ship or boat, a forward aerofoil set comprising at least one main upright aerofoil member, a rear aerofoil set comprising at least one upright aerofoil member, there being at least three aerofoil members altogether, both sets being supported directly or indirectly on the carrier, at least one of the sets being movable relative to the carrier between first and second positions, such that in each said position the forward end of the member, or at least one member, of the rear set is positioned adjacent the rear end(s) of at least one member, or the member, of the forward set, so that at least one cambered aerofoil is defined, the aerofoil(s) so defined in the first position being cambered in the opposite sense, and being defined by different members of at least one of the sets, from the aerofoils so defined in the second position.
Abstract:
Methods are presented which use impedance flow cytometry for rapid susceptibility testing of antimicrobial agents including phage, antimicrobial peptides and rapid analysis of antimicrobial mediated serum bactericidal assays.
Abstract:
The present application relates to an electronic device comprising a piezoelectrically active composite layer as well as a method for producing such electronic device. The present application also relates to an electronic apparatus comprising such electronic device.
Abstract:
A system and method for producing a binaural and localized audio signal to a user is provided. A signal processing method is provided for delivering spatialized sound in various ways using highly optimized inverse filters to deliver narrow localized beams of sound from the included speaker array. The inventive method can be used to provide private listening areas in a public space and provide spatialization of source material for a single user to create a virtual surround sound effect. In a binaural mode, a speaker array provides two targeted beams aimed towards the primary user's ears - one discrete beam for the left ear and one discrete beam for the right ear. In a privacy mode, a privacy zone could be created in which a primary audio beam would deliver a signal of interest to the user while secondary beams would be aimed at different angles to provide a masking noise.
Abstract:
With reference to Figure 3, a pair of seats (1) for co-operation with a ball-shaped valve member (2) (Figure 4) in forming a ball valve unit (20) is shown, each seat (1) comprising a cup-shaped component of plastics material with a seating surface (3). Each valve seat (1) is provided with means (10) forming a signal path incorporated in a signal system (11), whereby interference with the signal path as a result of wear may be detected. The means (10) comprise a tortuously-disposed optical fibre (12) embedded close to surface (3), within the valve seat (1). One end of the fibre (12) is connected to a light source (13) and the other end to a light receiver (14). The signal system (11) comprises the fibre (12), the light source (13), light receiver (14), connections (15, 16) and alarm initiator (17) with a warning light (18). In operation, the source (13) transmits light signals through the optical fibre (12) to be collected by the receiver (14). In the event that undue wear of the valve seat surface (3) has taken place, (whereby leakage past the valve member (2) will occur), the wear will fracture or damage the optical fibre (12) sufficiently to interfere with the passage of light signals therethrough. This interference will be sensed by the alarm initiator (17) whereby a visible warning signal will be emitted by the light (18).
Abstract:
The present invention describes a genetically modified Drosophila line carrying one or more mammalian genes associated with a chronic respiratory disease, and uses of the genetically modified line.
Abstract:
The device (10) comprises a large number of transputers T1 to T16 (only T1 and T16 are shown), Tmem, Tx, Ty, Tz, Tt. These are divided into a set of working transputers T1 to T16, and a set of interface transputers Tx, Ty, Tz, Tt providing input/output facilities for the device, both sets being under the control of a transputer Tmem. The transputer Tmem receives instructions for the device and breaks them down into programs for parallel processing by the transputers T1 to T16. These transputers will normally need to communicate, and the necessary connections are provided by a switch network (12), under the control of the transputer Tmem. The programs are so allocated to the transputers T1 to T16 and the switch network (12) is so arranged that direct connections are provided between any transputers which must communicate for the execution of their respective programs. Other connection arrangements are described, including a universal circuit capable of connecting the transputers T1 to T16 to form any theoretically possible network.