Abstract: A method of calculating a soil moisture profile includes obtaining a capacitance measurement of a soil surface at a location, applying a preselected calibration to the capacitance measurement to obtain a top surface moisture estimate, obtaining local climatic and hydrological data correlated with the location, the local climatic and hydrological data, which includes at least local water input data, and calculating an estimate of the soil moisture at the location by applying a preselected evapotranspiration model to the top surface moisture estimate and the local climatic and hydrological data.

Abstract: An alloy includes a mixture of aluminum, tin and magnesium. An amount of the magnesium is between about 2.5% and 6.5% by weight of the mixture. The alloy is binder jet printed and liquid phase sintered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved complexes of amorphous calcium phosphate and/or amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate stabilised by phosphopeptides/phosphoproteins by addition of stannous ions. These complexes have anticariogenic properties useful to protect tooth structures as they remineralize (repair) early stages of dental caries and have other dental/medical applications (including anti-calculus, anti-erosion/corrosion and anti-dentinal hypersensitivity). Methods of making the complexes of the invention and of treatment or prevention of various dental conditions including dental caries, dental calculus, dental erosion/corrosion and dental hypersensitivity are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for treating medication refractory epilepsy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of treating epilepsy is disclosed comprising detecting, using a first electrode array coupled to a first endovascular carrier, an electrophysiological signal of a subject. The method further comprises analyzing the electrophysiological signal using a neuromodulation unit electrically coupled to the first electrode array and stimulating an intracorporeal target of the subject using a second electrode array coupled to a second endovascular carrier implanted within a part of a bodily vessel superior to a base of the skull of the subject.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for generating, manipulating, and controlling non-Gaussian quantum states in continuous variable cluster quantum states usable for quantum computing. Some methods can be used to generate, transport, and enlarge Schrödinger-Cat states embedded in the CV cluster quantum state. Some methods can be used to transform Schrödinger-Cat states embedded in the CV quantum cluster state to grid states (such as Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill states) and enlarge the grid states. In certain embodiments, some of the methods may be used to generate and control non-Gaussian states in macronode cluster quantum states such as cluster states comprising two-mode macronodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compounds that are useful in the prevention or treatment of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, and fibrotic diseases or conditions in which fibrosis contributes to the pathology of the condition. The invention also relates to the preparation of the compounds, and to compositions including the compounds. The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds, as well as compositions including the compounds, in treating or preventing respiratory diseases, acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, and fibrotic diseases or conditions in which fibrosis contributes to the pathology of the condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotor for a peristaltic pump, the rotor comprising a body for rotation about an axis, the body having a first side and a second side, the body supporting a plurality of spaced first rollers extending from the body on the first side, the first rollers positioned at a first common radius from the axis, the body further supporting a plurality of spaced second rollers extending from the body on the second side, the second rollers positioned at a second common radius from the axis. The invention extends to a peristaltic pumping unit comprising such a rotor assembled with a first stator and a second stator, the first stator having one or more compressible fluid channels arranged to be compressed by said first rollers and the second stator having one or more compressible fluid channels arranged to be compressed by said second rollers.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a face mask, comprising: a frame defining a respiratory chamber, for receiving nose and mouth portions of a user, between a proximal end of the frame for interfacing with a face portion of the user and a distal end of the frame configured for allowing gas exchange with the environment; a vocal guide defined by a sectional portion of the frame, the guide comprising an arched nose ridge portion, side wall portions extending from the nose ridge portion and a base connecting the side wall portions, wherein the guide is configured with an inwardly-projecting contour located at one or more regions of each of the side wall portions so as to alter an output frequency response of sound waves travelling through the frame for improving speech intelligibility of the mask during use.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for treating medication refractory epilepsy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of treating epilepsy is disclosed comprising detecting, using a first electrode array coupled to a first endovascular carrier, an electrophysiological signal of a subject. The method further comprises analyzing the electrophysiological signal using a neuromodulation unit electrically coupled to the first electrode array and stimulating an intracorporeal target of the subject using a second electrode array coupled to a second endovascular carrier implanted within a part of a bodily vessel superior to a base of the skull of the subject.

Abstract: Methods and kits for the diagnosis of illnesses related to protocadherin 19 (PCDH19) protein deficiency or altered PCDH19 protein function are provided, as well as methods and kits for the identification of a predisposition to such illnesses and methods of screening subjects to identify carriers of such illnesses and methods and kits for the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of PCDH19 deficiency or altered PCDH19 protein function. Further, nucleotide and amino acid sequences corresponding to a complete PCDH19 open reading frame (ORF), mutant sequences encoding non-functional PCDH19 mRNA or altered PCDH19 mRNA are described along with transformed cells and non-human transgenic animals comprising wild-type or mutant PCDH19 ORF nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: A method for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (“DED”) in a human or animal subject is provided. Thread thinning dynamics of a tear sample of the subject are determined using an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument. At least one physical parameter value of the tear sample is calculated based at least in part on the determined thread thinning dynamics. DED is evaluated based at least in part on the at least one calculated physical parameter value of the tear sample. A device for evaluating Dry Eye Disease (DED) in a human or animal subject is also provided. The device includes an acoustically-driven microfluidic extensional rheometry instrument and a processing device configured to evaluate DED based at least in part on the calculated at least one physical parameter value of the tear sample.

Abstract: A method for characterising a sample located within an imaging region, the method comprising the steps of: generating one or more evanescent fields, each associated with a direction, within the imaging region; capturing an image of the imaging region; determining one or more sample characteristics of the sample according to a spatial intensity pattern resulting from an interaction between the, or each, evanescent field and the sample within the image, and associated apparatus and system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for mineralizing a dental surface, in particular tooth enamel. Methods of mineralizing hypomineralized lesions (including subsurface lesions) in the tooth enamel caused by dental caries, dental corrosion and fluorosis are also provided. In particular, the invention relates to a method of mineralizing a dental surface or subsurface comprising contacting the dental surface or subsurface with a compound that is capable of increasing or maintaining the pH of a solution and a mineralizing agent.

Abstract: A small-sized, portable enclosure protects a gas sensor against degradation due to environmental exposure and changes in atmospheric conditions. The protective enclosure includes an inlet for introduction of a gas into the enclosure, an outlet for release of the gas upon completion of a sensing run, and at least one retractable filter that removes from the inflowing gas deleterious compounds that can compromise the integrity of the sensor or cause the sensor to degrade over time. The enclosure does not include any filters during the measurement phase of the sensing run in order to allow the gas sensor to accurately measure an unmodified gas mixture and/or analyte.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to method for evaluating and improving cognitive function in a subject. In particular, the invention generally relates to methods for evaluating cognitive function in a subject by determining the level of cholesteryl esters in a subject, and to improving cognitive function in a subject comprising the administration of cholesteryl oleate, or analogues thereof.

Abstract: A method for characterising a sample located within an imaging region, the method comprising the steps of: generating one or more evanescent fields, each associated with a direction, within the imaging region; capturing an image of the imaging region; determining 5 one or more sample characteristics of the sample according to a spatial intensity pattern resulting from an interaction between the, or each, evanescent field and the sample within the image, and associated apparatus and system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating an auditory disorder. In particular, the present invention relates to treating an auditory disorder using supraparticles comprising a therapeutic payload.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for transmitting signals through a device located in a blood vessel of an animal, for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the device, wherein the media includes tissue and/or fluid.

Abstract: For constructing an asymmetric RF pulse for an MRI system, a first RF amplitude for a first part of a time interval is determined and an RF amplitude curve, which depends on at least one RF curve parameter is received. A combined RF amplitude curve for the time interval is determined by combining the first RF amplitude for the first part of the time interval and the RF amplitude curve for a second part of the time interval, which succeeds the first part of the time interval. The combined RF amplitude curve is optimized using a loss function, which comprises an energy loss term, which depends on a pulse energy of the combined RF amplitude curve, and using the at least one RF curve parameter as at least one optimization variable. A combined amplitude of the asymmetric RF pulse is given by the optimized combined RF amplitude curve.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for transmitting signals through a device located in a blood vessel of an animal, for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the device, wherein the media includes tissue and/or fluid.