Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the identification and isolation of human otic progenitor cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of using cell markers to identify and isolate human otic progenitor cells from a mixed population of cells, methods of enrichment and production of human otic progenitor cells, and associated kits for use in identification and/or isolation of human otic progenitor cells, wherein the cell markers are selected from SSEA1 (CD15), disialoganglioside GD3, TRA-2-49 (liver/bone/ kidney alkaline phosphatase), SSEA4, ganglioside GD2 and CD141.

Abstract: A method of selectively modulating the activity of C5a receptor 2 (C5aR2). The method includes exposing the receptor to a compound that selectively modulates C5aR2 compared to C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1). In some cases, the compound is peptide P32 or P59. Methods of recruiting ?-arrestin 2 in a cell, modulating C5a-induced ERK1/2 activation in a macrophage, selectively inhibiting the release of IL-6 from a macrophage, are also provided.

Abstract: A first multi phase niobium silicide alloy composition consists essentially of: from 15 to 24 at % of Si; from 0 to 25 at % of one or more sp outer electron configuration element which is not Si; from 1 to 26 at % of one or more sd outer electron configuration element which is not Nb; and a balance of Nb, interstitials and impurities. This alloy may be used to increase the creep resistance of an article, for example a gas turbine engine blade. A second multi phase niobium silicide alloy composition consists essentially of: from 1 to 24 at % of Si; from 0 to 34 at % of one or more sp outer electron configuration element which is not Si; from 19.5 to 48.5 at % of one or more sd outer electron configuration element which is not Nb or Cr; from 0.5 to 9 at % Cr; and a balance of Nb, interstitials and impurities. This alloy may be used to increase the creep resistance and/or to increase the oxidation resistance of an article, for example a gas turbine engine blade.

Abstract: A continuous wave ultrasound analysis device for analysing a surface of a component includes an input to receive ultrasound data relating to continuous wave, swept frequency ultrasound propagated through the component; a processing section to derive a standing wave amplitude spectrum from the received ultrasound data, and determine a property of an unconstrained layer on the surface based on the standing wave amplitude spectrum; and an output to output the determined property of the layer. A method of continuous wave ultrasound for analysing a surface is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium for storing, preserving, culturing, and/or differentiating stem cells. The medium employs a synthetic thermo-responsive copolymer, dispersed in an aqueous vehicle, which allows the medium to be readily “switched” between a non-gelatinous (fluid) form and a gelatinous form by simply adjusting temperature across the gelling temperature of the medium. As such, stem cells can be easily captured within a 3D gel matrix by simply mixing the stem cells with the non-gelatinous/fluid form of the medium and then gelling the medium by adjusting the temperature across the gelling temperature of the medium. The stem cells encapsulated within the gelatinous form of the medium may then be preserved for a significant time period before either using the stem cells directly within the medium (e.g. in therapy, or in culturing, differentiation, and such like), or after their extraction from the medium.

Abstract: An electric machine comprising: a) a first means for providing a first magneto motive force comprising a first set of magneto motive force space harmonics comprising odd and even harmonic subsets, each harmonic in said first set of magneto motive force space harmonics having a respective amplitude, wherein one of said odd or even subsets of said first set of magneto motive force space harmonics comprises a dominant working harmonic and the other of said odd or even subsets of said first set of magneto motive force space harmonics comprises a dominant undesirable harmonic; and b) a second means for providing a second magneto motive force comprising a second set of magneto motive force space harmonics comprising odd and even harmonic subsets, each harmonic of said second set of magneto motive force space harmonics having a respective amplitude, wherein one of said odd or even subset of said second set of magneto motive force space harmonics comprises a dominant working harmonic and the other of said odd or e

Abstract: The invention relates to phosphohistidine analogs. The invention also relates to antibodies that specifically bind to the analogs and methods of generating said antibodies. In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a phosphohistidine analog of Formula V: (V) wherein W is selected from H, CO2H or CONH2; and X is selected from CH or N.

Abstract: A monocyte, monocyte derived cell or macrophage infected with an oncolytic herpes simplex virus is disclosed together with uses of such infected cells in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting element includes: a lower clad layer 12 that is provided on a substrate 10; an active layer 20 that is provided on the lower clad layer 12 and includes a quantum well layer 24 and a plurality of quantum dots 28 sandwiching a second barrier layer 22b together with the quantum well layer 24; and an upper clad layer 14 that is provided on the active layer 20, wherein a distance D between the quantum well layer 24 and the plurality of quantum dots 28 is smaller than an average of distances X between centers of the plurality of quantum dots 28.

Abstract: A laser structure comprising a first photonic crystal surface emitting laser (PCSEL), a second PCSEL, and a coupling region that extends between the first PCSEL and the second PCSEL along a longitudinal axis and that is electrically controllable so as to be capable of coherently coupling the first PCSEL to the second PCSEL. Each PCSEL include an active layer, a photonic crystal, and a two-dimensional periodic array distributed in an array plane parallel to the longitudinal axis within the photonic crystal where the two-dimensional periodic array is formed of regions having a refractive index that is different to the surrounding photonic crystal.

Abstract: A method of preparing a block copolymer of Formula (B) wherein P1 represents a substantially aqueously soluble polymeric component and P2 represents a substantially aqueously insoluble polymeric component, comprises admixing an aqueously soluble polymer macro-chain transfer agent comprising P1 with a monomer (M2) and initiating an aqueous dispersion-type radical addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. (P1) is derived from a monomer (M1) selected from monomers of the Formulae (M1A), (M1B) and/or (M1C) where R1, R10 and R11 represent a substituent of (M1A) or (M1C) which allows P1 to be at least partially aqueously soluble, R2 represents H, CH3 or CN, RS represents one or more substituents of the aromatic ring effective to allow P1 to be at least partially aqueously soluble, and monomer M2 is selected from: where R3 is a substituent of (M2) which allows P2 to be substantially aqueously insoluble, and R4 and R6 independently represent H or methyl.

Abstract: A rare earth magnet, which is represented by a neodymium magnet (Nd2Fe14B) and neodymium magnet films with applications in micro-systems. A method for producing a rare earth magnet, comprising: (a) quenching a molten metal having a rare earth magnet composition to form quenched flakes of nanocrystalline structure; sintering the quenched flakes; subjecting the sintered body obtained to an orientation treatment; and applying a heat treatment with pressurization at a temperature sufficiently high to enable diffusion or fluidization of a grain boundary phase and at the same time, low enough to prevent coarsening of the crystal grains, (b) thick films deposited on a substrate, applying an annealing to crystallize with pressurization at a temperature sufficiently high to enable diffusion or fluidization of a grain boundary phase and, at the same time, low enough to prevent coarsening of the crystal grains.

Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting element includes: a lower clad layer 12 that is provided on a substrate 10; an active layer 20 that is provided on the lower clad layer 12 and includes a quantum well layer 24 and a plurality of quantum dots 28 sandwiching a second barrier layer 22b together with the quantum well layer 24; and an upper clad layer 14 that is provided on the active layer 20, wherein a distance D between the quantum well layer 24 and the plurality of quantum dots 28 is smaller than an average of distances X between centers of the plurality of quantum dots 28.

Abstract: The invention relates to phosphohistidine analogues. The invention also relates to antibodies that specifically bind to the analogues and methods of generating said antibodies. In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a phosphohistidine analogue of Formula V: (V) wherein W is selected from H, CO2H or CONH2; and X is selected from CH or N.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods relate to use of a time-varying bias for application to an avalanche photodiode. Embodiments include systems and methods of determining an appropriate time-varying bias for application to an avalanche photodiode in linear mode. Avalanche photodiode having appropriate parameters may also be determined. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to agents that inhibit the activity of osteoprotegerin and their use in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: The reinforced polymer composites from recycled plastic are polymer blends made from recycled polymers that are reinforced with glass fibers and mica. In particular, the reinforced polymer composites are blends of recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) with a mica filler that are reinforced with glass fibers, where the low-density polyethylene forms between 30 wt % and 35 wt % of the composite, the high-density polyethylene forms between 15 wt % and 17.5 wt % of the composite, the polypropylene forms between 15 wt % and 17.5 wt % of the composite, the glass fibers form between 15 wt % and 40 wt % of the composite, and the mica forms up to 15 wt % of the structural element. The resultant reinforced polymer composite has a relatively high heat deflection temperature, good mechanical properties (such as increased stiffness and strength), improved thermal stability, and is cost effective to manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diagnostic test to determine suitable therapeutic intervention of subjects suffering from subclinical Cushing's syndrome [SCS] and also agents that antagonise the action of cortisol or inhibit excess cortisol production in the treatment of conditions such as SCS in the presence of an adrenal incidentaloma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium for storing, preserving, culturing, and/or differentiating stem cells. The medium employs a synthetic thermo-responsive copolymer, dispersed in an aqueous vehicle, which allows the medium to be readily “switched” between a non-gelatinous (fluid) form and a gelatinous form by simply adjusting temperature across the gelling temperature of the medium. As such, stem cells can be easily captured within a 3D gel matrix by simply mixing the stem cells with the non-gelatinous/fluid form of the medium and then gelling the medium by adjusting the temperature across the gelling temperature of the medium. The stem cells encapsulated within the gelatinous form of the medium may then be preserved for a significant time period before either using the stem cells directly within the medium (e.g. in therapy, or in culturing, differentiation, and such like), or after their extraction from the medium.

Abstract: We disclose a diagnostic test to determine suitable therapeutic intervention of subjects suffering from subclinical Cushing's syndrome [SCS] and also agents that antagonize the action of cortisol or inhibit excess cortisol production in the treatment of conditions such as SCS in the presence of an adrenal incidentaloma.