Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for increasing muscle hypertrophy, e.g., through the administration of novel combinations of natural products that inhibit SIRT1.

Abstract: An optical frequency manipulation using an optical subsystem configured to provide a modulated laser beam for interaction with an atomic sample. The optical system may include: an optical subsystem for producing a light beam, the optical subsystem having a laser source and an IQ modulator, wherein the IQ modulator is operable to modulate light from the laser source at a carrier frequency to produce modulated light having a single sideband at a sideband frequency; and a chamber for containing an atomic sample, wherein the optical subsystem is arranged to direct the light beam towards the chamber to interact with an atomic sample contained therein.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gravity gradiometer including a pair of magneto-optical traps for measuring a gravity gradient. A cold atom gravity gradiometer system includes comprising: first and second magneto-optical traps, each having a plurality of mirrored surfaces arranged to reflect an incident laser beam to trap respective first and second cold atom clouds separated from each other by a separation distance; an optical subsystem arranged to transmit a first laser beam in a first direction along a first longitudinal axis towards the first magneto-optical trap and a second laser beam in an opposite second direction along a second longitudinal axis towards the second magneto-optical trap, the second longitudinal axis being parallel to the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of rare earth magnets comprising the steps of exposing a rare earth alloy to hydrogen gas at an elevated temperature so as to effect hydrogenation and disproportionation of the alloy, mechanically processing the disproportionated alloy, and degassing the processed alloy so as to effect hydrogen desorption and recombination of the alloy. The process of the invention finds use in the production and shaping of rare earth magnets, and may be particularly applicable to the production of thin magnetic sheets.

Abstract: Provided is a method that utilises linear dichroism (LD) to identify the presence of a target molecule (L) in a sample. The method comprises providing an alignable scaffold (20), preferably biomolecular fibre M13, comprising a first binding region and having a high aspect ratio of greater than 5:1, providing a substrate (e.g. a substantially spherical non-alignable moiety (12)) comprising a second binding region which binds the first binding region in the absence of the target molecule in such a way that the LD signal of the alignable scaffold is reduced or minimised relative to the unbound and aligned scaffold, wherein one of the first and second binding regions is a receptor capable of binding the target molecule, exposing the substrate-bound scaffold to the sample such that binding of the target molecule, if present, to the receptor releases the scaffold from the substrate, and measuring the LD signal of the scaffold before and after exposure to the sample.

Abstract: A method of treating a polymer surface using conventional plasma nitriding, and a nitrided polymer surface obtained thereby. The method comprises introducing nitrogen into the polymer surface using conventional plasma nitriding, and optionally functionalizing the nitrided polymer surface with a molecule, such as an antimicrobial moiety, which is capable of forming a covalent bond with the nitrogen atoms within the polymer surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent for preventing or treating a condition characterised by the presence of unwanted cells, the agent comprising: (i) a targeting moiety that is capable of targeting to the unwanted cells; and (ii) a T cell antigen, wherein the T cell antigen can be released from the targeting moiety by selective cleavage of a cleavage site in the agent in the vicinity of the unwanted cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a cell binding composition comprising a shear thinning gel wherein the shear thinning gel having attached to it one or more cell selective binding agents, or the shear thinning gel having dispersed therein a plurality of gel beads, the gel beads having attached to them one or more cell selective binding agents. Methods of enriching cells using the compositions and using the cells to treat injury or disease are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a line commutated converter, LCC, for a high-voltage direct current, HVDC, power converter. The LCC comprises at least one bridge circuit for connection to at least one terminal of a DC system. Each bridge circuit comprises at least two arms, and each arm is associated with a phase of an AC system. Each arm comprises one or more upper thyristor valves and one or more lower thyristor valves connected in series, and a branch extending from between the upper and lower thyristor valves. Each arm further comprises a parallel capacitor module comprising at least one parallel capacitor being connected in parallel between at least one pair of branches comprising a first branch and a second branch wherein during commutation of a flow of current in the first branch to a flow of current in the second branch, the at least one parallel capacitor is configured to discharge current in to the second branch in the same direction as the flow of current in the second branch.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating and/or preventing Wolfram Syndrome (WS)-related neurodegeneration (i.e. of Wolfram Syndrome-Associated Neuronal Degeneration), by increasing the expression and/or functional activity of p21. A method of screening for pharmacological agents useful in treating and/or preventing such conditions is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments include a fiber optic probe comprising an optical fiber, and a sensor component attached to the optical fiber, the sensor component including an asymmetric microlens array imprinted on a stimuli-responsive hydrogel. Embodiments further include a method of fabricating a fiber optic probe comprising depositing a stimuli-responsive hydrogel precursor solution on a substrate mold, the substrate mold including a concave asymmetric microlens array; contacting an end of an optical fiber with the stimuli-responsive hydrogel precursor solution deposited on the substrate mold; and exposing the end of the optical fiber and the stimuli-responsive hydrogel precursor solution to light to form a stimuli-responsive hydrogel sensor imprinted with a convex asymmetric microlens array and attached to the end of the optical fiber. Embodiments further include systems comprising the fiber optic probes.

Abstract: A method for separating iron from an aluminium alloy comprises providing a first zone of an aluminium alloy at a first temperature at which the aluminium alloy is partially melted and any iron-containing particles therein are fully molten, and providing a second zone of the alloy at a second temperature at which the aluminium alloy is fully molten, such that a temperature gradient is created between the first zone and the second zone. By applying a static homogeneous magnetic field to the alloy, and maintaining the temperature gradient and the magnetic field for a period of time, the iron content of the first and/or second zone can be reduced.

Abstract: A set of target peptides are presented by HLA A*0201, B*0301, B*0702 and B*2705 on the surface of disease cells. They are envisioned to, among other things, stimulate an immune response to the proliferative disease, e.g., colorectal cancer, to function as immunotherapeutics in adoptive T cell therapy or as a vaccine, facilitate antibody recognition of tumor boundaries in surgical pathology samples, act as biomarkers for early detection and/or diagnosis of the disease, and/or act as targets in the generation antibody-like molecules which recognize the target-peptide/MHC complex.

Abstract: A molecular sensor that utilises dichroism can be used to identify the presence of specific molecules in a substance. The molecular sensor includes a sensor element comprising (i) a scaffold moiety and (ii) one or more receptor molecules for the target molecule attached to the scaffold moiety to form a scaffold/receptor complex, wherein the scaffold/receptor complex is modified to incorporate a chromophore and the modified scaffold/receptor complex has a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: Methods for mass production of new microfluidic devices are described. The microfluidic devices may include an array of micro-needles with open channels in fluid communication with multiple reservoirs located within a substrate that supports the micro-needles. The micro-needles are configured so as to sufficiently penetrate the skin in order to collect or sample bodily fluids and transfer the fluids to the reservoirs. The micro-needles may also deliver medicaments into or below the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a molecular sensor that is specific for a target molecule having a saccharide or peptide region. The method comprises using the target molecule as a template and incubating the template with a receptor to form a template-receptor complex. A molecular scaffold is formed on a surface around the template-receptor complex such that the receptor and at least a portion of the template are embedded in the scaffold, and the template is removed to produce a cavity defined by the scaffold, such that the cavity is complementary to at least a portion of the saccharide or peptide region of the target molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the invention relates to methods for assessing an individual's susceptibility or pre-disposition to Alzheimer's disease. The methods of the present invention involve the use of therapeutic targets and diagnostic and/or predictive markers within the mTOR signalling pathway. The methods also involve screening subjects for genetic polymorphisms associated with rapamycin-sensitive genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetic probe for the detection of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) or a single nucleotide modification of a target nucleic acid, the genetic probe comprising: —a nanoparticle; —an oligonucleotide probe anchored to the surface of the nanoparticle, comprising an oligonucleotide backbone with a tag incorporated therein via a linker group; and —a reference probe anchored to the surface of the nanoparticle, wherein the reference probe comprises a marker; wherein either (a) the tag is an organic fluorescent tag and the marker is a transition metal-based fluorescent marker; or (b) the tag is a redox-active tag and the marker is a transition metal-based redox-active marker. The invention also relates to a composition or kit containing a probe of the invention, or to the use of a probe of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a molecular sensor that is specific for a target molecule having a saccharide or peptide region. The method comprises using the target molecule as a template and incubating the template with a receptor to form a template-receptor complex. A molecular scaffold is formed on a surface around the template-receptor complex such that the receptor and at least a portion of the template are embedded in the scaffold, and the template is removed to produce a cavity defined by the scaffold, such that the cavity is complementary to at least a portion of the saccharide or peptide region of the target molecule.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods to predict pain sensitivity and pain intensity to prolonged pain in a subject. Electroencephalograms are recorded in a pain-free state or, alternatively, in a pain-free state and after applying a prolonged pain stimulus in a prolonged pain state. Pain-free and prolonged pain peak alpha frequencies or ?PAF are measured. These values correlate negatively with the likelihood of increased pain sensitivity and increased pain intensity. Also provided is a method for predicting a likelihood of chronic pain in a subject after a medical procedure and designing a plan to treat the chronic pain.