Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin B. Each mutant toxin includes a glucosyltransferase domain having at least one mutation and a cysteine protease domain having at least one mutation, relative to the corresponding wild-type C. difficile toxin. The mutant toxins may further include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to antibodies or binding fragments thereof that binds to said immunogenic compositions. In further aspects, the invention relates to isolated nucleotide sequences that encode any of the foregoing, and methods of use of any of the foregoing compositions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin B. Each mutant toxin includes a glucosyltransferase domain having at least one mutation and a cysteine protease domain having at least one mutation, relative to the corresponding wild-type C. difficile toxin. The mutant toxins may further include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to antibodies or binding fragments thereof that binds to said immunogenic compositions. In further aspects, the invention relates to isolated nucleotide sequences that encode any of the foregoing, and methods of use of any of the foregoing compositions.

Abstract: A leak detector for detecting and locating leaks in a water supply pipe of plastics, the leak detector comprising a first sensor at a first position arranged to detect a leak signal travelling along a pipe, a second sensor arranged to detect a leak signal travelling along the pipe at a second position spaced from the first position, and a processing device adapted to receive the signals from the first sensor and the second sensor. The processing device may be adapted to determine the velocity of the signals from characteristics of the leak signals. The processing device is adapted to use the velocity and distance between the first sensor and the second sensor to determine the location of a leak. The characteristics may be the relationship between the phase and frequency of the leak signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microprocessor and a method of operation thereof. More particularly this invention relates to a microprocessor, having at least three pipeline execution units which operate in lockstep. In an embodiment, the method of operation of a microprocessor accounts for the occurrence of transient faults or Single Event Upsets in one of its pipeline execution units such that their occurrence is unlikely to result in failure of the microprocessor as a whole.

Abstract: Thermal interface materials are described herein that include at least one phase change material, and at least one solvent, solvent mixture or combination thereof, wherein the at least one solvent, solvent mixture or combination thereof at least partially solvates the at least one phase change material. Methods of producing thermal interface materials are also described that include providing at least one phase change material; providing at least one solvent, solvent mixture or combination thereof, wherein the at least one solvent, solvent mixture or combination thereof at least partially solvates the at least one phase change material; and physically coupling the at least one phase change material and the at least one solvent, solvent mixture or combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention includes solder materials having low concentrations of alpha particle emitters, and includes methods of purification of materials to reduce a concentration of alpha particle emitters within the materials. The invention includes methods of reducing alpha particle flux in various lead-containing and lead-free materials through purification of the materials. The invention also includes methods of estimating the fractionation of a low concentration of one or more alpha particle emitters during purification of a material.

Abstract: The invention includes solder materials having low concentrations of alpha particle emitters, and includes methods of purification of materials to reduce a concentration of alpha particle emitters within the materials. The invention includes methods of reducing alpha particle flux in various lead-containing and lead-free materials through purification of the materials. The invention also includes methods of estimating the fractionation of a low concentration of one or more alpha particle emitters during purification of a material.

Abstract: The invention includes solder materials having low concentrations of alpha particle emitters, and includes methods of purification of materials to reduce a concentration of alpha particle emitters within the materials. The invention includes methods of reducing alpha particle flux in various lead-containing and lead-free materials through purification of the materials. The invention also includes methods of estimating the fractionation of a low concentration of one or more alpha particle emitters during purification of a material.

Abstract: The invention includes solder materials having low concentrations of alpha particle emitters, and includes methods of purification of materials to reduce a concentration of alpha particle emitters within the materials. The invention includes methods of reducing alpha particle flux in various lead-containing and lead-free materials through purification of the materials. The invention also includes methods of estimating the fractionation of a low concentration of one or more alpha particle emitters during purification of a material.

Abstract: A solder material has been produced and is described herein that comprises a conventional solder component, such as a solder sphere, solder ball, solder powder, solder preform, some other suitable material or form of solder or a combination thereof and a coating composition. Solder parts and/or solder materials described herein may be produced by a) providing a solder component, b) providing a coating precursor material, c) providing a solvent, d) blending the coating precursor material and the solvent, such that the coating precursor material is substantially solvated, to form a coating composition, and e) applying or coupling the coating composition to the solder component.

Abstract: Lead free solder compositions are described herein that include at least one solder material; at least one dopant material, wherein the dopant is present in the material in an amount of less than about 1000 ppm, and wherein the solder composition is substantially lead free. Several doped solder compositions described herein comprise at least one solder material, at least one phosphorus-based dopant and at least one copper-based dopant. Methods of forming doped solder materials include: a) providing at least one solder material; b) providing at least one phosphorus-based dopant; c) providing at least one copper-based dopant, and d) blending the at least one solder material, the at least one phosphorus-based dopant and the at least one copper-based dopant to form a doped solder material.

Abstract: A method for controlling digit movement of a prosthesis based on residual forelimb volitional pressures is provided. A filter is provided for discriminating from the distributed pressures to provide reliable digit control. The extracted commands can be used to control actuators in a hand prosthesis to restore biomimetic finger control to the user. Feature extraction algorithms can be based on signal amplitudes (peak amplitude or root mean square). Training signal validation can be based on cepstral encoding. The filter is trained under user supervision.