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: This invention relates to a method of improving the dewatering of alumina trihydrate obtained by the Bayer process. The method comprises treating the alumina trihydrate with the product of mixing an alkaline liquor and a C.sub.8 to C.sub.20 fatty acid, fatty acid precursor such as an ester or amide, or a fatty acid blend. The product, a fatty acid salt, is an effective dewatering aid.The alumina trihydrate may be washed with a liquor including said product, or the product may be added to a Bayer liquor slurry prior to filtration of the alumina trihydrate.The invention also contemplates a watering aid consisting of the product of mixing an alkaline liquor with a C.sub.8 to C.sub.20 fatty acid or fatty acid precursor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a transparent conductive metal oxide film having good characteristic properties. The method comprises feeding an atomized or gasified starting material onto a substrate to form a metal oxide film on the substrate, wherein the substrate is heated to form a first metal oxide film having a good degree of orientation of crystals and a second film formation step wherein a second metal oxide film is formed on the first metal oxide film under higher substrate temperature conditions than those in the first film formation step to form a second metal oxide film having a degree of orientation of crystals in conformity with that of the first metal oxide film.

Abstract: A vacuum depositing apparatus for forming a vapor-deposited film by evaporation of a material to be vapor deposited onto the surface of a substrate under vacuum, whereby mechanisms are provided to prevent impurities, due to contamination in the vacuum vessel or impurities caused by thermal deterioration of the material, from mixing with and contaminating the vapor-deposited film.

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.

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: Bioaffinity separation is carried out in a cascade of column segments under control of a computer which selectively connects each column segment to a collector so that the individual bioactive components which are selectively retained by a biospecific sorbent can be individually collected. The volume and flow rate of eluate collected following each segment serve as the measure for the addition of makeup eluant between that column segment of the cascade and the next column segment.

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: Disclosed is a soft tissue augmentation material from human placenta homogenized to pass through a surgical needle, preferably a 30 gauge surgical needle, and cross-linking collagen molecules of the material by gamma irradiation. Also disclosed are methods of making the injectable soft tissue augmentation material and using it in human beings.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to biodegradable sustained-release compositions capable of achieving the sustained release of chlorhexidine. The compositions can be formed into implant devices which may be used to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions. The implants are especially useful in treating diseases such as periodontal disease which require prolonged drug release.

Abstract: A process for the removal of heavy metal ions from water and means for efting such removal. The process is based on the growth of the water fern Azolla in solutions of water which contain such ions. Heavy metal ions can be efficiently removed from aqueous solutions by passing these through biomass of Azolla in comminuted form. Such columns also are part of the present invention.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiographic imaging including a multistage avalanche chamber receiving radiation from a multiplicity of radiation point sources on a sample and providing a multiple photon output indicative of the path of the emitted radiation through the avalanche chamber, image intensification apparatus receiving the photon output of the avalanche chamber, a camera receiving an output from the image intensification apparatus; image processing apparatus for receiving the camera output and carrying out a vector analysis on the information contained in the camera output in order to determine the location of the radiation emitting point source on the sample.

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: 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: 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: Substantially pure cromolyn binding protein is prepared by means of affinity chromatography of cromolyn derivatives bound to insoluble matrices. Aminocromolyn is prepared by a six-step synthesis and amine derivatives thereof are prepared by conventional means. Obtaining a compound having an amine group instead of the OH group at the 2-carbon of the propane link of cromolyn permits many kinds of reactions without interfering with the portion of the cromolyn molecule with causes its pharmacological activity. The cromolyn derivatives can be conjugated to proteins such as BSA by means of glutaraldehyde cross-linking and such conjugates can be covalently bound to agarose beads. Cromolyn binding protein can be isolated by passing lysates of RBL-2H3 cells through chromatographic columns packed with such beads. The cromolyn binding protein can be further purified by means of lectin-agarose columns.

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.