Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus including a processing unit configured to produce an ultrasound image of the target region by applying position/orientation data representative of the position and/or orientation of an ultrasound transducer on the first side of a surface during each collection cycle to echo data representative of reflected ultrasound energy received by the ultrasound transducer during each collection cycle so as to coherently focus the echo data at a plurality of points distributed within the target region.

Abstract: A voltage measuring apparatus for use in an energy harvesting system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a capacitor (6) adapted to be charged by means of a voltage to be measured, and an asynchronous digital counter (12) having power supply terminals adapted to be selectively connected to the capacitor during discharge of the capacitor and to provide a digital output signal dependent upon the voltage level of the capacitor the start of discharging of the capacitor.

Abstract: A process for stimulating microbial methane production in a petroleum-bearing subterranean formation, comprising: (a) analyzing one or more components of the formation to determine characteristics of the formation environment; (b) detecting the presence of a microbial consortium, comprising at least one methanogenic microorganism, within the formation; (c) assessing whether the formation microorganisms are currently active; (d) determining whether the microbial consortium comprises one or more methanotrophic microorganism; (e) characterization of one or more microorganisms of the consortium, at least one of the members of the consortium being a methanogenic microorganism, and comparing the members of the consortium with at least one known microorganism having one or more known physiological and ecological characteristics; (f) characterization of one or more methanotrophic microorganisms of the consortium (if present), and comparing the members of the consortium with at least one known microorganism having one

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of solid metal materials for catalysing the hydration of carbon dioxide. It also relates to methods of and apparatus for hydrating carbon dioxide and capturing carbon. The solid metal materials may be nickel nanoparticles. The invention finds particular application in the sequestration of carbon dioxide either at the point of release or from the atmosphere.

Abstract: A heat engine comprising compressor and expander displacement elements (210, 211) reciprocating in respective compression and expansion chambers (111, 111?, 102, 102?) and arranged in a linear, free piston configuration, a combustor (116) separate from the compression and expansion chambers (111, 111?, 102, 102?), and a linear energy conversion device (212, 213) providing conversion of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel into hydraulic, electric, or pneumatic energy by means of subjecting a working fluid to a thermodynamic cycle with substantially constant pressure combustion. The inlet and outlet valves of the compression chamber (102, 102?) and the rate of fuel injection to the combustor (116) are actively controlled by an electronic controller to avoid engine damage, and to maintain thermodynamic efficiency over a wide range of loads.

Abstract: A linear-acting, free-piston internal combustion engine suitable for operation on a four-stroke engine cycle comprises a power piston (11a, 11b) reciprocating in a power chamber (18a, 18b) and a compression piston (23, 23a, 23b) reciprocating in a compression chamber (29a, 29b). The power piston (11a, 11b) and the compression piston (23, 23a, 23b) are rigidly connected by means of a rod (19). The compression piston (23, 23a, 23b) performs alternately an intake stroke and a compression stroke and the power piston (11a, 11b) performs alternately a power stroke and an exhaust stroke.

Abstract: A plant growth support medium is described to enhance soil characteristics and provide where required, improved water, or nutrient contents. La addition the medium can be inoculated with microorganisms to aid soil characteristics and provide interactions within micron-scale environment between plant roots, water, nutrients and where applicable, bacteria and root exudates. This micro-environment provides direct delivery of active ingredients to the plant roots. The medium comprises a polymeric material having a primary pore size of greater than 30 micron. The walls of the pores are elastic, enabling the pore to swell in size to retain water, solutes or other biologically useful components and allow root penetration through them. Sulphonation of the walls renders the walls more hydrophilic so attracting water into the pores and also increasing the wall elasticity. Capillaries can be provided to interconnect pores and allow root penetration into the medium.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus including a processing unit configured to produce an ultrasound image of the target region by applying position/orientation data representative of the position and/or orientation of an ultrasound transducer on the first side of a surface during each collection cycle to echo data representative of reflected ultrasound energy received by the ultrasound transducer during each collection cycle so as to coherently focus the echo data at a plurality of points distributed within the target region.

Abstract: An image processing system is described which is arranged to highlight information in image displays by selectively blurring less important areas of an image. By generating such displays comprising areas which are in focus and areas which are out of focus, a viewer's attention is preferentially drawn towards those areas of an image which appear sharp. By having a display system which is arranged to generate such images a means is provided to direct a viewer's attention towards considering the sharp areas of the image display first. Further the selective blurring portions of an image reduces rather than increases the amount of information presented to a viewer and hence reduces the likelihood that a viewer will become overloaded with information. Display systems of this type are therefore especially applicable to complex control environments as means of directing viewer's attention.

Abstract: An image processing system is described which is arranged to highlight information in image displays by selectively blurring less important areas of an image. By generating such displays comprising areas which are in focus and areas which are out of focus, a viewer's attention is preferentially drawn towards those areas of an image which appear sharp. By having a display system which is arranged to generate such images a means is provided to direct a viewer's attention towards considering the sharp areas of the image display first. Further the selective blurring portions of an image reduces rather than increases the amount of information presented to a viewer and hence reduces the likelihood that a viewer will become overloaded with information. Display systems of this type are therefore especially applicable to complex control environments as means of directing viewer's attention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of an epigenetic relay pathway that controls hepatic stellate cell activation and the wound-healing response in fibrogenesis, including fibrogenesis of the injured liver. Methods of inhibiting fibrogenesis, including liver fibrogenesis and secondary disease states and conditions thereof, and in treating liver damage, including cirrhosis of the liver (which may be caused by viruses or chemicals, including alcohol), are aspects of the present invention. The methods utilize certain nucleoside compounds and/or antibodies which are optionally conjugated. Pharmaceutical compositions represent additional aspects of the invention.

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 personalised 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 personalisation of the outputs with regular calibration to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and products for the identification and diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in particular for the diagnosis of anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA)-negative RA. Most particularly the invention relates to a gene expression signature comprising at least 12 biomarkers for use in the prognosis or diagnosis of RA.

Abstract: The invention relates to the novel use of gene markers in a method of predicting the risk of or diagnosing a subject to develop graft versus host reaction (GvHR) or graft versus host disease (GvHD). In other aspects the invention also relates to methods of monitoring the efficacy of treatment of GvHR or GvHD, and methods of screening a candidate substance for the treatment of GvHR or GvHD.

Abstract: An ammonia production process is disclosed. The process uses gasification of biomass waste and the like to produce syngas which, using an integrated system including using nitrogen enriched air and a porous coated catalyst, produces ammonia in a plasma reactor. The ammonia is finally recovered using sulphonated PolyHIPE Polymer which can be used as a fertilizer after neutralisation.

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 present invention provides the use of an alginate Io inhibit pancreatic lipase. The use may be directed to the control of weight in animals including human beings. Preferably the fraction of guluronate dimers in the alginate is at least 0.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of an epigenetic relay pathway that controls hepatic stellate cell activation and the wound-healing response in fibrogenesis, including fibrogenesis of the injured liver. Methods of inhibiting fibrogenesis, including liver fibrogenesis and secondary disease states and conditions thereof, and in treating liver damage, including cirrhosis of the liver (which may be caused by viruses or chemicals, including alcohol), are aspects of the present invention. The methods utilize certain nucleoside compounds and/or antibodies which are optionally conjugated. Pharmaceutical compositions represent additional aspects of the invention.

Abstract: An iodonium compound of formula (I): where RAR1 is a C5-6 aryl group, bearing at least one substituent selected from formyl, thionoacyl, acylamidocarboxy, thionoester, azo, C2-20 alkenyl, C2-20 alkynyl, and (CH2)nRC, where RC is selected from ether, amino, azo and thioether; RAR2 is a C5-10 aryl group, optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C3-12 heterocyclyl, ether, thioether, nitro, cyano and halo, and may be linked to a solid support or fluorous tag; and X is a counteranion.

Abstract: Dimeric aluminium catalysts of formula I: and their use in catalysing the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and carbon dioxide.