Abstract: A magnetoresistive medium (1) includes a substrate (2) which has been treated to provide a miscut vicinal surface (3) in the form of terraces (4) and steps (5) of atomic and nanometer scale. There are discrete separated spacer nanowires (7) provided by an intermediate partial spacer film on each terrace (4) against each step (5). A further main film (11) provides main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)). A thin protective layer (15) covers the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) which form two separate subsets of main nanowires with different exchange interaction with the substrate and thus a different response to an external magnetic field. In use, when an external magnetic field (H) is applied the response of the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) changes as the exchange coupling with the substrate (2) varies and the magnetisation on the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) change. This is shown by the arrows while prior to the application of the external magnetic field, they might, for example, be aligned.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for liquid droplets that includes a dispenser connected to a liquid carrying pipe which in turn is connected to a source of pressurized liquid. The dispenser has an elongated body member having a main bore connected to the liquid carrying pipe. At the other end, the main bore has a valve seat that is connected to a nozzle having a nozzle bore terminating in a dispensing tip. An elongated valve boss of ferromagnetic material covered with a soft polymer is mounted in the main bore and has a cross-sectional area less than that of the main bore. A separate valve boss actuating coil assembly has upper and lower coils that are separate from the main body that can be unplugged from both coils and from the liquid carrying pipe. As such, the main body can be a disposable member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to materials and methods associated with polymorphic variants in two enzymes involved in folate-dependent and one-carbon metabolic pathways: MTHFD1 (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase, 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase, 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (NADP+dependent) 1-like (MTHFD1L). Diagnostic and therapeutic methods are provided involving the correlation of polymorphic variants in MTBFD1, MTHFD1, and other genes with relative susceptibility for various pregnancy-related and other complications.

Abstract: A method of preparing an array of conducting or semi-conducting nanowires may include forming a vicinal surface of stepped atomic terraces on a substrate, and depositing a fractional layer of dopant material to form nanostripes having a width less than the width of the atomic terraces. Diffusion of the atoms of the dopant nanostripes into the substrate may form the nanowires.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming patterns and structures in target materials are described. The method produces a pattern or structure in a target material by contacting a stamp including one or more features with a target material using a normal load sufficient for keeping the one or more features in contact with the target material, and providing a cyclic shear force in an amount sufficient to extrude the target material and form a negative relief of the one more features in the target material. The systems and methods can be used to produce a variety of articles including, but not limited to, semiconductor integrated electrical circuits, integrated optical, magnetic, mechanical circuits and microdevices.

Abstract: Peptide derivatives useful as inhibitors of activity of thyrotropin-releasing hormone-degrading ectoenzyme (TRH-DE) are of formula Ia: wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 4-, 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring having one or more heteroatoms, in which at least one carbon atom of the ring is substituted with O or S; X1 is —CO— or —CS— or —CH2CO— or CH(R4) wherein R4 is H or optionally substituted alkyl or —COOH or —COOR11 wherein R11 is optionally substituted alkyl; X2 and X3 (which may be the same or different) are —CO— or —CS—; Z is —CH2— or —S— or —O— or —NH—; Q is O or S; R2 is H or optionally substituted alkyl or an optionally substituted carbocyclic ring; R3 is H or optionally substituted alkyl or an optionally substituted mono- or polycyclic ring, optionally having one or more heteroatoms in the ring(s) and optionally being a fused ring; or R2 and R3 together form an optionally substituted mono- or polycyclic ring optionally having one or more heteroatoms in the ring(s) and optionally being a

Abstract: A biochip assembly (1) is provided for cell based and other assays. A main support frame (11) releasably mounts separate and removable biochip modules (15, 16(a), 17 and 16(b)). There is an input module (15) which forms an enclosed liquid delivery assembly for connection to a liquid pump. There are two reservoir containing modules (16(a)) and (16(b)) having sets of wells (33(a); 33(b); 33(c); and 33(d); 33(e); 33(f)) respectively, which reservoir containing modules (16(a)) and (16(b)) are on either side of a microchannel containing module (17) which has an input port (35) and output port (36) for each of a plurality of microchannels (37). A removable transfer assembly (18), shown connecting the input module (15) and the reservoir containing modules 16(b), is used to interconnect the modules; to store liquid; to aspirate liquid from and deliver to the wells (33); and to delivery liquid through the microchannels (37).

Abstract: The isolation of genes and proteins from Staphylococcus aureus is provided, and the nucleic acids coding for specific regions of the S. aureus CIfA protein are described. The nucleic acids encode proteins that can be useful as vaccines or in pharmaceutical compositions for application to prevent infection, promotion of wound healing, blocking adherence to indwelling medical devices, or diagnosis of infection.

Abstract: The present invention describes a methods, uses, compositions such as adhesive, sealants and coatings, scaffold material, composite material, all comprising amyloid-like materials such as fibrils, in particular those made from fruit or vegetable proteins. The amyloid-like materials impart good mechanical strength to the materials in which it is employed. Inhibition of amyloid formation is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that inhibit thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) degrading ectoenzyme and/or enhance, and/or mimic the biological actions of TRH. The compounds find therapeutic application, particularly in conditions involving neuronal cell injury and disturbances in neurobiological function.

Abstract: A cell based assay assembly includes a biochip assembly, a liquid delivery unit and detection and recording equipment is used for conducting an assay on a biological cell as it is delivered through the biochip assembly. The biochip assembly includes a plurality of separate biochips each comprising a microchannel with input and output ports, separate reservoir wells are provided on the biochip assembly and are periodically connected to the liquid delivery unit by removable separate disclosed transfer conduits. The input and output ports of the biochip are also periodically connected to the delivery unit by the conduit. The liquid delivery unit includes a liquid link assembly and a positive displacement pump such as a syringe pump. The liquid link assembly includes pressure compressible means which acts to smooth out pressure rises by initially contacting and then expanding to in turn dispense a steady liquid delivery output below 10? per minute.

Abstract: Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochip 50 comprises a microchannel 51 having a liquid outlet port 1, bubble release port 2 and a liquid outlet port 3 with an associated bubble release port 4. A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannel 50 which various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assembly 60 comprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip 50. An inverted microscope 65, digital camera 66 and recorder 67 are provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive medium (1) comprises a substrate (2) which has been treated to provide a miscut vicinal surface (3) in the form of terraces (4(a), 4(b)) and steps (5) of atomic and nanometer scale. A further upper film (11) provides upper nanowires (10(a), 10(b)). A thin protective layer (15) covers the upper nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) which form two separate subsets of upper nanowires with different exchange interaction with the substrate and thus a different response to an external magnetic field. The substrate (2) is so chosen that the width of the terraces 4(a) and 4(b) are significantly non-uniform. This leads to a different response depending on which terrace (4(a) or 4(b)) the upper film 11 overlies. It can utilise, for example, step-induced magnetic anisotropy between the upper nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) and the substrate (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the inspection of high frequency and microwave circuits such as printed test circuit boards. The invention uses a probe or antenna (3) which is separated from the device under test (DUT) (2). The invention provides a relatively long central protruding conductor (8) for the antenna (3) which protrudes from its shielding (7). In the method, the antenna (3) is used to acquire microwave electromagnetic field measurements in a near field region of a test pont of the DUT (2). Generally, this is done at two test positions with a difference in separation (?l) between the apex (8) of the antenna (3) and the DUT (2). The two test results calculated and recorded and the difference of the microwave properties of the two tests is obtained to provide information about the operation of the DUT (2). The antenna (3) can be either a straight electric field antenna or loop antenna.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation of the fibrinogen binding protein gene from Staphylococcus aureus and to the use of the fibrinogen binding protein and antibodies generated against it for wound healing, blocking adherence to indwelling medical devices, immunization or diagnosis of infection.

Abstract: A laser diode (1) having an optical path (15) defined in an active layer (2) which is sandwiched between a substrate layer (3) and a top layer (4) and defined by a ridge (14) formed in the top layer (4) outputs laser light of a single predetermined wavelength. Refractive index altering grooves (21) extending transversely in the top layer (4) are provided at spaced apart locations for altering the refractive index of the active layer (2) along the optical path at partial reflecting locations (20) for causing partial longitudinal reflections of the laser light generated in the optical path (15) so that standing waves or harmonics thereof of the single predetermined wavelength are set up between the respective partial reflecting locations (20) and a first mirror facet (8) in the optical path (15).

Abstract: A magnetoresistive medium (1) comprises a substrate (2) which has been treated to provide a miscut vicinal surface (3) in the form of terraces (4) and steps (5) of atomic and nanometer scale. There are discrete separated spacer nanowires (7) provided by an intermediate partial spacer film on each terrace (4) against each step (5). A further main film (11) provides main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)). A thin protective layer (15) covers the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) which form two separate subsets of main nanowires with different exchange interaction with the substrate and thus a different response to an external magnetic field. In use, when an external magnetic field (H) is applied the response of the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) changes as the exchange coupling with the substrate (2) varies and the magnetisation on the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) change. This is shown by the arrows while prior to the application of the external magnetic field, they might, for example, be aligned.

Abstract: A laser diode (1) for outputting light of a single mode comprises a substrate layer (5), a cladding layer (6) and a compound light propagating layer (7) comprising first, second, third and fourth layers (9 to 12). A wave guiding region (15) of refractive index lower than its adjacent regions is defined by the third layer (11) by two quantum wells (16) positioned at the anti-node of light of a single mode which is propagating in the third layer (11) for propagating and amplifying the single mode light. A central ridge (17) locates the wave guiding region transversely of the direction of light propagation. The wave guiding region (15) can also be defined by shaping the top cladding layer (6) by forming an elongated central channel through the central ridge (17).

Abstract: Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which are cross-reactive to both coagulase-positive staphylococcus bacteria, such as S. aureus and to coagulase-negative bacteria, such as S. epidermidis and S. hemolyticus, are provided which can recognize surface proteins from both coagulase-positive and coagulase negative staph bacteria. The antibodies may be generated from surface proteins that have been isolated on the basis of characteristics that may be common between S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, and these recombinant surface proteins are used to generate the antibodies of the invention. There is also provided vaccines and methods which utilize these proteins and antibodies for the treatment or protection against a wide variety of staphylococcal infections.

Abstract: A liquid outlet link assembly is provided for liquid delivery output rates below 10 &mgr;l per minute so as to smooth out the flow from a positive displacement pump which has an immediate step pumping rate which is relatively substantially larger than the delivery rate required through the liquid outlet means. Essentially, this liquid link assembly has a bubble of air or some other pressure activated expansion means which initially contracts on the step pump such as a syringe pump operation and then gradually expands over time, allowing a steady output rate through the link assembly.