Abstract: A microorganism which is Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. A method of culturing the microorganism in a culture medium comprising urea or urea derivative is claimed. A nitrile hydratase obtainable from the microorganism is claimed. Also claimed is a process of preparing an amide from the corresponding nitrile wherein the nitrile is subjected to a hydration reaction in an aqueous medium in the presence of a biocatalyst selected from the group consisting of a microorganism which is a Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164, a mutant thereof and a nitrile hydratase obtainable from Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. Also claimed is a method of storing the Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 41164.

Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, and which liquor comprises lignin, wherein the solids-liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterized in that the treatment system comprises an anionic polymer, with the proviso that the treatment system and does not include a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g.

Abstract: A process of producing an amide from a nitrile by the action of a nitrile hydratase enzyme or ammonium salt of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid from an amide by the action of amidase respectively in which enzymes are obtainable from a microorganism of the Dietzia genus.

Abstract: Process for improving the separation efficiency of residual solid matter from the liquid phase of an aqueous acid hydrolysate of a naturally occurring polysaccharide comprising dissolved sugars, and residual acid wherein a flocculating agent(s) is added to the aqueous mixture in an effective amount, and a process of producing fermentation products comprising the steps of, (i) hydrolysing a particulate polysaccharide based plant derived material in an acid medium, and thereby forming an aqueous mixture comprising dissolved sugar and solid matter, (ii) subjecting the aqueous mixture to one or more separation stages in which solid matter are removed from the aqueous phase, (iii) adjusting the pH of the obtained aqueous phase to a pH of at least 4, (iv) fermenting the dissolved sugars of the aqueous phase by a microorganism to produce a fermentation product, (v) isolating the fermentation product, wherein in at least one separation stage in step (ii) a flocculating agent is added to the aqueous mixture in an effe

Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, which liquor comprises water, lignin and BOD, wherein the solids liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterised in that the treatment system comprises either, (i) a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g at a dose of above 2 kg/tonne based on dry weight of suspension, or (ii) a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g and, (iii) an anionic polymer, and/or (iv) a cationic polymer of intrinsic viscosity of below 4 dl/g and a cationic charge density of at least 3 meq/g and/or (v) inorganic coagulants and/or (vi) charged microparticulate material.

Abstract: A microorganism which is Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. A method of culturing the microorganism in a culture medium comprising urea or urea derivative is claimed. A nitrite hydratase obtainable from the microorganism is claimed. Also claimed is a process of preparing an amide from the corresponding nitrite wherein the nitrite is subjected to a hydration reaction in an aqueous medium in the presence of a biocatalyst selected from the group consisting of a microorganism which is a Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NUMB 41164, a mutant thereof and a nitrite hydratase obtainable from Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. Also claimed is a method of storing the Rhodococcus rhodochrous NUMB 41164.

Abstract: A process of producing fermentation product comprising the steps of, (i) forming an acidified suspension of particulate plant derived material comprising a first polysaccharide which is more readily hydrolysable and a second polysaccharide which is more difficult to hydrolysable, (ii) allowing the first polysaccharide to undergo hydrolysis by action of the acid at a temperature of at least 50° C.

Abstract: A hand saw including a housing defining a channel. The channel is adapted to receive a blade having a top edge, a bottom edge and two sides. The hand saw includes at least one bias member positioned adjacent to one of the sides of the blade in the housing and a lever coupled to the bias member. The lever is movable between an open position where the bias member is disengaged from the blade, and a closed position, where the bias member substantially engages at least one of the sides of the blade to secure the blade in the housing.

Abstract: A vibration device comprises a motor having a stator and a rotor each having one or more magnetic elements. A magnetic element on at least one of the rotor and the stator comprises an electromagnet which can be supplied with an electric current so as to interact with a magnetic element on the other of the rotor and the stator to cause rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator; and the one or more magnetic elements of the rotor, considered together, have a center of mass which is offset from the axis of rotation of the rotor. The rotor and the stator are arranged in, or together form, a cavity containing a liquid.

Abstract: A biocatalytic method for the synthesis of 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethanol and/or choline esters of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid, namely a method or process for the manufacture of acrylylcholine and/or methacrylylcholine, comprising reacting 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethanol and/or choline with acrylyl-CoA and/or methacrylyl-CoA in the presence of a biocatalyst with choline acetyltransferase activity, where preferably the acrylyl-CoA and/or methacrylyl-CoA is formed by reaction of acrylate and/or methacrylate with coenzyme A in the presence of an energy providing substance and a biocatalyst with S-acetyl coenzyme A synthetase activity (acetyl CoA synthetase activity); to (especially transformed, that is genetically modified) organisms having choline acetyltransferase activity and preferably in addition the acetyl CoA synthetase activity and their use in said process or method; the use of a biocatalyst with choline acetyltransferase activity to carry out the transfer of the (meth)acrylyl moiety from (meth)acry

Abstract: A hand saw including a housing defining a channel. The channel is adapted to receive a blade having a top edge, a bottom edge and two sides. The hand saw includes at least one bias member positioned adjacent to one of the sides of the blade in the housing and a lever coupled to the bias member. The lever is movable between an open position where the bias member is disengaged from the blade, and a closed position, where the bias member substantially engages at least one of the sides of the blade to secure the blade in the housing.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in which the monomer is obtainable from a biocatalysed reaction or a fermentation process, and wherein the monomer contains cellular material and/or components of a fermentation broth, forming the polymer by polymerising the ethylenically unsaturated monomer or a monomer mixture comprising the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein there is substantially no removal of the cellular material and/or components of the fermentation broth from the ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: A process of producing an amide from a nitrile by the action of a nitrile hydratase enzyme or ammonium salt of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid from an amide by the action of amidase respectively in which enzymes are obtainable from a microorganism of the Dietzia genus.

Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, in which the liquor has been subjected to a temperature of at least 50° C., wherein the solids-liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterised in that the treatment system comprises an anionic polymer selected from natural polymers and modified natural polymers having a high anionic charge such that the equivalent weight is below 300, and synthetic polymers formed from at least 50% by weight anionic monomer units.

Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, and which liquor comprises lignin, wherein the solids-liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterised in that the treatment system comprises an anionic polymer, with the proviso that the treatment system and does not include a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g.

Abstract: A microorganism which is Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. A method of culturing the microorganism in a culture medium comprising urea or urea derivative is claimed. A nitrite hydratase obtainable from the microorganism is claimed. Also claimed is a process of preparing an amide from the corresponding nitrite wherein the nitrite is subjected to a hydration reaction in an aqueous medium in the presence of a biocatalyst selected from the group consisting of a microorganism which is a Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NUMB 41164, a mutant thereof and a nitrite hydratase obtainable from Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. Also claimed is a method of storing the Rhodococcus rhodochrous NUMB 41164.

Abstract: A system and method for payroll processing. In one embodiment, the system includes a first database, a second database, and a processor operably connected to the first and second databases. The first database contains information about an employer, and the second database contains a PDF template. The processor is operable to create a filable PDF tax form from the PDF template, with the filable PDF tax form including data retrieved from and/or calculated from the first database. The method of the present invention involves the steps of retrieving with the processor a PDF template from the second database and at least one data from the first database, and then producing a filable PDF tax form from the retrieved PDF template and from the retrieved and/or calculate data from the first database.

Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, which liquor comprises water, lignin and BOD, wherein the solids liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterised in that the treatment system comprises either, (i) a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g at a dose of above 2 kg/tonne based on dry weight of suspension, or (ii) a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g and, (iii) an anionic polymer, and/or (iv) a cationic polymer of intrinsic viscosity of below 4 dl/g and a cationic charge density of at least 3 meq/g and/or (v) inorganic coagulants and/or (vi) charged microparticulate material.

Abstract: A method of controlling the switching of an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM), to a first surface of which a write light signal is applied and to a second surface of which a read light signal is applied. The method comprises applying a bipolar switching waveform to control electrodes of the (OASLM) during each write cycle such that the leading pulse of the waveform applies a voltage across the (OASLM) which is in the photosensitive direction and the trailing pulse applies a voltage which is not in the photosensitive direction.

Abstract: Process for improving the separation efficiency of residual solid matter from the liquid phase of an aqueous acid hydrolysate of a naturally occurring polysaccharide comprising dissolved sugars, and residual acid wherein a flocculating agent(s) is added to the aqueous mixture in an effective amount, and a process of producing fermentation products comprising the steps of, (i) hydrolysing a particulate polysaccharide based plant derived material in an acid medium, and thereby forming an aqueous mixture comprising dissolved sugar and solid matter, (ii) subjecting the aqueous mixture to one or more separation stages in which solid matter are removed from the aqueous phase, (iii) adjusting the pH of the obtained aqueous phase to a pH of at least 4, (iv) fermenting the dissolved sugars of the aqueous phase by a microorganism to produce a fermentation product, (v) isolating the fermentation product, wherein in at least one separation stage in step (ii) a flocculating agent is added to the aqueous mixture in an effe