Abstract: A sequencing system and a robotic storage and picking system include a plurality of containers disposed in stacks beneath a grid having a first set of tracks and second set of tracks, the first and second sets of tracks being disposed substantially perpendicular to each other. Plural load handling devices are operable on the grid, the load handling devices lifting and depositing containers from and to the stacks. The load handling devices can deposit containers on to conveyor belts into predetermined positions, the positions being fillable in any random order and multiple positions being fillable at any one time.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fusion polypeptide comprising a plurality of conserved peptide sequences, or variants thereof, wherein at least one of the conserved sequences is conserved across: i) HCV genotypes 1a and 1b; ii) HCV genotypes 1 and 3; or iii) HCV genotypes 1 to 6; and wherein at least one of the conserved peptide sequences comprises at least part of a sequence of a non-structural protein of the HCV genotypes; including associated nucleic acid and vector sequences, and use in methods of treatment or prophylaxis, such as vaccination.

Abstract: A wireless communication system having base stations, remotely located terminal units and a base station controller. The base stations and the remotely located terminal units communicate data over operational wireless communication links between them. The base stations include respective in-channel detectors and out-of-channel detectors for detecting radar or other extraneous received signals. The in-channel detectors analyse signals over the operational communication links. The out-of-channel detectors include respective out-of-channel receiver elements that monitor possibly available channels alternative to the respective operational communication link channels. The base station controller registers whether channels are available or not for communication links, and allocates to the base stations respective target channel parameters including frequencies available for operational and alternative communication links.

Abstract: A self-balancing board is provided, comprising a primary wheel assembly, a platform, at least one sensor, a controller, a first auxiliary wheel assembly, and a first brake element. The primary wheel assembly comprises a primary wheel and a motor driving the primary wheel. The platform is secured to the primary wheel assembly and has a foot deck. The at least one sensor senses the orientation of the platform. The controller receives data from the at least one sensor and controls the motor in response to the received data. The first auxiliary wheel assembly is secured to the platform distal the primary wheel assembly, and is elevated from contacting a flat surface upon which the primary wheel rests when the foot deck is parallel to the flat surface. The first brake element is manually movable relative to the first auxiliary wheel assembly to engage the first auxiliary wheel assembly to provide resistance to rotation of the first auxiliary wheel assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for driving flow in a microfluidic arrangement are provided. In one disclosed arrangement, the microfluidic arrangement comprises a first liquid held predominantly by surface tension in a shape defining a microfluidic pattern on a surface of a substrate. The microfluidic pattern comprises at least an elongate conduit and a first reservoir. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the elongate conduit defines a conduit footprint. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the first reservoir defines a first reservoir footprint. The size and shape of each of the conduit footprint and the first reservoir footprint are such that a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the elongate conduit without any change in the conduit footprint is higher than a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the first reservoir without any change in the first reservoir footprint.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell comprising: a storage layer comprised of a ferromagnetic or ferroelectric material in which data is recordable as a direction of magnetic or electric polarisation; a piezomagnetic layer comprised of an antiperovskite piezomagnetic material selectively having a first type of effect on the storage layer and a second type of effect on the storage layer dependent upon the magnetic state and strain in the piezomagnetic layer; and a strain inducing layer for inducing a strain in the piezomagnetic layer thereby to switch from the first type of effect to the second type of effect.

Abstract: In a method for separating low density particles from feed slurries, a bubbly mixture is formed in a downcomer and issues into a mid region in a chamber. An inverted reflux classifier is formed by parallel inclined plates below the mid region allowing for efficient separation of low density particles which rise up to form a densely packed foam in the top of the chamber, and denser particles which fall downwardly to an outlet.

Abstract: A method of operating a quantum information processing system. The quantum information processing system includes an array of connected qubits. The method of operating the quantum information processing system uses a linear network coding solution to performing an operation between the quantum states of two or more qubits of the array.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a hydroponic growing system is described. The apparatus include a frame of vertical members and horizontal members supporting horizontal tracks or guideways on which a set of growing vehicles are mounted. The growing vehicles each contain a number of growing trays in which plants or crops are accommodated whilst they grow. The apparatus is located within a high care facility within the hydroponic growing system.

Abstract: A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. The framework may be provided with one or more of the following services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensing, and data logging. A method of partitioning the storage system prevents the spread of fire or prevent damage caused by sprinkler activation.

Abstract: THE present application relates to a method of detecting one or more analytes in a sample, the method comprising (a) providing a carrier nucleic acid molecule with at least one single-stranded region; (b) providing one or more aptamers specific for the analyte, wherein the aptamers additionally comprise a single-stranded portion complementary to at least one single-stranded region on the carrier nucleic acid; (c) contacting the carrier nucleic acid and one or more aptamers with the sample, forming a carrier nucleic acid/N aptamer/analyte complex, and; (d) detecting the presence of the carrier nucleic acid/aptamer/analyte complex.

Abstract: A device can determine its position in a communications system. A scalable solution permits multiple devices to be used in one area without detrimental effect on the accuracy or latency of the position determining. The communications system includes a first base station arranged to transmit a first signal to a second base station arranged receive the first signal and transmit a second signal to the first base station in response The first base station is arranged to receive the second signal and transmit a third signal to the second base station in response to the second signal delay time measuring unit, round trip time measuring unit, a base station timings unit and a calculating unit are used to calculate a first time difference of arrival based on a first round trip time, first delay time, second round trip time and a second delay time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunogenic composition comprising two or more polypeptides. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the compositions, nucleic acid molecules and vectors for the prevention or treatment of influenza.

Abstract: A process for preparing a graphene nanomaterial product, the process comprising: cavitating a liquid medium comprising a diaromatic hydrocarbon component to synthesise from the diaromatic hydrocarbon component a dispersion of graphene nanomaterial in the liquid medium; and obtaining a graphene nanomaterial product from the dispersion.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for contention window size adjustment. One apparatus includes a transmitter that transmits data on a carrier to a set of devices in a first transmission burst having a duration of at least one subframe. In some embodiments, the set of devices includes one or more devices. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a receiver that receives feedback information from each device. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a processor that determines, based on the feedback information, whether interference above a predetermined level exists on the carrier during the first transmission burst at each device, adjusts a contention window size based on the determination of whether interference above the predetermined level exists on the carrier during the first transmission burst at each device, and determines a value N between a predetermined minimum contention window size and the adjusted contention window size.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved method for treating a lignocellulose biomass in order to dissolve the lignin therein, while the cellulose does not dissolve. The cellulose pulp obtained can be used to produce glucose. In addition the lignin can be isolated for subsequent use in the renewable chemical industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite membrane for gas separation and/or nanofiltration of a feed stream solution comprising a solvent and dissolved solutes and showing preferential rejection of the solutes. The composite membrane comprises a separating layer with intrinsic microporosity. The separating layer is suitably formed by interfacial polymerisation on a support membrane. Suitably, at least one of the monomers used in the interfacial polymerisation reaction should possess concavity, resulting in a network polymer with interconnected nanopores and a membrane with enhanced permeability. The support membrane may be optionally impregnated with a conditioning agent and may be optionally stable in organic solvents, particularly in polar aprotic solvents. The top layer of the composite membrane is optionally capped with functional groups to change the surface chemistry. The composite membrane may be cured in the oven to enhance rejection.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for feeding a feed slurry into a particle separator having a fluidisation source. The feed apparatus comprises a chamber having at least one baffle for dividing the chamber into a first zone and a second zone. A feed inlet feeds the slurry into the first zone (20) and the baffle deflects the slurry away from the second zone and direct fluidisation fluid from the fluidisation source through the second zone to combine with the slurry from the first zone. A particle separator incorporating the feed apparatus and a method of particle separation is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for identifying polypeptides and polynucleotides of interest, be they novel or variant polypeptides and polynucleotides, by expressing a plurality of polypeptides in an obligate or facultative anaerobe that is incapable of, or displays a reduction in, the oxidation of NADH and/or NADPH under anaerobic fermentation conditions and selecting an obligate or facultative anaerobe that grows or displays a growth advantage under said conditions. The invention is also concerned with novel enzymes per se, and their use in enzymatic production processes.

Abstract: A surgical implant (100) comprising a body having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis extending there-between, the body comprising a core (105) and at least one end portion (115) at the distal end and a plurality of discrete whiskers (110) extending outwardly from the core (105) and at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the body in a proximal direction. The surgical implant preferentially allows direction in one direction and provides superior implant stability post-surgery due to the mechanical interaction between the whiskers and the bone structure providing increased resistance to pull-out of the implant.