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.