Abstract: The invention relates to an MRI apparatus and a method of MRI involving the acquisition of a first and a second MRI image with mutually different orientations between the BO magnetic field and the object to be investigated. For instance, when imaging structures such as a tendon, due to the magic angle effect, this results in a change in image contrast. According to the invention, a coregistration can be performed between the first and the second MRI image. Moreover, the orientation of a structure within the object can be determined on the basis of the different orientations and the image intensity in the first and the second MRI image. The invention further discloses an apparatus for carrying out the method and a method of shimming the BO magnetic field of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device and a method thereof for determining a hemodynamic state of an individual from a magnitude of a perfusion signal or a signal which is a measure of a volume of blood in the thoracic cavity of the individual, wherein the control device is configured to receive a first signal and a heart rate signal, divide the first signal into frames, wherein a frame length is determined from an oscillation period of the heart rate signal, and determine a magnitude of the first signal from at least two frames, so as to obtain a more reliable magnitude of the first signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring activation in a heart comprises a probe 101, a plurality of electrodes 102 supported on the probe and extending over a detection area of the probe, the detection area being arranged to contact a detection region of the heart. Each of the electrodes 102 is arranged to detect electrical potential at a respective position in the heart during movement of a series of activation wave fronts across the detection region. A processor is arranged to analyse the detected electrical potentials to identify a propagation direction of at least one of the wave fronts, and to generate an output indicative of that direction.

Abstract: A method of identifying a subject having a bacterial infection, which includes discriminating said subject from a subject having a viral infection or an inflammatory disease. Also provided is a gene signature employed in the method and to a bespoke gene chip for use in the method. Further provided are probes and/or primers specific to genes in a signature of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method of supporting a body part (16), comprising providing a device (100) comprising: a first portion (105) configured to support a body part, wherein, in use, the body part applies a first pressure to the first portion in a first direction; means for detecting the first pressure; and a second portion (115) having means (212) for applying a second pressure to the body part in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; detecting the first pressure; determining the second pressure based on a user parameter; and applying the second pressure to the body part in the second direction at a pre-determined ratio relative to the first pressure using said means for applying the second pressure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the prediction of physiological parameters, such as glucose levels. A training input is received, the training input comprising time-series values of a physiological parameter and time-series values of one or more further parameters. Training examples are generated form the training input, wherein each training example comprises a training dataset and a corresponding training label, wherein each training dataset is generated from the training input with time-series values restricted to a time interval, and wherein each corresponding training label represents the value of the physiological parameter a prediction period after the end of that time interval. A neural network is then trained using the training examples.

Abstract: A communication system for conveying information from an information source across a communications channel using a joint source channel coding autoencoder, comprising: an encoder neural network of the joint source channel coding autoencoder, the encoder neural network having: an input layer having input nodes corresponding to a sequence of source symbols Sm={S1, S2, . . . , Sm}, the Si, taking values in an alphabet S, received at the input layer from the information source as samples thereof, and a channel input layer coupled to the input layer through one or more neural network layers, the channel input layer having nodes usable to provide values for the Xi, of a channel input vector Xn={X1, X2, . . .

Abstract: A communication system for conveying information from an information source across a communications channel using a joint source channel coding variational autoencoder, comprising an encoder neural network of the joint source channel coding variational autoencoder, the encoder neural network having an input layer having input nodes corresponding to a sequence of source symbols S={S1, S2, . . . , Sm}, the Si, taking values in a finite alphabet S, received at the input layer from the information source as samples thereof, and a channel input layer coupled to the input layer through one or more neural network layers, the channel input layer having nodes corresponding to a channel input distribution vector Zk={Z1, Z2, . . . , ZK}, the Zi, taking values for parameters defining a plurality of distributions, each distribution being sampleable to provide possible values for the Xi, of a channel input vector Xn={X1, X2, . . .

Abstract: A sensor device comprising one or more sensors configured to measure data, a controller and memory. The controller comprises an arithmetic-logic unit “ALU”. The controller is configured to cause the ALU to carry out computations for implementing an artificial neural network “ANN” comprising a network of interconnected nodes. The memory is coupled to the ALU, and is configured to store integers representing weights associated with interconnects between the nodes. The controller is operable to implement the ANN to: receive data measured by the one or more sensors; and determine a classification of the data based on the network of interconnected nodes and the weights associated with the interconnects.

Abstract: The invention generally features compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of neoplasia in a subject, as well as methods of treatment selection.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal fabric or membrane, the method comprises providing an ink comprising a plurality of semiconductor particles disposed in a first solvent. The method comprises applying the ink to a fabric or membrane to obtain a fabric or membrane comprising a plurality of semiconductor particles. Finally, the method comprises contacting the fabric or membrane comprising the plurality of semiconductor particles with a deposition solution comprising a second solvent, an autocatalytic agent, and metal cations to thereby cause a reaction to occur such that the metal cations are reduced and at least partially displace the semiconductor particles, to thereby provide a metal fabric or membrane.

Abstract: An aerial device (100) capable of controlled flight has a body (110), a rotor (120) arranged to rotate relative to the body; and a deployable sheet (130), the sheet having an undeployed configuration in which the sheet is folded against the body and a deployed configuration in which the sheet is at least partially unfolded away from the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for predicting risk of cervical shortening, methods for predicting risk of preterm labour (PTL), and methods for characterising a pregnant subject having a history of previous PTL, mid-trimester loss or cervical cone biopsy as being in need of surveillance and/or intervention to prevent preterm labour, comprising determining the expression level of one or more of the miRNA molecules identified in Table 1 or Table 2 extracted from a biological sample obtained from said subject and comparing to a control value. Biochips and kits for use in carrying out the methods of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Examples described herein relate to mapping a space using a multi-directional camera. This mapping may be performed with a robotic device comprising a monocular multi-directional camera device and at least one movement actuator. The mapping may generate an occupancy map to determine navigable portions of the space. A robotic device movement around a point in a plane of movement may be instructed using the at least one movement actuator. Using the monocular multi-directional camera device, a sequence of images are obtained (610) at different angular positions during the instructed movement. Pose data is determined (620) from the sequence of images. The pose data is determined using features detected within the sequence of images. Depth values are then estimated (630) by evaluating a volumetric function of the sequence of images and the pose data. The depth values are processed (640) to populate the occupancy map for the space.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for predicting risk of cervical shortening, methods for predicting risk of preterm labour (PTL), and methods for characterising a pregnant subject having a history of previous PTL, mid-trimester loss or cervical cone biopsy as being in need of surveillance and/or intervention to prevent preterm labour, comprising determining the expression level of one or more of the miRNA molecules identified in Table 1 or Table 2 extracted from a biological sample obtained from said subject and comparing to a control value. Biochips and kits for use in carrying out the methods of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method useful for determining the voltage of biological tissues and therefore to detect whether such tissues are cancerous.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MRI apparatus and a method of MRI involving the acquisition of a first and a second MRI image with mutually different orientations between the BO magnetic field and the object to be investigated. For instance, when imaging structures such as a tendon, due to the magic angle effect, this results in a change in image contrast. According to the invention, a coregistration can be performed between the first and the second MRI image. Moreover, the orientation of a structure within the object can be determined on the basis of the different orientations and the image intensity in the first and the second MRI image. The invention further discloses an apparatus for carrying out the method and a method of shimming the BO magnetic field of the apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to Natural Killer (NK) cell populations, to methods of producing the same and therapeutic applications thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to the expansion of NK cells by increasing the expression of specific transcription factors associated with NK cell production.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for detecting the presence or absence of a bacterium resistant to a cyclic cationic polypeptide antibiotic, comprising: (a) subjecting a test sample to mass spectrometry analysis and generating a mass spectrum output; wherein said test sample comprises a bacterial membrane or a fragment thereof, wherein the fragment comprises a non-Lipid A component; (b) identifying in said mass spectrum output a first defined peak indicative of the presence of Lipid A modified by phosphoethanolamine, wherein said first defined peak is a peak present in a mass spectrum output for Lipid A modified by phospho-ethanolamine and wherein said first defined peak is absent from a corresponding mass spectrum output for native Lipid A; and (c) wherein the presence of said first defined peak indicates the presence of a bacterium resistant to a cyclic cationic polypeptide antibiotic, and wherein the absence of said first defined peak indicates the absence of a bacterium resistant to a cyclic

Abstract: A morphing skin for an air vehicle structure, the skin being formed by a composite material which includes: a multiplicity of fibers, a matrix incorporating the fibers, and a thermo-sensitive material, such as a thermo-plastic. The thermo-sensitive material can be reversibly transitionable in response to a change in temperature, between (i) an ambient temperature mode in which the thermo-sensitive material is capable of transferring loads in the composite material, and (ii) a heated mode in which the ability of the thermo-sensitive material to transfer the loads is reduced. This can allow the stiffness of the skin to be temporarily reduced to enable the skin to be morphed into a different shape.