Abstract: Aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to the treatment of fatty liver diseases such as for example, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Particularly, but not exclusively certain embodiments relate to activators of glucokinase (GKAs) for use in the treatment of these fatty liver diseases. Also included in the present invention are inter alia pharmaceutical compositions comprising the GKAs, together with methods of treating such disorders as well as other subject matter.

Abstract: A method for preventing counterfeiting of an object (e.g. paper) is described. The method comprises capturing an image of at least a portion of the object, wherein the portion of the object whose image is captured is at least partially transparent, and wherein the captured image includes features of the internal structure of the object (e.g. the texture of the paper resulting from the arrangement of fibres from which the paper is made). The method further comprises generating, based on the image, a code that encodes features of the internal structure of the object, and recording the code. Generating the code may comprise applying a filter to the image to obtain a filtered image, and processing the filtered image to obtain a binary code. The filter may be a Gabor filter, and processing the filtered image may comprise applying a Gray code to the filtered image. The method may further comprise encrypting the binary code, and recording the code may comprise recording the encrypted binary code.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of producing aerogels and composites thereof. In particular, the invention relates to methods of producing silica aerogels and composites thereof. The invention also relates to doped aerogels and doped silica aerogels. The method involves the use of alkaline solutions, and particularly aqueous alkaline solutions, during the aerogel drying process. The method is more energy efficient and cheaper than prior art methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogels which may be used to encapsulate or entrap live cells. The invention further relates to methods for transporting live cells which are encapsulated or entrapped within hydrogels from a first location to a second location. The invention further relates to method of treating a wound, disease or tissue injury, e.g. an ocular injury or a damaged ocular surface in a subject using a hydrogel comprising corneal stem cells. The hydrogels used in such methods may be ones which have been transported from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: There is disclosed an energy storage system. In particular, there is disclosed a chemisorption based energy storage system, able to provide electricity, heating or cooling depending on the desired energy output. The energy storage system includes a first chemical reactor containing a first sorbent material and a second chemical reactor containing a second sorbent material. The first and second chemical reactors are in mutual fluid connection such that a refrigerant fluid can flow from the first chemical reactor to the second chemical reactor, and from the second chemical reactor to the first chemical reactor. The first and second chemical reactors are further provided with means for putting heat in to, or taking heat out of, the first and/or the second chemical reactors. A heat exchanger module is also provided.

Abstract: A method by which a hub unit can discover IDs from a plurality of satellite units across a shared communication link that connects each of the satellite units to the hub unit, each satellite unit having a satellite unit ID, the method comprising the hub unit broadcasting a message over the shared communication link, the message including an ID segment with a string of bits shorter than a bit length of the satellite unit IDs and an ID segment location; and each satellite unit receiving the broadcast message and comparing the ID segment with an ID portion of its own satellite unit ID starting at the ID segment location, if the ID portion for a satellite unit matches the ID segment, the satellite unit transmitting its complete satellite unit ID to the hub unit over the shared communication link.

Abstract: An optical stimulation arrangement including a light-emitting device, implantable in an environment with an associated ground voltage, the light emitting device including: a light emitting element; an anode; and a cathode; and a controller for driving the light-emitting device in a biphasic manner.

Abstract: A gear for use in a transmission system. The gear comprises an outer annular element having gear teeth on a radially outer surface thereof and an inner support element arranged coaxially with the outer annular element. The gear further comprises first and second opposing side walls, each side wall extending from the outer annular element to the inner support element to form an annular space. At least one of the first and second side walls extends from the outer annular element at an angle greater than 0 degrees with respect to a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the gear.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel biomarkers for non-target-site resistance (NTSR) in wild grass, with corresponding methods of identifying NTSR. Corresponding kits and assay devices are also provided.

Abstract: A method for preventing counterfeiting of an object (e.g. paper) is described. The method comprises capturing an image of at least a portion of the object, wherein the portion of the object whose image is captured is at least partially transparent, and wherein the captured image includes features of the internal structure of the object (e.g. the texture of the paper resulting from the arrangement of fibres from which the paper is made). The method further comprises generating, based on the image, a code that encodes features of the internal structure of the object, and recording the code. Generating the code may comprise applying a filter to the image to obtain a filtered image, and processing the filtered image to obtain a binary code. The filter may be a Gabor filter, and processing the filtered image may comprise applying a Gray code to the filtered image. The method may further comprise encrypting the binary code, and recording the code may comprise recording the encrypted binary code.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3-D) model comprising a scaffold and autologous skin cells, the invention also provides methods of predicting immunogenicity and hypersensitivity or allergic or adverse immune reactions to potential therapeutic compounds, biologies, cosmetics and chemical sensitizers using the 3-D model of skin cells. The methods provide an in vitro assay employing autologous blood derived cells in the 3-D skin equivalent model and is of particular utility in the identification and prediction of skin sensitizers and in particular agents that may cause allergic contact dermatitis. The assay of the present invention provides inter alia methods of screening library compounds for sensitizing activity, identifying optimal therapeutics, especially but not exclusively, monoclonal antibodies and kits therefor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to egg chambers for use in collection, inspection and selection of eggs for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The egg chamber, in use, provides an effectively closed and fluid filled system which minimizes the environmental changes that a harvested egg is exposed to, thus maximizing viability. The egg chamber comprises a vessel which can be made airtight, comprising at least one side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, at least a portion of the upper wall being transparent and at least a portion of the lower wall being light permeable; a first inlet with a sealable port; a first outlet with a sealable port; a filter with a pore size appropriate for egg collection disposed within the vessel between the first inlet and the first outlet and configured to separate the vessel into a first internal chamber and a second internal chamber.

Abstract: An optogenetic system and method for preventing or halting seizures. The system and method use a sensor for monitoring the activity of a neural network containing a group of target neurons, and generating an input signal indicative of said activity, the target neurons being excitatory neurons. Excitatory stimulation is delivered in the form of an optical signal by an optical stimulator to the target neurons, the optical signal being determined based on the input signal, to reduce the overall activity of the target neurons.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds, compositions and methods for biofilm disruption and prevention. In particular, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the disruption of biofilm and prevention of biofilm in patients. The invention also relates to anti-biofouling compositions for the disruption of biofilm and prevention of biofilm on surfaces. The invention also relates to the removal of biological material from surfaces. The compositions of the invention include microbial deoxyribonucleases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Model Gut System (MGS) comprising a pancreatic phase consisting essentially of synthetic pancreatic juice comprising pancreatin and one or more suitable pancreatic diluent(s) at a pH from about 7 to about 9, preferably about 7.9 to about 8.2, and porcine bile.

Abstract: There is disclosed an energy storage system. In particular, there is disclosed a chemisorption based energy storage system, able to provide electricity, heating or cooling depending on the desired energy output. The energy storage system includes a first chemical reactor containing a first sorbent material and a second chemical reactor containing a second sorbent material. The first and second chemical reactors are in mutual fluid connection such that a refrigerant fluid can flow from the first chemical reactor to the second chemical reactor, and from the second chemical reactor to the first chemical reactor. The first and second chemical reactors are further provided with means for putting heat in to, or taking heat out of, the first and/or the second chemical reactors. A heat exchanger module is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self monitoring device for attachment to the body, which incorporates real-time and correlated measurement of body movement and physiological analytes of metabolism (e.g. glucose) that can be modulated by physical activity. The system enables real time and personalized modulation of the selected physiological analyte(s) through appropriately selected cued activities and other evidence based clinical guidance dependent on previous and current analyte levels correlated with previous and current patterns of movement. The system also allows for personalization of the outputs with regular calibration to the user.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to apparatus for use in cell and tissue culture techniques. Particularly, although not exclusively, embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus which contribute to providing a dynamic cell culture environment. Also disclosed herein are methods for culturing cells and/or tissues, together with in vitro methods of testing drug efficacy as well as other subject matter.

Abstract: A method for the separation of diamond particle clusters into discrete diamond particles and/or into smaller diamond particle clusters comprising fewer diamond particles is disclosed. The diamond particle clusters are combined with at least one liquid phase organic or inorganic compound, or with a solution of at least one organic or inorganic compound in at least one solvent to form a reaction mixture. Mechanical means are then used to separate the diamond particle clusters into discrete diamond particles and/or into smaller clusters within the reaction mixture producing diamond particles with dangling bonds or free bonding sites on the surface of the diamond particles. The at least one organic or inorganic compound then reacts with these dangling bonds present on the diamond particle surface.

Abstract: The invention discloses microorganism cell culture conditions that result in increased cellular and media concentrations of a biological pigment. The invention has applications in use as a natural food colouring, as antioxidants in the food supplement industries, in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical industries, and a non-toxic ink. The method results in pigment that is relatively easy to separate from the microorganism culture.