Abstract: Particulate material influenced by the acoustic forces in an ultrasonic standing wave is manipulated in a liquid column (16) by the use of at least two standing waves having axes extending transversely across the column at different orientations to its longitudinal axis. The nodes of the standing waves intersect within the column to give regions of greatest acoustic influence that allows a relative displacement between the particles and the liquid in a direction transverse to the axes of the standing waves. The effects of acoustic streaming can be reduced and the physical arrangement of the ultrasound apparatus in relation to the column is simplified.

Abstract: New insecticides are of formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents hydrogen or a methyl group; R.sup.2 represents hydrogen or a halogeno or lower alkyl group; R.sup.3 represents hydrogen or a halogen, lower alkyl (which is difference to R.sup.2 when R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group) or carboloweralkoxy group which contains at least 2 carbon atoms in the lower alkoxy residue when R.sup.2 represents methyl or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached represent a cycloalkylene ring having at least one endocyclic carbon to carbon double bond; with the proviso that (a) R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each represent hydrogen only when R.sup.1 represents methyl and (b) R.sup.3 contains at least 2 carbon atoms when R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent hydrogen; and R represents a group which form insecticidal esters with chrysanthemic acid e.g. 5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl, 3-phenoxybenzyl, .alpha.-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl.

Abstract: The attenuation and phase change of a communication channel have to be estimated for near-maximum-likelihood detection and this presents severe difficulties where rapid fading occurs especially in communication between mobile stations in cellular radio. A number of vectors are stored which represent possible sequences of received data symbols and these vectors are expanded on receipt of each further digital sample. Costs, representing a measure of the likelihood that sequences are correct, the lower the cost the higher the likelihood, are then derived for each vector on the basis of stored prediction of channel performance. Next the earliest data symbols in the vector with lowest costs are output as detected symbols and then the vectors with lowest costs are selected for storage in place of the original vectors. New channel predictions are formed from channel estimates for the current sample and stored for use in the next iteration.

Abstract: A cervical prosthesis comprises a body 10 of overall generally tapered shape for securement in the cervix to support the same, but without occlusion, following cone biopsy. Preferably the wider and narrower end portions 13,14 of the body have respectively greater and lesser taper, the tapered shape is that of a surface of revolution, suitably involving conical tapering, a through passageway 11 following the direction of tapering is provided, and the body is formed with distributed transverse apertures 15.

Abstract: The movement of particles in a liquid flowing in a duct is controlled by an ultrasonic standing wave having nodal fronts at a small angle to one pair of side walls of the duct. As the liquid flows along the duct, particles responsive to the acoustic energy are held on the oblique nodal fronts and are carried along these by the flow so that they also move towards one side wall. Particles in the vicinity of that one side wall are swept from the nodal fronts by the liquid drag forces. At the duct exit the particles will therefore tend to be concentrated in that portion of the liquid flow that passes nearer said one wall.

Abstract: Transplanting equipment comprises a line of individual plant pick-up devices, first support means for transversely moving a first row of containers into vertical alignment with the pick-up devices, control means for bringing the pick-up devices into a plant-supporting or plant-releasing mode as appropriate, horizontal drive means operative to bring the pick-up devices into vertical alignment with the containers of a second row having a different center-to-center spacing to the containers of the first row, second support means for transversely moving the second row of containers out of vertical alignment with the pick-up devices, and vertical drive means for moving the pick-up devices towards or away from the first and second support means to allow the support or release of plants by the pick-up devices as determined by the control means.

Abstract: A metallic container for beverage is protected from its contents by electrodeposited zinc, which is anodized in alkali then anodically reacted with weak poly(acrylic acid) and finally cured at 85.degree. C. at 100% relative humidity.

Abstract: A compound of formula II: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or an alkyl group and R' is an alkoxy group, and salts and esters thereof.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprising an automatic gain control arrangement which provides an output signal of substantially constant average level. The automatic gain control arrangement has a slow control generator which provides a relatively slow release time and adapts the gain to the average level of the input signal, and a fast generator which provides a relatively fast release time to allow impulsive sounds or transient signals to be accommodated. When a sufficiently loud impulsive sound is received, the fast generator takes control of the gain to avoid discomfort or overloading. The automatic gain control arrangement limits the dynamic range for sound pressure levels above a threshold, such as 60 dB SPL.

Abstract: Phenyl-3-aminoalkyl-4-methyl-2,6-dioxopiperidines of the Formula I ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 represents methoxy, ethoxy or hydroxy,R.sub.2 represents methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy or hydrogen;each R.sub.3 independently represents methyl or ethyl;R.sub.4 represents hydrogen or methyl;R.sub.5 represents hydrogen or methyl; andn represents 2 or 3, and a pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salt thereof (a) have anxiolytic activity, (b) antagonize the anxiogenic activity of benzodiazepine inverse agonists, (c) reduce chronic abnormally high brain levels of serotonin or its metabolite 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid and (d) have antibacterial and antiviral activity. These activities are believed to be related to a reduction in serotonin turnover caused by blocking the depolarisation activation of tryptophan hydroxylase. Novel compositions comprise the compounds with a benzodiazepine agonist or benzodiazepine inverse agonist.

Abstract: This invention relates to several intermediates useful in preparing thromboxane A.sub.2 inhibiting (.+-.)7-[3.alpha.-[1-[[(phenylamino)-thioxomethyl]hydrazono]ethyl]-1.alpha ., 4.alpha.-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2.beta.-yl]-heptenoic acids and useful derivatives thereof from (.+-.)octahydro-1.alpha.-methyl-3a.alpha., 7a.alpha.-4.alpha.,7.alpha.-methano-2H-inden-2-ones.

Abstract: In a row crop harvester a rotor 11 has rows of crop engaging elements 15 extending transversely across the direction of forward travel of the machine, the elements being aligned with the rows to be harvested. Each element has inwardly converging side edges for gathering the crop of a row and for detaching required crop parts which are impelled in a high-speed stream upwardly and rearwardly over the rotor beneath a hood 18. At the junction of each inwardly converging pair of edges a space 21 is provided for stripping crop and releasing stripped stems. Preferably the space 21 is a relief space having re-entrant edges 20 for stripping forwardly facing parts of the crop.

Abstract: This invention relates to several novel methods of manufacturing thromboxane A.sub.2 inhibiting 7-[3-.alpha.-[1-[[(phenylamino)-thioxomethyl]hydrazono]ethyl]-bicyclo[2.2. 1]-heptenoic acids.

Abstract: A syringe which is suitable for discarding after a single use takes the form of a generally tubular syringe body which has a double-ended hollow needle extending generally axially through a first, closed end of the body and is open at its second end to permit insertion of a liquid container such as an ampoule containing a liquid material to be injected. A removable plunger rod is provided to enter such a container within the syringe body to inject liquid from it via the needle, and one or more resilient projections extend generally radially inwardly from the open end of the syringe body, to allow insertion of a liquid container but prevent its subsequent withdrawal.

Abstract: Measurements of complex permittivity using transient techniques and Fourier transforms require computation which can be lengthy. In the invention, a synthesizer generates a succession of waveforms each containing a small number of harmonically related frequency components. These waveforms are applied to a capacitive potentiometer formed by a reference capacitor and a sample head. The voltages across the potentiometer and the sample head are passed by way of an analog-to-digital converter to a microprocessor which calculates Fourier transforms and indicates permittivity versus frequency. By limiting the frequency components, the computation time is reduced and a quick scan to find spectral regions of interest is possible. These regions can then be examined at higher resolution by changing a clock frequency which determines the generation of the frequency components.

Abstract: A metering and dibbing assembly for use in a dibber drill comprises a rotary feed section, inlet means for introducing seed at successive seed-retaining locations in the rotary feed section, a rotary dibber section having a plurality of dibber elements at least in part housed in radially disposed bores in the dibber section, and cam means operative to withdraw successive dibber elements to allow the transfer of seed from the feed section into the associated bores for these elements and thereafter to move the dibber elements in a radially outward movement so as to press the seed into the ground.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein n is from 1 to 6 and each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and their acid addition salts are useful for thickening mucus, especially gastro-intestinal mucus as an anti-ulceration treatment or cervical mucus in contraception.

Abstract: On spray-forming metals onto a substrate from which the sprayed coating is to be detached, unwanted adhesion may occur, even to a smooth substrate. Conversely, if the coating is meant to adhere, it may accidentially delaminate, even from a roughened substrate.By vibrating the substrate, marginally adherent splats will be encouraged to detach themselves while, on the other hand, well adherent splats will not be affected.

Abstract: The screen is provided by surrounding the coil producing the magnetic field with a set of electrical conductors the currents within the conductors being controlled in such a manner that the field is neutrailized in a specific region of space, the current distribution within the conductors being determined by calculating the current within a hypothetical superconductive shield which would have the effect of neutrailizing the field, the current through the conductors thereby being a substitute for the superconductive shield.

Abstract: The separation of different types of particulate matter in a carrier liquid is obtained by using an ultrasonic standing wave and relying on the different acoustic responses of the different particle types. By varying the acoustic energy propagation cyclically a more effective separation rate can be obtained, with a more readily attracted particle type being subjected to a further discrimination step in each cycle. The cyclical energy variation may be in the intensity of the standing wave, e.g. using suppression means, and/or the velocity of the standing wave relative to the liquid medium, e.g. using phase control means.