Abstract: The present application relates to comb frequency generator devices generally and more particularly to the use of comb generators for use in fibre optic communications. More particularly, the application provides a frequency comb generator device. The device comprises a laser (30), a biasing circuit for providing a DC bias current (26), an RF circuit (22) providing a RF signal and a drive circuit (28) for combining the RF signal with the DC bias current to provide a drive current to the laser (30). With the DC bias current below threshold of the laser diode and RF bias with a frequence close to the relaxation ascillation frequency of the laser diode, a periodic pulse train is emitted with constant phase.

Abstract: A particle capture system that can be used in the context of a lab-on-a-chip platform for particle- and cell-based assays is described. The system comprises a capture chamber comprising a plurality of capture sites, the capture sites defining a capture area configured to receive individual particles travelling within the capture chamber. By rotating the chamber, the individual particles are biased towards the capture sites where they may be captured.

Abstract: A translation system for translating source text from a first language to target text in a second language. The system comprises a translation memory (TM) module that stores translation segments. The TM module is operable to generate a TM target text output in response to source text. A statistical translation machine (SMT) module is configured to generate translations on the basis of statistical models whose parameters are derived from the analysis of bilingual text corpora. The SMT module is operable to generate a SMT target text output in response to source text. An extractor is configured to extract features from the TM target text output and the SMT target text output. A vector generator is configured to generate a vector with a unified feature set derived from the extracted features and features associated with the SMT module and the TM module. A recommender is operable to read the vector and determine whether the TM target text output or the SMT target text output is optimum for post editing.

Abstract: A system is provided for locating data in a distributed data environment, in which at least two users share a common data requirement. The environment comprises a plurality of network-connected data terminals. The system comprises at least one of the network-connected data terminals, which includes means for each of the at least two users to submit a data locating query, means for each of the at least two users to receive a query result, means for each of the at least two users to input respective relevance feedback data in response to the received query result, means for combining the respective relevance feedback data in real time, and means for processing data locating queries with the combined respective relevance feedback data. A method is also provided for locating data in the distributed data environment.

Abstract: Analysis tools for use in analytical separations are provided including a stationary phase comprising an electroconducting material, for example, a conducting polymer. There is further provided a method for manufacturing monolithic stationary phases in various formats including in chip-format, column or capillary column format and method of separation using stationary phases. Also provided is a method for analytical separation comprising selective manipulation of the stationary phase making it is possible to tune the device to specific applications.

Abstract: A sequential flow analysis tool comprising a microti iridic device having a fluid path defined within a substrate between an input and an output is described. The device includes a capture chamber provided within but offset from the fluid path, the capture chamber extending into the substrate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fluid path such that operably particles provided within a fluid flowing within the fluid path will preferentially collect within the capture chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to ionic liquid (ILs) solvents for chemical synthesis based on an alkyl-imidazolium cation core containing ionic liquids which have enhanced biodegradability and reduced toxicity relative to existing imidazolium bases ILs such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (bmmim) salts. Many of the described ILs produce a score of over 60% biodegradability over 28 days in a biodegradability test such as the Sturm Test, the Closed Bottle Test (OECD 301D) or the CO2 Headspace Test (ISO 14593). The ILs of the invention comprise an alkyl substituted imidazolium cationic core having a —C?OX— side chain in the 3-position of the imidazole ring, wherein X?O, NH, N or S and an associated counteranion characterized in that the —C?OX side chain comprises at least one ether linkage. The biodegradable and non-toxic IL may be used as green solvents for the chemical, pharmaceutical, biofuel and biomass industries. The ILs of the invention are particularly useful in hydrogenation, pericyclic and metathesis reactions.

Abstract: A method of processing a 3-dimensional Computed Tomography Colonography data set to remove tagged material is disclosed. The method involves the preliminary processing step of classifying voxels in the data set as corresponding to air, tagged material or colon tissue. Methods of overcoming erroneous classification of Partial Volume air/tagged material interface voxels are disclosed. The present invention also provides for methods of circumventing problems resulting from removal of tagged material from a CTC data set, which can result in the erosion of soft-tissue structures partially covered by tagged colonic fluid.

Abstract: A system for analysing plasma. The system comprises at least one sensor which is co-operable with a plasma source for providing an analog signal representative of a characteristic of plasma from the plasma source, and a sound card installed on a computing means in communication with the sensor for converting the analog signal into a digital signal for facilitating digital processing thereof.

Abstract: A plasma source is described. The source includes a reactive impedance element formed from a plurality of electrodes. By providing such a plurality of electrodes and powering adjacent electrodes out of phase with one another, it is possible to improve the characteristics of the plasma generated.

Abstract: A method of generating and isolating a recombinant high affinity anti-sialic acid antibody molecule comprises the steps of immunising a host with an immunogen comprising a conjugate of sialic acid and a carrier protein to generate an anti-sialic acid polyclonal serum, isolating a sample of RNA from the immunised avian host, and generating and screening of a library of recombinant antibody molecules from the RNA sample, and isolating a recombinant high affinity anti-sialic acid antibody molecule. The antibody molecule is selected from the group consisting of: whole antibodies; scFv fragments; and Fab fragments, and the host is Gallus domesticus. A recombinant avian antibody fragment having high binding affinity to sialic acid and obtainable by the method of the invention, and an anti-sialic acid polyclonal serum obtainable by immunising an avian host with a conjugate of sialic acid and carrier protein, are also described.

Abstract: A power splitter and/or combiner is described. The power splitter may be provided as a broadband, passive, divide by N power splitter that may be advantageously employed in providing power to multiple electrodes within a plasma source. The power splitter comprises a transmission line and a plurality of N secondary windings arranged about the transmission lines.

Abstract: A method of performing IBE cryptography comprising the steps of a key generation server transmitting a master public key to a processor, the processor generating or retrieving a fresh master public key derived from the master public key transmitted by the key generation centre, and the processor using the fresh master public key to generate a public key for transmitting a message to a recipient device having a corresponding private key. The processor may store the fresh master public key in a read only memory for repeated use or it may dynamically generate it. To dynamically generate the fresh master public key the processor multiplies the original master public key by a curve co-factor. The processor may be incorporated into a hand-held card, and it may transfer information to a linked second processor for performing some of the calculations.

Abstract: A milk analysis apparatus for detecting mastitis in a milk sample by isolating somatic cells in the form of a pellet using centrifugal sedimentation is described. The apparatus comprises a vessel for holding the milk sample, and a centrifuge for rotating the vessel. The vessel includes an inlet for facilitating charging milk into a body portion of the vessel; and a trap for capturing somatic cells suspended in the milk sample. The somatic cells are biased towards the trap upon rotation of the vessel.

Abstract: A photoresponsive ionogel comprising a photo-responsive polymer polymerised within an ionic liquid matrix is described. This solid-state electrolyte material maintains its ionic liquid characteristics but these characteristics can be altered upon irradiation of the gel with light of a particular wavelength. By suitably configuring the ionogel through the incorporation of specific ions within the gel it is possible to cause dramatic changes in properties of the ionogel such as viscosity, conductivity, acidity, basicity and polarity using light as the stimulus.

Abstract: A method of producing a recombinant biological product, which method employs a mammalian producer cell culture, comprises the steps of generating a biomass of mammalian producer during an initial phase of cell culture, and causing an increase in a level of one or more of the miRNA molecules of Table 1 within the mammalian producer cells once a desired concentration of mammalian producer cells has been achieved. The method may also comprise the step of increasing a level of an inhibitor of one or more of the miRNA molecules of Table 1 within the mammalian producer cells at the start of or during an initial phase of culture.

Abstract: An analyte sensor is described. The sensor employs a single sensor element which provides a plurality of phase outputs in response to excitation by a modulated excitation source. The plurality of phase outputs may be analysed to provide information on the presence of one or more analytes.

Abstract: This present disclosure provides an optical chip for fluorescence detection. The optical chip has one or more parabolic optical elements that capture and collimate the fluorescent light and direct it onto a detector. The optical chip may be constructed of a polymer and made using injection molding techniques.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a substrate having nanoparticles of a conducting polymer such as polyanaline printed thereon. Also described is a printing composition for printing onto a substrate, the composition comprising nanoparticles of a conducting polymer such as polyanaline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for indexing and retrieving multimedia data. In particular the invention provides a method of comparing at least two sets of multimedia data using shape information in order to provides a dissimilarity measure between the sets. The invention finds use in retrieving images or parts of sequences based on their content in image and video sequence databases.