Abstract: The invention provides composite materials prepared by i) providing a fluid formulation comprising (1) at least one compound capable of polymerisation and/or cross-linking and (2) a water-consuming reactive filler; ii) optionally injecting said formulation into a site of use; iii) polymerising and/or cross-linking said compound, to form a solid polymer matrix (which may be degradable or non-degradable); iv) causing or allowing said filler to react with water absorbed by said polymer matrix, to produce a solid filler material which is dispersed throughout the composite material. The hydration and formation of the solid filler in situ provides desirable properties to the composites, which have utility for dental composites, bone fillers and adhesives and so on. The composite may also be used to release an active ingredient e.g. an antibacterial or DNA.

Abstract: Phase contrast imaging is achieved using a sample mask 8 and a detector mask (6). X-rays emitted from x-ray source (2) are formed into individual beams (16) by sample mask which pass through sample (14) and arrive at individual pixels (12) of the detector (4) through detector mask (6). The individual x-ray beams are arranged to hit the pixel edge (20) of individual rows of pixels, individual columns of pixels or individual pixels. Small deviations ? in the individual beams (16) cause a significant increase or decrease in the signal hitting the exposed area (22) of the pixel resulting in a significant phase contrast signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating liver damage, especially hepatitis B virus (HBV) related liver damage. The present invention also relates to compositions and kits for use in treating liver damage.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for an intelligent adaptive x-ray imaging system, in which the exposure conditions of the object to x-rays is dynamically controlled and optimized in real-time in order to provide the optimum diagnostic information. The arrangement splits the imaging beam into two separate fan beams that scan over the object in a single pass, where the first beam (scout) collects information from the object, that is analyzed to control the intensity or spectral quality or spatial distribution of the second beam (I-ImaS). The CMOS image sensors deployed in the arrangement are able to process detected information either on-chip or within a field programmable gate array, so as to compute a measure related to the diagnostic value of the information.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of quantitatively analyzing the enzymatic activity of enzymes in samples containing a plurality of enzymes, using mass spectrometry. Isotopically labeled standards are employed. Purified enzymes and enzymes from crude cell lysates may be analyzed using the disclosed methods. As little as 0.02 pg of cell lysate may be detected. Also disclosed are kits for providing compositions so as to practice the disclosed methods.

Abstract: A semiconductor photodetector is disclosed which can have a high responsivity, high saturation power, and high bandwidth. The photodetector comprises a waveguide structure comprising: an active waveguide comprising an absorber for converting photons conveying an optical signal into charge carriers conveying a corresponding electrical signal; a carrier collection layer for transporting the charge carriers conveying the electrical signal; and a secondary waveguide immediately adjacent to the carrier collection layer, for receiving the photons to be detected, and which is evanescently coupled to the active waveguide. The secondary passive waveguide layer in the photodetector epitaxial structure enables the use of fast carrier transport material to generate high intrinsic bandwidth and travelling wave techniques associated with a scheme of evanescent coupling to increase the responsivity, saturated output power and bandwidth.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the presence of high molecular weight molecules, aminoacid molecules or protein fragments, in human or other mammalian skin, comprising irradiating a sample of the said skin with light at one or more wavelengths present in solar radiation, in the presence of a spin-trapping agent for radicals of said molecules, and using comparative electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy to determine or investigate the presence of radicals of the said molecules induced in the skin by the light. The method may be used to investigate a range of skin and other tissue damage and the efficacy of agents and methods intended to protect skin from damage.

Abstract: A method is described of inserting guide wires into a lumen, for example into the human gastrointestinal tract. A guide wire structure is employed which comprises at least two guide wires each having a leading end portion which terminates in a leading end, the guide wires being connected to one another by a junction at or adjacent their leading ends, the guide wires have a first position in which the leading end portions are substantially parallel to one another, a second position in which the leading end portions are curved, and a third position in which at least one of the leading end portions forms a loop. The guide wire structure is steered through the gastrointestinal tract by selectively advancing or retracting a single guide wire or advancing more than one guide wire simultaneously, according to the path which is required to be followed.