Abstract: A microfabricated plasma generator and a method of generating a plasma, the plasma generator comprising: a substrate chip; a chamber defined by the substrate chip, the chamber including an inlet port through which analyte is in use delivered, an outlet port and a plasma-generation region in which a plasma is in use generated; and first and second electrodes across which a voltage is in use applied to generate a plasma in the plasma-generation region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production of nanoparticles using a continuous flow miniaturised reaction vessel. In particular, the invention provides a method for preparing nanoparticles by a direct one-stage process.

Abstract: An apparatus (8, 14) for wavelength shifting light from a first frequency ?1 to a second frequency ?2 is provided in the form of a semiconductor intersubband laser (8) lasing at its intersubband frequency ?3. The output light is wavelength shifted to a frequency ?2=?1+n?3, where n is a non-zero integer ( . . . , ?2, ?1, 1, 2, . . . ). The wavelength shifted light ?2 may be amplitude modulated and/or frequency modulated to impart information upon it. The wavelength shifting is a coherent process allowing for the possibility of coherent communication techniques to be used.

Abstract: Smoothly curved protuberances (8, 26, 34) are added to an elongate body (2, 16, 18, 20, 22, 32) to modify the fluid flow to reduce the drag Force Fdrag and the forces induced by vortex shedding Fvortex. The protuberances can be arranged in diametrically opposed pairs with longitudinally adjacent pairs having different radial directions first to cope with fluid flow from a variety of different directions.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating inflammatory respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The method involves administration, preferably oral or pulmonary administration, of an active agent selected from the group consisting of resveratrol, pharmacologically acceptable salts, esters, amides, prodrugs and analogs thereof, and combinations of any of the foregoing. Pharmaceutical formulations for use in conjunction with the aforementioned method are provided as well.

Abstract: Biochemical devices comprising a sensing surface that is at least partially covered by a nanocrystalline metal oxide semiconductor film which provides a recipient surface for immobilizing biochemical species on. The film has a mesoporous surface that gives up to a 1000 increase in biochemical species adsorption when compared to a flat surface. The biochemical devices comprising these surfaces can be optical and electrochemical biosensors and reactors for synthetic or biodegradation reactions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating neurite outgrowth in damaged neural endplates. Also disclosed are methods for introducing drugs, ribozymes, antisense oligonucleotides and defective receptor genes within neurons.

Abstract: A compound capable of acting as a cationic lipid is described. The compound comprises a cholesterol group having linked thereto a head group; wherein the head group is more positive than the head group of DC-Chol.

Abstract: A composition for in vitro and in vivo transfection of vertebrate male germ cells comprises a nucleic acid or transgene, and a gene delivery system, and optionally a protective internalizing agent, such as an endosomal lytic agent, a virus or a viral component, which is internalized by cells along with the transgene and which enhances gene transfer through the cytoplasm to the nucleus of the male germ cell. A method of genetically altering a vertebrate male germ cell in vivo employs a lentiviral-derived vector. A method of substantially depopulating a vertebrate testis employs a combination of a dose of an alkylating agent, such as busulfan, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, melphalan, or ethyl ethanesulfonic acid, and a dose of gamma radiation. A pharmaceutical preparation and a transfer kit utilize the composition. A method for introducing a polynucleotide into vertebrate male germ cells comprises the administration of the composition to a vertebrate.

Abstract: An electrochemiluminescence apparatus comprises a reaction vessel; means for generating an electric field (140, 160) within at least a region (120) of the reaction vessel; and one or more reaction electrodes (180) disposed in the electric field region of the reaction vessel, the reaction electrodes being arranged to float in or on a solution in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: The invention provides a reinforced concrete having improved corrosion resistance in which the content of voids in the concrete at the surface of the steel reinforcement is below 0.8%, preferably below 0.5%, more preferably below 0.2% by area of steel and in which there is a layer of solid alkali, preferably at least one micron in thickness on the steel surface. The reinforced concrete preferably has a chloride threshold level of at least 0.5% preferably at least 0.8% by weight of the cement. The invention also provides a process for reducing corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete which comprises forming a reinforced concrete in which the voids at the steel surface are below 0.5% by volume and in which there is a layer of solid alkali on the steel surface the layer being at least 1 micron in thickness and covering at least 20% of the steel surface.

Abstract: A chemoattractant protein called “eotaxin” is capable of attracting eosinophils and of inducing eosinophil accumulation and/or activation in vitro and in vivo. Various types of agents that inhibit or otherwise hinder the production, release or activity of eotaxin may be used therapeutically in the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery system for a recipient, the delivery system comprising a transgenic organism containing a vaccine for the recipient, wherein the vaccine is expressed by a gene contained within the transgenic organism, and the vaccine is capable of being transmitted by and from the organism to the recipient, and wherein the vaccine is prepared outside of the recipient, and wherein the recipient is an animal.

Abstract: The invention is related to antibodies, particularly monoclonal antibodies, which recognize particularly epitopes of the intimin protein of enteropathogenic E. coli and enterohemorrhagic E. coli, methods of detecting such E. coli by use of these antibodies, and kits containing these antibodies for diagnosis.

Abstract: A method of imaging molecules of interest within a biological sample includes shining a UV light onto the sample and detecting the molecular UV absorption. Where the molecules of interest are themselves UV absorbers, the intrinsic absorption of those molecules may be used. If the molecules of interest are not good UV absorbers, UV-aborbing tag molecules may be use. The method may be used in molecular imaging devices of all types, and in DNA sequences. A novel diamond-based detector is disclosed which is suitable for many applications.

Abstract: A chemoattractant protein called “eotaxin” is capable of attracting eosinophils and of inducing eosinophil accumulation and/or activation in vitro and in vivo. Various types of agents that inhibit or otherwise hinder the production, release or activity of eotaxin may be used therapeutically in the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A stent for supporting part of a blood vessel which stent includes a supporting portion around which or within which part of a blood vessel intended for grafting can be placed so that the stent internally or externally supports that part and the supporting portion of the stent is of a shape and/or orientation whereby flow between graft and host vessel is caused to follow a non-planar curve. By maintaining non-planar curvature in the graft itself, favorable blood flow velocity patterns can be achieved through generation therein of ‘swirl’ flow. Failures in such grafts through blockage, kinking or collapse, can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: Method of identifying resistance to Hepatitis C infection wherein the presence of HLA-DRB1*1301-3, HLA-DRB1*1201, HLA-DRB1*1101 or HLA-DRB1*0701 are identified. Peptides capable of modifying immune response and methods of treating Hepatitis C are also disclosed.

Abstract: Concentrator for use with photovoltaic devices includes a waveguide (2) incorporating quantum dots. The quantum dots red-shift the incident radiation to produce red-shifted radiation which is internally reflected within the waveguide (2). A photovoltaic device (10) converts the red-shifted radiation to electrical energy.

Abstract: A rotating body coil assembly for use with an open MR magnet for imaging at least a portion of a subject comprises a resonant structure configured to rotate about the subject and to permit access to the subject during imaging. The body coil assembly comprises first and second end ring assemblies positioned on opposing sides of the imaging space. The first and second end ring assemblies are each configured to energize the body coil assembly. A plurality of element assemblies are disposed between and connecting the first and second end ring assemblies for providing structural support and electrical isolation of the body coil assembly. A base assembly is coupled to the first and second end ring assemblies and at least one of the element assemblies.