Abstract: A fluid mixing device (1) includes a chamber (3) and a bluff body (4) defining one end of the chamber (3). A first fluid inlet (5) is located toward an opposite end of the chamber (3) from the bluff body (4) and arranged to direct fluid toward the bluff body (4). A region substantially surrounding the bluff body (4) has a flow divider (8) defining second fluid inlet(s) (11) to the chamber (3) and mixed fluid outlets (12) from the chamber (3). A fluid flow from the first fluid inlet (5) and/or from the second fluid inlet (11) establishes a recirculating vortex system (14) within the chamber and results in a mixture of fluids from the first fluid inlet (5) and the second fluid inlet(s) (11) being directed through the mixed fluid outlets (12).

Abstract: A method of treating an infertility condition in humans or mammals, by exposure of a prospective mother to TGF? or derivative or analog of TGF?. The exposure is advantageously in conjunction with one or more antigens of a prospective father so that a hyporesponsive immune reaction is mounted to the one or more antigens of the prospective father.

Abstract: A method for producing a fluidic device (2) for exciting an oscillating jet (12) of predetermined oscillation and mixing characteristics. The fluidic device (2) includes a chamber (4) having a fluid outlet (6) longitudinally displaced from a fluid inlet (8). The fluid inlet (8) is disposed such that in use the fluid (10) entering the chamber (6) through the fluid inlet (8) separates from the inner surface of chamber (4) to excite an oscillating jet (12). The method includes the step of configuring the geometry of the shape and/or dimensions of the cross section of the fluid inlet (8) to determine the mode of oscillation and mixing characteristics of the oscillating jet (12). A fluidic device (2′) for exciting an oscillating jet (12′) whose characteristics can be determined to meet operational requirements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medium for the propagation of early stage embryos to blastocyst stage. The medium contains an effective amount of GM-CSF to increase the percentage of pre-blastocyst embryos which develop to transfer ready blastocysts. Also disclosed is a method of growing early stage human embryos to transfer ready blastocysts. The method includes the step of incubating the embryos in vitro in a culture medium containing an effective amount of human GM-CSF for a time and under conditions to increase the proportion of transfer ready blastocysts. An IVF program that includes the method of growing early stage human embryos to transfer ready blastocysts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus including a terahertz generator taking the form of a femtosecond laser exciting either an optoelectric crystal of a photoconductive dipole antenna the terahertz radiation is directed onto a target preferably held close by or abutting an enclosure including a reflection receiving window and housing terahertz detector for detecting terahertz radiation. Preferably the terahertz radiation generator forms part of the receiving window. The enclosure has a modified atmosphere to permit ready transmission of terahertz radiation. A beam splitter is positioned between the laser and the terahertz generator to split off a probe laser beam from the terahertz inducing laser radiation which is also directed to the detector means. The output from the detector being determined by the amplitude of that part of the reflected teraherz radiation wave coaligned with the probe laser at the detector.

Abstract: A binary digital logic level sensitive latch comprising a first inverter that provides an output (O1). At least one input signal (I1) and an activation signal (Clk) are provided to the first inventer both being capacitively coupled to an input of the first inverter and a switching threshold of the first inverter. The capacitance of the couplings being predetermined such that the output of the first inverter (O1) is a NOR function of the inputs signals and the activation signal O1={overscore (I1+Clk)}. A second inverter has as inputs capacitively coupled the output of the first inverter (O1), the activation signal (Clk) and an inverted pervious output signal (P) to provide output (O2). A switching threshold of the second inverter and the capacitance of the couplings being predetermined such that the output of the second inverter (O2) takes the function of: O2={overscore ((Clk×P)+O1)}.

Abstract: This invention relates to a (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase (glucanase EII endohydrolase) enzyme, whose amino acid sequence has been modified in order to provide an enzyme whose three-dimensional structure confers improved thermostability and/or pH stability. Specific modifications are based upon a comparison between the three-dimensional structure (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase and that of (1→3)-&bgr;-glucanase. The (1→3, 1→4)-&bgr;-glucanase gene has been modified by site-directed mutagenesis, and modified enzymes have been expressed in E. coli. Modified sequences, DNA molecules encoding them, plasmids, expression vectors and transgenic plants are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an induction air handling unit of the type that uses a primary air flow to induce flow of secondary air through the air handling unit. It comprises an induction chamber (2) having an air flow entrance (22) and an air flow exit (23) and a nozzle (10) having an outlet (12) located within the induction chamber (20). The nozzle (10) is connected to a primary air flow that causes a secondary air flow to be induced through the induction chamber (20) via the entrance (22) and the exit (23). The nozzle (10) is characterized by the edge (12) forming an outlet that is of a scalloped shape. This has a dramatic effect on producing noise output from the nozzle (10).

Abstract: A burner configuration includes at least one processing jet nozzle and at least one further burner nozzle having mixing characteristics different from the processing jet nozzle. A means is preferably provided to control the proportions of fuel flow to the nozzles. The nozzles of the set are in sufficient proximity that a combined flame of the burner configuration can be determined or controlled by setting or varying the relative flows of fuel to the nozzle of the set.

Abstract: A method for preparing transgenic pigs is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a recently fertilized pig ovum; isolating a first DNA sequence encoding a suitable promoter region; inserting the first DNA sequence into a plasmid cloning vector; isolating a second DNA sequence encoding a porcine growth hormone gene; inserting the second DNA sequence into the plasmid cloning vector; introducing the plasmid cloning vector into the male pronucleus; and, subsequently implanting the ovum into a female pig.

Abstract: An air conditioner with coolant pumped from a chiller first through a heat exchange conduit of an outside air heat exchanger to provide a minimum wetted surface temperature when treating undiluted outside air at its current temperature and humidity as it passes through this heat exchanger so to make maximum use of the available potential difference between the outside air and the coolant and therefore to cause maximum dehumidification. The leaving coolant from the outside air heat exchanger is the source of the coolant which then passes to the return air heat exchanger which cools and dehumidifies the return air. The leaving air streams from the return and outside air heat exchangers are mixed to become the supply air for a conditioned room which is economically dehumidified without need to overcool and reheat, nor to curtail the design flow rate of ventilation air and hence without contributing to conditions which are associated with the "sick building syndrome.

Abstract: The generation of number theory mappings and their application to the addressing of matrix structures through the provision of an address generator which is optimized for the general task of applying "on-the-fly" number theory mappings to matrix operands as they are fetched from memory.

Abstract: The claimed invention provides a eukaryotic plasmid vector which upon expression provides the enzymes required for cysteine biosynthesis, the vector preferably allowing for expression of these enzymes and concomitant production of cysteine in ruminal mucosa cells. The vector of the instant invention is engineered using recombinant techniques to insert microbial genes encoding serine acetyltransferase (SAT) and O-acetylserine sulphydrolase (OASS), preferably the isolated Salmonella typhimurium genes cysE encoding for SAT and cysK or cysM encoding for OASS, driven by a promoter efficient in a eukaryotic host cell, such as the SV40 late promoter, into a eukaryotic cloning vector, such as Promega's pGEM-2. The construction of the instant vector also allows for an additional gene which upon expression produces human growth hormone.

Abstract: The present invention provides transfer-deficient pAgK84 plasmids, non-pathogenic strains of Agrobacterium radiobacter K84 carrying such plasmids, and a method useful for control of crown gall disease mediated by A. tumefaciens. The plasmids include genes encoding the synthesis of the antibiotic agrocin 84 and are modified in the transfer region of the plasmid by sufficient deletion to inhibit transfer of the plasmid. The plasmids are used to develop non-pathogenic strains of A. radiobacter K84 that stably produce agrocin 84 and inhibit the development of crown gall disease.

Abstract: A fluid mixing device has a chamber with a fluid inlet and an opposite fluid outlet. The device causes a flow of a first fluid wholly occupying the inlet to separate from the chamber wall upstream of the outlet. The distance between the flow separation and the outlet is sufficiently long in relation to the width of the chamber for the separated flow to reattach itself asymmetrically to the chamber wall upstream of the outlet and to exit the chamber through the outlet asymmetrically. A reverse flow of the first fluid at the reattachment and/or a flow of a second fluid induced through the outlet thereby swirls in the chamber between the flow separation and the reattachment and induces precession of the separated/reattached flow. This precession enhances mixing of the flow with the second fluid from the exterior of the chamber.

Abstract: Pure dimer compounds prepared and shown to be effective photosensitizing agents are of the formula ##STR1## wherein one R is vinyl and the other R is hydroxyethyl or vinyl and the pharmaceutically acceptable esters and salts thereof in isolated form.

Abstract: An air conditioner dehumidifier comprising coil portions cooled by a fluid coolant such as by chilled water or refrigerant. As the required air sensible and latent cooling demands and their ratio varies in the conditioned space, the number of operational coil portions and the velocity of the coolant flow through each is controlled, by valves or other means, increasing coolant velocity while reducing the number of operational coil portions and vice-versa, to provide the coil surface area and the coil surface temperature necessary to cause the required degree of dehumidification and the required degree of sensible cooling in the required ratio to maintain comfortable conditions in the conditioned space with low energy consumption at all cooling demands.

Abstract: An air conditioner dehumidifier comprising coil portions cooled for example by chilled water or refrigerant. Under part load conditions, restriction of coolant flow below peak load flow, or its total elimination, is limited to some only of the coil portions, while the remainder may receive as much or more coolant flow as at peak load conditions. The relatively unrestricted coolant flow through this remainder can be greater than that under peak load conditions due to more pump output being available to supply the reduced active size of the coil.