Abstract: A method of preparing the fitting surface of a dental ceramic body for subsequent bonding to a tooth with, for example, glass polyalkenoate and resin based cements, including the step of depositing, by a vapour phase deposition technique, directly onto the fitting surface of the ceramic body a strongly adherent coating of an inorganic substance such as tin oxide at a thickness ideally less than 2 microns, the coating being reactive with the cement to provide a durable chemical bond therewith which is not subject to chemical degradation in the oral environment and which will not compromise the aesthetics of the associated dental restoration.

Abstract: A nebulizer for liquids, particulate materials or liquids/solids suspensions, comprising, within a vessel (10) containing a reservoir (11), an upright duct (13) with a plurality of circumferentially spaced outlet apertures (20), enclosing a coaxial air line (14) feeding a plurality of jets (16) duly aligned with outlet apertures (20) in the upright duct (13) so that an annular column of material is drawn from reservoir (11) to be dispersed by entrainment in the air streams from the jets (16). Larger droplets may return to the reservoir (11) while the smaller fraction issues from the vessel through an outlet (12). The relatively large outlet apertures (20) and the large cross-sectional area of the column of the material prevent blockage at the nebulizer head.

Abstract: A polypeptide sequence from Candida albicans is described which has significant sequence homology with known stress proteins from other organisms, particularly the heat shock protein hsp 90 of Sacchromyces cerevisiae. Corresponding DNA sequences are also described, together with antibodies raised against fragments of the sequence. The polypeptide and DNA sequences and antibodies provide separate means for the diagnosis and/or treatment of fungal, particularly Candida, infections.

Abstract: A medical catheter, for example, for drainage of a bodily fluid such as urine, includes a biodegradable portion which place in a body cavity, and thereby resists infection or the formation of encrustation or blockages normally associated with indwelling catheters.

Abstract: A face level sampling device comprising a headband (10) carrying a suction pump (11) and power pack (13). Connected to pump (11) is a rigid or semi-rigid tubular stalk (12) having a sample head at its free end which is thus positioned in the immediate vicinity of the wearer's nose and mouth in order to take a sample of the environmental contents in the immediate breathing zone.

Abstract: A parallel storage allocation method and device in which each space in a memory section that is available for use is associated with a respective allocator and stores an identifier for the respective allocator, data identifying allocators not in use is stored, and a list of allocators associated with spaces which are available for use is maintained. Each time a memory space is no longer in use a check is made to determine the allocator identifier of any already free space which can be combined with the memory space that is no longer in use. A liberate space token is generated which includes a first identifier corresponding to an allocator which is not in use and a second identifier which corresponds to any already free space to be combined. If the list of allocators relative to available space does not contain the allocator having the second identifier, the allocator having the first identifier is entered in the list with details of the no longer in use space.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a combination of a polymeric biguanide and a spermicidal surfactant, useful for contraceptive purposes, for their spermicidal or sperm-immobilizing effect, and contraceptive methods and devices using them.The polymeric biguanide is preferably a compound as described in U.K. Patent Specification No. 702,268 or a bisbiguanide as described in U.K. Patent Specification No. 705,838 or 1,095,902, but especially chlorhexidine. The spermicidal surfactant may be derived from ethylene oxide, preferably a condensate of nonylphenol and ethylene oxide, and especially with 9 to 11 molecular proportions thereof.To avoid short-lived activity, the compositions are preferably made substantially free from anions (notably halide ions and especially chloride ions) which cause deactivation, apparently by reducing the solubility of the active ingredients.

Abstract: Anthralin analogues containing a thio-substituent, especially in one or more of the positions 2-, 7- and 10- of the anthralin ring. They may be made by reacting an anthralin derivative (e.g. 10-bromoanthralin) with a thiol or a compound containing a group convertible to a thio-group. Alternatively, a 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone containing a thio-substituent may be reduced. Reactive intermediates may be made by introducing one or more nuclear allylic groups into a 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone and then converting them into a reactive form, e.g. by epoxydation or halide addition. The intermediate can then be reduced to the oxidation state corresponding to anthralin.Additional compounds, having the 10-carbon atom of the anthralin ring as part of a heterocyclic ring, may be made by oxidising anthralins containing various substituted thioalkyl groups as the 10-substituent.

Abstract: New echiboline derivatives with opioid properties which are 6-hydroxy-9-methyl-echiboline derivatives having, in the 10-position, a hydrocarbon substituent of up to 4 carbon atoms--preferably a group R.CH.sub.2 -- (wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group of up to 3 carbons) and especially a methyl, cyclopropyl-methyl or allyl group.These are made by dealkylating corresponding 6-alkoxy-9-methyl-10-substituted echibolines, thereby converting the 6-alkoxy group to a 6-hydroxy group, especially using boron tribromide as dealkylating reagent.Specific examples are 6-hydroxy-9,10-dimethyl-echiboline, 6-hydroxy-9-methyl-10-allyl-echiboline and 6-hydroxy-9-methyl-10-cyclopropylmethyl-echiboline.The compounds may be in free base or salt form, and be incorporated as active ingredient into pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A delay management method and device in which, when a data read request is made relating to data which has not yet reached a memory section, that read request is delayed and sent to a delay management section. The read request data is sent to a free address in the delay management section selected from a store of free addresses in the memory section. The delay management section stores the read request data at the free address. The delay management section communicates free addresses to the memory section.

Abstract: An electron spectrometer comprising an electron source for providing a beam of electrons having a predetermined energy spectrum, and an electron selector for dispersing in energy the electrons of the beam to produce an elongate selector image, each portion of the length of which includes electrons having a predetermined respective energy. The selector image is focussed on a target to produce an elongate target image including scattered electrons having a range of energies, each portion of the length of the target image resulting from a respective portion of the length of the selector image.

Abstract: Anthralin analogues containing a thio-substituent, especially in one or more of the positions 2-, 7- and 10- of the anthralin ring. They may be made by reacting an anthralin derivative (e.g. 10-bromoanthralin) with a thiol or a compound containing a group convertible to a thio-group. Alternatively, a 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone containing a thio-substituent may be reduced. Reactive intermediates may be made by introducing one or more nuclear allylic groups into a 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone and then converting them into a reactive form, e.g. by epoxidation or halide addition. The intermediate can then reduced to the oxidation state corresponding to anthralin.Additional products having the 10-carbon atom of the anthralin ring as part of a heterocyclic ring, may be made by anthralins containing various substitutes thioalkyl groups as the 10-substituent.The compounds are useful for treatment of psoriasis, and may be formulated in the conventional vehicles for topical application, for example petrolatum.

Abstract: An indicator sheet for an autoclave test pack wherein a pair of porous masses (10) are held in close superimposed relationship by means of a clamp (13) with the indicator sheet (12) sandwiched between them. The indicator sheet (12) has printed thereon a pattern of markings (14) formed from one or more substances which are adapted under steam sterilizing conditions to provide an indication of the presence of air and/or excessive moisture such that each is evident and individually identifiable.

Abstract: A urethral catheter comprising a tube having openings at both ends and at least a portion of the tube having a flexural wall formation permitting compliance of the wall with the urethral shape in use. Longitudinal flexion in the oval-shaped tube is reduced optionally by incorporating a thickened wall portion extending along the catheter about the minor axis thereof, and/or flexural compliance in the lateral direction is reduced optionally by providing a thickened wall portion about the major axis. The catheter is suitable for male patients, and the wall formation can be selected for satisfactory performance under a number of different conditions.

Abstract: A liquid crystal information storage device comprising a layer of material containing a side chain polymeric liquid crystal. At least a part of the material is heated from a viscous state above its glass transition temperature, to a fluid region in which the liquid crystalline material can readily undergo field-induced alignment. The material is addressed in this fluid region so as to achieve the selective variation in texture and orientation of molecules within the material and so record information, and the material is subsequently cooled and returned to its viscous state whereupon the information is retained.

Abstract: A device for testing the efficiency of autoclaves of the type used in hospitals for steam sterilizing porous loads such as surgical dressings, and particularly for detecting the presence of air in such a system, comprising first and second porous masses (10, 11) of a substantially man-made material such as spun bonded polypropylene, superimposed so as to sandwich therebetween an indicator sheet (12) and a pair of porous and absorbent sheets (12a). This assembly is held firmly together within a perforated stainless steel box (13) having a closable lid (14). For the test the whole device is placed in a steam sterilizer under normal working conditions. Subsequently, the test device is removed and the indicator sheet (12) inspected, any color variation across the sheet providing an indication of incomplete sterilizing conditions.

Abstract: A device for recovering oil floating on the surface of water comprising a framework (50) and a number of discs (51) rotatably mounted thereon. The framework is supported on floats (58,59) with the discs partly immersed in the water, and each disc is associated with a scraper (57) and chute (54) so that oil removed from the disc is deposited into a collection tray (52) from which it can be removed via line (53). Each disc (51) carries at least one axially directed concentric ring (4,5) which presents an inwardly directed surface (7,8). Each disc may carry a plurality of rings of the same or different axial depths.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an oil-retaining cylinder block and crankcase (10), a cylinder head (11), a cylinder liner (12) defining the cylinder (13) in which a piston (14) reciprocates, and a crankshaft (15) on which the piston is mounted via a connecting rod (16). The flywheel (17) is mounted on the crankshaft (15) and extends upwardly alongside the base of the cylinder liner (12) whereby the maximum radius of the flywheel is greater than the minimum distance between the rotational axis of the crankshaft and the lowermost position occupied by the base of the piston at bottom dead centre position. Thus there is provided an offset flywheel of low mass but providing a substantial moment of inertia while the overall height of the engine is be reduced without loss of horsepower.

Abstract: A urethral catheter comprising a tube for insertion into the bladder and having an inlet (17) for the drainage of urine via the tube, and a wall portion (18) having reduced thickness and increased flexural properties such that this wall portion (18) will undergo substantially complete collapse under normal urethral pressure thus to comply with the irregular and slit-like lumen (11) but permit adequate distension for normal drainage.

Abstract: A mortice and tenon joint of two structural members which avoids the protrusion of the tenon beyond the mortice. Across the tenon (11) of one member (10) there is cut a dovetail aperture or slot (12), and a movable tapering wedge (16) of similar dovetail cross-section is slidably housed within a tapering channel also of similar dovetail cross-section which crosses the mortice (14) of the other member (13) such that when the tenon (11) is inserted wholly into the mortice (14) the wedge (16) may be driven along the tapered channel to become firmly engaged within the dovetail aperture or slot (12) thus to lock the members (10, 13) together and prevent them from separating until the wedge (16) is withdrawn.