Abstract: A laser driver circuit includes a pair of transistors having base electrodes respectively coupled to a differential input signal. The respective collector electrodes are coupled to a first power supply rail and the respective emitter electrodes are coupled to a laser diode via respective impedances and to respective controllable current sources to provide an average modulation voltage at the more positive of the emitter electrodes. By having the transistors in an emitter follower configuration, rather than the usual collector open collector configuration, the problem of mismatch between the output impedance of the transistors and the input impedance of the laser diode is reduced.

Abstract: Injection stretch blow molded containers are obtainable from olefin polymers, comprising homopolymers of propylene or copolymers of propylene with other C2-C10-alk-1-enes, which are obtainable by polymerizing the corresponding monomers with metallocene catalysts. Processes for producing injection stretch blow molded containers from olefin polymers, and also the use of olefin polymers for producing injection stretch blow molded containers, are described.

Abstract: The cooking apparatus comprises a heat source within an enclosure, and a hollow chamber with an open upper and lower end which sits on or above the heat source. The hollow chamber together with the enclosure provide a cooking apparatus which has a bulbous, convex form. The chamber may be an accessory which can be removably attached to a barbecue, and it is preferably made from clay or metal. Optionally, skewers may form part of the apparatus, and they may be positioned vertically within the chamber to cook any food thereon. The skewers are preferably solid or hollow, and are longer than the height of the hollow chamber. A lid may be provided for the upper end of the chamber, and holes may be formed in the boundary of the upper opening to support the skewers. A vent may be provided in the lower region of the hollow chamber, or in the enclosure which is adjustable to regulate the size of the opening.

Abstract: Specific binding members directed to eotaxin-1, in particular human antibodies and antibody fragments against human eotaxin-1 and especially those which neutralise eotaxin-1 activity. The antibodies VH and/or VL domain of the scFv fragment herein termed CAT-212 and of the IgG4 antibody herein termed CAT 213. One or more complementary determing regions (CDRs) of the CAT-212/-213 VH and/or VL domains, especially VH CRD3 in other antibody framework regions. Compositions containing specific binding members, and their use in methods of inhibiting or neutralising eotaxin, including methods of treatment of the human or animal body by therapy.

Abstract: Known differential pair amplifier circuits can suffer from transistor saturation resulting in a reduction in switching speed. An alternative to the differential pair amplifier circuit is a common-emitter configuration, but the common-emitter configuration lacks differential operability and results in ground bounce. An amplifier circuit is provided for an output stage of a driver circuit comprising a pair of common emitter circuits cross-coupled by a pair of transistors. Slow operation is therefore overcome while providing a differential output signal in response to a differential input signal.

Abstract: Propene terpolymers consist of from 80 to 99.5 mol % of structural units derived from propene, from 0.1 to 15 mol % of structural units derived from ethene or a C4-C6-1-olefin (I) and from 0.

Abstract: A sealable coextruded film is made from at least one outer layer and from at least one base layer, where the outer layer is composed of a propylene terpolymer comprising from 80 to 99.5 mol % of structural units derived from propylene, from 0.2 to 15 mol % of structural units derived from ethene or from a C4-C6 1-olefin (I) and from 0.3 to 15 mol % of structural units derived from another C4-C12 1-olefin (II) different from the C4-C6 1-olefin (I), and where the propylene terpolymer has been prepared using metallocene catalysts.

Abstract: A catheter positioning system comprises a guide catheter extension adapted to co-operate with a guide catheter, a catheter positioning device adapted to engage a catheter and guide the catheter within the guide catheter extension, wherein the guide catheter extension further comprises a plurality of engagement means for fixing the relative points of the guide catheter extension and the positioning device at any one of a number of positions over its length and a guide catheter extension capable of receiving a catheter, comprising a substantially rigid tubular section capable of sealing engagement within a compression fitting of the guide catheter.

Abstract: A laser driver circuit includes a pair of transistors having base electrodes respectively coupled to a differential input signal. The respective collector electrodes are coupled to a first power supply rail and the respective emitter electrodes are coupled to a laser diode via respective impedances and to respective controllable current sources to provide an average modulation voltage at the more positive of the emitter electrodes. By having the transistors in an emitter follower configuration, rather than the usual collector open collector configuration, the problem of mismatch between the output impedance of the transistors and the input impedance of the laser diode is reduced.

Abstract: In an optical communications system, it is necessary to control the extinction ratio of a laser device (192) of an optical transmission unit. The laser device (192) is typically used to transmit a signal that can be approximated by a pseudo-random bit stream. The bit stream is monitored by collecting light from a back facet of the laser device (192) using a photodiode (194) in a control loop. Due to band limiting effects of the photodiode (194) and parasitic circuit track capacitances, a feedback signal generated by the photodiode (194) becomes distorted, leading to difficulties in controlling the extinction ratio. The present invention therefore provides an apparatus that simulates a signal generated by the photodiode (194) and subsequent processing of the photodiode signal. The simulated signal and the processed photodiode signal are compared so as to generate a control signal for controlling modulation amplitude of the laser device (192) and hence the extinction ratio.

Abstract: A driver circuit (300) having a laser diode (306) coupled in series between a supply voltage (302) and a collector electrode of a transistor (310). The laser diode (306) has a low input impedance whereas the driving transistor (310) has a high output impedance. Resonances are caused by the impedance mismatch and reactive components. Therefore, an impedance feedback (320) is coupled between the laser diode input and the transistor data input to minimize the effects of the resonances.

Abstract: A method of labelling molecules which includes providing in a common medium a label molecule, a marker ligand able to bind a member of a specific binding pair, such as an antigen, a sbp member, an enzyme able to catalyze binding of the label molecule to other molecules, the enzyme being associated with the marker ligand; causing or allowing binding of the marker ligand to the sbp member; and causing or allowing binding of the label molecule to other molecules in the vicinity of the marker ligand bound to the sbp member. The marker ligand may be an antibody or any specific binding molecule, such as a chemokine or cytokine. A complementary member of the specific binding pair may be included, e.g. an antibody, or a diverse population of such sbp members, e.g. antibodies, may be included within which those which bind the counterpart sbp member, e.g. antigen, may be labelled and subsequently isolated for manipulation and/or use.

Abstract: In known control loops to control a bias current of a laser device, the presence of a parasitic current drawn by an operational amplifier (114) of a monitoring circuit (100) introduces inaccuracies into measurements of mean power output of the laser device. The present invention provides the operational amplifier with an input stage (200) comprising MOSFETs (208, 210), thereby obviating the parasitic current.

Abstract: Known differential pair amplifier circuits can suffer from transistor saturation resulting in a reduction in switching speed. An alternative to the differential pair amplifier circuit is a common-emitter configuration, but the common-emitter configuration lacks differential operability and results in ground bounce. The present invention therefore provides an amplifier circuit for an output stage 100 of a driver circuit comprising a pair of common emitter circuits (106, 114, 112, 122) cross-coupled by a pair of transistors (108, 110). Slow operation is therefore overcome whilst providing a differential output signal in response to a differential input signal.

Abstract: Specific binding members directed to eotaxin-1, in particular human antibodies and antibody fragments against human eotaxin-1 and especially those which neutralize eotaxin-1 activity. The antibody VH and/or VL domain of the scFv fragment herein termed CAT-212 and of the IgG4 antibody herein termed CAT-213. One or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of the CAT-212/-213 VH and/or VL domains, especially VH CDR3 in other antibody framework regions. Compositions containing specific binding members, and their use in methods of inhibiting or neutralizing eotaxin, including methods of treatment of the human or animal body by therapy.

Abstract: New pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising metal complexes have activity against diseases caused by or related to overproduction or localized high concentration of nitric oxide in the body.

Abstract: A method of cooking foodstuff items impaled on skewers that are disposed in a generally upright attitude upon or above the pyrogenous material heat source provided by a barbecue (52), the skewers being surrounded by a hollow chamber (60) of bulbous form provided with an open bottom (66) above the heat source and with an open top (64) from which handles of the skewers (65) extend. The apparatus for use in the method can be a conventional barbecue modified by an accessory providing said hollow chamber as a removable item. The skewers rest with their lower ends on the heat source and have a length commensurate with (preferably greater than) the height of the hollow chamber (60), i.e. the distance between its upper and lower ends such that the handles of the skewers project out of the open upper end of the hollow chamber.

Abstract: A method of labelling molecules which includes providing in a common medium a label molecule, a marker ligand able to bind a member of a specific binding pair, such as an antigen, a sbp member, an enzyme able to catalyse binding of the label molecule to other molecules, the enzyme being associated with the marker ligand; causing or allowing binding of the marker ligand to the sbp member; and causing or allowing binding of the label molecule to other molecules in the vicinity of the marker ligand bound to the sbp member. The marker ligand may be an antibody or any specific binding molecule, such as a chemokine or cytokine. A complementary member of the specific binding pair may be included, e.g. an antibody, or a diverse population of such sbp members, e.g. antibodies, may be included within which those which bind the counterpart sbp member, e.g. antigen, may be labelled and subsequently isolated for manipulation and/or use.

Abstract: A method of labelling molecules which includes providing in a common medium a label molecule, a marker ligand able to bind a member of a specific binding pair, such as an antigen, a sbp member, an enzyme able to catalyze binding of the label molecule to other molecules, the enzyme being associated with the marker ligand; causing or allowing binding of the marker ligand to the sbp member; and causing or allowing binding of the label molecule to other molecules in the vicinity of the marker ligand bound to the sbp member. The marker ligand may be an antibody or any specific binding molecule, such as a chemokine or cytokine. A complementary member of the specific binding pair may be included, e.g. an antibody, or a diverse population of such sbp members, e.g. antibodies, may be included within which those which bind the counterpart sbp member, e.g. antigen, may be labelled and subsequently isolated for manipulation and/or use.

Abstract: A system and method for organising information items in a database. The system and method use a three-dimensional classification space having a co-ordinate origin, which in a preferred embodiment may be displayed as a rotatable sphere 20. Subject topics are associated in the classification space with solid cones 22 having radii 21 of the sphere as their axes and information items are assigned co-ordinates 24 within the appropriate subject cone. The sphere may be further divided into shells 11,12,13 of different radii corresponding to different categories of information items within the same subject area. In retrieving information it is possible to display items of information assigned similar co-ordinates within the classification space and to rotate the sphere to show neighboring items having associated subject content. The invention has particular application to classifying and search for web sites or other information on the Internet.