Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to regulation of the innate immune system and complement activation. In particular, but not exclusively certain embodiments relate to a complement regulator protein and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for use in the treatment of diseases associated with or mediated by the alternative complement pathway and methods of treating such diseases and other subject matter.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to estimating reachable states for a vehicle using a neural model. In one embodiment, a method includes generating an unverified command by a first controller and a safety command by a second controller for a projected path by an automated driving system (ADS) associated with a vehicle. The method also includes estimating reachable states by a neural network (NN) model that uses the unverified command and an initial condition for the vehicle, the reachable states representing positions and orientations for the vehicle within a bounded time and a state space associated with the initial condition and the projected path. The method also includes, upon determining that the reachable states satisfy collision criteria, executing by the vehicle a maneuver with the safety command for the projected path and generating subsequent commands using vehicle data from the first controller and the second controller.

Abstract: A method of cutting (e.g. micro-milling) brittle materials where a protective ductile layer is present on the brittle material during the cutting step. The method offers an improved edge quality of the machined profile relative to previous cutting (e.g. micro-milling) techniques. A machined product obtained by or obtainable by this method is disclosed.

Abstract: A heat engine including a compressor; an expander; a reactor in which first and second reactants in a working fluid can react with each other, the reactor arranged between the compressor and the expander; and a condenser for condensing a gas in the working fluid, the condenser arranged between the expander and the compressor. There is also provided a method of operating a heat engine.

Abstract: This invention relates to gels that undergo either oscillatory stepwise expansion or oscillatory expansion and contraction. An oscillatory reaction occurs within the gel, changing the conditions of the gel, and causing the gel to expand and optionally contract. The gels may be used for oscillatory release of a chemical agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of increasing the size of particulates in a gas comprising particulates, e.g. a gas that is formed from the combustion of fuels. The method comprises mixing an ionised gas stream with the gas comprising particulates.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method. The printing apparatus is for impinging liquids from at least two liquid sources. The apparatus comprises a first jet actuator configured to dispense a first liquid from a first liquid source and a second jet actuator configured to dispense a second liquid from a second liquid source. The apparatus further comprises an adjustment element configured to adjust a trajectory of at least the first liquid dispensed from the first jet actuator such that the first liquid impinges the second liquid dispensed from the second jet actuator.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method. The printing apparatus is for impinging liquids from at least two liquid sources. The apparatus comprises a first jet actuator configured to dispense a first liquid from a first liquid source and a second jet actuator configured to dispense a second liquid from a second liquid source. The apparatus further comprises an adjustment element configured to adjust a trajectory of at least the first liquid dispensed from the first jet actuator such that the first liquid impinges the second liquid dispensed from the second jet actuator.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to estimating reachable states for a vehicle using a neural model. In one embodiment, a method includes generating an unverified command by a first controller and a safety command by a second controller for a projected path by an automated driving system (ADS) associated with a vehicle. The method also includes estimating reachable states by a neural network (NN) model that uses the unverified command and an initial condition for the vehicle, the reachable states representing positions and orientations for the vehicle within a bounded time and a state space associated with the initial condition and the projected path. The method also includes, upon determining that the reachable states satisfy collision criteria, executing by the vehicle a maneuver with the safety command for the projected path and generating subsequent commands using vehicle data from the first controller and the second controller.

Abstract: A wall shear stress sensor comprising first and second optical gratings, an incident light source and a photodetector. The second optical grating overlaps the first optical grating such that the first optical grating and second optical grating form a Moiré fringe pattern, wherein the second optical grating is displaceable relative to the first optical grating in response to a wall shear stress imparted on the sensor, and wherein displacement of the second optical grating correlates with a phase shift in the Moiré fringe pattern. The incident light source is configured to sequentially illuminate a plurality of discrete locations distributed across the Moiré fringe pattern. The photodetector is configured to detect light intensity reflected from each discrete location on the Moiré fringe pattern. A method of using the sensor and a two dimensional wall shear stress sensor system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-dimensional wall shear stress sensor comprising fixed and floating substrates, an incident light source and first and second photodetectors. The fixed substrate supports a first plurality of optical gratings. The floating substrate supports a second plurality of optical gratings superimposed over the first plurality of optical gratings to form a plurality of Moire fringe patterns comprising at least a first Moire fringe pattern extending in a first direction and a second Moire fringe pattern extending in a second direction different to the first direction. The floating substrate is displaceable relative to the fixed substrate in response to a wall shear stress imparted on the sensor, wherein displacement of the floating substrate correlates with a phase shift in at least one of the first and second Moire fringe patterns. An incident light source is configured to illuminate each of the plurality of Moire fringe patterns.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to gyroscopes comprising: a cyclic symmetric proof mass for bearing on a first surface degenerate, spatially orthogonal primary and secondary modes of vibration which become coupled in response to rotation about an axis of the proof mass; at least one actuator for inducing a primary surface acoustic wave of circumferential order n associated with the primary mode; and at least one sensor for sensing a secondary surface acoustic wave of circumferential order n associated with the secondary mode.

Abstract: A bone cement pressuriser (50) comprising a pressuriser head. The pressuriser head has a first side (51) coupled to or configured to couple to an end of a pressuriser handle and a second side (52) configured to transfer pressure to bone cement in a bone cavity. The second side of the pressuriser head is defined by a first, convex curved surface (53) and a second surface (54) forming a ring surrounding the first surface and extending radially beyond the first surface. A method of pressurising bone cement using the bone cement pressuriser is also disclosed. The first surface is configured to pressurise bone cement within a bone cavity and the second surface is configured to both pressurise bone cement within the bone cavity and to seal about the periphery of the bone cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of forming crystals of chemical molecules. The methods are effective even when only very small amounts of a compound are available and can be used to explore the experimental crystallisation space including screening for optimal crystallisation conditions such as for polymorphic phases, salts, solvates and co-crystals of chemical molecules and to provide single crystals for structural determination of unknown molecules by single crystal X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: An optogenetic system and method for preventing or halting seizures. The system and method use a sensor for monitoring the activity of a neural network containing a group of target neurons, and generating an input signal indicative of said activity, the target neurons being excitatory neurons. Excitatory stimulation is delivered in the form of an optical signal by an optical stimulator to the target neurons, the optical signal being determined based on the input signal, to reduce the overall activity of the target neurons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for simultaneously providing a plurality of probe response signals indicative of electrical activity at a respective plurality of locations in a patient. The apparatus comprises a rigid needle shaft element comprising a piercing tip and a substrate supporting a plurality of electrode tracks, secured to the needle shaft element and extending along the shaft element away from the piercing tip. Each electrode track extends from a sensing end region arranged for providing a respective probe response signal responsive to localised electrical activity, along the region of the substrate, to a respective bond pad connection region. Recording surface regions of the plurality of electrode tracks are spaced apart in a plurality of substantially linear spaced apart configurations along the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of forming crystals of chemical molecules. The methods are effective even when only very small amounts of a compound are available and can be used to explore the experimental crystallisation space including screening for optimal crystallisation conditions such as for polymorphic phases, salts, solvates and co-crystals of chemical molecules and to provide single crystals for structural determination of unknown molecules by single crystal X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: An optrode arrangement for delivering optical stimulation to target tissue in a patient, the optrode arrangement comprising an implantable optrode comprising at least one electrically powered light emitter and an electrical circuit and control lines for controlling the light emitter, whereby an associated controller has two modes of operation: a stimulation mode in which it is configured to control the light emitter to deliver optical stimulation to the target tissue and a diagnostic mode in which it is configured to determine a condition of the light emitter and/or the optrode.

Abstract: A temperature sensor comprising a light emitter, an electrical circuit for applying a reverse bias voltage across the light emitter and for measuring a reverse current, and means for calculating a temperature from the measured reverse current.

Abstract: An electrical sub-assembly comprises a stator having a plurality of coils and a cooling means attached to the stator. The electrical sub-assembly further comprises a plurality of pairs of diodes attached to the cooling means, each pair of diodes being in antiparallel configuration and having three electrical terminals. One of the three electrical terminals is a common terminal shared by both diodes in each pair of diodes. A plurality of busbars electrically connect each of the diodes to at least one of the plurality of coils via one or more of the electrical terminals. In use, the cooling means is configured to simultaneously cool the stator and the plurality of diodes. The electrical sub-assembly may have particular application as a part of a switched reluctance machine.