Abstract: A tetrahydroquinoline alkaloid compound named "aspernomine" has been isolated from the sclerotia of the fungus Aspergillus nomius. Aspernomine has the structure: ##STR1## and is effective for controlling Lepidopteran insects.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method of producing a series of three or four dimensional spin parameter maps of a defined region, which spin parameter maps are displayable as a set of contiguous planar spin parameter maps with arbitrary orientation.

Abstract: An improved tobacco smoke filter which retains a majority of the tar and nicotine and noxious gases from tobacco smoke. The filter is composed of fibrous filaments having equal quantities of two organic acids or salts of organic acids or polyhydric alcohols dispersed throughout the fibrous filaments.

Abstract: A strain of influenza virus, especially human influenza type A or B, for use in formulating a vaccine is selected by a process which comprises isolating candidate influenza viruses in embryonated hens' eggs, determining whether they have antigenic similarities to strains which are the same except that they have been isolated and grown exclusively in animal cells, that is to say whether they are "cell-like", and selecting at least one such cell-like strain or a reassortant thereof having its HA and NA genes for the vaccine.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (II) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each separately selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups having up to a maximum of four carbon atoms and being unsubstituted, and alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups having up to a maximum of three carbon atoms and being substituted by one, or in the case of fluoro by one or more, substituents but with the proviso that when R.sub.1 is hydrogen then R.sub.2 is hydrogen or methyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together constitute an ethylene bridging group, and R.sub.3 is a group which under physiological conditions undergoes elimination with the formation of a 3,5-dioxopiperazinyl ring, with the further proviso that the compound is in the meso or erythro configuration when each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid methacrylic acid copolymer composition that contains a release adjusting agent and a pharmacological agent. The composition forms a solid film upon drying, and is capable of accomplishing the sustained release of the pharmacological agent such as to permit its use in the treatment or prevention of dental or dermatological conditions.

Abstract: A molding process, includingsupplying molten, moldable material to a mold cavity;subjecting at least a part of the supplied molten material to a shear force;causing the material to solidify while maintaining the shear force; anddemolding the molded material.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an oriented homo- or co-polyalkene material of improved strain rate sensitivity, which process comprises subjecting the oriented homo- or co-polyalkene material having a weight average molecular weight (M.sub.w).ltoreq.350,000, a number average molecular weight (M.sub.n).gtoreq.5,000, and a 2% secant modulus of at least 10 GPa at a strain rate of 2.times.10.sup.-5 sec.sup.-1 to a high energy irradiation of a dosage of at least 1 Mrad and not more than 60 Mrads at an elevated temperature in vacuo or in an inert or sensitizing atmosphere.

Abstract: Broadband amplifiers which are intended to be linear suffer from distortion and although many techniques have been devised to overcome this problem significant improvements are required especially at frequencies above 100 MHz. An error signal is formed from the output of an amplifier by comparison in a subtractor with its input and the error signal is combined in a coupler with the amplifier output to reduce distortion. The present invention provides automatic amplitude and phase control of the signals forming the error signal by two groups of adjustment means, one group in a multi-channel input path and one group in the error signal path. These groups receive control signals from respective feedback networks which each process two of three input signals from: couplers before the subtractor, a coupler which passes the error signal and a coupler situated after the coupler which combines the amplifier output signal and the error signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a molding of a solid product in a mold cavity from molten material which solidifies in the mold cavity, in which first and second conduits are coupled to the mold cavity at spaced positions for carrying the molten material, includes first and second elements, and a controller for controlling the driving the first and second elements repeatedly during solidification of the molten material in the mold cavity so that the molten material is repeatedly moved through the mold cavity. The first element is disposed in the first conduit and the second element is disposed in the second conduit.

Abstract: A catheter or other invasive/implant device (40;52) intended for relatively long term use, of the order of a day or more, in a patient's body is provided with an electric field generator (48;53) to inhibit bacterial attachment and colonization on and adjacent the device/body interface. The generator can involve application to the device of electret material (53) or an electrode (48) in or for connection with an electrical circuit (47,50,51). The field is preferably unidirectionally negative and also continuous and constant, but pulsatile, alternating and other field forms are possible.

Abstract: The invention provides a vaccine against Newcastle Disease comprising a live immunogenic lentogenic or mesogenic strain of Newcastle Disease virus in combination with a liquid containing a mineral or vegetable oil adjuvant carrier together with instruction for the administering thereof to the respiratory tract of poults or chicks. The invention also provides a method for vaccinating chicks and poults against Newcastle Disease, comprising administering to the respiratory tract of said chicks and poults, at any time immediately after hatching and thereafter, a live immunogenic lentogenic or mesogenic strain of Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) in combination with a liquid containing a mineral or vegetable oil adjuvant carrier, to produce local antibodies in the respiratory tract thereof and confer an extended immunity against Newcastle Disease.

Abstract: Process for producing a composite material in which a cellulosic substrate is treated with a solution of a polyfunctional isocyanate in an aprotic swelling solvent and the substrate is then compressed to form the composite material. The substrate may take the form of wood chips, wood particles, wood flakes, wood fibers, wood flour, ground wood, wood veneers and wood laminates, paper, card, straw, refined cellulose such as cotton or viscose and plant fibers such as bamboo or palm fiber.

Abstract: A superconducting logic circuit is configured by using two kinds of input-output type quantum flux parametrons (QFP), that is, a periodically excited input-output type QFP and an arbitrarily excited input-output type QFP. The periodically excited QFP is excited by periodically varying exciting magnetic flux to amplify a binary magnetic flux. The arbitrarily excited QFP is excited by magnetic flux output signals of upstream QFPs.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (II) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each separately selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups having up to a maximum of four carbon atoms and being unsubstituted, and alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups having up to a maximum of three carbon atoms and being substituted by one, or in the case of fluoro by one or more, substituents but with the proviso that when R.sub.1 is hydrogen then R.sub.2 is hydrogen or methyl, or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together constitute an ethylene bridging group, and R.sub.3 is a group which under physiological conditions undergoes elimination with the formation of a 3,5-dioxopiperazinyl ring, with the further proviso that the compound is in the meso or erythro configuration when each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is the same or different unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group, and salts thereof with a physiologically acceptable inorganic or organic acid, are of value as prodrugs, particularly in the therapy of psoriasis.

Abstract: Apparatus for administering an ingestible oral fluid to a patient takes the form of an elongate tubular member (10) closed at the extremity of one end portion shaped as a hook (11), the hook having a hollowed outward projection (16) which is resilient at least over its area facing in the same general direction as the mouth of the hook, with this area also being formed with an orifice (17). The overall geometry of the apparatus is such that the hook passes over the lower mouth of the patient to locate and retain the projection or oral actuation, while the remainder of the member hangs across the jaw of the patient.

Abstract: An envelope having flexible water-permeable or porous walls contains a quantity of particulate water-insoluble hydrogel. The quantity of hydrogel in the envelope is such that, when the hydrogel is fully swollen at 20.degree. C., its volume is at least 66%, preferably at least 100%, of the maximum non-stretched internal volume of the envelope. Thus, the envelope according to the invention is limp and floppy under dry conditions but in a wet environment the hydrogel absorbs water and swells accordingly causing the envelope to swell and take on a more rigid configuration. The envelope is particularly useful for the administration of sustained release pharmaceutically or veterinarily active ingredients. Thus the limp dry envelope may for example be rolled up for introduction through the throat but will swell up and therefore be retained in the stomach for sustained release of the active ingredient therein.

Abstract: A method of volumetric measurement of a first closed space of unknown volume which comprises communicating the first space with a second closed space of known volume, changing the known volume of the second space by a predetermined amount, obtaining representations of the pressures in the spaces respectively with the second space at its original known volume and its changed volume, and determining a measure of the unknown volume of the first space from the known volume, the volume change and pressure representations. The method is preferably applied to medical usage for diagnostic purposes with the first space being a body cavity, such as the nasal airway for which a small volume correlates with predisposition to glue ear.

Abstract: A mould for cast moulding a contact lens comprises a first cup member having a male mould surface and a second cup member with a female mould surface. The two cup members form a piston and cylinder and are used in a pressure vessel so as to apply loading pressure to deflect the mould surfaces to maintain the surfaces in contact with a lens being cast. The mould is opened with the mould surface facing upwardly. Hydrating fluid is added to the first cup member and a cover sealed to the top of the first cup member.