Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging method for obtaining an image of a patient by means of a contrast agent wherein the method comprises subjecting the patient to an imaging method for which the contrast agent is suitable, wherein the contrast agent comprises: (a) a binding moiety; and (b) a recognition moiety capable of targeting the contrast agent to a site within the body of the patient, and wherein the binding moiety comprises a metal-binding protein, polypeptide or peptide which is bound to or encapsulates a magnetic or magnetizable substance.

Abstract: Provided is a sample collection container comprising one or more reagent bodies, wherein each body comprises one or more reagents confined by a restraining agent, wherein the restraining agent is capable of being broken down to release the one or more reagents, and wherein the one or more reagents are dispersed through the restraining agent.

Abstract: There is provided an antenna arrangement for use in an ultra-wideband network, the antenna arrangement comprising a plurality of active elements for emitting radio signals; and a reflecting structure disposed between at least two of the active elements for reflecting radio signals, the reflecting structure comprising an outer reflecting surface for reflecting radio signals in a first frequency range within a frequency band and an inner reflecting surface for reflecting radio signals having a second frequency range within the frequency band. In an alternative embodiment, the antenna arrangement comprises an active element for emitting radio signals, and a reflecting structure.

Abstract: Members of the IpaH superfamily constitute a novel class of E3 ubiquitin ligases which are useful for engineering products which modulate trafficking and destruction of target proteins inside a cell and useful targets for identifying new antimicrobial molecules which modulate, especially inhibit, E3 ligases.

Abstract: An ultra wideband antenna comprises a substrate (21). A metal layer deposited on the substrate comprises first and second non-metallic regions (22a, 22b) defined therein. The first and second non-metallic regions (22a, 22b) are arranged on either side of a longitudinal axis (X0), the longitudinal axis (X0) corresponding to a feed axis of the antenna. The first and second non-metallic regions taper towards the first longitudinal (X0) to form a bowtie pattern. Each of the first and second non-metallic regions (22a, 22b) comprises at least one tuning slot (31, 33), the at least one tuning slot (31, 33) being arranged about a respective first axis (X1, X2), the first axis (X1, X2) being parallel to the longitudinal axis (X0), and wherein the at least one tuning slot extends along its respective axis (X1, X2) to form a non-metallic area outside the non-metallic area defined by the respective first and second non-metallic region (22a, 22b).

Abstract: Provided is a method for processing a sample, which method comprises: a) contacting a binding phase, which binding phase is capable of binding an analyte, with the sample in the presence of a medium; b) applying across the medium a first alternating field composed of a plurality of pulses and having a first frequency, a first pulse duration and a first pulse rise time; c) optionally applying across the medium a second alternating field; and d) thereby influencing the sample and/or the binding phase in the medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layered corrugated cylindrical tubular structure formed from a strip (10) of material having one edge reduced in diameter by a step portion (16) and reduced in length by corrugations (18). The strip may be formed on a forming arrangement comprising confronting corrugating rollers (74, 76) having regions formed with corrugating undulations of differing height and an un-corrugated portion.

Abstract: Authentication in an ad-hoc network is established between a first device (for example a service-requesting device) and a second device (for example a service-providing device) using a third device (a peer device). An authentication request is transmitted from the first device to the second device. The second device transmits a query message to at least one third device (i.e. peer device). If the peer device has previously been authenticated with the first device, the peer device sends an authentication credential, for example an authentication key, to the first and second devices. Upon receiving the authentication credential, the first device sends the authentication credential to the second device. The second device then compares the authentication credential received from the first device with the authentication credential received from the third device, and authenticates the first device with the second device if the authentication credentials match.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strip and a tubular article formed from said strip which may, for example, be used in the oil and gas industry for transporting fluids which may be volatile fluids or corrosive fluids and which may be at elevated temperatures and/or pressure. The strip includes a plurality of combined step (joggle) and rib arrangements. In the finished assembled article, the strip is wound in helically self-overlapping relationship such as to allow corresponding step portions to sit one within the other. The step effectively provides the dual function of a joggle and a rib as known in the art and does so in a manner that reduces the forming stresses in the material and increases the strength of the final article.

Abstract: There is provided an antenna element for use in an ultra wideband network, the antenna element comprising a radiating element, for radiating signals over a range of frequencies in response to a signal received at a feed point; and a frequency shaping device located near the feed point of the radiating element for acting as a broad-banding device for the radiating element. A plurality of antenna elements may be formed into an antenna array.

Abstract: A decentralised, distributed approach to performing authorisation involves receiving an authorisation request at a service providing device, for example “Carol”, and then retrieving trust information from other peer devices in the network. The gathered information is used by the device “Carol” to make a well-informed authorisation decision.

Abstract: There is provided a method of changing channels in a communication network, there being a traffic flow on a first channel between first and second devices in the network, the method comprising forming an information element, the information element including a channel change request from the first device; and transmitting the information element from the first device to the second device in a Beacon frame.

Abstract: A collar (1000) for an animal comprising an elongate strap member (1001) and at least a first and second housings (1011, 1013) at each end of said elongate strap member (1001), each of said first and second housings (1011, 1013) comprising interlocking means (1021, 1023) such that said first housing (1011) releasably engages said second housing (1013) in the proximity of the underside of an animal's neck when the collar (1000) is fitted around said animal's neck.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for humanising a mouse. In particular, the invention relates to a method for replacing a cluster of mouse genes with single or multiple genes from the corresponding human cluster using a combination of homologous recombination and site-specific recombination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic non-human animals, tissues or cells derived therefrom and methods of producing them. The transgenic non-human animals or tissues or cells derived therefrom provide a system capable of expressing human proteins responsible for drug metabolism in place of the homologous endogenous non-human animal proteins and for the controlled expression of human genes introduced into the animal so that the expression of the human genes is regulated in a manner more closely analogous to that seen in vivo in humans. One aspect of the invention relates to the use of a human DNA sequence comprising at least part of introns 6 and/or 7 of the human PXR gene.

Abstract: Provided is a method for separating two or more analytes in a fluid, which method comprises: (a) binding each different analyte to a different functional particle in one or more binding zones, to produce two or more bound analytes; (b) allowing the bound analytes to move through a separating conduit to two or more separate functional zones; wherein, each different functional particle has, or can be controlled to have, a different function in the fluid as compared with the other functional particles; and wherein the separating conduit separates into two or more functional conduits, such that the separating conduit serves to separate the bound analytes into the separate functional conduits by means of the different functions of the different functional particles.

Abstract: A method of distributing a network access key to devices in a network comprises the steps of generating a network access key, and generating a plurality of distinct key shares for the network access key. A device requires a predetermined number of distinct key shares to generate the network access key. Key shares are distributed to devices in the network, such that at least one device receives a plurality of distinct key shares.

Abstract: A brand protection feature reader and/or writer instrument (6) that is adapted to perform a pre-determined number of operations, for example authentication of a brand protection feature, and prevent subsequent operations from being performed if the pre-determined number of operations is exceeded. A counter (70) may be provided for counting the number of operations performed, thereby to determine if the pre-determined number of operations is exceeded.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting an analyte, wherein the analyte is labelled with one or more labels relatable to the analyte, which method comprises: a) performing an optical detection method on the labelled analyte to obtain optical data from the one or more labels; b) performing an electrical detection method on the labelled analyte to obtain electrical data from the one or more labels; and c) determining the identity and/or quantity of the analyte from both the optical and electrical data.