Abstract: A porous chiral material of formula [M(L)1.5(A)]+X? wherein M is a metal ion; L is a nitrogen-containing bidentate ligand; A is the anion of mandelic acid or a related acid; and X? is an anion.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a composite comprising a carrier particle and a plurality of drug nanoparticles. The process comprises providing a suspension of drug nanoparticles in the presence of a carrier particle, the carrier particle having an external surface that is functionalised with a surface treatment agent. The process simplifies isolation of drug nanoparticles from suspension.

Abstract: A monitoring system (1) comprises sensors (102) adapted to be worn by a user, and, a processor (101, 302) linked with the sensor. The processor receives sensor data and processes this data to determine user posture data including data indicative of vertical distance between level of the user's heart and ankle (?h, Vd 1, Vd2, Vd3). Based on the posture data together with a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency and/or blood density, generate an estimate of user static venous pressure while the user is static, without calf muscle pump activity. The processor (101, 302) also processes the sensor data to determine if there is calf muscle pump activity, and generates an estimate of user active venous pressure according to the static venous pressure estimate, rate of calf muscle activity, and a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency. The processor (101, 302) may generate the venous pressure estimate in real time, and may control an NMES device accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric material having one or more nanoparticles embedded within the surface layer of a single side of the material. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are microbiocidal nanoparticles which impart antimicrobial characteristics to the polymeric material within which they sprayed and pushed by are embedded.

Abstract: A method of forming a sintered nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti-RE) alloy includes adding one or more powders comprising Ni, Ti, and a rare earth constituent to a powder consolidation unit comprising an electrically conductive die and punch connectable to a power supply. The one or more powders are heated at a ramp rate of about 35° C./min or less to a sintering temperature, and pressure is applied to the powders at the sintering temperature, thereby forming a sintered Ni—Ti-RE alloy.

Abstract: A device for securing a catheter, or similar flexible medical tube or medical device to the skin of a patient. The device comprises a planar body (1) at least a lock retainer (5) and a passive retainer (6), both spaced-apart from each other. Furthermore a method of securing a catheter to a patient using a device as described.

Abstract: A temperature sensor (1) has a pressure sensor (10), the distal end of which is inserted in a sealed chamber (2) filled with a liquid. The pressure sensor has a light guide (4), a cavity (14) at a distal end of the light guide, a diaphragm (11) forming a wall of the cavity and being configured to deflect with applied pressure, and a detector to detect changes in light reflection due to deflection of the diaphragm. The liquid (3) which changes volume in response to temperature changes and this volume change is sufficient to change the pressure applied on the diaphragm (11), and the a interrogation system processes pressure data and/or light reflection data to generate an output indicating temperature of the fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: A monitoring system comprises sensors adapted to be worn by a user, and, a processor linked with the sensor. The processor receives sensor data and processes this data to determine user posture data including data indicative of vertical distance between level of the user's heart and ankle. Based on the posture data together with a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency and/or blood density, generate an estimate of user static venous pressure while the user is static, without calf muscle pump activity. The processor also processes the sensor data to determine if there is calf muscle pump activity, and generates an estimate of user active venous pressure according to the static venous pressure estimate, rate of calf muscle activity, and a value for degree of user chronic venous insufficiency. The processor may generate the venous pressure estimate in real time, and may control an NMES device accordingly.

Abstract: “A nutritional supplement composition suitable for improving lean tissue mass status in a mammal” A nutritional supplement suitable for increasing lean tissue mass in a mammal comprises protein, vitamin D, and calcium. The protein comprises a casein-based milk protein composition, a hydrolyzed whey-based milk protein composition having insulinotropic bioactivity, and a hydrolyzed whey-based milk protein composition having anti-oxidant bioactivity. The supplement increases lean tissue mass in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and system for improving the energy efficiency of a vanadium flow battery, VFB. This is achieved by simultaneously reconditioning the VFB through in-situ activation of the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotating microfluidic device capable of combining portions of various liquids into a single droplet, thus generating millions of droplets with differing compositions.

Abstract: A method of forming a sintered nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti-RE) alloy includes adding one or more powders comprising Ni, Ti, and a rare earth constituent to a powder consolidation unit comprising an electrically conductive die and punch connectable to a power supply. The one or more powders are heated at a ramp rate of about 35° C./min or less to a sintering temperature, and pressure is applied to the powders at the sintering temperature, thereby forming a sintered Ni—Ti-RE alloy.

Abstract: A peptide having 12 to 60 amino acids and including (a) a sequence of SEQUENCE ID NO: 11, or (b) a fragment of SEQUENCE ID NO: 11 that includes the sequence of SEQUENCE ID NO: 1 or 5, is described for use in improving glycemic management in a mammal. A composition, for example a food product, that includes substantially all of the peptides of SEQUENCE ID NO:'s 1 to 11, that is capable of reducing post-prandial blood glucose levels, and increasing insulin secretion in humans, is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heterostructure for use as an electrode in a lithium ion battery as well as a method for synthesising the heterostructure.

Abstract: A method of forming a sintered nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti-RE) alloy includes adding one or more powders comprising Ni, Ti, and a rare earth constituent to a powder consolidation unit comprising an electrically conductive die and punch connectable to a power supply. The one or more powders are heated at a ramp rate of about 35° C./min or less to a sintering temperature, and pressure is applied to the powders at the sintering temperature, thereby forming a sintered Ni—Ti-RE alloy.

Abstract: A material susceptible to dielectric heating has a base polymeric thermoplastic material (1) and a dielectric heating susceptor (2, 3) which increases susceptibility to heating by irradiation with electromagnetic, for example RF or microwave, radiation. The dielectric heating susceptor has a polymeric material (2) such as PVDF which is different from the base polymeric material and has a higher dielectric loss factor than the base polymeric material. The dielectric heating susceptor also comprises electrically polarisable entities such as carbon black dispersed within the base polymeric material without forming a conductive network. The two susceptor materials in combination with the base polymer are particularly effective together at improving susceptibility to electromagnetic radiation heating of the whole material.

Abstract: A temperature sensor (1) has a pressure sensor (10), the distal end of which is inserted in a sealed chamber (2) filled with a liquid. The pressure sensor has a light guide (4), a cavity (14) at a distal end of the light guide, a diaphragm (11) forming a wall of the cavity and being configured to deflect with applied pressure, and a detector to detect changes in light reflection due to deflection of the diaphragm. The liquid (3) which changes volume in response to temperature changes and this volume change is sufficient to change the pressure applied on the diaphragm (11), and the a interrogation system processes pressure data and/or light reflection data to generate an output indicating temperature of the fluid in the chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system to record the absorption of a sample, said method comprising the steps of providing first and second pulsed beam of light on said sample using one or more light beams, said first and second pulsed beam having different spatial definition; measuring the difference in intensity transmitted through and/or reflected by a sample; and generating an image by scanning the sample while making such measurements. The system and method of the invention can work down to resolution of several 100 of nm, affording thus a large improvement in comparison to synchrotron IR imaging that is the closest technique existing today. The advantage versus scanning probe approach is the absence of physical probe, thus suppressing confinement to surface information and removing uncertainty regarding the working behavior of the probe.

Abstract: The invention provides process for producing a stable Si or Ge electrode structure comprising cycling a Si or Ge nanowire electrode until a structure of the Si nanowires form a continuous porous network of Si or Ge ligaments.

Abstract: The invention to mismatch and ISI shaping in a data converter. The invention provides a dynamic element matching technique that incorporates both mismatch and inter symbol interference shaping. A digital decoder is provided that controls the number of ‘on’ and ‘off’ transitions so that the resulting signal does not contain noise or distortion. The element selection technique of the invention is suitable for high resolution multi-bit continuous time oversampling data converters.