Abstract: The invention provides certain novel metal oxide materials which exhibit superconductivity at elevated temperatures and/or which are useful in electrode, electrolyte, cell and sensor applications, or as electrochemical catalysts. The metal oxide materials are generally within the formula Rn+1−u−sAuMm+eCunOw  (1) where n≧0 and n is an integer or a non-integer, 1≦m≦2, 0≦s≦0.

Abstract: A lens system particularly suitable for low light, high speed applications has a primary mirror (31, 51) having a spherical reflecting surface and a secondary mirror (37, 52) having a spherical reflecting surface arranged to receive light reflected from the primary mirror. Both mirrors have the same center of curvature. The lens system includes image relay lens (47, 56) and a transfer lens (35, 55) arranged to image the center of curvature to a location at the center of the aperture stop (43, 57) of the image relay lens. This relay lens may include a spherical mirror located so that its center of curvature is coincident with the center of the aperture stop, thus creating a singular optical center of curvature for the whole lens system. The relay lens may include a meniscus corrector lens (33, 41, 42) which is located close to the aperture stop and which is also concentric with the common center of curvature.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved methods of hybrid seed production. More particularly it relates to the use of one (or two) phytotoxic chemical resistant genes in the male (and female) parent in a hybridization process, followed by uncontrolled pollination and dosing the resultant hybrids with the one (or two) phytotoxic chemicals to eliminate plants arising from unwanted contaminating seeds and thus producing pure F.sub.1 hybrids.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of densifying lignocellulosic material such as wood. The wood is impregnated with a maltodextrin solution under vacuum and/or pressure and the maltodextrin is then cross linked to insolubilise the maltodextrin. A wood-polymer composite is formed. Suitable cross linking agents include compounds having at least one hydroxyl group. Maltodextrins having a dextrose equivalent in the range 15 to 30 are preferred. The resulting composite material has improved appearance, hardness, impact resistance, strength and water repellency.

Abstract: A lens system particularly suitable for low light, high speed applications has a primary mirror (31, 51) having a spherical reflecting surface and a secondary mirror (37, 52) having a spherical reflecting surface arranged to receive light reflected from the primary mirror. Both mirrors have the same center of curvature. The lens system includes image relay lens (47, 56) and a transfer lens (35, 55) arranged to image the center of curvature to a location at the center of the aperture stop (43, 57) of the image relay lens. This relay lens may include a spherical mirror located so that its center of curvature is coincident with the center of the aperture stop, thus creating a singular optical center of curvature for the whole lens system. The relay lens may include a meniscus corrector lens (33, 41, 42) which is located close to the aperture stop and which is also concentric with the common center of curvature.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for joining pieces of unseasoned or undr wood, by finger jointing or other joining technique. The wood may have a moisture content above the fibre saturation point of the wood, and as high as 50% to 100% or higher moisture content. An adhesive having a sufficiently high molecular weight or viscosity to avoid adhesive degradation or migration due to moisture in the wood during forming and curing of the joint, or which will cure to achieve such a sufficiently high molecular weight or viscosity during forming and curing of the joint is employed. Optionally a cure promotor or chemical which increases the rate of cure of the adhesive may be used. Preferred adhesives are formaldehyde based adhesives. Preferred cure promotor or chemicals are ammonia or amine compounds, organic acids including low molecular weight carboxylic acids, and Lewis or Bronsted class acids.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process of heat treatment to produce a high T.sub.c superconductor with increased flux pinning. A precursor compound is subjected to temperature and oxygen pressure conditions at which the precursor compound decomposes or converts partially or completely to the high T.sub.c superconductor and precipitated non-superconducting compounds which are dispersed through the structure of the high T.sub.c superconductor and which are effective to pin lines of magnetic flux. The precursor compound may or may not itself be a high T.sub.c superconductor. In the YBCO system, 2-4-7 may be converted to 1-2-3 or 1-2-3 to 2-4-7 and flux pinning copper oxides dispersed through the structure, for example, various other transformations are possible.

Abstract: A method for producing a dried fruit product in which certain physical, chemical and/or sensory features such as green color, flavor and Vitamin C content are stabilized wherein pieces of fruit are produced by peeling and slicing from a green chlorophyll-containing fruit, the pieces of fruit are infused with a low molecular weight carbohydrate, preferably in an infusion solution comprising one or more of glucose, sucrose and fructose together with a buffering agent, and then the pieces are dried. The infused dried product is suitably packaged in an oxygen, water vapor and ultraviolet light impermeable medium for prolonged storage. A dried fruit product produced by the method is also claimed.

Abstract: This invention relates to stable forms of peptide antigens of T. ovis suitable for use in vaccines to protect ruminants against infection by cestode parasites. The antigens are preferably obtained by expression of DNA coding therefor in a recombinant host cell. Aspects of the invention include DNA encoding the antigens, vectors containing the DNA and hosts which express the antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid distribution device in the form of a sprayer. A preferred embodiment of the sprayer uses a rotating fluid conduit which makes use of centrifugal force to break up fluid emerging from the conduit into fine droplets. Air flow though the preferred embodiment may shear the fluid droplets and assist in carrying them to the desired target. An apparatus for placing an electrostatic charge on the droplets may also be used.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel oxide materials exhibiting bulk superconductivity up to and exceeding 85K and processes for their synthesis. The oxides are within the formula R.sub.a Ba.sub.b Cu.sub.c O.sub.d wherein 1.9<a<2.1, 3.9<b<4.1, 6.8<c<7.2, 14.4<d<15.2 and wherein R is Y or any of the lanthanide rare earth elements. Certain substitutions such as Ca and La on the R and Ba sites are included.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a single or multi-cylinder internal combustion engine (1) of the compression ignition kind (e.g. a diesel engine) and including a liquid fuel injection pump (2) for injecting liquid fuel into the combustion chamber(s) of the engine (1); the system employing a main supply source of liquid alcohol fuel (4) such as methanol as the principal fuel for the engine and an ether pilot fuel having a wider flammability range and lower ignition temperature than the principal alcohol fuel. Prescribed quantities of the ether pilot fuel are arranged to be delivered to the engine (1) during operation for mixing with the principal fuel (4) and ignition of the delivered pilot fuel to raise the temperature of the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber(s) sufficiently to enable full ignition under compression of the principal fuel.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotide sequences capable of selectively hybridizing to fragments of Equidae DNA. Methods of identifying polymorphism in Equidae including extracting DNA, digesting the extracted DNA with a restriction enzyme, loading the digested DNA on a suitable gel and conducting electrophoresis, prehybridizing and hybridizing the digested DNA and determining the hypervariable regions in the digested DNA. A method of differentiating between the DNA of horses, donkeys or zebras from the DNA of other animals.

Abstract: A continuous dough developing process including the steps of:feeding combined and undeveloped dough to a continuous developing apparatus;feeding oxygen gas to the combined and undeveloped dough as it is fed to the developing apparatus; andmixing within the developing apparatus the oxygen and the dough with a rotor which imparts a shearing action between mixing means and the dough, thereby distributing the oxygen evenly throughout the dough.

Abstract: Herbicidal and/or plant-growth regulatory compositions comprising, together with a carrier and/or surface-active agent, an effective amount of at least one herbicidal and/or plant growth regulatory active agent selected from compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## (in which R represents an optionally substituted aralkyl group,X represents an O--, N-- or S-linked organic group, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, a halogen atom, a hydroxy, amino, alkoxyamino, nitro, cyano, azido, sulpho or phospho group, or together with the group R.sup.2e, X may represents a ketonic oxygen atom --O-- or a group of formula --CH.sub.2 O--;R.sup.1e represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group, or a formyl group;R.sup.2e represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl or O-linked hydrocarbyl group,or, together with the group X, R.sup.2e may represent a ketonic oxygen atom --O-- or a group of formula --CH.sub.2 O--;R.sup.

Abstract: The invention comprises a process for the preservation of timber with a boron based compound, such as trimethyl borate. The timer is dried to a low moisture content, is then subjected to a vapor of the boron compound in a suitable treatment vessel, and after vapor treatment is steam conditioned to return the moisture content of the timber to a normal working level. The vapor treatment is preferably carried out under heat and reduced pressure. Timber preserved by the process is also claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of a valuable metal(s) from its ore(s), that includes a method for removal of environmentally hazardous, volatile material prior to the removal of the metal(s) from its ore pulp or liquor carrier.The process comprises forming a pulp of particles of the ore(s) and leaching from that pulp the valuable metal component via the formation of soluble metal complexes.As elements of the leaching chemicals used are often volatile at least the liquor component of the metal containing pulp is contacted by flow of gas to remove any volatile content. In the case of the leaching chemicals volatile elements the recycling of the volatile element to reform the original leaching chemical is a substantial advantage.The metal is removed from the pulp, or its liquor component, by methods known in the art such as adsorption onto carbon or resin, electrowinning, zinc cementation, precipitation solvent extraction or the like.The metal is then recovered in its solid form.

Abstract: A fleshing machine for removing fat and fleshy membranes from a hide or pelt, which includes a fixed position roller with many shaped cavities. Each cavity extends from an opening on the surface of the roller into the roller. A plurality of knives are contained one or more within each cavity. Each knife has a shaped cutting head which, in use, protrudes from the surface of the roller. The knives and cavities are so shaped that each knife is capable of limited reciprocal movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the roller.

Abstract: The pump of the invention has application as a fuel pump for delivering fuel over a range of flow rates to an internal combustion engine. The pump may however be employed in many other applications, such as chemical applications, medical applications and hydraulic applications for example, particularyly where fine control of the fluid flow rate and a fast response from the pump to flow rate change requirements is necessary.