Abstract: A heat transfer element having a plurality of parallel channels is formed from at least two interconnected metal foils or sheets, at least one of which is corrugated and at least one of which is flat, wherein the surfaces of the foils or sheets facing each other are coated with a weldable or sealable plastic or lacquer layer and are bonded to each other by means of these layers in their respective contact zones.

Abstract: To improve the resistance of pigs to gastro-intestinal disorders, the endotoxins of one or more of the pathogenic E. coli serotypes C8, 045, 0138, 0139, 0141, 0147 and 0149 are introduced into the pig intestine. Administration, which may for example be in water or in a pig feed, stimulates the pig intestine to produce antibodies to the E. coli organisms.

Abstract: Traditionally flowers are dried for decorative purposes by being left immersed in a bed of fine sand. The sand holds the flower in a constant conformation and prevents damage such as the crinkling of petals during dehydration. The invention provides a process in which the labor-intensive operation of covering the flower manually with the sand is avoided. The sand is fluidized by means of a gentle current of air rising therethrough, enabling the flower to be simply immersed in the sand without damage or change in conformation. Fluidization is stopped, and the flower is instantly locked in place by the sand ready for dehydration. After dehydration, the flower can be removed from the sand easily by re-fluidizing the sand.

Abstract: A safety valve which may be used in a pipette or in medical or biological equipment such as collection bottles, employs a carrier which is inserted in a flow line and contains a material which swells in the presence of an unwanted fluid to block the line and provide protection against contamination.

Abstract: A process for preparing a supported nickel catalyst is described in which precipitation of the nickel on a support occurs by mixing an aqueous solution of a nickel salt, a solution of an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali metal hydroxide containing, by weight of the hydroxide, at least 10% of the carbonate and a support to form a suspension which during the whole of the precipitation is between 75.degree. and 100.degree.C, is at a pH between 8.0 and 10 and has an alkalinity greater than 0.010N.