Abstract: This invention relates to base oils for lubricating compositions. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the selective oligomerisation of C5 to C20 alpha-olefins to produce polyalphaolefin oligomers with a molecular weight distribution that is suitable for use in lubricant base oils.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that employ FKBPL as a marker for a subject's sensitivity to endocrine therapies in the treatment of cancers, and as a predictive marker of cancer progression and disease free survival in relation to hormone responsive cancers.

Abstract: A method of coating a metallic article having an at least part-metallic surface comprising a first metal, with a surface having a pre-determined wettability, the method at least comprising the steps of: (a) coating at least a part of the metallic article with a layer of a second metal to provide a metal-metal bonded surface, said surface being rough either prior to or because of step (a); and (b) contacting the metal-metal bonded surface of step (a) with a material to provide the surface having the pre-determined wettability. The first metal may be one or more of the group comprising: iron, zinc, copper, tin, nickel and aluminum, and alloys thereof including steel, brass, bronze and nitinol for example. Preferably, the second metal is coated onto the first metal using electroless Galvanic deposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining predisposition of a subject to developing renal dysfunction induced by physical trauma, hypotension, sepsis and/or septic shock syndrome, wherein the method comprises the steps of:—a. determining the level of an anti-inflammatory cytokine present in a sample taken from the subject prior to physical trauma, prior to a hypotensive event, prior to sepsis, and/or prior to septic shock syndrome; b. determining if the subject is predisposed to developing renal dysfunction following physical trauma, hypotension, sepsis and/or septic shock syndrome on the basis of the level of an anti-inflammatory cytokine determined in step a).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for a method for predicting the development of renal dysfunction in a subject following physical trauma, hypotension, sepsis and/or septic shock syndrome, wherein the method comprises the steps of: —a. determining the level of an anti-inflammatory cytokine present in a sample taken from the subject after physical trauma, after a hypotensive event, after sepsis, and/or after septic shock syndrome; b. predicting the development in the subject of renal dysfunction on the basis of the level of an anti-inflammatory cytokine determined in step a).

Abstract: Disclosed are WC/CNT, WC/CNT/Pt composite material and preparation process therefor and use thereof. The WC/CNT/Pt composite material comprises mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide with diameter of 1-5 microns, carbon nanotubes and platinum nanoparticles, with the carbon nanotubes growing on the surface of the mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide and expanding outward, and the platinum nanoparticles growing on the surfaces of the mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide and carbon nanotubes. The WC/CNT composite material comprises mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide with diameter of 1-5 microns, and carbon nanotubes growing on the surface of the mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide and expanding outward. The WC/CNT/Pt composite material can be used as an electro-catalyst in a methanol flue battery, significantly improving the catalytic conversion rate and the service life of the catalyst.

Abstract: There is provided a method for suppressing a pro-inflammatory immune response in a cell, comprising providing to a cell sialic acid or analogs thereof, wherein the sialic acid or analogs are presented by a substrate such that a pro-inflammatory immune response in a cell is suppressed or an anti-inflammatory immune response is increased in a cell. Further, there is provided a method of treatment of inflammatory disease in a subject in need thereof. There is also provided a drug delivery device and a biomaterial which can modulate the inflammatory response in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fertiliser comprising nutrients adsorbed onto a core material comprising a carbonate mineral. Also provided are methods of producing a solid fertiliser, the method comprising adsorbing nutrients onto a core material comprising a carbonate mineral. The invention also provides a method for treating waste material by anaerobic digestion to produce a nutrient rich liquor and adsorbing nutrients from this liquor onto a core material comprising a carbonate mineral. Also provided are the uses of a carbonate mineral for adsorbing phosphorus from anaerobic digestion liquor and for the control release of phosphorus from a fertiliser.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water comprising at least the steps of: (a) providing the water in laminar flow; and (b) providing bubblefree aeration to the water. The present invention introduces aerobic treatment into wastewater settlement without any hindrance to the settlement process. The present invention is useable for any settlement step or stage, without limitation, the commonest being primary settlement or final settling.

Abstract: A method for providing an internal surface temperature profile of a thermoplastic preform (10, 22) during a stretch blow molding production process comprising at least the steps of: (a) heating a plurality of in-line cold preforms (10) in the production process to provide a plurality of in-line heated preforms (22); (b) diverting at least one of the in-line heated preforms to provide at least one off-line heated preform (30); (c) providing the remaining the in-line heated preforms to one or more stretch blow molds (24) for forming the heated preforms into blow molded products (12); and (d) locating one or more temperature sensors (34, 36) inside the or each off-line heated preform (30) of step (b) to provide an inside surface temperature profile of said preform(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant cell line capable of inducible expression of an ? and/or ?subunit of interleukin 12 (IL-12), and an ecdosyme-inducible expression vector capable of transfecting a host cell to produce the recombinant cell line of the invention. The invention also relates to a method of screening a candidate compound for the ability to inhibit IL-12 formation and secretion which comprises the steps of incubating a cell line according to the invention with the candidate compound and then assaying the cell line culture for secreted IL-12, or a subunit thereof.

Abstract: A process is described for providing a polymer material by blending as a first component one or more hydrophilic polymers, and as a second component one or more neutralising chemicals, in the complete or substantial absence of water. In the absence of water, the components will not be aqueous solutions. Thus the components can be used in blending processes, and the present invention is able to form many other shapes and forms of material other than laminates on substrates.

Abstract: A method of ageing a catalyst material includes at least the steps of: (a) heating a gaseous stream; (b) adding a least one pure hydrocarbon gas and an oxygen-containing gas to the heated gaseous stream to provide a combined stream; and (c) passing the combined stream through the catalyst material. The use of at least one pure hydrocarbon gas and an oxygen-containing gas allows maximum re-circulation of the exit stream from the catalyst material for reuse, while maintaining the correct C, H and O proportions being provided in the combined stream to replicate realistic use of the catalyst material.

Abstract: A method of ageing a catalyst material includes at least the steps of: (a) heating a gaseous stream; (b) adding a least one pure hydrocarbon gas and an oxygen-containing gas to the heated gaseous stream to provide a combined stream; and (c) passing the combined stream through the catalyst material. The use of at least one pure hydrocarbon gas and an oxygen-containing gas allows maximum re-circulation of the exit stream from the catalyst material for reuse, while maintaining the correct C, H and O proportions being provided in the combined stream to replicate realistic use of the catalyst material.

Abstract: A product which at least partly comprises an agglomerate formed from a powder having a pre-determined wettability.

Abstract: There is provided a molecular marker CXCR1 for predicting response and survival in subjects afflicted with cancer who would benefit from treatment with and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) targeted therapeutic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the removal of naphthenic acids from crude oils and crude oil distillates by use of supported basic ionic liquids.

Abstract: The application discloses novel processes for the oligomerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons, and more specifically the use of selected ionic liquids containing Indium (III) Chloride in the oligomerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons, which allows for selection of the oligomers formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the removal of mercury from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed using specifically selected ionic liquids comprising, contacting the mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed with an ionic liquid having the formula [Cat+][M+][X?] and separating from the ionic liquid a hydrocarbon fluid product having a reduced mercury content compared to the mercury-containing fluid feed.

Abstract: Described is an N-terminal hexapeptide fragment of maximakinin, QUB 698.8, which exhibits potent tissue selective actions on smooth muscle. It demonstrates a high degree of selectivity for arterial smooth muscle over small intestinal smooth muscle, causing potent relaxation of arterial smooth muscle, while causing less potent contraction of ileal smooth muscle. It may be used treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system and in promotion of angiogenesis.