Abstract: When a ferroelectric liquid crystal display (FLCD) panel is addressed in such a manner as to cause adjacent or successive pixels to display different levels of greyscale, the viewer may perceive a pseudo edge effect caused by the perceived error in the transmission level at the transition between the two grey levels. In order to decrease this perceived error, the panel is addressed such that, at the transition between the two grey levels, for example between the grey levels “3” and “4”, the most significant bit of the addressing scheme incorporates an analogue grey level, for example a half level. This results in a perception level exhibiting a lower absolute error in the relative grey level than would be obtained if no special measures were taken to compensate for the perceived error at the transition. This compensation technique is applicable to addressing schemes utilizing temporal dither (TD) as well as spatial dither (SD).

Abstract: A method is provided for the formation of liposomes of 0.1 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m in diameter having unilamella or multilamella structure and containing water insoluble or undissolved particulate materials comprising (a) forming liposomes and removing substantially all of any organic solvent used in their preparation, (b) freeze drying the liposomes so formed and then (c) rehydrating them in intimate admixture with the particulate material.

Abstract: An electroclinic device having two spaced cell walls each bearing electrode structures and treated on at least one facing surface with an alignment layer, a layer of a smectic liquid crystal material enclosed between the cell walls, where the liquid crystal material contains one or more of the compounds described by formula I as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting reactions comprising a plurality of reaction vessels for holding reagents, an electrically conducting polymer which emits heat when an electric current is passed through it, and control device for controlling supply of current to the polymer, the polymer being connectable to an electrical supply via the control device. The control device may be arranged such that different currents and therefore different temperatures can be achieved in each reaction vessel. Certain novel reaction vessels are described and claimed. The apparatus are reaction vessels may be used in carrying out reactions which require multiple temperature stages such as amplification reactions such as the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: Energetic materials, particularly explosives materials, are detected in samples by heating a mixture of a sample under a reduced pressure of not more than 100 mbar and detecting the chemiluminescent emission therefrom with a suitable light detector, for example a photomultiplier or photodiode. The sample is heated to a temperature in the region of from 300° C. to 500° C., conveniently in a quartz tube furnace placed within a vacuum chamber. The inlet to the tube furnace may be connected directly into the outlet from a gas chromatography apparatus such that individual compounds from a mixture may be detected as they pas sequentially through the chromatography apparatus and into the tube furnace. An inert carrier gas may be used such as nitrogen, argon or helium or a specific gas to enhance the responsiveness of the method for a particular sample material. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: An electoclinic device having two spaced cell walls each bearing electrode structures and treated on at least one facing surface with an alignment layer, a layer of a smectic liquid crystal material enclosed between the cell walls, where the liquid crystal material contains one or more of the compounds described by formula I as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Susceptible tumors are treated by first sensitizing them to incident electromagnetic radiation by of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## where M is a diamagnetic metal ion or a diamagnetic metal compound or silicon or a compound of silicon or is 2H; one H being bonded to each of the two nitrogen atoms depicted as being bonded to M at positions 29 and 31;R.sub.1 to R.sub.25 are the same or different and are independently selected from C.sub.1 -C.sub.20, alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkenyl, X--O--Y, ##STR2## X.sup.2 COOX.sup.1, x.sup.2 COONR.sup.1 R.sup.11 and H; wherein X and X.sub.2 are independently selected from a chemical bond, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- where n is an integer from 1 to 20 and --(CH.sub.2).sub.a CH.dbd.CH(CH.sub.2).sub.b where a and b are independently selected from integers 0-20 and a+b totals from 0 to 20;X.sup.1 is independently selected from C.sub.1-20 alkyl, C.sub.2-20 alkenyl and H;R.sup.1 and R.sup.11 are independently selected from H, C.sub.1-20 alkyl, C.sub.

Abstract: An infrared emitting pyrotechnic material comprising a fibrous carbon containing substrate (1) onto one or both faces (4, 5) of which is vapor deposited a combustible material layer (2, 3) which may be protected by an additional coating (6, 7). The thickness and composition of each of the layers (2, 3) are selected such that in use each of the layers is capable of igniting substantially simultaneously the entire surface on which it is deposited.

Abstract: 5-Bromo-2-iodopyrimidine is used to synthesize a range of chemical compounds including liquid crystalline compounds.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are prepared by growth of epitaxial layers on a substrate from metalorganic compounds of the formula MR.sub.3, R being an alkyl group, or its amine adduct. The metalorganic compound was prepared by reacting a Grignard reagent with a metal halide in an amine solvent.

Abstract: Phthalocyanines of formula (I) are described wherein M is a metal atom, metal compound or is 2H; one H being bonded to each of the two nitrogen atoms depicted as being bonded to M (positions 29 and 31 shown); R.sub.1 -R.sub.25 may be the same or different and are chosen independently from the following groups: straight or branched chain alkyl containing up to 32 carbon atoms where 1 or more non-adjacent CH.sub.2 groups may be replaced by O and/or a double bond; H; F; and at least one of R.sub.2.3.9.10.16.17.34.24 is chosen from formula (II) wherein Y, X and Z are chosen independently from HO, `O, --O, OR, H, C.sub.1-16 branched or straight chain alkyl or alkoxy; X and Z may also be selected from phenyl groups which may be, independently of each other, substituted with one or more C.sub.1-5 straight or branched chain alkyl groups; R may be C.sub.1-16 branched or straight chain alkyl or alkene wherein 1 or more non-adjacent CH.sub.

Abstract: Permanently stain resistant nylon and cellulosic fibers, and a method to impart permanent stain resistance to polyamide or cellulosic fibers, by covalently binding a stain resistant composition to a linking compound that has been covalently attached to the fiber are disclosed. This invention represents a significant advance in the art of textile treatments in that the covalently linked stain resist treatment is not removed after a series of alkaline shampooins. This invention is particularly useful in the preparation of commercial grade carpets for heavy traffic areas that will not lose their stain resistance after frequent shampooing.

Abstract: An enzyme capable of catalyzing the removal of nitrite from pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is provided. The enzyme (known as PETN reductase enzyme) is produced by culturing a novel strain of the Enterobacter cloacae bacterium isolated from nature. The strain designated PB2 has been deposited as NCIMB 40718. The amino acid sequence of the enzyme and the genetic sequence which encodes for this enzyme have also been determined. A PETN reductase enzyme encoded by the on gene is provided. A method for producing PETN reductase enzyme in large quantities and methods of bioremediation using the enzyme so produced are also provided. Additionally there is provided a method of detecting the presence of PETN in a sample together with a biosensor for use in such a method.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite material made of a fiber reinforcement having a coating of gadolinium and gadolinium boride, preferably as discrete layers, each having a thickness of 1 to 6 microns. This composite is made by coating reinforcing fibers with gadolinium using a deposition technique, further coating the fibers with gadolinium boride by a deposition technique and then consolidating the coated fibers into a metal matrix to form the metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a gaseous environment for the presence of cellular material capable of providing a measure of presence and/or numbers of cellular microorganisms, such as bacterial cells, in a large volume of air such as in a warehouse or production facility or in an open air location where bacterial presence is suspected. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for determining the likelihood of pathogenic material being present in an environment by batch or on-line measurement of cell numbers. On-line measurement provides continuous monitoring of an environment for presence of pathogens. The device includes a continuous flow luminometer preferably fed by a cyclone or high velocity virtual impactor and luminescence reagents which detect the amount of ATP or adenylate kinase present in a sample of air.

Abstract: An electrolyte system suitable for a molten salt electrolyte high temperature battery is described consisting only of a first component which consists of one or more lithium halides and a second component which consists of one or more lithium compounds which are not lithium halides, and is preferably one or more of lithium sulphate, lithium sulphide, lithium metaborate and lithium oxide. A molten salt electrolyte high temperature battery is described incorporating the electrolyte (2), an anode, preferably of lithium or a lithium alloy (3), and a cathode, preferably of iron disulphide (1).

Abstract: The invention describes liquid crystal compounds of formula (I) which are suitable for use in liquid crystal devices including those devices which exploit the electroclinic effect, ##STR1## where X may be CN, NO.sub.2, CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, halogen, hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy; X.sub.2 may be CN, NO.sub.2, CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, halogen, hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy; X.sub.3 may be CN, NO.sub.2, CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy or hydrogen; X.sub.4 may be CN, NO.sub.2, CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy or hydrogen; provided that at lease one of X or X.sub.2 is CF.sub.3, CF.sub.2 H, CFH.sub.2, CN, NO.sub.2 or halogen; A and B are independently phenyl, mono-fluorinated phenyl, di-fluorinated phenyl or cyclohexyl; Y may be single bond, COO, OOC, C.dbd.C; q may be 0 or 1; R.sub.1 may be an end group of formula (II) wherein Z may be a single bond, O, CO.sub.2, (CH.sub.2).sub.n or (CH.sub.2).sub.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of metalorganic compounds by reacting a Grignard reagent with a Group II, Group III or Group V metal halide in a tertiary alkyl amine solvent to form a metalorganic adduct, isolating the adduct and dissociating the adduct to leave the metalorganic compound.

Abstract: A digital arithmetic circuit includes an inverting circuit connected to a digital circuit in which errors are to be detected. An operand input to the circuit produces an output result in a first operation which is stored in a comparison circuit. The operand is inverted by the inverting circuit on a second cycle of operation of the circuit and the output result is compared by the comparison circuit with that from the first operation. A non-zero result from the comparison indicates the occurrence of an error or errors in the operation of the circuit.

Abstract: A prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine for use in protecting mammals such as humans or animals against Venezelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEE) is described. In particular, the vaccine comprises a recombinant virus such as a recombinant vaccinia virus which is able to express the structural genes of VEE in attenuated form, which has been modified to increase the protective effect of the vaccine. This is achieved by modifying the sequence of the attenuated VEE strain and/or putting this under the control of modified promoter which increases expression from the vector. Formulations of the vaccine as well as methods of treatment using the vaccine are also described.