Abstract: A DC-DC conversion scheme is described that includes a buck converter including a first switch connected in series with a first inductor, the first switch and first inductor providing a switched connected between an input and an output, a second switch being connected across output, and a DC boost arrangement connected between the first switch and the first inductor, the DC boost arrangement including second and third magnetically linked inductors, the second inductor being connected in series between the first switch and the first inductor, and the third inductor being electrically connected to a point intermediate the first and second inductors, the windings of the second and third inductors being such that a change in current flowing through the second inductor induces a boost current in the third inductor supplementing the current flowing through the second inductor.

Abstract: There is provided a non-PCR based method for construction of a DNA recombination fragment with necessary flanking regions homologous to a desired site of genetic manipulation within a target DNA required for recombination-based manipulation of said target DNA, comprising the steps of: A) identifying a desired site of insertion for a genetic element in said target DNA; B) locating an endogenous, native, half-site of a selected restriction endonuclease present upstream of the site within the DNA to be targeted for genetic manipulation and thereby defining the 5? extent of an upstream homology region; C) locating an endogenous, native, half-site of the same selected restriction endonuclease present downstream of the site within the DNA to be targeted for genetic manipulation and thereby defining the 3? extent of a downstream homology region; D) synthesising a flanking region cassette resulting in juxtapositioning of the upstream and downstream half-sites thereby causing formation of complete restriction site for

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in electrical conversion are described. The apparatus includes a bridge rectifier having an input side and an output side, and a switched capacitor line connected across the output side of the rectifier, wherein the switched capacitor line includes a capacitor, a charging leg and a switched discharge leg, and wherein the charging leg incorporates a transistor controlled so as to maintain a substantially constant charging current when the transistor is conductive.

Abstract: There is provided a non-PCR based method for construction of a DNA recombination fragment with necessary flanking regions homologous to a desired site of genetic manipulation within a target DNA required for recombination-based manipulation of said target DNA, comprising the steps of: A) identifying a desired site of insertion for a genetic element in said target DNA; B) locating an endogenous, native, half-site of a selected restriction endonuclease present upstream of the site within the DNA to be targeted for genetic manipulation and thereby defining the 5? extent of an upstream homology region; C) locating an endogenous, native, half-site of the same selected restriction endonuclease present downstream of the site within the DNA to be targeted for genetic manipulation and thereby defining the 3? extent of a downstream homology region; D) synthesising a flanking region cassette resulting in juxtapositioning of the upstream and downstream half-sites thereby causing formation of complete restriction site for

Abstract: A control arrangement for use in controlling the electrical supply from a power supply unit including an internal capacitance. The control arrangement includes first and second magnetically linked inductors arranged in series with one another and defining a connection therebetween. Third and fourth magnetically linked inductors are each connected to the connection between the first and second inductors. A switch means provides switched connections between the third and fourth inductors and ground, and a controller is operable to control the operation of the switch means such that closing of a switch of the switch means results in the formation of an LCR circuit. The internal capacitance forms the capacitance of the LCR circuit and the third or fourth inductor form the inductance of the LCR circuit. The magnetic link between the third and fourth inductors allow an output to be generated from the other of the third and fourth inductors.

Abstract: A DC-DC conversion scheme is described that includes a buck converter including a first switch connected in series with a first inductor, the first switch and first inductor providing a switched connected between an input and an output, a second switch being connected across output, and a DC boost arrangement connected between the first switch and the first inductor, the DC boost arrangement including second and third magnetically linked inductors, the second inductor being connected in series between the first switch and the first inductor, and the third inductor being electrically connected to a point intermediate the first and second inductors, the windings of the second and third inductors being such that a change in current flowing through the second inductor induces a boost current in the third inductor supplementing the current flowing through the second inductor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in electrical conversion are described. The apparatus includes a bridge rectifier having an input side and an output side, and a switched capacitor line connected across the output side of the rectifier, wherein the switched capacitor line includes a capacitor, a charging leg and a switched discharge leg, and wherein the charging leg incorporates a transistor controlled so as to maintain a substantially constant charging current when the transistor is conductive.

Abstract: A control arrangement for use in controlling the electrical supply from a power supply unit including an internal capacitance. The control arrangement includes first and second magnetically linked inductors arranged in series with one another and defining a connection therebetween. Third and fourth magnetically linked inductors are each connected to the connection between the first and second inductors. A switch means provides switched connections between the third and fourth inductors and ground, and a controller is operable to control the operation of the switch means such that closing of a switch of the switch means results in the formation of an LCR circuit. The internal capacitance forms the capacitance of the LCR circuit and the third or fourth inductor form the inductance of the LCR circuit. The magnetic link between the third and fourth inductors allow an output to be generated from the other of the third and fourth inductors.

Abstract: An electrical conversion apparatus is described which comprises a bridge rectifier 10 having an input side and an output side, and a switched capacitor line 16 arranged in parallel with the output side of the bridge rectifier 10, the switched capacitor line 16 comprising a capacitance 18 and a switch 20 arranged in series with one another so that the switch 20 can control charging and discharging of the capacitance 18.

Abstract: A control arrangement for use in controlling the electrical supply from a power supply unit including an internal capacitance to an output is described, the control arrangement comprising an inductor, a switch arranged in parallel with internal capacitance, and a controller operable to control the operation of the switch such that closing of the switch results in the formation of an LCR circuit, the internal capacitance forming the capacitance of the LCR circuit. An associated control method is also described.

Abstract: A method of testing water is described which includes the steps of taking a water sample to be tested, diluting the water sample to create a test water sample, applying a reagent to the water sample, heating the test water sample for a predetermined period, and using the color of the test water sample to provide an indication of the water quality.

Abstract: A method of testing water is described which comprises the steps of taking a sample to be tested, diluting the sample, applying a reagent to the sample, heating the sample for a predetermined period, and using the colour of the sample to provide an indication of the water quality.

Abstract: A control arrangement for use in controlling the electrical supply from a power supply unit including an internal capacitance to an output is described, the control arrangement comprising an inductor, a switch arranged in parallel with internal capacitance, and a controller operable to control the operation of the switch such that closing of the switch results in the formation of an LCR circuit, the internal capacitance forming the capacitance of the LCR circuit. An associated control method is also described.

Abstract: An electrical conversion apparatus is described which comprises a bridge rectifier 10 having an input side and an output side, and a switched capacitor line 16 arranged in parallel with the output side of the bridge rectifier 10, the switched capacitor line 16 comprising a capacitance 18 and a switch 20 arranged in series with one another so that the switch 20 can control charging and discharging of the capacitance 18.

Abstract: A fermented liquid feed composition for a target animal is provided, the feed composition being prepared by the fermentation of a feed substrate with a lactic acid producing bacteria, the lactic acid bacteria being characterised by being viable under the conditions prevailing in the gastrointestinal tract of the target animal, being an aggregating bacteria and/or co-aggregating with one or more pathogens, and being able to produce upon fermentation in the feed substrate lactic acid in an amount of at least a minimum inhibitory concentration of lactic acid. A method of producing a fermented liquid feed composition is also provided. Preferred lactic acid producing bacteria for use in the composition and method are Lactobacillus.

Abstract: A method of coloring the surface of a tin-containing article is provided, the method comprising contacting at least a portion of the surface of the article with a solution comprising a thiosulphate, preferably under substantially neutral or acidic conditions. In one embodiment, the solution contains sodium thiosulphate and citric acid and further comprises a copper salt, together with acetone and/or glycerol. The method is preferably conducted at elevated temperatures, in particular by heating the solution to a temperature of from 45 to 85° C. The method is particularly suitable for the coloring of pewter articles, but may be applied to a wide range of tin-containing materials and tin alloys.

Abstract: A method of producing a product having a predetermined porosity comprises the following steps: conducting a porosity test upon a test sample; producing a 3 dimensional model of voids interconnected by throats; deriving an intrusion curve for the model; comparing the derived, intrusion curve for the model with an intrusion curve showing the output of the porosity test; iteratively modifying the model until the derived intrusion curve for the model matches that for the output of the porosity test; making adjustments to at least one parameter of the model to adjust the porosity characteristics of the model to the predetermined porosity characteristics; and modifying the test sample in accordance with the adjustments.

Abstract: There is provided an isoprenoid according to the general formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from H and alkyl; and R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from groups of the general formula (II) and (III) wherein R7 and R8 each represent a group of general formula CO—R9, in which each R9 is independently selected from H, OH, alkyl and alkoxy groups, or R7 and/or R8 present in R3 and R4 and/or in R5 and R6 combine to form a group of the general formula (IV) wherein R10 is selected from OH and alkoxy; or salts thereof. The isoprenoids are of particular use in the preparation of liposomes, for use in the delivery of pharmaceutically active components to a subject human or animal.

Abstract: A method for characterising an embryo is provided, the method comprising determining characteristics of the pattern of movement of the embryo; and comparing the determined characteristics with reference data relating to the expected movement pattern of the subject embryo. The method is of use in the staging of embryos and in analysing an environment to which the embryo has been exposed. A system for characterising an embryo is also provided.

Abstract: A fermented foodstuff composition for human consumption is provided, the foodstuff composition being prepared by the fermentation of a foodstuff substrate with a lactic acid producing bacteria, the lactic acid bacteria being characterised by: a) being viable under the conditions prevailing in the human gastrointestinal tract; b) being a bacteria capable of aggregating and/or coaggregating with one or more pathogens; and c) being able to produce upon fermentation in the foodstuff substrate lactic acid in an amount of at least a minimum inhibitory concentration of lactic acid.