Abstract: A submersible vehicle comprising a plurality of rigid submersible vessels 2, 3, some of which, 2, include propulsion means and some of which, 3, do not include propulsion means, the rigid submersible vessels being coupled by resilient couplings which are adapted to transmit pulling and braking forces between adjacent rigid submersible vessels. Steering means and position sensing means is provided on at least some of the submersible vessels whereby to ensure that the following submersible vessels follow exactly the lead vessel to avoid fixed obstructions.

Abstract: A transposon which comprises an RNA polymerase recognition site and a homing endonuclease recognition site. The transposon may be used in methods for the identification of an essential gene or a conditional essential gene of an organism. Genes identified in such methods are useful as substrates for use in screening for antibacterials, antiparasitics, fungicides, pesticides and herbicides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preparing and processing information to be communicated via a network or to or from other data carriers. For implementation of a novel “virtual machine” of the present invention, a minimal amount of hardware is required. Prior art virtual machines tend to slow down operation of the device as they interface between an application program and device drivers. The novel virtual machine incorporates a virtual message processing means that is arranged to construct, deconstruct and compare messages and applied in the native code of the processor. The message instruction means directs and controls the message processor. Similarly, a protocol processor means governs and organs communications, under the direction of a protocol instruction means in the application. These elements of the novel virtual machine increase the speed and efficiency and allow implementation of a practical device for use in communications, able to be implemented on different hardware having different BIOS/OS.

Abstract: Two dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) genes have been cloned from humans. These genes can be used to screen for inhibitors and activators of activity and/or expression of DDAHs. Inhibitors and activators of activity and/or expression of DDAHs are useful in the treatment of conditions in which abnormal metabolism of nitric oxide is implicated.

Abstract: A process of reducing the sulfur content of gasoline product comprising at least three concurrent steps: a) passing input fluid comprising pollutant through at least one adsorber to produce a polluted adsorber and a purified fluid stream which leaves the adsorber, stopping the flow into said adsorber to leave residual fluid therein, and separating said residual fluid therein said adsorber to leave the polluted adsorber of reduced residual fluid content, b) heating a polluted adsorber with a heated regeneration gas to produce a hot adsorber and cooler regeneration gas, c) contacting a heated adsorber with a regeneration gas (of a lower temperature than that of said adsorber) to produce a cooler adsorber and a warmer regeneration gas, which gas is further heated to produce said heated regeneration gas which is pass to step b), said process comprising at least 3 adsorber, at least one of which being subjected to step a) at least one different adsorber to step b) and at least one further different adsorber being

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating routing information in a data communications network. A first network element (such as a router) receives information relating to a second network element, such as another node or a network link. In response, the first network element determines whether the information relating to the second network element indicates a change in the network. When information relating to a second network element indicates a change in the network, the first network element determines a new shortest path through the network from the first network element for each network element in the network. After a delay, the first network element updates routing information for the first network element based on the new shortest path for the first network element. Preferably the delay is proportional to the distance of the first network element from the second network element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deploying assemblies, for example, for surveillance equipment, in which a single remotely-operated carriage is used to position each assembly, in turn, on a respective upright support pole. The carriage can be moved away from the assembly when the assembly is located at a desired position on the support pole. Assemblies may, therefore, be deployed more cost effectively than by existing methods and apparatus, which require each assembly to be motorized.

Abstract: Methods, a data structure and computer readable mediums address newly-defined code points in a Unicode index of characters by allowing processing of strings that use those newly-defined code points although a database holding an index of Unicode characters has not yet been updated. A method is directed to processing strings including one or more code points associated with an index of code points mapped to an expandable alphabet, such as the Unicode index. The method includes tracking each string that has code points mapped to undefined items and processing the tracked strings outside the processing of strings with defined items. An embodiment provides for creating a database for maintaining the index to the code points mapped to the previously undefined items. For each code point mapped to a previously undefined item a table entry can be created so the entries identify newly defined code points to enable processing the tracked strings.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that accepts different types of signals from multiple sources and routes the signals to the appropriate devices for conversion or other processing so that each signal is in a common or desired format, such as the MPEG standard. The individual signal streams are packetized so that each signal stream carries identifying information associated with it originating signal source and then multiplexed onto a single digital transport stream for storage. Such a system allows overlapping signals of different types from multiple sources to be processed and stored in a single storage device. Each of the signals can then be subsequently retrieved for playback or display.

Abstract: A method for replacing a target nucleotide/polynucleotide sequence of a bacterial chromosome with a different nucleotide/polynucleotide sequence, which method comprises: (a) providing a bacterium which is capable of expressing: (1) the &ggr; genes exo or a functional equivalent thereof and bet or a functional equivalent thereof, but not the &ggr; gene gam or a functional equivalent thereof; or (2) the &ggr; gene bet or a functional equivalent thereof and gam or a functional equivalent thereof; (b) providing a polynucleotide construct which comprises: (i) a sequence which corresponds to a first sequence flanking the left hand side of the target sequence; (ii) a second sequence corresponding to a sequence flanking the right hand side of the target sequence; and (iii) positioned between (i) and (ii), the donor sequence; and (c) introducing the polynucleotide construct into the bacterium, thereby to replace the target nucleotide sequence with the sequence different from that of the target nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: A polarisation independent optical switch comprises a dielectric layer (6) in which are formed a multiplicity of minute channels (7). These channels (7) are instilled with a liquid crystal fluid, especially a nematic liquid crystal (8). Electrodes (4, 5) are formed on each side of the dielectric layer between two cell walls (2, 3). Application of a voltage across the layer results in an effective change of the refractive index of the layer, and therefore modulates the phase of light traversing the layer (6).

Abstract: Spinal rod approximator for seating a stabilizing rod in a rod-receiving portion of a spinal implant and inserting closure mechanism is provided. In one embodiment, a spinal rod approximator is provided including a body with gripping branches, inserter shaft, threaded collar, and outer sleeve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously presenting a sample from a stream of particulate material which contains crystalline substances and for effectively continuously analysing the sample by X-ray diffraction are provided. An extracted sample flow is fed onto a continuously moving carrier and its surface smoothed and flattened for X-ray diffraction patterns to be detected and analysed to provide a compositional analysis for the crystalline substances. The sample is continuously removed from the carrier prior to further sample being fed onto the carrier. The invention is particularly applicable for phase composition analysis of cement and cement clinker and provides an effectively continuous analysis substantially in real time in contrast to prior art laboratory analyses of discrete samples.

Abstract: Liquid crystal devices are formed by a layer of a liquid crystal material enclosed between two cell walls, both carrying electrode structures, and one or both walls treated to align molecules of the liquid crystal material. Most alignment treatment give alignment and surface pretilt with a strong azimuthal and zenithal anchoring energy to contacting liquid crystal molecules. The invention reduces at least one of the azimuthal zenithal or translational anchoring energy to improve switching characteristics and optical performance by allowing movement of liquid crystal molecules at or close to the cell wall. The reduction of anchoring energy may be achieved by an oligomer or short chain polymer which is either spread on the surface or added to the liquid crystal material. The size of oligomer or short chain polymer is low enough that it does not appreciably phase separate from the liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that accepts different types of signals from multiple sources and routes the signals to the appropriate devices for conversion or other processing so that each signal is in a common or desired format, such as the MPEG standard. The individual signal streams are packetized so that each signal stream carries identifying information associated with it originating signal source and then multiplexed onto a single digital transport stream for storage. Such a system allows overlapping signals of different types from multiple sources to be processed and stored in a single storage device. Each of the signals can then be subsequently retrieved for playback or display.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus 5 for monitoring and controlling the provision of user pays products and/or services is provided. The apparatus may interface with a meter 6 of a supply network or supply channel and control the supply of user pays products and/or services. The apparatus receives communications from host system 7 including configuration data that is specific to a user of the product or service and/or specific to the user pays product or service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deploying assemblies, e.g. of surveillance equipment, wherein a single remotely-operated carriage is used to position each assembly, in turn, on a respective upright pole.

Abstract: Techniques for processing cocoa mass are provided. In general, the techniques involve solvent extraction of cocoa fat from cocoa mass, to achieve a desirable cocoa butter and low-fat cocoa powder. In one preferred process, the cocoa mass is the result of grinding cocoa nibs, with absence of a mechanical pressing and heating step, to advantage. Preferred products and uses are characterized.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-intrusive automatic dosing system for use with existing fabric- and dishwashing machines. The system contains a container house with one ore more containers which can contain a fabric- or dishwashing product or ingredient, said container(s) being connected with a pump, said pump being connected with the water inlet conduit of the machine. The container house also contains means for receiving and transmitting signals. Signals are received from at least one sensor, capable of reading at least one parameter of the washing process or machine when in operation, and cause the transmission of a signal to activate the pump to cause the delivery of the product or ingredient to the water inlet conduit of the machine.

Abstract: A fiber optic communication cable is deployed in a pipeline from a static coil drawn from a rearwardly facing exit of a cassette carried by a pipeline pig as the pig is driven along the pipeline from a launcher having a drive fluid inlet and a cable anchorage with a pressure penetrator for connecting an instrumentation cable to the deployed cable.