Abstract: The invention enables an optical voltage sensor, comprising a piezoelectric actuator mechanically coupled to an optical strain sensor (such as a fibre Bragg grating), to withstand lightning impulses, the effects of which would otherwise be harmful or destructive to the piezoelectric actuator and/or other sensitive components. As such, the optical voltage sensor, comprised within a photonic voltage transducer which also comprises a lightning impulse attenuator, is able to comply with relevant standards and be used for applications in power networks and exposed to the highest voltages for equipment.

Abstract: A method of performing a quantum gate operation using a quantum system wherein the quantum system comprises two or more neutral atoms, wherein each atom of the two or more neutral atoms is configured to transition between atomic states comprising: a first hyperfine ground state of the atom, a second hyperfine ground state of the atom, a Rydberg state and at least one intermediate excited state, wherein the quantum system further comprises an interaction between the Rydberg states of the two or more neutral atoms, and wherein the method comprises: generating a pulse sequence and providing the generated pulse sequence to the two or more neutral atoms to transition the atoms between said atomic states, wherein the pulse sequence takes into account at least part of the hyperfine structure of the at least one intermediate atomic state.

Abstract: A medical system for providing radiotherapy is disclosed. The system comprises a particle accelerator configured to produce a radiation beam and irradiate at least a part of a subject with the radiation beam. The particle accelerator comprises a plasma zone comprising or configured to receive a plasma, and at least one beam source configured to provide an excitation beam along an axis through the plasma zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the inactivation of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.) in ex vivo stored blood products, such as plasma and/or platelets, by means of directing visible light radiation from an illuminating device into blood product storage containers in order to achieve effective pathogen inactivation without the presence of an added photosensitising agent in the blood product. An exemplary apparatus includes a control unit that operates a light source that emits light in the wavelength region of about 380-500 nm which is directed onto blood product storage bags at sufficient intensity to penetrate the bag material and the opaque blood product therein in order to inactivate pathogens in the blood product but at dose levels that cause no significant detrimental effects on the blood product.

Abstract: An atomic magnetometer system is disclosed that includes a variable magnetic field source (14) configured to provide an oscillating primary magnetic field to cause a sample (16) to produce a secondary magnetic field. The atomic magnetometer system also includes an atomic magnetometer for detecting the secondary magnetic field. The atomic magnetometer includes an atomic specimen, a pump and probe subsystem configured to pump the atomic specimen to create a polarisation and to probe atomic coherence precession within the atomic specimen with a probe beam, a detector configured to detect the probe beam to produce a detection signal. The system is configured to drive the variable magnetic field source (14) in dependence on the detection signal with a frequency tuned to rf resonance. A method of operating an atomic magnetometer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel compounds for treating apicomplexan parasite related disorders, methods for their use; cell line and non-human animal models of the dormant parasite phenotype and methods for their use in identifying new drugs to treat apicomplexan parasite related disorders, and biomarkers to identify disease due to the parasite and its response to treatment.

Abstract: A vertical axis turbine having a first rotor and at least one second rotor, the first rotor being configured to rotate around a first rotation axis that is vertical or more vertical than horizontal. The first rotor may be configured to be driven and/or rotated by wind or water flow. The at least one second rotor is provided on or coupled to the first rotor such that the first rotor is operable to move the second rotor upon rotation of the first rotor. The second rotor is operable to drive a power take off system. Each second rotor rotates around a respective second rotation axis that may be angled or perpendicular to the first rotation axis of the first rotor. The first and second rotors are configured so that the power take-off system can be driven without the need for a gearbox.

Abstract: The invention enables an optical voltage sensor, comprising a piezoelectric actuator mechanically coupled to an optical strain sensor (such as a fibre Bragg grating), to withstand lightning impulses, the effects of which would otherwise be harmful or destructive to the piezoelectric actuator and/or other sensitive components. As such, the optical voltage sensor, comprised within a photonic voltage transducer which also comprises a lightning impulse attenuator, is able to comply with relevant standards and be used for applications in power networks and exposed to the highest voltages for equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the preparation of a pharmaceutical-vesicle formulation comprising steps of: preparing and processing vesicle components and a pharmaceutical agent to entrap the pharmaceutical agent in the vesicle and form a pharmaceutical-vesicle formulation, wherein the pharmaceutical-vesicle formulation is reconstituted in a known quantity of the pharmaceutical agent dissolved in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier to provide a biphasic pharmaceutical-vesicle formulation. The invention also relates to the associated pharmaceutical-vesicle formulations, pharmaceutical kits and uses as a medicament, in particular for the prevention or treatment of infection by bacteria such as Burkholderia pseudomallei and Francisella tularensis, and viruses such as Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEEV).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the rehabilitation, assistance and/or augmentation of arm strength in a user (U) comprises a support arrangement (12) for supporting the apparatus (10) on the user (U), a linkage arrangement (14) coupled to the support arrangement (12) and for coupling to an arm (A) of the user (U), and an actuation arrangement (16) for operating the linkage arrangement (14) and thereby manipulating the user's arm (A) in response to a user input signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the inactivation of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.) in ex vivo stored blood products, such as plasma and/or platelets, by means of directing visible light radiation from an illuminating device into blood product storage containers in order to achieve effective pathogen inactivation without the presence of an added photosensitising agent in the blood product. An exemplary apparatus includes a control unit that operates a light source that emits light in the wavelength region of about 380-500 nm which is directed onto blood product storage bags at sufficient intensity to penetrate the bag material and the opaque blood product therein in order to inactivate pathogens in the blood product but at dose levels that cause no significant detrimental effects on the blood product.

Abstract: A self-assembling peptide is provided that is enzymatically oxidized to form a polymeric pigment. The monomeric peptide has three amino acids (tyrosine (Y), one phenylalanine (F), and one aspartic acid (D) or one lysine (K)) and, following self-assembly and treatment with a tyrosinase enzyme oxidizes and polymerizes into a material with predetermined properties.

Abstract: A method of accelerating charged particles in a plasma and an associated plasma accelerator and electromagnetic radiation source, the method including creating a region of non-uniform electric field within the plasma which propagates through the plasma; using the non-uniform electric field to accelerate a first plurality of charged particles in the direction of propagation of the region of non-uniform electric field; and once the accelerating first plurality of charged particles have propagated part-way through the plasma: adding a second plurality of charged particles to the plasma, such that the second plurality of charged particles propagates through the plasma, the second plurality of charged particles create a local distortion in the non-uniform electric field experienced by the accelerating first plurality of charged particles, and the local distortion in the non-uniform electric field propagates through the plasma with the accelerating first plurality of charged particles; and the method also including

Abstract: A support and corresponding system and method of using and producing the support, the support being for supporting a joint or body part of a wearer, the support having at least one rigid first support member, at least one fixing device for attaching the support to the wearer, and at least one second support member extending at an angle from the first support member.

Abstract: A method for inactivating medically important Gram-positive bacteria including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus (CONS), Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Clostridium species, comprising exposure to visible light, and in particular light within the wavelength range 400-500 nm.

Abstract: A prosthesis socket casting device having a housing and a flexible membrane for receiving a residual limb, the housing and the membrane defining a cavity for containing a fluid. Within the housing are means that are a function of the patient's weight for altering the distribution of the reactive fluid pressure applied when the residual limb is received within the membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the altering means comprise a movable piston that is provided at a lower end of the housing.

Abstract: A wound sensor comprising at least one electrode (10a, 10b) and a non-adherent porous layer (25) proximate at least part of the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for determining a position of a divergent radiation source (1), comprising Irradiating a pixel detector (2) with a predetermined intensity distribution of radiation with wavelength ? originated from the radiation source (1), wherein the pixel detector (2) comprises a plurality of pixels with pixel coordinates (xi, yi, zi); Detecting, for each of the plurality of pixels, an intensity of the incident radiation (10); Determining, for each of the plurality of pixels, an incidence direction of the incident radiation using information on an orientation of an internal periodic structure at the pixel and the predetermined intensity distribution, wavelength ? and the detected intensity; and Determining the position (xp, yp, zp) of the radiation source (1) using the pixel coordinates (xi, yi, zi) and the incidence direction for each of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the inactivation of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.) in ex vivo stored blood products, such as plasma and/or platelets, by means of directing visible light radiation from an illuminating device into blood product storage containers in order to achieve effective pathogen inactivation without the presence of an added photosensitising agent in the blood product. An exemplary apparatus includes a control unit that operates a light source that emits light in the wavelength region of about 380-500 nm which is directed onto blood product storage bags at sufficient intensity to penetrate the bag material and the opaque blood product therein in order to inactivate pathogens in the blood product but at dose levels that cause no significant detrimental effects on the blood product.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for determining a position of a divergent radiation source (1), comprising Irradiating a pixel detector (2) with a predetermined intensity distribution of radiation with wavelength ? originated from the radiation source (1), wherein the pixel detector (2) comprises a plurality of pixels with pixel coordinates (xi, yi, zi); Detecting, for each of the plurality of pixels, an intensity of the incident radiation (10); Determining, for each of the plurality of pixels, an incidence direction of the incident radiation using information on an orientation of an internal periodic structure at the pixel and the predetermined intensity distribution, wavelength ? and the detected intensity; and Determining the position (xp, yp, zp) of the radiation source (1) using the pixel coordinates (xi, yi, zi) and the incidence direction for each of the plurality of pixels.