Abstract: A de-multiplexer (1) for separating two co-propagating modes of electromagnetic radiation includes a volume (2) having a path therethrough for receiving electromagnetic radiation, an input (8) for directing two co-propagating modes of electromagnetic radiation to be incident upon the volume, a control source (12) of electromagnetic radiation arranged to generate a time-dependent control field. The volume is arranged and the time-dependent control field is shaped such that, when the two co-propagating modes of electromagnetic radiation and the time-dependent control field are incident upon the volume contemporaneously, the time-dependent control field causes the volume to accept one of the two modes of electromagnetic radiation onto a mode of the volume without any parametric non-linear optical interaction taking place and to reflect or transmit the other of the two modes of electromagnetic radiation, so to spatially and/or temporally separate the two modes of electromagnetic radiation from each other.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of exchanging first valuable data at a first node for second valuable data from a second node, the method comprising the steps of: applying a first encryption to a first plurality of messages, at the first node, with a function having a commutative property, so as to create a blinded first plurality of messages; sending the blinded first plurality of messages from the first node to the second node, wherein the first valuable data is concealed in one message of the blinded first plurality of messages; receiving a blinded second plurality of messages at the first node, wherein the second valuable data is concealed in one message of the blinded second plurality of messages and the blinded second plurality of messages have been encrypted with a second encryption; in response to receiving the blinded second plurality of messages at the first node, applying a third encryption to the blinded second plurality of messages with a function having a commutative property so as to create do

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: The present application relates to an electrode suitable for use in electrochemical sensing of a target species. The electrode comprises a peptide monolayer of defined length and to one end of which are attached both a redox active species and a receptor that is capable of binding to the target species. Also provided is an electrochemical method of sensing a target species, which involves the use of the electrode.

Abstract: A frequency converter (1) for generating an output signal (5a) from an input signal (5), the output signal (5a) having different frequency than the input signal (5), the frequency converter (1) including: an input (7) for receiving an input signal (5); a transmission line (3) formed of a non-linear medium (3a), the medium (3a) arranged such that when the input signal (5) propagates along the line (3), one or more harmonics (5a,5b) of the input signal (5) are generated; a plurality of dispersion control elements (13), the dispersion control elements (13) arranged to control the dispersion relationship of the medium (3a), to phase match the input signal (5) and the one or more harmonics (5a,5b), such that energy is transferred from the input signal (5) to the one or more harmonics (5a,5b); and an output (9) for providing the one or more harmonics (5a, 5b) as an output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the frequency of a dominant periodic component in an input signal by modelling the input signal using auto-regressive models of several different orders to generate candidate frequencies for the periodic component, generating synthetic sinusoidal signals of each of the candidate frequencies, and calculating the cross-correlation of the synthetic signals with the original signal. The frequency of whichever of the synthetic signals has the highest cross-correlation with the original signal is taken as the estimate of the frequency for the dominant periodic component of the input signal. The method may be applied to any noisy signal which has a suspected periodic component, for example physiological signals such as photoplethysmogram signals, and in the estimation of heart rate and breathing rate from such physiological signals.

Abstract: A distributed feedback laser having a conjugated dendrimer as the active lasing component, and a method for patterning conjugated dendrimers.

Abstract: The invention relates to detecting a composition of a sample or contamination in liquids by detecting corresponding changes in their thermal properties. In a disclosed arrangement, an apparatus is provided comprising a first probe element configured to provide a first surface in direct contact with the sample and a second surface that is not in direct contact with the sample. A measurement system measures a rate of heat transfer through the first surface. A processing unit analyses the measured rate of heat transfer in order to detect a heat transfer characteristic of the sample that is indicative of a composition of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cofactor regeneration systems, components and uses thereof and methods for generating and regenerating cofactors. The cofactor regeneration system comprises a first electron transfer component selected from a polypeptide comprising a NADH:acceptor oxido-reductase or NADPH:acceptor oxido-reductase, a second electron transfer component selected from a hydrogenase moiety and/or non-biological nanoparticles and an electronically conducting surface. The first and second electron transfer components are immobilised on the electrically conducting surface, and the first and second electron transfer components do not occur together in nature as an enzyme complex.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrogel network comprising a plurality of hydrogel objects, wherein each of said hydrogel objects comprises: a hydrogel body, and an outer layer of amphipathic molecules, on at least part of the surface of the hydrogel body, wherein each of said hydrogel objects contacts another of said hydrogel objects to form an interface between the contacting hydrogel objects. A process for producing the hydrogel networks is also provided. The invention also provides an electrochemical circuit and a hydrogel component for mechanical devices comprising a hydrogel network. Various uses of the hydrogel network are also described, including their use in synthetic biology and as components in electrochemical circuits and mechanical devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling flow in a microfluidic arrangement are disclosed. In one arrangement, a 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. A second liquid is in direct contact with the first liquid and covers the microfluidic pattern. A flow of liquid is driven through the elongate conduit into the first reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined therapy comprising the use of one or more omega-3 fatty acids and one or more B vitamins and for treating cognitive impairment, such cognitive impairment disorders include, especially but not exclusively, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present invention also provides a treatment for individuals suffering from cognitive impairment disorders that occur as a result of brain or cerebral atrophy, the invention includes inter alma methods of treating and/or reducing progression of brain atrophy and pharmaceutical compositions and nutritional supplements therefor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detection of analyte interaction with a channel molecule held in a membrane, comprising the optical detection of a modification in the flux of a signal molecule as it passes through the channel molecule by the action of a membrane potential, wherein the modification in the flux is caused by at least partial blockage of the channel molecule by the analyte. The invention further relates to bilayer arrays, components, methods of manufacture and use.

Abstract: A product (20) for use on a surface or as part of a surface, the product comprising: a first layer (22) which carries an indication; and a second layer (26) which overlies at least a portion of the first layer (22), the second layer (26) comprising a porous polymer; wherein the second layer (26) is opaque when dry such that the indication is masked and transparent when wet such that the indication is revealed.

Abstract: A compact microscope including an enclosure, a support element, a primary optical support element located within the enclosure and supported by the support element, at least one vibration isolating mount between the support element and the primary optical support element, a sample stage supported on the primary optical support element to support a sample, a return optical system to receive returned light from a sample and transmit returned light to a detection apparatus, wherein the return optical system is mounted on the primary optical support element, and wherein the compact microscope include a at least one of the following elements; a) an objective lens system, b) a temperature-control system, and c) the return optical system being operable to separate returned light into at least a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing a heart condition comprises an imaging system (102) arranged to acquire two images of the heart at respective points in the cardiac cycle, and locating means, which may be manually operated or automatic, for locating a series of pairs of points on the images. Each pair of points indicates the respective positions of a single part of the heart in the two images. The system further comprises a processor (108) arranged to calculate from the positions of said pairs of points a value of at least one parameter of the deformation of the heart. It may further be arranged to compare the value of the at least one parameter with reference data to generate a diagnostic output.

Abstract: A method of detecting a membrane protein by mass spectrometry comprises: (a) providing a solution comprising a detergent micelle in which said membrane protein is contained; (b) providing a mass spectrometer comprising a nanoelectrospray ionisation source, a mass analyser and a detector; (c) vaporising the solution using the nanoelectrospray ionisation source under conditions such that the membrane protein is released from the micelle; (d) ionising the membrane protein; (e) resolving the ionised membrane protein using the mass analyser; and (f) detecting the resolved membrane protein using the detector; wherein the solution contains a phosphate ester detergent which forms said detergent micelle. Also provided are reagents for use in said method.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there are provided processes for preparing a porous composite material comprising a metal and a two-dimensional nanomaterial. In one aspect, the processes comprise the steps of: providing a powder comprising metal particles; heating the powder such that the metal particles fuse to form a porous scaffold; and forming a two-dimensional nanomaterial on a surface of the porous scaffold by chemical vapour deposition (CVD). Also provided are materials obtainable by the present processes, and products comprising said materials.

Abstract: Characteristics of polarizable particles in a fluid are detected using an optical cavity comprising opposed optical reflectors containing the fluid. A particle is introduced through the fluid into the optical cavity. The particle may be transiently in the cavity or optically trapped. The optical cavity containing the particle is illuminated with light that excites resonance of an optical mode of the optical cavity that is affected by the particle. A measurement of a parameter of the excited resonance is derived, for example while tuning through the resonance. Repeated measurements may be used to derive a measure of a characteristic of the particle that is dependent on the motion of the particle in the optical cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for moving a droplet from a first location to a second location, which droplet comprises a magnetic material disposed in an aqueous medium. The invention also relates to a droplet assembly comprising a droplet, which droplet comprises a magnetic material disposed in an aqueous medium. Various uses of the droplet assembly are also described.