Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for directing particles entrained in a fluid, comprising a chamber having a first wall, including means for generating a sound wave having a frequency v, and a second, opposite wall capable of reflecting the sound wave in which the first and second wall define a conduit for the passage of the fluid, and in which the thickness of the second wall is such that the path length of the standing wave in the second wall is a multiple of about ½ the wavelength ?r of the sound wave therein.

Abstract: The use of (i) an antibody specific for Yersinia pestis F1-antigen, or a binding fragment thereof, or (ii) an antibody specific for Yersinia pestis V-antigen, or a binding fragment thereof, or a combination of (i) and (ii), in the production of a medicament for the treatment of infection by Yersinia pestis. It has been found that such treatments are effective therapies for Yersinia pestis infection. In addition, the combination produces a synergistic effect when used prophylactically.

Abstract: A polymer having a plurality of 5–6 membered unsaturated rings which may be the same or different, linked together by way of linker chains to form a backbone, at least some of said 5–6 membered unsaturated rings carrying a ligand. Polymers of this nature can act as DNA mimics and as supports for use in oligonucleotide production.

Abstract: A respirator system (10; 100) for a worker in an environment with hazardous airborne contaminants comprises a respirator (12, 112), a helmet (14, 114), a camera (40, 140), and a gas sample analyser (16, 116) capable of analysing samples of gas from within the respirator and in the immediate area near the user. An RF emitter (20, 120) sends a signal to a remote receiver (24, 124). The emitted signal is a real time view through the camera (40, 140) and overlaid on that is a graphical representation of the protection factor being achieved by the respirator. The system (100) may also have a data storage device (162, 170) to store data such as how protection factor varies with time and may have a position sensor (160). The provision of the position sensor (160) allows a map of contamination levels with position to be built up as a user moves around a site.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, said method comprising subjecting said sample to an amplification reaction using a set of nucleotides, at least one of which is labelled with a first label, and a reagent comprising an amplification primer which can hybridise to said target sequence when in single stranded form and which is connected at its 5? end to a probe which carries a second label by way of a chemical linking group, said labelled probe being of a sequence which is similar to that of the said target sequence, such that it can hybridise to a complementary region in an amplification product, and wherein one of the first or the second label comprises a donor label and the other comprises an acceptor label, the donor label comprising a fluorescent molecule which is able to donate fluorescent energy to the acceptor label; and monitoring fluorescence of said sample.

Abstract: A method for conducting a nucleic acid amplification reaction, said method comprising forming an amplification reaction mixture in the presence of sufficient of a pyrophosphate salt to prevent primer extension taking place, digesting said pyrophosphate salt with a pyrophosphatase enzyme (PPase), and subjecting said reaction mixture to conditions such that an amplification reaction may proceed. This can be used as a “hot start” amplification. Particular novel pyrophosphatase enzymes for use in the method are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a lysed eukaryotic cell in a sample, said method comprising: (i) adding adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to said sample under conditions which allows the conversion of ADP to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by cellular adenylate kinase, (ii) detecting ATP in said sample and relating that to the presence of adenylate kinase and thus to the presence of lysed cells. The method is useful in detecting the cell lysis, for example when screening for drugs which are required to cause lysis, for example for use in tumor therapy. However, in addition, cells may, in a preliminary step, be lysed and the contents quantitated in order to establish for example the health of condition of the cells or to detect the presence of cells in sample such as milk or urine, for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine for use in protecting mammals such as humans or animals against Venezelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEE) is described. In particular, the vaccine comprises a recombinant virus such as a recombinant vaccinia virus which is able to express the structural genes of VEE in attenuated form, which has been modified to increase the protective effect of the vaccine. This is achieved by modifying the sequence of the attenuated VEE strain and/or putting this under the control of modified promoter which increases expression from the vector. Formulations of the vaccine as well as methods of treatment using the vaccine are also described.

Abstract: A calixarene dimer of the general formula (I-G), comprising a first calixarene moiety I and a second calixarene moiety G, wherein: L is [—CH2—] or [—O—CH2—O—] and is the same or different between each aryl group; R5 is H, NO2, halogen, or C1-C10 aliphatic hydrocarbyl group, C6-C20 aryl group, C6-C20 hydrocarbylaryl group, any of which is optionally substituted by one or more halo or oxo groups or interrupted by one or more oxo or amide groups, and R5 is the same or different on each aryl group; R1 comprises a carboxy group which is or is not protonated or protected; two groups out of R2, R3 and R4 are H; the one group out of R2, R3 and R4 not being H comprises at least one atom of one or more of O and S, the said at least one atom being capable of causing the calixarene to be adsorbed onto the surface of the substrate; and the one group out of R2, R3 and R4 not being H being conjugated to the second calixarene moiety G. The calixarene dimers may be incorporated into sensors.

Abstract: An rf ion source suitable for low power operation over a range of pressures in air which comprises discharge electrode, a cathode and an anode, the cathode being connected to an rf signal supply through an associated coupling means and the anode adapted to provide a surface area over which a plasma discharge may occur no greater than substantially that of the cathodal area over which the discharge may occur. The anode and cathode are arranged to be maneuverable with respect to one another in order to reduce the power requirements of the system and provide a means of controlling the rf discharge and ionization. An extended rf ion source, comprising a series of electrode pairs, provides flexibility for use in a variety of circumstances.

Abstract: A method for detecting gases or vapors emitted from materials, such as electrical components, under conditions at which there is a risk of the onset of fire, said method comprising sampling gas from the region of the material using an ion mobility spectrometer tuned to detect specific volatilized materials. The signal can be used to determine a fire risk and to trigger alarms as necessary. The method provides rapid detection with high sensitivity and high selectivity so as to minimize false alarms. Apparatus for use in the method is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, said method comprising: (a) adding to a sample suspected of containing said target nucleic acid sequence, a probe specific for said target sequence and DNA duplex binding agent, said probe comprising a reactive molecule able to absorb fluorescence from or donate fluorescent energy to said DNA duplex binding agent, (b) subjecting the thus formed mixture to an amplification reaction in which target nucleic acid is amplified, (c) subjecting said sample to conditions under which the said probe hybridizes to the target sequence, and (d) monitoring fluorescence from said sample. This method can be used for example to monitor amplification reactions such as PCR reactions, such that the amount of target sequence present in the sample may be determined.

Abstract: Radar imaging apparatus comprises a single transmit antenna (4) and at least one receive antenna (5), scanning means (e.g. a pantograph) for mechanically scanning the antennas over a surface of interest (16), position providing means (e.g. a computer driving the pantograph via an X-Y drive and a stepper motor) providing a position signal indicative of the instantaneous position of the transceiver, control means for operating the transmit antenna in a stepped frequency continuous wave mode, signal analysing means for analysing amplitude and phase components (27, 28) of the receive antenna signal, and signal combining means for combining the output of said signal analysing means with said position signal as in a synthetic aperture array to provide a radar image signal of the surface and underlying features.

Abstract: The use of an assay for adenylate kinase in an in vitro test for the effect of external conditions on the growth characteristics of bacterial cells. Such tests in particular include tests for the sensivity of a bacteria to an antibiotic or a biostatic agent, and tests to assess the growth stage and health of the bacteria. Methods of carrying out these tests and kits for effecting them are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A sampling device comprising a foldable support means suitable for supporting a sample collection substrate having at least one sample collection surface, the support means being foldable between a first position in which, in use, the at least one sample collection surface is deployed for the collection of a sample and a second position in which a collected sample is protected against contamination and/or loss.

Abstract: An air sampler for use in analyzing biological or other analytes, comprizes an airflow chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet. An extract from an air mover draws ambient air in through the inlet, and then through the chamber, to discharge it back to atmosphere by way of an outlet. The airflow chamber houses a cyclone air/liquid separator through which the inflowing air is caused to pass. An injector introduces liquid into air flowing through the air inlet. The cyclone separator extracts this liquid and any entrained particles therein and discharges it from the airflow chamber, initially by way of a duct, where it is then conveyed to a collection vessel, by way of a three channel peristaltic pump, and a duct. The collection vessel is housed within a Peltier-cooled holder to maintain the contents of the vessel within the 2-8 degree Celsius range.

Abstract: With reference to FIG. (2), a helmet (2) for an aircraft crew member (1) is provided with a device (10) for forming an eye-shielding curtain (11) of air in front of the crew members eyes. The air exhausts to the ambient atmosphere (9) by way of an escape path (12) beneath the lower edge of the visor (4), as indicated by arrow (13).

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, said method comprising: (a) adding to a sample suspected of containing said target nucleic acid sequence, a probe specific for said target sequence and DNA duplex binding agent, said probe comprising a reactive molecule able to absorb fluorescence from or donate fluorescent energy to said DNA duplex binding agent, (b) subjecting the thus formed mixture to an amplification reaction in which target nucleic acid is amplified, (c) subjecting said sample to conditions under which the said probe hybridizes to the target sequence, and (d) monitoring fluorescence from said sample. This method can be used for example to monitor amplification reactions such as PCR reactions, such that the amount of target sequence present in the sample may be determined.

Abstract: A personal respirator has a face mask and is provided with a filter unit comprising a canister housing contiguous layers of novel filter material. The filter material is suitable for both particulate and vapor filtration, and comprises a composite of first and second groups of chopped fibres, the fibres of the first group having a relatively large diameter (about 7×10−6 m) and the second group having a relatively small diameter (about 0.5×10−6 m).