Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved microbial antigen vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions, immunogenic compositions and antibodies and their use in the treatment of microbial infections, particularly those of bacterial origin, including Staphylococcal origin. Ideally, the present invention is directed to a recombinant staphylococcal MSCRAMM or MSCRAMM-like proteins, or fragment thereof, with reduced binding to its host ligand, for use in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using Raman spectroscopy for identification of low grade cervical cytology cases likely to progress to high grade/cancer. The Applicant has found that high quality Raman spectra can be successfully acquired from morphologically normal appearing cells from negative, LSIL and HSIL Thinprep® specimens and different grades of cervical pre-cancer can be separated with good sensitivities and specificities. Raman spectroscopy can further identify different categories of the LSIL cases i.e., whether they are likely to regress to negative or progress to HSIL cytology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device for imaging and measuring characteristics of an objects surface shape, surface spectral reflectance and structure of sub-surface layers. In particular, the invention relates to imaging of topography of human skin and skin sub-surface layers and determination of concentration of skin constituents. The present invention has applications in areas such as skin care, dermatology, cosmetics, wound management and tricology. The imaging device of the invention significantly improves photometric stereo measurements by suppressing specular reflection and allows accurate determination of the surface shape. Consequently the device allows elimination of the influence of the shape and illumination conditions on spectral measurements and allows accurate measurement of skin constituents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved microbial antigen vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions, immunogenic compositions and antibodies and their use in the treatment of microbial infections, particularly those of bacterial origin, including Staphylococcal origin. Ideally, the present invention is directed to a recombinant staphylococcal MSCRAMM or MSCRAMM-like proteins, or fragment thereof, with reduced binding to its host ligand, for use in therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods and systems for attenuating artifacts in single channel cochlear implants. Both high and low frequency artifacts can be attenuating using embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems. In some embodiments, low-pass filters, impedance balancing, and DC artifact estimation can be used, alone or in combination, to attenuate or completely remove artifacts in single channel cochlear implants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and use of RNA interference (RNAi) for the transient, reversible and controlled opening of the tight junctions of the blood brain barrier and/or the blood retinal barrier. This method may be used in the treatment of many diseases and disorders which require the opening of the blood brain barrier and/or blood retinal barrier. Such methods generally involve the use of an RNAi-inducing agent, such as siRNA, miRNA, shRNA or an RNAi-inducing vector whose presence within a cell results in production of an siRNA or shRNA, targeting tight junction proteins to open the blood brain barrier and/or blood retinal barrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved microbial antigen vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions, immunogenic compositions and antibodies and their use in the treatment of microbial infections, particularly those of bacterial origin, including Staphylococcal origin. Ideally, the present invention is directed to a recombinant staphylococcal MSCRAMM or MSCRAMM-like proteins, or fragment thereof, with reduced binding to its host ligand, for use in therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for the automated post production of a single video file, the method comprising the steps of gathering video data from a plurality of camera sources; gathering audio data from a plurality of microphone sources; using an automated tracking offline algorithm to track a sound emitting from a moving target object in a 3D space, to provide localization data of said target object to identify an optimum camera source to provide video data of said target object; and composing a composite video sequence of said moving target from a plurality of identified optimum camera sources in a single video file. The algorithm relies on both video data from multiple camera views and audio data from multiple microphone arrays to infer the 3D position of the active speaker over the duration of the captured presentation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating or preventing preterm labor in pregnant female subjects. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist sufficient to prevent the activation of Toll-like Receptor 9 by fetal DNA. The invention further provides compositions comprising a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist for use in the methods of the invention. The compositions and methods of the present invention enhance gestation and therefore improve neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: A process for producing nanoparticles comprises the steps of preparing silver seeds in the presence of a water soluble polyanionic polymer and growing the silver seeds to form nanoparticles. The polyanionic polymer may be poly(sodium styrenesulphonate).

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for the automated post production of a single video file, the method comprising the steps of gathering video data from a plurality of camera sources; gathering audio data from a plurality of microphone sources; using an automated tracking offline algorithm to track a sound emitting from a moving target object in a 3D space, to provide localization data of said target object to identify an optimum camera source to provide video data of said target object; and composing a composite video sequence of said moving target from a plurality of identified optimum camera sources in a single video file. The algorithm relies on both video data from multiple camera views and audio data from multiple microphone arrays to infer the 3D position of the active speaker over the duration of the captured presentation.

Abstract: An improved method and a system are disclosed for recovering a three-dimensional (3D) scene structure from a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) image frames obtained from imaging means. Sets of 2D features are extracted from the image frames, and sets corresponding to successive image frames are matched, such that at least one pair of matched 2D features refers to a same 3D point in a 3D scene captured in 2D in the image frames. A 3D ray is generated by back-projection from each 2D feature, and the generated 3D rays are subjected to an anchor-based minimization process, for determining camera motion parameters and 3D scene points coordinates, thereby recovering a structure of the 3D scene.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for measuring optical signal-to-noise-ratio (OSNR) in an optical communication system. A channel filter is adapted to select one specific optical communication channel from a wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) optical communication system, wherein the channel comprises an optical signal carrying digital bit information and noise from associated optical power amplifiers in the system. At least one optical delay interferometer is adapted to measure at least two interferograms of the noisy signal. The invention provides a mechanism for calculating the in-band OSNR from extinctions of the interferograms measured at different optical delays by referring to each other, wherein said optical delays are selected to be substantially less than a bit period of the optical channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to gene suppression and replacement. In particular, the invention relates to enhanced expression of suppression agents for suppressing gene expression in a cell and in vivo and replacement nucleic acids that are not inhibited by the suppression agent. Regulatory elements are included in expression vectors to optimize expression of the suppression agent and/or replacement nucleic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process of patterning structures on a carbon based surface comprising exposing part of the surface to an ion flux, such that material properties of the exposed surface are modified to provide a hard mask effect on the surface. A further step of etching unexposed parts of the surface forms the structures on the surface. The inventors have discovered that by controlling the ion exposure, alteration of the surface structure at the top surface provides a mask pattern, without substantially removing any material from the exposed surface. The mask allows for subsequent ion etching of unexposed areas of the surface leaving the exposed areas raised relative to the unexposed areas thus manufacturing patterns onto the surface. For example, a Ga+ focussed ion beam exposes a pattern onto a diamond surface which produces such a pattern after its exposure to a plasma etch.

Abstract: Aspirin is one of the most widely used drugs in the treatment of inflammation, pain and fever. It has more recently found application in the prevention of heart attacks and stroke and is being studied as a cancer chemopreventative agent. Despite its value aspirin continues to be underutilized because it causes gastric bleeding. The technology under development potentially removes this problem. It is designed to reduce contact between the drug and the intestinal lining. An isosorbide aspirinate prodrug compound is thus provided. The compound has the general structure as shown in general formula (I) wherein Y is a C1-C8 alkyl ester, a C1-C8 alkoxy ester, a C3-C10 cycloalkyl ester, an arylester, a C1-C8 alkylaryl ester or —C(O)ORring, wherein Rring is a 5-membered aromatic or nonaromatic 5-member ring having at least one heteroatom substituted for a carbon of the ring system, which can be unsubstituted or substituted with at least one nitric oxide releasing group.

Abstract: The invention provides a system of agents for use in an Urban Traffic Control environment, each agent representing a traffic light controller at a traffic junction to control traffic flow, said system comprising each agent is adapted to collect data local to the junction using one or more sensors and applying a Distributed W-Learning model to said collected data; each agent comprises means for mapping locally collected data to one of the system state representations available to determine action values; each agent is adapted to determine a current importance value of an action value using a Distributed W-Learning model. The main operational advantage of the system of the invention is that it utilizes machine learning to learn appropriate behaviours for a variety of traffic conditions, in a fully decentralized distributed self-organizing approach capable of addressing multiple performance policies on multiple agents, where data collection and analysis is performed by the junctions or intersections locally.

Abstract: (S)-(+)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methyl-hexanoic acid or (S)-pregabalin is an anticonvulsive drug. In addition to its use as an anticonvulsive agent, pregabalin has also been indicated as a medicament in the treatment of anxiety, neuropathic pain and pain in patients with fibromyalgia. Provided herein are thioester intermediates in the synthesis of and processes for the synthesis of 3-(aminomethyl)-5-methyl-hexanoic acid in the (R) or (S) configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of increasing the bioavailability of a peptide. The method includes altering the lipophilicity of a peptide by the creation of fatty acid peptide salts of the peptide. The fatty acid peptide salts exhibit increased transdermal and transmucosal permeability.

Abstract: Described are compounds having a thiazolhydrazide scaffold, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one of these compounds together with pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient and/or diluents. Said thiazolhydrazide compounds can be used for prophylaxis and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and conditions.