Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating or preventing cancer and metastasis. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for treating or preventing cancer by decreasing the expression and/or activity of Flightless I. Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of a cancerous cell and methods for inhibiting formation and/or growth of a tumor which also rely on decreasing the expression and/or activity of Flightless I. The present invention also extends to methods for diagnosing cancer, methods for determining if a subject is susceptible to developing cancer, and methods for assessing progression of cancer based on the finding that increased expression and/or activity of Flightless I is associated with cancer development, growth and metastasis. The present invention also provides methods for screening for a candidate therapeutic agent useful for treating or preventing cancer, and related pharmaceutical compositions and kits.

Abstract: A gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane for use with gas sensors consists of a film forming polymer which incorporates nanoparticles selected to improve one or more of the following: permeability to gases, to selectively regulate permeability of selected gases through the membrane, to inhibit microbial growth on the membrane. A capsule shaped container consists of wall material biocompatible with a mammal GI tract and adapted to protect the electronic and sensor devices in the capsule, which contains gas composition sensors, pressure and temperature sensors, a microcontroller, a power source and a wireless transmission device. The microprocessor receives data signals from the sensors and converts the signals into gas composition and concentration data and temperature and pressure data for transmission to an external computing device.

Abstract: A sensor grid is provided which is able to provide signals of the magnitude and location on the grid of applied pressure. In the prime application of gait analysis, the sensor in the sole of a shoe provides over time a signal indicative of the magnitude and movement of the centre of pressure. This may be presented as a visual signal showing the location of the centre of pressure on the outline of the sole with pressure values coded in colour. Alternatively the location may be represented as pitch of an audio signal and the magnitude by sound volume. Such a signal can be used to provide feedback to a patient to correct their gait by modifying their gait to produce a desirable signal. The analysis software uses an algorithm to identify the location, speed and distribution of the centre of pressure (COP) and additionally to assess the fractal dimension of the COP. Other attributes such as location of hotspots and pressure impulses can be used to augment the biofeedback signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal microfluidic device comprising a piezoelectric substrate; a rotatable platform device on the substrate; and at least one transducer on the substrate, the transducer being configured to generate a surface acoustic wave that propagates on the surface of the substrate and contacts the rotatable platform device asymmetrically to transfer energy thereto with a lateral distribution to cause rotation of the rotatable platform device. The device may be a microfluidic valve, a microfluidic mixer or a microfluidic particle concentrator.

Abstract: A method of manipulating particles suspended within a fluid droplet using a microfluidic system including a piezo-electric substrate (1) and a wave generation means (3) for generating a wave within the piezoelectric substrate (1), and a working surface (2) through which the wave can be distributed and upon which fluid droplets (9) can be located, the method including locating one or more droplets of fluid on the working surface (2), varying the power applied to the wave generation means (3) or varying the distribution of the wave across the working surface (2), such that particles (1 1) suspended within the fluid droplet (9) are either dispersed within the droplet or concentrated in an area within the droplet in dependence on the power or wave distribution applied by the wave generation means (3) to the piezoelectric substrate (1), or to facilitate rotation of the fluid within said fluid droplets (9) located jn the path of the wave.

Abstract: A navigable system for catheter based endovascular neurosurgery including: a micro-motor (3) including a piezoelectric actuator (5) mounted to a free end of a guidewire or micro-catheter (2), the piezoelectric actuator (5) including a piezoelectric element (7), and an elongate transducer (9) mounted on the piezoelectric element (7) and extending therefrom, the transducer (9) being formed from an asymmetric hollow member, and an end member (15) located at a free end of the transducer (9); wherein electrical excitation of the piezoelectric element (7) induces one or both orthogonal flexural and axial vibration modes within the transducer (9), the coupling of the induced vibration modes thereby resulting in rotation of the end member (15) with three degrees of freedom (DOF).

Abstract: A capillary break-up extensional rheometry (Ca BER) instrument including: opposing plates between which a capillary fluid bridge can be formed; and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) actuator having a working surface located on one of the plates, wherein when the test fluid is applied to the working surface of the SAW actuator, and the SAW actuator is energised, a said liquid bridge of the test fluid is produced between the plates.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator including a piezoelectric element and an elongate transducer mounted on the piezoelectric element. The transducer is formed from an elongate cylindrical member, and at least one helical slot is provided around the outer surface of the cylindrical member to enable coupling of resonance modes of the transducer when actuated by the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A method of forming a strain sensor from a polymeric film includes the steps of selectively irradiating a surface of the polymer with high energy radiation to change the composition of the polymer and increase the electrical conductivity in selected portions of the surface. The radiation can create carbonized particles or metallic particles within the polymer and the changes in interparticle gaps between conducting particles in the polymer will result in strain dependent electrical properties in the treated polymer.

Abstract: A strain sensor consisting of a non conducting polymer incorporating conductive nanoparticles below the percolation threshold and preferably less than 10% v/v of the polymer. The polymer is a polyimide and the conducting nanoparticle is carbon black having an average particle size of 30-40 nm and an aggregate size of 100-200 nm. The sensor can sense strain in extension, compression and torsion.

Abstract: An article of clothing comprising a phase change material which is a blend of at least two compounds and which has a melting point of from 5 deg C. to 30 deg C., and a melting temperature range of from 1 to 5 deg. C.

Abstract: A method and an interface unit (10) for controlling access to a server (6) by one or more clients (4). The unit (10) includes a monitoring means (22) which monitors resource usage of the server (6) and admission means (20) which allows a connection of one client to pass to the server (6) if the connection forms part of an active session. The admission means (20) also rejects or allows a new connection of another client to pass to the server (6) in accordance with an admission control scheme.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling traffic through at least one node in an intelligent telecommunications network such that congestion is controlled in a particular subsystem in which a sudden change in the traffic profile is determined. The moving average of the traffic profile for each subsystem at the node is continuously monitored. When congestion is detected, it is determined whether the congestion is caused by a sudden change in the traffic profile for a particular subsystem at the node. If it is determined that the congestion is caused by a sudden change in the traffic profile, then congestion controls are invoked to control congestion in the particular subsystem.

Abstract: Method and composition for vaccination of a pig against swine dysentary caused by T. hyodysenteriae infection characterized by parenteral, preferably intramuscular, administration to the pigs of a live strain or of an oxygen-treated, non-viable strain of T.hyodysenteriae.

Abstract: A plotting implement for creating a record on a photosensitive surface. The plotting implement includes a contact tip for contacting and for moving between different positions on the surface, the contact tip in use constituting an electromagnetic radiation source located at the surface, whereby the radiation source at the tip exposes points and/or lines of contact of the tip with the surface. The contact tip has a radiation aperture of a predetermined diameter to expose lines of a width equal to that diameter. An optic fibre of the required diameter may extend from an electromagnetic radiation source and terminate at the aperture. Alternatively the electromagnetic radiation source may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) having a transparent body tapering from the source of light towards the tip, the tapering body being surrounded by opaque material and being truncated before reaching a point to provide a tip of the transparent body of the predetermined diameter.

Abstract: A movement parameter sensor for sensing of parameters of movement between a stator member defining a frame of reference and a rotor member movable relative to the stationary member about a rotation axis. The sensor includes field providing means for generating an electric field located at the stator member, the field providing means including a pole arrangement comprising an array of four source electrode means arranged adjacent to each other along a field line around the rotation axis. The field providing means includes an excitation signal generator for generating four equal frequency excitation signals at 90 degree increments of phase, each one of the four excitation signals being applied to a respective one of the four source electrode means such that a virtually moving electric field is created at the source electrode means so that the electric field effectively moves relative to the stator member along the field line.

Abstract: A process for the upgrading of a hydrocarbon feedstock which includesproviding a feedstock including C.sub.4 and higher hydrocarbons which include paraffins and cycloparaffinic hydrocarbons;contacting the feedstock with a conventional naphtha reforming catalyst at an elevated temperature and at a liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) of greater than approximately 5, when the cycloparaffin content is approximately 10% by weight or greater;and contacting the feedstock with a metal-containing ZSM-5 type zeolite catalyst at an elevated temperature at approximately 0.5 to 2 LHSV when the initial cycloparaffin content is reduced to less than approximately 10% by weight, and solely with a metal-containing ZSM-5 type zeolite catalyst at an elevated temperature at approximately 0.2 to 2 LHSV when the initial cycloparaffin content is less than approximately 10% by weight.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the flow of material in fines. The fines are selected from silica based materials and coals; and the level of impurity in the fines and comprising metal oxide, carbonate and sulphides in the case of silica materials, and coal ash in the case of coals, is determined. A thick slurry of the fines in water is prepared, and a quantity of dispersant proportional to the determined level of impurity is added to the slurry to form a pumpable slurry.