Abstract: Disclosed herein is a filter apparatus comprising a fluid inlet for a fluid to be filtered in the apparatus; a first fluid outlet for fluid that has been filtered; and one or more barrier filters arranged between the fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet for filtering material from the fluid. In use, the fluid to be filtered is directed from the fluid inlet so as to promote a continuous erosion of material built up on the barrier filter(s). Also disclosed is a method of filtering particles from a particle laden fluid.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of diploid grapevine is provided which abundantly forms early-ripening juicy relatively large bunches of small substantially spherical berries that develop an intense black-purple coloration upon maturity. A propensity for high stenospermocarpic fruit production is displayed. Superior resistance to downy mildew and powdery mildew has been observed during evaluations to date. The plant is particularly well suited for the production of dried currants. The fruit also can be used in the table grape market or be used to make wine or grape juice.

Abstract: Barley with reduced SSII activity has a starch structure with reduced amylopectin content and a consequent high relative amylose content. Additionally the grain can have a relatively high ? glucan content. The structure of the starch may also be altered in a number of ways which can be characterized by having a low gelatinsation temperature but with reduced swelling. The viscosity of gelatinised starch of the starch is also reduced. There is a chain length distribution of the amylopectin content and a low crystallinity of the starch. The starch is also characterized by having high levels of lipid associated starch exhibiting very high levels of V form starch crystallinity. The dietary fiber content of the starch is high. This has desirable dietary and food processing characteristics.

Abstract: Wheat having a reduced level of SBEIIa activity, that may have a relative high amylose content. Wheat having a mutant SBEIIa gene in the A genome. The wheat might additionally have reduced levels of SBEIIb activity. The wheat grain of this invention can be of a non-shrunken phenotype despite a lesion in the amylopectin synthesis pathway, and may also have a high relative amylose content.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to growth factor receptor epitope peptides, particularly EGF family receptor epitope peptides. The invention also relates to the use of the receptor peptides in generating antibodies which have anti-tumor or anti-cancer activity or in stimulating an immunological response. The invention further relates to antibodies specifically directed against the receptor peptides. Methods for generating an immune response and for treatment of tumors and cancer are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and means are described to modify fiber characteristics in a fiber producing plant, such as cotton, based on the use of a novel type of sucrose synthase protein or related nucleic acids.

Abstract: A method and composition for improving one or more indicators of bowel health or metabolic health in a mammalian animal. This comprises the delivering to the gastrointestinal tract of the animal an effective amount of an altered wheat starch in the form of or derived from the grain of a wheat plant. The proportion of amylose in the starch of the grain is at least 30% and/or the grain comprises a reduced level of SBEIIa enzyme activity and/or protein relative to wild-type grain.

Abstract: A method of positioning a sample at a desired location relative to a magnetic sensor, for measurement of magnetic characteristics of the sample. A sample mounting substrate is provided, and an amphifunctional molecule is bound to the sample mounting substrate at the desired location. The amphifunctional molecule has a portion for binding to the sample mounting substrate, and a portion for capturing the sample. The sample is then provided for capture by the amphifunctional molecule.

Abstract: A novel cotton variety, designated as FM 991B2R, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by crossing plants of variety FM 991B2R with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 99IB2R and to plants of FM 991B2R reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 991B2R.

Abstract: A novel cotton variety, designated as FM 989B2R, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by crossing plants of variety FM 989B2R with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 989B2R and to plants of FM 989B2R reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 989B2R.

Abstract: Novel methods for the expression of non-native genes in flax seeds and the seeds of other plant species are provided. The methods involve the use of seed-specific promoters obtained from flax. Additionally provided are novel flax seed-specific promoters, chimeric nucleic acid constructs comprising novel flax seed-specific promoters, transgenic plant cells, transgenic plants and transgenic plant seeds containing novel flax seed-specific promoters. The promoters and methods are useful, for example, for altering the seed oil and protein composition in flax seed or other plant seeds.

Abstract: A method of controlling pest termites. A vibrational signal which is perceptible to and behaviourally influential upon the pest termites is generated, and coupled into a medium for perception by the pest termites. Repellent termite alarm signals may be utilised. A new type of foraging signal is disclosed and may be applied to lure termites to a bait.

Abstract: A method for determining the degree of mixing between components in a mixing process, the method including the steps of: a) mixing at least two components and at least two luminescent materials to form a mixture, wherein the luminescent materials are added to the mixture separately from each other, and wherein each luminescent material has a uniquely detectable luminescence emission wavelength; b) detecting emitted luminescence from a sample of the mixture, wherein the emitted luminescence includes different luminescence intensities at the uniquely detectable luminescence emission wavelengths of the luminescent materials; c) wherein the ratio of luminescence intensities and/or the absolute or relative intensities of luminescence at the uniquely detectable luminescence emission wavelengths is indicative of the degree of mixing between the components.

Abstract: A novel cotton variety, designated as FM 960B2R, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by crossing plants of variety FM 960B2R with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 960B2R and to plants of FM 960B2R reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 960B2R.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system suitable for monitoring multiple leakage events such as wetting of a diaper or alike sanitary product. The system includes two or more than two electrodes that are supported in a spaced apart relationship and a liquid permeable substrate between the electrodes that lacks or has a low capacity for holding or storing liquid. In the event of liquid leakage, an electrical bridge connecting the electrodes can be formed by the liquid, and before the product becomes saturated liquid can freely drain from the permeable substrate and disconnect the electrodes. Upon further liquid leakage, electrical connection between the electrodes can be reformed indicating multiple liquid leakage events. In the situation where the sanitary product becomes saturated and liquid is prevented from draining from the permeable substrate, the electrical connection will continue, indicating that the sanitary product requires changing.

Abstract: A valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery cell (2,40) has positive and negative plates (10,11,41,42) separated by separator media (12,43) and held together under pressure. The separator is adapted to support therein an electrolyte. Each plate has a first single or plurality of tabs (12,13,46) on a first side and a second single or plurality of tabs (15,16,47) on a second side of the plate, each tab being connected to a busbar (17,18,49,50) to form positive and negative busbars on each of the first and second sides of the plate. The cell may be alternatively configured in a spirally-wound arrangement or in a prismatic arrangement of flat plates. The cell may be constructed of a plurality of such positive and negative plates. A VLRA battery (1, 40) may be constructed of one or a plurality of such VLRA cells, in which case the busbars of neighboring cells are connected by welded joints. The busbars are serviced by at least plural pairs of positive and negative terminals (24,25,33,34,52,53,54,55).

Abstract: A novel cotton variety, designated as FM 800B2R, is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by crossing plants of variety FM 800B2R with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 800B2R and to plants of FM 800B2R reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 800B2R.

Abstract: Methods and means for efficiently downregulating the expression of any gene of interest in eukaryotic cells and organisms are provided. To this end, the invention provides modified antisense and sense RNA molecules, chimeric genes encoding such modified antisense or sense RNA molecules and eukaryotic organisms such as plants, animals or fungi, yeast or molds, comprising the modified antisense and/or sense RNA molecules or the encoding chimeric genes.

Abstract: Methods and means for efficiently downregulating the expression of any gene of interest in eukaryotic cells and organisms are provided. To this end, the invention provides modified antisense and sense RNA molecules, chimeric genes encoding such modified antisense or sense RNA molecules and eukaryotic organisms such as plants, animals or fungi, yeast or molds, comprising the modified antisense and/or sense RNA molecules or the encoding chimeric genes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine composition including a nucleic acid that encodes an amoeba-derived antigen (or a peptide molecule encoded thereby), or fragments or variants thereof. The present invention also provides for the use of such vaccine compositions in eliciting an immune response and/or protective immunity in a host against amoebic infection and screening a sample for the presence of amoebae.