Abstract: A magnetic resonant image of an object is produced by subjecting the object to an initial slice selection to provide an active region and by subjecting the active region to a plurality of 180.degree. RF pulses and appropriate amplitude modulated x and y gradients.

Abstract: A probe for position-determining apparatus and the like having a housing and in the housing a sensing space and an aperture to the sensing space, a stylus extending out of the sensing space through the aperture, and a stylus-support at the aperture. The stylus is constrained in low-friction engagement with the stylus support towards a generally neutral axis while permitting position-determining displacement on the stylus support. The stylus is linked to the constraining low friction engagement through a lever arrangement including a first lever element extending sideways from and around the stylus and a second lever from the first lever to transfer stylus displacement to the constraining low friction engagement. The lever arrangement includes an abutment engageable by the second lever.

Abstract: Broadband amplifiers which are intended to be linear suffer from distortion and although many techniques have been devised to overcome this problem significant improvements are required especially at frequencies above 100 MHz. An error signal is formed from the output of the amplifier 4 by comparison in a subtractor 11 with its input and the error signal is combined in a coupler 17 with the amplifier output to reduce distortion. The present invention provides automatic amplitude and phase control of the signals forming the error signal by means of components 24 and 25 in a multi-channel input and in the error signal by means of components 13 and 14. These components receive control signals from feedback networks 18' and 20' which each process two of three input signals from: couplers 34, 36 before the subtractor 11, a coupler 22 which passes the error signal and a coupler 21 after the coupler 17.

Abstract: Fowlpox virus (FPV) or other avipox virus promoter DNA for use in expressing a foreign gene inserted in a FPV vector by homologous recombination, which comprises the promoter of the following 4a gene, said 4a gene encoding a protein of very roughly about 890 amino acids in a sequence beginningMet Met Leu Ile Lys Asn Ile Val Thr LeuAsp Gln Leu Glu Ser Ser Asp Tyr Leu Tyr.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical device for use in operative substitution or replacement for a damaged or malformed body conduit or blood vessel, an example being an aortic aneurysm. One preferred embodiment includes a tubular body having open-end portions to provide a passageway. The wall of the body when inflated includes an annular chamber. Surrounding the body is an outer chamber of a flexible sleeve member. A probe is provided which extends forwardly of the leading end of the body, the probe providing sampling apertures to allow monitoring of body fluid flow when the device is in place. Further tubes permit inflation of the chambers. This device is suitable for insertion through the femoral artery.

Abstract: A coil circuit comprising a multi-mode resonant gradient or RF coil circuits for imaging and spectroscopy in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance systems.

Abstract: A resonant array for NMR for use at high frequencies, the array comprising two identical end structures and a plurality of continuous rods joining the identical end structures to comprise a plurality of or electrical circuit sections, the continuous rods being of electrically conductive material; the continuous rods thereby supporting the end structures a predetermined distance apart.

Abstract: A light-activated transducer includes a transparent electrically-insulating substrate (2) having on one surface an electrode structure. The electrode structure includes an electrode portion (5a) containing an aperture for passage therethrough of light which has passed through the substrate, a contact pad (5c) spaced from the electrode portion, and an electrical feedthrough (5b) connecting the electrode portion to the contact pad. An insulator layer (3) is adhered to the surface of the substrate and on the feedthrough, and surrounds the electrode portion while leaving uncovered the contact pad and the electrode portion and a corresponding region of the substrate. A conductive or semiconductive cover sheet (1) is adhered to the insulator layer and supported thereby in spaced overlying relationship with the electrode portion and the corresponding region of the substrate. The, cover sheet, insulator layer, and the substrate form a cavity that, when sealed, contains an ionisable gaseous filling.

Abstract: A gas sensor has a gas-sensing component which changes color and/or conductivity on exposure to certain gases, which component comprises a (mono, di or tri) azatetrabenzoporphyrin. Certain (mono, di or tri) azatetrabenzoporphyrins containing a transition metal ion selected from chromium (III), vanadyl, manganese, cobalt or iron (III) are novel.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, real-time imaging are described employing a plurality of contact electrodes (1) located for example around the thorax (2) with simultaneous measurement of potential between adjacent pairs of electrodes (1), digital demodulation of the potentials, and measurement and division of the drive current into the potential measurements before image reconstruction by the use of transputers (20, 22, 24 and 26).

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA from fowlpox virus (FPV) providing a non-essential region for the insertion of foreign genes thereinto and thence the construction of a vector for homologous recombination with a wild type FPV, whereby the resulting recombinant FPV can be used for vaccination of animals, especially chickens. In this invention, the non-essential region consists substantially of a length of DNA from the long unique sequence of the terminal inverted repeat (TIR) of FPV or from the region at FPV which corresponds approximately to the HindIII D fragment genes D8 and D9 in vaccinia virus.

Abstract: An enhanced chemiluminescent assay, in which a dihydrophthalazinedione such as luminol, a peroxidase such as HRP and an oxidant such as H.sub.2 O.sub.2 are co-reacted in the presence of an enhancer such as p-iodophenol, is modified. The enhancer is generated by enzyme-catalysed reaction of a pro-enhancer, e.g. p-iodophenol phosphate is cleaved by alkaline phosphatase, enabling this enzyme to be assayed instead of peroxidase. Alternatively, the enhancer is added, an anti-enhancer such as p-nitrophenol is generated by enzymatic reaction of a pro-anti-enhancer such as p-nitrophenol phosphate and the reduction in luminescent emission is measured.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (7): ##STR1## wherein X is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, Y is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group and at least one of X and Y is a hydroxyl group and Z is a hydroxyl group or a methylol (--CH.sub.2 OH) group, have anti-fungal activity, especially against organisms selected from Candida spp. and the athlete's foot/ringworm organisms Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum audonii. Compounds in which Z is a methylol (--CH.sub.2 OH) group are claimed per se.

Abstract: A method of increasing the light output from a chemiluminescent reaction of a dihydrophthalazinedione (DPD), and an oxidant, which comprises carrying out said reaction in the presence of at least one antibody, raised against an intermediate species of said chemiluminescent reaction.

Abstract: In a crop stripping apparatus for harvesting grain from standing crop, the height of an overhead hood (18) is adjusted in response to the position of the top of the crop. A sensor housing or nose (34) protrudes forwardly from the hood (18) and has a sloping undersurface (35) which contacts the crop. A pair of cooperating sensors (37) and (38) sense the position of the top of the crop by contact of one or both or neither of the sensors with the top of the crop. The crop slides along the undersurface (35) of the nose (34) with minimum disturbance to the grain heads by the effect of the sensing operation. The nose (34) is mounted in such a manner that the undersurface (35) is maintained at a constant inclination to the ground during vertical movement of the nose (34).

Abstract: Two enzymes, one an acetylmorphine carboxyesterase (AMCE), the other a morphine dehydrogenase (MDH), have been isolated from bacteria. The AMCE degrades heroin to morphine and the MDH oxidises morphine to morphinone, with the aid of a cofactor. These reactions are used in detection of heroin (using the two reactions coupled together) or morphine. The enzymes can be incorporated in sensors for this purpose.

Abstract: An attenuated enterovirus or rhinovirus, suitable for use as a vaccine, has an attenuating mutation at least at a position which is, or corresponds with, position 471 or 484 of the genome of poliovirus type 3 Leon strain.

Abstract: Delayed release compositions comprising an active compound and amorphous amylose and having an outer coating comprising a film forming cellulose or acrylic polymer material, for example glassy amylose are of particular value for the selective release of medicaments and diagnostic agents into the colon.

Abstract: A method of designing a coil or set of coils to achieve a coil with minimum or substantially minimum inductance to produce a desired magnetic field.

Abstract: An electrically operable heating system which comprises a plurality of heating units has one or more control units for controlling the operation of each heating unit. Each control unit operates on the basis of two input signals (F) and (P). One (F) represents the maximum proportion of the power of the associated heating unit or units which can be made available at any time and the other (P) represents the fraction of that proportion required at a particular time. Also disclosed is a system in the switching of heater units is carried out in a random manner.