Abstract: Human somatic cells obtained from individuals with a genetic heart condition are reprogrammed to become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), and differentiated into cardiomyocytes for use in analysis, screening programs, and the like.

Abstract: A method for predicting the effect of microbes injected into an oil-bearing reservoir, the oil-bearing reservoir being capable of being represented by a first computer-generated grid comprising a first plurality of grid blocks, is provided. Measurement data representing the effect of injecting the microbes into a multiple coreflood apparatus is received. The multiple coreflood apparatus comprises at least first and second material samples indicative of a rock formation associated with said oil-bearing reservoir, the first and second samples being capable of being represented by a second computer-generated grid comprising a second plurality of grid blocks, the first and second samples being representative of different regions of the reservoir and being connected such that microbes injected into the first sample are able to flow to the second sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ion sources (14) comprising a cathode (20) and a counter-cathode (44) that are suitable for ion implanters (10). Typically, the ion source is held under vacuum and produces ions using a plasma generated within an arc chamber (16). Plasma ions are extracted from the arc chamber and subsequently implanted in a semiconductor wafer (12). The ion source according to the present invention further comprises a cathode (40) arranged to emit electrons into the arc chamber; an electrode (44) positioned in the arc chamber such that electrons emitted by the cathode are incident thereon; one or more voltage potential sources (76) arranged to bias the electrode; and a voltage potential adjuster (82) operable to switch between the voltage potential source biasing the electrode positively thereby to act as an anode and the voltage potential source biasing the electrode negatively thereby to act as a counter-cathode.

Abstract: Video game methods and systems allow players to acquire ownership of video game environments. Methods and systems additionally include methods for buying and selling ownership or fractions of ownership in a particular game environment.

Abstract: A vehicle 1 towing a trailer 4 is fitted with three video cameras 5, 6, 7 fitted to the rear of the vehicle and on each door mirror. A view from any camera can be presented to the driver on a display 11. A predicted trailer path, calculated in a computing unit 10, is also presented to the driver on the display 11 as guide lines overlaid on the camera view. The computing unit 10 is also configured to calculate a hitch angle by tracking the position of a trailer-mounted marker in the camera view.

Abstract: The invention provides Streptococcus vaccine strains (e.g. S. equi which is causative of ‘strangles’) comprising the following modifications in their genomes: (i) attenuation of one or more essential biosynthetic genes, (ii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a haemolytic toxin, or protein involved in the production thereof, plus preferably any one, two, or most preferably three of the following modifications: (iii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a protein responsible for immune evasion (iv) modification of one or more genes such as to permit serological discrimination of the vaccine strain based on analysis of a protein encoded by said genes, and (v) attenuation of one or more genes which encode an enzyme responsible for recombination repair of the genome. The invention provides inter alia live attenuated vaccine strains which generate an immune response to multiple protective epitopes presented in a context resembling the live pathogen.

Abstract: A method is described including determining if a packet length parameter included in received data matches a first pre-determined value, determining if an address parameter included in received data matches an address of a receiving device, determining if a length parameter included in received data matches a second pre-determined value, determining if a packet destination port number parameter included in received data matches a third pre-determined value, determining if a packet payload type parameter included in received data matches a fourth pre-determined value and dropping the packet responsive to the matches.

Abstract: A method (and system) which autonomously generates a cohesive script from a text database for creating a speech corpus for concatenative text-to-speech, and more particularly, which generates cohesive scripts having fluency and natural prosody that can be used to generate compact text-to-speech recordings that cover a plurality of phonetic events.

Abstract: An energy management system and method connecting a load to multiple energy sources. The system includes a load connection, source connections for each energy source, a control unit and at least one energy management module having an inductor and four switches. The first source is in parallel with the load. The first switch couples the first source positive terminal to the first inductor end, second switch couples the first source negative terminal to the first inductor end, third switch couples the second source positive terminal to the second inductor end, and fourth switch couples the second source negative terminal to the second inductor end. The control unit controls the four switches of each module to transfer energy between the energy sources through the module inductor. The system can have more than two sources. Modes including one or two switch, synchronous or asynchronous, and buck or boost can be used.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) have muscarinic M3 receptor modulating activity; wherein A is an oxygen atom or group —N(R12)—; (i) R1 is C1-C6-alkyl or a hydrogen atom; and R2 is a hydrogen atom or a group —R5, —Z—Y—R5, —Z—NR9R10; —Z—CO—NR9R10; —Z—NR9—CO—R5; or —Z—CO2H; and R3 is a lone pair, or C1-C6-alkyl in which case the nitrogen atom to which it is attached is a quaternary nitrogen and carries a positive charge; or (ii) R1 and R3 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl ring, and R2 is a hydrogen atom; or a group —R5, —Z—Y—R5, —Z—NR9R10, —Z—CO—NR9R10, —Z—NR9—CO—R5, or —Z—CO2H, in which cases the nitrogen atom to which it is attached is a quaternary nitrogen and carries a positive charge; or (iii) R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl ring, said ring being substituted by a group —Y—R5, —Z—Y—R5, —Z—NR9R10; —Z—CO—NR9R10; —Z—NR9—CO—R5; or —Z—CO2H and R3 is a lone pair, or C1-C6-alkyl in which case the nitrogen atom to whi

Abstract: The present invention relates to hard surface cleaning compositions, and their use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hard surface cleaning composition providing hygiene to a hard surface, whilst being easily positioned onto a hard surface; even a wet surface. The present invention provides a hard surface cleaning composition, which is at least partially transparent or translucent, characterized in that it comprises a surfactant system forming a liquid crystalline phase in the presence of water and biocide material.

Abstract: Laser-based methods of stripping different types of fiber optic cables (100) are disclosed. The method includes directing a focused laser beam (202) onto the cable's protective cover (114). The method also includes moving the fiber optic cable relative to the focused laser beam in a direction substantially along a central axis (AC) to form a substantially axially oriented groove (250) in the protective cover, wherein the groove does not reach one or more optical fibers (110) carried by the cable. The method can further include opening the protective cover at the groove to form a split protective cover portion (114S), and removing the split protective cover portion from the fiber optic cable. Methods of stripping a cable by forming two grooves in the protective cover using two focused laser beams are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow measurement system (20) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The flow measurement system (20) comprises a vibrating flow meter (400) including at least one flow tube (410) and a driver (420) adapted to apply a biasing force on the flow tube (410). The flow measurement system (20) also comprises a meter electronics (450) configured to generate a drive 420 signal to vibrate the flow tube (410) about a first deflected position (1002), wherein the first deflected position (1002) is offset from a flow tube rest position (1001).

Abstract: Nucleic acid encoding a novel bacterial polypeptide ykuR, the isolated ykuR polypeptide, its expression from host cells, and its use in screening for potential antibacterial agents. Inhibition of ykuR activity results in inhibition of bacterial growth.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and materials concerning diseases caused by Streptococcus equi, and in particular relating to the detection of this pathogen by assessing the presence or absence of the S. equi eqbE gene sequence.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) have muscarinic M3 receptor modulating activity; Formula (I) wherein A is an oxygen atom or group —N(R12)—; (i) R1 is C1-C6-alkyl or a hydrogen atom; and R2 is a hydrogen atom or a group —R5, —Z—Y—R5—Z—NR9R10; —Z—CO—NR9R10; —Z—NR9—CO—R5; or —Z—CO2H; and R3 is a lone pair, or C1-C6-alkyl in which case the nitrogen atom to which it is attached is a quaternary nitrogen and carries a positive charge; or (ii) R1 and R3 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl ring, and R2 is a hydrogen atom; or a group —R5, —Z—Y—R5, —Z—NR9R10, —Z—CO—NR9R10, —Z—NR9—CO—R5, or —Z—CO2H, in which cases the nitrogen atom to which it is attached is a quaternary nitrogen and carries a positive charge; or (iii) R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl ring, said ring being substituted by a group —Y—R5, —Z—Y—R5, —Z—NR9R10; —Z—CO—NR9R10; —Z—NR9—CO—R5; or —Z—CO2H and R3 is a lone pair, or C1-C6-alkyl in which case the nitrogen atom to

Abstract: A pressure vessel may be formed from a thermally processed metal tube. The thermally processed metal tube may be seamless with a large length to diameter ratio. End portions of the thermally processed metal tube may be formed at a first temperature below the lower critical temperature by a load less than about the ultimate stress of the metal. After forming, the end portion may be thermally reconditioned at a second temperature below the lower critical temperature to relieve stress and approach similar material properties as the thermally processed metal tube.

Abstract: A microcontroller device comprising a receiver component configured to receive a one or more reset signals for the microcontroller device; an identification component configured to identify a source of the or each reset signals received by the receiver component; a time interval determining component configured to determine a length of a time interval in accordance with the identified source of the or each reset signals received by the receiver component; a voltage setting component configured to set a voltage of an output of the microcontroller device to a first value on receipt of a reset signal by the receiver component; and a control component configured to maintain the voltage of the output at the first value for the duration of the determined length of the time interval; and set the voltage of the output to a second value on substantial completion of the determined length of the time interval.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticles, the method comprising: (a) subjecting a combination of reaction components to conditions conducive to microbially-mediated formation of non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticles, wherein said combination of reaction components comprises i) anaerobic microbes, ii) a culture medium suitable for sustaining said anaerobic microbes, iii) a metal component comprising at least one type of metal ion, iv) a non-metal component comprising at least one non-metal selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and As, and v) one or more electron donors that provide donatable electrons to said anaerobic microbes during consumption of the electron donor by said anaerobic microbes; and (b) isolating said non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticles, which contain at least one of said metal ions and at least one of said non-metals.