Abstract: The invention describes a system and method how tissue compression can be measured continuously in a non-contact way to provide a low cost, patient/user specific measurement system. The method may be used to inform existing and future pressure relief mattress systems. The invention may also be used for any application either in conjunction with another system or on its own to measure tissue compression. In another embodiment the invention can be used for measuring any type of compression of a compressible material, for example compression of viscoelastic foam or other materials. The invention may also be used to make inferences about the changes of blood flow at site of measurement.

Abstract: A system and method suitable for monitoring user technique of an inhaler device configured for delivery of a medicament is provided. The system may include a microphone adapted for sensing sound made during operation of the inhaler device and processing circuitry operable to process a data signal obtained from the microphone, wherein the data signal includes acoustic information sensed. The processing circuitry is adapted to determine inhalation and exhalation breath characteristics that occur during use, by analyzing the temporal and spectral components of the acoustic information sensed and processed to differentiate between an inhalation and an exhalation, based on both the temporal and spectral components. This information can be processed to determine user technique adherence to inhaler or respiratory device protocol. The analysis of temporal and spectral components can determine the impact of user technique errors on the quantity and the deposition of medicament delivered into the user's airways.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions are described which are useful especially for treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases or disorders such as neovascularisation of the eye, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) receptor subtype in human central nervous system (CNS) that is pharmacologically distinct from the TRH receptor subtype in human pituitary. The invention provides a means to understand how the central actions of TRH are mediated and to isolate and characterize the novel receptor, as well as methods applicable to research and development of diagnostic and therapeutic applications in human CNS disorders.

Abstract: (E)-2-(2-Quinolin-2-yl-propenyl)-phenol, 2-Quinolin-2-yl-ylethynyl-phenol and salts thereof are useful as medicaments, especially for treatment of an angiogenesis-related disease or disorder.

Abstract: A method for patterning layers of 2D material by inducing self-assembly on a support substrate, the method comprising the steps of depositing a layer of 2D material on the support substrate; applying a force at a region consisting of a point, a line, or an a real region of the 2D material such that the 2D material forms a folded, self-contacting structure at that region.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of an agent capable of inhibiting IL-36 proteolytic processing for the treatment and/or reduction of inflammation in a subject. Advantageously, the agent prevents the production of a biologically active IL-36 to prevent and/or reduce the pro-inflammatory effects of IL-36. The invention also relates to a method for treatment and/or reduction of inflammation and compositions for treating and/or reducing inflammation.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for exfoliating a 3-dimensional layered material to produce a 2-dimensional material, said process comprising the steps of mixing the layered material in a solvent to provide a mixture; applying energy, for example ultrasound, to said mixture, and removing the energy applied to the mixture, such that sedimentation of the 2-dimensional material out of solution as a weakly re-aggregated, exfoliated 2-dimensional material is produced. The invention provides a fast, simple and high yielding process for separating 3-dimensional layered materials into individual 2-dimensional layers or flakes, which do not strongly re-aggregate, without utilising hazardous solvents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2) agonists, in particular, to TLR2-activating lipoproteins, and more particularly to TLR2-activating lipopeptides derived from the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. The invention further extends to the use of said TLR2-activating lipoproteins as a therapeutic or as part of a vaccine composition in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, cancer or allergic diseases.

Abstract: (E)-2-(2-Quinolin-2-yl-propenyl)-phenol, 2-Quinolin-2-yl-ylethynyl-phenol and salts thereof are useful as medicaments, especially for treatment of an angiogenesis-related disease or disorder.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of locating a non-cooperative transmitter in a network based on a received signal strength (RSS) comprising the steps of: observes the differences in both downlink and uplink signal losses for the transmitter to be located and a small number of receiver pairs; calculating the difference in downlink signal losses for each receiver pair is obtained by measuring the RSS; comparing the calculated values generated for the uplink using a propagation predictor; predicting the location of the non-cooperative transmitter in the network.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus is coupled with a laser that provides energy. The HAMR write apparatus includes a pole, at least one coil, a waveguide, a near-field transducer (NFT) and at least one antireflective mechanism. The pole writes to a region of the media and includes a media-facing surface. The coil(s) energize the pole. The waveguide is optically coupled with the laser and includes a core and cladding. The waveguide is for directing a portion of the energy toward the NFT, which is located in a transmission direction from the core of the waveguide. The antireflective mechanism(s) are in at least one of a first position in the waveguide, a second position in the NFT and a third position between the waveguide and the NFT.

Abstract: A method for reversible capture and release of carbon dioxide comprises the steps of providing a solution of a defined tetranuclear complex or mixture thereof, in which adsorption sites are provided by coordinated solvent molecules such as water molecules. The solution is exposed to the atmosphere or to a gas stream containing carbon dioxide to sequester carbon dioxide, and the pH of the resultant reaction mixture is adjusted to facilitate the release of carbon dioxide. The solution which is used to sequester carbon dioxide is a solution of a polynuclear transition metal compound having the formula: (I) and the tetranuclear transition metal compound that has sequestered carbon dioxide is of the formula: (II).

Abstract: The invention provides a Bottom Contacted 2D-layer Device (BCD) for the determination of graphene doping and chemical sensing. The device can be made by transfer of high quality CVD grown graphene films onto n- or p-doped silicon substrates yielding Schottky barrier diodes. Exposure to liquids and gases change the charge carrier density in the graphene and as a result the electrical transport of the device is modulated. The changes can be easily detected and interpreted in the doping power of the adsorbent. This principle allows one to create a new type of chemical sensor platform exploiting the monolayer nature of graphene or other carbon material. The device benefits from facile fabrication and the result is a robust device which can investigate surface chemistry on monolayer materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution for the full integration of a coherent receiver on Indium Phosphide (InP) or other material that has a number of advantages over current coherent receiver design. PIN waveguides can be reverse biased and forward biased to modify the mode effective index so as to realize an integrated polarization beam splitting function and the 90 degree optical hybrid. The fabrication tolerance is therefore greatly increased; resulting in much reduced complexity and cost for the final receiver.

Abstract: The invention provides a control interface configured to cooperate with a vehicle, such as a wheelchair or mobile robot, said interface comprising at least one sensor is adapted to detect the presence of at least one finger of a user and to act as a switching mechanism between manual and autonomous control of the vehicle. The invention provides a highly intuitive and effective means of switching between automatic and manual vehicle control-no user training required. The control interface allows for user to be comfortable in an autonomous vehicle—users can instantly gain full control when needed.

Abstract: While methodologies for the Kinetic Resolution of alcohols are well established, no analogous direct methods exist for the highly selective, direct catalytic Kinetic Resolution of thiols (i.e., R—SH). The present invention relates to a method for resolving stereoisomeric mixtures of thiols. In particular, the present invention relates to purely organocatalytic mediated resolution of enantiomeric mixtures of thiols without the need for enzymes. Also disclosed are some novel catalysts. Such catalysts may comprise a cinchona alkaloid-derived moiety.

Abstract: Non ligand binding pocket antagonists for the human androgen receptor. The androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the Nuclear Receptor (NR) family and its role is to modulate the biological effects of the endogenous androgens, testosterone (tes) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Synthetic androgens and anti-androgens have therapeutic value in the treatment of various androgen dependent conditions, from regulation of male fertility to prostate cancer. Current treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) typically involves administration of ‘classical’ antiandrogens, competitive inhibitors of natural AR ligands, DHT and tes, for the ligand binding pocket (LBP) in the C-terminal ligand binding domain (LBD) of the AR. However, prolonged LBP-targeting can often lead to androgen resistance and alternative therapies and therapeutic strategies are urgently required. Disclosed herein are a class of non-steroidal, small molecule AR antagonists which inhibit the transcriptional activity of the AR by non LBP-mediated modulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a flat Layer 2 Metro-Core network as part of a Long Reach PON architecture that meets the demands of scalability, efficiency and economy within a modern Telecommunications network. The invention provides for Mac Address Translation applied to layer 2. This allows layer 2 address space to be structured and fits well with the table driven approach of OpenFlow and the wider Software Defined Networks.