Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus for a diaper. The apparatus has two electrodes and an electronic device. The electronic device is coupled to the two electrodes. The two electrodes are operable to generate a potential difference when they are electrically connected together by ionized liquid. The electronic device is operable to generate an alarm signal when the potential difference is generated. Various other embodiments relate to a corresponding system, diaper and method of manufacturing an electrode.

Abstract: There is provided compound for use in therapy, the compound comprising repeating units of hydrophilic heterocyclic amine monomers that are coupled by hydrophobic linkers selected to confer a therapeutic effect. There is also provided the use of the above compound in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a fungal infection and a method of treating a fungal infection using the above compound.

Abstract: The invention pertains to heterogenous noble metal nanostructures comprising silver salts and different noble metals, and methods for synthesis and use of various nanocomposite materials having silver salts and different noble metals.

Abstract: There is presently provided methods for delivering an anti-fibrotic or anti-cancer agent to a cell. The methods comprise contacting a cell with an effective amount of imidazolium and imidazolinium compounds as described herein, including imidazolium and imidazolinium salts.

Abstract: A bicontinuous microemulsion of water, a monomer, and a surfactant copolymerizable with the monomer is polymerized to form a polymeric material, the polymeric material comprising a polymer matrix defining interconnected pores. The polymeric material may additional comprise at least one photochromic agent and/or UV-absorbing agent. The at least one photochromic agent and/or UV-absorbing agent may be dispersed in one or both of the polymer matrix or the interconnected pores. The polymeric material may be used to form photochromic articles including ophthalmic articles such as contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a porous membrane, said method comprising contacting said porous membrane with at least one alcohol to reduce the pore size of said porous membrane relative to an untreated porous membrane. The invention further relates to an apparatus comprising the treated porous membrane.

Abstract: There is provided a glucose-PEG conjugate comprising a PEG moiety conjugated to a linear glucose moiety at the C1 position of the glucose moiety. The glucose-PEG conjugate may be used to reduce glucose transport into a cell and may be used to treat a proliferative disorder.

Abstract: A fibrous structure comprising an assembly of hair follicle cells within a fibrous matrix.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate material comprising porous polymeric microparticles having a mesoporous structure. A process for making the particles is also presented. The process comprises impregnating a porous microparticulate template material with a liquid comprising one or more monomers. The one or more monomers are then polymerized in and/or on the template material to form a polymer, and the template material is then removed to produce the particulate material.

Abstract: There is provided a method for culturing a stem cell in vitro. The method comprises providing a substrate surface coated with a coating comprising a molecule having a catechol moiety or a polymer thereof; and growing a stem cell on said coated substrate surface in a growth medium.

Abstract: A particle exhibiting catalytic activity comprising (a) an inner core formed of an alloy material; and (b) an outer shell formed of a metal material surrounding the inner core, wherein the alloy material is selected such that the inner core exerts a compressive strain on the outer shell.

Abstract: A method of acetalizing an aldehyde comprising reacting said aldehyde with an alcohol in the presence of a polymeric catalyst to form an acetal wherein the polymeric catalyst is a mesoporous poly-melamine-formaldehyde polymer.

Abstract: There is provided a device, and related method and uses, for drawing a polymer fiber, the device comprising: a. at least two polymer compartments, wherein each polymer compartment is capable of retaining a polymer solution, and wherein adjacent compartments comprise different polymer solutions; and b. a slider comprising at least one prong, wherein the prong is capable of contacting the different polymer solutions, and wherein the slider is arranged in a retractable manner from the at least two polymer compartments. There is further provided a system and a related method for manufacturing a polymer fiber.

Abstract: A porous scaffold is provided, which comprises tangled fibres. A porous scaffold can be formed by applying a fluid to fibres to entangle them. The fibres comprise a polyelectrolyte complex and a cross-linker. The cross-linker links polyelectrolytes within individual fibres and inhibits secondary polyelectrolyte complication between adjacent fibres.

Abstract: The invention provides a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a catalytic group coupled to a mesocellular siliceous foam support. The catalytic group is capable of catalysing a reaction selected from the group consisting of a Friedel-Craft reaction and a Diels-Alder reaction.

Abstract: Described herein is a melamine-aldehyde polymer, wherein the polymer has a pore volume in the range of about 1.5 to 5 cm3/g.

Abstract: A polymer fiber is formed by hydrodynamic spinning. Fluids are forced to flow through a conduit to form a laminar flow comprising three or more layers of generally coaxial fluid flows, at respective flow rates selected to define a cross-section of a tubular middle layer of the fluid flows. The middle layer comprises a cross-linkable polymer precursor. Another layer of the fluid flows comprise a cross-linking agent. The polymer precursor, cross-linking agent and fluids are selected to prevent substantial diffusion of the polymer precursor away from the middle layer, and to allow a portion of the cross-linking agent to diffuse from the another layer into the middle layer to facilitate cross-linking of the polymer precursor in the middle layer to form a tubular polymer layer in a polymer fiber. The polymer layer thus has a cross-section generally corresponding to the cross-section of the middle layer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to mesostructured zeolites. The invention also relates to a method of preparing mesostructured zeolites, as well as using them as cracking catalysts for organic compounds and degradation catalysts for polymers.

Abstract: Articles and methods for the delivery of drugs and/or nucleic acids. Articles including a nanoparticle are provided that may be used for the delivery of a drug, a nucleic acid, or both, to a subject. The articles may be of polymeric material and may self-assemble.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer comprising a segment of Formula (I): wherein, R is either absent or a linking group, n is an integer greater than 0; and m is an integer from 1 to 6.