Abstract: A method of generating a model of a cardiac surface having a plurality of images representing electrogram voltages for a plurality of measured points within a heart comprises measuring an electrogram voltage at a plurality of points within a heart, generating a first model of a cardiac surface of the heart, generating an image representing each electrogram voltage, each image having a characteristic representative of the electrogram voltage, and generating a further model of a cardiac surface. The images representing the electrogram voltages protrude from the further model of the cardiac surface at points on the further model corresponding to the points at which the electrogram voltages were measured. There is also disclosed an apparatus for generating a model of a cardiac surface.

Abstract: A method of patterning a thin film, comprising: depositing an intermediate, radiation sensitive, layer on a substrate; depositing the thin film on the intermediate layer, before or after deposition of the thin film: exposing the intermediate layer to patterned radiation in order to initiate a chemical reaction therein; and removing patterned radiation-defined parts of the intermediate layer and corresponding thin film, to leave patterned thin film and patterned intermediate layer on the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the synthesis of a polycarbonate, the process comprising the step of reacting carbon dioxide with at least one epoxide in the presence of a catalyst of formula (I) and a chain transfer agent. The invention also provides a polymerisation system for the copolymerisation of carbon dioxide and at least one epoxide comprising a catalyst of formula (I) and a chain transfer agent, polycarbonates produced by the inventive process, a block copolymer comprising a polycarbonate produced by the inventive process and a method of producing the same. The invention also relates to novel catalysts of formula (III).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the synthesis of conducting polymer films by vapor phase polymerization. The invention relates particularly to the synthesis of polymerized thiophene films, for example poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films.

Abstract: Peptide containing sequence from both the GLP-1 peptide and glucagon peptide, compositions comprising said peptides and methods of using said peptides for the treatment and prevention of metabolic disorders, for example disorders of energy metabolism such as obesity or diabetes, are provided

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces a substantially non-dispersive ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These non-dispersive pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.

Abstract: A bacterial spore comprising a modified prkC protein, wherein the extracellular domain of the modified prkC protein binds an agent which is not bound by the extracellular domain of the wild-type prkC protein, and wherein the agent is a germinant that stimulates germination of the bacterial spore, or a bacterial spore comprising a modified gerA protein, wherein the gerA protein has been modified such that the spore undergoes germination in the presence of a germinant which does not stimulate germination of a bacterial spore comprising wild-type gerA protein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces a substantially non-dispersive ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These non-dispersive pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.

Abstract: A light-absorbing device and method employ a series of photon-absorbing semiconductor substructures. A first semiconductor substructure provides first and second energy states. A difference between the first and second states being such as to cause an electron to be promoted from the first state to the second state upon absorption of a photon of a first energy. A second semiconductor substructure provides third and fourth energy states. The third state is arranged to receive the electron from the second state. A difference between the third and fourth states being such as to cause the electron to be promoted from the third state to the fourth state upon absorption of a subsequent photon of a second energy. The third state has a lower energy than the second state, such as to cause the electron to dissipate energy as it passes from the second state to the third state.

Abstract: Apparatus for Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS) comprising a master device, a slave device, a detector for detecting a parameter of or associated with the slave device, and a shape locking system for locking the shape of the master device in response to a parameter detected by the detector.

Abstract: A variable-geometry suspension apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus having a resiliently compressible member, such as a coil-over damper, an actuator and support structure, such as a chassis of a vehicle. The resiliently compressible member is mounted to the support structure for compression under the weight of a mass suspendable by the apparatus. The compressible member is mounted with at least one end of the compressible member displaceable in a displacement direction having a component perpendicular to the direction of compression, so that such displacement varies the geometry of the suspension apparatus and thereby varies the compression of the compressible member. The actuator is arranged for displacing the end of the compressible member in the displacement direction to vary the geometry and thereby vary the compression. Applications include motor vehicles such as cars and motorcycles.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising at least two stacked fuel cell boards (22) which each comprise a membrane of substantially gas impervious electrolyte material and at least two electrode pairs wherein the anode and cathode of each said electrode pair are arranged on respective faces of said membrane. An electrode of each pair of electrodes is connected to an electrode of an adjacent pair of electrodes by a through-membrane connection (13) or by an external connection on a Printed Circuit Board, comprising an electrically conductive region of said electrolyte material. A method for forming the through-membrane electrical connections in the electrolyte membrane is also disclosed.

Abstract: A turbine wheel for low-pressure ratio applications is disclosed. The ratio of the outlet area of the wheel (A2) to the inlet area of the wheel (A1) is less than approximately 0.4. In an embodiment, the wheel is a radial or mixed-flow wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces a substantially non-dispersive ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These non-dispersive pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.

Abstract: A surgical device (2) having a distal end and a proximal end, and comprising a delivery portion (12) extending from the proximal end and comprising first and second instrument delivery channels, an active portion (4,8) at a distal portion of the device and a plug (10) having a proximal end and a distal end, and engageable with the delivery portion at its proximal end, and with the active portion at its distal end, the plug comprising first and second plug channels (82) each defining a curved path, such that the plug channels diverge from one another towards the distal end of the plug wherein when the plug is engaged with the delivery portion the first plug channel and the first instrument delivery channel form a first instrument channel and the second plug channel and the second instrument delivery channel form a second instrument channel.

Abstract: A method to aid in the exploration, mine design, evaluation and/or extraction of metalliferous mineral and/or diamond deposits in a subsurface, the method comprising: providing three-dimensional seismic data acquired in a seismic survey of the subsurface; providing an initial model of the subsurface; performing wavefield tomography at least partly as a function of at least one property of the subsurface in three-dimensions using the initial model and the seismic data to generate an updated model; and determining an estimate of the at least one property of the subsurface from the updated model.

Abstract: A method of measuring Gadd45? expression comprising the step of measuring Gadd45? expression levels in a sample of cells, for example CD 138 expressing cells, obtained from a subject known to have or suspected of having a haematological malignancy. Expression levels may be used in diagnosis, for example of multiple myeloma, in providing a prognosis, for example in a patient having multiple myeloma or in guiding selection of an appropriate treatment agent, especially a treatment agent comprising Gadd45? and or MKK7 inhibitors. Also datasets comprising measured expression levels from multiple subjects.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a froth flotation cell comprises introducing gas into a liquid in the cell, thereby to create a froth on the surface of the liquid, which froth overflows and leaves the cell at an overflow point, wherein the froth has a froth height from the level of the overflow point to the upper surface of the froth, measuring values of the froth height for two values of gas flow rate into the cell, measuring values the velocity at which the froth overflows at the overflow point for two values of gas flow rate into the cell, calculating a gas flow rate into the cell that optimises gas recovery, by treating the measured values of froth height and measured values of froth velocity independently, and setting the gas flow rate into the cell to be the calculated flow rate into the cell that optimises gas recovery.

Abstract: An experimental test rig for simulating and analyzing the fouling behavior of petrochemicals when heated within a pipe or other such conduit, the rig comprising: a supply of petrochemical product; an annulus test section arranged to receive petrochemical product from the said supply, the annulus test section comprising an inner tube and an outer tube with the petrochemical product passing therebetween; a tubular test section arranged to receive petrochemical product from the said supply; a pipe circuit connecting the supply of petrochemical product to the test sections; means for heating a region of the annulus test section; means for heating a region of the tubular test section; and means for controlling and measuring the flow of the petrochemical product from the supply to the test sections; wherein the pipe circuit is configured such that the petrochemical product can be simultaneously supplied to the annulus and tubular test sections while they are heated.

Abstract: A pacemaker optimising apparatus comprising: a component (4) which noninvasively or invasively monitors a haemodynamic measurement continuously in an individual and a processor (15) for receiving the haemodynamic measure and generating a pacemaker programming signal in response to this. There is also provided a communication device (17) for sending the pacemaker programming signal to the control system of the pacemaker (2). There is also a method for an efficient process by which this apparatus can automatically use the haemodynamic measurements to determine the ideal settings for a particular pacemaker in a particular individual, and to updates the pacemaker's settings accordingly.