Abstract: A process for the nitration of an aromatic compound, wherein the aromatic compound is admixed with a nitrating agent in the presence of an ionic liquid is described. The method for the nitration of aromatic compounds in (e.g. neutral) ionic liquids has advantages over conventional nitrations, such as the only by-product being water, the ionic liquid not being consumed and the nitrating agent being relatively inexpensive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor device for detecting CO2 and/or NOx, the sensor device comprising a redox material coated on a conducting substrate, the resistance of which changes in the presence of CO2 and/or NOx. The conducting substrate may also be heated to enhance functioning of the sensor device.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ionic liquid or salt, formed by reaction between an organic base and an alkylating agent, wherein the alkylating agent is a fluorinated ester or an alkyl sulfonate, is described. Suitable organic bases include imidazoles, substituted imidazoles, pyridines and substituted pyridines. The so-formed products can be subsequently transformed into different ionic liquids or salts by metathesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to new porcine circovirus strains isolated from pulmonary or ganglionic samples obtained from farms affected by the post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). It relates to purified preparations of these strains, conventional attenuated or inactivated vaccines, recombinant live vaccines, plasmid vaccines and subunit vaccines, as well as reagents and diagnostic methods. It also relates to the DNA fragments which can be used for the production of subunits in an in vitro expression vector or as sequences to be integrated into a virus or plasmid type in vivo expression vector.

Abstract: “Head-to-head” bis-benzimidazoles having the following formula wherein A1, A2, X1 and X2 are as defined in the following specification, have been found to bind to specific sequences in the minor groove of duplex DNA, and to have cytotoxic effects against a range of tumor cell lines.

Abstract: Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is a recently identified agent wherein the potential spectrum of PCV-2-associated disease has been expanded by evidence of vertical and sexual transmission and associated reproductive failure in swine populations. PCV-2 was isolated from a litter of aborted piglets from a farm experiencing late term abortions and stillbirths. Severe, diffuse myocarditis was present in one piglet associated with extensive immunohistochemical staining for PCV-2 antigen. Variable amounts of PCV-2 antigen were also present in liver, lung and kidney of multiple fetuses.

Abstract: The invention relates to new porcine circovirus strains isolated from pulmonary or ganglionic samples obtained from farms affected by the post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). It relates to purified preparations of these strains, conventional attenuated or inactivated vaccines, recombinant live vaccines, plasmid vaccines and subunit vaccines, as well as reagents and diagnostic methods. It also relates to the DNA fragments which can be used for the production of subunits in an in vitro expression vector or as sequences to be integrated into a virus or plasmid type in vivo expression vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to new porcine circovirus strains isolated from pulmonary or ganglionic samples obtained from farms affected by the post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). It relates to purified preparations of these strains, conventional attenuated or inactivated vaccines, recombinant live vaccines, plasmid vaccines and subunit vaccines, as well as reagents and diagnostic methods. It also relates to the DNA fragments which can be used for the production of subunits in an in vitro expression vector or as sequences to be integrated into a virus or plasmid type in vivo expression vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to antigenic preparations and vaccines directed against the porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), comprising at least one porcine circovirus antigen, preferably type II, and at least one porcine parvovirus antigen.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively measuring an acid in a polar organic solvent involves adding a sterically hindered base, such as diisopropylentylamine, triethylamine or N-methylmorpholine to the solvent and measuring the conductance of the mixture. The method has particular relevance in monitoring the progress of preactivation, coupling and deprotection reactions in solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS).

Abstract: A rotational moulding apparatus includes a device (5) disposed inside the mould for measuring temperature. A processor (6) forming part of a feedback tool (7) enables real time monitoring and control of the moulding process. Identifiable points on the temperature time moulding characteristic are employed to control the operation of the apparatus to optimise the properties of the mouldings obtained.

Abstract: A method of O-methylation of a phenol, S-methylation of a thiophenal, or methylesterification of a carboxylic acid is disclosed, which involves contacting the phenol, thiophenol, or carboxylic acid with a halomethane in the presence of a fungus selected from the group consisting of Hymenochaetaceae, Polyporaceae, and Corticiaceae.

Abstract: A method of detection of amino acids comprising the application, to the material being tested, of a reagent comprising the following basic formula: ##STR1## where X, Y and/or Z may be nitrogen C--H, C-alkyl or C-aryl and wherein A, B, C and/or D may be an alkyl or aryl substituent either alone or in combination.

Abstract: A wave digital filter implements a pipelining strategy to significantly increase the processing speed of circuits. The implementation allows high frequency digital signals to be processed at higher speeds than were previously possible. The implementation overcomes potential hardware limitation of wave digital filters and allows pipelining to be applied without introducing delays into the feedback loops. In particular, the implementation teaches how to increase the processing speed of a two port adaptor which is commonly used in the construction of wave digital filters.

Abstract: An L-head two stroke engine comprises two pistons mounted for reciprocable movement in first and second cylinders respectively. The cranks of the two pistons are drivably connected such that the pistons are in phase. A fuel/air supply is provided for one cylinder where it is compressed and ignited causing both pistons to return to their respective bottom dead center position. The compression ratio in the one cylinder is less than in the other cylinder so as to aid retention of the air fuel mixture in the one cylinder prior to ignition.

Abstract: A method of solid phase peptide synthesis and a reusable insoluble polymer resin having functional groups of the formulaResin--NHRNHCO(CH.sub.2).sub.n OHwherein R is an branched or straight chain alkyl or cycloalkyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, an aromatic group, substituted aromatic group, heterocyclic group or substituted heterocyclic group preferably 1,4-dimethylcyclohexane, and n is an integer, preferably 3. Phosphorylation followed by reaction with a diol, preferably 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)benzene, affords a substrate upon which peptides may be synthesized by repeated deprotection and coupling with protected amino acids.

Abstract: A deflector piston two stroke internal combustion engine has a piston (10) reciprocable in a cylinder and sealed thereto by means of piston rings (P2), the cylinder having communicating with it a scavenge part SC2) and an exhaust part (E2). The piston crown has an upper first planar surface lying at right angles to the piston cylinder axis and a lower parallel planar surface, these two surfaces being connected by a deflector edge (D). The upper planar surface co-operates, at or near top-dead-center with a complementary planar surface on the interior (underside as shown) of the cylinder head with which it has a minimum clearance C2. The approach of these surfaces as top-dead-center is approached generates a "squish" that is a jet of fuel/air mixture in the direction of arrow (S2) towards the spark plug which improves combustion.

Abstract: A microwave generating and receiving module generates and transmits a microwave signal which is reflected by a moving target and received back by the module. The module comprises a disc-form Baritt diode BD1 or Gunn diode acting as both oscillator and mixer and forming part of microstrip circuitry and signal processing circuitry which processes the reflected signal to extract relevant target information. The signal processing circuitry can be physically displaced from the module and connected to it by a coaxial line. By operating the diode in the diplex mode the requisite target information can be provided for with a compact construction.

Abstract: In a crankcase scavenged two-stroke internal combustion engine, a duct and at least one further passage extends between the crankcase chamber and the combustion chamber. There is a fuel/air mixture port leading into the duct and a pure air port leading into the duct or the crankcase chamber. The passage exits into the combustion chamber between the exit into that chamber from the duct and an exhaust port leading out of the combustion chamber. In operation fuel enters the combustion chamber in the air of the fuel/air stream entering the duct and air is additionally pushed into the combustion chamber by the downward movement of the piston through the passage and the duct. The fuel is separated from the exhaust port by a layer of air leading to better fuel consumption and higher oxidation combustion products.

Abstract: Disclosed are pre-packs for eggs which have internal formations adapted always to keep the individual eggs out of contact with each other and such that an egg will always (and only) be supported within the pre-pack by contact of the formations at at least one of the following regions, namely, its waist region, and the regions of its two poles. The external shape of a pre-pack will be elongate, the cross-sectional form being based on a nesting geometrical figure, such as a regular hexagon. Pre-packs are disclosed which are made from transparent plastics material, and which hold one row, or two rows side-by-side, of three eggs. The packs preferably consists of two halves which can be readily and repeatedly separated for removal of eggs contained therein.