Abstract: A nucleic acid encoding a promoter and comprising a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, fragments and/or variants thereof, for use in gene therapy derived from the Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) ORF73 (ECLFI) gene. The invention also includes a gene therapy system and an HVS vector system including the promoter.

Abstract: There is provided a bacteriophage capable of lysing a P. acnes bacterium and incapable of lysing a bacterium which is not P. acnes, and which is incapable of sustaining lysogeny in a bacterium. There is also provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a bacteriophage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treatment of a material, comprising contacting said material with a percarbamic acid and/or diacyl percarbamate. Preferably the percarbamic acid has formula (I), where R represents an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or non-aromatic heterocyclic group, a hydrogen atom, or a group having formula (1a), where each R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and m=0 to 30. The method provides effective bleaching agents and resterilizing agents and or bacteriocidal agents over a wide range of pH and temperatures, for a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the agglomerative state of asphaltenes in oil by applying an acoustic signal to the oil, detecting the scattered acoustic energy and using this detected signal to determine the relative particle size distribution of the asphaltene particles in the oil and/or their state of agglomeration. A method for controlling the agglomerative state of the asphaltenes which is based on the acoustic measurement technique is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is the identification of double stranded RNA nematcides to nematode genes and a screening assay for the identification of agents, typically dsRNA's, with nematicidal activity

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a metallocene halide salt having at least one cyclopentadiene group substituted by a basic group, the method comprising reacting together a metal halide with a cyclopentadiene substituted by a basic group. In a preferred embodiment, the substituted cyclopentadiene is substituted with an amino group and the metal halide titanium tetrachloride. The invention provides a single step process for the preparation of metallocene derivatives which are useful in the formulation of medicaments and as polymerisation catalyst precursors.

Abstract: A mixture comprising a molecule of formula (I); in which A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6, which may be the same or different, are each N or —CH; Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6, which may be the same or different, are each hydrogen or C1 to C12 alkoxy; X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6, which may be the same or different, are each hydrogen, C1 to C12 alkoxy or alkyl C1 to C12; and R7, R8, R9, R10, R11 and R12 are each hydrogen, or each of R7 and R8, R9 and R10 and R11 and R12 may form a bond; and a molecule of formula (II); in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, which may be the same or different, are each alkyl or substituted (and/or chiral) alkyl C1 to C16, acyl C1 to C16, polyethyleneoxy, a flexible connection to a polymer backbone or part of a polymer backbone in homopolymers, copolymers or block copolymers; and B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6a, which may be the same or different, are each, hydrogen, alkyl C1 to C16, alkoxy C1 to C16, nitro, halogeno, cyano, amido, diazo or ester, e.g. alkyl C1 to C16 ester.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluid sensing device comprising a substrate having at least one type of dicotic liquid crystals disposed therein and arranged to form an array of columnar structures and a contact means for measuring the flow of electric charge through the upper part of the columnar structure surface. Also disclosed is a method for detecting a fluid comprising the steps of: exposing a sensing device to a fluid so that the fluid interacts with the surface of the discotic liquid crystal; applying a voltage to the contact means; measuring a flow of electric charge; and, analyzing a variable current flow to identify the fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to manipulation of equine herpes virus for use in gene therapy and in particular to modifications of the virus so that it can carry heterologous material and furthermore, preferably, be replication deficient so that the virus cannot replicate in the target tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to herpesvirus saimiri viruses that are genetically modified by mutations and/or deleting specific essential and non-essential genes. The essential genes are required in replication of viral genes and are needed for viral proliferation. The non-essential genes can represent sites for the insertion of heterologous genetic material.

Abstract: A method of treating plant biomass material involves treating the material with sesquioxide mineral forming constituents to form protective coatings on surfaces of the material and to alter the bulk physical and chemical properties of the treated material. The material is treated with an aqueous solution of soluble iron and/or aluminum thus improving microbial stability and quality of the materials.

Abstract: A protein stabilizer additive comprises two or more of a tris compound of the formula (1): (HOCH.sub.2).sub.3 --C--R, wherein R is: C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, NH.sub.2 ; NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be independently: H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl sulphonate, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl sulphonate; C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl NHC(CH.sub.2 OH).sub.3, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl; C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl carboxylate; a polyelectrolyte; a buffer; and one or more additional components for example divalent metal salts.

Abstract: The invention relates to the gene encoding the enzyme cellobiohydrolase-1. Specifically, the invention concerns the elucidation of the regulatable promoter sequence of said gene and the subsequent genetic manipulation of said sequence so as to combine it with DNA sequence structure of a heterologous peptide in order to provide for selective expression of heterologous peptide in accordance with the expression features of the promoter.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining a predisposition for and diagnosing the existence of a degenerative disease or a cancer and also products and processes for treating and obtaining treatments for such a degenerative disease or a cancer. The invention has particular application in the use of information concerning the elucidation of DNA and amino acid sequence structure relating to human and mouse ubiquitin conjugating enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of combating an animal parasite in a host which comprises delivering an anti-parasitic protein to the parasite or to a locus thereof by administering the protein to the host animal as a medicament or as a food. The anti-parasitic protein may be an inhibitor of an enzyme of the parasite, for example an inhibitor of a digestive enzyme such as a cysteine protease inhibitor. The parasite may be a helminth or a protozoan, for example, a nematode. According to one embodiment the anti-parasitic protein is expressed in a transgenic plant which may be a dietary crop for the host animal.

Abstract: A vapour compression system, in which the pressure and flow rate of refrigerant in components of the system to control and to optimise use of heat-transfer surfaces and to minimise power consumption, comprises a compressor 1, a condenser 5, a two-section evaporator 15, and a needle float valve 13 for maintaining a pressure differential between the condenser and the evaporator. The two section evaporator comprises a first section 17 which receives refrigerant from the condenser and which partially evaporates it to discharge two-phase refrigerant into a reservoir 23 in which liquid refrigerant is collected and from which low pressure refrigerant vapour is supplied to the compressor, and a second section 19 which receives liquid refrigerant from the reservoir and evaporates it at least partially.

Abstract: A liquid spray device particularly for agricultural and horticultural apparatuses is disclosed. A nozzle is provided through which liquid is emitted in a sheet, preferably a conical sheet. A source of heated air or gas, preferably a burner, is directed to interact with the liquid and is drawn through the liquid curtain to initiate the breakup into droplets of a liquid sheet, thus regulating the droplet size to minimize wastage of expensive agrochemicals or other materials. A shroud is provided to protect the gas in the vicinity of the nozzle from drafts. A thermal sensor is located in the shroud to interrupt the fuel supply to the flame or heated gas if the spray is interrupted.

Abstract: A vapour compression system, in which the pressure and flow rate of refrigerant in components of the system to control and to optimize use of heat-transfer surfaces and to minimize power consumption, comprises a compressor 1, a condenser 5, a two-section evaporator 15, and a needle float valve 13 for maintaining a pressure differential between the condenser and the evaporator. The two section evaporator comprises a first section 17 which receives refrigerant from the condenser and which partially evaporates it to discharge two-phase refrigerant into a reservoir 23 in which liquid refrigerant is collected and from which low pressure refrigerant vapour is supplied to the compressor, and a second section 19 which receives liquid refrigerant from the reservoir and evaporates it at least partially.