Abstract: The present invention provides a plant of the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) variety Sicot 812RRF, or a part, cell, tissue or organ thereof.

Abstract: Provided are methods and means to obtain improved gene silencing of target nucleic acids whereby at least two inhibitory RNA molecules are provided which are targeted to the same nucleic acid, but which are processed into short interfering RNA molecules through different processing pathways. Also provided are methods and means to obtain improved gene silencing of target nucleic acids whereby at least two inhibitory RNA molecules are provided which are targeted to different nucleic acids, but which are processed into short interfering RNA molecules through different processing pathways.

Abstract: Methods and means are provided for reducing the phenotypic expression of a nucleic acid of interest in eucaryotic cells, particularly in plant cells, by introducing chimeric genes encoding sense and antisense RNA molecules directed towards the target nucleic acid, which are capable of forming a double stranded RNA region by base-pairing between the regions with sense and antisense nucleotide sequence or by introducing the RNA molecules themselves. Preferably, the RNA molecules comprises simultaneously both sense and antisense nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: Methods and means are provided for reducing the phenotypic expression of a nucleic acid of interest in eucaryotic cells, particularly in plant cells, by introducing chimeric genes encoding sense and antisense RNA molecules directed towards the target nucleic acid, which are capable of forming a double stranded RNA region by base-pairing between the regions with sense and antisense nucleotide sequence or by introducing the RNA molecules themselves. Preferably, the RNA molecules comprises simultaneously both sense and antisense nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: Methods and means are provided for reducing the phenotypic expression of a nucleic acid of interest in eukaryotic cells, particularly 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: Probiotic microorganisms are micro encapsulated by dispersing the probiotic microorganism in an aqueous suspension of a film forming protein and a carbohydrate; in an oil in water emulsion of a film forming protein and a carbohydrate and a fat; or in an oil which is subsequently dispersed in a film forming protein and a carbohydrate. The emulsion or suspension may be dried to form a powder. The probiotic may be dispersed in oil and then emulsified with the aqueous suspension and then dried to produce an encapsulated oil be dried to produce a powder. Oil suspended probiotics may be preferred where the probiotic is water sensitive. The preferred protein is casein or whey protein and the carbohydrate may be a resistant starch or a saccharide with a reducing sugar group. Where the probiotic is oxygen sensitive the protein carbohydrate is heated to create Maillard reaction products in the encapsulating film.

Abstract: Methods and means are provided for monitoring and modulating reduction of gene expression in eukaryotic organisms, using double stranded RNA comprising, in addition to the dsRNA region comprising nucleotide sequences homologous to the target gene, additional dsRNA regions designed to down regulate a second gene or which are unrelated to the target gene.

Abstract: A method of predicting a well trajectory wherein the method utilises a series of parameters to calculate the trajectory. The method is characterised in that the parameters include the angle of a drill bit (23) relative to a well bore (27), and the variation of said angle during drilling wherein the variation of said angle is related to the moment on the bit (23).

Abstract: New pesticide compositions comprising an alkyl formate and an isothiocyanic ester are described, as are methods of delivering fumigants and methods of pest control using a combination of fumigants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing modified fatty acids comprising a functional group which is a hydroxyl group, an epoxy group, an acetylenic group or a conjugated double bond. For example, seeds, seedoil and methods of making seedoil are provided wherein at least 23% (mol %) of the fatty acid content of the seed or seedoil comprises the functional group. Also provided are novel polypeptides, and polynucleotides thereof, which can be used to produce the modified fatty acids, particularly in transgenic plants and cells suitable for fermentation.

Abstract: A method for determining at least one characteristic of a multiphase fluid including the steps of applying alternating energy of a predetermined amplitude to a portion of a multiphase fluid and measuring the electrical impedance spectrum across the portion of multiphase fluid whereby a characteristic of the multiphase fluid can be determined from the measured electrical impedance spectrum.

Abstract: Methods and means are provided for modulating fiber length in fiber producing plants such as cotton by altering the fiber elongation phase. The fiber elongation phase may be increased or decreased by interfering with callose deposition in plasmodesmata at the base of the fiber cells.

Abstract: A process for the separation of nickel, cobalt or both from impurity elements selected from one or more of calcium, magnesium, manganese and chloride contained in a leach solution, the process comprising the step of subjecting the leach solution to solvent extraction using a carboxylic acid (such as Versatic 10), a hydroxyoxime such as LIX 63, a kinetic accelerator such as TBP, and optionally a stabilizer.

Abstract: A method of predicting a well trajectory wherein the method utilises a series of parameters to calculate the trajectory. The method is characterised in that the parameters include the angle of a drill bit (23) relative to a well bore (27), and the variation of said angle during drilling wherein the variation of said angle is related to the moment on the bit (23).

Abstract: A filter comprising a polymer material comprising a polymer matrix such as polyacrylonitrile containing dispersed metal oxide particles. The metal oxide particles are for example ferric oxide particles, and the polymer material contains generally 0.25-3% by weight of these particles. The filters are resistant to thermo-oxidation and have reduced shrinkage or degradation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for estimating a fluid driven fracture volume during hydraulic fracturing treatment of a ground formation. A series of tiltmeters are positioned at spaced apart tiltmeter stations at which tilt changes due to the hydraulic fracturing treatment are measurable by those tiltmeters. Tilt measurements obtained from the tiltmeters at progressive times during the fracture treatment are analysed to produce estimates of the fluid driven fracture volume at each of those times as the treatment is in progress. The analysis may be performed sufficiently rapidly to provide real time estimates of the fluid driven fracture volume and may also produce estimates of fracture orientation. The estimates of fracture volume may be compared with the volume of fluid injected to derive an indication of treatment efficiency.

Abstract: A process for producing a metal from the corresponding metal halide by reaction of the metal halide at elevated temperature in a reactor comprising a fluidised bed, the fluidised bed comprising seed particles of an inert material that has a melting point higher than that of the metal.

Abstract: A process and plant for producing metallurgical coke is disclosed. The process comprises rapidly drying coal particles in an inert atmosphere, and maintaining the particles, once dry, in an inert atmosphere. The dried particles are then compressed into a briquette without addition of a binder. The briquette is heated to a temperature between 1000° C. and 1400° C. for a period of between 1 and 5 hours to produce metallurgical coke.

Abstract: High amylose starches are treated to retain resistance while improving water binding properties. Starch functionality is varied by pre-processing of starches by heating and microfluidisation, to create changes in product viscosity, resistant starch content, particle size and molecular weight. The treated starches produce food grade resistant starches which have the ability to bind water, build viscosity, gel and form films. They can be used as fat replacement ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme of the starch biosynthetic pathway in a cereal plant, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of starch branching enzyme I, starch branching enzyme II, starch soluble synthase I, and debranching enzyme, with the provisio that the enzyme is not soluble starch synthase I of rice, or starch branching enzyme I of rice or maize.