Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel compounds for treating apicomplexan parasite related disorders, methods for their use; cell line and non-human animal models of the dormant parasite phenotype and methods for their use in identifying new drugs to treat apicomplexan parasite related disorders, and biomarkers to identify disease due to the parasite and its response to treatment.

Abstract: A vertical axis turbine having a first rotor and at least one second rotor, the first rotor being configured to rotate around a first rotation axis that is vertical or more vertical than horizontal. The first rotor may be configured to be driven and/or rotated by wind or water flow. The at least one second rotor is provided on or coupled to the first rotor such that the first rotor is operable to move the second rotor upon rotation of the first rotor. The second rotor is operable to drive a power take off system. Each second rotor rotates around a respective second rotation axis that may be angled or perpendicular to the first rotation axis of the first rotor. The first and second rotors are configured so that the power take-off system can be driven without the need for a gearbox.

Abstract: A surgical system having an arm or elongate portion, the arm or elongate portion being bendable, articulated, reconfigurable and/or flexible such that the arm or elongate portion is steerable by bending, articulating, reconfiguring and/or flexing of the arm. The arm or elongate portion includes or is configured to receive at least one tool or load. The system includes one or more first and/or second location or position tracking systems that are configured to determine and/or track a location and/or position of one or more parts or a whole of the arm or elongate portion and/or the tool or load. The at least one first location or position tracking system is a non-optical or non-radiation based location or positioning tracking system. The second location or position tracking system is an optical or radiation based positioning system.

Abstract: A method for inactivating medically important Gram-positive bacteria including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus (CONS), Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Clostridium species, comprising exposure to visible light, and in particular light within the wavelength range 400-500 nm.

Abstract: An interface or communications system for a neural probe, the interface or communications system comprising at least one probe interface, an optical communications interface and a processing system. The at least one probe interface is configured to interface with at least one neural probe so as to receive data collected by the probe. The processing system is configured to process the data from the at least one probe interface and provide the processed data to the optical communications interface. The optical communications interface is configured to communicate the processed data to a remote device, e.g. using optical wireless communications. The optical communications interface has the large bandwidth available that will allow the scaling up of recording sites from the neural probe without resulting in undue size, weight and/or power consumption.

Abstract: The invention enables an optical voltage sensor, comprising a piezoelectric actuator mechanically coupled to an optical strain sensor (such as a fibre Bragg grating), to withstand lightning impulses, the effects of which would otherwise be harmful or destructive to the piezoelectric actuator and/or other sensitive components. As such, the optical voltage sensor, comprised within a photonic voltage transducer which also comprises a lightning impulse attenuator, is able to comply with relevant standards and be used for applications in power networks and exposed to the highest voltages for equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the preparation of a pharmaceutical-vesicle formulation comprising steps of: preparing and processing vesicle components and a pharmaceutical agent to entrap the pharmaceutical agent in the vesicle and form a pharmaceutical-vesicle formulation, wherein the pharmaceutical-vesicle formulation is reconstituted in a known quantity of the pharmaceutical agent dissolved in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier to provide a biphasic pharmaceutical-vesicle formulation. The invention also relates to the associated pharmaceutical-vesicle formulations, pharmaceutical kits and uses as a medicament, in particular for the prevention or treatment of infection by bacteria such as Burkholderia pseudomallei and Francisella tularensis, and viruses such as Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEEV).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the rehabilitation, assistance and/or augmentation of arm strength in a user (U) comprises a support arrangement (12) for supporting the apparatus (10) on the user (U), a linkage arrangement (14) coupled to the support arrangement (12) and for coupling to an arm (A) of the user (U), and an actuation arrangement (16) for operating the linkage arrangement (14) and thereby manipulating the user's arm (A) in response to a user input signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the inactivation of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.) in ex vivo stored blood products, such as plasma and/or platelets, by means of directing visible light radiation from an illuminating device into blood product storage containers in order to achieve effective pathogen inactivation without the presence of an added photosensitising agent in the blood product. An exemplary apparatus includes a control unit that operates a light source that emits light in the wavelength region of about 380-500 nm which is directed onto blood product storage bags at sufficient intensity to penetrate the bag material and the opaque blood product therein in order to inactivate pathogens in the blood product but at dose levels that cause no significant detrimental effects on the blood product.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (10) comprising: a main body; at least one source reservoir and at least one collection reservoir (18,20); at least one fluid channel (12) for channelling a fluid comprising a compound from the at least one source reservoir (18) to the at least one collection reservoir (20); a plurality of chambers (13) for holding cells, wherein the plurality of chambers (13) are formed underneath and open to the fluid channel (12), wherein a fluid flow is generated through the at least one fluid channel (12) by a difference in hydrostatic pressure between fluid in the at least one source reservoir (18) and fluid the at least one collection reservoir (20) such that the fluid flow provides a compound concentration gradient across the plurality of chambers (13) and wherein the at least one collection reservoir (20) has an overflow opening (32) to substantially maintain a level of hydrostatic pressure in the at least one collection reservoir (20).

Abstract: A self-assembling peptide is provided that is enzymatically oxidized to form a polymeric pigment. The monomeric peptide has three amino acids (tyrosine (Y), one phenylalanine (F), and one aspartic acid (D) or one lysine (K)) and, following self-assembly and treatment with a tyrosinase enzyme oxidizes and polymerizes into a material with predetermined properties.

Abstract: A method of accelerating charged particles in a plasma and an associated plasma accelerator and electromagnetic radiation source, the method including creating a region of non-uniform electric field within the plasma which propagates through the plasma; using the non-uniform electric field to accelerate a first plurality of charged particles in the direction of propagation of the region of non-uniform electric field; and once the accelerating first plurality of charged particles have propagated part-way through the plasma: adding a second plurality of charged particles to the plasma, such that the second plurality of charged particles propagates through the plasma, the second plurality of charged particles create a local distortion in the non-uniform electric field experienced by the accelerating first plurality of charged particles, and the local distortion in the non-uniform electric field propagates through the plasma with the accelerating first plurality of charged particles; and the method also including

Abstract: A support and corresponding system and method of using and producing the support, the support being for supporting a joint or body part of a wearer, the support having at least one rigid first support member, at least one fixing device for attaching the support to the wearer, and at least one second support member extending at an angle from the first support member.

Abstract: A method for inactivating medically important Gram-positive bacteria including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus (CONS), Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Clostridium species, comprising exposure to visible light, and in particular light within the wavelength range 400-500 nm.

Abstract: A prosthesis socket casting device having a housing and a flexible membrane for receiving a residual limb, the housing and the membrane defining a cavity for containing a fluid. Within the housing are means that are a function of the patient's weight for altering the distribution of the reactive fluid pressure applied when the residual limb is received within the membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the altering means comprise a movable piston that is provided at a lower end of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for topical application of material for cosmetic purposes (10). The apparatus for topical application of material (10) comprises measurement apparatus configured to measure a property of skin of a human or animal subject and actuating apparatus configured to change a permeability of the skin of the human or animal subject in dependence on the measured property of the skin. The apparatus for topical application of material (10) further comprises application apparatus configured to apply material for cosmetic purposes to the skin whilst substantially no iontophoretic current flows through the skin and after the permeability of the skin has been changed.

Abstract: A wound sensor comprising at least one electrode (10a, 10b) and a non-adherent porous layer (25) proximate at least part of the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the co-production and isolation of mycoprotein and ethanol from carbohydrate feedstock material (e.g cereals). The present invention also provides a fermentation system for the co-production of mycoprotein from a carbohydrate feedstock material.

Abstract: Injection fluid tuning is provided. In one possible implementation, injection fluid can be tuned by accessing both surface properties of rock found in a hydrocarbon reservoir of interest and a chemical composition of oil found in the reservoir of interest. An ion effect on wettability of a contact surface of the rock can be acquired and then used to formulate a tuned ion solution based on the ion effect on wettability of the contact surface of the rock. In another possible implementation, an electrolyte solution has an ionic composition and an ionic concentration configured to enhance recovery of oil from a reservoir. The electrolyte solution includes a content of direct contact ions including monovalent ions with a static polarizability larger than a preset limit sufficient to influence a contact surface of a rock in the reservoir to reach a desired wettability.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is concerned with a treatment where it is desired that an active agent is designed to be released immediately following administration and again at a time point some time after administration of the active agent. The present invention is particularly suited to administering an agent which may be released before sleep and whilst a subject is sleeping. As well as treating certain conditions by a particular regime, the invention also provides novel formulations for an immediate, followed by a delayed release of drug.