Abstract: Provided is a method that utilises linear dichroism (LD) to identify the presence of a target molecule (L) in a sample. The method comprises providing an alignable scaffold (20), preferably biomolecular fibre M13, comprising a first binding region and having a high aspect ratio of greater than 5:1, providing a substrate (e.g. a substantially spherical non-alignable moiety (12)) comprising a second binding region which binds the first binding region in the absence of the target molecule in such a way that the LD signal of the alignable scaffold is reduced or minimised relative to the unbound and aligned scaffold, wherein one of the first and second binding regions is a receptor capable of binding the target molecule, exposing the substrate-bound scaffold to the sample such that binding of the target molecule, if present, to the receptor releases the scaffold from the substrate, and measuring the LD signal of the scaffold before and after exposure to the sample.

Abstract: A method of treating a polymer surface using conventional plasma nitriding, and a nitrided polymer surface obtained thereby. The method comprises introducing nitrogen into the polymer surface using conventional plasma nitriding, and optionally functionalizing the nitrided polymer surface with a molecule, such as an antimicrobial moiety, which is capable of forming a covalent bond with the nitrogen atoms within the polymer surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent for preventing or treating a condition characterised by the presence of unwanted cells, the agent comprising: (i) a targeting moiety that is capable of targeting to the unwanted cells; and (ii) a T cell antigen, wherein the T cell antigen can be released from the targeting moiety by selective cleavage of a cleavage site in the agent in the vicinity of the unwanted cells.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a line commutated converter, LCC, for a high-voltage direct current, HVDC, power converter. The LCC comprises at least one bridge circuit for connection to at least one terminal of a DC system. Each bridge circuit comprises at least two arms, and each arm is associated with a phase of an AC system. Each arm comprises one or more upper thyristor valves and one or more lower thyristor valves connected in series, and a branch extending from between the upper and lower thyristor valves. Each arm further comprises a parallel capacitor module comprising at least one parallel capacitor being connected in parallel between at least one pair of branches comprising a first branch and a second branch wherein during commutation of a flow of current in the first branch to a flow of current in the second branch, the at least one parallel capacitor is configured to discharge current in to the second branch in the same direction as the flow of current in the second branch.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating and/or preventing Wolfram Syndrome (WS)-related neurodegeneration (i.e. of Wolfram Syndrome-Associated Neuronal Degeneration), by increasing the expression and/or functional activity of p21. A method of screening for pharmacological agents useful in treating and/or preventing such conditions is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments include a fiber optic probe comprising an optical fiber, and a sensor component attached to the optical fiber, the sensor component including an asymmetric microlens array imprinted on a stimuli-responsive hydrogel. Embodiments further include a method of fabricating a fiber optic probe comprising depositing a stimuli-responsive hydrogel precursor solution on a substrate mold, the substrate mold including a concave asymmetric microlens array; contacting an end of an optical fiber with the stimuli-responsive hydrogel precursor solution deposited on the substrate mold; and exposing the end of the optical fiber and the stimuli-responsive hydrogel precursor solution to light to form a stimuli-responsive hydrogel sensor imprinted with a convex asymmetric microlens array and attached to the end of the optical fiber. Embodiments further include systems comprising the fiber optic probes.

Abstract: A method for separating iron from an aluminium alloy comprises providing a first zone of an aluminium alloy at a first temperature at which the aluminium alloy is partially melted and any iron-containing particles therein are fully molten, and providing a second zone of the alloy at a second temperature at which the aluminium alloy is fully molten, such that a temperature gradient is created between the first zone and the second zone. By applying a static homogeneous magnetic field to the alloy, and maintaining the temperature gradient and the magnetic field for a period of time, the iron content of the first and/or second zone can be reduced.

Abstract: A set of target peptides are presented by HLA A*0201, B*0301, B*0702 and B*2705 on the surface of disease cells. They are envisioned to, among other things, stimulate an immune response to the proliferative disease, e.g., colorectal cancer, to function as immunotherapeutics in adoptive T cell therapy or as a vaccine, facilitate antibody recognition of tumor boundaries in surgical pathology samples, act as biomarkers for early detection and/or diagnosis of the disease, and/or act as targets in the generation antibody-like molecules which recognize the target-peptide/MHC complex.

Abstract: A molecular sensor that utilises dichroism can be used to identify the presence of specific molecules in a substance. The molecular sensor includes a sensor element comprising (i) a scaffold moiety and (ii) one or more receptor molecules for the target molecule attached to the scaffold moiety to form a scaffold/receptor complex, wherein the scaffold/receptor complex is modified to incorporate a chromophore and the modified scaffold/receptor complex has a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: Methods for mass production of new microfluidic devices are described. The microfluidic devices may include an array of micro-needles with open channels in fluid communication with multiple reservoirs located within a substrate that supports the micro-needles. The micro-needles are configured so as to sufficiently penetrate the skin in order to collect or sample bodily fluids and transfer the fluids to the reservoirs. The micro-needles may also deliver medicaments into or below the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetic probe for the detection of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) or a single nucleotide modification of a target nucleic acid, the genetic probe comprising: —a nanoparticle; —an oligonucleotide probe anchored to the surface of the nanoparticle, comprising an oligonucleotide backbone with a tag incorporated therein via a linker group; and —a reference probe anchored to the surface of the nanoparticle, wherein the reference probe comprises a marker; wherein either (a) the tag is an organic fluorescent tag and the marker is a transition metal-based fluorescent marker; or (b) the tag is a redox-active tag and the marker is a transition metal-based redox-active marker. The invention also relates to a composition or kit containing a probe of the invention, or to the use of a probe of the invention.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods to predict pain sensitivity and pain intensity to prolonged pain in a subject. Electroencephalograms are recorded in a pain-free state or, alternatively, in a pain-free state and after applying a prolonged pain stimulus in a prolonged pain state. Pain-free and prolonged pain peak alpha frequencies or ?PAF are measured. These values correlate negatively with the likelihood of increased pain sensitivity and increased pain intensity. Also provided is a method for predicting a likelihood of chronic pain in a subject after a medical procedure and designing a plan to treat the chronic pain.

Abstract: A set of target peptides are presented by HLA A*0201, B*0301, B*0702 and B*2705 on the surface of disease cells. They are envisioned to, among other things, stimulate an immune response to the proliferative disease, e.g., colorectal cancer, to function as immunotherapeutics in adoptive T cell therapy or as a vaccine, facilitate antibody recognition of tumor boundaries in surgical pathology samples, act as biomarkers for early detection and/or diagnosis of the disease, and/or act as targets in the generation antibody-like molecules which recognize the target-peptide/MHC complex.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a line commutated converter, LCC, for a high-voltage direct current, HVDC, power converter. The LCC comprises at least one bridge circuit for connection to at least one terminal of a DC system. Each bridge circuit comprises at least two arms, and each arm is associated with a phase of an AC system. Each arm comprises one or more upper thyristor valves and one or more lower thyristor valves connected in series, and a branch extending from between the upper and lower thyristor valves. Each arm further comprises a parallel capacitor module comprising at least one parallel capacitor being connected in parallel between at least one pair of branches comprising a first branch and a second branch wherein during commutation of a flow of current in the first branch to a flow of current in the second branch, the at least one parallel capacitor is configured to discharge current in to the second branch in the same direction as the flow of current in the second branch.

Abstract: A line commutated converter (LCC) for a high voltage direct current power converter, the LCC comprising at least one LCC bridge circuit for connection to at least one terminal of a DC system, each bridge circuit comprising a plurality of arms, each associated with a respective phase of an AC system, each arm comprising: an upper thyristor valve or valves, and lower thyristor valve or valves connected in series; an associated branch extending from between the upper and lower thyristors; and at least one thyristor-based capacitor module for each phase, each module comprising a plurality of module thyristors, the or each capacitor module operable to insert a main capacitor into the respective arm of the bridge circuit by firing at least one or more of said module thyristors.

Abstract: A variety of targeting moiety peptide epitope complexes (TPECs) are described in different embodiments. In each of the embodiments, however, a targeting moiety may be used to deliver the TPEC to an area of unwanted cells, allowing for a therapeutic effect to be delivered locally. The TPEC also contains a plurality of T-cell epitopes. The TPEC further comprises cleavage sites that release the T-cell epitopes from the targeting agent, and in some embodiments from each other, when they are in the microenvironment of the unwanted cells. Although the arrangement and number of T-cell epitopes varies in different embodiments described herein, once cleaved from the targeting agent (and any neighboring T-cell epitopes), the T-cell epitopes function by stimulating an immune response against the unwanted cells.

Abstract: Provided is a nitrided metal surface functionalized with molecules, each molecule comprising at least one binding group and an antimicrobial moiety. The molecules are immobilized on the surface by only covalent interactions between the binding groups of the molecules and nitrogen atoms within the nitrided metal surface. Articles comprising the functionalized nitrided surface find use in inhibiting or reducing the growth of microorganisms on surfaces that are frequently touched. A method for preparing the functionalized nitrided surface comprises contacting a nitrided metal surface with molecules so as to form covalent bonds between the binding groups of the molecules and the nitrogen atoms in the surface, thereby immobilising the molecules on the metal surface.

Abstract: A set of target peptides are presented by HLA class I molecules on the surface of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ceils and/or esophageal cancer cells. They are envisioned to among other things (a) stimulate an immune response to the proliferative disease, e.g., HCC and/or esophageal cancer, (b) function as immunotherapeutics in adoptive T-cell therapy or as a vaccine, (c) facilitate antibody recognition of tumor boundaries in surgical pathology samples, (d) act as biomarkers for early detection and/or diagnosis of the disease, and (e) act as targets in the generation anti-body-like molecules which recognize the target-peptide/MHC complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antimicrobial surface, in particular a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety. The invention comprises a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety and a binder moiety, wherein the peptide is immobilized on the surface by electrostatic interactions between the binder moiety and the surface. Further provided is a medical device, a peptide and a method for the immobilization of a peptide.

Abstract: A variety of targeting moiety peptide epitope complexes (TPECs) are described in different embodiments. In each of the embodiments, however, a targeting moiety may be used to deliver the TPEC to an area of unwanted cells, allowing for a therapeutic effect to be delivered locally. The TPEC also contains a plurality of T-cell epitopes. The TPEC further comprises cleavage sites that release the T-cell epitopes from the targeting agent, and in some embodiments from each other, when they are in the microenvironment of the unwanted cells. Although the arrangement and number of T-cell epitopes varies in different embodiments described herein, once cleaved from the targeting agent (and any neighboring T-cell epitopes), the T-cell epitopes function by stimulating an immune response against the unwanted cells.