Abstract: Male sterility is imparted to a plant by a cascade of gene sequences which expresses a protein which disrupts the biosynthesis of viable pollen. Expression of the disrupter protein is restricted to male parts of the plant by an upstream promoter sequence which is specific to male flowers, the male specific promoter being under control of an operator sequence. The cascade also includes a gene encoding a repressor protein specific for that operator. Expression of the repressor protein is under control of a chemically inducible promoter which is inducible by the application to the plant by, spraying or like process, of an exogenous chemical. In the absence of the exogenous chemical inducer, no repressor protein is expressed, resulting in expression of the disrupter protein and, consequently, male sterility.

Abstract: Attenuated microorganism for use in immunoprophylaxis in which the attenuation is brought about by the presence of a mutation in the DNA sequence of the microorganism which encodes, or which regulates the expression of DNA encoding a protein that is produced in response to environmental stress, the microorganism optionally being capable of expressing DNA encoding a heterologous antigen.

Abstract: Plants, particularly cereal plants, which have altered ability to synthesise starch are produced by inserting into the genome of the plant a gene encoding an enzyme of the starch biosynthetic pathway such that capacity to produce starch is improved or reduced. The gene encoding the enzyme ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase has been isolated from wheat leaf and wheat endosperm tissue. The enzyme is essential to the biosynthesis of starch in plants. Addition of extra copies of the gene to a plant by transformation enhances starch production, increasing the food value of the crop. Conversely, insertion of a gene encoding mRNA antisense to the mRNA encoded by the endogenous ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene will reduce starch production. cDNA sequences are provided which may be used to identify homologous sequences in other tissue and in other plants. The ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene promoter may be used in the genetic manipulation of plants to alter their starch-synthesising ability.

Abstract: A linear burner for the synthesis of silica by vapor-phase reaction of a silicon-containing feedstock in a flame comprises at least five slots opening to an exit face (52a) of the burner and extending side-by-side in the elongate direction of the linear burner, and includes means (P1-P10) to supply a separate gas flow to each of said slots. An assembly of separator plates (52) is disposed between opposed casing parts (50, 51), which assembly defines the slots. At least one of the casing parts (50, 51) defines at least part of a respective plenum chamber (54) for each gas flow, each plenum chamber (54) communicating with a different one of said slots in the separator assembly. The invention also extends to a method of operating such a linear burner.

Abstract: N-Phenylpyrazole derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents cyano, nitro, halogen, acetyl or formyl; R.sup.2 represents R.sup.5 SO.sub.2, R.sup.5 SO or R.sup.5 S in which R.sup.5 is optionally halogen substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl;R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a group NR.sup.6 R.sup.7 wherein R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 each represent hydrogen, alkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, formyl, optionally halogen substituted alkanoyl, optionally halogen substituted alkoxycarbonyl, or alkoxymethyleneamino, halogen, or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 together form a cyclic imide and R.sup.4 represents a substituted phenyl group possess arthropodicidal, plant nematocidal, anthelmintic and anti-protozoal properties; their preparation, compositions containing them and their use are described.

Abstract: An induction-heated furnace, suitable for heat treatment of synthetic silica bodies, under conditions of high purity, includes a tubular susceptor (1) disposed with its axis vertical and an induction coil (3) for raising the temperature of the susceptor. The susceptor is made from graphite and/or silicon carbide, and is enclosed within a vacuum envelope (2) made from vitreous silica or fused quartz, the envelope being surrounded by the induction coil which is liquid-cooled. The design is such that the vacuum envelope (2) operates at temperatures below those at which either devitrification or sagging of the envelope might occur even when the tubular susceptor (1) is heated to a temperature of 1700.degree. C. Thus sintering of a porous synthetic silica body (9) can be carried out under atmospheric or reduced pressure, the furnace including a shaft (7) adapted to support the body to be heated and capable of rotation about and movement along said vertical axis of the tubular susceptor (1).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of prophylactically treating a host against infection by a microorganism, which method comprises administering to the host an attenuated Salmonella bacterium which contains a nirB promoter operably linked to a DNA sequence encoding a heterologous protein. The heterologous protein is expressed in the host and induces in the host an immune response against the microorganism.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of 1-aryl-3-carboxypyrazolid-5-one compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different and each represents H or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or monocyclic aryl group or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together form a tetramethylene group; and R represents an aryl group which may be substituted which comprises reacting a hydrazine of the formula R.NH.NH.sub.2 with an ester of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.3 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl group, which may be substituted.The novel process provides better yields and simpler operating conditions than other processes described in the literature for manufacture of these pyrazolidones.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of pyrazolones of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an aromatic radical and R.sup.1 is an alkyl, carboxylic acid, carbamoyl or carboxylic ester group which comprises treating a pyrazolidone of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R and R.sup.1 have the meanings stated above with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of alkali.The new process provides a method of manufacture of pyrazolones which avoids the use of .beta.-ketoesters. In many cases it provides a much cheaper route to these valuable compounds than those established in industry.

Abstract: A composition, adapted to be sintered on a substrate to form a vitreous enamel coating capable of enhancing oxidation of organic soils deposited thereon in the range of 300.degree. to 550.degree. F, comprises a comminuted mixture of previously smelted and quenched frit - producing material and a separate oxidation inducing agent in the form of a titanate bearing ore containing an oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, chromium, iron and aluminum.

Abstract: A heater assembly comprising cathodic plasma generating means for generating a column of plasma, a plurality of anodic plasma torches the outlets of which are symmetrically disposed about the axis of the column and circuit means for energizing said generating means and said torches, the arrangement being such that in operation a current is passed simultaneously between the generating means and each of the torches by way of said column and jets of plasma from said outlets which merge with said column. A method for effecting the chemical or physical modification of a particulate material, in which the material is heated in a high enthalpy zone including a plasma column through which current passes from cathodic plasma generating means simultaneously to each of a plurality of anodic plasma torches the outlets of which are symmetrically disposed about the axis of the column, said zone also including the region of confluence of the column with jets of plasma from the torches.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for producing a vitreous coating composition of the type comprising a vitreous bonding flux or frit and an oxidation inducing agent, the composition being capable, after the addition of suitable adjuncts and firing, of enhancing the oxidation of organic soils deposited thereon at temperatures in the range 300.degree. to 550.degree.F and includes the steps of smelting the vitreous frit-producing raw materials in the absence of the oxidation inducing agent, quenching the smelted materials to produce the frit, and incorporating with the frit the oxidation inducing agent in the form of a silicate bearing ore containing an oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, chromium, iron and aluminium.