Abstract: A flow enhanced method and system for flow non-linear magnetophoresis (F-NLM) is described. By tuning an external field frequency and the flow rate the migration velocities of different bead types may be caused to differ by several orders of magnitude over an extended range of frequencies to allow for separation of particles. Use of such efficiency in separation in bio-separation and similar assays is described.

Abstract: An OCT imaging system (100) comprising a radiation emitter (SLD), a radiation receiver CCD), an interferometer (FC, PC, X-Scan, Y-Scan), a controller (COMP) which controls the emitter and processes received radiation data according to OCT to provide an output image. The controller (COMP) forms a spectrum of spatial frequencies along the depth direction. It calculates from the spectrum local spectra of spatial frequencies or periods along the depth direction for individual volume elements along the depth direction. It translates the local spectra of spatial frequencies or periods along the depth direction into the OCT image domain. It maps the local spectra into the volume elements to provide sensitivity on the nano-scale whereas the volume elements are in the micro-scale. The controller calculates information parameters from the translated and mapped local spectra. Thus the system (100) achieves nano-scale sensitivity although the volume elements are at the micro-scale.

Abstract: A method for mapping an environment comprises moving a sensor along a path from a start location (P0) through the environment, the sensor generating a sequence of images, each image associated with a respective estimated sensor location and comprising a point cloud having a plurality of vertices, each vertex comprising an (x,y,z)-tuple and image information for the tuple. The sequence of estimated sensor locations is sampled to provide a pose graph (P) comprising a linked sequence of nodes, each corresponding to a respective estimated sensor location. For each node of the pose graph (P), a respective cloud slice (C) comprising at least of portion of the point cloud for the sampled sensor location is acquired. A drift between an actual sensor location (Pi+1) and an estimated sensor location (Pi) on the path is determined.

Abstract: A method for the early prediction of risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women, including for example eclampsia, mild pre-eclampsia, chronic hypertension, EPH gestosis, gestational hypertension, superimposed pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, or nephropathy.

Abstract: A monitoring system has biomechanical sensors, physiological sensors and a controller which receive sensory inputs from the sensors to provide output signals for the output device, and it detects from the sensory inputs risk of a syncopal event The bio-mechanical sensors include sensors arranged to allow the processor to detect a user postures and posture transitions. The processor operates a finite state machine, in which there is a state corresponding to each of a plurality of user physical postures and to each of a plurality of transitions between said postures, and the processor determines a relevant state depending on the sensory inputs. A device output may be muscle stimulation to prevent syncope, and there are stimulation permissions associated with the finite state machine states.

Abstract: Provided is a method for predicting, diagnosing or monitoring an infection or condition caused by or associated with one or more microorganisms in a non-human female animal subject, comprising generating a glycosylation profile from a glycan-containing test sample of the subject, determining from the glycosylation profile one or more test values of one or more glycosylation markers of the infection or condition, comparing the one or more test values of the one or more glycosylation markers to one or more threshold values of the one or more glycosylation markers, and providing a prediction or diagnosis of the infection or condition based on the comparison.

Abstract: A device suitable for use in a body lumen and comprises an elongated control member having a distal and a proximal end, and a radially expansible member disposed at or near the distal end and adapted for collection and/or shearing of matter (i.e. thrombus) from a wall of the body lumen (i.e. a vein or an artery). The radially expansible member has a proximal end and a distal end and is adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The elongated control member comprising a proximal arm connected at or adjacent to the proximal end of the radially expansible member and a distal arm connected at or adjacent to the distal end of the radially expansible member such that movement of one arm relative to the other arm effects adjustment of the diameter or radial strength of the radially expansible member. The device comprises a control mechanism operatively connected to both arms and adapted to provide resistance to the movement of one arm relative to the other.

Abstract: (E)-2-(2-Quinolin-2-yl-propenyl)-phenol, 2-Quinolin-2-yl-ylethynyl-phenol and salts thereof are useful as medicaments, especially for treatment of an angiogenesis-related disease or disorder.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to compounds that function as TP antagonists for treating thrombosis and other cardiovascular, renal, or pulmonary diseases. In some embodiments, the invention provides a compound including a substituted nitro phenoxy phenyl, a sulfonylurea, and an alkyl group. In some embodiments, the invention provides a method of treating thrombosis by administering an antithrombotic compound that preferentially binds to a thromboxane receptor, has preferential binding for either TPalpha (TP?) or TPbeta (TP?) receptor subtype.

Abstract: Use of an isolated Ensifer adhaerens strain OV14 deposited under NCIMB Accession Number 4177, or an isolated variant thereof characterized by a 16S rRNA gene having at least 98.6% sequence homology with SEQUENCE ID NO: 1, as a gene delivery system in the genetic transformation of a plant cell or plant material is described.

Abstract: A non-therapeutic method of reducing weight gain, serum cholesterol levels, or liver triglyceride levels, in a non-obese mammal, comprises the step of administering to the gut of a mammal an effective amount of a bacteria expressing a BSH1 enzyme of SEQUENCE ID NO: 1, or a functional variant thereof; a BSH1 enzyme of SEQUENCE ID NO: 1, or a functional variant thereof for use as a medicament; isolated bacterial strains expressing functional variants of BSH1.

Abstract: A method of assessing biofilm thickness in a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) of the type comprising a lumen containing a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between the gas and liquid phases, the method comprising the steps of charging the lumen with an inert gas, closing the lumen to establish an initial elevated pressure in the lumen, measuring the rate of change of pressure within the lumen, and correlating the rate of change of pressure (dP/dt) with biofilm thickness. The step of correlating dP/dt with biofilm thickness involves correlating dP/dt with the rate of diffusion of the inert gas (dn/dt), correlating dn/dt with an overall mass transfer coefficient (K), correlating K with the mass transfer coefficient of the biofilm (kB), and correlating kB with the biofilm thickness.

Abstract: A process for making an edible snack food product having a low water content and a high solids content is described. The process comprises a step of providing an edible porous body, for example a freeze-dried fruit or vegetable slice or an extruded cereal product, and coating the body in a high-solids polymer solution, for example 25% (w/w) whey protein isolate, such that the polymer solution infuses into the pores at or close to the surface of the body but does not rehydrate the porous body. Coating may be achieved by spraying the product with the polymer solution or by briefly immersing the porous body in the solution. The coated porous body is then heated to a high temperature to dehydrate the infused polymer solution. This results in closure of the pores at or close to the surface of the porous body.

Abstract: A surface NMES stimulation device the device has a control processor, a voltage regulator connected to a high voltage supply, a bridge of control switches, and electrodes or electrode terminals connected in the bridge to receive drive signals via the control switches. The processor directs a drive scheme for the bridge control switches in which charge build-up on a user's skin is allowed to dissipate to ground in an inter-pulse interval. An isolation capacitor isolates the high voltage supply from the electrodes, and charging of the capacitor only occurs if a switch allows it. Sensors senses supply voltage and bridge current and the processor monitors there to determine further stimulation and faults.

Abstract: A self-cleaning optical system for the transmission or reflection of light to and/or from a process region comprises a liquid bath and a transparent or reflective optical component continuously rotatable about a non-vertical axis so that a lower part of the component continuously rotates through the bath. When the component emerges from the bath, a coating of the liquid remains thereon which forms a substantially uniform film on at least a part of the component through which the light is transmitted or from which the light is reflected.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a sheath which extends along the length of the catheter shaft. The sheath includes a compliant material and is expansile for fluid delivery from a distal end of the sheath to the proximal end of the catheter. The sheath is connected to a Luer on the proximal end of the catheter. Upon injection of fluid/particles through the Luer, the sheath expands to provide a temporary lumen which facilitates flow of fluid/particles from the proximal end of the catheter to an opening or opening adjacent to the distal end of the sheath and at or near the distal end of the catheter shaft for delivery of the fluid/particles into the vessel. Upon cessation of injection pressure, the sheath automatically contracts to provide a lower profile to easily accommodate repositioning/removal of the catheter.

Abstract: A method for the early prediction of risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women, including for example eclampsia, mild pre-eclampsia, chronic hypertension, EPH gestosis, gestational hypertension, superimposed pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, or nephropathy.

Abstract: The invention provides a three dimensional (3D) semi-conductor device comprising a first junctionless transistor doped with dopants of the same polarity; a second junctionless transistor doped with dopants of the same polarity; and the second junctionless transistor and the first junctionless transistor comprise an opposite dopant polarity are stacked in a vertical arrangement, where the first and second junctionless transistors are separated by an insulating layer. The invention makes use of the fact that the transistors are uniformly doped with the same polarity to provide a junctionless transistor. The junctionless concept provides that the junction is already formed, so there is no high temperature step associated with junction formation or junction regrowth. This is an important advantage in the junctionless concept in relation to 3D monolithic integration that allows for vertical stacking of the transistors to form a three dimensional CMOS inverter.

Abstract: A device suitable for use in a body lumen and comprises an elongated control member having a distal and a proximal end, and a radially expansible member disposed at or near the distal end and adapted for collection and/or shearing of matter (i.e. thrombus) from a wall of the body lumen (i.e. a vein or an artery). The radially expansible member has a proximal end and a distal end and is adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The elongated control member comprising a proximal arm connected at or adjacent to the proximal end of the radially expansible member and a distal arm connected at or adjacent to the distal end of the radially expansible member such that movement of one arm relative to the other arm effects adjustment of the diameter or radial strength of the radially expansible member. The device comprises a control mechanism operatively connected to both arms and adapted to provide resistance to the movement of one arm relative to the other.

Abstract: A bristle device (8) for delivery into a body lumen comprises a longitudinally extending stem and a plurality of bristles extending generally outwardly from the stem for anchoring the device in a body lumen. There may beat least two bristle segments (96) and there are flexible sections (95) between the segments (96). The flexible sections (95) articulate to enable the device to pass through a catheter placed in a tortuous anatomy or to be deployed in a curved vessel, or across a bifurcation. In some cases at least some of the bristle segments (96) are spaced-apart to accommodate bending of the bristles.