Abstract: Promoters and a process for isolating a promoter capable of driving fruit-specific expression of DNA sequences in transgenic blackcurrant and other non-climacteric fruit.

Abstract: A strip builder for winding a material strip about a rotating core includes a traveling applicator head assembly for receipt of the material strip from an upstream extruder station and transport of the strip to a downstream rotating core. The assembly includes a central support arm in longitudinal travel along the rotating core. Attached to the central support arm is a belt roller, an applicator roller spaced therefrom and a belt drive coupled therebetween. A conveyor belt is wound about the belt roller. Upon rotation of the core, the rotation of the applicator roller rotates the belt roller coupled thereto. Rotation of the belt roller drives the conveyor belt towards the core with the material strip thereon. Upon the belt passing between the belt roller and displaced applicator roller, the strip is stretched and deposited onto the applicator roller for subsequent deposit onto the rotating core. A traveling stitching roller subsequently smoothes the material strip deposited on the rotating core.

Abstract: Polyolefins, especially polypropylene, can be made flame retardant by the incorporation therein of a synergistic mixture of a selected hindered amine substituted by an alkoxy, cycloalkoxy or hydroxyalkoxy moiety and a selected organic or inorganic brominated and/or phosphorus containing flame retardant, such as ammonium polyphosphate or decabromodiphenyl oxide wherein the amount of organic or inorganic flame retardant required to achieve an acceptable level of flame retardancy is significantly reduced compared to that needed when the hindered amine is not present.

Abstract: Bubble stability within an optical switch is enhanced by controlling the expansion or movement of a bubble from a liquid-containing trench into available adjacent spacing. Typically, the adjacent spacing is formed between an optical waveguide substrate and a heater substrate, where the heater substrate includes a microheater for forming the bubble. The bubble enhancement is provided by intentionally altering surface features along at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, device configurations and methods for improved sensitivity, detection level and efficiency in mass spectrometry particularly as applied to biological molecules, including biological polymers, such as proteins and nucleic acids. Specifically, the invention relates to charged droplet sources and their use as ion sources and as components in ion sources. In addition, devices of this invention allow mass spectral analysis of a single charged droplet. Further, the charged droplet sources and ion sources of this invention can be combined with any charge particle detector or mass analyzer, but are a particularly benefit when used in combination with a time of flight mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The contents of clear or lightly colored plastic containers or films are protected from ultraviolet radiation by the incorporation of certain UV absorbers of the class of durable benzotriazoles and tris-aryl-s-triazines in the container or film. Contents to be protected include foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products, shampoos and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a hydrophilic membrane to provide by the process of pervaporation through the membrane water suitable for agricultural irrigation, industrial use, hydrating or rehydrating of food or agricultural or pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention also relates to a water purification apparatus which includes the hydrophilic membrane, comprising one or more layers of hydrophilic polymers, to purify water which may contain suspended or dissolved impurities and solids, including but not limited to seawater, brackish water and other kinds of polluted water.

Abstract: An award indicating device for use at a point of sale location having point of sale equipment, wherein the device comprises an automatic selector whose actuation, via an actuating device, is associated with the point of sale equipment, and wherein the selector is operable for selecting an outcome from a range of outcomes wherein at least one outcome corresponds to the indication of an available award.

Abstract: A method of scavenging oxygen in an atmosphere or liquid comprising the steps of: (i) treating an anthraquinone compound according to the formula: (I) wherein X1-X4 and R1-R4 are as defined in the claims, with predetermined conditions so as to reduce the anthraquinone compound to a reduced form oxidizable by oxygen; and ii) exposing the atmosphere or liquid to said compound; such that at least a portion of teh oxygen in teh atmosphere or liquid is removed through oxidation of the reduced form of the anthraquinone compound, and wherein steps i) and ii) may be carried out in either order.

Abstract: A mixture of a polyester, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) PET, and a suitable stabilizer selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohol-containing polymers and copolymers derived from 2-propenoic acid ester monomers, when extrusion compounded exhibits a lower residual acetaldehyde content than does PET alone when similarly treated. The invention pertains to any polyester used in the manufacture of bottles or containers which in turn are used to store consumer materials, especially food, beverages and most especially water.

Abstract: A method of stereo microscopy involves using an apparatus including a microscope (2), a sample holder (4) located in the vicinity of the focal point of the microscope, drive means (18) for providing relative movement between the sample holder and the focal point, an image gathering device (10) arranged to collect microscopic images of objects at the focal point of the microscope, an image processing device (20) and a display device (22). First and second microscopic images of an object in the sample holder are gathered by the image gathering device (10) by means of first and second sequential exposures, relative movement between the sample holder and the focal point being provided in first and second directions during said first and second exposures respectively.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to: the use of an effective inhibitor of a bacterial &agr;-amylase and/or &agr;-glucosidase in the manufacture of a composition for the treatment of acidosis; a method of treatment of rumen acidosis which comprises administration of an effective amount of an effective inhibitor of a bacterial &agr;-amylase and/or &agr;-glucosidase to a ruminant; a formulation suitable for the treatment of acidosis in an animal which comprises an effective inhibitor of a bacterial &agr;-amylase and/or &agr;-glucosidase in admixture with a suitable excipient, diluent or carrier selected with regard to the intended route of administration and standard pharmaceutical/veterinary/farming practice; screening methods useful in the identification of a suitable inhibitor of a bacterial &agr;-amylase and/or &agr;-glucosidase for the treatment of acidosis in a ruminant; a process for improving ruminant milk quality and/or quantity which comprises treatment of a ruminant with an effective amount of a

Abstract: A relay arcing protection arrangement for a relay of a type including an electromagnetic coil adapted to be connected to a control circuit and effect an opening or closing of at least two electrically conducting contactors in response to a transition signal from the control circuit, including electronic circuit means to detect arcing across the contactors, and to effect activation of a solid state current connection means providing a parallel current pathway to the electrical connectors when arcing is detected during such a selected period of time after activation.

Abstract: In the method of generating a pseudo random number, pseudo random numbers equal to pseudo random numbers generated from a pseudo random number generation function indexed by orders of two are stored. Then, a pseudo random number is generated based on the stored pseudo random numbers.

Abstract: A process is described in which an elastic fluid is contacted with a particulate solid. This comprises providing a substantially vertical elongate tubular containment zone (1) containing a charge of the particulate solid (5), the volume of the containment zone (1) being greater than the settled volume of the particulate solid (5). An upper retainer means (3) is mounted at the upper end of the containment zone (1), the upper retainer means (3) being permeable to the fluid but adapted to retain particulate solid (5) in the containment zone (1). A follower means (4) is movably mounted in the containment zone (1) beneath the charge of particulate solid (5) for movement upwardly from the lower end of the containment zone (1) upon upward flow of elastic fluid through the containment zone (1) at a rate beyond a threshold rate.

Abstract: A passive or active release device for a medicament or other substance for a target species mammal. The device is of a kind capable of being inserted into a body cavity of a target species mammal and deploying resiliently to one or more retention condition(s). The device is wholly or in part moulded from poly (-caprolactone) (optionally impregnated with at least a physiologically effective agent to be released therefrom or optionally to carry some device or material to be body cavity retained at least for a period). The device is preferably of substantially a “T” or “Y” shape.

Abstract: A steam reforming furnace (F) has a plurality of substantially vertical reformer tubes (T). Each reformer tube (T) has a feed inlet (P) at its lower end, an outlet at its upper end, and a catalyst containment zone disposed intermediate its upper and lower ends and contains a charge of a particulate steam reforming catalyst (C) which is insufficient to fill completely the catalyst containment zone. An upper retainer means (3) is mounted at the upper end of the catalyst containment zone and is permeable to gas or vapour but retains particles of the catalyst (C) in the catalyst containment zone. A follower means (4; 24) is movably mounted in the catalyst containment zone beneath the charge catalyst (C) for movement upwardly from a lower end of the containment zone upon upward flow of gas through the catalyst containment zone at a rate beyond a threshold rate.

Abstract: Polyoxymethylene, blends of polycarbonate with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer, and coatings based on a functional acrylate resin and a crosslinking agent, which are stabilized by addition of a compound of the formula I wherein s is from the range 1 to 8; R1, R2, R3 and R4, independently of each other, are C1-C4alkyl, or R1 and R2 or R3 and R4, together with the carbon atom to which they are bound, form a cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl ring; R5 is hydrogen; C1-C18alkyl; oxyl; OH; CH2CN; C1-C18alkoxy; C5-C12cycloalkoxy; C3-C8alkenyl; C3-C8alkynyl; C7-C12phenylalkyl; C7-C15phenylalkyl, which is substituted on the phenyl ring by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from C1-C4alkyl and C1-C4alkoxy; C7-C15phenylalkoxy; C7-C15phenylalkoxy, which is substituted on the phenyl ring by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from C1-C4alkyl and C1-C4alkoxy; or R5 is C1-C8alkanoyl; C3-C5alkenoyl; C1-C18alkanoyloxy; glycidyl; or a group —CH2CH(OH)-G, in which G is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl; and A is as descri