Abstract: A substrate holder assembly including a substrate platen, the substrate platen disposed to support a substrate at a substrate position, a halo ring, the halo ring being disposed around the substrate position, and an outer halo being disposed around the halo ring and defining a first aperture, wherein the outer halo is disposed to engage the halo ring, the halo ring being disposed at least partially within the first aperture, the halo ring defining a second aperture, concentrically positioned within the first aperture, wherein the outer halo and the halo ring are formed at least partially of silicon, silicon carbide, doped silicon, quartz, and ceramic.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for storing and dispensing a product. The apparatus includes a rigid outer casing adapted to receive a cartridge that is partially covered with a support membrane and has a weakened area capable of rupturing when pressure is applied to the cartridge. The support membrane extends over the weakened area and bursts as the cartridge expands into an expansion chamber or the weakened area ruptures. The support membrane provides support to the front end of the cartridge and resistance during insertion of the cartridge so that the cartridge is ‘primed’ and ready to dispense its contents by a user when necessary.

Abstract: There is provided a cutting tool (100) which is capable of performing cutting operations on a variety of materials such as, for example, plasterboard, glass, wood, laminated wood, cardboard, Perspex (Trade Mark), tiles, plastics or the like. The cutting tool (100) comprises an upper and lower part (102,104), said upper and lower parts (102,104) being separated by spacing means which are preferably retractable, the upper and lower parts (102,104) comprising at least one cutting device (116), and wherein the upper and lower parts (102,104) are held together with magnetic attraction.

Abstract: There is provided herein a reusable dispensing apparatus (100) comprising a locking member (120) which is capable of securely attaching a nozzle (118) to a substantially rigid outer casing (102) allowing easy and clean removal of a dispensed cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying an inhibitor of a biotin protein ligase. The method include the steps of (a) providing a substrate, wherein the substrate may be biotinylated; (b) contacting the substrate with biotin and a biotin protein ligase in the presence of a test compound; (c) determining the extent of biotinylation of the substrate by the biotin protein ligase in the presence of the test compound; and (d) identifying the test compound as an inhibitor of the biotin protein ligase by a reduction in the biotinylation of the substrate in the presence of the test compound as compared to the extent of biotinylation of the substrate in the absence of the test compound.

Abstract: A fixing for repairing a hole in a wall of frangible material, the fixing having a body which is provided with fins having cutting edges and which extend laterally from the body for reaming the hole in the wall. The fixing includes means for engaging a tool for rotating the fixing and a generally axial passageway in the body for receiving a screw.

Abstract: A hammer-in expansion fastener for embedding into a wall and receiving a screw having an elongated body which is provided with two opposite ends and a bore extending into it from one end to receive a screw. The other end of the body is tapered inwardly to a leading end of the body to an extent allowing the wall plug to be driven into a wall of building material. The other end is further provided with a non-uniform taper of: (a) between 12° to 18° to the longitudinal axis of the body at the leading end and about 10 mm in length measured along the longitudinal axis; and (b) from 4° to 8° to the longitudinal axis of the body at a portion remote from the leading end.