Abstract: A method of extracting components from particulate materials is disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing the particles with a first extraction solvent to provide a slurry. The slurry is then passed through an extraction zone. A second extraction solvent is passed countercurrently to the slurry through the extraction zone. The second solvent has a different density from the first solvent and is substantially immiscible with the first solvent. This process is particularly beneficial for use in the extraction of ground oil-seed particles.

Abstract: Water-soluble, amide group containing polymers such as polyacrylamide are modified, to render them easy to detect, by reacting the polymer in aqueous solution with organic dye molecules which can form stable carbo-cations reversibly in water. The labelled polymers can then be detected spectrophotometrically. An example of a suitable dye molecule is 9-xanthydrol.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing magnetic recording material by depositing ferromagnetic material in particulate form into an aluminum substrate. The aluminum substrate is prepared by cleaning an aluminum or aluminum metal containing substrate; anodizing the cleaned metal substrate, to produce a suitably pitted or porous oxide substrate surface; and rinsing the anodized substrate, substantially to remove therefrom acid residues remaining from the anodizing step. The substrate in contact with a liquid solution of a salt of at least one ferromagnetic metal is then subjected to electrolysis with alternating current, to deposit the metal into the pores of the oxide in small-particle, ferromagnetic form while adjusting and controlling the frequency of the alternating current to obtain discrete particles in the pores assembled in an anisotropic configuration. Excess liquid solution is subsequently removed from the so-treated substrate.

Abstract: A data controller to control passage of data between a plurality of data handling devices comprises a communication link to permit communication of the devices with one another. An indicator is associated with each of the devices to indicate data is to be transmitted from any one of the devices. An inhibitor operates upon a device after it transmits data to inhibit access of that device to the communication link and to the indicator. A reset device is responsive to the indicator to remove the inhibitor when the indicator indicates that no data is to be transmitted.

Abstract: A probe for ultrasound testing or treatment of a molten metal comprises:an ultrasound-transmitting rod (10) of which one end is a "downstream" end (12) adapted to contact molten metal under test or treatment;a piezoelectric crystal (50) adapted to supply ultrasound to or receive ultrasound from the rod (10); androd-cooling means (16) located near to the downstream end (12) of the rod (10).A method for the treatment of a liquid metal melt, to reduce the number of inhomogeneous particles distributed through the melt comprises:creating a standing wave of ultrasound energy within the melt, e.g. using a probe as defined above, whereby the inhomogeneous particles concentrate, and are encouraged to coalesce, at the nodes of the standing wave; andseparating the coalesced particles from the bulk of the liquid melt.

Abstract: Sleep disorders in mammals, such as insomnia and narcolepsy, are treated by administering an effective amount of ethyl 4-acetoxybutanoate, or a closely related homolog thereof. The compounds may also be administered to mammals to cause muscle relaxation and as animal anaesthetics. Moreover the compounds appear to inhibit the release of dopamine in the brain, and are hence useful also in treatment of conditions which are associated with abnormalities of dopamine release and dopamine sensitivities, such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and tardive dyskenesia.

Abstract: A process is provided for the separation of a solid into its constituent lyophobic and lyophilic components by comminution and agglomeration in liquids to which the two components are respectively lyophobic and lyophilic. The process has particular application in coal beneficiation wherein ash particles are liberated into a water phase and coal particles are agglomerated with oil. The operations of comminuting and agglomerating are combined in a single step by performing the process in a mill having positive transport capability.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater containing a contaminant selected from the group consisting of heavy metal cations, tars, oils and phenols or mixtures thereof, comprising mixing said wastewater with an effective amount of desulfurization slag, the composition of said slag including calcium oxide, calcium sulfide and iron oxides, causing deposition of said contaminant from the mixture, and separating the deposit from the supernatant liquid.

Abstract: A bed is disclosed, comprising a base having a floor and an upstanding wall extending aroung the periphery of the floor. A body of particulate fluidizable material is contained within the base. The floor has an elongate slit connectable to an air supply and a pair of inclined surfaces extending upwardly on opposite sides of the slit. Supply of air to the slit causes circulation of the particulate material along the inclined surfaces towards the slit and causes fluidization of the upper region of the base.

Abstract: The invention provides an edible fat product for incorporation into a formula suitable for feeding infants. The product includes certain fatty acids, namely, at least one of a C.sub.20 or C.sub.22, .omega.-6 fatty acid and a C.sub.20 or C.sub.22, .omega.-3 fatty acid, found to be present in human milk. These fatty acids are included in the product in certain defined amounts to avoid causing harmful effects on an infant fed on the product. The C.sub.20 or C.sub.22, .omega.-6 fatty acids, if present, are included in a total amount of about 0.13%-5.6% by weight of all fatty acids in the product. The C.sub.20 or C.sub.22, .omega.-3 fatty acids, if present, are included in a total amount of about 0.013%-3.33% by weight of all fatty acids in the product.

Abstract: A particle classifier has a uniform, laminar, classifying air stream and a duct to introduce particulate material generally perpendicular to the air stream. The particulate material is entrained in a secondary air stream that is diverted as it enters the classifying air stream by a curved surface. The curved surface produces and diverts the air stream by the Coanda effect to minimize disturbance to the classifying air and segregate the particles from the secondary air.

Abstract: Poly(methylmethacrylate) polymer particles of substantially increased average particle diameter are prepared by suspension polymerization in a medium comprising an alkane and a chlorinated hydrocarbon, e.g. carbon tetrachloride, in relative proportions chosen so as to provide buoyancy to the polymer particles so formed.

Abstract: A data transmission network includes a number of access controllers connected to a central hub. The hub includes an arbitrator to select only one access controller for data transmission. Upon selection of one controller all other controllers are disabled to prevent collision of data packets. An interlock prevents enablement of a disabled controller until the data packet received by the transmitter has terminated to prevent transmission of part of a data packet. Synchronization between the data and a master clock is obtained by an initial coarse synchronization and a subsequent fine synchronization. The coarse synchronization is obtained by generation of a number of identical signals with a time delay between each signal. A clock pulse latches to one of the signal paths to provide the initial coarse synchronization.

Abstract: A Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) high gain amplifying stage which overcomes the inherently low transconductance, gm, of MOS transistors is described. This is achieved by using a specially configured load transistor in combination with a driver transistor. The load transistor is provided, by means of positive feedback, with a current generator which is dependent on the output voltage of the stage and has an effective negative output conductance. The positive feedback is achieved by connecting an appropriate attenuation stage between the output and the input of the load transistor. By the cancellation of output conductances between the driver and load transistors, a near infinite voltage gain can be achieved despite resistive loading at the output of the amplifier. The MOS amplifying stage has application in amplifiers, comparators and oscillators.

Abstract: Catalysts for use in promoting heterogeneous chemical reactions, such as hydrogenation, cracking, dehydrogenation and Fischer-Tropsch reactions, are prepared by depositing a catalytically active metal such as nickel electrolytically onto an aluminum substrate in such a manner that the metal particles are deposited in micro-particulate form to enhance their catalytic activity. The aluminum substrate is prepared by cleaning and anodizing it, so as to deposit thereon an aluminum oxide surface film having micro porosity. Then the substrate is immersed into an electrolysis bath of solution of salt of the metal to be deposited, and subjected to alternating current electrolysis to cause the required deposition. Prior to use, the catalysts so prepared should be heated to remove absorbed gases from their porous surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides optical measuring apparatus including a laser which is arranged to have an output of electromagnetic radiation including at least two different simultaneously-generated frequencies. This output is fed to a detector, such as an optical diode, which produces a corresponding electric signal at the difference (beat) frequency. The beat frequency, any change in the beat frequency, or any rate of change of the beat frequency can now be examined electrically to the degree of accuracy generally available in that art, usually to a much higher degree than is available in the optical or mechanical arts. The parameter to be examined may be that of an element causing the production of the beat frequency such as a birefringent material, or may be that of an element which changes the frequency in some way, such as an angular orientation of two quarter-wave plates.

Abstract: Gases or gas mixtures are analyzed by a device and process involving laser-induced vibrational excitation of the gases or mixtures, followed by mass spectrometry. A sample of the gas is subjected to radiation, preferably infrared radiation, from a tunable laser, so as to casue vibrational-excitation of the sample by absorption of the radiation. The sample so treated is then subjected to mass spectrometry, which detects changes in the vibrational-excitation of the sample. Detection of such changes indicates infrared absorption by the sample at the wavelength at which the tunable laser is set. The wavelength of infrared absorption so determined is a characterizing property of the sample.