Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing capabilities of an account of a user system at a commerce platform are described. The method may include receiving, at the commerce platform, a request from a user system that identifies an account at the commerce platform and includes a capability requested for the account, where the requested capability corresponds to a desired functionality of the account. The method may also include mapping the requested capability to a compliance plan that defines a set of account data to be collected before activation of the capability for the account by the commerce platform. Furthermore, the method may include transmitting a message, generated by the commerce platform, that comprises a listing of additional data to be provided by the user system before activation of the capability for the account, where the additional data comprises a minimal set of account data defined by the compliance plan less any data already associated with the account at the commerce platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing capabilities of an account of a user system at a commerce platform are described. The method may include receiving, at the commerce platform, a request from a user system that identifies an account at the commerce platform and includes a capability requested for the account, where the requested capability corresponds to a desired functionality of the account. The method may also include mapping the requested capability to a compliance plan that defines a set of account data to be collected before activation of the capability for the account by the commerce platform. Furthermore, the method may include transmitting a message, generated by the commerce platform, that comprises a listing of additional data to be provided by the user system before activation of the capability for the account, where the additional data comprises a minimal set of account data defined by the compliance plan less any data already associated with the account at the commerce platform.

Abstract: An elongate, flexible line for providing a linkage between a first structure and a second structure. The line may be a mooring line. It has a braided tubular sheath, the sheath being able to change reversibly and repeatedly in length and its braided structure being such that an increase in sheath length is accompanied by a lateral dimensional decrease. Within the sheath is an impervious flexible bladder. The bladder defines a fluid-containing internal chamber which is acted on by the sheath so that the volume of the chamber varies with the sheath length. A pressure source arranged to pressurise the chamber. A restricted passage communicates with the chamber. The pressurised bladder urges the sheath to expand laterally and to contract. An increase in sheath extension causes fluid to be exhausted from the chamber through the restriction, increasing chamber pressure and providing a damping force opposed to the sheath's extension.

Abstract: A compression chamber is formed by two end walls (10) and a flexible tubular member (11) extending between the end walls (10). The flexible tubular member (11) is formed from an inner tube (12) of air impermeable material and an outer tube (13) of a braided material. The inner tube (12) is unstressed when the chamber is filled with oxygen or air and the outer tube (13) bears the pressure load.

Abstract: A pump comprises a flexible container (11) filled with a fluid and having a fluid inlet (104) and a fluid outlet (105), and a constricting device (12), preferably in the form of a braid tube, conforming the container (11) to a generally circular cross-section and operable cyclically to reduce the diameter of the container (11) to expel fluid from the outlet and then allow the diameter to increase with fluid entering the inlet to refill the container (11). Such a pump can be suspended in the sea between an anchor and means for converting energy from the sea into a force acting on said constricting device, for example, a float, to cause the constricting device to reduce the diameter of the container (11) to expel fluid from the outlet (105), and then passing the expelled fluid to do work such as drive a generator (121).

Abstract: An inflatable tube (10) in a fascine is provided with a cover (11) of a braided material to provide significant strength. An outer cover (12) of KEVLAR™ may also be provided. The braided cover (11) and the inflatable tube (10) are held at the ends of the tube by a clamping mechanism (17, 18, 19) and a cylinder (40) of inflation gas is supported within the tube (10), when the tube (10) is inflated.

Abstract: A compression chamber is formed by two end walls (10) and a flexible tubular member (11) extending between the end walls (10). The flexible tubular member (11) is formed from an inner tube (12) of air impermeable material and an outer tube (13) of a braided material. The inner tube (12) is unstressed when the chamber is filled with oxygen or air and the outer tube (13) bears the pressure load.

Abstract: An inflatable tube (10) in a fascine is provided with a cover (11) of a braided material to provide significant strength. An outer cover (12) of KEVLAR™ may also be provided. The braided cover (11) and the inflatable tube (10) are held at the ends of the tube by a clamping mechanism (17, 18, 19) and a cylinder (40) of inflation gas is supported within the tube (10), when the tube (10) is inflated.

Abstract: Compositions including a liquid or liquid-like carrier and first and second particles dispersed therein. The first and second particles differ from each other in at least one surface chemistry property, such as hydrophobicity. The gel compositions can be used in a variety of applications, including the separation of blood samples into component fractions. Processes for producing gel compositions having desirable properties are also provided.

Abstract: An inflation device for a buoyancy body such as a life jacket or life raft having a pressurized gas cylinder mounted within the buoyancy body and including an actuator, preferably in the form of a rotatable shaft, which projects from the interior to the exterior of the body so that it can be used to cause release of gas into the body and is operable from the exterior of the inflation device.

Abstract: Methods are provided for conducting specific binding assays to determine the concentration or presence of at least one analyte in a sample. Dendrimer-reagent preparations with particular analyte specificities are mixed in solution with a sample to form dendrimer-reagent-sample complexes. The complexes are then immobilized on a solid phase. Immobilization is facilitated by coupling specific binding assay reagents such as polypeptide receptors or analytes with water soluble polymers. Such water soluble polymers, for example star polymers such as dendrimers, provide production advantages of lot-to-lot uniformity and homogeneity, and can enhance sensitivity due to low non-specific binding to the solid phase.