Abstract: A method for reducing the viability of bacterial cells is disclosed. Further, a two-stage process of hypo-osmotic shock is used by exposing cells to a first solution having a water activity (a.sub.w) of 0.997 or less. In addition after the first step the cells are further exposed to a solution of a higher a.sub.w that the first solution. The solutions are applied to the cells in the form of a spray or by immersion. The solutions are applied to the bacterial cells between 5 seconds and 30 minutes to obtain a reduction in the viability of the cells being treated of which are additionally treated with a solution of lysozyme contained in the solutions or to a cold shock treatment step. The cold shock treatment is applied by exposing the cells to a temperature in an aqueous liquid at 10.degree. C. or less.

Abstract: A method of testing for the presence of Salmonella serotypes S. enteritidis and S. dublin is provided. Novel monoclonal antibodies are used to detect the presence of an epitope specific for these serotypes in cultures which have been grown on selected media which enhance the expression of said epitope in fimbrial sites. Test kits utilizing the antigen or its epitopic parts, antibodies and/or the media are further provided.

Abstract: An alignment mechanism for use as part of a decorticating machine includes: a plurality of fingers (62) extending outwardly from a bed plate and mounted so as to be drivable around an endless track (61) in a casing (60), the bed plate being a part of or adjacent to the casing (60); a driving mechanism including a plurality of pulley mechanisms (66) within the casing (60) extending sequentially along the length of the track (61), adjacent pulley mechanisms (66) overlapping in side by side relationship, each pulley mechanism (66) having a pulley (68) on which is mounted a plurality of finger driver plates (69) each adapted to contact drive faces (65) attached to the fingers (62) and extending within the casing (60); and drive means for driving the pulley mechanisms (66) at sequentially increasing speeds such that the fingers (62) can be driven along the length of the bed plate at an accelerating speed.

Abstract: A data logger includes a housing containing at least one sensor; programmable controller including a pre-programmed Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) containing control instructions and sensor drivers for all sensors; a Random Access Memory (RAM) providing data storage for storing data from each sensor; a power supply; and electromagnetic transfer device for accessing the logger and recovering data from the data storage from external to the casing; the RAM being adapted to accept, from external to the housing and via the electro-magnetic transfer device, instructions on the sensor drivers to evoke a desired sample regime; the logger also including a power up coil is provided within the housing to enable power from the external to the housing to be supplied during programming and during recovery of data.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating fiber and shiv includes a pinned metering rotor and a pinned separation rotor adapted to rotate with surfaces moving in opposite directions and having fixed bearing locations, the final separation rotor being adjacent a shroud in which are a plurality of slots, and a pinned doffer rotor rotatable in either direction and having a bearing location which is adjustable relative to the separation rotor. A shell feed structure at the intersection of the metering rotor and the separation rotor has a surface adjacent the separation rotor substantially parallel to the surface of that rotor, and a surface adjacent the metering rotor having a curvature greater than that of the metering motor.

Abstract: According to the present invention a crushing mechanism having at least two pairs of co-acting rollers, each roller having a hub with a plurality of teeth extending from a circumference thereof, the pairs of rollers being mounted in open cage fashion and characterized in that each tooth is, at least at its outermost position, in the form of a flat plate angled relative to a radius of the hub with an edge lying parallel with a roller axis, the rollers at their closest positions having plates on one in spaces between plates in the other, the plates of the at least two pairs of co-acting rollers comprising a means for crushing without scraping material in the crushing mechanism, the angle of each plate is substantially the same angle which would be present on a face of a gear tooth between co-acting rollers having gear teeth for crushing material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of yeast strains by way of application of the polymerase chain reaction to amplify nucleic acid sequences characteristic of their TY transposon long terminal repeats. Polymerase chain reaction product is analysed, conveniently by agarose gel electrophoresis, and its nature related to the presence of a particular yeast strain or strain type.

Abstract: A portable device for use in the measurement of the dielectric properties of materials such as fish includes: a microwave circuit comprising a microwave source (10) connected via an isolator (12) to a directional coupler (14), a first output (16) of which is connected to a reference detector (18) and a first pre-amplifier (28) and a second output (20) of which is connected via an attenuator (22) to a sensor (24), an output of which is connected to a signal detector (26) and a second pre-amplifier (30); and further including two amplifiers (32, 34) into which outputs of the first (28) and second (30) pre-amplifiers are connected and a logarithmic/ratio device (38) which provides an output proportional to the logarithm of the ratio of outputs from the two amplifiers (32, 34), wherein an output from the logarithmic/ratio device (38) is calibrated to provide the content of a particular constituent of the material under test.

Abstract: A process for preparation of an attenuated strain of avian encephalomyelitis virus ("AEV") which may be used as a component of a protective vaccine, which comprises the steps of infecting chick embryo fibroblast ("CEF") cells with AEV, culturing the AEV-infected CEF cells until the AEV has become adapted to the CEF cells and then isolating the AEV product from the CEF cells for use in the vaccine. An attenuated AEV strain produced in this way, and tests showing use as a vaccine in chickens are also described.

Abstract: An insect trap has a base (10), defining a pitfall chamber, of a suitable shape (such as conical) which will allow the trap to be easily inserted into a bulk granular material. A removable lid (20), preferably of a shape (such as domed) which will allow the trap to be easily withdrawn from within the bulk granular material. Holes (30) in the lid are of a size such as will allow ingress of insects but not of grain. Slippery rings and flanges are provided for preventing insects from escaping from within the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention related to an agricultural sheet lifting device having a frame mounted on wheels and means for attaching agricultural machinery thereto. The device includes a means for lifting buried edges of an agricultural sheet, means for guiding the sheet over the agricultural machinery and means for reburying edges of the agricultural sheet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for the sterilization of horticultural material, which may be substrate, fertilizer, peat or especially mushroom casing. The sterilization may be complete or may be partial, removing only harmful organisms while leaving beneficial organisms unharmed. The horticultural material is passed through a tunnel and is exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves for a period sufficient for sterilization. In a preferred process and apparatus the horticultural material is heated to a suitable temperature by the waves and is then maintained in a region not exposed to the waves for a period long enough to sterilize the material, before allowing it to cool to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A device for assessing stresses in mechanical processing of agricultural or manufactured products has a core 11 and, adjacent to the surface a layer of piezo-electric plastic material 13. The device has physical characteristics simulating those of the product. In use the device is included in a batch of products being processed and the piezo-electric signals caused by the stresses are analyzed by electronic equipment either external to or contained within the device to locate when and where damaging stresses occurred.

Abstract: Lignin is cleaved electrolytically into smaller molecules than the starting lignin by passage of electric current through an aqueous alkaline solution of lignin at a temperature above 100.degree. C. while mixing. The yield is greater than 6%.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle of good stability and high manoeuvreability is disclosed. The vehicle is hydraulically driven and skid-steerable by rotation upon one only, transverse pair of wheels, herein called the pivot wheels, all other wheels being allowed to slide laterally into each new position; and is provided with automatic loading means operative upon the pivot wheels to ensure that ground pressure at these two wheels is always greater, under all drive conditions, than at any other of the wheels. The wheels are articulated to the vehicle frame to absorb irregularities in terrain and provision is also made for adjusting the fore and aft angle of the frame with respect to the wheels for hill climbing or descending.