Abstract: A waveform synthesizer comprises a controllable oscillator for generating an oscillator waveform having an oscillator cycle; a reference input for accepting a reference signal having a reference cycle; and a waveform detector coupled to said oscillator and said reference input. The waveform detector is arranged to sample said waveform in response to said reference input and to determine waveform information about said oscillator. The waveform information is operative to adjust said controllable oscillator.

Abstract: A vibrational energy harvesting device is disclosed, which comprises first and second assemblies mounted on a base at a distance one from the other. The first assembly comprises vibrational means adapted to stretch under a straining force, whereby the device exhibits monostable quartic nonlinearity. The first and second assemblies comprise respective magnetised means in opposite polarity to one another, so that the second assembly exerts a repulsive magnetic force upon the vibrational means, whereby the device exhibits bistability. Both the monostable quartic and bistable nonlinearities can be independently controlled. A method of harvesting energy with the vibrational energy harvesting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining the risk of metastatic prostate cancer in an individual diagnosed with prostate cancer, the method comprising a step of assaying a biological sample obtained from the individual for the presence of at last one methylated regulatory DNA sequence selected from group comprising: SEQ ID NO: 1 to SEQ ID NO: 16, or variants thereof, and correlating the presence or absence of the methylated regulatory DNA sequence with aggressive (metastatic) prostate cancer.

Abstract: Devices and methods described herein decode a sequence of coded symbols by guessing noise. In various embodiments, noise sequences are ordered, either during system initialization or on a periodic basis. Then, determining a codeword includes iteratively guessing a new noise sequence, removing its effect from received data symbols (e.g. by subtracting or using some other method of operational inversion), and checking whether the resulting data are a codeword using a codebook membership function. In various embodiments, soft information is used to generate a symbol mask that identifies the collection of symbols that are suspected to differ from the channel input, and only these are subject to guessing. This decoder embodies or approximates maximum likelihood (optionally with soft information) decoding for any code. In some embodiments, the decoder tests abounded number of noise sequences, abandoning the search and declaring an erasure after these sequences are exhausted.

Abstract: A thrombectomy device for removing thrombus from a body lumen comprises an elongated catheter member (2) having a distal part and a proximal part, a thrombus blocking body (5) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-blocking, orientation, a thrombus capture body (3) disposed on the distal part of the catheter member in an axially spaced-apart relationship to the thrombus blocking body, and radially expansible between a contracted orientation and an expanded, thrombus-capture, orientation, deployment means actuable to deploy and retract the thrombus capture body and thrombus blocking body; and an elongated control arm operably connected to the thrombus capture body. The thrombus capture body is a cage having an inwardly tapering leading end, the elongated control arm is operably connected to the leading end of the cage, and a thrombus extractor or macerator mechanism is disposed within the cage.

Abstract: An antibiofilm composition comprising a compound of formula (A1), (A2) or (A3): wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, halo, alkoxy, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfoxy, thiol, carboxy, alkyl carboxy and amido; and X may be O or S, wherein the composition does not comprise a compound of formula (B1) or (B2):

Abstract: A poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) membrane having a highly porous, reticulated, 3-D structure suitable for lateral flow diagnostic applications is described. Also described is a method for producing a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) membrane that comprises the steps of mixing a suitable amount of PMMA, a solvent and a optionally one of either a co-solvent or a non-solvent to produce a solution, casting a thin film of the solution onto a support, and removal of the solvent from the solution to produce the PMMA membrane. A lateral flow diagnostic device comprising a highly porous PMMA membrane as a reaction membrane is also described.

Abstract: Devices of the present disclosure may macerate and extract debris from inside a lumen. Such devices may include an extraction core, a tube including a side wall and a window in the side wall, and a rotatable helical formation disposed inside the tube. In some embodiments, the rotatable helical formation has a variable pitch.

Abstract: A delivery system comprising hydrogen peroxide or a hydrogen peroxide generator system, for use in a method for the treatment or prevention of inflammatory bowel disease in a mammal, is described. The method comprises a step of orally administering to the mammal the delivery system, wherein the delivery system is formulated for oral delivery and release of the hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide generator system in-situ at a target location in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. Also described is an oral dosage delivery system comprising hydrogen peroxide or a hydrogen peroxide generator system, in which the delivery system is configured for oral administration to a mammal and release of the hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide generator system at a target location within the mammalian gastrointestinal tract thereby effecting a localised increase in hydrogen peroxide levels at the target location in the mammalian gut or airways.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and system for directing power flow between multiple devices, the apparatus comprising: one or more inlet ports for connection to one or more devices; a plurality of outlet ports configured for supplying electrical power; and a computing device configured to route power from the one or more inlet ports to the outlet ports. The system comprises a plurality of the apparatus connected to each other.

Abstract: A method is provided for characterising and/or prognosing prostate cancer in a subject comprising measuring the level of at least one protein from a panel or at least one peptide thereof in a sample from the subject. The method may be used to determine the grade and stage of the prostate cancer. Also disclosed is a method for selecting a treatment for prostate cancer, together with corresponding methods of treatment. Systems and computing devices for performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A gait management apparatus applies stimulation to a user suffering from a neurological disease (such as Parkinson's Disease) gait dysfunction. Motion sensors are arranged to be worn by a patient, and electrical stimulation electrodes are on the legs for stimulation. A controller receives motion sensing signals, and processes these signals to generate stimulation signals for operation of the electrodes to stimulate limb movement upon detection of a gait abnormality. There may be a user actuator for user actuation of electrical stimulation, and the inputs may be a series of taps. The controller may provide signals to prevent occurrence of freezing of gait when it senses that a patient is walking or has an intention to walk. Also, it may apply stimulation at an intensity level which is insufficient for functional muscle stimulation but sufficiently high to trigger activation of efferent nerves.

Abstract: An indicator can be received from a client device. The indicator can indicate an agreement by a user of the client device to share device resources of the client device with an entity distinct from the client device and distinct from the user of the client device. Responsive to receiving from the mobile device the indicator, and responsive to receiving a message from a sharing agent of the mobile device indicating that that no user inputs are received by the mobile device over a particular duration of time and that video content is not being streamed to the mobile device, a client access agent can access the shared resources, data to be processed by the shared device resources can be communicated to the mobile device, and a level of a quality of service provided by a communication network to the mobile device can be increased.

Abstract: The present application relates to an anti-microbial system for use in the treatment of microbial infections or control of microbial contamination, which avoids the use of antibiotics. Such infections include mastitis, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis and the contamination that may result from biofilm formation on medical devices.

Abstract: A method for the enzymatic conversion of a phenol substrate into a corresponding catechol product comprises the step of incubating the phenol substrate with a Ralstonia solanacearum tyrosinase enzyme, or a functional derivative thereof, in a reaction mixture, for a period of time sufficient to allow the enzyme convert at least some of the phenol substrate into the catechol product.

Abstract: A device suitable for use in a body lumen and comprises an elongated control member having a distal and a proximal end, and a radially expansible member disposed at or near the distal end and adapted for collection and/or shearing of matter (i.e. thrombus) from a wall of the body lumen (i.e. a vein or an artery). The radially expansible member has a proximal end and a distal end and is adjustable between a contracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The elongated control member comprising a proximal arm connected at or adjacent to the proximal end of the radially expansible member and a distal arm connected at or adjacent to the distal end of the radially expansible member such that movement of one arm relative to the other arm effects adjustment of the diameter or radial strength of the radially expansible member. The device comprises a control mechanism operatively connected to both arms and adapted to provide resistance to the movement of one arm relative to the other.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subject by administering Bifidobacterium longum strain NCIMB 41676 are discussed. The method may include orally administering a formulation comprising Bifidobacterium longum strain NCIMB 41676 to improve sleep.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for specializing, monitoring, and/or evaluating therapeutic nasal neuromodulation are disclosed herein. A targeted neuromodulation system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an evaluation/modulation assembly at a distal portion of a shaft and including a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes are configured to emit stimulating energy at frequencies for identifying and locating target neural structures and detect the resultant bioelectric properties of the tissue. The system can also include a console that maps locations of the target neural structures. The evaluation/modulation assembly can then apply therapeutic neuromodulation energy in a highly tailored neuromodulation pattern based on the mapped locations of the target neural structures. Accordingly, the system provides therapeutic neuromodulation to highly specific target structures while avoiding non-target structures to reduce collateral effects.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention provides a photonic subsystem for integrating onto a photonic platform. The subsystem comprises a laser source and a plurality of optical components for focusing and directing a laser beam emitted from the laser source into a photonic platform. The laser source and plurality of optical components are mounted to a substrate and encapsulated.

Abstract: An implant (30) for a mammalian bone joint (3) for spacing a first bone (2) of the joint from a second bone (1) of the joint while allowing translational movement of the second bone in relation to the first bone is described. The implant comprises (a) a distal part (31) configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the second bone, (b) a proximal part (34) having a platform (15) configured for non-engaging abutment of an end of the first bone and translational movement thereon, and (c) an articulating coupling (10, 16) provided between the distal and proximal ends allowing controlled articulation of the first and second bones. The bone-abutting platform is shaped to conform to and translate upon the end of the first bone. A kit for assembly to form the implant of the invention, and the use of the implant to treat osteoarthritis in a bone joint, are also described.