Abstract: A motion capture system and method are provided. In a motion capture method, a plurality of motion datasets are accessed. Each motion dataset is associated with a motion sensing unit at which timestamped motion data points of that motion dataset are generated, each motion sensing unit is configured to be in physical contact with a different part of a body of interest. Each timestamped motion data point is timestamped at the motion sensing unit at which it is generated using a clock time that is synchronized across the plurality of motion sensing units. The timestamped motion data points are processed to generate a kinematic model which describes motion of the respective parts of the body of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a low pressure, low temperature process for the production of middle distillate products, including aviation fuel and diesel, from the hydrocracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons, wherein a significant fraction of said mixture is C25+ hydrocarbons including hydrocarbons selected from Fischer-Tropsch wax, long chain paraffin and/or olefin, wherein the feedstock may include a water component.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, device, kit and computer-implemented method for diagnosing (and optionally also treating) cancer. The method for diagnosing cancer comprises the step of testing a blood sample from a subject suspected of having cancer for the presence of Ipo5 (Importin 5) and at least one other biomarker, the at least one other biomarker being selected from Ran (Ras-related nuclear protein) and KpnB1 (Karyopherin beta 1). The blood sample may also be tested for additional biomarkers such as CRM1 (Cross-Reactive-Material-197), Kpna2 (Karyopherin alpha 2), CAS (Cellular apoptosis-susceptibility protein) and Transportin 1.

Abstract: A system and method for determining currents for injection into or extraction from a power network are provided. In a method conducted at a point of common coupling to the network, Thévenin parameter data structures for each of a Thévenin voltage, resistance and inductance, are compiled. An offset data structure including offset values is compiled for application to corresponding values of the Thévenin voltage data structure to output an offset Thévenin voltage data structure. Offset values are calculated to satisfy physical constraints associated with the network. An optimal point of common coupling power data structure and the offset Thévenin voltage data structure are used to calculate current components for determining current for injection into or extraction from corresponding lines at the point of common coupling to reduce total electrical transmission losses of the network. The method may use the frequency domain and may include using frequency-dependent Thévenin parameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to a series of binuclear palladacycle compounds, and methods for the production of these compounds, that are suitable for use in the treatment of cancer. In particular embodiments, R1 is phenyl substituted with two occurrences of isopropyl, R2 is Cl, and R3 is independently one or more substituents selected from —O(CH2)2O(CH2)2OH, —O(CH2)2O(CH2)2O(CH2)2OH, —O(CH2)2OH, and —O(CH2)2O(CH2)2OCH3.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ensuring data privacy in a data sharing system are provided. A computer implemented method carried out at a host computing system includes: accessing a set of data from a data source including a true element and at least one spurious element so that the host computing system cannot differentiate between the elements to obfuscate the true element from the host computing system. The method includes: accessing a code which is executable on the set of data so as to output multiple results for the elements of the set of data; processing the set of data, including for each element: executing the code on the element to generate a result; computing a hash value of the element; and outputting the result in association with the hash value to a third-party computing system. A third-party computing system has access to the true hash value of the true element for identification of the result generated by execution of the code on the true element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polygenic DNA construct consisting of three abiotic stress tolerance genes, separated by nucleic acids encoding FMDV 2A peptides under the control of a stress inducible promoter. The stable insertion of the construct into plants confers drought tolerance to the plants. The invention also provides for vectors, host cells, transgenic plants and transgenic seeds containing the construct.

Abstract: A method for purifying phycocyanin from a phycocyanin-containing solution is provided. The method comprises a first step of partially purifying the solution by aqueous two-phase separation (ATPS) and a second step of purifying the phycocyanin by ammonium sulfate precipitation. The purified phycocyanin product can in some cases be of a sufficiently pure grade to be used as a food or cosmetic pigment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fusion protein consisting of a scFv linked to a horseradish peroxidase enzyme or to an alkaline phosphatase enzyme by a peptide linker. The fusion protein also includes a histidine tag and optionally an endoplasmic reticulum retention signal. The invention also includes nucleic acids encoding the fusion protein, expression vectors containing the nucleic acids, plant cells transformed with the expression vectors and methods of producing the fusion proteins of the invention.

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 fusion proteins which are capable of binding to phosphatidylserine comprising a phosphatidylserene binding ligand and a modified O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase which is capable of autoconjugation to an O6-benzylguanine-modified label, the fusion proteins being capable of binding to phosphatidylserine on the surface of a cell undergoing apoptosis. The invention also relates to recombinant polypeptide precursors of the fusion proteins which comprise a secretion leader sequence, purification tag, protease cleavage site and the fusion protein. Also included in the scope of the invention are nucleic acids encoding the recombinant polypeptide precursor, vectors comprising the nucleic acids, host cells comprising the vectors, methods of production of the fusion proteins, kits and assays for detecting apoptosis.

Abstract: An auto-injector is provided which includes a housing with a syringe slidably received therein. The syringe has a barrel with a piston movable therein and a needle extending therefrom. The piston is releasably secured to one end of a plunger which is slidably secured within a body in the housing and is operable through a bias provided by a motive source. In use, the plunger moves under the bias from a loaded condition to a discharged condition to move the syringe so that the needle extends from a tip at an injection end of the housing and to slide the piston within the barrel to expel the contents of the syringe. The plunger is held in the loaded condition against the bias by a detent extending from the body and which can be selectively released by operation of an actuator when pressure is applied to the tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the expression and/or promoting correct folding of a heterologous polypeptide of interest in a plant cell, comprising co-expressing the heterologous polypeptide of interest with a polypeptide encoding a mammalian chaperone protein. The invention also relates to plant cells and plants, which either transiently or stably, co-express the heterologous polypeptide of interest and the chaperone protein.

Abstract: A ground reaction force plate apparatus and measuring system are provided. The apparatus includes a plate for receiving a force to be measured as applied by a subject to the plate and a plurality of load cells in an arrangement supporting the plate, each load cell being a single-axis sensor with the axis provided at an angle to a plane of the plate and oriented towards a centre of the plate. The load cells are configured to measure data relating to a force vector at the angled single-axis sensor when the subject applies a force to the plate. A data collection controller is provided for logging time series measurements of the load cells over a time in which the subject applies a force to the plate. The system applies machine learning processing to output the load cell measurements as a three-dimensional ground reaction force on the plate by a subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endoscopic device, and more particularly but not exclusively to an endoscopic device suitable for use in diagnostic and/or surgical procedures. The endoscopic device includes a base and a shaft extending from the base. The shaft is at least partially flexible and includes a bending section that is selectively displaceable between a straight configuration and a bent configuration. The endoscopic device also includes an actuation arrangement for selectively displacing the bending section between the straight and bent positions. The actuation arrangement includes at least one actuator which is at least partially made from a shape memory alloy, and which is configured to displace the bending section of the shaft when electric current is passed therethrough. The actuator is located inside the base of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the characterization of electricity-producing cells using broadband impedance spectroscopy are provided. A method includes injecting a broadband signal having a plurality of superimposed waveforms at different frequency set points across a frequency range into an electricity-producing cell. A distribution of the frequency set points is determined using a function which, for a predetermined number of frequency set points, spaces lower value frequency set points closer together and higher value frequency set points further apart so as to tune the frequency set point distribution optimally for the cell. One or both of a voltage and current response are measured, including obtaining the response at each frequency set point simultaneously. An impedance of the electricity-producing cell is calculated using the broadband signal and the response.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object identification are provided. In a method, primary data is received. The primary data is generated by a primary sensor that receives signals that are human perceptible and records a scene. Secondary data generated by a secondary sensor that simultaneously records the same scene is received. The secondary sensor receives signals that are not human perceptible. The primary data is processed to identify object signatures relating to objects present in the scene. The processed primary data is used to train a secondary data-based object identification model configured to identify, in the secondary data, object signatures relating to objects present in the scene. A method includes using the secondary data-based object identification model to process the secondary data to identify object signatures relating to objects present in the scene. A method includes augmenting the processed primary data with the processed secondary data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a matrix-mediated algal cell culture system comprising a porous matrix, a microalgal cell culture comprising cells immobilised on the porous matrix, and a vector including a nucleic acid sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide of interest, wherein immobilisation of microalgal cells on the porous matrix results in the formation of interstitial spaces between the microalgal cells to allow for increased contact of the microalgal cells with the vector compared with a culture of microalgal cells which are not immobilised on a porous matrix, thereby allowing for more efficient transfection of the microalgal cells with the vector. The invention also relates to methods of screening single species of microalgae and mixed ecology samples for the ability to be transfected using the algal cell culture system, and to methods for the production of heterologous polypeptides using the matrix-mediated cell culture system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a prognostic method for determining the risk of an asymptomatic human subject with latent tuberculosis (TB) infection or apparent latent TB infection and/or after suspected exposure to TB progressing to active tuberculosis disease comprising the steps of quantifying and computationally analysing relative abundances of a collection of pairs of gene products (“TB biomarkers”) derived from a sample obtained from the subject. The invention further relates to a collection of TB biomarkers that generates a transcriptomic signature of risk for prediction of the likelihood of an asymptomatic human subject with latent TB infection and/or after suspected exposure to TB progressing to active tuberculosis disease. Furthermore, a kit comprising gene-specific primers or oligonucleotide probes for the detection of pairs of TB biomarkers that generates a prognostic signature of risk for use with the method of the invention is described.

Abstract: An assistive device for a metered dose inhaler decreases the force required to operate the inhaler. The assistive device has a body with a passage for receiving a replaceable conventional metered dose inhaler assembly that has a canister and a transverse mouthpiece with an axis of the canister aligning approximately with that of the passage. At least two symmetrically arranged levers extend in a direction away from the body and parallel to an axis thereof. A proximal end of each lever is attached to the body such that the free opposite ends of the levers may be moved towards and away from each other. An inwardly directed cam surface on each of the levers engages a closed end of a canister in use to move the canister longitudinally to cause a dose of medicament to be dispensed from the canister. An optional dose counter may form part of the device.