Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis process is provided in which biomass feedstock is mixed with a heat carrier. The heat carrier at least partly comprises char. The ratio by weight of biomass to char is in the range 1:1 to 1:20. The process may be carried out by in a screw/auger pyrolysis reactor in which the solid feedstock components are conveyed along the reactor by a first screw. A second screw conveys at least a portion of the solid products of the biomass pyrolysis back to a heat transfer medium input port. Thus, the heat transfer medium includes char from the biomass pyrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds of Formula I capable of inhibiting tissue transglutaminase, and uses of the same in medicine. In particular, the invention provides compounds for use in the treatment of prevention of disease and conditions such as fibrosis (e.g. cystic fibrosis), scarring, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease), autoimmune diseases (e.g. multiple sclerosis and coeliac disease), thrombosis, proliferative disorders (e.g. cancers), AIDS, psoriasis and inflammation (e.g. chronic inflammatory diseases).

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptides capable of modulating tissue transglutaminase-induced cell behavior wherein the polypeptide comprises or consists of either (a) the amino acid sequence of a heparin-binding site of a tissue transglutaminase, or a functional fragment, variant, fusion or derivative thereof, or a fusion of said fragment, variant or derivative thereof or (b) an antibody capable of binding to a heparin-binding site of a tissue transglutaminase, or an antigen-binding fragment or derivative thereof. In one embodiment, the heparin-binding site of a tissue transglutaminase comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, The invention further provides medical uses of the polypeptides of the invention and methods of treatment using the same.

Abstract: An all-optical signal regeneration technique in which a modulation alphabet is mapped on to a set of optimised points of a regenerative transfer function. The optimised points correspond to attraction regions in the regenerative transfer function and are preferably stable. The regenerative transfer function can be selected to be the Fourier transform of an ideal regenerator, which is represented by a step-wise transfer function. Use of the Fourier transform can enable efficient regeneration of multilevel multidimensional signals. The regenerative Shannon limit—the upper bound of regeneration efficiency can also be derived.

Abstract: A nonlinearity compensation technique for a CO-OFDM transmission system in which a proportion (e.g. up to 50%) of OFDM subcarriers is transmitted along with a phase-conjugate copy (PCP) on another subcarrier (replacing a data carrying subcarrier) to enable nonlinear distortion compensation. Nonlinear distortion experienced by closely spaced subcarriers in an OFDM system is highly correlated. The PCPs are used at the receiver to estimate the nonlinear distortion (e.g. nonlinear phase shift) of their respective original subcarriers and other subcarriers close to the PCP. With this technique, the optical fibre nonlinearity due to the Kerr effect in OFDM systems can be effectively compensated without the complexity of DBP or 50% loss in capacity of the phase conjugate twin wave (PC-TW) technique. Moreover, the technique proposed herein can be effectively implemented in both single polarization and PMD systems, in both single channel and WDM systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid bio-fuel mixture, and uses thereof in the generation of electrical power, mechanical power and/or heat. The liquid bio-fuel mixture is macroscopically single phase, and comprises a liquid condensate product of biomass fast pyrolysis, a bio-diesel component and an ethanol component.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the process for preparing a cross-linked stabilized polymer composition using at least one graftable polymer stabilizer, and the subsequent use of that composition for forming pipes, for example PEX pipes. The graftable stabilizer becomes anchored to the polymer such that stabilizer activity is retained in the cross-linked product. Cross-linking can be achieved by conventional processes such as PEXa, PEXb and PEXc. Embodiments demonstrate excellent levels of antioxidant retention (as measured by oxidative induction retention after exhaustive solvent extraction) and the cross-linked product are suitable for portable water applications, including hot water applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid bio-fuel mixture comprising: a liquid condensate product of bio-mass fast pyrolysis; a bio-diesel component; and an alcohol component. The liquid bio-fuel mixture is macroscopically single phase. The alcohol component is selected from methanol, a C3 to C10 alcohol, and a mixture of two or more different C1 to C10 alcohols.

Abstract: An uncoated polymer optical fiber (POF) that is sensitive to a chemical (e.g. water) and is used to generate a detectable change in its optical properties for the purpose of detecting that chemical when it is dissolved in liquid fuel. The presence of the chemical directly affects the optical properties of the optical fiber. The POF may be made of water-permeable plastic material and may have a grating section comprising a periodic refractive index modulation that exhibits a characteristic reflection or transmission profile to be monitored by a detector. The water-permeability of the constituent material of the POF permits diffusion of water into the fiber, thereby affecting its refractive index or geometry and hence altering the characteristic reflection or transmission profile of the grating section.

Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis process is provided in which biomass feedstock is mixed with a heat carrier. The heat carrier at least partly comprises char. The ratio by weight of biomass to char is in the range 1:1 to 1:20. The process may be carried out by in a screw/auger pyrolysis reactor in which the solid feedstock components are conveyed along the reactor by a first screw. A second screw conveys at least a portion of the solid products of the biomass pyrolysis back to a heat transfer medium input port. Thus, the heat transfer medium includes char from the biomass pyrolysis.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for ameliorating symptoms associated with hyperglycemia by administering a Zn-?2-glycoprotein or a functional fragment thereof, methods of decreasing plasma insulin levels, methods of increasing skeletal muscle mass, and methods of bringing about a weight reduction or reduction in obesity. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions for use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides formulations and methods for ameliorating symptoms associated with metabolic disorders, such as cachexia, hypoglycemia, obesity, diabetes, and the like by administering Zn-?2-glycoproteins or a functional fragment thereof, alone or in combination with additional agents, such as ? adrenergin receptor agonists, ? adrenergin receptor antagonists, and/or glycemic control agents.

Abstract: A biomass processing system is disclosed, with an algae biomass growth container and a pyrolysis reactor for pyrolysis processing of the algae biomass. A conveying apparatus links the pyrolysis reactor and the biomass growth container for conveying at least part of at least one of the pyrolysis products from the reactor to the biomass growth container for promoting algae biomass growth. The pyrolysis product is a nutrient-rich aqueous phase produced directly or indirectly through pyrolysis processing to the biomass growth container, e.g. an aqueous phase derived from the vapor products of the pyrolysis, or a char wash obtained by washing the char product of the pyrolysis.

Abstract: There is described a system for testing a sample. The system comprises a microplate, at least one actuator, a plurality of mutually spaced sensors, and a processor. The microplate has a test portion including an interactive substance. The interactive substance is inherently interactive with a specified test substance. The microplate is arranged such that at least the test portion of the microplate may be brought into contact with the sample. The at least one actuator is operable to vibrate the microplate. The plurality of mutually spaced sensors are coupled to the microplate. Each sensor is operable to provide a respective sensory data time series during vibration of the microplate. The microplate and the sensors are arranged such that the provided sensory data time series are not independent from one another.

Abstract: A device for measuring a user's range of clear focus (accommodation) comprising: a display for displaying a test image to the user at a first size; a sensor for determining the separation between the display and the user; and a processor for determining the angular subtence of the image to the user and to resize the test image in order to substantially maintain the angular subtence of the image when the separation between the display and the user is varied.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and materials for modulating the recruitment of macrophages or monocytes to sites at which they may contribute to disease initiation or progression. Embodiments of the disclosure comprise providing a modulator of the activity of ICAM-3 or proximal to the site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of drilling a hole in a workpiece in order to control breakthrough of the workpiece comprising the steps of: a) initiating contact between a drill bit of a drill unit and the workpiece; b) operating the drill unit to rotate the drill bit to drill the workpiece; c) during drilling of the workpiece measuring the force, F and torque, T, experienced by the drill bit; d) calculating a variable F?, based on the measured force, F, representing the rate of change of F; e) calculating a variable, T? based on the measured torque, T, representing the rate of change of T; f) calculating a variable F? representing the rate of change of F?; g) calculating a variable T? representing the rate of change of T?; h) detecting the onset of breakout of the workpiece by use of the variables F?, F?, T? and T?; i) thereby controlling the speed of rotation of the drill bit during breakthrough of the workpiece to control the degree of breakout of the drill bit from the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid bio-fuel mixture, and uses thereof in the generation of electrical power, mechanical power and/or heat. The liquid bio-fuel mixture is macroscopically single phase, and comprises a liquid condensate product of biomass fast pyrolysis, a bio-diesel component and an ethanol component.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for thermal treatment, e.g. for pyrolysis of lignin. The lignin is provided to a reaction chamber as a paste, which can reduce or avoid process difficulties encountered when heating lignin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an oligonucleotide library comprising a plurality of oligonucleotides, each oligonucleotide in the library having at least one predetermined position, a randomization codon selected from a defined group of codons, the codons within the defined group coding for different amino acids. Vector, host cells containing such libraries and kits for the production of such libraries are also provided.