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 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 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: 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 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.

Abstract: A method of producing a thickened organic polymeric composition useful for molding and capable of resisting post-molding shrinkage after being crosslinked comprising a cross-linkable base resin dissolved in an unsaturated monomer, and an additive resin selected from saturated polyesters and saturated amide waxes, the additive resin being crystalline at ambient temperatures and having a melting point (T.sub.m) below a temperature (T.sub.c) at which the base resin cross-linking reaction proceeds at a significant rate. The base resin and additive resin have only a partial degree of compatibility. When cooled from a temperature between T.sub.m and T.sub.c to temperature between T.sub.m and ambient the composition thickens, whereas, when it is heated to a temperature below T.sub.c, it reverts to a flowable composition.

Abstract: Magnesium is produced by the metallothermic reduction of MgO in a molten slag bath comprised of MgO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CaO together with oxide formed from the reducing metal. The composition of the slag is controlled during at least a first stage of the reduction so that it is wholly within the periclased region of its phase diagram and at least in the surface region, has a substantially constant liquidus temperature. The surface region of the slag is maintained by direct heating (e.g. by a plasma) at or close to the liquidus temperature.

Abstract: A method of materials processing (e.g. polymer extrusion) in which the material flows along an axially extending passageway. A pressure differential is established across the passageway transverse to the axial flow direction so as to create a flow of material through the die which has a velocity component transverse to the axial flow direction. Preferably the pressure differential transverse to the extrusion direction is continuous thereby estabilshing a continuous change of velocity component transverse to the axial flow direction. Preferably also there is at least one reversal of transverse pressure differential (and hence transverse velocity component). Apparatus for performing this method comprises for example, successive sections (3-5) of identical trapezoidal cross section with adjacent ones of these sections having their cross-sections displaced through 180.degree. relative to each other.

Abstract: Polymeric polyols are prepared by reacting a polyhydroxy initiator compound with an epoxide in the presence of alkali metal hydroxide catalyst used in an amount of at least 10% by mole based on the molar amount of polyhydroxy initiator compounds. The polyols so obtained may be chain extended by reaction with further epoxide in the presence of at least 10% by mole of an alkali metal hydroxide catalyst based on the molar amount of the polymeric polyol.

Abstract: In the friction spinning of yarns, staple fibres are supplied to a yarn formation zone in which the yarns end is rotated by frictional contact with at least one twisting element. In the yarn form zone, a jet of air is applied to the yarn or forming yarn by nozzle to increase the frictional forces between the yarn or forming yarn and the twisting elements. The formed yarn is continuously removed from the yarn formation zone.