Abstract: Genetic markers are disclosed with a useful association with boar taint that can be used for screening and selection of pigs for those with more favorable boar taint characteristics associated with androstenone/skatole metabolism. Specific polymorphic alleles of the 3?HSD, 3?HSD, CYP17A1, CYP2A, CYP2E1, CYTB5, BAC-CT and/or SULT1A1 genes are disclosed for tests to screen pigs to determine those more likely to produce desired boar taint traits.

Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing boar taint, a method of screening pigs to determine those more likely to have reduced boar taint and a method for screening substances that enhance skatole metabolism or androstenone in a pig, are disclosed These methods involve the use of the nuclear receptors constitutive androstane receptor, pregnane X receptor and farnesoid X receptor, which have been found to modulate the activity of the enzymes involved in skatole and/or androsterone metabolism

Abstract: An optical fibre management system for manages a plurality of optical fibres. The system is such that the fibre(s) of each single circuit is/are routed separately from the fibres of other circuits, whereby optical signals carried by any given single circuit are not degraded by handling operations carried out on the fibres of other circuits.

Abstract: An optical fibre management system manages a plurality of optical fibres such that the fibre(s) of each single circuit is/are routed separately from the fibres of other circuits. By providing such single circuit management, optical signals carried by any given single circuit are not degraded by handling operations carried out on the fibres of other circuits.

Abstract: An optical ring mesh network includes a plurality of optical rings, each of which is coupled to at least one other ring by a respective optical coupler. The rings are provided with a plurality of input/output nodes constituted by optical couplers. The nodes are so positioned, and are of such a number, that the optical path length between any given pair of nodes includes n couplers where n is less than the number of nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering and dispensing an active ingredient, such as an insecticide, fumigant, fertilizer or room freshener. The active ingredient is placed in a container (6) and a pressurised propellant is subsequently introduced from a source (1) via conduits (3, 9). The propellant serves to absorb the active ingredient which is dispersed from the container via conduit (5) through a dispensing outlet (8) so that the active ingredient is dispersed in an airborne dispersion. In an ejector (4), a pressure differential is created across a propellant inlet port (4a) which is sufficient to draw the active ingredient from the active ingredient container (6) but is less than the pressure differential required to cause a cooling effect in the mixing chamber (4) and is less than that pressure differential that gives rise to an erratic dispersion of the active ingredient from the dispensing outlet (8).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for metering and dispensing an active ingredient, such as an insecticide, fumigant, fertilizer or room freshener. The active ingredient is placed in a container 6 and a pressurized propellant is subsequently introduced from a source 1 via conduits 3, 9. The propellant serves to absorb the active ingredient which is dispersed from the container via conduit 5 through a dispensing outlet 8 so that the active ingredient is dispersed in an airborne dispersion. In an ejector 4, a pressure differential is created across a propellant inlet port 4a which is sufficient to draw the active ingredient from the active ingredient container 6 but is less than the pressure differential required to cause a cooling effect in the mixing chamber 4 and is less than that pressure differential that gives rise to an erratic dispersion of the active ingredient from the dispensing outlet 8. The system is particularly suitable for the spraying of insecticides into large spaces such as warehouses and supermarkets.

Abstract: An optical fibre back plane (4) feeds incoming optical fibres (11) to exchange equipment. The optical fibre back plane (4) comprises a support member (5) attachable to the exchange equipment for pivotal movement about an axis (9). An optical interface is provided for connecting the incoming optical fibres to on-board optical fibres. The optical fibre back plane (4) is provided with support means (12) for supporting the incoming optical fibres (11), the support means extending parallel, and closely adjacent, to the axis (9).