Abstract: An apparatus and method for a powering a network of devices, the apparatus comprising a power supply, means for inputting a parameter related to desired performance or power usage of the network, means for determining network load, means for generating an error signal using the parameter related to desired performance or power usage of the network, the network load, and measured power of the power supply, and means for using the error signal to determining how the power is utilised.

Abstract: A method for defining one or more ANM zones in an electricity network that has at least one energy producing/consuming device that has an output that has to be regulated. The method comprises determining the maximum power and/or current transmittable to or from a node or branch in the network at which an energy producing/consuming device that has to be regulated is to be added; determining the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through that node or branch; and defining a zone (zone 1, zone 2) including the node or branch and regulated energy producing/consuming device that requires to be actively managed, in the event that the maximum power and/or current transmittable to the node or branch exceeds the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through it.

Abstract: Hydrogel compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion phase and a plurality of peptides, or derivatives, or analogues thereof. Each peptide comprises at least two amino acid residues and an aromatic stacking ligand and the hydrogel is formed by self-assembly of said peptides in said aqueous dispersion medium. The aqueous dispersion phase is physiologically acceptable and may have a pH of 6 to 8, as may the hydrogel itself. The hydrogel may be used for cell culture or for treatment of medical conditions characterized by tissue loss/damage.

Abstract: A lighting device with at least one first-element that emits visible light at a wavelength and irradiance sufficient to inactivate one or more pathogenic bacterial species, and at least one second element that emits light of one or more longer wave-lengths to that of the first-element. The at least one second element has a higher illuminance than that of the at least one inactivating element or component.

Abstract: A system for monitoring actions performed on a data processing device by one or more users. The system comprises a plurality of user data processing devices including a mechanism for interacting with a user and a system monitor that can communicate with each user device and a database. In an exemplary embodiment, the monitor includes a plurality of software agents for carrying out specific functionality. These agents may be distributed over one or many different machines. Each user device includes at least one sensor for detecting events occasioned by interaction of a user with the data processing device. These sensors are operable to create a data structure representing a detected event, and communicate that data structure to the monitor. Once these structures are received, the monitor records them in the database. By analyzing the event data for specific users, user profiles can be created, which can be used to authenticate users.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is concerned with a treatment where it is desired that an active agent is designed to be released in a prolonged manner at a time point some time after administration of the active agent. The present invention is particularly suited to administering an agent which may be released whilst a subject is sleeping, shortly before waking and continues to administer the drug during the early waking hours. As well as treating certain conditions by a particular regime, the invention also provides novel formulations for a delayed, followed by a prolonged release of drug.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is concerned with a treatment where it is desired that an active agent is designed to be released in a pulse at a time point some time after administration of the active agent. The present invention is particularly suited to administering an agent which may be released whilst a subject is sleeping. As well as treating certain conditions by a particular regime, the invention also provides novel formulations for a delayed, followed by a pulsed release of drug.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is concerned with a treatment where it is desired that an active agent is designed to be released immediately following administration and again at a time point some time after administration of the active agent. The present invention is particularly suited to administering an agent which may be released before sleep and whilst a subject is sleeping. As well as treating certain conditions by a particular regime, the invention also provides novel formulations for an immediate, followed by a delayed release of drug.

Abstract: A method of recording data relating to the posture of a subject and assessing the data so as to categorize said data into activities, including sitting, walking and standing. The method comprises sensing the movement of the thigh by use of a single sensor; recording the movement of the thigh; and processing the data so as to classify the data into discrete ones of said activities.

Abstract: A biological or chemical reactor (2) has an inner vessel (4) disposed within an outer vessel (6) and an annular space (16) defined therebetween in which fluid is to be contained. The fluid comprises reactants of a biological or chemical reaction. A reaction support (10a) is disposed in an opening in a wall of one of the vessels and is designed to support a structure such as a scaffold that receives fluid under pressure from the annular space. The reactor generates hydrodynamic pressure and shear stress in the fluid within the annular space, upon relative rotational movement between the vessels so as to drive the fluid through intersticies in the scaffold.

Abstract: A computer based conditioning monitoring system for monitoring at least one condition data source. The system is adapted to determine condition data of interest to a user and build a user profile based on the condition data of interest. As and when new condition data sources are added, the system is adapted to identify these and automatically access or make available condition information from the existing data sources and any newly added condition data source. Relevant data in any of the available the condition data sources is identified and presented to the user based on the user profile.

Abstract: A chemical indicator comprises a particulate inorganic substrate, and at least one reactive dye or ink coated on and/or impregnated within the particulate inorganic substrate. Coating and/or impregnating at least one reactive dye or ink on or within a particulate inorganic substrate improves the storage stability and/or thermal stability of the at least one reactive dye or ink, which typically comprises relatively unstable compounds. This allows the present indicators to be incorporated into thermoplastic polymer materials and processed conventionally while maintaining the efficacy and stability of the new indicators. The indicators provide simple, reliable, and cost effective detection means for detecting analytes such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, and may find use in applications such as food packaging and medical applications.

Abstract: A wound sensor comprising at least one electrode (10a, 10b) and a non-adherent porous layer (25) proximate at least part of the electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell comprising a solid anion exchange membrane, the method comprising contacting an anode in the fuel cell with urea, ammonia or an ammonium salt and contacting the cathode with an oxidant whereby to generate electricity.

Abstract: A composition for treating waters, e.g. ballast water or injection water for oil recovery, to kill in-situ aquatic invasive species comprises at least one biocide capable of killing both animal and plant micro-organisms. The at least one biocide preferably comprises Brilliant Green, Gentian Violet, and/or erythrosine, and a wetting agent or detergent-like compound such as CTAB or CTAC. The invention also relates to a system for treating ballast water in situ comprising means for injecting a composition for treating ballast water; means for measuring the flow rate or amount of ballast water to be treated; means for controlling the dosing of the composition; and means for storing or receiving the composition. The invention also relates to a method of detecting viable aquatic organisms in ballast water in situ comprising detecting metabolism in viable micro-organisms in ballast water and, therefore, measuring the efficacy of any treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for use in the detection of a target nucleic acid comprising the steps of: (i) contacting a single-stranded probe nucleic acid with a sample of interest under conditions effective to generate a probe/target nucleic acid duplex by specific hybridisation of said probe nucleic acid to a target nucleic acid, if said target nucleic acid is present; (ii) contacting any probe/target nucleic acid duplex with an exonuclease to effect digestion of the duplex and release of a label molecule from the duplex; and (iii) detecting the label by Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring lipoprotein particles, process for preparing such particles and uses thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to an irreversible indicator for detecting oxidizing agents, or in particular an oxygen indicator, comprising at least one redox-sensitive dyestuff, at least one semiconductor material and at least one electron donor. This indicator is activated by exposure to light of about 200-400 nm. The invention also relates to UV light detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, apparatus, and method for separating components of a fluid, e.g. blood, which eliminates the need for expensive hardware and produces a stabilised waste product. The system comprises an apparatus or device (V) for separating components of a fluid (15?) comprising a container (5?) having at least one separation or filtration member (10?) capable of selectively separating or filtering at least one component from the fluid, and a superabsorbent material (20?) capable of absorbing the at least one component separated from the fluid, and thereby providing a processed fluid free or substantially free of said at least one component; and agitation means.

Abstract: A turbine (5) having at least two sets of co-axially mounted, rotatable blades (10, 15) arranged so that one set cannot eclipse another. Preferably, the sets of blades (10, 15) are contra-rotatable. Each set of blades (10, 15) may be operable to extract similar amounts of energy, thereby to minimise the net reactive torque.