Abstract: A support structure (10) for carrying a plurality of heliostats (12) is provided. The support structure (10) includes a frame (20) formed from a number of girders (22). The frame has a triangular outer perimeter and a plurality of mountings (26) for carrying the heliostats (12) are provided along the perimeter. At least one mounting (26) is provided at or near each vertex (16) of the triangular outer perimeter of the frame (20), and at least one additional mounting (26) is provided part-way along each side (17) of the triangular outer perimeter of the frame (20).

Abstract: A new use for paracetamol in a method of treating glaucoma, which method comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment 500 mg to 1000 mg of paracetamol in oral format 4 to 6 hourly. An ophthalmic solution is also provided containing between 0.1 to 5% of paracetamol which is administered as one to two drops in each eye 4 to 6 hourly. The ophthalmic solution further includes one or more of the following excipients: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, benzalconium chloride, polyacrylic acid such as Teargel®.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) disease and distinguishing between active TB and latent TB infection in a subject is described herein. A sample from the subject is stimulated with at least one Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection phase-dependent antigen selected from Rv0081, Rv2032, Rv1737c, Rv2389c, Rv0867c, TB18.2, Rv2099c, Rv1733c, M.tb PPD, PHA and ESAT-6/CFP-10 and the presence of at least one host marker in the sample is detected, the host marker being selected from EGF, TGF-?, TNF-?, VEGF, RANTES, IL-12(p40), IL-12(p70), IL-10, IP-10, IFN-?2, fractalkine, IFN-?, IL-13, IL-1Ra, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, MIP-1?, ENA-78, BCA-1, TARC, X6-Ckine, eotaxin, eotaxin-2, SCF, APOA-1, APOE, HPALBN, HCF, Serum amyloid protein A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid protein P (SAP), TIMP-1, MIP-1?, IL-6, GM-CSF, IL-1?, MMP-9, MMP-2, MCP-1, TRAIL, IL-15, IL-17F, IL-22, TNF-?, MCP-2 and MCP-4. Additional host markers may also be detected in an unstimulated sample from the subject.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring third party access to a restricted item is provided. Key data is embedded in the restricted item, the key data being associated with a store of value and usable to conduct a transaction against the store of value. A record of the transaction becomes visible in a transaction ledger. The transaction ledger is monitored to determine whether a transaction against the store of value has occurred, and the restricted item is designated as accessed by a third party in the event that a transaction against the store of value has occurred.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing fibers which includes forming a plurality of bubbles on the surface of a fiber spinning solution, applying a voltage between the solution and a counter-electrode spaced apart therefrom to cause jets to extend from the bubbles to the counter-electrode, and treating the solution with a surfactant to stabilize the bubbles.

Abstract: A dephlegmator is provided comprising two stages connected in series wherein a first stage includes an air-cooled reflux condenser and a second stage includes a generally horizontal tube bundle of smooth or finned tubes that can be operated selectively in either an air-cooled (dry) mode under selected ambient conditions or in a wet evaporatively cooled mode under other selected ambient conditions including that of elevated ambient temperature. Spray nozzles may be installed above the tube bundle whereby water can be sprayed onto the tube bundle. One or more collection troughs are preferably provided beneath the tube bundle for collecting run-off water and enabling recycling of excess deluge water. Preferably, the tube bundle comprises at least two, and preferably three groups of tubes communicating with each other wherein the second group of tubes has appreciably fewer tubes in it than the first group of tubes and any third group of tubes has appreciably fewer tubes in it than the second group of tubes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a yeast strain, or strains, secreting a full suite, or any subset of that full suite, of enzymes to hydrolyze corn starch, corn fiber, lignocellulose, (including enzymes that hydrolyze linkages in cellulose, hemicellulose, and between lignin and carbohydrates) and to utilize pentose sugars (xylose and arabinose). The invention is also directed to the set of proteins that are well expressed in yeast for each category of enzymatic activity. The resulting strain, or strains can be used to hydrolyze starch and cellulose simultaneously. The resulting strain, or strains can be also metabolically engineered to produce less glycerol and uptake acetate. The resulting strain, or strains can also be used to produce ethanol from granular starch without liquefaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for the production of fine fibers by electrospinning fibers by applying an electrical field between a primary electrode and a counter electrode (5) spaced apart from the primary electrode and extending generally parallel thereto wherein at least an operative surface of the primary electrode is coated with a polymer solution (3) and an electric field of sufficient magnitude is generated between the primary electrode and counter electrode to cause the formation of fine fibers (9) in the space between the electrodes. The operative surface of the primary electrode that is coated with polymer solution is made up of appropriate portions of the surfaces of a multitude of operatively semi-submerged, loose (unattached) elements (1, 11, 17, 21) supported on the bottom of a trough (2) or tray or another support member or members (12, 18, 22).

Abstract: A splash grid is provided for installation in a rain zone of liquid gas contacting industrial equipment. The splash grid has a supporting frame assembly and multiple generally parallel elongate elements supported by the frame assembly. The elongate elements each has a transverse dimension, in plan view, not exceeding 3 mm, and a spacing in plan view not exceeding 10 mm. The elongate elements may be of a molded plastic material that is optionally integral with a surround that forms, or is attached to, the supporting frame assembly. Alternatively, the elongate elements may be separately manufactured flexible filament or cord supported by a surround that forms or is attached to the supporting frame assembly. The elongate elements may be staggered in the vertical direction and gaps may be provided for larger objects to pass through the splash grid. A liquid cooling installation having a rain zone fitted with a splash grid is also provided.

Abstract: A method of modifying at least one carbohydrate in a tissue of a plant is described. The method is typically applied to a sugarcane plant of the genus Saccharum method and includes the steps of inserting into a plant cell a gene silencing cassette which includes nucleic acid operably linked to transcription elements such as a monocotyledonous promoter for transcribing the nucleic acid in a plant cell, wherein transcription of the nucleic acid decreases activity of UMP synthase. The method further includes the steps of regenerating a transgenic plant from the plant cell and producing the tissue with increased carbohydrate content. Vectors for use therefor, as well as a transformed plant cell and a transgenic plant or plant part containing or derived from a transformed plant cell are also described.

Abstract: A new use for paracetamol in a method of treating glaucoma, which method comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment 500 mg to 1000 mg of paracetamol in oral format 4 to 6 hourly. An ophthalmic solution is also provided containing between 0.1 to 5% of paracetamol which is administered as one to two drops in each eye 4 to 6 hourly. The ophthalmic solution further includes one or more of the following excipients: hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, benzalconium chloride, polyacrylic acid such as Teargel®.

Abstract: A thermal storage facility stores thermal energy at elevated temperature. The facility includes an enclosure for retaining a thermal storage medium; primary heat transfer surfaces for transferring heat from a circulating heat transfer fluid; and secondary heat transfer surfaces for transferring heat from the thermal storage medium to steam pipes associated with a power generation facility. The thermal storage medium is a metallic phase change material, preferably having a melting temperature above 500° C., interposed between the primary heat transfer surfaces and the secondary heat transfer surfaces. Solar power installations can incorporate one or more of the thermal storage facilities.

Abstract: The invention relates to the combination of the TLG1 glucoamylase from Thermomyces lanuginoses with: (i) the SFA1 alpha-amylase from Saccharomycopsis fibuligera; and/or (ii) the LKA alpha-amylase. The enzyme combinations may be expressed in a host cell (e.g. in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or provided as an enzyme composition. Methods for making the enzyme combinations of the invention are provided. The invention also relates to a yeast strain which exhibits amylolytic activity and promising fermentative abilities. Processes for producing a fermentation product (in particular alcohol) from starch-containing material are described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of modifying soluble xylan which contains glucuronic acid and/or arabinose side chains so that it can be adsorbed onto other substrates. The method includes the steps of enzymatically modifying the xylan by selectively removing glucuronic acid and/or arabinose side chains from the xylan with ?-D-glucuronidase and/or ?-L-arabinofuranosidase, and allowing the modified xylan to adsorb onto the substrate. The substrate may be a cellulosic substrate like pulp or paper or a non-cellulosic substrate. The enzymes are able to remove a sufficient number of the xylan side chains so as to decrease water solubility of the xylan, induce xylan precipitation and allow adsorption of the xylan onto other substrates. A pulping process which incorporates modification of xylan and adsorption onto cellulosic material is also provided, as are products which contain the modified xylan.

Abstract: A yarn spun from a plurality of nano-fibers is provided and is characterized in that at least some of the nano-fibers are folded with the folds occurring at predeterminable distances which are integer multiples of a specific spacing. The folds result from spinning the nano-fibers onto a plurality of moving conductive strips which are inclined to their direction of movement. A process and apparatus for producing such yarn is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical energy conversion system (11) which is particularly suited for use in wind energy conversion systems. The system includes two magnetically separated permanent magnet machines (25, 27) linked by a freely rotating rotor (19) housing permanent magnets (39). The first machine is typically a synchronous generator, and the second an induction generator. The synchronous generator (25) has a stationary stator (21) which is connectable to an electrical system such as an electricity grid, and the induction generator (27) has a rotor (17) which is connectable to a mechanical drive system such as, for example, a wind turbine.

Abstract: A system for modelling the conversion of crystalline insoluble cellulose to ethanol is provided which includes a processor configured to calculate the production rate for ethanol based on a number of inputs and as a function of specific equations. The system can form part of a control system for controlling the operation of a plant which produces ethanol from cellulose.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enzymatically modifying xylan by selectively removing glucuronic acid and/or arabinose side chains from the xylan with a-D-glucuronidase and/or a-L-arabinofuranosidase, and allowing the modified xylan to form into a hydrogel when the xylan becomes insoluble. A bioactive substance, such as a protein, enzyme, antimicrobial agent, bactericide or pharmaceutical compound can be added to the xylan so that the substance is encapsulated within the hydrogel or incorporated onto its surface. The hydrogel can be used as a drug delivery agent, such as for sustained-release or targeted drug delivery, rectal drug delivery or a dressing for a wound, burn or scar. The hydrogel can also be used as a coating, such as on medical gloves, catheters, surgical drainage systems, utensils or the like, or can be used in a scaffold for tissue engineering.

Abstract: A method of modifying at least one carbohydrate in a tissue of a plant is described. The method is typically applied to a sugarcane plant of the genus Saccharum method and includes the steps of inserting into a plant cell a gene silencing cassette which includes nucleic acid operably linked to transcription elements such as a monocotyledonous promoter for transcribing the nucleic acid in a plant cell, wherein transcription of the nucleic acid decreases activity of UMP synthase. The method further includes the steps of regenerating a transgenic plant from the plant cell and producing the tissue with increased carbohydrate content. Vectors for use therefor, as well as a transformed plant cell and a transgenic plant or plant part containing or derived from a transformed plant cell are also described.

Abstract: A new configuration for a double-sided rotor, radial flux, air-cored, permanent magnet electric generator (1) is disclosed. The generator (1) includes two radially spaced apart rotor portions (33, 35) defining an air gap between them and each having a plurality of alternating polarity permanent magnets (41) arranged on their inner surfaces, mounted for rotation in the air gap. A modular stator (43) is positioned in the air gap and includes a base (45) having attachment formations (60) spaced apart about its surface and a plurality of individually moulded, polymeric resin stator modules (53). Each stator module (53) has complementary attachment formations (59) for attachment to the base (45) and includes at least one non-overlapping compact wound coil (61) which is embedded within the resin.