Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an influenza virus H5 polypeptide in a plant comprising the steps of cloning an influenza H5 gene or nucleic acid encoding its functional equivalent into a vector adapted to target components present in the plant, infiltrating at least a portion of the plant with the vector or transforming plant tissue with the vector so as to transiently express the influenza virus H5 polypeptide, and/or to create a transgenic plant; and recover the influenza virus H5 polypeptide expressed by the plant. The invention further relates to vectors, transgenic plants or parts thereof and the progeny of such plants used in or which come about as a result of the method.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer support characterized in that the polymer is 6-amino 6-deoxy chitosan. Metal-immobilized 6-amino 6-deoxy chitosan is further provided, more particularly including one of Pd, Pt, Ru, Rh Ir, Os, Mn, Ni, Co and Fe in all their possible oxidation states complexed to 6-amino 6-deoxy chitosan through a Schiff-base ligand.

Abstract: A sample presentation device for radiation-based analytical equipment comprising a mounting base, a carrier carried by, and adjustable in position, relative to the mounting base, and an arm extending from the carrier and having at its opposite end a terminal member; Each of the carrier and terminal member has a coaxial connector for receiving two opposite end regions of a capillary tube that forms, in use, a reaction cell; A radiant heater, typically an infrared heater, is radially offset from the axis of the coaxial connectors for heating, in use, a capillary tube mounted by way of the coaxial connectors; The carrier and terminal member preferably have heaters associated therewith for heating the flow passages through them; The terminal member preferably has a passage generally coaxial with the connector for receiving a communications conductor carrying a temperature sensor at its end that is operatively located generally centrally within a capillary.

Abstract: A sample presentation device for radiation-based analytical equipment is provided comprising a mounting base, a carrier carried by, and adjustable in position, typically in the vertical direction, relative to the mounting base, and an arm extending from the carrier and having at its opposite end a terminal member. Each of the carrier and terminal member has a coaxial connector for receiving two opposite end regions of a capillary tube that forms, in use, a reaction cell. A radiant heater, typically an infrared heater, is radially offset from the axis of the coaxial connectors for heating, in use, a capillary tube mounted by way of the coaxial connectors. The carrier and terminal member preferably have heaters associated therewith for heating the flow passages through them as and when necessary.

Abstract: A sub-circuit for facilitating the synchronization of event-based samples of signals in a cross-correlation circuit utilizing event-based sampling is provided. The sub-circuit alternatively integrates one of the signals to be cross-correlated and alternates between the signals in response to the output of a hysteretic comparator. The invention extends to a method of manipulating the input signals to a cross-correlation circuit utilizing event-based sampling so-as to facilitate the synchronization of the event-based samples of the signals.

Abstract: A method for estimating round-trip time (RTT) values for data packets travelling in a telecommunication network is disclosed. During a first time interval (206) which begins with the start of a data transmission, estimated RTT values (14) are generated by filtering a periodic sequence of RTT samples (12) with a self-initialising expanding memory polynomial (EMP) filter (16) and, after a first switch-over time at the end of the first time interval, the estimated RTT values are generated by filtering the RTT samples with a fading memory polynomial (FMP) filter (18). The first switch-over time is determined by comparing an FMP estimation error and an EMP estimation error, where the FMP estimation error is the difference between an output of the FMP filter and the RTT samples, and the EMP estimation error is the difference between an output of the EMP filter and the RTT samples, and triggering the first switch-over time when the FMP estimation error becomes equal to or less than the EMP estimation error.

Abstract: A hydroxytyrosol polymer formed by either C—C coupling or C—O—C coupling is provided. Preferred polymers are formed by C—C coupling and the dimer has the following structure: (Formula I) (I) Compounds of the invention have been found to have antioxidant properties and their use in antioxidant compositions forms a further aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A method for improving channel estimation performance in dynamic spectrum access multicarrier systems is disclosed. The method includes determining a pattern of pilot symbols to be included in transmitted signals sent from a sender to a receiver through an interference-affected propagation environment by deriving a covariance matrix of interference and white Gaussian noise (Rww) based on external measurements for the propagation environment, determining the placement of a predetermined number of equally powered pilot symbols by computing a placement that results in the minimum sum of square errors of a maximum likelihood channel estimation performed based on the covariance matrix, and with the pilot symbols in their placed positions, determining a relative power distribution between the placed pilot symbols by computing the power distribution that results in the minimum sum of square errors of a maximum likelihood channel estimation performed based on the covariance matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting electromyography of a deep muscle non-invasively are provided. An array of suitable surface electromyography electrodes is arranged in one or more rings encircling a part of the human body in which a deep muscle being investigated is located. The potential of at least selected electrodes relative to another electrode selected from a common reference electrode (mono-polar) and other electrodes (bi-polar) in the array is recorded and the data is processed in respect of the recorded potentials of at least some of said selected electrodes in order to determine (optionally using approximations or algorithms, or both) the contribution being made by at least the deep muscle being investigated. Typically, this is done mathematically by resolving the electromyography signals into their constituent components using a suitable technique.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer support characterised in that the polymer is 6-amino 6-deoxy chitosan. Metal-immobilised 6-amino 6-deoxy chitosan is further provided, more particularly including one of Pd, Pt, Ru, Rh Ir, Os, Mn, Ni, Co and Fe in all their possible oxidation states complexed to 6-amino 6-deoxy chitosan through a Schiff-base ligand.

Abstract: A method for producing a chimaeric human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 polypeptide containing a heterologous peptide, and in particular, a HPV L2 peptide comprising the steps of introducing a DNA sequence coding for the heterologous peptide into a DNA sequence coding for the L1 polypeptide; introducing the DNA sequence including the sequences for the L1 polypeptide and heterologous peptide into a host cell in which the DNA sequence can be expressed; causing expression of the DNA sequence; and recovering the resulting chimaeric L1 polypeptide which includes the heterologous peptide. The invention also describes a vector for use in the method, a host cell containing the vector, and a vaccine including the chimaeric HPV L1 polypeptide produced according to the method.

Abstract: A method of assessing a psychiatric disorder, behavioural problem or mental state following exposure to stress is described. Expression levels of mRNA transcripts for a plurality of genes linked to a stress-related neural state in the peripheral blood of a subject are measured. The expression levels of the genes, relative to a reference set of expression levels for the same genes in a healthy subject, are used to predict or assess a psychiatric disorder following exposure to a stressor.

Abstract: A method is provided of producing inorganic semiconducting nanoparticles having a stable surface. The method comprises providing an inorganic bulk semiconductor material, such as silicon or germanium, and milling the bulk semiconductor material in the presence of a selected reducing agent. The reducing agent acts to chemically reduce oxides of one or more component elements of the semiconductor material, or prevent the formation of such oxides by being preferentially oxidised, thereby to provide semiconducting nanoparticles having a stable surface which allows electrical contact between the nanoparticles. The milling may take place in a mill in which the milling media and/or one or more components of the mill comprise the selected reducing agent.

Abstract: A method of determining in a subject a predisposition to, or increased risk for, developing a tendon, ligament, or other soft tissue injury or pathology, the method comprising the step of screening the subject for the presence of at least one poly-morphism in at least one gene family selected from the group consisting of any one or more of: the matrix metallo-protease (MMP) family, the collagen family, including the COL5A1 and COL12A1 genes, the glycoprotein family, including the TNC and COMP genes, and derivatives thereof, which polymorphism is a polymorphism which results in a modified, augmented, or gated interaction with other members of the gene families mentioned herein, when compared to a wild-type interaction.

Abstract: A thin film semiconductor in the form of a metal semiconductor field effect transistor, includes a substrate 10 of paper sheet material and a number of thin film active inorganic layers that are deposited in layers on the substrate. The active layers are printed using an offset lithography printing process. A first active layer comprises source 12.1 and drain 12.2 conductors of colloidal silver ink, that are printed directly onto the paper substrate. A second active layer is an intrinsic semiconductor layer 14 of colloidal nanocrystalline silicon ink which is printed onto the first layer. A third active layer comprises a metallic conductor 16 of colloidal silver which is printed onto the second layer to form a gate electrode. This invention extends to other thin film semiconductors such as photovoltaic cells and to a method of manufacturing semiconductors.

Abstract: A method of assessing fluid flow in a body is provided which includes phase contrast velocity encoded MRI scanning the body to obtain the velocity of fluids flowing in each of a plurality of volume elements (voxels) in three orthogonal directions; determining whether the flow in each voxel (1) is significant typically by checking if it has a value exceeding a threshold value selected from either or both of a noise level value and a minimum expected constant flow or flow-time profile; comparing each voxel with significant flow to each adjacent voxels (4, 6, 6a, 8, 8a) in the same and adjacent parallel plains; registering a connection where an adjacent voxel has significant flow; and clustering and depicting connected voxels visually by computing isosurfaces.

Abstract: A magnetometer which includes an elongate reactor in which a sample can be secured in a sample support zone and which is located within a magnetic field space of a magnetic field generator and one or more signal pickup coils. Movement generating means is provided for generating relative movement in a generally linear direction between the reactor and at least one of the magnetic field and pickup coil, preferably by moving the reactor in its length. The magnetometer is characterised in that the reactor is a metal tube having a length which permits its ends to remain external of the signal pickup device during the relative movement.

Abstract: Organosulfur compounds of the general formula (2) are described, wherein R1 and R2 are linear or branched C1-C5 alkyl; linear or branched C1-C5 alkenyl with the proviso that R1 is not prop-1-enyl (allyl); substituted linear or branched C1-C5 alkenyl or substituted linear or branched C1-C5 alkyl, in which the substituents are selected from OR3, NR4R5, COOR6, CON—R7R8, in which R3 is selected from H, COR9, para-methoxybenzyl and trialkylsilyl, in which R9 is alkyl or substituted alkyl; R4 N and R5 are alkyl or R4 and R5 together form a phthalimido group; R6 is alkyl or substituted alkyl; and R7 and R8 are alkyl or substituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted aromatic specifically where R1 and R2 are benzyl, para-methoxybenzyl and/or ortho,para-methoxybenzyl and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic. The compounds can be used for inhibiting the growth of tumour cells and for treating cancer. A pharmaceutical composition and a method of preparing the compounds are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for synthesizing an amino acid derivative of a tripeptidomimetic, such as lisinopril. The invention also relates to a derivative of lisinopril, incorporating a amino acid moeity such as tryptophan at the P2? position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the synthesis of ketomethylene derivatives of the tripeptide Phe-Gly-Pro (“keto-ACE”, compound 5a) and analogues thereof. The synthesis process proceeds via an ?,?-unsaturated keto intermediate. A key feature of the process involves a Horner-Emmons olefination of the, -unsaturated keto-phosphonate with ethyl glyoxylate. Keto-ACE analogues produced by the process of the invention display C-domain selectivity.