Abstract: Contact lenses and methods for preventing or slowing progression of myopia are described. The contact lenses include a vision correction area and a myopic defocus area. Various examples of the contact lenses are described. Methods include providing the present contact lenses, or applying one or more of the contact lenses to an eye or eyes of a person. The contact lenses and methods are particularly useful in children.

Abstract: 1. A composition, in one or more parts, for the treatment of gastric and/or duodenal H. pylori infections, the composition including effective amounts of: (a) a proton pump inhibitor in a systemically available dosage form; (b) a mucolytic preparation; (c) a proton pump inhibitor in a gastrically available dosage form; and (d) a fatty acid and/or monoglyceride.

Abstract: A resonant converter is provided which may be used for supplying power to the primary conductive path of an inductively coupled power transfer (ICPT) system. The converter includes a variable reactive element in the resonant circuit which may be controlled to vary the effective inductance or capacitance of the reactive element. The frequency of the converter is stabilised to a nominal value by sensing the frequency of the converter resonant circuit, comparing the sensed frequency with a nominal frequency and varying the effective inductance or capacitance of the variable reactive element to adjust the converter frequency toward the nominal frequency.

Abstract: This invention features a method for treating a bone condition in a patient, e.g., a mammal, a human, a horse, a dog, or a cat. The method includes administering an effective amount of FGF-8, FGF-8 analog, or a FGF-8 agonist to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of c-9, t-11 CLA or a salt, ester or precursor thereof or CLA-enriched milk fat comprising milk fat enriched with c-9, t-11 CLA or a salt, ester or precursor thereof for treating or preventing conditions such as those associated with one or more of leukocyte infiltration, eosinophilia, IgE secretion, airway remodelling, bronchoconstriction and mucus hypersecretion. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising CLA-enriched milk fat.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of student assessment comprising the steps of analysing a curriculum into one or more curriculum functions; for one or more students storing a student profile in computer memory; storing in computer memory one or more test items for the curriculum comprising a test question and at least one curriculum function indicator, wherein each test question is calibrated to assess performance in at least one curriculum function of the curriculum and the curriculum function indicator represents the at least one curriculum functions assessed by the test question; obtaining from a user a test specification comprising one or more curriculum function indicators; generating a test comprising one or more question items selected and retrieved from data memory in accordance with the test specification; administering the test to one or more of the students; for each student that took the test determining one or more scores for each question item in the test; storing each score in the relevant stud

Abstract: The present invention concerns certain hydrolytic thalidomide metabolites, combinations thereof with other anti-neoplastic compounds and their use in the treatment of solid tumours.

Abstract: Novel peptides, nucleic acids encoding them, and derivatives of the peptides are described. The peptides and nucleic acids are of use in modulating ?4 integrin function and in treating ?4 integrin-mediated inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling one or more operating unites in an inductive power transfer (IPT) system. Each operating unit includes a pick-up coil that takes power from a primary conductor or track over an air gap. The operating unit is controlled by frequency modulating the primary conductor power supply to send a control instruction which is decoded by the operating unit. The instruction is decoded by generating a signal using a local oscillator in the operating unit and using the signal to detect changes in the frequency of the current in the primary conductor. Such a system can be used, for example, to control inductively powered road-studs that include a light source for controlling traffic on a roadway. A narrow band modulated data transmission system and method for controlling an operating unit are also provided.

Abstract: An optical fibre switch (10) includes an optical fibre conduit (12). A transducer (16) is carried on the conduit (12), the transducer (16) converting input energy of one form into mechanical energy so that the application of an external stimulus causes a change in condition of the transducer (16) which imparts that change in condition to the conduit (12). An input energy applying arrangement (20) is arranged on the transducer (16) for applying the external stimulus.

Abstract: A method of determining the location in time of maxima and/or minima of an oscillatory signal. The method may have application to measurement of biological signals, in particular measurement of heart rate from a pulsatile blood signal. The method includes a first stage including the steps of observation over a measurement period, identifying large local maxima or minima and computing an average interval between the identified local maxima or minima. One or more exclusion periods are located in time in the oscillatory signal, having a duration dependent on the average interval, the exclusion periods used to reject false maxima or minima. Maxima or minima may also be detected as an absolute maximum or minimum between crossing points of a fast and a slow moving average of the oscillatory signal. An exclusion period may also be used to reject false maxima or minima when crossing points are used. Apparatus for performing the method is also claimed.

Abstract: A method of slowing the progression of myopia in a person, comprises applying to the eye of the person contact lens or lenses each including a vision correction area for correcting in use the myopic vision of a wearer, and a myopic defocus area having a less negative focal power, to simultaneously present a controlled myopic defocus to the retina both when viewing in the distance and also when viewing at near. Contact lenses and their use are also claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of an anti-cancer effect in a warm-blooded animal such as a human, which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) wherein X represents at any available ring position —CONH—, —SO2NH—, —O—, —CH2—, NHCO— or —NHSO2—; R represents a lower C1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with one or more groups including hydroxyl, amino and N-oxides therefrom or dialkylamino and N-oxides therefrom; Y represents at any available ring position —N-aziridinyl, —N(CH2CH2W)2 or —N(CH2CHMeW)2, where each W is independently selected from halogen or —OS02Me; Z represents at any available ring position —NO2, -halogen, —CN, —CF3, or —SO2Me; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, before, after or simultaneously with an effective amount of docetaxel.

Abstract: A method for promoting bone growth in a patient (e.g., a mammal such as a human) said method including the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of adrenomedullin or an adrenomedullin agonist to said patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inductively powered sensor system having a primary conductive path capable of being energized to provide an electromagnetic field in a defined space. An inductive power pick-up is associated with a sensor and is capable of receiving power from the field to supply the sensor. The system includes a first sensing unit to sense the power available to the pick-up and a control unit to increase or decrease the power available to the sensor dependant on the sensed power available. A method of inductively powering a sensor, an inductively powered sensor and an animal enclosure including one or more primary conductive path of an inductive power supply are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA-targeted 1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxides and related analogues, to their preparation, and to their use as hypoxia-selective drugs and radiosensitizers for cancer therapy, both alone or in combination with radiation and/or other anticancer drugs.

Abstract: Methods for increasing osteoblast proliferation with N-terminal fragments of preptin are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention provides processes of preparing 3-substituted 1-(chloromethyl)- 1,2-dihydro-3H-[ring fused indol-5-yl(amine-derived)] compounds of formula (I) and its analogues, or a physiologically functional derivative thereof, (I), wherein A and B together may represent a fused optionally substituted benezene, naphthalene, pyridine, furan or a pyrrole ring, where the optional substituents are represented by Y; X is halogen or OSO2R, and W is selected from NO2, NHOH, N(R3)2NHR3, NHCO2R3, N(phthaloyl) or NH2, or W is further selected from the group (a), wherein J is selected from OH or H, and P is a group which is a substrate suitable for a nitroreductase or carboxypeptidase enzyme. The invention is also directed to the use of compounds of formula (I) prepared by the processes of the invention as cytotoxins for cancer therapy and as prodrugs for gene-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy (GDEPT) and antibody-directed enzyme-prodrug theraphy (ADEPT).

Abstract: A pick-up is provided for an Inductively Coupled Power Transfer (ICPT) system having a parallel tuned resonant pick-up circuit. The pick-up has a plurality of independently controllable power supply outputs. This allows a first output to supply a high voltage load (e.g. 300V-550V) and one or more additional outputs for supplying other loads such as control circuitry which may only require 24V. The one or more additional outputs may be supplied via a current transformer connected in series with the resonant pick-up circuit. Control for each output may be achieved by partially or completely decoupling the pick-up from a primary conductive path of the ICPT system.

Abstract: A power pick-up for an Inductively Coupled Power Transfer (ICPT) system is provided having a resonant pick up circuit. The natural frequency of the pick-up circuit may be varied by controlling the conductance or capacitance of a variable reactive in the resonant circuit. The load being supplied by the pick-up circuit is sensed, and the effective capacitance or inductance of the variable reactive component is controlled to vary the natural resonant frequency of the pick-up circuit to thereby control the power flow into the pick-up to satisfy the power required by the load.