Abstract: A wound dressing comprises a chemically modified polymer which has a free radical activity in the DPPH Test in the range 15-80 percent. It may comprise a chemically modified polymer which carries at least one chemical group which is a persistent free radical or a precursor therefor. It may comprise a chemically modified polymer which carries at least one chemical group capable of reacting with molecular oxygen in a wound environment to form hydrogen peroxide. It may comprise a chemically modified polymer capable of stimulating the activity of macrophages or the proliferation of fibroblasts or both in a wound environment.

Abstract: A sample of liquid with suspended particles is contained in a tube and subjected to a standing wave ultrasound field transverse to the tube, the standing wave exhibiting a progressive change in pressure amplitude transverse to the tube, so that particles in suspension are displaced transversely of the tube to one or more predetermined regions; exposure of the sample to the standing wave is then terminated and the particles are allowed to settle, and inspected to determine whether they remain aggregated or whether they dissociate. The ultrasound field is produced by a transducer of tubular form encircling the tube. The invention may be used for agglutination of particles or cells via cross-bridging molecules in immuno-agglutination assays.

Abstract: A method of treatment of allergic contact dermatitis, which comprises treating a patient with a formulation capable of inducing oxidative stress and a heat shock response so as to convert the allergic reaction of the allergic contact dermatitis to an irritant reaction.

Abstract: A fast-acting and portable diagnostic kit for detecting diamines in biological fluids is in the form of a diamine oxidase and a chromogenic system to detect the presence of hydrogen peroxide resulting from oxidation of such diamines. The kit may especially be used to detect cadaverine or putrescine or a mixture thereof, for example in a vaginal secretion, in order to detect Gardnerella-related bacterial vaginosis.

Abstract: In a method of soil nailing a soil nail is placed in the ground by being fired from a barrel of a launcher, the method including the steps of loading the nail into the barrel with the nail being a loose fit in the barrel, providing the nail with a sabot which is a sliding fit in the barrel, supporting the barrel such that a forward end of the barriel is spaced from the surface of the ground into which the nail is to be fired, admitting pressurized gas to the barrel to apply an accelerating force to the sabot so as to drive the sabot and with it the nail towards the forward end of the barrel, allowing the nail to travel towards the ground surface such that the sabot exits from the barrel thereby discontinuing the accelerating force and allowing the nail to thereafter continue travelling to penetrate and become embedded in the ground under its own momentum.

Abstract: A method of making a microenvironmental sensor for neurological use in which the sensor is formed on a silicon wafer by the use of known integrated circuit techniques. A mask is applied to define the outline of the sensor, trenches are etched surrounding the sensor by the use of an anisotropic etchant and the sensor is separated by etching surplus silicon from the rear surface of the wafer.

Abstract: Soil nails are placed in the ground by driving a first elongate tubular member into the ground, driving a second member into the ground through a bore defined by the first member such that the second member is guided by the first member into a position in which it forms an extended soil nail, the second member being fired from a launcher with sufficient momentum to enter the bore and travel to its extending position. The second member may also be tubular to extend the bore so that further members can be driven to form a telescopic nail. The first member is fired from a launcher using a sabot which also serves to arrest penetration of the member.

Abstract: A process of extracting metals from a material containing at least 10% by weight of pyrite and selected from the group consisting of ores containing sulphide, concentrates of such ores and mixtures of such ores and/or concentrates by microbial leaching which comprises roasting the material before the microbial leaching to convert part of the pyrite to pyrrhotite and thus remove part of the sulphur which is present as pyrite without the formation of any significant amount of metal oxide, the conversion corresponding to removal of at least 10% but not more than 50% of the sulphur present in the pyrite, and only thereafter leaching the thus roasted ore by treatment with bacteria, to extract the metals. The process is characterized by its improved efficiency in metal extraction.