Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and computer-storage media provide for a sauna that is operable to provide a programmable sauna experience to a user. A sauna may include mechanisms for monitoring biological data associated with a user, mechanisms for generating and updating training programs associated with a user, and mechanisms for communicating with remote devices to send and receive information and updates. A sauna may be provided having adjustable zoned heating and self-diagnostic capabilities.

Abstract: Neisseria meningitidis PorA constructs are provided which have one or more disrupted variable regions created by insertion of entire conserved regions or conserved region amino acids. The highly immunogenic variable regions of PorA are responsible for eliciting strain-specific immune responses that are not broadly protective, so disruption of the variable regions directs the immune response against conserved region epitopes to effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains. Also provided are encoding nucleic acids, genetic constructs, host cells expressing the PorA constructs and compositions, kits and methods for detection and treatment of Neisseria meningitidis infections.

Abstract: A method of optimising the sensitivity of surface plasmon ellipsometry (SPE) apparatus used to analyse a surface comprising a conducting film is disclosed. The method includes calculating a sensitivity map of plasmon ellipsometry for the film. The sensitivity map comprises data defining variations in sensitivity of the plasmon ellipsometry apparatus with angle of incidence and polarization angle of polarized light incident on the conducting film for analysis by the apparatus. The method further comprises using the sensitivity map to configure the plasmon ellipsometry apparatus with a combination of the angle of incidence and polarization angle located in a region of substantially maximum sensitivity in the sensitivity map.

Abstract: A pipe coupling with an anchoring arrangement for locking the pipes together axially. The anchoring arrangement comprises a tubular casing, a frusto-conical gripping ring with inwardly projecting gripping teeth and tensioning bolts for tightening the casing about the frusto-conical gripping ring. The frusto-conical gripping ring is formed of a plurality of arcuate segments which overlap to form a complete ring. By forming the gripping ring of segments, the gripping ring is able to adapt to pipes that are not truly circular in cross section and a better grip on the pipe may be achieved than with a single-piece gripping ring.

Abstract: A charged particle analyzer (1) comprises a first non-imaging electrostatic lens (8, 9) for receiving charged particles having divergent, trajectories and for converting the said trajectories into substantially parallel trajectories. At least one planar filter (10) is provided for receiving the charged particles having the substantially parallel trajectories and for filtering the charged particles in accordance with their respective energies. A second non-imaging electrostatic lens (11) receives the energy filtered charged particles and selectively modifies their trajectories as a function of their energies. A charged particle detector (12) then receives the charged particles in accordance with their selectively modified trajectories.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel surface polypeptide from Neisseria meningitidis as well as nucleic acid and nucleic acid sequence homologues encoding this protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the polypeptide and nucleic acids of the invention are also disclosed as well as methods useful in the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of N. meningitidis infection.

Abstract: A skin care product comprising from about 0.001% to about 10% of a retinoid, in combination with 0.0001% to about 50% of at combination of retinoid boosters.

Abstract: Novel proteins that constitute modified forms of a Neisseria meningitidis surface antigen and encoding nucleic acids are provided. The modified surface proteins are characterized by having deletions of non-conserved amino acids, and thereby being capable of eliciting cross-protective immune responses against Neisseria meningitidis. The invention extends to the use of the modified surface antigens in diagnostics, in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and in the design and/or screening of medicaments. The modified surface antigens are particularly useful in vaccines which effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains than would be expected from a corresponding wild-type surface antigen.

Abstract: Novel proteins that constitute modified forms of a Neisseria meningitidis surface antigen and encoding nucleic acids are provided. The modified surface proteins are characterized by having deletions of non-conserved amino acids, and thereby being capable of eliciting cross-protective immune responses against Neisseria meningitidis. The invention extends to the use of the modified surface antigens in diagnostics, in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and in the design and/or screening of medicaments. The modified surface antigens are particularly useful in vaccines which effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains than would be expected from a corresponding wild-type surface antigen.

Abstract: A touch screen control system comprising a touch screen having first and second conductive layers arranged to be brought together by touching of the screen. A detection system is arranged to detect a contact position at which the screen is touched by monitoring electrical signals from at least one of the layers. The system further comprises an antenna, and the detection system includes a proximity sensing signal generator arranged to generate a proximity sensing signal to be transmitted between the antenna and the first layer via a user of the system. The detection system is further arranged to receive the transmitted proximity sensing signal and determine therefrom the distance between a part of the user and the touch screen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for reducing stack space consumption via a head-call optimization. When compiling the source code of a computer application, a compiler application may be configured to analyze program flow to identify a “head-call” within any functions included in the program source code. Once identified, the “head-call” may be removed during program compilation. Doing so may reduce the number of elements pushed onto a program's stack space during program execution.

Abstract: A method of increasing the TON of a catalyst system for the monocarbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds using carbon monoxide in the presence of a co-reactant, other than water or a source thereof, having a mobile hydrogen atom is described. The catalyst system is obtainable by combining: (a) a metal of Group (8, 9) or (10) or a suitable compound thereof; (b) a ligand of general formula (I) wherein the groups X3 and X4 independently represent univalent radicals of up to 30 atoms or X3 and X4 together form a bivalent radical of up to 40 atoms and X5 has up to 400 atoms; Q1 represents phosphorus, arsenic or antimony; and c) optionally, a source of anions. The method includes the step of adding water or a source thereof to the catalyst system. The method is preferably carried out in the presence of an electropositive metal.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) are inhibitors of CD80 and useful in immunomodulation therapy: wherein R1 and R3 independently represent H; F; Cl; Br; —NO2; —CN; C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted by F or Cl; or C1-C6 alkoxy optionally substituted by F; R4 represents a carboxylic acid group (—COOH) or an ester thereof, or —C(?O)NR6R7, —NR7C(?O)R6, —NR7C(?O)OR6, —NHC(?O)NR7R6 or —NHC(?S)NR7R6 wherein R6 represents H, or a radical of formula -(Alk)m-Q wherein m is 0 or 1, Alk is an optionally substituted divalent straight or branched C1-C12 alkylene, or C2-C12 alkenylene, or C2-C12 alkynylene radical or a divalent C3-C12 carbocyclic radical, any of which radicals may contain one or more —O—, —S— or —N(R8)— links wherein R8 represents H or C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C4 alkenyl, C3-C4 alkynyl, or C3-C6 cycloalkyl, and Q represents H; —NR9R10 wherein R9 and R10 independently represents H; C1-C4 alkyl; C3-C4 alkenyl; C3-C4 alkynyl; C3-C6 cycloalkyl; an ester group; an optionally substituted carbocyclic or heterocyclic group; or

Abstract: A skin care product comprising from about 0.001% to about 10% of a retinoid in combination with 0.0001% to about 50% of at combination of retinoid hoosters.

Abstract: A process for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon oxides and having a carbon monoxide content ?45 mole % on a dry-gas basis, including the steps of: (i) combining the synthesis gas with steam to form a steam-enriched feed gas mixture (ii) passing the feed gas mixture at an inlet temperature in the range 220-370° C. over an iron-based water-gas shift catalyst to form a hydrogen-enriched shifted gas mixture having a carbon monoxide content ?10 mole % on a dry gas basis, and (iii) recovering the hydrogen-enriched shifted gas mixture, where a portion of the hydrogen-enriched shifted gas mixture is recycled to the feed gas mixture.

Abstract: A skin care product comprising from about 0.001% to about 10% of a retinoid, in combination with 0.0001% to about 50% of a combination of retinoid boosters.

Abstract: A vehicle air braking system having a source of fluid under pressure (1), an air dryer (A) downstream of the source (1), and an air consumer circuit (2) downstream of the air dryer (A), the system being operable to suspend the source (1) on demand to permit backflow of air under pressure from the air consumer circuit (2) through the air dryer (A) to a drain valve (B), the system including a regeneration valve (D), and a command valve (C) having an inlet connected to the air consumer circuit (2), and a supply outlet operably connected to the drain valve (B), wherein the regeneration valve (D) is operable to permit regeneration backflow in response to connection of the inlet and supply outlets of the command valve (C).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantitative analysis of a material in which an electron beam is caused to impinge upon the material are described. The method comprises detecting low loss electrons (LLEs) received from a first region of the material due to interaction with the electron beam and generating corresponding LLE data. The method further comprises detecting x-rays received from a second region of the material due to interaction with the electron beam and generating corresponding x-ray data, wherein the first and second regions overlap, and analysing the LLE data together with the x-ray data so as to generate compositional data representative of the composition of the first region.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel surface polypeptide from Neisseria meningitidis as well as nucleic acid and nucleic acid sequence homologues encoding this protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the polypeptide and nucleic acids of the invention are also disclosed as well as methods useful in the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of N. meningitidis infection.