Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods and systems for attenuating artifacts in single channel cochlear implants. Both high and low frequency artifacts can be attenuating using embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems. In some embodiments, low-pass filters, impedance balancing, and DC artifact estimation can be used, alone or in combination, to attenuate or completely remove artifacts in single channel cochlear implants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and use of RNA interference (RNAi) for the transient, reversible and controlled opening of the tight junctions of the blood brain barrier and/or the blood retinal barrier. This method may be used in the treatment of many diseases and disorders which require the opening of the blood brain barrier and/or blood retinal barrier. Such methods generally involve the use of an RNAi-inducing agent, such as siRNA, miRNA, shRNA or an RNAi-inducing vector whose presence within a cell results in production of an siRNA or shRNA, targeting tight junction proteins to open the blood brain barrier and/or blood retinal barrier.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) write apparatus is coupled with a laser that provides energy. The HAMR write apparatus includes a pole, at least one coil, a waveguide, a near-field transducer (NFT) and at least one antireflective mechanism. The pole writes to a region of the media and includes a media-facing surface. The coil(s) energize the pole. The waveguide is optically coupled with the laser and includes a core and cladding. The waveguide is for directing a portion of the energy toward the NFT, which is located in a transmission direction from the core of the waveguide. The antireflective mechanism(s) are in at least one of a first position in the waveguide, a second position in the NFT and a third position between the waveguide and the NFT.

Abstract: A method for reversible capture and release of carbon dioxide comprises the steps of providing a solution of a defined tetranuclear complex or mixture thereof, in which adsorption sites are provided by coordinated solvent molecules such as water molecules. The solution is exposed to the atmosphere or to a gas stream containing carbon dioxide to sequester carbon dioxide, and the pH of the resultant reaction mixture is adjusted to facilitate the release of carbon dioxide. The solution which is used to sequester carbon dioxide is a solution of a polynuclear transition metal compound having the formula: (I) and the tetranuclear transition metal compound that has sequestered carbon dioxide is of the formula: (II).

Abstract: The invention provides a Bottom Contacted 2D-layer Device (BCD) for the determination of graphene doping and chemical sensing. The device can be made by transfer of high quality CVD grown graphene films onto n- or p-doped silicon substrates yielding Schottky barrier diodes. Exposure to liquids and gases change the charge carrier density in the graphene and as a result the electrical transport of the device is modulated. The changes can be easily detected and interpreted in the doping power of the adsorbent. This principle allows one to create a new type of chemical sensor platform exploiting the monolayer nature of graphene or other carbon material. The device benefits from facile fabrication and the result is a robust device which can investigate surface chemistry on monolayer materials.

Abstract: (E)-2-(2-Quinolin-2-yl-propenyl)-phenol, 2-Quinolin-2-yl-ylethynyl-phenol and salts thereof are useful as medicaments, especially for treatment of an angiogenesis-related disease or disorder.

Abstract: The invention provides a solution for the full integration of a coherent receiver on Indium Phosphide (InP) or other material that has a number of advantages over current coherent receiver design. PIN waveguides can be reverse biased and forward biased to modify the mode effective index so as to realize an integrated polarization beam splitting function and the 90 degree optical hybrid. The fabrication tolerance is therefore greatly increased; resulting in much reduced complexity and cost for the final receiver.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved microbial antigen vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions, immunogenic compositions and antibodies and their use in the treatment of microbial infections, particularly those of bacterial origin, including Staphylococcal origin. Ideally, the present invention is directed to a recombinant staphylococcal MSCRAMM or MSCRAMM-like proteins, or fragment thereof, with reduced binding to its host ligand, for use in therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a control interface configured to cooperate with a vehicle, such as a wheelchair or mobile robot, said interface comprising at least one sensor is adapted to detect the presence of at least one finger of a user and to act as a switching mechanism between manual and autonomous control of the vehicle. The invention provides a highly intuitive and effective means of switching between automatic and manual vehicle control-no user training required. The control interface allows for user to be comfortable in an autonomous vehicle—users can instantly gain full control when needed.

Abstract: While methodologies for the Kinetic Resolution of alcohols are well established, no analogous direct methods exist for the highly selective, direct catalytic Kinetic Resolution of thiols (i.e., R—SH). The present invention relates to a method for resolving stereoisomeric mixtures of thiols. In particular, the present invention relates to purely organocatalytic mediated resolution of enantiomeric mixtures of thiols without the need for enzymes. Also disclosed are some novel catalysts. Such catalysts may comprise a cinchona alkaloid-derived moiety.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for the automated post production of a single video file, the method comprising the steps of gathering video data from a plurality of camera sources; gathering audio data from a plurality of microphone sources; using an automated tracking offline algorithm to track a sound emitting from a moving target object in a 3D space, to provide localization data of said target object to identify an optimum camera source to provide video data of said target object; and composing a composite video sequence of said moving target from a plurality of identified optimum camera sources in a single video file. The algorithm relies on both video data from multiple camera views and audio data from multiple microphone arrays to infer the 3D position of the active speaker over the duration of the captured presentation.

Abstract: An improved method and a system are disclosed for recovering a three-dimensional (3D) scene structure from a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) image frames obtained from imaging means. Sets of 2D features are extracted from the image frames, and sets corresponding to successive image frames are matched, such that at least one pair of matched 2D features refers to a same 3D point in a 3D scene captured in 2D in the image frames. A 3D ray is generated by back-projection from each 2D feature, and the generated 3D rays are subjected to an anchor-based minimization process, for determining camera motion parameters and 3D scene points coordinates, thereby recovering a structure of the 3D scene.

Abstract: A focusing structure including an array of localized optical alterations that alter the propagation of light through the waveguide to diffractively focus the light as it exits the focusing structure. The array of optical alterations may be formed along either a straight or a curved line within a cross section of the focusing structure. In energy assisted magnetic recording apparatus a laser beam propagates through the waveguide to a near field transducer. The waveguide comprises a focusing element that includes an array of localized optical alterations that alter the propagation of the laser beam through the waveguide to diffractively focus the laser beam approximately at the near field transducer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is enantioselective synthetic method comprising reacting an enolisable C4-C50 organic anhydride with a second compound selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde, a ketone, an aldimine, a ketimine or a Michael Acceptor in the presence of a bifunctional organocatalyst. The reaction may find particular utility in the enantioselective synthesis of medicinally relevant heterocycles, such as dihydroisocoumarins and dihydroisoquinolinones.

Abstract: While methodologies for the Kinetic Resolution of alcohols are well established, no analogous direct methods exist for the highly selective, direct catalytic Kinetic Resolution of thiols (i.e., R—SH). The present invention relates to a method for resolving stereoisomeric mixtures of thiols. In particular, the present invention relates to purely organocatalytic mediated resolution of enantiomeric mixtures of thiols without the need for enzymes. Also disclosed are some novel catalysts. Such catalysts may comprise a cinchona alkaloid-derived moiety.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating or preventing preterm labor in pregnant female subjects. The method comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist sufficient to prevent the activation of Toll-like Receptor 9 by fetal DNA. The invention further provides compositions comprising a Toll-like Receptor 9 antagonist for use in the methods of the invention. The compositions and methods of the present invention enhance gestation and therefore improve neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: A process for producing nanoparticles comprises the steps of preparing silver seeds in the presence of a water soluble polyanionic polymer and growing the silver seeds to form nanoparticles. The polyanionic polymer may be poly(sodium styrenesulphonate).

Abstract: A peptide for inhibiting Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 4, SEQ ID NO 55, SEQ ID NO 68, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO 70, SEQ ID NO 71, SEQ ID NO 72, SEQ ID NO 79, SEQ ID NO 82, SEQ ID NO 85, SEQ ID NO 88, SEQ ID NO 91, SEQ ID NO 94, SEQ ID NO 97, SEQ ID NO 100, SEQ ID NO 103, SEQ ID NO 106, SEQ ID NO 109, SEQ ID NO 112, or SEQ ID NO 115. The peptide may comprise a delivery sequence such as a cationic peptide.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for measuring optical signal-to-noise-ratio (OSNR) in an optical communication system. A channel filter is adapted to select one specific optical communication channel from a wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) optical communication system, wherein the channel comprises an optical signal carrying digital bit information and noise from associated optical power amplifiers in the system. At least one optical delay interferometer is adapted to measure at least two interferograms of the noisy signal. The invention provides a mechanism for calculating the in-band OSNR from extinctions of the interferograms measured at different optical delays by referring to each other, wherein said optical delays are selected to be substantially less than a bit period of the optical channel.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process of patterning structures on a carbon based surface comprising exposing part of the surface to an ion flux, such that material properties of the exposed surface are modified to provide a hard mask effect on the surface. A further step of etching unexposed parts of the surface forms the structures on the surface. The inventors have discovered that by controlling the ion exposure, alteration of the surface structure at the top surface provides a mask pattern, without substantially removing any material from the exposed surface. The mask allows for subsequent ion etching of unexposed areas of the surface leaving the exposed areas raised relative to the unexposed areas thus manufacturing patterns onto the surface. For example, a Ga+ focussed ion beam exposes a pattern onto a diamond surface which produces such a pattern after its exposure to a plasma etch.