Abstract: Pesticidal compounds of general formula (I) Wherein ?represents a double bond; A— represents ?C(R5)—C(?O)—, wherein R represents hydrogen or halogen, R1 and R2 represent, independently, hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy or an ester group; or R1 and R2, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, represent an oxirane ring; or R1 and R2, taken together, represent an alkylidenedioxy or substituted alkylidenedioxy group; and R3 represents —CH2R6, wherein R6 represents an ester group, oxiranyl, or a group of formula wherein R7 represents hydrogen or alkyl, R8 represents phenylsulfanyl, phenylselenyl, phenylsulfoxy or phenylselenoxy, and R9 represents hydrogen, ethoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl and R4 represents, independently, hydrogen, alkoxy or substituted alkoxy; and methods of making the compounds of formula (I) and methods for controlling pests wherein the pest dies as a result of contact with a compound of formula (I).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermosets such as epoxy resins includes adding expandable hollow microspheres, which expand with temperature as shown in the accompanying graph, to the base thermoset components in the liquid phase and applying heat treatment to the mixture so formed causing the micropsheres to expand during or after curing of the thermoset. This results in a toughening mechanism caused by compressive residual stress around the microspheres which significantly increases the specific fracture energy of the epoxy resin.

Abstract: A method for controlling pests, the method comprising applying an effective amount to pests or their locus of one or more compounds of general formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 represent, independently from each other, hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy or an ester group; R1 and R2, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, represent an oxirane ring; R1 and R2, taken together, represent an akylidenedioxy or substituted alkylidenedioxy group; and R3 represents —CH2R6, wherein R6 represents an ester group, oxiranyl, or a group of formula wherein R7 represents hydrogen or alkyl, R8 represents phenylsulfanyl, phenylselenyl, phenylsulfoxy or phenylselenoxy, and R9 represents hydrogen, ethoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl; and R4 represents, independently, hydrogen, alkoxy or substituted alkoxy, or R1 and R4, taken together, represent an alkylidenedioxy or a substituted alkylidenedioxy group; wherein the pest dies as a result of contact with the compound.

Abstract: A sensing device and method. The device includes a first element and a second element. Each of the elements includes a first electrode, and a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer between and connected to the first and second electrode. The first electrode, second electrode and piezoelectric layer of each element form a pressure wave transducer. The first and second elements are oriented such that the second electrode of the first element faces the second electrode of the second element. The elements are displaced from one another such that the second electrodes form the plates of a capacitor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of producing a sheet of flexible gelled ceramic and/or metallic containing material, comprising the steps of: (a) combining water, ceramic and/or metallic powder, polymer, plasticiser, water soluble cross-linking agent precursor and optional further components to produce a mixture; (b) applying the mixture to a suitable substrate to form a layer of desired dimensions; (c) exposing the layer to conditions suitable for cross-linking to occur.

Abstract: A process for preparing functionalised microporous polymers (which are also known as micro-cellular polymers or polyHIPE polymers (PHPs)) using intensified internal heating (for example by microwave irradiation).

Abstract: The present invention relates to probiotic Propionibacterium strains and their use in the preparation of probiotic supplements and foods. The invention relates to the provision of Vitamin B12, propionic acid, folacin and bacteriocins by probiotic strains, stimulation of bifidobacteria growth, production of favourable effects on the lipid metabolism and on the immune system of hosts through immunostimulation, immunomodulation or use of a probiotic strain as an adjuvant, reduction of homocysteine and ? glucuronidase and the prevention, treatment or amelioration of conditions associated with a need for these activities. The probiotic bacteria of the invention can be used in humans or other animals. In at least some applications, the bacteria can be used dead and parts rather than whole cells may be used. The present invention also relates to the preparation of vaccines for use in protecting patients from infectious diseases, in particular tuberculosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of materials from heterogeneous fluids and provides a means of effecting stimulant-sensitive flocculation and consolidation of solid suspensions within a liquid medium. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of controlling the state of a suspension of solid particles in a liquid, including applying to the suspension a stimulus adapted to control inter-particle forces between the solid particles. The stimulus is reversibly operable to control attraction and/or repulsion. Means of consolidating a sediment bed and of separating the resultant liquids-rich and solids-rich phases are also within the ambit of the invention.

Abstract: An overflow launder for a separation cell where particles are fluidiZEd and rise to the top of the cell, has a primary trough (1) surrounding the rim of the cell (2), and an array of secondary troughs (4) extending across the fluid surface from the side (5) of the rim to the opposite side (6). FluidiZed particles can report directly to the secondary troughs (4) without travelling across the surface of the cell, reducing the incidence configurations with radial secondary troughs and external and/or internal primary troughs are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant archaeal DNA polymerase comprising a modified amino acid sequence of a wild-type amino acid sequence, wherein during DNA replication, the variant polymerase is adapted to mis-incorporate a greater number of incorrect bases than compared to a wild-type archaeal DNA polymerase. Such a variant DNA polymerase may be usefully employed in biological assay systems, such as PCR.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods for inhibiting dynamin-dependent endocytosis in cells comprising treating the cells with an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a dimeric tyrphostin, physiologically acceptable salt, or prodrug thereof. Compounds useful in the methods described are also provided. The inhibition of dynamin-dependent endocytosis of cells is applicable to the treatment of epilepsy and neurological disorders and conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of forming shaped articles from suspensions which include ceramic or metallic powder, or from solutions or suspensions which include one or more pharmaceutical substances or other components. The method comprises the steps of: (a) combining solvent, polymer, cross-linking agent precursor and optional further components and placing into a mould of desired shape; (b) increasing temperature of mould contents to activate cross-linking agent; (c) allowing mould contents to solidify to sufficient extent to remove mould; (d) removing shaped article from the mould.

Abstract: A froth flotation process typically used to separate particulate materials such as coal, has a mixed size feed (1) separated in a sieve bend (2) into a stream of relatively fine particles (3) and a stream of relatively coarse particles (14). The fine particles are fed to a flotation cell (7) in the normal manner, while the coarse particles are mixed with wash water (16) and distributed onto or into the froth layer (10) by wash water distribution apparatus (19, 20). Alternative variations of wash water distribution apparatus able to handle coarse particles are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a SiC substrate; a silicide layer disposed on the SiC substrate; and a carbide layer disposed on the silicide layer. The silicide layer includes a first metal, and the carbide layer includes a second metal. The first metal is Ni or Ni alloy, and the second metal is Ti, Ta or W. The device provides excellent ohmic contact and high quality surface metallization construction.

Abstract: A method of forming an ohmic contact on a substrate composed of a wide-band gap semiconductor material includes: depositing a transition metal group metal on the substrate; annealing the substrate at a high temperature to cause a solid state chemical reaction between the substrate and the deposited metal that forms a modified layer in the substrate having modified properties different than the substrate, and by-products composed of a silicide and a nanocrystalline graphite layer; selectively etching the substrate to remove one or more of the by-products of the solid state chemical reaction from a surface of the substrate; and depositing a metal film composed of a transition group metal over the modified layer on the substrate to form the ohmic contact. The modified layer permits formation of the ohmic contact without high temperature annealing after depositing the metal film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant archaeal DNA polymerase having a modified amino acid sequence of a wild-type amino acid sequence, the modified sequence being in the amino-terminal amino acids that comprise a uracil-binding pocket in the wild-type polymerase whereby the variant polymerase has reduced affinity for uracil than the wild-type polymerase. Such variant polymerases may be usefully employed in biological assay systems such as the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying potentially therapeutic compounds for the treatment of hepatic disorders, preferably alcohol-induced hepatitis. Further, use of mammals in such methods, therapeutic compounds identified using said methods and the use of a Chinese Herb, CH-100, in the treatment of hepatic disorders, particularly alcohol-induced hepatic disorders, are described.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with methods for determining predisposition to infection in a subject exposed to stressors. In particular the present invention is concerned with methods of assessing the risk of susceptibility to infection in a subject by monitoring the levels of IgA and IgA1.

Abstract: A reflux classifier for segregating particles by size or density using a fluidized bed in a chamber. Arrays of inclined plates form lamellae and divide the chamber into zones into which particles of predetermined size or density migrate. Particle differentiation is controlled by plate length, inclination and spacing in each array, combined with fluidization rate.

Abstract: Anhydride modified cantharidin analogues useful in the treatment of certain forms of cancer also methods for the screening for anti-cancer activity of these analogues and/or their ability to sensitise cancer cells to cancer treatment. The modified cantharidin analogues have structure (I) or (II), wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are H, aryl or alkyl; X is O, N or S; Y is O, S, NH, NR; R is alkyl or aryl; A and B are H or CH3; W and Z are CHOH or C═O. These compounds inhibit protein phosphatase.