Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying a genomic target for a test stimulus that is capable of modulating a cell phenotype, comprising: a) providing a population of cells that are phenotypically negative in response to the test stimulus; b) modifying the population of cells by random insertion into the cell genome of a gain-in-function construct; c) contacting the modified cell population with the test stimulus; d) screening the exposed modified cell population to identify modified cells that are phenotypically positive in response to the test stimulus; and e) identify a gene or genes associated with said positive phenotype thereby identifying the genomic target of the test stimulus.

Abstract: Examples provide a multilevel switched-mode ultrasound transmitter comprising a first push-pull transistor arrangement comprising first and second drive transistors, third and fourth additional switched transistors, each arranged as a bidirectional load switch with a one of the first and second drive transistors, wherein the first drive transistor and associated third additional switched transistor operate in series as a first arm of the first push-pull transistor arrangement, and the second drive transistor and associated fourth additional switched transistor operate in series as a second arm of the first push-pull transistor arrangement, wherein each arm is coupled between a respective polarity instance of a first bipolar drive voltage supply and a common output.

Abstract: A catalytic converter including a catalyst, the catalyst comprising a material of olivine composition, an engine comprising this catalytic converter and an method of producing nitrogen from NOx comprising the catalytic reduction of NOx by a catalyst comprising of a material of olivine composition. In addition, the use of a material of olivine composition in a catalytic reduction of NOx and a method of manufacture of a catalytic converter comprising adding the catalyst to a wash coat, applying the catalyst containing wash coat to a substrate and annealing the coated substrate.

Abstract: A steerable endoscope system includes a continuum manipulator, a plurality of syringes, and a steerable tip. The continuum manipulator includes a plurality of spaced discs and a plurality of backbones each extending through all discs. A bending movement of the continuum manipulator changes a varying linear displacement of each backbone. Each backbone is further coupled to a different one of the syringes such that the linear displacement of each backbone pushes or pulls a piston of the corresponding syringe by a varying amount. The steerable tip includes a plurality of bellows each pneumatically coupled to a different syringe such that movement of the piston of a syringe causes the corresponding bellow to inflate or deflate. Because the distal end of each bellow is fixedly coupled to the same end effector, variations in the amount of inflation or deflation on each bellow causes a bending of the steerable tip.

Abstract: There is provided the use of an aligned nematic elastomer to form a material having auxetic properties wherein the aligned nematic material has a mechanical Fréedericksz transition. Also provided is a method of producing an aligned nematic elastomer for said use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method of identifying a selective BRISC inhibitor. The present invention also relates to a stable BRISC dimer. The present invention further relates to use of the stable BRISC dimer to generate cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM), crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance and/or X-ray crystallography structures for structure guided drug design.

Abstract: The present specification relates to (S)-2-(1-(5-(cyclohexylcarbamoyl)-6-(propylthio)pyridin-2-yl)piperidin-3-yl)acetic acid (AZD4017), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for oral use in the treatment or prophylaxis of wounds, for example in diabetic patients. Methods of treatment and prophylaxis and the use of the compound in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment and prophylaxis of wounds are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic, to a process for preparing the ceramic and to the use of the ceramic as a dielectric in a capacitor.

Abstract: A catalytic converter including a catalyst, the catalyst comprising a material of olivine composition, an engine comprising this catalytic converter and an method of producing nitrogen from NOx comprising the catalytic reduction of NOx by a catalyst comprising of a material of olivine composition. In addition, the use of a material of olivine composition in a catalytic reduction of NOx and a method of manufacture of a catalytic converter comprising adding the catalyst to a wash coat, applying the catalyst containing wash coat to a substrate and annealing the coated substrate.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for the production of a noble metal nanomaterial comprising: (A) adding an aqueous solution of a source of noble metal ions and a reducing agent to an aqueous solution of an organic compound to form a reaction mixture, wherein the organic compound is capable of undergoing 2D planar stacking in aqueous solution; and (B) separating the noble metal nanomaterial from the reaction mixture. The present application also relates to a noble metal nanomaterial manufactured according to said method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate comprising an ion-implanted layer, for example a cation, wherein the ion implanted layer has a substantially uniform distribution of the implanted ions at a significantly greater depth than previously possible, to a well-defined and sharp boundary within the substrate. The invention further comprises said substrate wherein the substrate is a silicon based substrate, such as glass. The invention also comprises the use of said material as a waveguide and the use of said material in measurement devices.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic flow device and method. The device includes a conduit having an inlet and an outlet distal from the inlet. The conduit further includes a plurality of constrictions each having a reduction in a cross-sectional area of the conduit in a direction from the inlet to the outlet. The constrictions are arranged in series and the reduction in cross-sectional area at each of the constrictions is sufficient to induce extensional flow in a fluid travelling therethrough, such that the maximum strain rate in the extensional flow region is at least 500 s?1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of formula (I) in which a, R1-R5 and X1 are as described herein. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound and a method of using the compound for treating cancer, such as renal cancer.

Abstract: A process for reducing microbial growth in solutions of sugars extracted from waste materials, the process comprising monitoring indicators of microbial growth in the solution in situ and administering an antimicrobial; a sugar substrate obtained by concentrating a solution of sugar treated using the process; an apparatus for extracting sugars from waste materials, the apparatus comprising a reaction vessel (10), one or more sensors (15,20) for monitoring indicators of microbial growth in the reaction vessel, a software for analysing signals from the sensor and a source of antimicrobial.

Abstract: A device for supporting development of a cellular deposit comprising at least one of a cell or a tissue derived from an ovary. The device comprises an inlet well, an outlet well, and an enclosed culture chamber disposed between the inlet well and the outlet well. The device further comprises an inlet channel fluidly coupling the inlet well to the culture chamber and an outlet chamber and/or at least one outlet channel fluidly coupling the culture chamber to the outlet well. At least one of the outlet chamber and the at least one outlet channel is sized to prevent passage of the cellular deposit therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a sample comprising one or more proteins of interest, the method comprising: providing a sample comprising a population of proteins of interest solubilised with a surfactant in a medium; exposing said sample to a mild precipitant to cause precipitation of said proteins; during or after the precipitation step, bringing said sample into contact with a matrix adapted to capture said precipitated proteins and prevent excessive aggregation of precipitated protein particles; and washing the matrix with captured precipitated proteins to remove the surfactant. A sample preparation device to carry out the same is also provided.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to imaging catheters. A method is provided that includes: receiving, from a plurality of transducers disposed on a catheter probe, a corresponding plurality of analog signals; selectively sampling the plurality of analog signals; multiplexing to produce a sequence of samples; and transmitting the sequence of samples to a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a clock; an analog to digital converter (ADC) in communication with the clock; and a sampling phase correction circuit in communication with the clock and the ADC. The method further includes: determining optimum sampling times based on measured signal delays associated with the system; adjusting a phase of the clock based on the measured signal delays; and communicating the phase-adjusted clock to the transmitter circuit for the selective sampling of the analog signals. Certain embodiments of the disclosed technology may further be utilized in conjunction with beamforming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to scaffold proteins derived from plant cystatins and to nucleic acids encoding them. The scaffolds are highly stable and have the ability to display peptides. The scaffolds are particularly well suited for constructing libraries, e.g., in phage display or related systems. The invention also relates to various uses of the scaffolds, including in therapy, diagnosis, environmental and security monitoring, synthetic biology and research, and to cells and cell cultures expressing the scaffold proteins.

Abstract: A method of forming a tissue engineered construct, a bioreactor for forming a tissue engineered construct, and a tissue engineered construct itself are disclosed. The disclosed method includes seeding a scaffold with cells to form a tissue construct; locating the tissue construct in a space defined by a tissue construct support element; locating the tissue construct support element within a bioreactor; and operating a load applicator of the bioreactor to apply a cyclical compressive mechanical load to the tissue construct, to stimulate the deposition of tissue matrix in the tissue construct; in which the tissue construct, the tissue construct support element and the load applicator are arranged so that the load applicator can at least initially contact both the tissue construct and the tissue construct support element, so that at least part of a total load generated by the load applicator is borne by the tissue construct support element.

Abstract: Certain embodiments may generally relate to systems and methods for developing and improving compact electrocoalescers for in-line dehydration of water-in-oil dispersions. A compact electrocoalescer may include a casing, and a plurality of bare or insulated conical-shaped electrodes housed in the casing. The electrodes may include a metal mesh structure. The electrodes may also be truncated at the apex, and alternatively connected to a power supply and ground. The electrodes may further be stacked in a manner such that at least one electrode is at least partially nested within at least another electrode.