Abstract: A new scanning electrochemical microscopy tip positioning method that allows topography and surface activity to be resolved independently is presented. A SECM tip is oscillated relative to the surface of interest. Changes in the oscillation amplitude, caused by the intermittent contact of the SECM tip with the surface of interest, are used to detect the surface of interest, and as a feedback signal for various types of imaging.

Abstract: A defect centre-based sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises instrumentation which includes a generator for causing excitation in an active element, for example a diamond, and a detector for measuring a transition in the active element. The generator is an optical source and/or the detector is an optical detector. The sensor further comprises an optical waveguide and a sensor head in communication with the source and/or the detector via the optical waveguide. The sensor head houses the active element having at least one defect centre, for example, a nitrogen vacancy, responsive to an applied magnetic field, electric field or temperature and a signal delivery arrangement, for example at least one lens, arranged to optically couple the optical waveguide to the active element.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method for modifying a carbon region on a boron-doped diamond electrode surface, comprising: placing a boron-doped diamond electrode surface in an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution comprises an ionic treatment solution; applying a voltage difference across the boron-doped diamond electrode surface; and modifying a carbon region on an area of the boron-doped diamond electrode surface, wherein the modifying is responsive to application of the voltage while the boron-doped diamond electrode surface is in the aqueous solution, wherein the modification continues until a desired signal of the carbon region is reached. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of determining flowrate of a fluid (7) in a pipe is disclosed. The flowrate is determined using a flowmeter having first and second ultrasonic transducers (10; FIG. 8A) separated along the pipe by a given distance (D; FIG. 1) and inclined so that waves in the fluid propagate at a given path angle (?; FIG. 1). For a given inner pipe diameter (d; FIG. 1), there is a given integer number of reflections between the first and second ultrasonic transducers. The method comprises obtaining flow rate measurements using wave packets (18) corresponding to an integer number of reflections which is less than said given number.

Abstract: A method of macrocyclization of peptidomimetics is described which comprises substitution of one or more of the backbone amide C?O bonds with a turn-inducing motif. The method is general with enhancements seen across a range of ring sizes (e.g. tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexapeptides). Specifically, a peptidomimetic macrocycle is described comprising a carbonyl bioisosteric turn-inducing element having the structure: wherein X is a heteroatom; and wherein R1 to R6 are each independently selected from alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl and H.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a process to produce a low molecular weight dispersant polymethacrylate polymer (“LMWDPMA”), and the LMWDPMA itself, along with the use of the LMWDPMA in a lubricating composition, as well as a method for lubricating an internal combustion engine as disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preventing or inhibiting ice recrystallisation in substances (e.g. biological materials and food products) which are susceptible to ice crystal growth upon cryopreservation and/or thawing therefrom. The methods relate to the use of compositions comprising poly(proline) or a variant or derivative thereof. Also provided are kits and compositions comprising poly(proline) which can be used in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides use of a Photorhabdus Virulence Cassettes (PVC) effector leader sequence, for packaging a payload into a PVC Needle Complex, and related methods for manufacturing a packaged PVC Needle Complex. The payload is one or more selected from a polypeptide, a nucleic acid, or a combination thereof, and the leader sequence and the payload form an effector fusion that is distinct from a wild-type PVC effector protein.

Abstract: A method of carrying out mass spectrometry, comprising: using an electrostatic or electrodynamic ion trap to contain a plurality of ions, each ion having a mass to charge ratio, the ions having a first plurality of mass to charge ratios, each ion following a path within the electrostatic or electrodynamic ion trap having a radius; and for each of a second plurality of the mass to charge ratios: modulating the radii of the ions in a mass to charge ratio-dependent fashion dependent upon the mass to charge ratio; fragmenting the ions thus modulated in a radius-dependent fashion; and determining a mass spectrum of the ions.

Abstract: A method for forming a diamond product. Diamond material is provided and a damage layer comprising sp2 bonded carbon is formed in the material. The presence of the damage layer defines a first diamond layer above and in contact with the damage layer and a second diamond layer below and in contact with the damage layer. The damage layer is electrochemically etched to separate it from the first layer, wherein the electrochemical etching is performed in a solution containing ions, the solution having an electrical conductivity of at least 500 ?S cm?1, and wherein the ions are capable of forming radicals during electrolysis. The diamond product is also described.

Abstract: A method of inferring fluid flow speed through a passage comprises receiving a first signal having a frequency and phase corresponding to that of a first ultrasonic wave detected after passing through the fluid in a direction with a component opposed or aligned to a main direction of the fluid's flow. Receiving a second signal having a frequency and phase corresponding to that of a second ultrasonic wave detected after passing through the fluid in a direction with a component different to that of the first ultrasonic wave with respect to the main direction of the fluid's flow. Inferring the fluid flow speed through the passage based on the relative phase shift between the first and second signals.

Abstract: A computer system for use in monitoring blood glucose level monitoring, the computer system configured, in response to receiving electrocardiogram data measured over a given period of time for a given subject, to classify the electrocardiogram data using at least one neural network and a personalised model which is specific to the given subject so as to identify whether a low blood glucose level condition is present wherein blood glucose level falls below a predefined level and, upon identifying the presence of the low blood glucose level condition, to flag an alarm condition.

Abstract: A motile cell sorting device is disclosed. The device comprises a chamber, an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber, and a plurality of discrete barriers disposed in the chamber. Each discrete barrier comprises at least one wall and at least one acute edge orientated towards the outlet.

Abstract: An electrode comprising synthetic high-pressure high-temperature diamond material, the diamond material comprising a substitutional boron concentration of between 1×1020 and 5×1021 atoms/cm3 and a nitrogen concentration of no more than 1019 atoms/cm3. The electrode has a ?E3/4-1/4 as measured with respect to a saturated calomel reference electrode in an aqueous solution containing 0.1 M KNO3 and 1 mM of Ru(NH3)63+ selected any of less than 70 mV, less than 68 mV, less than 66 mV, and less than 64 mV, and/or a peak to peak separation ?Ep as measured with respect to a saturated calomel reference electrode in an aqueous solution containing 0.1 M KNO3 and 1 mM of Ru(NH3)63+ selected any of less than 70 mV, less than 68 mV, less than 66 mV, and less than 64 mV.

Abstract: The invention relates to defective interfering viruses and defective interfering virus RNAs that are effective as antiviral agents. The invention also relates to methods for identifying defective interfering virus RNAs that can be used as effective antiviral agents.

Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for genome engineering in eukaryotic cells, and particularly to methods for increasing genome engineering (i.e. transformation or genome editing) efficiency via delivery of one or more RKD2 and RKD4 genes, with genome engineering components.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises a silicon substrate, a sensor comprising a bulk acoustic wave resonator and an acoustic mirror disposed between the bulk acoustic wave resonator and the substrate, and a CMOS circuit supported by substrate and operatively connected to the sensor.

Abstract: A method is described for selectively depositing a metallic layer (10) including one or more of copper, silver and gold. The method includes depositing a fluorinated layer (5) over a surface (1, 4). The fluorinated layer (5) has a thickness sufficient to substantially prevent deposition of the copper, silver and/or gold between the fluorinated layer (5) and the surface (1, 4) during a subsequent evaporation step using a given deposition rate. The method also includes forming the metallic layer (10) by evaporating, at the given deposition rate, the copper, silver and/or gold over the surface (1, 4) and the fluorinated layer (5). The copper, silver and/or gold preferentially adhere to the portions of the surface (1, 4) not covered by the fluorinated layer (s).

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp-on flow meter is disclosed. The flow meter comprises a moulded coupling element (9).

Abstract: A clamp-on ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. The clamp-on ultrasonic transducer comprises an ultrasound-propagating wedge having a first face and a second face which is inclined to the first face. The clamp-on ultrasonic transducer further comprises a first piezoelectric element which is mounted on the second face and which is directed obliquely at the first face. The wedge has a width, w, between first and second side walls, wherein the width, w, is less than or equal to 10 mm.