Abstract: A new attenuated substantially homogeneous Urabe mumps virus strain characterized by having a codon encoding glutamic acid at amino acid position 335 of the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein is provided. The codon may be GAA resulting in the abolition of an MseI restriction enzyme recognition site in the native virus. The invention also provides a gene encoding the HN (Glu-335) protein. The virus has utility in attenuated mumps vaccines, and as an antigen and immunogen in diagnostic embodiments.

Abstract: A method of enforcing a regular manganese dioxide cathode to become gradually and substantially rechargeable is described, where the cathode capacity is increased towards the theoretical capacity of the cathode. The method involves mixing 20-51 wt % MnO.sub.2, 5-25 wt % metallic bismuth and 30-70 wt % graphite powder to form a homogenous mixture, subjecting the mixture to a pressing force to form an electrode and subjecting the electrode to successive discharge/charge cycles at a rate where the cathode capacity becomes greater than 75% of the theoretical capacity after 4-7 cycles. The method provides for a simple and inexpensive way of forming a rechargeable manganese dioxide cathode without complex chemical synthesis.

Abstract: In N.times.N optical couplers, such as are used in local area networks and backplanes of telecommunications and computer equipment, which use BRAGG volume diffraction means to couple light beams between the inputs and outputs, the number of gratings is reduced by means of so-called "grating degeneration" one grating can be shared by at least two wave pairs at the same time. In order to achieve this reduction, the directions of light waves in the dielectric slab (or the lateral positions of fibre ends) are suitable arranged. In other embodiments, a reduced number of gratings is achieved by using a "sandwiched" structure which uses multi-layered dielectric slabs. Both embodiments may be combined in the one coupler.

Abstract: Urethanes are converted to isocyanates by reaction with a chloro-, bromo- or iodo-borane compound and a tertiary amine in a nonpolar solvent. With the preferred borane compound, chlorocatecholborane, the reaction goes speedily and under gentle conditions to give the isocyanate in good yield. Also formed is a borate which can be readily converted to the borane compound, for reuse.

Abstract: An improved transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) device comprises a primary winding for placement on or near a skin surface, and a secondary winding for implantation under said skin surface. A field effect transistor (FET) is arranged to switch said primary coil across an external DC power supply. A tuning capacitor is linked to said primary coil whereby said primary coil, when said FET is turned off, will resonate at its natural frequency thereby compensating for drift in component values and reducing power transfer sensitivity to component drift. In an alternative aspect of the invention, a bidirectional communications link is provided for the transfer of data across a boundary layer by infrared signals. A plurality of transmitters are arranged in a circular pattern on one side of the boundary layer, whereas a receiver is positioned within the circular pattern along the opposite side of the boundary layer.

Abstract: Novel styrene derivatives are disclosed of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each represents a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, and R.sub.3 is --OH, Cl, or a group of the formula --OR.sub.4 or ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 represents a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon groups. The functionalized styrene monomers I as well as polymers and copolymers incorporating such monomer units are useful as initiators, or precursors thereof, for the polymerization of isobutylene under cationic conditions to give graft copolymers containing both styrenic and isobutylenic units. These copolymers have commercial applications such as rubbers, coatings, and luricants.

Abstract: Novel styrene derivatives are disclosed of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each represents a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, and R.sub.3 is --OH, Cl, or a group of the formula --OR.sub.4 or ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 represents a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group or a n aromatic hydrocarbon group. The functionalized styrene monomers I as well as polymers and copolymers incorporating such monomer units are useful as initiators, or precursors thereof, for the polymerization of isobutylene under cationic conditions to give graft copolymers containing both styrenic and isobutylenic units. These copolymers have commercial applications such as rubbers, coatings, and lubricants.

Abstract: A baculovirus expression system capable of producing foreign gene proteins at high levels. The system involves the production of a recombinant baculovirus containing a modified foreign gene between the polyhedrin gene promoter region and the transcription termination signal of the polyhedrin structural gene. The modified foreign gene comprises a putative ribosome binding site immediately upstream of the foreign gene coding sequence, i.e. without any intervening non-coding sequences. The putative ribosome binding site is preferably properly positioned without the intervening sequences by a crossover linker mutagenesis procedure before the modified foreign gene is introduced into the virus. The putative ribosome binding site preferably comprises at least the final four nucleotides of the sequences ACCTATAAAT immediately upstream of the translation inibiation codon (ATG) of the foreign gene.

Abstract: A compound X-Y wherein X comprises sialic acid, a sialic acid derivative or and oligosaccharide terminating in a sialic acid or sialic acid derivative if multibranched at the end of at least the largest branch, and, Y represents coupling means which allows an antibody to be raised to X when the compound is coupled to a carrier through the coupling nears Y and the coupled compound used to raise said antibody. These compounds show utility in that they, and antibodies raised against these, can be used in detecting and diagnosing cancers.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a photodiode having a surface area of suitable dimensions to permit reception of a signal at a high bit rate. Also, the optical receiver includes an optical taper having a head and a tail. The head is of greater diameter than the tail, and co-axial with the tail. The tail is aligned with the photodiode.

Abstract: An optical homodyne differential phase shift keying (DPSK) receiver for receiving and demodulating optical input signals, is provided with a power splitter for splitting the input signal into first and second signals, a delay is applied to the second signal, an optical amplifier optically amplifies the delayed second signal, and a balanced noise reduction circuit combines the first signal and the delayed amplified second signal to produce a demodulated output signal.

Abstract: An optical interconnection device suitable for an N.times.N' coupler as used, for example, in a local area network, comprises diffraction means in the form of a body having a refractive index which varies spatially and periodically in one plane of the body. The arrangement is such that light incident upon the body in the plane and at a predetermined angle will be refracted to emerge at a plurality of discrete angles determined by the spatially varying refractive index. The incident light is distributed substantially equally among the plurality of output refracted beams and substantially all of said incident light is coupled to the plurality of refracted beams. The diffraction means comprises a cylindrical body, and the device further comprises two arrays of optical sources and/or receivers. The arrays are disposed at opposite faces, respectively, of the body, each of the optical receivers having an optical axis aligned with one of the discrete angles.

Abstract: Novel styrene derivatives are disclosed of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and each represents a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, and R.sub.3 is --OH, Cl, or a group of the formula --OR.sub.4 or ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 represents a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group. The functionalized styrene monomers I as well as polymers and copolymers incorporating such monomer units are useful as initiators, or precursors thereof, for the polymerization of isobutylene under cationic conditions to give graft copolymers containing both styrenic and isobutylenic units. These copolymers have commercial applications such as rubbers, coatings, and lubricants.

Abstract: A compound X-Y wherein X comprises sialic acid, a sialic acid derivative or an oligosaccharide terminating in a sialic acid or sialic acid derivative if multibranched at the end of at least the largest branch, and, Y represents coupling means which allows an antibody to be raised to X when the compound is coupled to a carrier through the coupling means Y and the coupled compound used to raise said antibody. These compounds show utility in that they, and antibodies raised against these, can be used in detecting and diagnosing cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis of conjugated polyene sterol derivatives, the compounds obtained and to their use as fluorescent probes for cellular membranes. The fluorescent probes of the present invention resemble cholesterol both structurally and in amphipathic nature. The probes of the present invention have potential for use in determining cholesterol levels and cholesterol properties and cell membrane properties and can be applied to clinical assays and diagnoses involving cholesterol.

Abstract: Partial response and quadrature partial response data transmission system characterized by increased transmission rate, lower signal-to-noise ratio, low cost and simpler hardware implementation than prior art systems. A steep filter (almost rectangular) is connected to the output of a cosine filter, forming a composite filter, wherein the cut-off frequency of the rectangular filter is less than the Nyquist frequency by a predetermined amount which is inversely proportional to the amount in percentage by which the data transmission rate exceeds the Nyquist rate. The system is thus capable of signalling at the Nyquist rate and greater, without requiring that channel filter parameters or the basic clock rate be adjusted. A smaller number of signal levels can be selected (as compared to previously existing methods) for spectrally efficient applications, and the resulting more robust system can also be used to transmit PAM, QAM, and other baseband or modulated signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow restrictor for insertion into the inlet of a pipe to restrict fluid flow within said pipe to a predetermined maximum. The flow restrictor is comprised of a tapered tubular hollow body portion having a smaller diameter and a larger diameter end. A cover plate is attached to the larger diameter end. An aperture having a predetermined cross-sectional area is located in the cover plate. The smaller diameter end is open to fluid flow. The predetermined cross-sectional area of the aperture determines the predetermined maximum fluid flow.