Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting crop including a rotor (11) mounting on a movable frame (12) and carrying a succession of transverse combs (14) each formed of an array of outwardly projectint teetch (15) traverse to the direction of movement of the apparatus through the crop. Each tooth (15) is pointed with side edges diverging away from the distal tip of the tooth. The rotor rotates in the overshot mode and the combs intrude into the crop and gather crop stems between adjacent pairs of teeth and detach grain and grain heads, or other required crop parts, by rubbing or breaking the parts free from the stems. The junction of adjacent teeth (15) preferably has an enlarged aperture (21) to assist striping and to allow withdrawal of striped stems. In other embodiments, the teeth may be replaced by a brush-like structure or by rods or other crop engaging elements, backed by plain transverse ribs for collecting and conveying detached crop parts.

Abstract: A pressure regulator suitable for an aerosol dispenser package having a compressed non-liquified gas propellant comprising a chamber (22) forming a successive pair of first and second compartments (23,24) with the first compartment (23) having an inlet opening (26,27) and the second compartment (24) partly defining a restricted passageway (47) leading to an outlet opening (25), a diaphragm (41) closing the first compartment remotely from the second compartment, a spring (60) operable to urge the diaphragm to move into the second compartment towards the outlet, and a piston (44) connected for movement with the diaphragm and located in the second compartment to define the restricted passageway, the second compartment and piston cooperating progressively to increase the effective size of the passageway as the diaphragm moves towards the outlet. Preferably a probe (45) is moved with or by the piston to close the chamber outlet when the diaphragm is subject only to action by the spring.

Abstract: Light obtained from the reaction between a dihydrophthalazinedione such as luminol or isoluminol, an oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide, and a peroxidase enzyme is enhanced by addition of an ortho- or para- imidazolyl- or benzimidazolylphenol.The effect has particular application to diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A root crop harvester including two endless web sections, with the first section overhanging the second section to form a step portion, and drive mechanism to vibrate the two web sections in their own planes by amounts that are unequal or can be made unequal (or equal) to suit the prevailing conditions.

Abstract: A wholly implantable continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis system comprises a first part (20) including tubing (21) for location as an access catheter affording a flowpath for dialysing solution from a subcutaneous portal, accessible by percutaneous needle, to the peritoneal cavity (11), and a second part (30) including a pump (33) and a further tubing (31, 32) serially interconnectable for location as a shunt affording a flowpath for the solution, following dialysis, from the cavity to the bladder (12), the pump being operable under control by the patient (10) to effect the shunt flow.

Abstract: An adaptive H.infin. industrial control system has a controller 21 controlling an industrial process 20 (ship, rolling mill, etc.), the state of which is measured (y). The controller and process outputs are fed to a parameter estimator 34 which estimates the operating polynomials (transfer functions or delay operator functions) A, B, and C of the process. A controller design unit 35 processes the output of estimator 34 to produce coefficients for the controller 21, which implements a polynomial ratio C.sub.n /C.sub.d. The H.infin. algorithm is based on minimizing a "square of sum" form of function (P.sub.c .multidot.u(t)+F.sub.c .multidot.e(t)).sup.2, which results in equations which are easier to solve than those arising from the usual "sum of squares" form of function. A polynomialL=P.sub.cn F.sub.cd B-F.sub.cn P.sub.cd Ais calculated, the unstable zeros L.sub.-- are calculated, the matrix equationsFAP.sub.cd .lambda.+L.sub.-- G=P.sub.cn CF*z.sup. -nFBF.sub.cd .lambda.-L.sub.-- H=F.sub.cn CF*z.sup.

Abstract: A light absorption analyzer can work in either a reflection or a transmission mode, according to which probe head is fitted to it.Light is caused to be of a desired wavelength for the analysis by passing non-monochromatic light from a high-intensity flash tube source (which is not a point source) to an interference filter. Only parallel light emanating from the filter is focused by a concave parabolic mirror on a point where at least one fibre-optic collector is positioned. This light can then be passed directly to the probe for passage through the sample, since it is only light of a specified wavelength which will have travelled parallel from the filter and will therefore be focused at the point. Some of the light is taken off a reference detector to provide a reference signal for comparison with that derived from a test detetor fed by a return fibre-optic from the probe. A comparator is programmed to give a quantitiative readout of the absorption by the test sample.

Abstract: A root crop harvester comprising a soil-separating primary web arranged to discharge material on to a crop-conveying second web which passes about two rollers adapted to define in the load-bearing run of the second web an overhanging step section.

Abstract: A method of establishing an ultrasonic standing wave in a fluid medium is described in which the standing wave is produced by an acoustic energy output along a path extending through the fluid medium, the frequency of said energy output being changed cyclically while maintaining an essentially constant mean frequency. The cyclic frequency change sweeps said energy output frequency between upper and lower limits that represent a difference of at least one half-wavelength at the mean acoustic frequency over the length of said path, so that a fully resonant standing wave appears in each cycle, regardless of transient ambient variations. For stability, the cycle time of the sweep is maintained substantially greater than the travel time of the acoustic energy output over the length of the path.

Abstract: The problem of diagnosis and typing of infectious bronchitis virus in poultry has been solved and important progress made towards an IBV vaccine by this invention. DNA complementary to the region of genomic IBV RNA which codes for a spike protein polypeptide comprising the S1 polypeptide (containing antigenic determinants) or the S2 polypeptide (containing means for anchoring the spike protein to the viral membrane) has been made. It can be carried by a cloning vector, incorporated in a host and cloned. It can also be cloned in a poxvirus which is used to transfect mammmalian cells. Such cells express an artificial spike protein polypeptide.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for the buccal or nasal administration of a neutral 3:1 hydroxypyrone:iron(III) complex of 3-hydroxy-4-pyrone or of a 3-hydroxy-4-pyrone in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms attached to ring carbon atoms are replaced by an aliphatic hydrocarbon group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms are of value for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia.

Abstract: Bicyclooctane and bicycloheptane prostaglandin intermediates have been synthesized.

Abstract: The forgery of signatures is made more difficult if the dynamic features of a signature can be checked when the signature is verified. Signatures to be verified are written with a pen which is sensitive to light received at its tip, each signature being written on an area having shading in intensity or color which varies with position. As the pen is moved a signal which depends on the light received by the pen varies in a way which is characteristic of the dynamic features of the signature. Verification is by comparing the time variation of the said signal with a previous authentic version as well as by comparing signatures. Comparison may be carried out automatically or by an operator who views a display of the authentic signal. The invention may also be used for data capture when characters are written on paper which has areas of different intensity or color of shading.

Abstract: Prostaglandin analogues exhibiting activity at thromboxane receptor sites have been prepared.

Abstract: A method for the rapid and sensitive analysis of heavy metal ores, especially those of gold and uranium, uses high-engery X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The invention is of particular interest for the measurement of samples from gold or bodies which typically have concentrations up to 10 ppm by mass. Preferred features include the use of an X-ray tube as a source, the counting of emitted fluorescence photons in energy bands selected to correlate with the characteristic x-ray fluorescence emissions of elements of interest, the excitement of the ore sample by irradiation with high energy bremsstrahlung radiation filtered through tin, the exploitation of polarization in analysis for uranium, the interposition of a platinum-group metal filter between the sample and the detector, and the use of high-purity germanium detectors. Techniques are described for the detection and elimination of inaccuracies due to the presence of certain interfering metals and correction for variations in sample density.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a controlled release composition comprising a prostaglandin and a polymeric carrier therefor comprising residues having a ratio of number average molecular weight to functionality greater than 1,000 which comprise polyethylene oxide and are cross-linked through urethane groups.

Abstract: A composite of a homo- or co-polyolefin having an average molecular weight greater than 100,000 with from 30 to 50% by volume of a particulate inorganic solid for use in endoprosthesis.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a mixture of an alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist, preferably idazoxan, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and either a catecholamine precursor or carbidopa.

Abstract: High pressure liquid chromatography apparatus for use in the analysis of optically-active materials comprises a semiconductor laser diode radiation source 10, a test sample holder 13 through which radiation from the radiation source passes to a detector 16. A polariser 11 and analyser 15 cooperate with a modulator 12 which modulates the rotation of the polarisation of radiation from the laser.

Abstract: Novel compounds have a formula (I) ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## represents a bicyclo [2,2,1] hept-2Z-ene, bicyclo [2,2,1]heptane, 7-oxa-bicyclo [2,2,1] hept-2Z-ene, 7-oxa-bicyclo [2,2,1] heptane, bicyclo [2,2,2] oct-2Z-ene or bicyclo [2,2,2] octane substituted at the 5-position by the group R.sup.1 and at the 6-position by the group ANR.sup.2 R, a 6,6-dimethyl-bicyclo [3,1,1] heptane substituted at the 2-position by the group R.sup.1 and at the 3-position by the group ANR.sup.2 R or at the 2-position by the group ANR.sup.2 R and at the 3-position by the group R.sup.1, a cyclohex-1-ene or cyclohexane substituted at the 4-position by the group R.sup.1 and at the 5-position by the group ANR.sup.2 R or a 1-hydroxyclopentane substituted at the 2-position by the group R.sup.1 and at the 2-position by the group ANR.sup.2 R, R.sup.