Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the identification of anti-HIV miRNAs and anti-HIV pharmaceutical compounds using high-throughput screening methods, comprising: transfecting reporter cells with a panel of miRNAs, infecting the reporter cells with HIV, screening the cells to identify miRNAs that modulate HIV infection and identifying the specific pathways, nucleic acids and/or polypeptides that are targeted by the miRNAs. The invention further provides for the identification and screening of anti-HIV pharmaceutical compounds having known activity against the specific pathways, nucleic acids and/or polypeptides that are targeted by the miRNAs for efficacy in the treatment of HIV. The invention also provides for the use of miRNA mimics, miRNA inhibitors and pharmaceutical compounds (including oncology drugs and kinase inhibitors) in the treatment and/or prevention of HIV infection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a second generation, plant-produced synthetic Orbivirus candidate vaccine. The vaccine comprises a plant produced chimaeric Orbivirus virus like particle (VLP) comprising at least one structural protein from one Orbivirus serotype and at least one structural protein selected from another serotype of the Orbivirus, wherein both structural capsid proteins are from the same Orbivirus species. In particular the invention relates to a vaccine against an Orbivirus, a method of producing chimaeric Orbivirus virus-like particles (VLPs) for use in a method of prevention and/or treatment of an Orbivirus infection, the use of the chimaeric Orbivirus VLPs in the manufacture of a vaccine for an Orbivirus, and a method of preventing and/or treating an Orbivirus infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the identification of anti-HIV miRNAs and anti-HIV pharmaceutical compounds using high-throughput screening methods, comprising: transfecting reporter cells with a panel of miRNAs, infecting the reporter cells with HIV, screening the cells to identify miRNAs that modulate HIV infection and identifying the specific pathways, nucleic acids and/or polypeptides that are targeted by the miRNAs. The invention further provides for the identification and screening of anti-HIV pharmaceutical compounds having known activity against the specific pathways, nucleic acids and/or polypeptides that are targeted by the miRNAs for efficacy in the treatment of HIV. The invention also provides for the use of miRNA mimics, miRNA inhibitors and pharmaceutical compounds (including oncology drugs and kinase inhibitors) in the treatment and/or prevention of HIV infection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for processing signals in a signal processing system so as at least to ameliorate spurious signals generated in said signal processing system during processing of signals. The method, which is implemented by the system in accordance with the invention, typically comprises receiving a signal of unknown and arbitrary frequency within the operating frequency range of the signal processing system, wherein the input signal comprises at least a fundamental signal. The method then comprises generating, in one signal processing path, a compensation signal with same amplitude and phase as the spurious signal. The compensation signal is then subtracted from the received input signal or added out of phase to the received input signal, in another signal processing path.

Abstract: This invention relates to a single cell assay for determining the effect of chromosomal contact on the transcriptional activity of genes of interest in a cell and to methods of silencing gene expression in a cell by way of perturbing gene regulatory elements which are engaged in chromosomal contact.

Abstract: A process for producing a doped lithium manganese-oxide spinel material includes producing, by means of a solid-state reaction, a spinel precursor comprising lithium-manganese-oxide doped with nickel. The precursor is subjected to microwave treatment, to obtain a treated precursor. The treated precursor is annealed to obtain a nickel-doped lithium-manganese-oxide spinel material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for modulating the control of apoptosis, specifically for modulating the interaction between hnRNP-K and lincRNA-p21 to induce or prevent apoptosis in the cell.

Abstract: A laser apparatus has a gain medium which has opposite ends, wherein the laser apparatus includes at least two independently controllable excitation sources, each one of the excitation sources being operable to produce an input beam to excite or pump the gain medium. Beam splitting arrangements are associated with the excitation sources are configured to split the input beam of its associated excitation source into at least two sub-beams. Beam guiding arrangements are associated with the excitation sources and are configured to direct a path of at least one of the split sub-beams from its associated excitation source, whereby each excitation source, its associated beam splitting arrangement, and beam guiding arrangement are arranged such that the sub-beams are respectively directed inwardly towards the gain medium at opposite ends.

Abstract: A controllable laser amplifier apparatus includes a gain medium and a seed laser emitter configured to generate a seed laser beam, the seed laser emitter directed toward the gain medium. The apparatus has at least two pump laser emitters configured to generate respective pump laser beams, wherein the pump laser emitters are adjustable such that respective intensities of the pump laser beams are adjustable relative to one another and/or relative to the seed laser pump, wherein the pump laser emitters are arranged such that at least one of the pump laser beams is laterally offset relative to the seed laser beam, and wherein the pump laser beams are configured to effect a gain profile in the gain medium. An output laser beam from the gain medium is a function of at least the gain profile and the seed laser beam.

Abstract: A method of deriving a conclusion of the condition of slurry flow in a non-vertical conduit includes artificially generating a first locally heated spot on an interior surface of the conduit at the invert of the conduit and artificially generating a second locally heated spot on the interior surface of the conduit at a location angularly spaced from the first heated spot at an angular spacing of at least 90°. The temperatures of the heated spots are measured, obtaining first and second temperature values T1, T2. Electronically generated signals carrying the values T1, T2 are communicated to an electronic computing device. The computing device automatically calculates a first temperature difference T1 minus T2 and automatically derives a conclusion of the condition of slurry flow prevailing in the conduit based on the relationship between the value of the first temperature difference and a first reference parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, method and system for measuring and optionally detecting an electrical discharge having a discharge magnitude, wherein the electrical discharge causes a corresponding emission of optical radiation. The apparatus embodies the system and method in accordance with the invention, wherein the method comprises measuring electrical discharge by firstly storing pre-determined calibration data comprising calibrated quantitative measurement values associated with magnitudes of electrical discharge and detector parameters corresponding thereto, the detector parameters being operating parameters associated with the optical detector, receiving and processing a particular detector parameter with the stored calibration data to detect an electrical discharge, and determine a quantitative measurement associated with the magnitude of the detected electrical discharge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for modulating the production of ELR+ proinflammatory chemokines in a subject or a cell using either UMLILO IncRNA inhibitors to decrease production of ELR+ proinflammatory cytokines or using UMLILO IncRNA's to increase the production of ELR+ proinflammatory cytokines. The invention also provides for the use of UMLILO IncRNA inhibitors or UMLILO IncRNA's to modulate the expression of ERL+ proinflammatory cytokines.

Abstract: A process for producing a lithium-manganese-nickel oxide spinel material includes maintaining a solution comprising a dissolved lithium compound, a dissolved manganese compound, a dissolved nickel compound, a hydroxycarboxylic acid, a polyhydroxy alcohol, and, optionally, an additional metallic compound, at an elevated temperature T1, where T1 is below the boiling point of the solution, until the solution gels. The gel is maintained at an elevated temperature until it ignites and burns to form a Li—Mn—Ni—O powder. The Li—Mn—Ni—O powder is calcined to burn off carbon and/or other impurities present in the powder. The resultant calcined powder is optionally subjected 1 to microwave treatment, to obtain a treated powder, which is annealed to crystallize the powder. The resultant annealed material is optionally subjected to microwave treatment. At least one of the microwave treatments is carried out. The lithium-manganese-nickel oxide spinel material is thereby obtained.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an artifact (15) includes treating natural fibers (110) with a non-halogenated flame retardant agent (120), the fibers (110) also being treated with a smoke suppressant (120). At least one pre-preg is formed (170, 180) from the treated natural fibers and from a resin composition (160) including a smoke suppressant (150) admixed therein (160). An uncured artifact is formed from a core or substrate (12) and the pre-preg, which provides a skin, and is cured (210). A non-fibrous silicate fire resistant material (190, 230) is introduced by: (i) admixing the fire resistant material with the resin composition, and/or (ii) applying the fire resistant material to an outer surface of the pre-preg or an outer surface of the skin of the uncured artifact, and/or (iii) applying the fire resistant material to an outer surface of the skin of the cured artifact. The invention extends to a flame-proofed artifact (15).

Abstract: A system for monitoring the condition of elongate structural elements, for example, railway rails, and a method of designing and manufacturing the system is disclosed. The method includes identifying and selecting suitable modes of propagation and signal frequencies that can be expected to travel large distances through an elongate structural element; designing a transducer that will excite the selected mode at the selected frequency; numerically modelling the transducer as attached to the elongate structural element; validating the transducer design by analyzing a harmonic response of the selected mode of propagation to excitation by the transducer, and manufacturing one or more transducers for use in the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous ABPBI (phosphoric acid doped poly (2, 5-benzimidazole)) membrane and process of preparing the same. A stable porous ABPBI (Phosphoric Acid Doped Poly (2, 5-benzimidazole)) membrane stable to acids, bases, solvents and autoclaving is disclosed. The membrane finds use for separation of solutes in solution in acids, bases and solvents.

Abstract: A field effect transistor comprising a source including a plurality of electrode projections with spaces in between. A drain includes a plurality of electrode projections each located in one of the spaces between the electrode projections of the source thereby forming a drain-source electrode connection area of alternating drain and source projections. A gate is spaced apart from the drain-source electrode area thereby forming a channel between the gate and the drain-source electrode connection area wherein the gate runs parallel to the channel. A plurality of nano-structures is located in the drain-source electrode area thereby to form an electrical connection between the electrode projections of the drain and source in the drain-source electrode connection area. The invention extends to a gas detector including a plurality of field effect transistors as described above located on a substrate.

Abstract: A process for producing a layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide material, includes producing a raw layered lithium-manganese-nickel-cobalt oxide (‘LMNC’) material. Optionally, a dopant capable of enhancing the performance of the layered LMNC material when used as a cathode material in an electrochemical cell, is introduced during the production of the raw LMNC material. Before any annealing of the raw LMNC material is effected, it is subjected to microwave treatment. The resultant treated material is annealed to obtain the layered LMNC material.

Abstract: A liquid flame retardant composition is in the form of an admixture which includes a phosphate-based flame retardant, ammonium hydroxide and zinc borate. The invention extends to a method of providing a phosphate-based liquid flame retardant composition, to the use of a phosphate-based flame retardant, ammonium hydroxide and a zinc borate in the manufacture of a liquid flame retardant composition, to a cellulosic material treated with the liquid flame retardant composition and to a method of inhibiting strength loss in a cellulosic material when the cellulosic material is exposed to heat.

Abstract: Laser apparatus includes an output coupler, a gain medium for generating laser light, a rear optical element, and an input coupler. The input coupler is arranged to direct a pump beam to the gain medium and to define an optical path between the output coupler and the rear optical element. The rear optical element is a spatial light modulator arranged to act as an intra-cavity digital holographic mirror which can be digitally addressed. The spatial light modulator displays selectively a gray-scale image of a hologram thereby to phase-modulate laser light in the cavity, thus making it possible to generate an output laser beam having a desired characteristic. The apparatus includes a computer arranged to generate at least one hologram corresponding to a desired output beam characteristic, and a driver circuit responsive to an output from the computer to generate a corresponding gray-scale image of the hologram on the spatial light modulator.