Abstract: A laser structure comprising a first photonic crystal surface emitting laser (PCSEL), a second PCSEL, and a coupling region that extends between the first PCSEL and the second PCSEL along a longitudinal axis and that is electrically controllable so as to be capable of coherently coupling the first PCSEL to the second PCSEL. Each PCSEL include an active layer, a photonic crystal, and a two-dimensional periodic array distributed in an array plane parallel to the longitudinal axis within the photonic crystal where the two-dimensional periodic array is formed of regions having a refractive index that is different to the surrounding photonic crystal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of microRNA 96 and precursors and mimics thereof for the inhibition of vascular cell proliferation and/or vascular remodelling, and for the treatment of associated medical conditions such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Abstract: The present invention relates to phosphodiesterase 9A (PDE9A) for use as a marker for prostate cancer, and the use of PDE9A as a marker for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating prostate cancer or the progression of prostate cancer. The present invention also relates to a composition for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating prostate cancer or the progression of prostate cancer, a corresponding method and immunoassay, a method for diagnosing, monitoring or prognosticating hormone-resistant prostate cancer vs. hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, a corresponding immunoassay, a method of data acquisition, an immunoassay for diagnosing, detecting, monitoring or prognosticating prostate cancer or the progression of prostate cancer, a method of identifying an individual for eligibility for prostate cancer therapy, an immunoassay for stratifying an individual or cohort of individuals with a prostate cancer disease, an immunoassay for stratifying an individual with prostate cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a compound or a product having one or more characteristics that meet or exceed a user specification, the process comprising the step of selecting a first combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, and supplying those inputs to a reaction space, thereby to generate a first product; analyzing one or more characteristics of the product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics against a user specification; using a genetic algorithm selecting a second combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, wherein the second combination differs from the first combination, and supplying those inputs to the reaction space, thereby to generate a second product; analyzing one or more characteristics of the second product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics generated against the user specification; repeating the selecting and analyzing steps for further individual combinations of chemical and/or p

Abstract: A method of using a fluidics apparatus for lysing a cell. In the method, the cell is placed in a fluid sample contacting a substrate surface. The method further includes providing surface acoustic waves (SAWs) at the substrate surface, causing cell lyses.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the manipulation of fluids using acoustic waves such as surface acoustic waves. In some aspects, one fluid may be introduced into another fluid via application of suitable acoustic waves. For example, a fluid may be added or injected into another fluid by applying acoustic waves where, in the absence of the acoustic waves, the fluid cannot be added or injected, e.g., due to the interface or surface tension between the fluids. Thus, for example, a fluid may be injected into a droplet of another fluid. Other embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for making or using such systems, kits involving such systems, or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of bacterial respiratory infections using the bacterially-originating antibiotics known as pyocins. In particular, the invention provides the use of S-type pyocins, administered by pulmonary administration, for the treatment of such infections.

Abstract: This invention provides method and media suitable for inducing and supporting the differentiation of stem cells into erythroid cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a propionate inulin ester for the reduction of appetite, food intake and/or calorie intake and/or to improve insulin sensitivity in a subject, and for the treatment or prevention of obesity or diabetes. The invention also provides compositions comprising a propionate inulin ester, methods using propionate inulin esters, functional food containing propionate inulin ester and methods of making propionate inulin esters.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing and using reaction vessels obtained or obtainable by 3D-printing methods, including a method for preparing a product compound, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a reaction vessel that is obtained by a 3-D printing method, wherein the reaction vessel has a reaction space; (ii) providing one or more reagents, optionally together with a catalyst or a solvent, for use in the synthesis of the product compound; and (iii) permitting the one or more reagents to react in the reaction space, optionally in the presence of the catalyst and the solvent, in the reaction vessel, thereby to form the product compound.

Abstract: Various uses of visible light interference patterns are provided. Suitable interference patterns are those formed by diffraction from patterns of apertures. Typical uses disclosed herein relate to spatial metrology, such as a translational and/or angular position determination system. Further uses include the analysis of properties of the light itself (such as the determination of the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation). Still further uses include the analysis of one or more properties (e.g. refractive index) of the matter through which the light passes. Part of the interference pattern is captured at a pixellated detector, such as a CCD chip, and the captured pattern compared with a calculated pattern. Very precise measurements of the spacing between maxima is possible, thus allowing very precise measurements of position of the detector in the interference pattern.

Abstract: The invention provides a detector comprising a metamaterial absorber and a micro-bolometer arranged to detect terahertz (THz) radiation. The metamaterial absorber can absorb multiple frequency bands, from the infrared and the THz regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The detector is scalable to be suitable for use in a focal plane array. The invention also provides a hybrid of a plasmonic filter, e.g. for optical radiation, and a metamaterial absorber for terahertz (and/or infrared) radiation, to create a single material capable of absorbing narrow band terahertz radiation and filtering radiation in another part of the spectrum, e.g. optical radiation. Such material has great potential in future imaging technology where hybridization can maximize the spectral information density of an optical system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of microRNA 29 and precursors and mimics thereof for the modulation of tendon injury and the biomechanical properties of tendon. In particular, the invention derives from the finding that synthesis of type 1 collagen in tenocytes is less sensitive to miR-29 than is synthesis of type 3 collagen, thus enabling the balance between the collagen subtypes to be modulated in favour of type 1 collagen, mitigating reduction in biomechanical properties during healing.

Abstract: A fluidics apparatus for manipulation of at least one fluid sample is disclosed. A manipulation surface locates the fluid sample. A surface acoustic wave (SAW) generation material layer is provided. This is a polycrystalline material, textured polycrystalline material, biaxially textured polycrystalline material, microcrystalline material, nanocrystalline material, amorphous material or composite material. A transducer electrode structure arranged at the SAW generation material layer provides SAWs at the manipulation surface for interaction with the fluid sample. The manipulation surface has a phononic structure, for affecting the transmission, distribution and/or behavior of SAWs at the manipulation surface. The apparatus is typically manufactured by reel-to-reel processes, to reduce the unit cost to a level at which the apparatus can be considered to be disposable after a single use.

Abstract: The invention relates to the finding that turnover of DISC1 (Disrupted in schizophrenia 1) is mediated by the F-box-containing protein FBXW7 (F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7). The sequence within DISC1 that binds to FBXW7 and targets DISC1 for turnover by the ubiquitin-proteasome system is identified. The invention provides antagonists that inhibit this interaction and methods of using these antagonists to decrease DISC1 turnover, for example in treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as methods of identifying new antagonists.

Abstract: A fluidics apparatus is disclosed for manipulation of at least one fluid sample, typically in the form of a droplet. The apparatus has a substrate surface with a sample manipulation zone for location of the fluid sample. A transducer arrangement such as an interdigitated electrode structure on a piezoelectric body provides surface acoustic waves at the substrate surface for manipulation of the fluid sample. The substrate surface has an arrangement of surface acoustic wave scattering elements forming a phononic crystal structure for affecting the transmission, distribution and/or behavior of surface acoustic waves at the substrate surface. Also disclosed is a method for lysing a cell. In this method, the cell is comprised in a fluid sample contacting a substrate surface, the method comprising providing surface acoustic waves at the substrate surface, such that the cell lyses.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of bacterial cytolysin proteins, such as pneumolysin, as adjuvants for stimulating or enhancing immune responses against co-administered target antigens. Desirably, the target antigen is provided as a fusion protein with the cytolysin. The inventors have found that cytolysins may be particularly effective for stimulation of mucosal immune responses against the target antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lactate difference imaging (LDI) technique, allowing assessment of the metabolic responses of tissue over a period of time. This approach utilizes lactate change over a time period as an indicator of viable tissue, and offers benefits in the management and treatment of the effects of many common diseases, in particular stroke.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing pulmonary arterial hypertension in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject an inhibitor of miR-145 expression or activity. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising miR-145 inhibitors for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of agents (including heparin derivatives) for the prevention and/or treatment of CNS damage.