Abstract: A system has been constructed that recapitulate the features of a capillary bed through normal human tissue. The system facilitates perfusion of three-dimensional (3D) cell monocultures and heterotypic cell co-cultures at the length scale of the capillary bed. A major feature is that the system can be utilized within a “multiwell plate” format amenable to high-throughput assays compatible with the type of robotics commonly used in pharmaceutical development. The system provides a means to conduct assays for toxicology and metabolism and as a model for human diseases such as hepatic diseases, including hepatitis, exposure-related pathologies, and cancer. Cancer applications include primary liver cancer as well as metastases. The system can also be used as a means of testing gene therapy approaches for treating disease and inborn genetic defects.

Abstract: The invention includes an end cap that can be securely mounted to the end of a ceramic spool. The end cap comprises a locking plate adapted to fit into a groove in the ceramic spool. A plurality of angularly offset holes in the locking plate align with similar holes in the end cap. Screws or pins are placed in the holes and welded in place to prevent backing out or loosening. In use, the locking plate is secured by the pins, the groove and the inside surface of the end cap, the combination of which inhibits misalignment. Thermal cycling does not loosen the end cap, cause eccentric rotation or crack the ceramic spool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting tumor progression in an individual in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to said individual a pharmacologically effective dose of a phospholipase C inhibitor. Also provided is a method of inhibiting metastasis in an individual in need of such treatment, comprising the step of administering to said individual a pharmacologically effective dose of a phospholipase C inhibitor. Further provided are pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a phospholipase C inhibitor of tumor invasiveness and metastasis and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a phospholipase C inhibitor of tumor invasiveness and metastasis, a antineoplastic agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for anchoring a structure such as a wave collector, sediment is pumped from the sea bed into the base of the structure. Hydraulic tuning of a wave energy converter collector, an advantageous rotor structure and a means of smoothing wave-to-electricity energy conversion are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A wave power apparatus (10) includes a chamber (16) which may be constructed over a coastal gully (12) so that waves (14) cause the water level to rise and fall in the chamber, and so cause air to flow to and fro in a duct (32). A Wells-type biplane turbine (34) in the duct (32) drives a generator (36). The turbine (34) comprises two turbine discs (45) 0.5 m apart, each defining a hub, a plurality of aerofoil section straight blades (80), and an outer ring (56). The ring (56) is sufficiently massive to act as an energy-storage flywheel, and has a greater moment of inertia than the hub and the blades. Each turbine disc (45) might have a kinetic energy of at least 1 MJ when rotating at 1650 rpm.

Abstract: A gas resonance device (101) comprises a pulsed combustor (102) located in the middle of a substantially spherical resonance chamber (103). Such a thermally driven gas resonance device has the advantage that the wall friction losses are eliminated altogether. A thermally driven gas resonance device (1, 101) may be combined with a pressure swing gas separator (16, 108), the oscillating gas in the gas resonance device (1, 101) being used to provide the pressure changes required to drive the pressure swing gas separator. Alternatively a thermally driven gas resonance device (1, 101) is combined with a heat pump (19, 120) with the oscillating gas in the gas resonance device (1, 101) being used to provide the power to operate the heat pump. The thermally driven gas resonance device (1, 101) may also drive an electrical generator (121, 122) to provide a combined heat and power device.

Abstract: A pressure swing gas separator is operated with a pressure difference between its pressurized and depressurized states of less than 0.1 bar. The separator operates at a repetition frequency greater than one cycle per second and preferably between 50 and 200 cycles per second. The separator includes a bed (16, 108, 147) which preferably forms part of a resonant system. A drive for resonant system may be taken from a thermally driven gas resonance device (1, 101) or may be provided by an electrical actuator (140). Preferably the bed is covered by a diaphragm (109, 133, 141) which, as it oscillates, pressurizes and depressurizes the bed of adsorbent material. The diaphragm may cooperate with an annular valve seat (114) to provide a valve to control the entry of gas into the bed.

Abstract: A thermally driven gas resonance device includes a resonance tube (3) which expands in cross-section along its length from one end to the other, a heat source (2) located at the one end of the resonance tube, and an igniter (14) to trigger oscillations in a gas in the tube. The heat source (2) is preferably a pulsed heat source having a repetition frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of the gas tube (3). The mechanical energy produced in the oscillating gas may be used to operate a pressure swing gas separator by including a bed (16) of molecular sieve material in the other end of the tube (3). Alternatively, the mechanical energy may be used to drive a heat pump (19). In this case a heat sink (21) is located at the other end of the tube (3), a regenerator (20) is also located adjacent the other end, and ports (8) on the side of the regenerator (20) towards the heat source (2) effect heat exchange between the gas in the resonance tube (3) and a source of low grade heat.

Abstract: A thermally driven gas resonance device includes a resonance tube (3) which expands in cross-section along its length from one end to the other, a heat source (2) located at the one end of the resonance tube, and an igniter (14) to trigger oscillations in a gas in the tube. The heat source (2) is preferably a pulsed heat source having a repetition frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of the gas tube (3). The mechanical energy produced in the oscillating gas may be used to operate a pressure swing gas separator by including a bed (16) of molecular sieve material in the other end of the tube (3). Alternatively, the mechanical energy may be used to drive a heat pump (19). In this case a heat sink (21) is located at the other end of the tube (3), a regenerator (20) is also located adjacent the other end, and ports (8) on the side of the regenerator (20) towards the heat source (2) effect heat exchange between the gas in the resonance tube (3) and a source of low grade heat.

Abstract: Wave energy apparatus comprises a hollow buoy (2) for floating in water. The buoy has a turbine (5) which rotates in response to air flow into and out of the buoy (2) through a nozzle (4). The turbine (5) is designed to rotate in the same direction regardless of the axial direction of air flow. The air flow is caused by the change of level of water (W) within the buoy in response to wave motion.To enable rocking motion to be accommodated as well as vertical motion, the interior of the buoy is divided into a plurality of conduits (9), by means of partitions (6), the conduits directing air to different portions of the turbine (5). The conduits (9) preferably have lateral openings (10) and may be defined in part by upwardly inclined portions (11) of an inertial body (8).In an alternative embodiment the buoy has a closed bottom and liquid in the buoy is acted on by a centrally disposed air spring.

Abstract: A rotary transducer adapted to be driven in the same direction by air flow therethrough in either axial direction comprises a rotor having blades of aerofoil cross-section which are fixed with their planes of zero lift normal to the axis of the rotor. An apparatus for use in extracting energy from the waves of the sea utilizes such a transducer.