Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence being an inducible promoter obtainable from apple. The promoter sequence is preferably activated in response to which agents are specific to ripening fruit and is most preferably the apple &bgr;-galactosidase (ABG1) promoter. Vectors form a further part of the invention. Also provided are host plant cells, plus methods of producing transgenic plants and fruit which incorporate antisense RNA capable of down-regulating genes involved in ripening or peptides or proteins improving fungal, insect, bacterial, viral, herbicidal, nematode, or arachnid resistance. Such transgenic plants and fruit have storage and pest-resistance properties superior to non-transgenic varieties.

Abstract: A recoil system for field-type guns automatically adjusts the recoil distance of the barrel according to the angle of elevation of the gun barrel relative to the ground. The system includes a recoil cylinder in fixed relationship to the gun barrel and a piston rod operably connected to a two-art piston valve within the cylinder. The rotational position of one of the valve parts is controlled by the angular position of the piston rod about its axis and the rotation position of the second valve part is controlled by its axial piston within the recoil cylinder bore. Fluid flow orifi are defined between the first and second valve part, the area of the orifi being determined by the rotational positions of the two valve parts relative to each other. As barrel elevation is increased, the piston rod is rotated via a camming device which is itself moved by a tooth riding in a non-axial and non-linear slot in the camming device.