Abstract: The present invention relates to a haptoglobin assay of the type wherein the level of haptoglobin in a sample to be tested is determined by measuring the peroxidase activity of haptoglobin/haemoglobin complex. The assay employs at least one reagent for reducing a peroxidase effect due to any albumin or any other protein(s) present in the sample. The reagent may be selected from a) a reducing agent effective against disulphide bonds; b) a protein binding inhibitor and/or c) a chaotropic agent. The present invention also relates to kits suitable for use in such an asay.

Abstract: A method of detecting a block-based watermark is provided. The method detects the location of the watermark within a frame of content data regardless of whether the watermark has been shifted or resized.

Abstract: A method for producing an unsaturated carboxylic acid comprises: (a) contacting, in a reaction zone, an alkane with a catalyst containing a mixed metal oxide, under conditions which produce a product gas comprising the unsaturated carboxylic acid, unreacted alkane and a product alkene; (b) recovering unreacted alkane and product alkene from the product gas; and (c) recycling the recovered unreacted alkane and product alkene to the reaction zone; wherein the mixed metal oxide consists of a material having the formula

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum cleaner having a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet and dirt and dust separating apparatus lying in an air flow path therebetween, wherein the air flow path has a substantially uniform cross-sectional area between the dirty air inlet and the separating apparatus and between the separating apparatus and the clean air outlet. The uniformity of the cross-sectional area reduces frictional losses and reduces pressure drops within the cleaner. Some portions of the air flow path are preferably removable from the cleaner to allow access for maintenance and removal of blockages.

Abstract: The invention provides cyclonic separating apparatus comprising an upstream cyclone unit and a downstream cyclone unit, the upstream cyclone unit including at least one cyclone having a first end and a second end, and the downstream cyclone unit including at least one cyclone having a first end and a second end. The upstream and downstream cyclone units of the cyclonic separation apparatus are arranged relative to one another so that the orientation of at least one cyclone of the downstream cyclone unit is substantially inverted with respect to the orientation of at least one cyclone of the upstream cyclone unit. The arrangement provides an apparatus in which good separation efficiency is achieved as well as low pressure drop across the apparatus as a whole.

Abstract: An assembly for measuring the condition of fruit and vegetable is disclosed which comprises an expandable resilient bellows arrangement (10) having a passive sensor (22) mounted therein. In use, the bellows (10) can be expanded so as to bring the passive sensor (22) into contact with, or adjacent to, and item of fruit or vegetable whereby the sensor can react to a property of the fruit or vegetable and produces a signal related to that property. The bellows (10) can the be contracted away from the fruit or vegetable. The sensor (22) can detect the properties of, for example, surface gas detection, chlorophyll fluorescence, visible and Near Infra Red spectrometry and change transfer. An arrangement is also disclosed in which a plurality of bellows (10) are mounted on a rotatable mounting (510) whereby by rotation of the mounting (510), the bellows (10) can be brought sequentially into a position in contact with, or adjacent to, a respective fruit or vegetable.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (1) comprises reacting compounds of formulae (2) and (3) in the presence of an enzyme, wherein A is a thiol-protecting group, B, C and D are each the same or different organic groups of up to 30 C atoms, optionally functionalized at any position, provided that neither a primary amine nor a primary amide is present, and X is a group that can be displaced by NH2.

Abstract: High molecular weight polycarbonates are prepared from hindered bisphenols in a reaction sequence involving conversion of the hindered bisphenol to the corresponding bischloroformate and subsequent treatment with an amine catalyst and aqueous base to effect polymerization by hydrolysis and condensation of the bischloroformate groups. Tertiary aliphatic and cycloaliphatic amine catalysts bearing at least one methyl group are found to be especially effective in promoting this polymerization reaction. Reaction rates and selectivities are shown to be superior to known methods employing tertiary amines lacking methyl groups attached to nitrogen, such as triethylamine. The inclusion of chain stoppers allows the preparation of well defined mixtures of polycarbonate oligomers from hindered bisphenols. Additionally, the methodology may be used to prepare symmetrical diaryl carbonates from hindered phenols.

Abstract: A distributed system having a central server, one or more remote supplier nodes, one or more remote manufacturer nodes, and one or more remote client nodes that communicate with one another via the Internet. The server maintains a centralized component database containing information corresponding to the components sold by the suppliers that are potentially used in the manufacturer of packages. The server also maintains a centralized process database containing information corresponding to the manufacturing processes performed by the manufacturers that are potentially used in the manufacturer of packages. Each supplier and manufacturer is responsible for accessing the server via the Internet to store/update the information maintained in the appropriate database for its components/processes. Each client accesses the server via the Internet to provide a set of desired attributes for a proposed package.

Abstract: A hidden watermark and methods of detecting and embedding such watermark is provided. The watermark is resistant to efforts to avoid the message thereof.

Abstract: A method for paging and selectively routing calls in a telecommunication environment (10). Voice service nodes (32(a . . . n)) and data service nodes (30(a . . . n)) are related in a telecommunication environment (10). Voice calls are received utilizing the voice capabilities of the telecommunication environment (10). The incoming calls are parked and IP messages (28(a . . . n)) are broadcast using the IP capabilities of the telecommunication environment (10). Input using the IP capabilities of the telecommunication environment (10) is then used in routing of the calls utilizing the voice capabilities of the telecommunication environment (10). The invention can be practiced in a telecommunication environment (10) served by a separate POTS network (12) and IP network (14), or by an IP network (14) alone providing both voice and data services.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a capping beam across two or more cast-in-situ piles (11), wherein a precast or preformed guide wall structure (1) having holes (5) for receiving and guiding a piling auger is placed into an excavation, forming a number of cast-in-situ piles (11) by applying a piling auger to the ground through the holes (5) in the guide wall structure (1), removing the guide wall structure (1) and filling the excavation with concrete so as to form a capping beam. This results in much improved construction times, since it is not necessary to remove excess hardened concrete before forming the capping beam, and also results in less waste, since the guide wall structure can be reused.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of monofunctional aromatic chloroformates (MAC) having the structure (I) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5, and R1 represents hydrogen, a branched or unbranched alkyl group having from 1-15 carbon atoms, an aryl group which may be substituted or unsubstituted, a cycloaliphatic group which may be substituted or unsubstituted, or an arylalkyl group which may be substituted or unsubstituted, the method comprising the steps of a) introducing 1) an aqueous caustic solution; 2) a carbonyl chloride; 3) at least one monofunctional hydroxyaromatic compound; and 4) at least one inert organic solvent into a continuous reaction system; and b) effecting contact between 1), 2), 3) and 4) for a time and at conditions sufficient to produce a MAC of structure (I).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of substantially single enantiomer (−)-narwedine comprises seeding a solution of racemic narwedine dissolved in a solvent with substantially single enantiomer (−)-narwedine, provided that if an added amine base is present the ratic solvent:added amine base is greater than 15:1.

Abstract: A nickel base alloy comprising: (measured in % by weight): 11-16% Co; 12.2-15.5% Cr; 6.5-7.2% Al; 3.2-5.0% Re; 1.0-2.5% Si; 1.5-4.5% Ta; 0.2-2.0% Nb; 0.2-1.2% Hf; 0.2-1.2% Y; 0-1.5% Mg; 0-1.5% Zr; 0-0.5% La and La series elements; 0-0.15% C; 0-0.1% B; and a remainder including Ni and impurities. The alloy is particularly suited for coatings for gas turbine components such as gas turbine blades and vanes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for preparing acrylic acid from propylene using a single reactor utilizing an increased amount of propylene reactant thereby providing increased capacity and throughput.

Abstract: A container is provided for carbonated beverages such as beer, sparkling wines and soft drinks. The container can be made entirely of plant-based material such as card. In other forms of the invention additional layers of, for example, plastic or non-woven material may be provided. The container is therefore easy to dispose of.

Abstract: The present invention relates to receptor/reporter fusion protein based assays for detecting an effect test compounds have on a particular membrane receptor, as well as to receptor/reporter fusion proteins for use in such assays and compounds identified by the assays as having interesting/useful effects. Suitable membrane receptors are growth factor receptors, cytokine receptors, ion channels and integrins including any subtypes, mutants, homologs and chimeric forms of such receptors. The assay is particularly suited to studying G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Abstract: An emergency lighting system for an aircraft has photoluminescent material arranged to define an escape path to the exits. The photoluminescent material is encapsulated within a track of predetermined length for securing to the floor of the aircraft. The track comprises a one piece housing formed with a longitudinally extending slot and the photoluminescent material is provided by an insert that is a push-fit in the slot from one end of the housing. The housing is closed at both ends to seal the slot and prevent ingress of dirt or fluid. In a modification the housing is compressed with the insert in place to reduce the height of the track and optionally to provide the track with anti-slip characteristics.