Abstract: Described herein is a method for determining the presence or absence of anomalous radioactive materials in a target in a detection zone. In the method, a target gamma ray spectrum is obtained from the target and a target data set is prepared from the target gamma ray spectrum. This data set comprise a plurality of intensity values, each intensity value being associated with an energy bin representing a gamma ray energy or range of gamma ray energies in the target gamma ray spectrum. The target data set is then pre-processed and projected into a principal component space which contains a pre-processed data library projected into the principal component space. A distance is then determined between the projected pre-processed target data set and one or more clusters of the projected pre-processed data library in the principal component space and this distance is compared with a predetermined threshold distance so as to determine if an anomalous radioactive material is present in the target.

Abstract: The invention provides a test device for assessing the detection capability of an X-ray system with a medium and/or large tunnel size. The device comprises a support and at least one test module mounted on the support. The device may optionally also comprise a stand which holds the support at a predetermined angle to the horizontal. The test module, or at least one of the test modules, is capable of being used in a test for an aspect of the detection capability.

Abstract: The invention provides a membrane comprising a gel reinforced by a support. The membrane has opposing surfaces and a thickness between said surfaces. The gel communicates between the opposing surfaces and allows diffusion of a nutrient solution through the membrane. A bioreactor is also provided, comprising a membrane-supporting structure, and a membrane according to the invention supported on the membrane-supporting structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering gold from an acid digest of a gold-containing copper anode slime. The acid digest is selectively extracted with an alcohol having low miscibility with water. Gold is then recovered from the resulting alcoholic extract.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a membrane, optionally for use in sewage treatment. The membrane comprises a support membrane having a gas face biolayer on a gas face of the membrane and/or in the support membrane near the gas face, and a liquid face biolayer on a liquid face of the membrane and/or in the support membrane near the liquid face.

Abstract: A process is provided for releasably encapsulating a biological entity. The process comprise combining a solution of a surfactant in a non-polar solvent with a precursor material and the biological entity to form an emulsion. The emulsion comprises a polar phase dispersed in a non-polar phase, wherein the polar phase comprises the biological entity. The particles comprising the biological entity are then formed from the polar phase.

Abstract: A method of determining the distance, from a reference point, of a tracer emitting radiation comprising a first component emitted at a first known energy level and a second component emitted at a second known energy level, the intensity of a penetrating portion of the first component that penetrates a substance between the tracer and the reference point and the intensity of a penetrating portion of the second component of the radiation that penetrates the substance being a function of the rate of gamma radiation emission of the tracer as well as of the distance of the tracer from the reference point, the method comprising: a) measuring the intensity of the first penetrating portion and the intensity of the second penetrating portion; b) determining the ratio of the intensity of the first penetrating portion to the intensity of the second penetrating portion; and c) determining the distance of the tracer from the reference point.

Abstract: Controlled release ceramic particles, processes for their preparation, controlled release ceramic particles prepared by such processes, compositions comprising such controlled release ceramic particles and methods of using controlled release ceramic particles are described. In one form each of the controlled release ceramic particles has an active material(s) substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the particles, wherein the active material(s) is capable of being released from said particles, and the active material(s) in said particles is substantially protected from degradation until release of the active material(s) from the particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one ratio of different isotopes of at least one element in a sample. The method comprises ionizing the sample to produce ions of the different isotopes of the at least one element, the ions being selected from the group consisting of: multiply charged atomic positive ions, single charged positive ions for hydrogen and single charged positive ions for deuterium, separating the charged positive ions of the different isotopes of the at least one element according to their mass-to-charge ratios, and determining at least one ratio of the different isotopes of said at least one element separated in the previous step. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the above method.

Abstract: Controlled release ceramic particles, processes for their preparation, controlled release ceramic particles prepared by such processes, compositions comprising such controlled release ceramic particles and methods of using controlled release ceramic particles are described. In one form each of the controlled release ceramic particles has an active material(s) substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the particles, wherein the active material(s) is capable of being released from said particles, and the active material(s) in said particles is substantially protected from degradation until release of the active material(s) from the particles.

Abstract: Controlled release ceramic particles, processes for their preparation, controlled release ceramic particles prepared by such processes, compositions comprising such controlled release ceramic particles and methods of using controlled release ceramic particles are described. In one form each of the controlled release ceramic particles has an active material(s) substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the particles, wherein the active material(s) is capable of being released from said particles, and the active material(s) in said particles is substantially protected from degradation until release of the active material(s) from the particles.

Abstract: Controlled release ceramic particles, processes for their preparation, controlled release ceramic particles prepared by such processes, compositions comprising such controlled release ceramic particles and methods of using controlled release ceramic particles are described. In one form each of the controlled release ceramic particles has an active material(s) substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the particles, wherein the active material(s) is capable of being released from said particles, and the active material(s) in said particles is substantially protected from degradation until release of the active material(s) from the particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and compositions for at least partially removing cations of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of caesium, strontium, lead, silver, transition metals, lanthanides and actinides from a liquid containing the cations. The process comprises contacting the liquid with a sorbent material in an amount and for a time sufficient to at least reduce the concentration of the cations, wherein the sorbent material is a metal oxide composition having the empirical formula Ax/n[ByM1-yO3+?]x.

Abstract: Controlled release ceramic particles, processes for their preparation, controlled release ceramic particles prepared by such processes, compositions comprising such controlled release ceramic particles and methods of using controlled release ceramic particles are described. In one form each of the controlled release ceramic particles has an active material(s) substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the particles, wherein the active material(s) is capable of being released from said particles, and the active material(s) in said particles is substantially protected from degradation until release of the active material(s) from the particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and compositions for at least partially removing cations of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of caesium, strontium, lead, silver, transition metals, lanthanides and actinides from a liquid containing the cations. The process comprises contacting the liquid with a sorbent material in an amount and for a time sufficient to at least reduce the concentration of the cations, wherein the sorbent material is a metal oxide composition having the empirical formula Ax/n[ByM1-yO3+?]x.

Abstract: There is provided a method of synthesis of a radiolabelled platinum chemotherapeutic agent comprising the steps of: converting a metal halide to a radiolabelled platinum halide wherein the radiolabel is a radioisotope of Pt; and synthesizing the radiolabelled platinum chemotherapeutic agent from the radiolabelled platinum halide.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing an inorganic species in an aqueous solution of pH 5 or greater, comprises the steps of (i) supplying an oxidizable form of a sulfur compound, and oxygen to the solution; and (ii) adding a source of iron to the solution and allowing oxidation to take place. The method finds particular application in the treatment of manganese and other species in potable water, industrial waste waters and process liquors.

Abstract: The invention provides imidazo [1,2-a] pyridines of formula (1), wherein Y is selected from F, Cl, Br, I, OH, SH, NH2, CN and COOH; Z is selected from N(R3)C(O)R4 and C(O)NR3R4; R1, R2, R3, R4 can represent various radicals; m and n are independently 0, 1 or 2; and p is an integer from 1 to 4; radiolabelled derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compounds of the invention are useful for the diagnosis and treatment, including radiotherapy, of disorders that are characterized by an abnormal density of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors.

Abstract: A physiologically acceptable, radiolabelled compound of general formula (I) consisting of a compound of the ##STR1## where k is an integer from 2 to 5l is an integer from 1 to 5X and Y are independently selected from phenyl, naphthyl, pyridine or quinoline radical, each having at position 2 one of --OH, --SH, --NH.sub.2 or --COOH and each of X and Y can be optionally substituted by one or more amino, halogen, hydroxy, mercapto, nitro, cyano, thiocyano, alkyl, alkoxy, halogenoalkyl, acyl, acylamino, acyloxy, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, pyridoylamino, N-carboxyalkyl-carbamoyl, sulpho, sulphamoyl, mono- or dialkylated or phenylated sulphamoyl which can also carry one or more substituents R', alkylsulphonyl, alkoxysulphonyl, or by an optionally hydroxy-containing phenylsulphonyl or phenoxysulphonyl; where R' is as defined for X and Y; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: Rhenium complexes of formula (I), radiolabelled complexes thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: ##STR1## wherein R is straight or branched chain C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.1-10 alkenyl, C.sub.1-10 alkynyl optionally substituted by cycloalkyl or aryl; C.sub.1-10 cycloalkyl optionally substituted by straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl; or aryl optionally substituted by straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or cycloalkyl for use in liver cancer therapy and metastasis of cancer.