Abstract: The present invention provides kits, methods, and apparatus for analysing a biological sample from an animal to predict (pre-symptomatically) and monitor the development of sepsis, utilising biomarker signatures, and especially biomarker signatures capable of providing a mean predictive accuracy of at least 92% to differentiate development of sepsis from non-sepsis.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of making a continuous freeform thermoplastic dielectric film (25) that is evenly loaded with dispersed nanoparticles comprising the steps of; feeding thermoplastic granules (21) into an extruder (23), injecting a secondary feed (27) comprising a suspension of nanoparticles in a liquid carrier to create a nanocomposite, and extruding said composite onto cooled rollers (26) at a preset rate thereby enabling the crystalline structure of the nanocomposite film (25) to be controlled wherein the secondary feed (27) is mixed continuously by an ultrasonicator (29) whilst being injected into the extruder (23).

Abstract: The invention provides for an accelerometer comprising a proof mass within a fixed substrate wherein the proof mass is connected to the substrate by one or more v-beams. Acceleration is determined by measuring the deflection of the v-beam or beams.

Abstract: A roller door system (100) particularly for opening and closing a doorway (120) defined in the wall of a lightweight structure (110) such as a marquee, hangar, field hospital, emergency shelter and the like. The door system comprises a rollable door (150) secured, in use, along one edge of the doorway (152); a roller (140) for rolling and unrolling the rollable door about the roller; an opening mechanism and a closing mechanism for controlling the deployment of the rollable door by translating the roller across the doorway; and reusable sealing means (135, 136, 155, 156) for sealing between the lateral margins of the rollable door and the doorway; characterised in that the rollable door comprises a plurality of collapsible hoses (165, 166) connected to a pressurised fluid power system (160, 161, 163) such that in use a positive pressure applied to the fluid power system causes the rollable door to unroll from the roller and controls the deployment of the rollable door.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for tuning a liquid crystal filter to the wavelength of incoming electromagnetic radiation (such as visible light) by exploiting the AC error signal produced by the filter when a tuning error is present.

Abstract: An immunogenic reagent which produces an immune response which is protective against Bacillus anthracis, said reagent comprising one or more polypeptides which together represent up to three domains of the full length Protective Antigen (PA) of B. anthracis or variants of these, and at least one of said domains comprises domain 1 or domain 4 of PA or a variant thereof. The polypeptides of the immunogenic reagent as well as full length PA are produced by expression from E. coli. High yields of polypeptide are obtained using this method. Cells, vectors and nucleic acids used in the method are also described and claimed.

Abstract: There is provided a phased array antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements (12) and switching circuitry configured to switch the phased array antenna to an inactive mode. The switching to the inactive mode comprises the switching circuitry connecting random or pseudo-random impedance elements (20) to the antenna elements to reduce the peak backscatter level of the phased antenna array.

Abstract: There is disclosed improved apparatus and methods for detection of shape, size and intrinsic fluorescence properties of a fluid borne particle wherein the apparatus comprises a laser, two light sources, two detectors, and optionally a third detector. The apparatus is particularly suitable for detection of airborne biological particles.

Abstract: Techniques for processing a navigation signal are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method processing a navigation signal, the method comprising the steps of: receiving, using a receiver, the navigation signal, the navigation signal comprising a carrier signal, a data signal and at least one ranging code modulated by at least one stepped subcarrier modulation signal, the at least one stepped subcarrier modulation signal comprising a number, m, of amplitude levels, where m>2, and wherein the amplitude levels have respective magnitudes and durations arranged to influence the power spectrum of the navigation signal is constrained in a predetermined manner, processing the navigation signal to recover the modulated at least one ranging code; and processing the recovered at least one modulated ranging code to recover at least one demodulated ranging code.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power spectrum of a navigation transmission signal in a navigation system is provided. The navigation transmission signal comprising a carrier signal, a navigation ranging signal, a data signal, and at least one subcarrier modulation signal. The method comprising modulating the navigation ranging signal with the at least one subcarrier modulation signal, wherein the at least one subcarrier modulation signal comprises a number, m, of amplitude levels, where m>2, to produce a modulated ranging signal. The amplitude levels having respective magnitudes and durations arranged to influence the power spectrum of the navigation signal in a predetermined manner. Modulating the carrier with the modulated ranging signal and the data signal to generate the navigation signal.

Abstract: A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a power spectrum of a navigation transmission signal in a navigation system are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method of controlling a power spectrum of a navigation transmission signal in a navigation system, the navigation transmission signal comprising a carrier signal, a ranging code, a data signal, and at least one stepped subcarrier modulation signal. The method may comprise modulating the canier signal by the at least one stepped subcarrier modulation signal, the data signal, and the ranging code to generate the navigation transmission ranging signal, wherein the at least one stepped subcarrier modulation signal may comprise a number, m, of amplitude levels, where m>2. The amplitude levels may be arranged to constrain the power spectrum of the navigation transmission signal in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A steel (known as super bainite steel) containing between 90% and 50% bainite, the rest being austenite, in which excess carbon remains within the bainitic ferrite at a concentration beyond that consistent with equilibrium; there is also partial partitioning of carbon into the residual austenite. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the steel contains in weight percent: carbon 0.6 to 1.1%, silicon 1.5 to 2.0%, manganese 0.5 to 1.8, nickel up to 3%, chromium 1.0 to 1.5, molybdenum 0.2 to 0.5%, vanadium 0.1 to 0.2%, balance iron save for incidental impurities. Excellent properties are obtained if the manganese content is about 1% by weight.

Abstract: The invention concerns an armor panel to provide protection from projectiles. The present invention relates to an armor panel comprising a layer of hexagonal ceramic armor elements (10) having a spacing means in the form of lugs (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) which are on the side of the ceramic armor element 10 and arranged to co-operate with adjacent ceramic armor elements (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) and form a bond line in the space (48) between elements.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) pretilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A strain of Francisella species wherein a gene which encodes for part of the glutamate metabolic pathway has been inactivated, and which is able to produce a protective immune response in an animal, for use as live prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine against infection by said Francisella species. Particularly effective strains include those where the capB gene is deleted. Other embodiments of the invention describe strains which compromise a further genetic mutation wherein a gene which encodes for another component of the cell is also inactivated. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising said strains, together with methods which utilize such strains are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, in particular lateral flow devices, for detecting a target analyte on a surface, in which the elements of collection and detection are integrated. The present invention also provides methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising lipopolysaccharide derived from Burkholderia thailandensis and its various uses, including but not limited to its use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of meliodosis or amelioration of symptoms associated therewith, and/or glanders or amelioration of symptoms associated therewith.

Abstract: An optically addressed light valve suitable for selectively limiting the transmission of radiation from high intensity light sources comprising an electro-optical modulator sandwiched by two photoconductive layers.