Abstract: An analytical device (1) for use in assay procedures comprises at least one liquid flow channel of porous material leading from a channel end to an analytical site (2) via a localized reagent site (3). A liquid-impermeable barrier (6) is arranged adjacent to the reagent site (3) in the liquid flowpath to slow the transport of the reagent to the analytical site (2) by creating a substantially stagnant zone (10) which has the effect of elongating the distribution of reagent in the liquid flow.

Abstract: A linear motor (220) suitable for use with a cryogenic cooler is described. The arrangement comprises first and second annular magnets (100 and 110), which in the preferred embodiment are nested and share a common axis. A circular bore (190) is defined about the common axis and is able to receive a drive shaft (220). The drive shaft (220) is connected to a base member (210) which has an annular peripheral region (200) in which a coil (200) is defined. Coil (200) has poles (150 and 160). The coil (200) when energised causes reciprocal motion of the drive shaft (220). The coil (200) per se is able to move into and out of an annular cavity (170) defined between the nested magnets (100 and 110).

Abstract: The invention relates to an identification system comprising an interrogator and a plurality of transponders. The interrogator includes transmitter means for transmitting an interrogation signal to the transponder, receiver means for receiving a response signal from the transponder, and processor means for identifying the transponder from data in the response signal. Clock extraction means are further provided for extracting a transponder clock signal from the response signal which is used to synchronise the modification of the interrogation signal with the response signal from the transponder. Each transponder comprises receiver means for receiving the interrogation signal, a transponder clock generator, a code generator, transmitter means, and a modulator connected to the code generator, so that on receipt of the interrogation signal the transponder transmits a response signal containing data which identifies the transponder.

Abstract: A method for the examination of the condition of a ruminant animal including sampling odours from at least one part of the animal with an olfactory sensor thereby to identify specific aspects of the animal condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of analysing Ventricular Late Potential (VLP) including determining a parameter related to the complexity of the VLP as a parameter for clinical evaluation. The method may include computing the fractal dimension of the attractor for the VLP as a parameter for clinical evaluation. The method may include performing a spectral analysis producing an assessment based on a discrete Hartley transform (DHT) vector spectrum by summing amplitude components between -f.sub.1 to -f.sub.2 and +f.sub.2 to +f.sub.1, where f.sub.1 is a number larger than f.sub.2.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a property of a sample, derived from a response obtained from the sample after an electrical pulse has been applied to it. Blood cells are subjected to an electrical pulse, a response is obtained using data retrieval means and a Fourier Transform is applied to the response. As the pulse applied is of very short duration (ideally a Dirac pulse) the Fourier transform yields information across a very broad bandwidth, typically several MHz, and accordingly a wide range of frequency response data is obtained. Certain cellular defects can be deduced from the transformed data. A detector is provided to detect precisely the presence of a cell as it passes through a particular region of an oriface. This is then used to trigger the pulse at a precisely controlled instant. This reduces the effect of random dispersion and can be adapted to ignore noise peaks which inevitably occur.

Abstract: A controlled release composition comprising an extruded core of active material and excipients, said core being coated in a water insoluble coating. Preferably the core comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable active ingredient together with microcrystalline cellulose, a clay such as kaolin and a binder such as poly(vinyl-pyrrolidine).

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of fabricating a surgical cutting tool and a tool fabricated by such method. The surgical cutting tool (20) comprises a base (21) and an upstanding cutting blade (22), fabricated by locating a mask (32) of a shape corresponding to that of the required cutting blade on the surface of a substrate (31) and etching the substrate from its exposed surface and undercutting the mask from the edges thereof to thereby for a cutting edge of an upstanding cutting blade (22) in the substrate under at least a part of the mask. The tool of the invention is particularly suitable for cutting thin membranes within the human or animal body and has specific application in extracapsular cataract extraction operations, where accurate cutting of the thin membrane of the eye's lens capsule is required.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein each X separately is halogeno, hydroxy, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, nitro or an unsubstituted or substituted amino group NRR' in which R and R' are each separately selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl groups and C.sub.2-4 halogenated alkyl groups;wherein Y is halogeno, hydroxy, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy or an unsubstituted or substituted amino group NRR' in which R and R' are as defined above;wherein n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3 and n' represents 1, 2, 3 or 4;wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each separately represent hydrogen, halogeno, phenyl or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, or together represent a group .dbd.NOR" in which R" is hydrogen or is a group ZC(O)-- or (ZO).sub.2 P(O)-- where Z is a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group; andwherein R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each separately represent hydrogen, acetyl, phenyl, 2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, or together represent a group .dbd.CHR"' in which R"' is a C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.

Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement comprising a pair of double-gated insulated-gate transistor devices connectible in series, the first transistor of the pair being biased by one of the gates of the device so as to be operable as a depletion-mode device whilst the second transistor of the pair is biased by one of its two gates so as to be operable as an enhancement-mode device. The separately-biasable gate electrode permits the threshold voltage of the transistors to be adjusted independently so that the device may operate as either a depletion-mode transistor or as an enhancement mode transistor.

Abstract: A removable security device for a vehicle is provided, having at least one portion adapted to be inserted into a cigar/cigarette lighter of the vehicle. A terminal receives power produced by an external power supply, and a signal modifier modifies a characteristic of the power produced by the external power supply to produce a verification signal. A reader detects a presence of the verification signal, and an enabler enables the vehicle to be driven when the presence of the verification signal is detected.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical bar of microporous PTFE is non-fibrillated and incorporates pores within any cylindrical surface within the bar centred about the central longitudinal axis of the bar that are of substantially uniform size and are substantially uniformly distributed within that surface. The process for producing such a bar includes the step of applying a substantially radial compressive force to pre-heated and cooled granules of PTFE and subsequently re-heating and cooling the compressed granules, while a film of non-fibrillated, microporous PTFE is formed from the cooled bar, the plane of the film being perpendicular to the direction of the radial compressive force whereby the pores within any plane substantially perpendicular to the thickness of the film are of substantially uniform size and are substantially uniformly distributed within that plane and all such parallel planes.

Abstract: A method of cleaning the teats of a milking animal including providing a cleaning arrangement having a teat receiving aperture, causing or permitting the arrangement to receive a teat and engage the teat locally and causing or permitting relative movement of the teat and cleaning arrangement, releasing from the teat surface unwanted material.

Abstract: The combination of a phosphatase enzyme with a biocompatible carrier material produces materials which are useful in the repair of the skeleton and the promotion of new bone growth. The combination preferably involves covalent coupling between the enzyme and the carrier. The preferred carrier materials include fibrillar collagen and may be obtained by the demineralization of calcified tissues. The materials may include phosphoproteins or dentinal phosphophoryns which may be residual or may be added during the preparation of the materials. The incorporation of other organophosphates and inorganic phosphates may improve the rate of mineralization especially in older animals.

Abstract: A bilayer laminated material has a gas permeability increasing greatly with temperature, achieved by cutting a star-shaped hole in it when it is relaxed and flat. On warming, the leaves between the radial cuts curl and disproportionately increase the hole size. Such a material, if flat at 5.degree. C. and wide open at 20.degree. C., is useful for packaging vegetable produce.

Abstract: A teat cup liner (10) for use in hydraulic milking apparatus, comprises an upper section (20,21) adapted to encircle the teat without collapse on the teat end during milking, and a relatively flexible lower section (23) located beneath and spaced from the teat end and adapted to open and close during the pulsation cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deriving a pulse sequence corresponding to a fetal heart rate (FHR) from a composite ECG signal which includes a signal from a second source, such as from the mother or a twin. A peak detection technique is used to identify apparent QRS complex signal components in the composite ECG signal, which are then compared against a template by calculating a statistical correlation coefficient. If the correlation result exceeds a predetermined threshold, the complex is flagged as a match. The template is an adaptive one, and is initialized by taking the complexes associated with the first n peaks encountered in the composite ECG signal. It is then continuously updated with each QRS complex which provides an exceptional match. After event sorting and output validation, a sequence of pulses is produced which represents the fetal heartbeat and which can be passed to a conventional heart rate monitor for display.

Abstract: A method of examining a milking animal presenting for milking including examining the animal with an optical (as herein defined) sensing device responsive to at least one characteristic significant in the acceptability of an animal for milking, assessing the response of the sensing device to determine the acceptability of the animal and controlling the continuance of the presentation of the animal in dependence on the determination.

Abstract: A probe for a position determining apparatus includes a sensing space and a movable stylus supported for three-dimensional position determining movement which extends into the space. A device emits sensing radiation into the space and a collector collects the sensing radiation from the space. A deflector is supported on the stylus within the space to deflect emitted sensing radiation and is movable with position determining movement of the stylus. The deflector concentrates the sensing radiation and the collector is sensitive to variations in the intensity distribution of collected deflected radiation which occur due to the three-dimensional movement of the stylus.

Abstract: Chiral compounds useful as radiosensitizers or chemosensitizers having the formula ##STR1## wherein X is halogen or ##STR2## intermediates used to prepare these compounds, and a novel process to prepare these compounds are described.