Abstract: The invention provides hyperactive mutant recombinases and hybrid mutant recombinases, and methods for their identification. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding hyperactive mutant recombinases and hybrid recombinases, as well as vectors and host cells. Host cells include eukaryotic cells capable of expressing said recombinases and carrying out site-specific recombination in the cell. The mutant recombinases may be used, for example, in biotechnology, gene therapy or transgenic applications.

Abstract: A surface irrigation apparatus and method, wherein water/nutrients are supplied to the surface irrigation apparatus through a water/nutrients supply conduit and distributed through a plurality of water/nutrient distribution conduits. Each water/nutrients distribution conduit includes a plurality of spaced “injection nozzles” through which water/nutrients are injected directly downward into the soil root zone of the plants, trees, or shrubs being cultivated. A valve and a controller to control the valve are also included. A moisture sensor can also be used to sense the moisture level in the soil to activate the controller.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine compound of the formula:(R--X--).sub.m Pc (--Y--R.sup.1 --Z--).sub.n (--SO.sub.3 M).sub.p IwhereinPc is a phthalocyanine nucleus (Pc);eachR independently is a monovalent aromatic radical linked to a peripheral carbon atom of the Pc nucleus through X;X selected from S, Se and Te;m is 4 to 16;eachR.sup.1 independently is a divalent aromatic radical linked to two adjacent peripheral carbon atoms of the Pc nucleus through Y and Z;Y is selected from S, NT, Se and Te;Z is selected from S, Se, Te, NT and O;T is selected from H, alkyl and aryl;n is 0 to 7;M is H, a metal or optionally-substituted ammonium;andP is from 1 to 16.The compounds have a significant absorption band in the near infra red and depending on the number of sulphonic acids groups and the nature of the counter ion are soluble in aqueous and polar organic media.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine compound of the formula:(R--X--).sub.m Pc(--Y--R.sup.1 --Z--).sub.n (--SO.sub.3 M).sub.p IwhereinPc is a phthalocyanine nucleus (Pc);eachR independently is a monovalent aromatic radical linked to a peripheral carbon atom of the Pc nucleus through X;X selected from S, Se and Te;m is 4 to 16;eachR.sup.1 independently is a divalent aromatic radical linked to two adjacent peripheral carbon atoms of the Pc nucleus through Y and Z;Y is selected from S, NT, Se and Te;Z is selected from S, Se, Te, NT and O;T is selected from H, alkyl and aryl;n is 0 to 7;M is H, a metal or optionally-substituted ammonium;andP is from 1 to 16.The compounds have a significant absorption band in the near infra red and depending on the number of sulphonic acids groups and the nature of the counter ion are soluble in aqueous and polar organic media.