Abstract: Method and system are provided for efficiently populating a phase diagram for modeling of multiple substances. The method may include defining an n-way phase diagram with data points each being an n-tuple describing the n substance inputs, wherein the n-way phase diagram is defined at a user-configured resolution. The method may select an initial subset of data points and calculate their contribution to the phase diagram. The method may then generate a Bayesian model based on the initial subset of calculated data points and predicting the resultant phase and an associated uncertainty of all the uncalculated data points in the defined phase diagram. The method may select a sample subset of the data points using maximum entropy sampling and calculating a resultant phase for each of the selected data points, and incorporate the calculated phases into the Bayesian model.

Abstract: Stabilised and aquated polymeric silicate compositions are described in which the compositions are poorly condensed compositions in which the silicates are resorbable and are capable of undergoing efficient dissolution to provide bioavailable soluble silicic acid. In particular, stabilised and aquated polymeric silicates are described that are capable of intravenous delivery, useful in the treatment of cancer or systemic infection, or for topical administration, e.g. in the form of a solid or semi-solid ointment useful in the treatment of wounds or the prevention of bacterial infection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-implemented method of determining a scattering spectrum of an eye. The method comprises receiving data from a detector indicative of a reflected wave of radiation reflected from the retina, wherein the reflected wave of radiation is formed by an incident wave of masked radiation directed towards a retina of the eye, such that at least one region masked from the incident wave is present on the retina, determining a first back scattering spectrum indicative of light scattered from an optical media of the eye in dependence on a portion of the reflected wave of radiation corresponding to the at least one masked region, determining a second back scattering spectrum indicative of light scattered from a neural retina of the eye in dependence on retinal structure information representative of neural retinal structure, and determining the scattering spectrum of the eye in dependence on the first back scattering spectrum and the second back scattering spectrum.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for remotely measuring atmospheric pressure using a satellite (10). Measurements of reflections of a plurality of different frequencies of radio waves received back at the satellite are made, following transmission from the satellite into the atmosphere of radio waves at each of the different frequencies. Atmospheric pressure is then estimated by comparing the measurements of reflections of each of the different frequencies.

Abstract: Stabilised and aquated polymeric silicate compositions are described in which the compositions are poorly condensed compositions in which the silicates are resorbable and are capable of undergoing efficient dissolution to provide bioavailable soluble silicic acid. In particular, stabilised and aquated polymeric silicates are described that are capable of intravenous delivery, useful in the treatment of cancer or systemic infection, or for topical administration, e.g. in the form of a solid or semi-solid ointment useful in the treatment of wounds or the prevention of bacterial infection.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for the synthesis of compounds comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising two or more sets of primary compounds into microcapsules; such that a proportion of the microcapsules contains two or more compounds; and (b) forming secondary compounds in the microcapsules by chemical reactions between primary compounds from different sets; wherein one or both of steps (a) and (b) is performed under microfluidic control; preferably electronic microfluidic control The invention further allows for the identification of compounds which bind to a target component of a biochemical system or modulate the activity of the target, and which is co-compartmentalised into the microcapsules.

Abstract: There is provided a photoreactor for the remediation of gaseous emissions and/or contaminated water using ultraviolet (UV) or vacuum ultraviolet (VUV). There is also provided an emission source for generating UV and/or VUV, the source comprising: a microwave generator; a chamber arranged to receive microwaves generated by the microwave generator, the chamber comprising: a gas comprising species for forming excimers; a resonator arranged to receive the microwaves in the chamber and generate a plasma; a first electrode spaced apart from the resonator; and a voltage source configured to generate an electric field between the resonator and the first electrode, wherein, on application of the electric field, the electric field drives electrons and/or ions from the plasma to generate excimers and produce vacuum ultraviolet or ultraviolet emission. There are also provided methods of generating UV and/or VUV, and methods of remediating fluids.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an infrared spectrometer comprising first and second opposing reflectors spaced apart by a spacing length, and a plurality of discrete concave reflecting facets, the reflecting facets being facets of at least one of the opposing reflectors. An infrared laser source is arranged to form a laser beam. The opposing reflectors are arranged such that the laser beam is reflected alternately from each of the opposing reflectors, including being reflected at least once by each of the reflecting facets. A detector is arranged to detect spectral properties of the laser beam after reflection from each of the plurality of reflecting facets, and an analyser then determines properties of a sample disposed between the first and second opposing reflectors from the detected spectral properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an amino acid having a bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (BCN) group, particularly when said BCN group is present as: a residue of a lysine amino acid. The invention also relates to a method of producing a polypeptide comprising a BCN group, said method comprising genetically incorporating an amino acid comprising a BCN group into a polypeptide. The invention also relates to an amino acid comprising bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (BCN), particularly and amino acid which is bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethanol (BCN) lysine. In addition the invention relates to a PylRS tRNA synthetase comprising the mutations Y271M, L274G and C313A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) oligomers as markers of RTK activation and signalling. Methods are described based upon determining the presence of RTK oligomers and/or determining the nanometre spatial separation between RTK molecules assembled as RTK oligomers at the cell surface. Such methods are directed to the monitoring of RTK activation in cells and the detection of mutations in RTKs. Methods are also described for determining prognosis for subjects having diseases characterised by aberrant RTK activation and for selecting subjects for treatment with RTK inhibitors.

Abstract: Processes for recovering colloids of carboxylate ligand modified ferric iron hydroxide materials such as IHAT (Iron Hydroxide Adipate Tartrate) are described based on the use of water miscible non-aqueous solvents, such as ethanol, methanol and acetone. The processes produce materials with advantageous properties such as improved bioavailability, reduced aggregation and/or agglomeration and/or increased iron content.

Abstract: We describe a super-resolution optical microscopy technique in which a sample is located on or adjacent to the planar surface of an aplanatic solid immersion lens and placed in a cryogenic environment.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for measuring water content in tissue in-vivo, for example in sub-surface or sub-cutaneous tissue of a human or animal subject. The measurement may be made through diffusely scattering overlying tissue such as skin tissue, by: directing probe light to an entry region on a surface of the overlying tissue; collecting said probe light from a collection region on the surface of the overlying tissue, the collection region being spatially offset from the entry region, the collected probe light comprising probe light inelastically scattered into the Raman OH stretching bands by water present in the sub-surface tissue; detecting, in the collected probe light, one or more first spectral features of the probe light inelastically scattered into the Raman OH stretching bands; and measuring water content in the sub-surface tissue using the one or more first spectral features.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to active pixel sensors such as CMOS sensors. A sample stage of each pixel may comprise first and second sample switches in series between a buffer amplifier and a storage node. The first sample switch is connected to a column sample line, and the second sample switch is connected to a row sample line, such that an exposure signal is only passed to the storage node at a time when both a column sample signal and a row sample signal are active.

Abstract: A system for measuring snowfall comprising: a pressure sensor disposed beneath the surface of an inland body of water located within a region of interest; and a data logger operably connected to the pressure sensor, the data logger being arranged to receive and log data from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: The invention provides a gene signature for use in determining a likelihood of a latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in a subject transitioning to active TB disease. The gene signature comprises at least SEPT4 and BLK, and optionally also GAS6 and/or CD1C. Expression levels of these genes are detected in a sample from the subject, and the ratios of expression of at least two of the above genes are calculated (e.g. SEPT4:BLK, SEPT4:CD1C, GAS6:BLK and/or GAS6:CD1C). A score is assigned to each ratio, the score being indicative of the likelihood of the latent TB infection transitioning into active TB disease, based on the ratio for the respective gene pair. The subject can be identified as having a latent TB infection that is likely to transition into active TB disease or that is not likely to transition into active TB disease based on the score or on the average of the scores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) oligomers as markers of RTK activation and signalling. Methods are described based upon determining the presence of RTK oligomers and/or determining the nanometre spatial separation between RTK molecules assembled as RTK oligomers at the cell surface. Such methods are directed to the monitoring of RTK activation in cells and the detection of mutations in RTKs. Methods are also described for determining prognosis for subjects having diseases characterised by aberrant RTK activation and for selecting subjects for treatment with RTK inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant transmembrane proteins which have increased conformational stability when compared to their parent protein, methods of selection and production. In particular the invention relates to mutant transmembrane proteins which are mutated in or in the proximity of the transmembrane alpha helices or in a kinked region or in an alpha-helix adjacent to a kink. The mutant transmembrane proteins have use in crystallisation studies and also in screening to identify compounds for use in drug discovery and therapy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method to discover selective inhibitors of phosphatases.