Abstract: A method is disclosed that can include the steps of: in response to a radar stimulator aircraft receiving information for causing it to stimulate a radar system in a user specified manner, the radar stimulator aircraft monitoring the position of an onboard unit thereof relative to at least one antenna of the radar system; and based on the received information and the monitored position of the onboard unit the radar stimulator aircraft controlling its flight and the emission of radar signals thereby to stimulate the radar system in the user specified manner.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: in response to a radar stimulator aircraft m receiving information 14 for causing it to stimulate a radar system 16 in a user specified manner, the radar stimulator aircraft monitoring the position of an onboard unit 32 thereof relative to at least one antenna 16A of the radar system; and based on the received information and the monitored position of the onboard unit the radar stimulator aircraft controlling its flight and the emission of radar signals thereby to stimulate the radar system in the user specified manner.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to methods of detecting a target that include: receiving signals reflected from a target of interest, the signals having a bandwidth large enough to provide a plurality of range cells along an expected target, and processing the received signal(s) by (i) determining the phases of contiguous groups of range cells, the group size selected to approximate to sizes of targets of interest, (ii) phase-shifting the returns within a group to increase constructive interference and thereby signal power; and (iii) combining the phase shifted returns to produce phase-adjusted combined returns, and performing a detection on those combined returns. Some embodiments may provide enhanced target detection capabilities. The process may be repeated for different potential target sizes, and may be performed either on real time data, or off-line on recorded data, and is applicable to both radar and sonar.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to methods of detecting a target that include: receiving signals reflected from a target of interest, the signals having a bandwidth large enough to provide a plurality of range cells along an expected target, and processing the received signal(s) by (i) determining the phases of contiguous groups of range cells, the group size selected to approximate to sizes of targets of interest, (ii) phase-shifting the returns within a group to increase constructive interference and thereby signal power; and (iii) combining the phase shifted returns to produce phase-adjusted combined returns, and performing a detection on those combined returns. Some embodiments may provide enhanced target detection capabilities. The process may be repeated for different potential target sizes, and may be performed either on real time data, or off-line on recorded data, and is applicable to both radar and sonar.

Abstract: Genetic markers are disclosed with a useful association with boar taint that can be used for screening and selection of pigs for those with more favorable boar taint characteristics associated with androstenone/skatole metabolism. Specific polymorphic alleles of the 3?HSD, 3?HSD, CYP17A1, CYP2A, CYP2E1, CYTB5, BAC-CT and/or SULT1A1 genes are disclosed for tests to screen pigs to determine those more likely to produce desired boar taint traits.

Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing boar taint, a method of screening pigs to determine those more likely to have reduced boar taint and a method for screening substances that enhance skatole metabolism or androstenone in a pig, are disclosed These methods involve the use of the nuclear receptors constitutive androstane receptor, pregnane X receptor and farnesoid X receptor, which have been found to modulate the activity of the enzymes involved in skatole and/or androsterone metabolism

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid barrier assembly (1) comprising at least two barriers (2,3) each comprising a substantially rigid container and a front wall (5) against which liquid is intended to be incident. Adjacent barriers (2,3) are linked by a connector (12) which comprises a first relatively rigid portion (13) and a second relatively deformable portion (15). The portions (13, 15) are received in respective recesses defined in neighbouring side walls of adjacent barriers (2,3). The second portion (15) is deformed upon juxtaposition of adjacent barriers (2,3) in a predetermined manner so as to form an effective water-tight seal between the barriers (2,3).

Abstract: A novel connection means between chord members and stiffening members of a metal roof truss. Each member includes internally pressed circular sections adapted to engage one another and thereby provide for a joint having greater shear strength than conventional joints. Each member includes two parallel side walls adapted to engage one another, this further strengthening the joint in that there are two connecting surfaces, and located between each engaged walls is a cylindrical ferrule adapted to prevent inward deflection of the walls when secured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid barrier assembly for the prevention of flow of liquid from one area to an adjacent area. The assembly comprises a plurality of barriers each having a substantially rigid container defining and enclosed chamber and a front concave wall against which, in use, liquid is intended to be incident. The front wall of at least one of the barriers has a plurality of apertures that allow the passage of liquid into and out of the chamber. Adjacent barriers are corrected to one another in a side by side relationship by an elongate dog-bone connector. Each connector has a plurality of resiliently deformable sealing members which ensure that a liquid-tight seal is retained between the barriers. Angular displacement of one barrier relative to its neighbour about the connector is permitted so that a non-linear liquid barrier assembly can be constructed.

Abstract: An optical fibre management system for manages a plurality of optical fibres. The system is such that the fibre(s) of each single circuit is/are routed separately from the fibres of other circuits, whereby optical signals carried by any given single circuit are not degraded by handling operations carried out on the fibres of other circuits.

Abstract: An optical fibre management system manages a plurality of optical fibres such that the fibre(s) of each single circuit is/are routed separately from the fibres of other circuits. By providing such single circuit management, optical signals carried by any given single circuit are not degraded by handling operations carried out on the fibres of other circuits.

Abstract: An optical ring mesh network includes a plurality of optical rings, each of which is coupled to at least one other ring by a respective optical coupler. The rings are provided with a plurality of input/output nodes constituted by optical couplers. The nodes are so positioned, and are of such a number, that the optical path length between any given pair of nodes includes n couplers where n is less than the number of nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering and dispensing an active ingredient, such as an insecticide, fumigant, fertilizer or room freshener. The active ingredient is placed in a container (6) and a pressurised propellant is subsequently introduced from a source (1) via conduits (3, 9). The propellant serves to absorb the active ingredient which is dispersed from the container via conduit (5) through a dispensing outlet (8) so that the active ingredient is dispersed in an airborne dispersion. In an ejector (4), a pressure differential is created across a propellant inlet port (4a) which is sufficient to draw the active ingredient from the active ingredient container (6) but is less than the pressure differential required to cause a cooling effect in the mixing chamber (4) and is less than that pressure differential that gives rise to an erratic dispersion of the active ingredient from the dispensing outlet (8).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering and dispensing an active ingredient, such as an insecticide, fumigant, fertilizer or room freshener. The active ingredient is placed in a container 6 and a pressurized propellant is subsequently introduced from a source 1 via conduits 3, 9. The propellant serves to absorb the active ingredient which is dispersed from the container via conduit 5 through a dispensing outlet 8 so that the active ingredient is dispersed in an airborne dispersion. In an ejector 4, a pressure differential is created across a propellant inlet port 4a which is sufficient to draw the active ingredient from the active ingredient container 6 but is less than the pressure differential required to cause a cooling effect in the mixing chamber 4 and is less than that pressure differential that gives rise to an erratic dispersion of the active ingredient from the dispensing outlet 8. The system is particularly suitable for the spraying of insecticides into large spaces such as warehouses and supermarkets.

Abstract: An optical fibre back plane (4) feeds incoming optical fibres (11) to exchange equipment. The optical fibre back plane (4) comprises a support member (5) attachable to the exchange equipment for pivotal movement about an axis (9). An optical interface is provided for connecting the incoming optical fibres to on-board optical fibres. The optical fibre back plane (4) is provided with support means (12) for supporting the incoming optical fibres (11), the support means extending parallel, and closely adjacent, to the axis (9).