Abstract: This invention provides polyvalent or polyspecific protein complexes, comprising three or more polypeptides which associate to form three or more functional target-binding regions (TBRs), and in which each individual polypeptide comprises two or more immunoglobulin-like domains which are covalently joined together, such that two Ig-like domains in a single polypeptide do not associate with each other to form a TBR. By using a linker peptide of fewer than three amino acid residues the immunoglobulin-like domains of the individual polypeptides are prevented from associating, so that complex formation between polypeptides is favoured. Preferably the polyvalent or polyspecific protein is a trimer or tetramer. The proteins of the invention have specificities which may be the same or different, and are suitable for use as therapeutic, diagnostic or imaging agents.

Abstract: A method of improving the productivity of a ruminant animal comprising administering to said animal an amount of an immunogenic preparation effective to invoke an immune response to at least one rumen protozoan, such that the immune response invoked at least reduces and preferably totally removes the activity of the at least one rumen protozoan. The invention also provides novel immunogenic preparations which may be used in the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method for the microwave irradiation of a vegetable to cook the same and to brown the exterior thereof includes the steps of applying a microwave activated browning agent to the surface of the vegetable; prior to irradiation, positioning a shielding material adjacent to the vegetable in a location such that, during irradiation, adjacent portions of the vegetable are shielded from microwave radiation; and irradiating the vegetable with microwave radiation to cook and brown the same.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer composite is used as a basis for fabricating semiconductor chips, especially compound semiconductor devices. The semiconductor wafer composite advantageously comprises a metallic substrate 210 and multiple semiconductor tiles 220 bonded to the surface of the metallic substrate 210. The semiconductor wafer composite is effectively used as a single large semiconductor wafer for volume fabrication, and can be used to fabricate semiconductor devices in a similar manner.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming star shaped microgels which include a core of crosslinked polymer and multiplicity of substantially linear polymeric arms of macromonomers attached to the core. The process includes polymerizing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of a chain transfer agent to form macromonomers each having a terminal polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated group and then polymerizing, in presence of the macromonomers, the monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and multi-olefinic crosslinking monomers. The microgels of the present invention can be used as rheology control agents in waterborne and solvent-borne coatings and in adhesives and cosmetics.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers. In the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator. The process comprises: I) introducing mono-olefinic monomer, catalyst, and initiator into a reactor in the absence of multi-olefinic monomer and producing an activatable prepolymer, component B; II) contacting the product of I) with multi-olefinic monomer to produce components A and C, optionally in the presence of additional initiator; also optionally in the presence of additional mono-olefinic monomer and initiator. The ratio of components A/(B+C) can be controlled by varying the mole ratio of The Component B/multi-olefinic monomer from 0.05/1 up to 5/1, by decreasing the mole ratio to increase the ratio of A/(B+C), and increasing the mole ratio to decrease the ratio of A/(B+C).

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process suitable for synthesizing polymers is disclosed. The process utilizes novel sulfur based chain transfer agents and is widely compatible over a range of monomers and reaction conditions. Novel polymers having low polydispersity and predictably specific polymer architecture and molecular weight are produced by the process. The polymers produced by the process are suitable for use as binders in automotive OEM and refinish coatings.

Abstract: A composition and method for controlling scarabs, especially lawn scarabs, utilising certain strains of the entomopathogenic nematode species, Heterorhabditis zealandica are disclosed. The nematode strains used in the composition and method generally have an LD50 value of less than 300 IJ as measured by pot assays against final instar scarab larvae.

Abstract: A closed cycle thermodynamic apparatus (10) is provided for powering a combustion machine. The apparatus (10) has a compressor (12) for compressing a working medium from a reservoir (14) at temperature T1. The temperature of the working medium increases during compression and reaches temperature T2 when leaving the compressor (12). It is then expanded in an expander (16) for turning the machine. In this manner mechanical work is extracted from the working medium. The apparatus (10) has a first heat exchanger (18) and a second heat exchanger (20) connected to the compressor (12) and the expander (16) in a closed cycle. It also has a burner (22) and a third heat exchanger (24). Air, as a Heat transfer medium, at ambient temperature T5 is induced into the second exchanger (20) to cool the working medium by receiving heat therefrom. The temperature of the working medium decreases from T4 to T1 before entering the compressor (12) for repeating the cycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: A method of ionically and/or electrically insulating a surface of a material is provided. The method comprises attaching to the surface a self-assembling monolayer membrane. The membrane comprises self-assembling molecules that comprise hydrocarbon chains having a length of 3 to 60 carbons. The self-assembling molecules are selected such that the membrane is liquid crystalline.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the formulae: processes for their preparation, polymers, co-polymers or block co-polymers containing them or their use as monomers or co-monomers in free radical polymerization and in the manufacture of adhesives, dental composites or optical lenses.

Abstract: A separation process is described for separation of a nutrient from divalent ions of an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is contacted with an ion exchange resin that includes monovalent ions until the concentration of divalent ions in the aqueous solution has been depleted and an eluate is collected. The eluate is then subjected to a process, preferably a nanofiltration membrane process, capable of separating monovalent ions to obtain a permeate fraction including monovalent ions and a retentate fraction including the nutrient. The retentate fraction is then separated into fractions with at least one fraction including a major portion of the nutrient. The ion exchange resin is then regenerated by contacting it with a solution including the permeate fraction until a major portion of the divalent ions have been replaced by monovalent ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of organic boronic acid derivatives involving the reaction of an organic compound with diboronic acid in the presence of a Group 8-11 metal catalyst.

Abstract: Methods are provided for reducing the phenotypic expression of a nucleic acid of interest in plant cells, by providing aberrant, preferably unpolyadenylated, target-specific RNA to the nucleus of the host cell. Preferably, the unpolyadenylated target-specific RNA is provided by transcription of a chimeric gene comprising a promoter, a DNA region encoding the target-specific RNA, a self-splicing ribozyme and a DNA region involved in 3′ end formation and polyadenylation.

Abstract: Third stage juvenile (J3) entomopathogenic nematodes are prepared for storage by being induced into a state of cryptobiosis. The induction of cryptobiosis is effected by mixing an aqueous cream of the J3 nematodes with anhydrous, small particles (average maximum dimension less than 300 &mgr;m) of non-fibrous cellulose. The proportions of the aqueous cream and non-fibrous cellulose particles are such that, after equilibration, the mixture has a water activity in the range 0.80 to 0.995. Preferably an anti-fungal agent is included in the aqueous cream. To store the cryptobiotic J3 nematodes, the mixture is preferably kept in a container, fitted with an attachment which maintains the water activity in the container at a required value. The attachment includes a rigid tube that connects the interior of the container with a chamber that is vented to ambient atmosphere by small apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides plant and viral promoters that can be used to confer high-level gene expression on transgenic plants. Representative promoters can be isolated from the genome of Australian banana-infecting badnaviruses from cultivars Mysore, Williams and Goldfinger. The invention further provides construct which include the disclosed promoters operatively linked to a coding sequence. Still further provided are a method of expressing the product of a gene in a plant cell, plant cells having DNA constructs within their genomes, and plants comprising the transgenic cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously pressure decatising a fabric include a rotatable drum (12) around which an endless belt (15) is arranged to travel for conveying a fabric (19) (and optionally a moisture laden textile (20)) between the facing surfaces of the belt (15) and the drum (12). The drum (12) is heated and fabric (19) is pressed between the belt and the drum as it is conveyed through the apparatus. The fabric (19) is subjected to pressurized saturated steam, which may be generated by evaporation of the moisture in textile (20) when it contacts the heated drum, as it is pressed. Various options other than use of a moisture laden textile (20) for supplying the steam are disclosed. The invention involves enclosing the drum in a pressure vessel (14) within which a compressed air atmosphere at ambient temperature is maintained.

Abstract: A free-radical polymerization process for making macromonomers having the structure: comprising contacting: (a) CH2═CHY; (b) optionally, CH2═CXB; and (c) free-radicals, produced from a free-radical source; in which B, U, X, Y, Z, m, n and p are defined in the text; macromonomer quality being controlled by adjusting one or more of the following variables: molar ratios of a, b and c; temperature; monomer concentration; and conversion.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers; in the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator; the process comprises: I) introducing mono-olefinic monomer, catalyst, and initiator into a reactor in the absence of multi-olefinic monomer and producing an activatable prepolymer, component B; II) contacting the product of I) with multi-olefinic monomer to produce components A and C, optionally in the presence of additional initiator; also optionally in the presence of additional mono-olefinic monomer and initiator; the ratio of components A/(B+C) can be controlled by varying the mole ratio of Component B/ multi-olefinic monomer from 0.05/1 up to 5/1, by decreasing the mole ratio to increase the ratio of A/(B+C), and increasing the mole ratio to decrease the ratio of A/(B+C).