Abstract: The present invention provides a novel catalyst of formula (I): wherein M is selected from Zn(H), Co(II), Mn(II), Mg(II), Fe(II), Cr(III)—X or Fe(III)—X, and the use thereof in polymerising carbon dioxide and an epoxide.

Abstract: A T cell receptor molecule (TCR) containing an alpha chain portion and a beta chain portion wherein the alpha chain portion contains three complementarity determining regions (CDRs): CDR1?: SSYSPS CDR2?: YTSAATL CDR3?: VVSPFSGGGADGLT or comprising or consisting of SPPSGGGADGLT and the beta chain portion contains three complementarity determining regions (CDRs): CDR1?: DFQATT CDR2?: SNEGSKA CDR3?: comprising SARDGGEG or comprising or consisting of RDGGEGSETQY, or wherein up to three amino acid residues in one or more CDRs are replaced by another amino acid residue. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the TCR molecules, and host cells containing the said polynucleotides. Patient derived T cells may have the polynucleotides encoding the TCR molecules introduced therein, and the engineered T cells may be introduced into the patient in order to combat a WT1-expressing malignancy.

Abstract: A method for interrogating a surface using scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), comprising the steps of: a) repeatedly bringing a SICM probe into proximity with the surface at discrete, spaced locations in a region of the surface and measuring surface height at each location; b) estimating surface roughness or other characteristic for the region based upon the surface height measurements; and c) repeatedly bringing the probe into proximity with the surface at discrete, spaced locations in the region, the number and location of which is based upon the estimated surface roughness or other characteristic in the region, and obtaining an image of the region with a resolution adapted to the surface roughness or other characteristic.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for low-pressure ratio applications is disclosed. The ratio of the outlet area of the wheel (A2) to the inlet area of the wheel (A1) is less than approximately 0.4. In an embodiment, the wheel is a radial or mixed-flow wheel.

Abstract: A method of constructing a concealing volume comprises constructing a plurality of concealing volume elements around a concealable volume. Each concealing volume element has a material parameter arranged to direct a propagating wave around the concealable volume. The material parameter can be refractive index, electrical permittivity and magnetic permittivity. The concealing volume can be a metamaterial. The concealing volume diverts incoming propagating waves such that outgoing propagating waves appear to be unperturbed to an observer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a monolith having a plurality of channels extending therethrough, the method comprising, providing a suspension of polymer-coated particles in a first solvent; extruding the suspension from a primary orifice, while passing one or more second solvents from a plurality of secondary orifices arranged within the first orifice, into a third solvent, whereby a monolith precursor is formed from the polymer and particles, and sintering the monolith precursor to form a monolith.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a controller for controlling a glucagon pump. The controller comprises an input 8 for receiving an input signal indicative of a measured blood glucose concentration, an output 9 for providing a pulsed glucagon pump drive signal, each pulse being arranged to cause a glucagon pump to deliver a volume of glucagon, and a processing unit 10 for setting the pulse frequency of the pump drive signal in dependence upon the input signal, such that when the input signal indicates that the measured blood glucose concentration is above a threshold concentration the pulse frequency is zero and when the input signal indicates that the measured blood glucose concentration is below the threshold concentration the pulse frequency is increased as the measured blood glucose concentration decreases.

Abstract: The invention provides a propionate inulin ester for the reduction of appetite, food intake and/or calorie intake and/or to improve insulin sensitivity in a subject, and for the treatment or prevention of obesity or diabetes. The invention also provides compositions comprising a propionate inulin ester, methods using propionate inulin esters, functional food containing propionate inulin ester and methods of making propionate inulin esters.

Abstract: A robotic control device for receiving manipulation instructions for an end effector of a surgical instrument has a platform for supporting a haptic manipulator device, the platform being movably coupled to a surface for supporting the platform and having a movement facilitating member operable to change the amount of force required to move the platform relative to the surface.

Abstract: There is provided a method of using a device capable of controlled flight in a surrounding environment, the device comprising: lifting means for providing lift to the device; object-retaining means for holding an object to be affixed to a target site; and a dispensing assembly for dispensing an adhesive, wherein the method comprises: controlling the lifting means so as to controllably fly the device in the surrounding environment; and using the device to affix an object held by the object-retaining means to a target site in the surrounding environment by dispensing an adhesive from the dispensing assembly. Thus, an aerial device, for example a robotic device, may be used to fly to a desired location and affix an object at the desired location, by dispensing, ejecting or otherwise applying an adhesive.

Abstract: A catalytic converter substrate comprising a plurality of micro-structured hollow ceramic tubes, each tube having an inside surface and an outside surface, the inside surface having openings to micro-channels distributed radially throughout the tube cross-section, the micro-channels extending from the openings in the inside surface towards the outside surface.

Abstract: A system comprising a platform assembly comprising a master platform and a slave platform, both the master platform and the slave platform being moveable, the platform assembly further comprising a force feedback control arrangement for applying a force to the master platform in response to a force exerted on a slave device mounted on the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces an ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.

Abstract: A surgical device (2) having a distal end and a proximal end, and comprising a delivery portion (12) extending from the proximal end and comprising first and second instrument delivery channels, an active portion (4,8) at a distal portion of the device and a plug (10) having a proximal end and a distal end, and engageable with the delivery portion at its proximal end, and with the active portion at its distal end, the plug comprising first and second plug channels (82) each defining a curved path, such that the plug channels diverge from one another towards the distal end of the plug wherein when the plug is engaged with the delivery portion the first plug channel and the first instrument delivery channel form a first instrument channel and the second plug channel and the second instrument delivery channel form a second instrument channel.

Abstract: Peptide analogs of glucagon and peptide analogs of GLP1 are provided herein. Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the analogs, and methods of using the analogs for the treatment and/or prevention of conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for decreasing calorie intake, food intake, and appetite in a subject. The methods include peripherally administering PYY or an agonist thereof and GLP-1 or an agonist thereof to the subject, simultaneously or sequentially, thereby decreasing the calorie intake of the subject.

Abstract: Compounds based around tetrapeptide, tripeptide and dipeptide moeties and corresponding peptiod moeties. Related methods and pharmaceutical compositions for use in treatment of cancer, inflammatory diseases, and other disorders.

Abstract: Prior to fabrication of an optical fiber with desired optical properties, a preform geometry is determined dependent upon a fiber geometry that possesses the desired optical properties. The desired geometry may contain a large number of channels. The processor determines the preform geometry by tracking backwards in time the parameters of a set of conformal mappings that describe the cross section of the fiber. Some of the drawing process parameters may be specified, while other parameters may be determined along with the preform geometry. The determined preform geometry may be used to fabricate the required preform. Using this preform, the determined drawing process parameters may be used to draw the desired fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel catalysts of formula (I), where M1 and M2 are different and are independently selected from Mg, Zn, Fe, Co, Al and Cr, and catalyst systems comprising these catalysts. The invention also relates to the use of the inventive catalysts and catalyst systems to catalyse the reaction between i) carbon dioxide and an epoxide, ii) an epoxide and an anhydride, or iii) a lactide and/or a lactone. The invention also relates to a method for producing a catalyst of formula (I).

Abstract: A mobile telecommunications device arranged for monitoring the heart of a human or an animal includes at least one sensor for measuring an effect of heart function and producing a signal indicative of the effect, and a processor arranged to receive the signal and analyze it and to produce an output indicating a condition of the heart. A method of diagnosis of heart disease includes measuring an effect of heart function using one or more sensors, producing a signal indicative of the effect, and using a processor to receive the signal and analyze it and to produce an output indicating a condition of the heart.