Abstract: Disclosed are metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for adsorbing guest species, methods for the separation of gases using the MOFs, and systems comprising the MOFs. The MOFs comprise a plurality of secondary building units (SBUs), each SBU comprising a repeating unit of one metal cation connected to another metal cation via a first moiety of an organic linker; a layer of connected adjacent SBUs in which a second moiety of the linker in a first SBU is connected to a metal cation of an adjacent SBU, and wherein adjacent layers are connected to each other via linker-to-linker bonding interactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for freezing a flow of aqueous material in liquid form and moving the aqueous material through at least one tube from an inlet of the tube to an outlet of the tube so as to form a breakable or cuttable frozen extrusion without bursting the tube. The process creates an extruded material that comprises liquid aqueous material entrapped between frozen aqueous material to self-lubricate the extrusion as it moves through the tube. An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a core-shell composite material comprising: a core optionally comprising an active ingredient compound; a shell structure comprising at least two alternating layers; the alternating layers being a protein layer and a polyphenol layer; and optionally a polyelectrolyte layer interfacing said core and said shell structure, said polyelectrolyte layer being disposed adjacent to said protein layer or said polyphenol layer, wherein said shell structure is selected to be resistant to degradation under gastric conditions but is degradable by one or more intestinal enzymes. In a preferred embodiment the protein is bovine serum albumin (BSA) or pepsin, the polyphenol layer is tannin or tannic acid, and the shell structure is degradable by pepsin.

Abstract: Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (?m) in diameter, such as less than 500 ?m in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 ?m to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor for indicating food quality comprising a semi-permeable film layer, the semi-permeable film layer comprising at least one integrally formed well having at least one sensing element disposed therein; wherein the well is sealed by a second film layer, the semi-permeable film layer being impermeable to said sensing element but is permeable to at least one analyte detectable by said sensing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an emulsion for protecting oxidizable lipids from oxidative damage and methods of making the same. The lipids are encapsulated in a complex of casein and whey protein.

Abstract: Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (?m) in diameter, such as less than 500 ?m in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 ?m to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical measurement devices and systems, and methods of using these systems and devices, and more particularly but not exclusively it relates to a system and apparatus adapted to measure optical properties in-situ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogenic polypeptide isolated from Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and variants of the polypeptide. The polypeptide and variants may be used in vaccines against Johne's disease and in methods for detection of the disease. Antibodies against the polypeptide or variants may be used in diagnostic tests for Johne's disease. Also included are polynucleotides encoding the polypeptide and variants, and methods for preparing these.

Abstract: The invention relates to the encapsulation of oxidizable lipids. In particular, the invention provides an oil-in-water emulsion comprising droplets of a core lipid coated with nanoemulsion droplets, wherein the nanoemulsion droplets comprise a surface lipid coated with protein. The emulsions of the invention provide an oxidatively stable form of the lipid, which can be added to foods and cosmetics requiring a long shelf-life.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for gathering data are disclosed. For example, a plant matter sensor includes a pair of parallel spaced apart sensor arms and a control console, a first of the arms having a plurality of emitter spaced along its length, each emitter configured to emit a signal substantially perpendicularly to the arm to be received by a corresponding receiver on the second arm. The console contains controller means to control the rate, strength and regularity of the signal emitted by each of the emitters, collectors to collect data from each receiver as to the existence or absence of receipt of a signal, a processor to process data received from the controllers and the collectors and determine the height of any plant matter traversed by the plant matter sensor and predetermined intervals, and storage to store the plant matter height data generated by the processor for subsequent download or analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides an ingredient containing shelf-stable probiotic microorganisms for use in preparing probiotic food products requiring long shelf-life. The ingredient is prepared by coating particles or an agglomeration thereof with a suspension of osmotically shocked probiotic microorganisms and drying the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to the encapsulation of oxidisable lipids. In particular, the invention provides an oil-in-water emulsion comprising droplets of a core lipid coated with nanoemulsion droplets, wherein the nanoemulsion droplets comprise a surface lipid coated with protein. The emulsions of the invention provide an oxidatively stable form of the lipid, which can be added to foods and cosmetics requiring a long shelf-life.

Abstract: Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (?m) in diameter, such as less than 500 ?m in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 ?m to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to fusion polypeptides comprising a polynucleotide-binding domain, such as a DNA-binding domain, and a ligase domain, such as a DNA ligase domain, methods for the production of such fusion polypeptides, and uses of the fusion polypeptides, for example in a range of molecular biological techniques as well as applications in the diagnostics, protein production, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and medical fields.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of reducing the incidence of mastitis in an animal, and compositions and devices therefor. The methods and other aspects of the invention can be used to reduce the incidence of infection in the teat or mammary gland. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention encompasses a method of applying to the teat canal and/or teat sinus a composition comprising exogenous keratin.

Abstract: A plant matter sensor, the sensor includes a pair of parallel spaced apart sensor arms and a control console, a first of the arms having a plurality of emitter means spaced along its length, each emitter configured and arranged to, in use, emit a signal substantially perpendicularly to the arm to be received by a corresponding receiver on the second arm. The console contains controller means to, in use, control the rate, strength and regularity of the signal emitted by each of the said emitters, collectors to, in use, collect data from each receiver as to the existence or absence of receipt of a signal, a processor to process data received from the controllers and the collectors and determine the height of any plant matter traversed by the plant matter sensor and predetermined intervals, and storage to store the plant matter height data generated by the processor for subsequent download or analysis.

Abstract: A composition, method of its preparation, and zinc electrodes comprising the composition as the active mass, for use in rechargeable electrochemical cells with enhanced cycle life is described. The electrode active mass comprises a source of electrochemically active zinc and at least one fatty acid or a salt, ester or derivative thereof, or an alkyl sulfonic acid or a salt ester or derivative thereof. The zinc electrode is assumed to exhibit low shape change and decreased dendrite formation compared to known zinc electrodes, resulting in electrochemical cells which have improved capacity retention over a number of charge/discharge cycles.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine comprising secreted protein derived from Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (M. ptb) substantially free of whole organisms of that species either dead or alive. The secreted protein may be obtained from a culture of M. ptb with the microorganisms being removed by centrifugation and subsequent filtration. The vaccine may be used for vaccination against Johne's disease.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of reducing the incidence of mastitis in an animal, and compositions and devices therefor. The methods and other aspects of the invention can be used to reduce the incidence of infection in the teat or mammary gland. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention encompasses a method of applying to the teat canal and/or teat sinus a composition comprising exogenous keratin.