Abstract: Nitrogen oxide generating compositions are useful in the treatment of subungual infections, as NO has surprisingly been found to be able to penetrate the nail to exert an anti-fungal effect.

Abstract: A process for the production of an antigen specific antigen binding domain using a transformed host containing an expressible DNA sequence encoding the antigen specific antigen binding domain, wherein the antigen specific antigen binding domain is derived from a variable region of the immunoglobulin isotype NAR found in fish.

Abstract: A process for the production of an antigen specific antigen binding domain using a transformed host containing an expressible DNA sequence encoding the antigen specific antigen binding domain, wherein the antigen specific antigen binding domain is derived from a variable region of the immunoglobulin isotype NAR found in fish.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for predicting bone fracture risk in an osteoporotic patient. The apparatus comprises a Dual X-ray Absorptiometry scanner for scanning a body area of the patient and producing a Dual X-ray Absorptiometry image of the body area, and image analysis means for analyzing pre-determined aspects of the Dual X-ray Absorptiometry image. The apparatus further comprises data comparison means comprising a database of comparative data sets from Dual X-ray Absorptiometry images of control subjects to predict the risk of bone fracture in the patient. The image analysis means preferably analyses the shape of a body past using an Achieve Shape Model or analyses the texture of a body past using Fourier Transforms and Principal Component Analysis.

Abstract: A vision exercising apparatus including a visual display device (1); a locating means (5) for locating the head of a user at a position to provide a substantially known relationship between the visual display device (1) and the field of view of the user; display position control means for actuating the visual display device (1) to display a predetermined pattern at a known display position which corresponds to a specific viewing area of the field of view of the user; user actuable response means (17) to enable a user response to be provided; further control means to control the display position control means to repeatedly display the predetermined pattern at the known display condition; and means to collate user response and to evaluate the statistical significance of the user response for that display position. A predetermined pattern can thus be displayed in the field of view of a user that requires exercising.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which displays an oscillating voltage due to the creation of charge domains which includes a plurality of semiconductor layers and at least two electrodes spaced from one another in the direction of the layers, an upper of which has a composition and/or dimensions predetermined so that a charge therein balances a depletion from a surface charge of the upper layer on application of a potential difference across said electrodes. The electrodes may be in contact solely with the upper layer. A method of manufacturing the device is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for muscular stimulation of a user includes a pressure sensor, a control unit to which pressure values sensed by the pressure sensor are fed, and a vibrational stimulator for applying vibrational stimulation. The vibrational stimulator is activated by the control unit in response to the pressure sensor sensing an applied pressure which exceeds a threshold-pressure value.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for predicting bone fracture risk in an osteoporotic patient. The apparatus comprises a Dual X-ray Absorptiometry scanner for scanning a body area of the patient and producing a Dual X-ray Absorptiometry image of the body area, and image analysis means for analyzing pre-determined aspects of the Dual X-ray Absorptiometry image. The apparatus further comprises data comparison means comprising a database of comparative data sets from Dual X-ray Absorptiometry images of control subjects to predict the risk of bone fracture in the patient. The image analysis means preferably analyses the shape of a body past using an Achive Shape Model or analyses the texture of a body past using Fourier Transforms and Principal Component Analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detector module (10) for detecting ionizing radiation from an object of interest, and in particular to a computer tomography scanner utilizing a plurality of such detector modules. The detector module (10) comprises a plurality of stacked detection layers (3), wherein each layer includes a scintillator (1) capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation at optical, or near optical, wavelengths in response to interaction with the ionizing radiation (4). Each layer also includes a light sensitive solid state substrate element (2) capable of detecting the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the scintillator and of generating electrical signals thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention of alloimmunization of a subject or the immunosuppression of a response elicited by alloimmunization of a subject or an autoimmune haemolytic disease for said composition comprising an immunologically effective epitope of a rhesus protein or an immunologically active analogue or derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-infectious nucleic acid (RNA and DNA) construct constructed to express a recombinant antibody or antibody fragment in a host cell. The antibody molecule confers protection to the host against a pathogen, allergen or toxin. The host may be any animal including a human or a fish. More specifically, the antibody may be against viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a buoyancy control system, and in particular to a buoyancy control system for controlling the buoyancy of an underwater submersible. The buoyancy control system comprises a buoyancy chamber (5) having a seawater inlet (5A) and a seawater outlet (11A), a power supply(31) used to power at least one electrical component of the system, and a hydraulic system for pumping seawater from the chamber through the outlet. The hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic pump (28) and a pressure multiplier (34), the hydraulic pump for applying pressure to the pressure multiplier, and the pressure multiplier for increasing the pressure applied thereto by the hydraulic pump, and for applying the increased pressure to seawater from the chamber to thereby pump out the seawater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of sponge toxins, in particular polymeric 1,3-alkylpyridinium salts (poly-APS), for the reversible formation of membrane pores and a method for producing such pores.

Abstract: Apparatus for muscular stimulation of a user comprises a pressure sensor (2, 4), a control unit (6) to which pressure values sensed by the pressure sensor are fed, and a vibrational stimulator (8, 10) for applying vibrational stimulation. The vibrational stimulator is activated by the control unit in response to the pressure sensor sensing an applied pressure which exceeds a threshold-pressure value.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for reducing seepage through a leak (5) in a duct (1), the leak being defined in terms of its maximum dimension xL and its maximum width in an orthogonal direction yL and the effective size of the leak being given by formula (1): SL=(x2L+y2L)1/2. A plurality of sealing elements (3) are introduced into the duct, the sealing elements having dimensions a, b and c in mutually orthogonal directions and the effective size SE of the sealing element being given by formula (2): SE=(a2+b2+c2)1/2. The sealing elements have an effective size SE, which is less than the effective size of the leak SL, so that sealing elements (3A) are drawn to the leak locality and caused, by reason of a pressure differential at that locality and attributable to the leak, to move over the leak and reduce the seepage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for ascertaining characteristics relating to porosity and grain size in rock sample. Four illuminators A, B, C and D direct collimated illuminating beams to a point O at the centre of a sample 40 and have projections onto the plane of the surface of the sample 40 at points A1, B1, C1, and D1. Angles <AOA1, <BOB1, <COC1, and <DOD1 have the same value of 45°. A camera (41) located directly above the point (O) acquires four images as the illuminators are individually illuminated. A processing section receives the acquired image data on line (42) and, after filtering, a common point distribution is evaluated based on the common points in the light intensity distribution data of two pairs of images with opposite illumination directions is found (A & C, B & D). At the same time, an edge enhancing distribution is evaluated based on the opposing value points in the light intensity distribution data for the opposing directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dosage form for the treatment of bacterial, viral or fungal conditions which comprises, a pharmaceutically acceptable acidifying agent in an amount sufficient to reduce the pH at an environment of use to below pH4, and a pharmaceutically acceptable source of nitrite ions or a nitrate precursor therefor; wherein said acidifying agent and said source of nitrite ions or nitrate precursor are separately disposed in respective pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for admixture at the intended environment of use to release NO or NO2 ions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dosage form for the treatment of bacterial, viral or fungal conditions which comprises, a pharmaceutically acceptable acidifying agent in an amount sufficient to reduce the pH at an environment of use to below pH4, and a pharmaceutically acceptable source of nitrite ions or a nitrate precursor therefor; wherein said acidifying agent and said source of nitrite ions or nitrate precursor are separately disposed in respective pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for admixture at the intended environment of use to release NO or NO2 ions. The invention also provides delivery systems for the topical medicament.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dosage form for the treatment of bacterial, viral or fungal conditions which comprises, a pharmaceutically acceptable acidifying agent in an amount sufficient to reduce the pH at an environment of use to below pH4, and a pharmaceutically acceptable source of nitrite ions or a nitrate precursor therefor; wherein said acidifying agent and said source of nitrite ions or nitrate precursor are separately disposed in respective pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for admixture at the intended environment of use to release NO or NO2 ions.

Abstract: A ground anchorage testing arrangement having an impulse imparting apparatus connectable to a ground anchorage tendon (20) or element thereof to be tested, the impulse imparting apparatus comprising an attachment means (22) for attachment to the ground anchorage tendon (20), a movable mass (31), a guide (28, 34) for guiding movement of the mass in the direction substantially aligned with the axis 0 of the ground anchorage to be tested and a drive means for imparting a driving force to move the mass in said direction (not shown). A method of assessing the integrity of ground anchorages, the method comprising the steps of (a) imparting a load impulse to a ground anchorage tendon to be tested, (b) monitoring the vibrational response signal of the anchorage to the imparted load impulse, (c) conditioning the vibrational response signal and (d) applying the conditioned vibrational response signal to an artificial neural network.