Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules comprising a regulatory element that activates gene expression in response to DNA damage operatively linked to a DNA sequence that encodes a light emitting reporter protein, recombinant vectors containing such DNA molecules and cells containing the DNA molecules or recombinant vectors. A method of detecting for the presence of an agent that causes or potentiates DNA damage is also disclosed which involves subjecting the above-described cells to a putative DNA damaging agent and monitoring the expression of the light emitting reporter protein from the cell.

Abstract: A method enabling a person to visualize images including encoding spatial information relating to a feature or features contained within an image into the form of one or more musical sequences, and playing the musical sequence or sequences to the person.

Abstract: A precision yarn (14) delivery system for the delivery of yarn from a yarn supply to a yarn utilising point, comprising a temporary yarn store (22) intermediate the supply and the utilisation point in which the yarn (14) is held under low tension and is fed from the store as required by the utilisation point.

Abstract: A method of processing textile material is disclosed in which the material (13) is passed along a predetermined path through a liquid jet device (50, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 130) applying a force to the material (13) transversely to the axis of the material (13). High pressure water is used to form one or more belts (11, 12) for applying twist to a yarn (13), sliver or roving (273), or as a jet to intermingle one or more yarns (13). The water may serve to cool the yarn (13) after beating in a false twist process.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the distribution of a chemical species within a defined space, for example a vessel such as an internal combustion engine cylinder. A plurality of radiation sources and radiation detectors are distributed around the perimeter of the vessel. The radiation sources are distributed to emit beams of radiation across the interior of the vessel, the wavelength of the radiation being selected such that an interaction such as fluorescence or absorption occurs between the radiation and the chemical species which can be detected by the detectors. A representation of the distribution of the chemical species within the vessel can then be derived from the detected interactions by conventional tomography techniques.

Abstract: A waveguide structure comprising a medium disposed of a sensing layer (21), a second layer of material (22) having a refractive index greater than that of the medium, and a substrate (24). The structure defines a waveguide capable of supporting an optical mode confined in a sensing layer. The medium is adapted for performing chemical or biological reactions within the medium which will result in a change of an optical property of the sensing layer of the waveguide. The thickness and refractive indexes of the layers are chosen such that an optical mode confined in the sensing layer will suffer substantially anti-resonant reflection as a consequence of the interface between the sensing layer and the second layer and the interface between the second layer and the substrate. Alternatively, the waveguide may comprise a low index sensing medium held between a superstrate and a substrate each of which has a refractive index higher than that of the medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for fabrication of textiles. The method includes the step of passing a yarn or product along a path through a device. The method also includes applying a rotation force to the yarn or product with at least one jet of liquid directed by the device.

Abstract: A sensor array for detecting the distribution of fluids having different electrical characteristics, comprising a multilayer structure including a first layer which defines an array of spaced apart sensor electrodes, a second layer separated from the first layer by dielectric material and defining a conductive screen, and a third layer separated from the second layer by dielectric material and defining a series of spaced apart elongate connections, each sensor being connected to a respective connection by a respective conductive path extending through an opening in the conductive screen defined by the second layer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for texturing a yarn product. The method includes the step of passing the yarn product along a yarn path through a liquid jet arrangement. The method also includes the step of applying a force to the yarn transversely to the axis thereof.

Abstract: A method for thermally processing a textile thread in which the thread is run through a treatment zone. In this treatment zone, the thread temperature is changed by heat exchange, particularly by contact with a flowing liquid. The thread is rotating about its axis while in contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for analyzing directly obtained electrochemical noise measurements at cellular surfaces to assess cellular behavior and metabolic activity. The apparatus comprises a container (1) into which culture medium containing the cells to be assessed (2) has been introduced. Located within the container and partially submerged by the culture medium is a main electrode (3) which is a chemically inert electrically conductive surface such as gold film. This electrically conductive surface supports the adherent, viable cells to be assessed, and which may have been previously grown on the electrode to near confluence. The container is closed by a lid (4) which is penetrated by a tube (5) filled with an electrochemically conducting medium that is in electrochemical contact with a reference electrode. The end of the tube (5) is immersed in the culture medium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for thermally processing a textile structure in which the structure is run through a treatment zone in which the structure temperature is changed by heat exchange by contact with a flowing liquid.

Abstract: An extrusion die for the extrusion of continuous hollow sections of plastic materials reinforced with fibers or molecules. Both the outer nozzle and inner mandrel are rotatable and have radial channels within them to allow the extrudate to flow through either the body of the nozzle or through the body of the mandrel in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the extrusion die into the space between them to impart a radial component to the fibers. Likewise, a helical channel formed either inside the nozzle or the mandrel or on a surface of either imparts a tangential component to the fibers. When formed inside the nozzle or mandrel, the helical channel forms a hollow enclosed passageway open at opposite ends through which the extrudate flows. The flow may also be straight through the die which gives the fibers an axial component.

Abstract: A method of controlling the manufacture of false twist textured yarn characterised by adjusting non-isothermally in a closed loop the heat flux taken up by the yarn in tension to a specific yarn dyeability. Adjustment can be achieved by feeding back the output of a direct-acting yarn texture sensor to control at least one of yarn heater heat supply, yarn twist speed and yarn feed speed. The sensor is arranged to sense at least one of textured yarn speed, yarn temperature, yarn bulk and yarn tension. A very compact texturing line is possible when the control method is applied.

Abstract: A method for treating a fabric comprising fibres of keratin to impart shrink-resistance to the fabric by passing the fabric continuously through a chamber containing an atmosphere of 10% or less fluorine gas by volume at a rate such that the residence time of the fabric within the chamber is 60 seconds or less.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for false twist texturing comprising the steps of supplying a yarn hot (11) to a twist trap (12) upstream of a false twist device (13) instead of supplying heat to the yarn intermediate the twist trap and the false twist device.

Abstract: An extrusion die for the extrusion of continuous hollow sections of plastic materials reinforced with fibers or molecules. Both the outer nozzle and inner mandrel are rotatable and have channels within them to allow the extrudate to flow through either the body of the nozzle or of the mandrel into the space between them to impart a radial component to the fibers. Likewise, a helical channel formed in either the nozzle or mandrel imparts a tangential component to the fibers. The flow may also be straight through the die which gives the fibers an axial component.

Abstract: A quantum well device has an active region adapted to pass a tunneling current of charge carriers and comprising layers of material forming alternating potential barriers and potential wells. The structure defines, in use, a first potential well at one end of the active region, said first potential well defining a first quasi-defined energy level, and to further define second and third quasi-defined energy levels. The relative heights and thicknesses of the potential barriers when the device is in use are structured so that the first quasi-defined energy level has a longer lifetime than the second and third quasi-defined energy levels and there is a degree of coupling between the three quasi-defined energy levels which is strongest between the second and third quasi-defined energy levels. The transmission coefficient through the active region shows a resonance peak at each of the energies of the three quasi-defined energy levels.

Abstract: A method of analysing a sample for alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) comprises treating the sample (or extract thereof) with a reagent which will react with an AKD to produce a detectable derivative. The preferred reagent is 4-(N,N'-dimethylamino)pyridine.

Abstract: A coupling comprising a first member defining a socket, a second number such as a tube defining a spigot inserted into an open end of the socket, and a locking device received within an annular gap defined between an inner wall of the socket and an outer wall of the spigot. The locking device comprises circumferentially spaced load-bearing members, each load-bearing member extending within the annular gap from a first end which is relatively close to the open end of the socket and a second end which is relatively remote from the open end of the socket. Each load-bearing member is resiliently biased such that the first end engages the socket and the second end engages the spigot, and each load-bearing member is dimensioned such that it acts substantially as a beam in compression to resist withdrawal of the spigot from the socket.