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 hydrolyse, (ii) allowing the first polysaccharide to undergo hydrolysis by action of the acid at a temperature of at least 50° C. under conditions such that the first polysaccharide is hydrolysed and thereby forming a mixture of an aqueous liquor containing dissolved sugar and a solid residue containing the second polysaccharide, (iii) subjecting the mixture to one or more separation stages in which the solid residue and aqueous sugar liquor are substantially separated from each other, (iv) optionally washing the residue substantially free of the acid and the sugar, (v) passing the solid cellulosic residue to a further treatment stage in which the residue is subjected to the action of dilute acid at a temperature of at least 50° C.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprises an ion source which produces an ion beam from a substance to be analysed and a detector to detect a quantity of ions incident thereon. The detector includes two elements (16, 18) each of which detect a part of the quantity of ions and an attenuation device attenuates the quantity of ions reaching one of the detector elements. At least one of the detector elements (16, 18) is connected to a time to digital converter (TDC) to allow counting of the ions and at least one of the detector elements is connected in parallel to both a time to digital converter (TDC) and an analogue to digital converter (ADC).

Abstract: A process of flocculating microbial cell material from a suspending medium which contains cell material, comprising adding to the suspending medium a first polymeric material which is cationic and has intrinsic viscosity of not more than 2 dl/g, and subsequently or simultaneously adding to the suspending medium a second polymeric material which is cationic or substantially non-ionic and has intrinsic viscosity of at least 4 dl/g, and allowing the cell material to flocculate.

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 mass spectrometer comprises an ion source which produces an ion beam from a substance to be analysed and a detector to detect a quantity of ions incident thereon. The detector includes two elements (16, 18) each of which detect a part of the quantity of ions and an attenuation device attenuates the quantity of ions reaching one of the detector elements. At least one of the detector elements (16, 18) is connected to a time to digital converter (TDC) to allow counting of the ions and at least one of the detector elements is connected in parallel to both a time to digital converter (TDC) and an analogue to digital converter (ADC).

Abstract: We make particulates, especially magnetic Fe—Co alloys having high magnetic permeability, of controlled dimensions, especially those having a narrow thickness size distribution centered around a median or target thickness in the range of about 0.1-1.0 ?m, using electrodeposition typically on a smooth (polished) titanium cathode. Our preferred continuous process uses a rotating drum cathode inside a fixed anode to grow flakes and to produce them automatically by inherent instability in the deposited film. The drum preferably rotates about a substantially vertical axis. The particulates shed (slough off) into the electrolyte (because of mismatch between the cathode surface and the plated metal or alloy at the molecular level) where they are separated in a magnetic separator or other suitable device. If the flakes are soft iron or iron-cobalt alloys, the drum generally is titanium or titanium alloy.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprises an ion source which produces an ion beam from a substance to be analysed and a detector to detect a quantity of ions incident thereon. The detector includes two elements (16, 18) each of which detect a part of the quantity of ions and an attenuation device attenuates the quantity of ions reaching one of the detector elements. At least one of the detector elements (16, 18) is connected to a time to digital converter (TDC) to allow counting of the ions and at least one of the detector elements is connected in parallel to both a time to digital converter (TDC) and an analogue to digital converter (ADC).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention it has been found that a fibrin polymer film formed by applying materials most closely resembling the natural clotting materials to a surgical adhesion formation. Preferred embodiments involve application of a fibrin monomer under polymerizing conditions to the surgical wound site. Unexpectedly, in addition to this improved prevention of adhesions, the more chemically-natural clots, especially the fibrin-monomer based fibrin polymer, also functions as a fibrin sealant, i.e., has adherence, provides hemostasis and promotes wound healing while also functioning as a barrier. In preferred embodiments the novel methods of this invention conveniently use one or more plasma proteins derived from the patient's own blood as to be autologous. Further, the sealant material is preferably substantially free of any added or exogenous enzymes, e.g., thrombin, etc., which catalyze the cleavage of fibrinopeptides A and/or B from fibrinogen.

Abstract: A solution having a high concentration of ammonium (meth)acrylate and which is substantially free of (meth)acrylonitrile is made by enzymatic hydrolysis of (meth)acrylonitrile in the presence of water using an enzyme that has Km for (meth)acrylonitrile below 500 &mgr;m and Ki for ammonium (meth)acrylate about 100,000.

Abstract: A solution having a high concentration of ammonium (meth)acrylate and which is substantially free of (meth)acrylonitrile is made by enzymatic hydrolysis of (meth)acrylonitrile in the presence of water using an enzyme which has Km for (meth)acrylonitrile below 500 .mu.m and Ki for ammonium (meth)acrylate above 100,000.

Abstract: An amidase or nitrilase is made by continuous culture under carbon limitation using a carbon source which includes, respectively, either (a) an amide or amide precursor or (b) a nitrile or nitrile precursor. Novel enzymes have particular stability. A novel microorganism is Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 40756 and is capable of producing a particularly stable amidase. The novel amidase, and the amidase made by the defined process, are effective for converting (meth)acrylamide to ammonium (meth)acrylate, for instance in or after the polymerisation of the acrylamide.

Abstract: Nitrilase enzymes are provided which have Km at pH 7.0 for acrylonitrile of 500 .mu.M or below. The enzymes also have Ki at pH 7.0 for ammonium acrylate of at least 100 mM. In particular, the nitrilases have a value of the ratio of the said Ki to the said Km of at least 200. Particularly preferred nitrilases are obtainable from the microorganisms Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 40757 or NCIMB 40833. These nitrilases can be used in processes of converting acrylonitrile to ammonium acrylate in aqueous or vapor form and for detecting low levels of nitrile in aqueous or vapor form.

Abstract: Acrylamidase enzymes are provided which have acrylamidase activity at pH 4.0 which is at least 50% of their acrylamidase activity at pH 7.0. Such enzymes can be produced by the novel microorganisms Rhodococcus strains NCIMB 40889 and NCIMB 40755. Such enzymes and microorganisms can be used for reducing free acrylamide in polyacrylamides which are produced at low pH and in particular cationic and substantially non-ionic polyacrylamides.