Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making N-benzyl indoles, and to intermediates for use in the method, and to certain substantially optically pure N-benzyl indoles obtained by the method.

Abstract: A light polarizing panel comprises a plurality of layers of translucent material. At least one gap (14, 16) is provided between a pair of adjacent layers and at least one of the layers is a polarising layer (13) formed of cellular material with layered elliptical cells. The polarising layer (13) is formed firstly by a hot roll calendering process such that the cells become substantially elliptical. The material is then placed under tension and heated and passed to a pair of heated laminating rolls. The effect is to produce material which is glassified on its outer surfaces.

Abstract: A composite electrode, comprising:a solid non-metallic substrate, (such as ceramic, glass, or epoxy resin,)and, bonded directly or indirectly to said substrate,a non-conducting matrix, incorporating particles which are accessible to the electrode surface and contain an insoluble metal salt (e.g. halide) in direct electrical contact with the metal corresponding to said salt, said metal being present either (i) in the form of metallic particles incorporated in a non-conducting matrix zone disposed so that said metal salt-containing particles are located between said metallic particles and said electrode surface, and/or (ii) a solid metallic surface in the form of an intermediate layer between said matrix and said substrate.

Abstract: A dye donor, such as a transfer ribbon, comprises a supporting substrate and a relatively thick dye layer consisting of a dye dispersed within a dye binder. A heater, such as a modulated scanning laser beam, heats selected pixel regions of the ribbon and causes dye to diffuse from the heated regions to a receiver sheet and print a number of pixels thereon which build up to form an image. In order to allow the donor to be reused, it is passed between a pair of heated rollers to cause dye in the dye layer to diffuse to an even density whereby the regions depleted of dye during the print process are replenished. Instead of the replenishment dye coming from the body of the donor, it may be supplied by a separate source.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the growth of microorganisms in liquid culture involving the detection of pressure change in a gas-tight container such as a blood culture bottle incorporating a flexible diaphragm (septum) by detecting displacement of the septum, is characterised by the position or conformation of the diaphragm being repeatedly sensed using a distance-measuring means, such as a laser, preferably capable of detecting a variation in the position or conformation of the diaphragm to an accuracy of 200.mu. or better, with a portion of the container adjacent the diaphragm conveniently being used as a reference to detect any relative positional or conformational change of the diaphragm. Preferably the laser repeatedly scans a plurality of containers mounted in a holder such as a flat bed or a carousel.

Abstract: Dye diffusion thermal printing method and apparatus, particulary for the preparation of 35 mm format slides using a laser as the source of thermal stimulii, in which each successive dye coat of a dye ribbon on which the dye coats are in the form of stripes extending along the longitudinal axis of the ribbon, is brought into register with a receiver sheet by effecting relative transverse movement between the ribbon and the receiver sheet.

Abstract: A process for producing a compound of the formu5la ##STR1## comprising the step of reacting a compound of the formula ##STR2## with a compound of the formula ##STR3## to form a compound of the formula ##STR4## wherein R.sup.2a is selected from the groups recited above for R.sup.2, or R.sup.2a --X-- is a protected hydroxyl group, and Z is a group of formula --Y--R.sub.5 recited above, or a group that can be converted into a group of said formula --Y--R.sup.5. Intermediates of formula IV and composition containing substantially optically pure enantiomers of Formula (I) are included within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: A method of processing a solid plant foodstuff comprises (a) heating the plant foodstuff using a mass heating method, according to which, during at least part of the heating step, the environmental pressure of the foodstuff being heated is so controlled in relation to the saturated vapour pressure of the foodstuff as to achieve a substantially uniform temperature through-out the solid foodstuff at the maximum temperature to be attained; (b) cooling the foodstuff by evaporation achieved by maintaining the environmental pressure of the foodstuff lower than the saturated vapour pressure of the foodstuff; characterised in that the time the plant foodstuff is at a temperature above 118.degree. C. is less than 29 seconds, and the time for which the plant foodstuff is above 70.degree. C. is less than approximately 100 seconds.

Abstract: Polyarylketones are made by electrophilic substitution using a dispersant for the polymer. The dispersant comprises a polymer having first pendent groups which are substantially compatible with the reaction mixture but are substantially incompatible with the polymer and second pendent groups which comprise Lewis bases. Preferred dispersants are copolymers of aliphatic vinyl compounds and N-vinyl pyrollidone, particularly of 1-eicosene (CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.17 CH.dbd.CH.sub.2) and N-vinyl pyrollidone in which the ratio of first groups to second groups is in the range 1.5:1 to 0.5:1, and more preferably is 1:1.

Abstract: A 35 mm format transparency comprising a dye diffusion thermal printing receiver sheet consisting of a transparent substrate having on one surface thereof an image layer on which the image is formed by thermal dye transfer using a laser as the source of heat to effect the thermal transfer, the transparent substrate and the image layer consisting of materials having, in combination, a moisture absorption of less than 1.5% and being positioned removably between two transparent glass sheets.

Abstract: A method of processing a solid foodstuff, such as a meat portion or portion of plant foodstuff, by a heating and cooling cycle in which the environmental pressure applied to the foodstuff is controlled during heating so that, at a maximum target temperature, all parts of the body of the foodstuff are conformed to this target temperature due to flow of water, transiently in the vapour phase, from hotter regions to cooler regions. In particular, at least when the target temperature is nominally attained, the pressure is set to the saturated vapour pressure of the foodstuff at the maximum target temperature.

Abstract: A PET radiation detector includes a pair of amplifying gaps 3,21 to enhance the electron yield from a TMAE gas, BaF.sub.2 gamma detector, together with a gate electrode 17 to inhibit passage of charge to the detector electrodes and reverse passage of ions to the crystal. A further reverse-biased gap may be positioned adjacent the crystal to prevent charge build-up thereon. Shield electrodes 23,25 prevent gate switching signals causing spurious responses in the detector circuit.

Abstract: My adjustable macrame working device is comprised of a wide base which is preferably self supported on the floor. I have provided an elongated substantially tall, upwardly standing, vertical post which is rigidly and integrally connected to the base. I further provide an elongated, cantilevered lever arm or beam which is adjustably connected substantially horizontal to the post. The end of the beam connected to the post is provided with a manually operable height adjusting means, including a lever action fulcrum portion which secures said beam slidably but non-detachably laterally and exerts frictional holding pressure on opposite sides of the post by gravitational force when the beam is hanging in horizontal position. Rapid selection of the height of the beam is obtained by lifting upwardly on the beam which releases the fulcrum pressure on the post allowing the beam to be slid freely upwardly and downwardly.