Abstract: This invention relates to a method of modifying or tailoring the surface of polymers and or polymer-based materials to control surface and interface chemistry and molecular structure. In particular a method of modifying at least a part of the surface of a polymer including: (i) oxidising at least part of the surface of the polymer and (ii) treating the oxidised surface with at least one multifunctional amine-containing organic compound to bind said compound to the oxidised polymer surface.

Abstract: A method of improving the productivity of a ruminant animal comprising administering to said animals an effective amount of an ecdysone compound.

Abstract: A method is provided for the fractal representation of data in which the data (902) is divided into a first series of overlapping regions. A weighting function is applied to the regions. The weighted regions are expanded onto an orthonormal basis, and the orthonormal expansion is truncated at a predetermined point. A residue is formed between the data (902) and the truncated orthonormal expansion, and a fractal approximation to the residue is determined.

Abstract: Diffractive indicia for a surface (1) comprising a plurality of small separate diffractive elements (2) and means for a adhering the diffractive elements to the surface. Each diffractive element has a diffractive surface relief structure and is not separately resolvable to the human eye. The appearance of the diffractive indicia, when applied to the surface, changes when the viewing angle and/or angle of illumination relative to the surface changes. In preferred arrangements, the diffractive indicia, are incorporated in an ink or a transfer medium. A palette of diffractive indicia with different characteristic colours and other optical properties may be provided.

Abstract: A pixellated diffractive device includes a multiplicity of pixels in turn divided into multiple sub-pixels. The device is related to one or more pixellated diffraction surface structures which when illuminated generate respective corresponding optically variable images. The sub-pixels of each pixel of the diffractive device include diffractive elements arranged in one or more groups, the diffractive elements of each group matching diffractive elements of a corresponding single pixel of the respective pixellated diffraction surface structures. In each pixel of the device the diffractive elements of the or each said group are intermixed with other subpixels and cooperatively contribute a single element of the corresponding optically variable image which is generated on illumination of the diffractive device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for introducing nucleic acids into cells. The method involves exposing the cells to a compound having formula (1), in which w is a nucleic acid, x is a peptide or amino acid, y is a linker having a chain length equivalent to 1 to 20 carbon atoms or is absent, R.sub.4 is H ir CH.sub.2 O--R.sub.3 ; and R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are either hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, hydroxyl or an acyl group derived from a fatty acid having a carbon chain of 3 to 24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, with the proviso that at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is an acyl group derived from a fatty acid, or to a compound having the formula (2): w . . . xyNHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OR.sub.5, in which w is a nucleic acid, x is a peptide or amino acid, y is a linker having a chain length equivalent to 1 to 20 carbon atoms or absent, R.sub.5 is an acyl group derived from a fatty acid having a carbon chain of 3 to 24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated.

Abstract: A welding torch (10) for gas tungsten arc (tungsten inert gas) welding includes a housing (12) and an electrode holder (50, 52) which is mounted on the housing so as to project therefrom, and which is adapted to hold an electrode (54) such that the electrode projects from an end of the holder remote from the housing. A shroud (14) is mounted on, or forms part of, the housing (12) and extends around but is spaced from the electrode holder (50, 52). Electrically conductive means (46, 48) extends within the housing (12) for electrically connecting the electrode holder (50, 52) to one terminal of an electric power source. The torch (10) is adapted for connection to a source of an inert gas for generating a flow of gas through the shroud (14), around the electrode holder (50, 52).

Abstract: A controlled permeability film and process for producing same wherein the film includes: a film forming polyolefin polymer; and an inert porous filler in an amount effective to reduce the ratio of the carbon dioxide permeability and water permeability to the oxygen permeability of the film, wherein the filler has a particle size greater than the intrinsic film thickness of the film forming polymer; the controlled permeability film being further modified to reduce the CO.sub.2 /O.sub.2 permeability ratio to approximately 0.5 to 2.0.

Abstract: A process for converting a copper sulphide matte and/or a copper sulphide concentrate to blister copper is described which comprises the steps of adding the matte and/or concentrate together with a suitable flux to an agitated molten bath containing molten slag phase and a molten metal phase; injecting by means of a submerged lance an oxidizing gas capable of reacting with the matte or concentrate to form a low sulphur blister copper phase, slag and sulphur dioxide; controlling the injection of the oxidizing gas such that a substantial portion of the gas contracts the blister copper phase; and separating blister copper from the bath. It is possible to obtain an amount of sulphur in the blister copper which is within a factor of two of the equilibrium value for a given percentage of copper in the slag.

Abstract: A process for the production of polymers by free radical polymerization, characterized in that there is added to the polymerization system one or more compounds of the general formula (A). ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a group capable of activating the vinylic carbon towards free radical addition;Y is OR.sup.2 or CH.sub.2 X(R.sup.2).sub.nwhere R.sup.2 is an optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, or optionally substituted saturated, unsaturated or aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;X is an element other than carbon selected from Groups IV, V, VI or VII of the Periodic Table or a group consisting of an element selected from Groups IV, V, or VI to which is attached one or more oxygen atoms; andn is a number from 0 to 3, such that the valency of the group X is satisfied and, when n is greater than 1, the groups represented by R.sup.2 may be identical or different.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the removal of ribs (15) from a carcass section (10) which contains a spine portion (11) and a number of ribs (15), comprises grasping a section of tissues (14) in the vicinity of the ventral extremities (17) of the ribs (15), pulling the grasped section of tissues (14) in a direction (A) transverse to the ribs and away from the ventral extremities (17) so that end regions (19) of the ribs (15) near the ventral extremities (17) are exposed, and restraining the exposed end regions (19) and further separating tissues attached to the ribs (15) so as to progressively expose the ribs along a major proportion of their lengths. Tissue attachments between the grasped section of tissues (41) and the ribs (15) at the ventral extremities (17) of the ribs where initial exposure of the ribs (15) is desired are first weakened by forming a cut (23) between the cartilage (18) attached at the ventral extremity (17) of each rib (15) and the respective ventral extremity (17) of the rib.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds in which peptides, amino acids or derivatives thereof are bound to other molecules, in particular fatty acids, which facilitate the use of such peptides, amino acids or derivatives thereof. The basic structure of the compounds of the present invention are an amino acid, peptide or derivative thereof linked to 1 to 3 fatty acid molecules via a tromethamine derivative. Alternatively, the amino acid, peptide or derivative thereof may be linked to a fatty acid by an ethanolamine derivative.

Abstract: A recombinant vaccine comprises a vaccine vector which incorporates a first nucleotide sequence capable of being expressed as all or a part of an antigenic polypeptide, together with a second nucleotide sequence capable of being expressed as all or a part of a lymphokine effective in enhancing the immune response to the antigenic polypeptide. The vaccine vectors include poxvirus, herpes virus or adenovirus, and the lymphokine may be an interleukin, tumour necrosis factor or gamma-interferon. The vaccine vector may express an antigenic polypeptide which is foreign to the host vector.

Abstract: Hydrophobic material is selectively separated from an aqueous feed by forming gas bubbles in a flow of the feed, forming hydrophobic material/gas bubbles aggregates by motionless mixing and separating the aggregates as a froth by use of centrifugal action.

Abstract: A process for the production of dense polycrystalline silicon carbide shaped articles; includes (a) heating a powder compact containing silicon carbide and alumina or a precursor thereof to an intermediate temperature, and maintaining the said intermediate temperature for an extended dwell, and then (b) heating the product of step (a) to a higher temperature for sufficient time to produce a dense polycrystalline silicon carbide product.

Abstract: A process for the production of dense polycrystalline silicon carbide shaped articles, includes the steps: (a) heating a powder compact containing silicon carbide and alumina or a precursor thereof together with a secondary sintering assist, to an intermediate temperature for an extended dwell, and then (b) heating the product of step (a) to a higher temperature for sufficient time to produce a dense polycrystalline silicon carbide product. The secondary sintering assist includes one or more rare earths or their precursors, for example scandia, yttria or dysprosia.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for introducing nucleic acids into cells. The method involves exposing the cells to a compound having the formula ##STR1## in which: w is a nucleic acidx is a non-amino acid or non-peptide nucleic acid binding groupy is a spacer having a chain length equivalent to 1-30 carbon-carbon single covalent bonds or is absentR.sub.4 is H or halogen or CH.sub.2 O--R.sub.3 ; and R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and are either hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl, hydroxylated alkenyl groups or ether containing alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxylated alkyl or hydroxylated alkenyl groups optionally being an acyl group having a carbon chain length equivalent to 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, with the proviso that at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 includes a group having a carbon chain of 3-24 carbon atoms saturated or unsaturated, or to a compound having the formula:w . . . y--y--NH--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 O--R.sub.

Abstract: An x-ray or neutron optic configuration includes a plurality of single crystal portions formed with respective spaced x-ray or neutron reflection faces formed at predetermined asymmetry angles to a Bragg diffraction plane in the respective crystal portion. The crystal portions are interconnected to maintain a first and second of these faces spaced apart for receipt of a sample between them and to allow small adjustments of the relative angle of the faces about the normal to the plane of diffraction while maintaining the normals to the Bragg planes for the first and second faces substantially in the plane of diffraction. A first face is arranged to be a monochromator and collimator with respect to x-rays or neutrons of appropriate wavelength incident reflected through the sample for receipt by the second face, which thereby serves as analyzer face.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence substantially corresponding to all or a portion of IBDV RNA, particularly the IBDV RNA segment of approximately 3400 b.p. In particular, a DNA molecule coding for all or a part of at least one structural protein of IBDV, for example, the 32 Kd and/or the 41/37 Kd structural proteins. Synthetic peptides or polypeptides, and fused polypeptides, prepared by expression of host cells containing these DNA molecules are also disclosed.