A prefetch optimizer tool for an information handling system (IHS) may improve effective memory access time by controlling both hardware prefetch operations and software prefetch operations. The prefetch optimizer tool selectively disables prefetch instructions in an instruction sequence of interest within an application. The tool measures execution times of the instruction sequence of interest when different prefetch instructions are disabled. The tool may hold hardware prefetch depth constant while cycling through disabling different prefetch instructions and taking corresponding execution time measurements. Alternatively, for each disabled prefetch instruction in the instruction sequence of interest, the tool may cycle through different hardware prefetch depths and take corresponding execution time measurements at each hardware prefetch depth. The tool selects a combination of hardware prefetch depth and prefetch instruction disablement that may improve the execution time in comparison with a baseline execution time.

The polycyclic organic compounds which are substantially transparent for an electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectral range, an anisotropic optical film comprising at least one polycyclic organic compound and a method of producing thereof are disclosed. The polycyclic organic compounds have a general formula (I) wherein A and B are acid groups, n is the number of phenyl rings in the range from 3 to 10; m is 0, 1, 2 or 3; l is 1, 2, or 3, p is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, C is a counterion from a list comprising H+, NH+4, Na+, K+, Li+, Cs+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, La3+, Zn2+, Zr4+, Ce3+, Y3+, Yb3+, Gd3+, and any combination thereof; k is the number of counterions necessary for compensation of the negative electric charge equal to (−p).

The invention concerns the production of quinoline compounds containing sulfonic acid groups, the said quinoline compounds and their conversion into dyes containing sulfonic acid groups. The dyes according to the invention are used especially to label analytes, for example to label biomolecules.

A system and method for low-cost, fault tolerant, EMI robust data communications, particularly for an EV environment. A data communications method, including a) enabling a transmission of a wake signal from a host to a remote client through an isolator disposed at the remote client when the wake signal is asserted from the host at a host-portion of the isolator concurrent with a periodic enablement of a client-portion of the isolator by the remote client; and thereafter b) transmitting the wake signal from the host to the remote client through the isolator; c) controlling enablement of the client-portion responsive to the wake signal transmitted through the isolator; and thereafter d) disabling the transmission by deassertion of the wake signal at the host.

A system is disclosed comprising multiple sets of client computers each client computer having installed thereon an application program The application program comprising client computer specific log-in information, a database system coupled to the set of client computers via a network. The database system having a log-in component for logging-in the client computers, and being partitioned into multiple relational databases each one of which is assigned to one set of the sets of client computers. Each database further storing encrypted data items, each data item being encrypted with one of the user or user-group specific cryptographic keys, the key identifier of the cryptographic key with which one of the data items is encrypted being stored in the database as an attribute of the one of the encrypted data items. The log-in component comprising assignment information indicative of the assignment of the databases to the set of client computers.

Provided is an alicyclic alcohol compound which can be used as a raw material for a compound perfume, and which has excellent floral-green-like aromas which are crisp and fresh; also provided are a manufacturing method for the same, and a perfume composition which contains the alicyclic alcohol compound. An alicyclic alcohol compound having a specified structure represented by chemical formula (1) has excellent floral-green-like aromas which are crisp and fresh; and a method for manufacturing the alicyclic alcohol compound represented by chemical formula (1) by reacting, in the presence of hydrogen fluoride, 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexene and carbon monoxide, isomerizing the resulting 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexane carboxylic acid fluoride, thus making 2-methyl-2-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-propionyl fluoride, reacting with alcohol and acquiring a cyclohexane carbonyl compound, and then reducing the cyclohexane carbonyl compound.

The present invention features monocyclic cyanoenone compositions and methods for using the same in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.

A process for producing a cyclic silane compound, in which a chained polysilane is subjected to pyrolysis in the presence of an oxide of a transition metal belonging to Group 8 or Group 11 of the periodic table; and a process for producing a cyclic carbosilane compound, that includes subjecting a chained polysilane to pyrolysis in the presence of a simple substance of a metal selected from the group consisting of transition metal elements and elements belonging to Groups 12 to 15 of the periodic table, or a compound thereof.

A substituted phenoxyethyl(isopropyl)acyloxyalkyl phosphonate having phosphorusheterocyclic ring and having herbicidal activity, with a general formula of I, wherein R represents 5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-one-2-yl, or 1-oxo-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-4-yl, or 1-sulfo-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo 2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-4-yl; R1 represents H, C1-C4 alkyl, phenyl, furyl, pyridyl, or phenyl substituted with methyl, methoxyl, nitro or chloro; R2 represents H, methyl, and methyl only if R in the general formula I is 1-sulfo-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-4-yl as phosphorusheterocyclic ring; X and Y represent H, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl or trifluoromethyl, and X and Y are the same or different. The compounds according to the present invention may be used as active component of dicotyledonous broadleaf weed herbicides.

Provided is a compound which has strong and sustaining intraocular pressure lowering action and, further, has no fear of side effect on eyes. Since a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein definition of each group is as described in the specification, or a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof has strong and sustaining intraocular pressure lowering action and, further, has no side effect on eyes such as ocular stimulating property (hyperemia, corneal clouding etc.), aqueous humor protein rise etc., it has high safety, and can be an excellent agent for preventing and/or treating glaucoma etc.

A topical therapeutic hydrophobic breakable composition includes a carrier comprising (a) about 60% to about 99% by weight of at least one hydrophobic oil; (b) at least one viscosity-modifying agents selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid and a wax; and (c) a tetracycline antibiotic, characterized in that at least part of the tetracycline antibiotic is suspended in the composition; the viscosity of the composition is at least about 30% higher than the viscosity of the carrier without the tetracycline antibiotic; and is higher than the viscosity of the hydrophobic oil and the tetracycline antibiotic without the viscosity modifying agents. The tetracycline is chemically stable in the composition for at least six months; wherein more than about 90% of the tetracycline has not broken down. The composition is packaged as a breakable foam that breaks easily upon application of shear force.

A topical therapeutic hydrophobic breakable composition includes a carrier comprising (a) about 60% to about 99% by weight of at least one hydrophobic oil; (b) at least one viscosity-modifying agents selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid and a wax; and (c) a tetracycline antibiotic, characterized in that at least part of the tetracycline antibiotic is suspended in the composition; the viscosity of the composition is at least about 30% higher than the viscosity of the carrier without the tetracycline antibiotic; and is higher than the viscosity of the hydrophobic oil and the tetracycline antibiotic without the viscosity modifying agents; and the amount of viscosity modifying agents can optionally be reduced by at least an amount by weight that would have increased the viscosity of the carrier without the tetracycline antibiotic by at least 30%; wherein the tetracycline is chemically stable in the composition for at least six months; wherein more than about 90% of the tetracycline has not broken down; wherein when packaged in an aerosol container to which is added a liquefied or compressed gas propellant the composition affords upon release from the container a breakable foam of at least good quality that breaks easily upon application of shear force.

Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are set forth. In particular, C-17 bicyclic amines of triterpenoids that possess unique antiviral activity are provided as HIV maturation inhibitors, as represented by compounds of Formulas I, II and III: These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.

The present invention is directed to a compound represented by Structural Formula (A): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The variables for Structural Formula (A) are defined herein. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Structural Formula (A) and its therapeutic use.

Methods for the synthesis and purification of 9-amino alkyl tetracycline compounds are described.

A topical therapeutic hydrophobic breakable composition includes a carrier comprising (a) about 60% to about 99% by weight of at least one hydrophobic oil; (b) at least one viscosity-modifying agents selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid and a wax; and (c) a tetracycline antibiotic, characterized in that at least part of the tetracycline antibiotic is suspended in the composition; the viscosity of the composition is at least about 30% higher than the viscosity of the carrier without the tetracycline antibiotic; and is higher than the viscosity of the hydrophobic oil and the tetracycline antibiotic without the viscosity modifying agents. The tetracycline is chemically stable in the composition for at least six months; wherein more than about 90% of the tetracycline has not broken down. The composition is packaged as a breakable foam that breaks easily upon application of shear force.

The present invention pertains to tetracycline compounds of formula (VIIa): R5*, R5*', R7r*, and R9m* are defined herein. These tetracycline compounds can be used to treat tetracycline compound-responsive states, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

There is provided a compound having an excellent controlling effect on pests represented by the formula (1): wherein, A1 represents —NR7—, etc., A2 represents a nitrogen atom, etc., A3 represents a nitrogen atom, etc., R1 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups selected from Group X, etc., R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and each represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms, etc., R5 and R6 are the same or different and each represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups selected from Group X, etc., R7 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group optionally substituted by one or more atoms or groups selected from Group W, etc., n represents 0, 1 or 2, or an N-oxide thereof.

The invention is a decanter centrifuge for separating a first substance and a second substance with different densities, comprising a bowl rotating in use around a horizontal axis of rotation in a direction of rotation, said axis of rotation extending in a longitudinal direction of said bowl, a radial direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a base plate provided at one longitudinal end of said bowl, said base plate having an internal side and an external side, an outlet opening provided in said base plate for discharge of one of said substances. A slide valve body is adapted for covering an adjustable part of the outlet opening to delimit an effective area of the outlet opening.

A method for tracking a user's movements between network addresses can include, subsequent to a request for a (current) network address from a user, receiving the network address and an identifier for a region associated with the network address. The method can also include locating a record that contains the identifier for the region and a time that immediately precedes the request for the network address from the user. The record may further contain a prior network address. The method can further include generating an entry for a table that includes the identifier for the region, the current network address, and the prior network address. A server computer or a client computer can generate the entry. Improved accountability and improved user profile accuracy can be obtained with the method. A data processing system readable medium can comprise code that includes instructions for carrying out the method.

A clip-type mechanism for tensioning slack in a chain. A spring-biased piston is positioned in a bore in a housing. A ratchet rack is positioned on the piston, along with a clip member. A recess in the housing bore has an annular member with a hardened surface to reduce wear.

There are provided compounds represented by the following general formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of thereof, which have a superior monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitory action: wherein Ring A represents a partially saturated heteroaryl group, an aryl group or a heteroaryl group,RB represents a C4-18 alkyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, a partially saturated aryl group, an aryl group, or the following formula (II): wherein V represents the formula —CR11R12—, —CO—, —CO—O—, or —CO—NH—,W represents a single bond or a C1-3 alkylene group, andRing B represents a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkenyl group, a partially saturated heteroaryl group, a saturated heterocyclyl group, an aryl group, or a heteroaryl group,Y represents a nitrogen atom or the formula N+(RF),RF represents a C1-4 alkyl group, andm and n, which may be the same or different, each represent an integer of 0 or 1.

This disclosure is directed to fused tetracyclic pyrido[4,3-b>]indole and pyrido[3,4-b]indole derivatives. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds are also provided, as are methods of using the compounds in a variety of therapeutic applications, including the treatment of a cognitive disorder, psychotic disorder, neurotransmitter-mediated disorder and/or a neuronal disorder.

The invention provides novel substituted amino azaheterocyclic carboxamide compounds according to Formula (I), their manufacture and use for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer.

The present invention relates to novel bicyclic thiazoles which are positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (“mGluR5”) and which are useful for the treatment or prevention of disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction and diseases in which the mGluR5 subtype of receptors is involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to processes for preparing such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds and compositions for the prevention and treatment of disorders in which mGluR5 is involved.

A clinch-type fastener is formed by simultaneously creating an undercut during the same forging that creates the head and displacer of the fastener. A fastener blank is compressed end-to-end between top and bottom dies whereby the axial compression of a blank causes the outward bulging of the shank at its midline. Simultaneously, a tapered end point and a tangential interference band are formed provided by a curvilinear-shaped bulge in the shank. As the bulge is formed an undercut is created between the bulge and a shoulder which extends downwardly from a head of the fastener. This method of formation and the fastener produced thereby are particularly suited to the manufacture of small clinch pins having a diameter in the range of 1.0 mm.

An apparatus to produce a self-piercing and clinch nut includes a first forging die assembly, a second forging die assembly, a third forging die assembly, a transfer mechanism, and a controller. The first forging die assembly is configured to subject a blank to first processing. The second forging die assembly is adjacent to the first forging die assembly and configured to subject the blank to second processing after the blank has undergone the first processing in the first forging die assembly. The third forging die assembly is adjacent to the second forging die assembly and configured to subject the blank to third processing after the blank has undergone the second processing in the second forging die assembly. The controller is configured to control the first forging die assembly, the second forging die assembly, the third forging die assembly, and the transfer mechanism to operate.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods for allocating bandwidth to a plurality of traffic containers of a passive optical network. The method comprises receiving upstream data from a plurality of traffic containers of the passive optical network and passing the upstream data to a traffic manager. The method further comprises dynamically changing the allocated bandwidth based at least in part on the amount of the upstream data stored in one or more queues of the traffic manager.

A centrifuge to which sample tubes can be introduced while the centrifuge is in motion. The centrifuge comprises a carousel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the carousel has a plurality of positions for sample tubes for a centrifugation operation, a plurality of drive mechanisms attached to the upper portion of the carousel, a movable element mounted upon each drive mechanism, the movable element capable of traversing the length of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism is actuated, a sample tube-holding assembly comprising a sample tube holder and a bearing attached to each movable element, and at least one balancing element capable of contributing to a force vector that cancels an imbalance vector generated by rotation of the centrifuge.

Placing sheets around a retainer or between a retainer and clamp and securing a clamp against the sheets and retainer for compressively fixing the pages against the retainer.

A binder clip having flexible sidewalls biased to close around a rigid retainer for securing pages wrapped around the retainer or pinched by the binder clip and retainer for manually forming a book.

This disclosure provides methods of controlled polymerization of cyclic compounds catalyzed by carbene derivatives having a general formula as shown below, and to obtain a biodegradable polymeric material having a large molecular weight, a narrow dispersity, and no metallic impurity.

A clickable cross-linker compound provides an easily scanned reporter ion for effective and efficient cross-linking and identification of intermolecular and intramolecular interactions of proteins and peptides.

The present invention discloses metal (III) complex of a biuret-amide based macrocyclic ligand as green catalysts that exhibit both excellent reactivity for the activation of H2O2 and high stability at low pH and high ionic strength. The invention also provides macrocyclic biuret amide based ligand for designing of functional peroxidase mimics. Further, the present invention discloses synthesis of said metal (III) complex of a biuret-amide based macrocyclic ligand.

Disclosed is a spectrofluorimetrically detectable luminescent composition consisting essentially of at least one energy transfer acceptor lanthanide(III) complex having an emission spectrum maximum in the range from 300 to 2000 nanometers and a luminescence-enhancing amount of at least one energy transfer donor selected from the group consisting of a fluorophore, a lumiphore, an organic compound, a salt of an organic ion, a metal ion, a metal ion complex, or a combination thereof. Such energy transfer donor enhances the luminescence of at least one energy transfer acceptor lanthanide(III) complex, with the conditions that the emission spectrum of any energy transfer donor differs from that of its energy transfer acceptor lanthanide(III) complex; and such energy transfer donor can be dissolved to form a unitary solution in a solvent having an evaporation rate at least as great as that of water.

Cyclic CRF antagonist peptides having improved properties of “drugability”. The peptides are 33 residues in length with a lactam bond between the residues in position 22 and 25; however, they may be N-terminally shortened by up to 3 residues.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to heterocyclic compounds and organic light-emitting devices including the heterocyclic compounds. The organic light-emitting devices using the heterocyclic compounds have high-efficiency, low driving voltages, high luminance and long lifespans.

A method of treating cancer through use of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP). Cyclic GMP decreases the number of human breast cancer and prostate adenocarcinoma as well as small-cell and squamous lung cells in culture by 30% (1 μM), 84% (1 mM), 31% (1 μM), and 30% (1 μM), respectively. Cyclic GMP decreases DNA synthesis in human pancreatic, breast, and prostate adenocarcinomas as well as small-cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the lung at its 1 μM concentration by 51%, 54%, 56%, 50% and 52%, respectively. Cyclic GMP when infused for one week decreases the tumor volume of human pancreatic adenocarcinomas in athymic mice 95% compared to untreated animals with human pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

A double function, hand operated meat tenderizer includes a handle with a blade segment clamped inside said handle; a generally flat plate attached to said handle by at least one slidably moving cylinder attached to a compressed spring, comprising at least one seat including a releasably attached spigot of the cylinder, wherein an end face of said plate is provided with a plurality of projections and flow-through slots aligned in evenly spaced relation, parallel to the spring axis, and wherein in a position of rest, ends of said blades are retracted in said flow-through slots.

A grader blade mounted to a support frame has an auger-grinder mounted ahead of the grader blade. The auger-grinder has a first helical vane fixed to a rotatable axle with a plurality of teeth attached to and protruding outwardly from the auger. A shroud above and partially surrounding the auger-grinder has an inner shroud end wall, an outer shroud end wall and bearings in which the axle is journaled transverse to the direction of travel. A beater is fixed to the axle between an inner end of the helical vane and the inner wall. The beater has a plurality of paddles extending outwardly from the axle. An inner barrier wall is attached to the inner shroud wall and extends forward of the auger-grinder. A drive link is connected to the axle for connection to a prime mover for driving the axle in rotation.

A structure for mounting a clip for a writing implement which has a barrel extending along a longitudinal axis. The structure includes a fastening member made of plastic material integral with the barrel and having a proximal wall and a distal wall with respect to the barrel, the proximal and distal walls being arranged opposite each other and overall extending in substantially parallel respective planes in order to form between them a recess having an open insertion end. The clip includes a fastening portion having a substantially uniform thickness and is suitable for mounting in the recess by the open insertion end.

There is provided an inclination sensor device. The inclination sensor device includes: a substrate which mounts an inclination sensor configured to calculate an inclination angle of a vehicle; a case which accommodates the substrate; a first positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a first direction that is substantially parallel to a first main surface of the substrate; and a second positioning mechanism which positions the substrate relative to the case in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first main surface of the substrate.

A Virtual Single Account (VSA) system and method that provides a mobile user with automatic authentication and connection to a remote network via local access networks with a single password, where the local access networks may be independent of the remote network. A mobile user has a single authentication credential for one VSA that is utilized by a VSA client installed on a mobile computing device. The VSA client provides for automatically authenticating and connecting the user's mobile device to a current local access network, and the target remote network such as the user's office network. All authentication credentials are encrypted using a key generated from the user's VSA password that is generated from the user's single password. The VSA client derives the key from the submitted VSA password and decrypts all authentication credentials that are required in order to connect the mobile device to the current local access network and thereafter to the office network.

Arrangements for managing a digital video recorder timer at a plurality of television receivers are presented. A plurality of television receivers may be present. Each television receiver of the plurality of television receivers may be linked with a particular user account. Each television receiver may use separate receiving hardware to receive television programming from a television service provider. A timer management computer system may receive a timer associated with the particular user account. The timer may specify a date, a time, and a television channel to be recorded. Based on the received timer, the timer management computer system may notify each television receiver of the plurality of television receivers of the timer for recording.

A sheet handling apparatus includes a sheet folding unit configured to perform folding on a sheet; and a sheet stacking unit configured to stack the folded sheet on a sheet stacking surface having an inclined surface and a horizontal surface in order from upstream to downstream in a sheet conveying direction. A downstream end of the inclined surface is higher than an upstream end of the inclined surface with respect to a horizontal plane. The sheet handling apparatus also includes a discharging unit configured to discharge the folded sheet to the sheet stacking unit; a sheet conveying unit configured to convey the discharged sheet from the inclined surface to the horizontal surface; and a conveying force applying unit configured to apply a conveying force to the sheet in contact with an upper surface of the sheet from above the inclined surface.

A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between seat-lift, closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a base plate fixedly mounted to a lift assembly, a back-mounting link rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, a seat-adjustment assembly with a bellcrank, and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a force on the bellcrank that translates the seat-mounting plate rearward in a consistent angle of inclination and rotates the back-mounting link from a reclined to an upright orientation. A stroke in a second phase acts to collapse the footrest assembly. A stroke in a third phase causes the lift assembly to raise and tilt the seating unit, thereby accommodating egress and ingress of an occupant.

More specifically, the crash indication system for a child safety seat includes a seat bottom. A base is provided for supporting the seat bottom, which is slidably connected to the bases so that the seat body is movable relative to the base, between a resting position and a ride down position, a position due to a change in environmental forces. The seat body is adjustably affixed to a carriage to set a recline position. An indicator member is attached to the carriage and moves therewith to visually track and monitor the movement of the seat. When ride down of the seat occurs due to a change in forces to the seat, the indicator member moves with the sliding carriage to reflect a ride down position of the seat bottom. A ratchet connection is provided to prevent the carriage from going back to its resting position.

Provided are a method for post-treatment of a carbonaceous material using dehydrocyclization, a carbonaceous material post-treated by the method, and a polymer composite material including the carbonaceous material. More particularly, provided are a method for post-treatment of a carbonaceous material using dehydrocyclization, including subjecting the carbonaceous material to dehydrocyclization at room temperature to heal structural defects in the carbonaceous material, while increasing the effective conjugated length of the carbonaceous material to improve the electrical conductivity thereof, as well as a carbonaceous material post-treated by the method and a polymer composite material including the carbonaceous material.

A rail seat includes a concrete rail tie; a pair of rail clip support shoulders cast in place in said rail tie each said shoulder having a rail face between its external sides; a pair of shoulder insulators each shaped to lie against the rail face of the rail shoulder; a pair of rail clips each having a base section adapted to seat within the rail clip support shoulder and a toe section adapted to seat on the rail base. The clip and toe insulator assembly is loaded on the shoulder in a vertical direction so that parts of the toe insulator seat within pockets in the shoulder that enable the clip and insulator assembly to move laterally towards the rail but not away from it and the clip base is aligned with the shoulder slot ready to enter it when the clip is moved laterally to the parked position which applies a small downward force to the clip toes and at this stage lie outside the limits of the rail base and finally the clip can be moved laterally into the installed position where the toe insulators sit on top of the rail base and securely hold it down.

An electrical insulator for use with a rail fastening clip comprises a contact member providing on one side a substantially flat rail contact surface for contacting a foot of a rail and on the opposing side a clip contact surface for contacting a rail bearing surface of a bearing portion of the clip, the insulator also having retaining means for retaining the insulator on the clip in such a way as to allow rotation of the insulator about a longitudinal axis of the bearing portion of the clip. The insulator has stop portions for limiting such rotation about the longitudinal axis of the bearing portion of the clip to a desired extent. The clip contact surface of the insulator is convex, in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bearing portion of the clip, such that, when the insulator is attached to a clip having a flat rail bearing surface, a contact region between the flat rail bearing surface of the clip and the clip contact surface of the insulator is linear. The insulator is rockable about the linear contact region within the extent defined by the stop portions such that, when the rail contact surface of the insulator contacts the surface of a rail foot, the angle of the rail contact surface can conform to the angle of the rail foot surface. A rail fastening clip, suitable for use with the insulator and of the kind driven onto a rail in a direction which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rail, has a bearing portion having a flat rail bearing surface, wherein a detent, extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bearing portion, is formed in the flat rail bearing surface, at a location spaced from a free end of the bearing portion of the clip, for engaging a corresponding abutment surface of the insulator to be retained on the rail bearing portion of the clip.