Abstract: This invention provides polyvalent or polyspecific protein complexes, comprising three or more polypeptides which associate to form three or more functional target-binding regions (TBRs), and in which each individual polypeptide comprises two or more immunoglobulin-like domains which are covalently joined together, such that two Ig-like domains in a single polypeptide do not associate with each other to form a TBR. By using a linker peptide of fewer than three amino acid residues the immunoglobulin-like domains of the individual polypeptides are prevented from associating, so that complex formation between polypeptides is favoured. Preferably the polyvalent or polyspecific protein is a trimer or tetramer. The proteins of the invention have specificities which may be the same or different, and are suitable for use as therapeutic, diagnostic or imaging agents.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising N. meningitidis outer membrane vesicles, wherein said outer membrane vesicles are enriched with at least one antigenic component. The composition is suitable for use in vaccines and for treatment of infection, particularly meningococcal infection, demonstrating a broad spectrum of protection. A number of preferred antigenic components are described and include antigenic proteins and proteoglycans derived from N. meningitidis.

Abstract: A digital communication system for transmitting and receiving Digital Visual Interface (DVI) communication data signals and Display Data Channel (DDC) communication signals over a transmission line comprises an open-loop equalizer circuit and a DDC extension circuit. The open-loop equalizer circuit is operable to receive DVI communication signals transmitted over the transmission line and output equalized DVI communication data signals. The DDC extension circuit is operable to inject a boost current at the receive end of the transmission line during a positive transition in the DDC communication signal, and clamp the receive end of the transmission line during a negative transition of the DDC communication signal.

Abstract: Neisserial iron uptake proteins including transferrin binding protein A (TbpA) and B (TbpB) in both full length form and as immunogenic fragments are made recombinantly. A non-neisserial cell expresses a TbpA which is extracted from the cell under mild conditions and retains substantially the antigenicity of native TbpA on its surface. TbpB is also made recombinantly and both TbpA and TbpB are included in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the mutation, synthesis and selection of a protein of interest, by first incubating a replicable RNA molecule encoding the protein with ribonucleoside triphosphate precursors of RNA and an RNA-directed RNA polymerase, such that the RNA-directed RNA polymerase replicates the RNA molecule but introduces mutations thereby generating a population of a mutant RNA molecules. The mutant RNA molecules are then incubated with a translation system under conditions which result in the synthesis of a population of mutant proteins. After translation, the mutant proteins are linked to their encoding RNA molecules, and one or more mutant proteins of interest are selected.

Abstract: A communications system comprising a base station, and a plurality of terminals served by that base station which may include an ad-hoc network of terminals. Information from the base station or transmitting terminal is transported to the receiving terminals in the form of symbols in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed format. Each terminal has means for measuring a channel dispersion and rate of phase variation corresponding to multipath signal reception for that terminal and for reporting that dispersion and variation measure to the transmitting station.

Abstract: An auto-configurable video deserializer with embedded audio support includes a video core, a clock generator and an audio core. The video core receives a serial video signal of an unknown video standard, converts the serial video signal into a parallel video signal, and decodes the parallel video signal to identify the unknown video standard and generate one or more auto-configuration signals. The clock generator generates an audio clock signal. The audio core is coupled to the video core and the clock generator, and receives the parallel video signal and one or more auto-configuration signals from the video core and receives the audio clock signal from the clock generator. The audio core uses the auto-configuration signal(s) to automatically locate and extract audio data from within ancillary space of the parallel video signal and synchronizes the extracted audio data with the audio clock signal to generate an audio output signal.

Abstract: A security system has a plurality of cameras (C1 to C7) presenting different views of an area. The system is programmed to present on a display means (M11) a predetermined hierarchy of views (FIG. 5). Each level of the hierarchy comprises one or more sets (A, B, C, D) of views. Each set comprises one or more (e.g. two views (2, 3; 5, 6) presented simultaneously on the display means (M11). The set of views in one level are linked in ap reset manner to views in adjacent levels. The sets of views and the organization of the hierarchy corresponds to the configuration of the area (FIG. 4).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the mutation, synthesis and selection of a protein which binds to a target molecule, the method comprising: (a) incubating a replicable mRNA molecule encoding the protein with ribonucleoside triphosphate precursors of RNA and an RNA-directed RNA polymerase, wherein the RNA-directed RNA polymerase replicates the mRNA molecule but introduces mutations thereby generating a population of mutant mRNA molecules; (b) incubating the mutant mRNA molecules from step (a) with a translation system under conditions which results in the synthesis of population of mutant proteins such that after translation, mutant proteins are linked to their encoding mRNA molecules thereby forming a population of mutant proteins such that after translation, mutant proteins are linked to their encoding mRNA molecules thereby forming a population of mutant/mRNA complexes; (c) selecting one or more mutant protein/mRNA complex(es) by exposing the population of mutant protein/mRNA complexes from step

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of microbial infection, and in particular meningococcal disease, comprise a commensal Neisseria or an extract of a commensal Neisseria. Further methods and compositions comprise commensal Neisseria which express genes from virulent strains of Neisseria and/or heterologous gene products from non-neisserial sources. Such compositions are used in vaccine preparations for the treatment of microbial infection.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of microbial infection, and in particular meningococcal disease, comprise a commensal Neisseria or an extract of a commensal Neisseria. Further methods and compositions comprise commensal Neisseria which express genes from virulent strains of Neisseria and/or heterologous gene products from non-Neisserial sources. Such compositions are used in vaccine preparations for the treatment of microbial infection.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water. A method is provided for preparing the coating on a substrate comprising forming a coating mixture of hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water; applying the coating mixture to the substrate; and curing the coating.

Abstract: A security system has a plurality of cameras (C1 to C7) presenting different views of an area. The system is programmed to present on a display means (M11) a predetermined hierarchy of views (FIG. 5). Each level of the hierarchy comprises one or more sets (A, B, C, D) of views. Each set comprises one or more (e.g. two views (2, 3; 5, 6)) presented simultaneously on the display means (M11). The set of views in one level are linked in a preset manner to views in adjacent levels. The sets of views and the organisation of the hierarchy corresponds to the configuration of the area (FIG. 4).

Abstract: A security control system comprises n inputs (C1-C128) for receiving video signals from n cameras. A video switcher (2) including a programmable controller (4) is programmable to connect any one of the n inputs (C1-C128) to any one of m outputs (R1-R28) where m is less than n, in any selectable time sequence. A display control means (6, 8) connects the m outputs (R1-R28) of the switcher (2) to p displays (M11-M22) via p channels each associated with m/p of the outputs of the switcher. The display control means (6, 8) has a programmable controller (10, 12) linked to the controller (4) of the switcher to selectively scale and position the images represented by the video signals on the displays in desired display formats and to define sequences of displays.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water. A method is provided for preparing the coating on a substrate comprising forming a coating mixture of hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water; applying the coating mixture to the substrate; and curing the coating.

Abstract: A security system comprises many cameras (C1 to C128) and a large number of alarm detectors (AD1 to AD768). A system controller (2) associates alarm detectors with cameras. Views from the cameras (C) are displayed on monitors (M11 to M21). The views are displayed in any one of carious formats and any view can, in principle, be displayed on any monitor. At least some cameras have, or each camera has, a pan-and-tilt head (PT1 to PT128). Operators can control the pan-and-tilt heads (PT1 to PT128) and respond to alarms using control panels (CP1 to CP8). An operator may thus be faced with a large number of views. Views associated with active functions of the system are provided with coloured borders (B1, B2) to assist the operator. For example, views with active alarms are provided with flashing red borders (B1). Views associated with active control of a pan-and-tilt head (PT) by an operator are provided with a coloured border (B2) (e.g. green or yellow).

Abstract: A coating composition is provided comprising hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water. A method is provided for preparing the coating on a substrate comprising forming a coating mixture of hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and a blocked polyisocyanate in a solvent comprising water; applying the coating mixture to the substrate; and curing the coating.

Abstract: This invention provides polyvalent or polyspecific protein complexes, comprising three or more polypeptides which associate to form three or more functional target-binding regions (TBRs), and in which each individual polypeptide comprises two or more immunoglobulin-like domains which are covalently joined together, such that two Ig-like domains in a single polypeptide do not associate with each other to form a TBR. By using a linker peptide of fewer than three amino acid residues the immunoglobulin-like domains of the individual polypeptides are prevented from associating, so that complex formation between polypeptides is favoured. Preferably the polyvalent or polyspecific protein is a trimer or tetramer. The proteins of the invention have specificities which may be the same or different, and are suitable for use as therapeutic, diagnostic or imaging agents.

Abstract: An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angeological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.

Abstract: A security control system comprises n inputs (C1-C128) for receiving video signals from n cameras. A video switcher (2) including a programmable controller (4) is programmable to connect any one of the n inputs (C1-C128) to any one of m outputs (R1-R28) where m is less than n, in any selectable time sequence. A display control means (6, 8) connects the m outputs (R1-R28) of the switcher (2) to p displays (M11-M22) via p channels each associated with m/p of the outputs of the switcher. The display control means (6, 8) has a programmable controller (10, 12) linked to the controller (4) of the switcher to selectively scale and position the images represented by the video signals on the displays in desired display formats and to define sequences of displays.