Abstract: Methods for culturing pluripotent stem cells on fiber scaffolds are provided which result in the expansion of the number of stem cells without loss of pluripotency. Cells obtained by such methods, implants containing such cells and medical methods using such cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A compound comprises a thiopeptide, or derivative or analogue thereof, the thiopeptide comprising a C-terminal carboxylic acid group, and a functional group for attachment to a drug, characterized in that the compound is adapted to carry or transport a drug.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a fatty acid as an attractant in a method of attracting whiteflies. By using a fatty acid as a whitefly attractant, it is possible to attract whiteflies to a desired location. The fatty acid can be used in a lure or other propagator to provide a dispersion of fatty acid in the air, the variation in the concentration of the fatty acid in the air being such that a whitefly is attracted to the lure as the source of the fatty acid. The use of a fatty acid as an attractant results in significantly higher levels of attraction, as measured by the number of whiteflies attracted to a sticky trap, as compared to the use of color alone.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a fatty acid as an attractant in a method of attracting whiteflies. By using a fatty acid as a whitefly attractant, it is possible to attract whiteflies to a desired location. The fatty acid can be used in a lure or other propagator to provide a dispersion of fatty acid in the air, the variation in the concentration of the fatty acid in the air being such that a whitefly is attracted to the lure as the source of the fatty acid. The use of a fatty acid as an attractant results in significantly higher levels of attraction, as measured by the number of whiteflies attracted to a sticky trap, as compared to the use of color alone.

Abstract: A method of monitoring/controlling Thysanoptera (hereafter thrips) by the use of a behavior modifying compound of Formula (1), wherein Formula (1) is:— where R1 is a monoterpenyl group and R2 is a C3-C5 group.

Abstract: There is described a method of magnetically manipulating a cell in vivo which comprises the association of a magnetizable particle with a cell. More particularly, there is described a method of magnetically manipulating a cell which comprises the association of a magnetizable particle with a cell characterized in that the method comprises agonizing or antagonizing ion channels within a cell by the association of a magnetizable particle with a cell. There is also described the use of a magnetizable particle in a method of magnetically manipulating a cell in vivo and/or activating ion channels in vivo.

Abstract: A method of culturing tissue comprises growing tissue forming cells whilst subjecting the tissue forming cells to mechanical stresses which are generated magnetically.

Abstract: In order to target a diseased material in a subject, a monocyte, or monocyte-derived cell, such as a macrophage, which incorporates a magnetic material, such as a magnetic particle or a ferrofluid, preferably having a biocompatible coating, is proposed to be administered. A magnetic energy source may then be applied to the subject to destroy, rupture or inactivate the diseased material. Alternatively, the monocyte or monocyte derived cell may additionally include a therapeutic agent, which is thereby targeted at the diseased material.

Abstract: A method of measuring ferromagnetic resonance properties of a structure including a non-ferrous material reinforced with steel members, the method includes applying a magnetic field to the structure using a magnet located adjacent the structure, directing microwave radiation towards the structure, and detecting the propagation of microwave radiation that is transmitted or reflected by the steel members, the measuring being made with structure in situ.

Abstract: A fracture reduction device comprises linear adjustment means for linearly reducing a fractured bone in three directions, and angular adjustment mechanism for angularly reducing a fractured bone about three independent axes. The adjustment mechanism is such that adjustment in each direction and about each axis is independent of the others. The device also allows stable incremental adjustments to be made to the bone position and/or orientation.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) radiation emitting device comprises a sinuous foil resistive element (1) which emits IR radiation when heated by an electric current. The device is configured so that the resistive element (1) emits radiation with a spatial intensity which substantially possesses a single axis. The resistive element (1) may, for example, be configured as a substantially planar spiral (3).

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cell structures which are capable of relatively rapid temperature changes without cracking and which are simple to seal. In one arrangement, a tubular SOFC structure comprises a self-supporting extruded tube of zirconium oxide with inner and outer electrodes. The tube may have an outside diameter of from, for example, 1 to 5 mm and a wall thickness of from, for example, 50 to 200 microns. In an alternative arrangement, a simple gas type planar interconnect for a planar SOFC is provided in the form of a sheet of ceramic material having electrically conducting bodies of ceramic material embedded in it so as to provide an electrical path through the sheet. To avoid edge sealing problems, fuel gas and air may be delivered to a stacked SOFC structure through tubes extending between adjacent cell sub-assemblies such that the gas is delivered to a central portion of each anode of the cell stack and flows outwards towards the edges of the stack.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition for the treatment of virus-induced cutaneous infections comprises a first material for blocking viral DNA replication and a second finely divided material which absorbs exudated fluid from vesicles. Preferred compositions comprise a lithium compound (as the material for blocking viral DNA replication) and silica (as the material for absorbing exudated fluid from vesicles). An example of composition in accordance with the invention comprises a lithium compound dissolved or suspended in an aqueous silica salt.

Abstract: There is described an external fixator for use in the treatment of a fractured bone having a first bone fragment and a second bone fragment which external fixator comprises:a first movable element and;a second movable element,wherein the first movable element is movably mounted in the fixator so as to be capable of angular motion in one plane, and the second movable element is movably mounted in the fixator so as to be capable of angular motion in another plane, with the plane in which the second element moves being substantially orthogonal to the plane in which the first element moves, and the first and second movable elements are coupled together in such a way as to allow simultaneous angular movement of the external fixator in the two substantially orthogonal planes.

Abstract: A sensor to detect gases and vapors, particularly carbon monoxide and water vapor, at relatively low concentrations includes a substrate having a layer on a face of the substrate. The layer comprises a semi conductor metallic oxide (such as stannic oxide), a catalyst (such as platinum black), and a rheological agent (such as kieselguhr or sepiolite). The rheological agent induces porosity into the surface of the layer. The rheological agent affects the mixing and processing of the layer, and aids binding, resulting in a sensor with greater sensitivity and faster response.

Abstract: The invention is an alginate-bioactive agent conjugate connected via an acid labile biodegradable spacer linkage. The conjugate is effective for delivering bioactive agents to targets existing in low-pH environments, either at the target surface or in the target interior.

Abstract: An identification and information storage device, for attachment to an article to be identified, includes: a magneto-optical strip, formed on a substrate and attached to the article, which is adapted to store first information readable by the reflecting and modifying of the polarization state of a light beam directed thereon; and an optically detectable pattern portion including an optical bar code for storing second information relating to the identification of the article, wherein the magneto-optical strip is positioned in a known location relative to the optical bar code such that on visual identification of the bar code the location of the magneto-optical strip can be found.