Abstract: This invention concerns a multi-port switching circuit which may operate at frequencies up to and even beyond 100 GHz. The invention may be implemented as a GaAs based monolithic microwave integrated circuit. The circuit comprises at least three ports arranged in a star configuration around a central ring. A single switching device is associated with each port. Each switching device is connected to two transmission lines to provide impedance matching and an interconnecting path around the ring. The transmission lines are initially chosen to have a length of a quarter wavelength at the center of the band of operation of the switch. The matching lines and the lines which form the interconnecting ring are then subject to an optimization procedures in which each pair of the switching devices is in turn modeled in their ON state which the remainder of the switching devices is modeled in their OFF state. The optimization procedure aims to achieve low transmission and insertion loss, while provide good isolation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the synthesis of addition polymers containing branches upon branches and having a polymerizable olefin end group by a convenient one-pot copolymerization of selected vinyl monomers with chain polymerization initiators and a method to provide olefin end groups by chain transfer or termination agents; and polymers produced thereby.

Abstract: A diffractive device has a surface relief structure which when illuminated by a light source, generates one or more diffraction effects which are observable from a range of viewing angles around the device. At least part of the surface relief structure is arranged in a series of tracks, each track being less than 0.25 mm in width. The device, which may be embossed onto a metallised foil, is suitable for use as an anti-forgery authentication element on valuable documents.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer including first and second proof masses and a device for providing simultaneous free flight of the proof masses under the influence of the gravitional force in which the gradient is to be measured and a capacitance device for monitoring the movement of the centers of mass with respect to each other during free flight by monitoring capacitance between portions of the two proof masses.

Abstract: A cDNA corresponding to the chicken interferon-.gamma. (IFN-.gamma.) gene has been isolated. The invention thus provides avian IFN-.gamma. polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding them, and their recombinant production. The nucleic acids and polypeptides are useful as therapeutic agents and as adjuvants for the treatment of birds.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for producing a porous polymer comprising the steps of: (1) dispersing a porogen in a continuous monomer component phase wherein said continuous monomer component phase comprises at least one monomer having at least one perfluoropolyether unit and wherein said porogen is an optionally substituted poly(alkylene)glycol; (2) thereafter polymerising the continuous monomer phase; and (3) removing the porogen from the porous polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to the cloning and characterization of the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) genome, to the identification of cloned genes for host-protective antigens of IBDV, to the expression of cDNA inserts encoding the whole or part of host-protective antigens of IBDV in E.coli or other host cells, and to the use of the expressed antigens in the production of virus neutralizing antibodies in chickens. The invention also relates to the production of an effective sub-unit vaccine against IBDV utilizing the expressed antigens, as well as to the use of the expressed antigens in diagnostic tests, assays and the like.

Abstract: A genetic construct for use in production of transgenic plants with reduced susceptibility or increased resistance to pests or diseases comprises an isolated nucleotide sequence encoding the glucose oxidase enzyme of Talaromyces flavus, the nucleotide sequence being operably linked to a promoter capable of expression in a plant, plant cell or group of plant cells, and further comprises a nucleic acid segment having a nucleotide sequence encoding a signal sequence which directs secretion of the functional glucose oxidase enzyme of T. flavus from plant cells.

Abstract: This invention is directed to improved catalytic compounds, minizymes and miniribozymes, capable of hybridizing with a target RNA to be cleaved. The minizymes and miniribozymes and compositions of the present invention may be used in vitro or in vivo. They may be used as diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: This invention is directed to improved catalytic compounds, minizymes and miniribozymes, capable of hybridizing with a target RNA to be cleaved. The minizymes and miniribozymes and compositions of the present invention may be used in vitro or in vivo. They may be used as diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: An object detection system including passive sensors for receiving electromagnetic radiation from a moving object and generating intensity signals representative of the received radiation, and a processing system for subtracting the intensity signals to obtain a differential signature representative of the position of the moving object. An image acquisition system including at least one camera for acquiring an image of at least part of a moving object, in response to a trigger signal, and an analysis system for processing the image to locate a region in the image including markings identifying the object and processing the region to extract the markings for optical recognition.

Abstract: A composition for reducing the concentration of molecular oxygen present in an atmosphere or liquid, comprising at least one reducible organic compound which is reduced under predetermined conditions. The reduced form of the compound being oxidizable by molecular oxygen, wherein the reduction and/or subsequent oxidation of the organic compound occurs independent of the presence of a transition metal catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially purified antigen derived from a first species of parasitic nematodes, which antigen is capable of providing protection to a host from parasitism infestation by a second nematode species, which may be the same as or different from the first nematode species, following vaccination of the host with the antigen, characterized in that the antigen is proteinaceous, has a pI between 3.8 and 4.4, can be bound by lentil lectin and Helix promatia and has a molecular weight of approximately 45 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of an active protease in a sample. The method involves the following steps: (1) providing a solid support to which is attached a ligand reactive with a protease; (2) contacting the solid support with a sample suspected to contain the protease; (3) washing the solid support to remove material not bound to the ligand; (4) contacting the washed solid support with a solution containing a peptide ester substrate which is hydrolysed for the protease, and (5) detecting protons produced by hydrolysis of the peptide ester substrate. In addition, the present invention provide a prostate specific antigen substrate, the substrate being of the general formula; A-B-Tyrosine-ester in which A is acetyl or carbobenzoxy and B is 2 to 6 amino acids.

Abstract: A method for treating proteinaceous materials that contain disulfide or polysulfide bonds to improve their performance at high relative humidity and when wet. The method comprises annealing the fabric at a temperature in the range of from 70.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. at a regain of between 10% and 25% for a period greater than about 10 minutes wherein the fabric is annealed in the presence of a gas which enhances the disulfide interchange reaction. A further embodiment of the invention comprises annealing the fabric at a temperature in the range of from 70.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. to a regain of between 10% and 25% for a period greater than 10 minutes wherein the fabric has at least in part been treated with a liquid which enhances the disulfide interchange reaction. The present method is particularly applicable to keratinous materials such as for example wool, wool with reduced crystallinity, mohair, regenerated protein, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The disclosed method determines at least a first measurement parameter of an object by locating the object in a measurement interaction volume having a light absorbing background and passing through that volume a measurement light beam which has at least two spectrally different wavelengths of light. The measurement light is interacted with the object to product measurement outgoing light which is light reflected from the object while in the measurement reaction volume. That outgoing light is filtered into at least two spectrally different outgoing light portions which are detected and generated therefrom are signals which are a function of the at least a first measurement parameter which is then determined from those signals.

Abstract: A method of increasing the adhesion of a rubber (as hereinbefore defined) or rubber-based material which includes treating at least part of the surface of the rubber or rubber-based material with a halogenating agent simultaneously with a static and/or high freguency alternating physical field.

Abstract: An isolated immunoreactive molecule (IRM) capable of binding to a target molecule from at least one species or sub-species of the insect but not to at least one other species or sub-species of insect and a method of identifying one or more insect species or subspecies and kits therefor. The invention is particularly useful for distinguishing between Lepidopterans such as Helicoverpa armigera and H. punctigera.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially purified antigen derived from a first parasitic nematode species which, when administered to a host animal, is capable of protecting the host animal from infestation by a second parasitic nematode species, wherein the first and second parasitic nematode species may be the same or different, and the antigen has an apparent molecular weight of 40 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.