Abstract: A method for feature reduction in a training set for a learning machine such as a Support Vector Machine (SVM). In one embodiment the method includes a step (35) of receiving input training data vectors xi of a training set. The input training data vectors are typically derived from a set of features in a feature space. At step (37) the input data vectors are mapped into a multi-dimensional space. At step (39) a least squares problem, derived from a formulation of the SVM, is solved to determine which features comprising the training vectors are to be deemed significant. At step (41) decision parameters and vectors of the chosen decision machine, e.g. SVM, are determined using the features determined to be significant in step (39).

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying peptides by selective precipitation of contaminating proteins, such as host cell proteins and cleaved fusion partners. Also provided is a method of cleaving fusion proteins in cell lysates.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) phased array head coil (10) comprises an array of coils (1, 2, 3, 4) a decoupling circuit (7) and a decoupling base (14). Counter wound inductors from adjoining coils (1, 2, 3, 4) in the decoupling circuit (7) are interlaced to achieve mutual decoupling between adjoining coils. Each separate coil (1, 2, 3, 4) includes a pair of spaced parallel main conductors (12) located on opposite sides of a cylindrical space (5) enclosed by the coils (1, 2, 3, 4). The decoupling base (14) comprises two meandering conductor bases (8, 9) which are interlaced. Orthogonal main conductors (12) of the coil (1, 2, 3, 4) share a common conductor base (8, 9). The multiple crossings of the paths of the conductor bases (8, 9) reduces mutual coupling effects.

Abstract: An assembly for press forming a deformable material including: a first die array including a plurality of dies, the first die array defining a first die profile; a second die array that is complementary with the first die array and including a plurality of dies, the second die array defining a second die profile that is complementary with the first die profile; and a drive for driving at least one of the first die array and the second die array; wherein in use the plurality of dies of the first die array and the plurality of dies of the second die array sequentially engage the deformable material along a processing length to deform the deformable material to a predetermined profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a novel plant promoter. More particularly, the present invention provides a plant promoter capable of induction by physical and/or environmental stimuli in cells in which the promoter is indigenous and, in the absence of any negative regulatory mechanism, is capable of constitutive expression in cells in which the promoter is non-indigenous. The present invention is further directed to derivatives of the subject promoter including modular forms of the promoter which are, for example, inducible by different physical and environmental stimuli or which are constitutively expressed. The promoter of the present invention has a range of uses including directing expression of genes conferring useful traits on plants.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for preparing cyclic peptides and peptidomimetic compounds in solution and bound to solid supports, and to cyclic peptide or peptidomimetic libraries for use in drug screening programmes. In particular, the invention relates to a generic strategy for synthesis of cyclic peptides or peptidomimetics that enables the efficient synthesis under mild conditions of a wide variety of desired compounds. Two approaches were evaluated for their improvements in solution and solid phase synthesis of small cyclic peptides: positioning reversible N-amide substituents in the sequence; and applying native ligation chemistry in an intramolecular sense. Systematic investigation of the effects of preorganizing peptides prior to cyclisation by using peptide cyclisation auxiliaries, and developing new linkers and peptide cyclisation auxiliaries to aid cyclic peptide synthesis gives surprising improvements in both yields and purity of products compared to the prior art methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to an oral or enteral pharmaceutical preparation comprising at least one synthetically cyclised alpha-conotoxin peptide having an amide cyclised backbone such that the peptide has no free N- or C-terminus, said peptide having the ability to inhibit a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and comprising four cysteine residues bonded in pairs to form two disulfide bonds, wherein the N-terminus of the corresponding linear/non-cyclised conotoxin peptide is linked to the C-terminus by a peptide linker, in a vehicle which is pharmaceutically suitable for oral or enteral administration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining the translational efficiency of an individual codon in a cell. The method includes introducing into the cell a synthetic construct including a reporter polynucleotide fused in frame with a tandem repeat of the individual codon, wherein the reporter polynucleotide encodes a reporter protein, and wherein the synthetic construct is operably linked to a regulatory polynucleotide; and measuring expression of the reporter protein in the cell to determine the translational efficiency of the codon.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a molecular framework having a cyclic structure. More particularly, the present invention provides cyclic proteins and derivatives thereof in which particular turns and other elements of the molecular structure are held in defined orientations with respect to each other. The cyclic proteins of the present invention provide a molecular framework for the introduction of particular amino acids or heterologous amino acid sequences to facilitate the presentation of biological activities associated with these heterologous amino acid sequences. The molecular framework of the present invention may be naturally cyclic or may be a cyclized derivative of a linear molecular or may be a linear derivative of a cyclized molecule. The present invention contemplates the use of the molecular framework with or without particular amino acids inserted or substituted thereon for the treatment of or prophylaxis of disease conditions in animals, mammals (including humans) and plants.

Abstract: An isolated protein comprising a VP1 amino acid sequence wherein one or more exposed loops within said VP1 has an insertion of an amino acid sequence from a virus protein other than VP1, and encoding nucleic acid, are provided. Typically, the virus protein other than VP1 is derived from an influenza virus and in particular, avian influenza virus. The isolated protein may have an insertion of amino acid sequence from a single protein or a plurality of proteins. Also provided are expression constructs, VLPs, pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines and methods of treatment that may be useful in the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of any disease of viral origin, and in particular, influenza virus.

Abstract: A method for acquiring a physiological response from a test subject, particularly an auditory brainstem response, by presenting a plurality of stimuli, such as a Maximum Length Sequence, detecting electrophysiological signals in response to the stimuli, generating a recover signal based on the stimuli and determining the physiological response from the electrophysiological signals and the recovery signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for increasing the yield of a compound produced by an organism. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for increasing the total or soluble carbohydrate content or sweetness or increasing the content of an endogenous carbohydrate of a plant tissue by producing a sugar-metabolizing enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an endogenous sugar (one that is normally produced in the plant) to an alien sugar (one that is not normally produced in the plant at the same developmental stage). The invention also relates to plants and plant parts that produce a sugar-metabolizing enzyme to yield an alien sugar, with the consequence of higher total fermentable carbohydrate content, and to fermentable carbohydrates and other products derived therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating porous polymeric scaffolds including an enclosure; a support for at least one porous polymeric scaffold, and at least one application outlets within the enclosure for applying a liquid agent onto the top surface of the at least one porous polymeric scaffold; each porous polymeric scaffold being supported on a drained platform above a liquid catchment area within the enclosure and having at least one application outlet directed at its top surface

Abstract: A blast movement monitor for measuring the movement of material within a body of material as a result of a blasting operation, the monitor including: a housing having an interior chamber defining an inner surface; and an internal communication device that is received immediately within the interior chamber of the housing and which is adapted to transmit a signal to an external communication device and/or to detect a signal transmitted by the external communication device; wherein the internal communication device includes a body portion and opposing end portions, the end portions being configured such that they are complementary with the inner surface of the interior chamber and the internal communication device being biased to facilitate self-righting of the internal communication device to a desired orientation within the interior chamber independent of the orientation of the monitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated, synthetic or recombinant ?-conotoxin peptide having the ability to inhibit a neuronal amine transporter, nucleic acid molecules encoding all or part of such peptides, antibodies to such peptides and uses and methods of treatment involving them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel nucleic acid molecule encoding an amino acid sequence, which is capable of forming a cyclic structure. Cyclization may occur within a cell or cell membrane, or linear forms of the molecules may be circularised or partially circularised, in vitro using isolated enzyme systems or chemical means. The cyclised amino acid sequence is generally in the form of a stabilized folded structure such as a cyclic knotted peptide, polypeptide or protein or functional equivalent. The nucleic acid molecules and cyclic and linear peptides are useful inter alia in the generation of molecules having animal or plant therapeutic properties, as well as in a range of diagnostic, industrial and agricultural, including horticultural, applications. Of particular importance is the use of these molecules in the protection of plants, such as crop plants, from pest and/or pathogen infestation.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for preparing cyclic peptides and peptidomimetic compounds in solution and bound to solid supports, and to cyclic peptide or peptidomimetic libraries for use in drug screening programs. In particular, the invention relates to a generic strategy for synthesis of cyclic peptides or peptidomimetics that enables the efficient synthesis under mild conditions of a wide variety of desired compounds. Two approaches were evaluated for their improvements in solution and solid phase synthesis of small cyclic peptides: positioning reversible N-amide substituents in the sequence; and applying native ligation chemistry in an intramolecular sense. Systematic investigation of the effects of preorganising peptides prior to cyclisation by using peptide cyclisation auxiliaries, and developing new linkers and peptide cyclisation auxiliaries to aid cyclic peptide synthesis gives surprising improvements in both yields and purity of products compared to the prior art methods.

Abstract: A method of treating multiple sclerosis (MS) is provided which includes the step of administering a pharmaceutically-effective amount of chaperonin 10 and IFN-beta. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and a kit for treating MS, which include chaperonin 10 and IFN-beta.

Abstract: A method of segmenting chromatin particles in a nucleus of a cell by locating regional minima in an image, computing a zone of influence (ZOI) around each regional minimum, and segmenting a single chromatin blob within each ZOI using a region growing procedure. The method can be used as the basis of a method of qualitatively characterizing the distribution of nuclear chromatin by computing features for individual chromatin particles. Chromatin features can be synthesized from the features of individual particles and particle features can be synthesized into nucleus features and slide features. The method is useful for detecting malignancy associated changes and changes during neoplasia. The method may also be used more generally to assess chromatin patterns in living cells during the cell life cycle. This makes it possible to measure alternations in the evolving patterns that result from pathological or environmental influences.

Abstract: An engine management apparatus for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes a microprocessor that is operable on adjustment mechanisms of the vehicle. The vehicle has a torque sensor for sensing torque generated by the engine and the adjustment mechanisms adjust parametric values related to the torque. Memory circuitry is accessible by the microprocessor. The memory circuitry stores data representing at least one set of parametric values and a range of torque values corresponding to respective parametric values in the set. A set of instructions are executable by the microprocessor so that the microprocessor cyclically retrieves a real time torque value from the torque sensor and updates the memory if the retrieved torque value is higher than a stored torque value corresponding to a current parametric value. The microprocessor adjusts the current parametric value if the retrieved torque value is lower than the stored torque value.