Abstract: An object detector for detecting metallic or non-metallic objects is disclosed which comprises a sound source such as a speaker (12) for generating impulse short sound bursts. A tube (16) conducts the acoustic signal from the speaker to the ground and at least one microphone M1-M3 is utilised for detecting reflections from the ground. A reflection from a buried object is compared with a reference signal which may be obtained from another microphone M1, M2 or earlier in time from the same microphone M3. The reflected and reference signals are subtracted to provide a difference signal and a difference signal is correlated with the original acoustic signal to provide an indication of an object. Time windows may be set to enable analysis of different depths to be obtained.

Abstract: The specification describes a ternary alloy of aluminium. The alloy described comprises from 80 to 96% by weight of aluminium and from 4 to 20% by weight of titanium and a third element selected from the group consisting of cobalt, chromium, copper, magnesium, nickel and iron. The weight ratio of titanium to ternary alloying element lies in the range from 1:1 to 6:1. The alloy can be aged at a temperature in the range from 300.degree. to 450.degree. C.

Abstract: Polypeptides exhibiting an inhibitory action over follitropin are disclosed. These polypeptides are designated follitropin suppressing proteins, or "FSP's," and range in size from 30 to 60 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE. Uses for FSP's, including regulation of fertility and as immunogens, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), alone or in combination with other cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and/or transforming growth factor .alpha.(TGF.alpha.) and/or fibroblast growth factor (FGF), to stimulate the proliferation and/or differentiation of mammalian satellite cells. The present invention also contemplates a method comprising myoblast transfer therapy whereby LIF, alone or in combination with other cytokines, is/are employed to proliferate and/or differentiate mammalian satellite cells into myoblasts. The present invention is also directed to a cell activating composition and a pharmaceutical composition comprising LIF alone or in combination with other cytokines to promote proliferation and/or differentiation of mammalian satellite cells in vitro and in vivo, respectively.

Abstract: A protein which satisfies all the biological criteria which are characteristic of inhibin has been isolated from a gonadal source. The purification and characterization of inhibin and the use of the purified material to raise antibodies, the use of inhibin and said antisera in a quantative radioimmunoassay, and application in vitro and in vivo of inhibin and antibody to inhibin, are described. There is provided a purified protein, inhibin characterized in that the apparent molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE is 56,000.+-.1,000, the isoelectric point is in the range 6.9-7.3, and the protein can bind specifically to Concanavalin A-Sepharose. Moreover, the protein includes two subunits, characterized in that their apparent molecular weights as determined by SDS-PAGE are 44,000.+-.3,000 and 14,000.+-.2,000, respectively. Furthermore, the isoelectric point of the 44,000 molecular weight sub-unit is in the range of 6.0-7.0. In addition, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the two subunits are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel uses for inhibin, inhibin .alpha. subunit, activin inhibin or activin antagonists and compositions comprising them in the treatment or prevention of immune dysfunction and blood clotting disorders.Methods of treatment include administration of the required agent to a host, immunization of the host with the agent or passive immunization using antibodies raised against one of these agents.

Abstract: A protein which satisfies all the biological criteria which are characteristic of inhibin has been isolated from a gonadal source. The purification and characterization of inhibin and the use of the purified material to raise antibodies, the use of inhibin and said antisera in a quantative radioimmunoassay, and applications in vitro and in vivo of inhibin and antibody to inhibin, are described.There is provided a purified protein, inhibin, characterised in thata. the apparent molecular weight as determined by SDS-PAGE is 56,000.+-.1,000b. the isoelectric point is in the range 6.9-7.3c. the protein can bind specifically to Concanavalin A-Sepharosed the protein consists of two sub-units, characterized in thati. their apparent molecular weights as determined by SDS-PAGE are 44,000.+-.3,000 and 14,000.+-.2,000 respectively.ii. the isoelectric point of the 44,000 molecular weight sub-unit is in the range 6.0-7.0iii. the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the two sub-units are as described hereine.

Abstract: A spectrometer for analyzing a sample substance which comprises a chamber (40) for supporting a sample to be analyzed. A gas drive circuit (42) communicates with the chamber (40) and the gas drive circuit (42) and chamber (40) are at least partly enclosed within a heated jacket (44). The gas flow through the gas circuit and chamber (40) entrains sample molecules in the flow and a nozzle (30) is provided to spray the gas flow and entrained molecules as a supersonic beam seeded with the molecules between a pair of plates (32 and 34) between which an electric field is created. The electrodes (32 and 34) comprise Stark electrodes. A microwave source (50) and a receiver (60) are arranged so that the source (50) produces a microwave beam which passes through the supersonic beam as the beam expands between the electrodes 32 and 34 which is detected by the detector 60. The detector 60 detects an absorption signal of the molecules which seed the supersonic beam.

Abstract: A metal vapor laser which has an optical cavity, and a sputtering cell arranged at one end. The sputtering cell has a sputtering surface for sputtering metal deposited on the surface or from which the surface is formed. A gas stream is introduced into the cavity for entraining the sputtered metal into a metal vapor beam and the gas stream is introduced such that the gas stream flows substantially parallel to at least a part of the sputtering surface to ensure that the passage for introducing the gas is aligned correctly relative to the sputtering surface, there is provided an insulative ring formed in two portions defining the passage therebetween and the first portion of the ring is moveable with respect to the second portion thereof to align a passage. Two sources of gas are provided for forming the gas stream and are selectively switched so that each source of gas can be selectively coupled to the cavity for forming a gas stream of a particular variety of gas.

Abstract: Alleviating the effects of disturbances in circadian rhythms using melatonin.

Abstract: A metal vapour laser is disclosed having an optical cavity with a sputtering cathode and anode located at one end of the cavity. The sputtering cathode and anode includes a gaseous jet inlet to introduce a gas stream of inert gas into the optical cavity for entraining metal vapour sputtered by the sputtering cathode and anode. An electrical discharge separate to the sputtering cathode and anode is provided in the optical cavity for exciting the metal vapour entrained in the inert gas stream.

Abstract: Disturbances in circadian rhythms of bodily performance and function, as may occur for example in transfer of work patterns from day to night-shift, or rapid crossing of several time zones in an aircraft ("jet lag") are treated by administration of melatonin. Alleviation or prevention of ill effects associated with disturbance of circadian rhythms is achieved by administration of melatonin in specified ways which are varied to suit particular needs and circumstances.

Abstract: Process for treating used lubricating oil to reduce the content of suspended particulate matter therein, characterized by contacting said used lubricating oil with a carbonyl-group containing compound in the presence of an aqueous electrolyte, separating the resulting mixture into an upper layer containing clarified oil and a lower layer containing agglomerated particulates, and recovering oil of reduced particulate content as product. Suitable carbonyl-group containing compounds include ketones, esters and aldehydes and suitable electrolytes include inorganic and organic acids, alkalis and salts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of drying a solid material containing less than 95% by weight of a vaporizable material which comprises establishing a fluidized bed containing the solid material, introducing fluidizing medium, heating the fluidized bed indirectly, feeding the solid material to be dried to the fluidized bed and removing dried solid material therefrom, and removing vapor product from the fluidized bed. In accordance with the present invention the fluidizing medium is the vaporizable material in vapor form and vapor product comprising the vaporizable material substantially uncontaminated by other gases is removed from the fluidized bed for further use. By producing a vapor product substantially uncontaminated by other gases, the invention enables economic recovery of the vaporizable material per se, as well as the latent heat thereof, which is of particular value when the vapor product is steam.

Abstract: The invention resides in an electrical power generation system comprising means for burning solid carbonaceous fuel, such as brown coal, to generate heat energy which is used to convert water to steam, turbine means driven by the said steam for producing electrical energy, and solid carbonaceous fuel drying means, wherein moist fuel is indirectly heated by steam in the drying means in the absence of introduced air or other gases, whereby water vapor substantially free from air or other gases is driven off from the fuel for further use and the dried fuel is passed to the burning means. Preferably, the solid carbonaceous fuel drying means is in the form of a fluidized bed in which the fluidizing medium is water vapor. Further, the fluidized bed may be indirectly heated by saturated steam which transfers heat to the solid carbonaceous fuel and becomes condensed.

Abstract: The invention resides in one embodiment in a multiple effect method of and apparatus for drying a solid material containing a vaporizable material which comprises establishing at least first and second fluidized beds containing the solid material in which in at least the first fluidized bed the fluidizing medium is the vaporizable material in vapor form and in which the fluidized beds are heated indirectly, such that vaporizable material is removed from the solid material, the vaporizable material removed from the solid material in the first fluidized bed being used to provide the indirect heating of the second fluidized bed.

Abstract: A feedback system for a multi-stage amplifier is disclosed which includes a nest of feedback loops centered on a particular stage, for example, on the output stage. This enables a very large amount of feedback to be applied to that stage, and enables constant return difference to be obtained for that stage over a nominated frequency range. Bode's limits for mid-band loop-gain magnitude and its rate of attenuation with frequency can be exceeded.

Abstract: In a process for the production of alumina which comprises the steps of digesting bauxite to produce a precipitate of alumina trihydrate containing uncombined moisture, drying the alumina trihydrate to reduce the uncombined moisture content thereof, and feeding the dried alumina trihydrate to a calciner to convert the alumina trihydrate to alumina, improved economy is achieved by drying the alumina trihydrate in a fluidized bed in which the fluidized mass is heated indirectly by means of steam which is available from the digestion and recovery system. Drying of the alumina trihydrate in this manner prior to feeding it to the calciner also reduces the fuel requirement in the calciner and enables the throughput of the calciner to be increased.

Abstract: A two-step process for the calcination of basic ferric sulphates in which the basic ferric sulphate is dehydrated by heating in a relatively low temperature range and the dehydrated product is then decomposed by heating in a relatively high temperature range.