Abstract:
The invention provides a DNA molecule comprising a plant-operable promoter operably linked to a DNA region that is capable of being transcribed in the cells of a cereal plant to produce RNA comprising inverted repeat sequence least about 19 nucleotides from the sequence of an RNA dependent RNA polymerase gene of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). The DNA molecule is useful for reducing expression of the viral RNA dependant RNA polymerase and for enhancing the resistance of cereal crops to BYDV, optionally in the presence of a viral promoter that normally inactivates other modes of post transcriptional gene silencing. Methods are provided for producing transgenic cereal plant lines comprising the DNA molecule of the invention integrated into their genome, and selecting those lines having resistance to BYDV infection. Transgenic plants having enhanced resistance to BYDV are also provided.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface, comprising the steps of: (a) applying to the material surface a tie layer comprising a polyionic material; (b) covalently binding a bifunctional compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated double bond to the tie layer; and (c) graft polymerizing a hydrophilic monomer onto the compound comprising the ethylenically unsaturated double bond. The coated articles that are obtainable by the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus useful for the manufacture of biomedical articles such as ophthalmic devices.
Abstract:
An instrument and method for measuring a peripheral contour of a cylindrical-form, helically threaded workpiece (14) wherein the workpiece is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and a measuring stylus (34) contacts the periphery of the workpiece so as to be able to move both parallel to, and perpendicularly of, the longitudinal axis of the workpiece, and as the workpiece is rotated about its longitudinal axis rotary movement of the workpiece and radial movement of the stylus as it follows a peripheral contour of the workpiece are converted to respective electrical signals representative of the angular rotational position of the workpiece and the radial position of the stylus.
Abstract:
Une composition a liberation controlee pour administrer un agent therapeutique a un ruminant, utilisant un dispositif intraruminal, consiste en une pilule comprimee ou bol comprenant l'agent therapeutique, un materiau de support et facultativement un agent liant et/ou de glissement. Le materiau de support est constitue d'un materiau tensioactif ou d'un agent emulsifiant pouvant former une pilule ou bol coherent dans un moule sous pression lorsqu'il est melange a l'agent therapeutique et pouvant absorber de l'eau a l'interface pilule/eau, lorsqu'il est comprime en pilule ou bol, pour produire le gonflement du materiau et un coloide d'eau resultant; l'effort d'affaissement critique de ce coloide est sensiblement plus faible que celui du materiau sec et il n'est pas diminue de maniere significative par l'eau absorbee ulterieurement, le coloide etant a meme de reduire sensiblement la vitesse de penetration ulterieure de l'eau dans le corps du materiau recouvert de coloide. Le dispositif intraruminal decrit fait partie de l'invention.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant plant cells.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the use of a by-product from drinking water treatment, namely alum sludge, in a method and composition for the stabilisation of contaminants (e.g. arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) in materials such as soils and other solid or semi-solid matrix types. The composition may also comprise a reactive carbon material such as activated carbon. Further, the composition may comprise a solidifier such as calcium silicate-based cement to enable the stabilisation and immobilisation of contaminants.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desatorase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to biocompatible, biodegradable polyurethane/urea polymeric compositions that are capable of in-vivo curing with low heat generation to form materials suitable for use in scaffolds in tissue engineering applications such as bone and cartilage repair. The polymers are desirably flowable and injectable and can support living biological components to aid in the healing process. They may be cured ex-vivo for invasive surgical repair methods, or alternatively utilized for relatively non-invasive surgical repair methods such as by arthroscope. The invention also relates to prepolymers useful in the preparation of the polymeric compositions, and to methods of treatment of damaged tissue using the polymers of the invention.
Abstract:
The invention concerns radiographic equipment. The equipment includes a source of substantially mono-energetic fast neutrons produced via the deuterium-tritium or deuterium-deuterium fusion reactions, comprising a sealed-tube or similar generator for producing the neutrons. The equipment further includes a source of X-rays or gamma-rays of sufficient energy to substantially penetrate an object to be imaged and a collimating block surrounding the neutron and gamma-ray sources, apart from the provision of one or more slots emitting substantially fan-shaped radiation beams. Further included is a detector array comprising a multiplicity of individual scintillator pixels to receive radiation energy from the sources and convert the received energy into light pulses, the detector array aligned with the fan-shaped beams emitted from the source collimator and collimated to substantially prevent radiation other than that directly transmitted from the sources reaching the array. Conversion means are included for converting the light pulses produced in the scintillators into electrical signals. Conveying means are included for conveying an object between the sources and the detector array. Computing means are included for determining from the electrical signals the attenuation of the neutrons and the X-ray or gamma-ray beams and to generate output representing the mass distribution and composition of the object interposed between the source and detector array. The equipment further includes a display means for displaying images based on the mass distribution and the composition of the object being scanned.