Abstract: The present invention provides method for increasing the percentage of monomer in a composition of recombinantly expressed antibody molecules characterised in that the antibody molecule comprises at least one Fv with specificity for an antigen of interest comprising one VH and one VL wherein said VH and VL are connected directly or indirectly via one or more linkers and are stabilised by a disulfide bond therebetween, said method comprises a) a thermal conversion step of holding the composition comprising the antibody molecule at a temperature in the range 30 to 60° C. for a period of at least 1 hour, wherein step a) is performed in the presence of a reducing agent or after treatment with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of increasing the percentage of monomer in a composition of recombinantly expressed antibody molecules characterised in that the antibody molecule comprises at least one Fv with specificity for an antigen of interest comprising one VH and one VL wherein said VH and VL are connected directly or indirectly via one or more linkers and are stabilised by a disulfide bond therebetween, said method comprises: a) a conversion step of treating the composition with a denaturant selected from urea and/or Guanidine hydrochloride; b) wherein step a) is performed in the presence of a reducing agent or after treatment with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for increasing the percentage of monomer in a composition of recombinantly expressed antibody molecules characterised in that the antibody molecule comprises at least one Fv with specificity for an antigen of interest comprising one VH and one VL wherein said VH and VL are connected directly or indirectly via one or more linkers and are stabilised by a disulfide bond therebetween, said method comprises a) a thermal conversion step of holding the composition comprising the antibody molecule at a temperature in the range 30 to 60° C. for a period of at least 1 hour, wherein step a) is performed in the presence of a reducing agent or after treatment with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of increasing the percentage of monomer in a composition of recombinantly expressed antibody molecules characterised in that the antibody molecule comprises at least one Fv with specificity for an antigen of interest comprising one VH and one VL wherein said VH and VL are connected directly or indirectly via one or more linkers and are stabilised by a disulfide bond therebetween, said method comprises: a) a conversion step of treating the composition with a denaturant selected from urea and/or Guanidine hydrochloride; b) wherein step a) is performed in the presence of a reducing agent or after treatment with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of interpreting different antibiogram images in which it is possible to recognize a phenotype of bacterial resistance relative to antibiotics by comparing photographs using a photographic image bank of the reference antibiogram without any need to interpret them using the EUCAST or CA-SFM interpretation data; providing that for a given phenotype, there is available a collection of photographs of a plurality of bacteria of the same species and of the same phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of increasing the percentage of monomer in a composition of recombinantly expressed antibody molecules characterised in that the antibody molecule comprises at least one Fv with specificity for an antigen of interest comprising one VH and one VL wherein said VH and VL are connected directly or indirectly via one or more linkers and are stabilised by a disulfide bond therebetween, said method comprises: a) a conversion step of treating the composition with a denaturant selected from urea and/or Guanidine hydrochloride; b) wherein step a) is performed in the presence of a reducing agent or after treatment with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for increasing the percentage of monomer in a composition of recombinantly expressed antibody molecules characterised in that the antibody molecule comprises at least one Fv with specificity for an antigen of interest comprising one VH and one VL wherein said VH and VL are connected directly or indirectly via one or more linkers and are stabilised by a disulfide bond therebetween, said method comprises a) a thermal conversion step of holding the composition comprising the antibody molecule at a temperature in the range 30 to 60° C. for a period of at least 1 hour, wherein step a) is performed in the presence of a reducing agent or after treatment with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for increasing the percentage of monomer in a composition of recombinantly expressed antibody molecules characterised in that the antibody molecule comprises at least one Fv with specificity for an antigen of interest comprising one VH and one VL wherein said VH and VL are connected directly or indirectly via one or more linkers and are stabilised by a disulfide bond therebetween, said method comprises a) a thermal conversion step of holding the composition comprising the antibody molecule at a temperature in the range 30 to 60° C. for a period of at least 1 hour, wherein step a) is performed in the presence of a reducing agent or after treatment with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of increasing the percentage of monomer in a composition of recombinantly expressed antibody molecules characterised in that the antibody molecule comprises at least one Fv with specificity for an antigen of interest comprising one VH and one VL wherein said VH and VL are connected directly or indirectly via one or more linkers and are stabilised by a disulfide bond therebetween, said method comprises: a) a conversion step of treating the composition with a denaturant selected from urea and/or Guanidine hydrochloride; b) wherein step a) is performed in the presence of a reducing agent or after treatment with a reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of interpreting different antibiogram images in which it is possible to recognize a phenotype of bacterial resistance relative to antibiotics by comparing photographs using a photographic image bank of the reference antibiogram without any need to interpret them using the EUCAST or CA-SFM interpretation data; providing that for a given phenotype, there is available a collection of photographs of a plurality of bacteria of the same species and of the same phenotype.

Abstract: Novel proteins from Streptococcus pneumoniae are described, together with nucleic acid sequences encoding them. Their use in vaccines and in screening methods is also described.

Abstract: A power-socket variable location system and method provide one or more variably-locatable electrical sockets and data connection points along a wall to enable pins of an electrical plug to be inserted at selectively variable locations along the wall to obtain electrical power. An elongate-electrical-conductor is located along the wall. A conductor-enclosure encases the electrical-conductor to prevents inadvertent contact between a user and the electrically-live conductor inside. One or more power-sockets each have pin-to-conductor-conduction-means that are able to electrically link the elongate-electrical-conductor to pins of an electrical plug inserted into the power-socket. The power-sockets can be selectively attached at any location along the conductor-enclosure such that when the pins of an electrical plug are inserted into the power-sockets, an electrical connection is made between the pins and the power source through the pin-to-conductor-conduction-means and via the elongate-electrical-conductor.

Abstract: A method and device for the remote collection of data from aircraft or ship recorders, using a buoy (3) which may be ejected in the event of sinking and contains a double memory which stores the positions of the buoy during the drift thereof as well as information relating to the flight or crossing. A two-way radio communication means allows the buoy to transfer the contents of said memories to a remote collection means, which is a reconnaissance aeroplane.

Abstract: A method and device for the remote collection of data from aircraft or ship recorders, using a buoy (3) which may be ejected in the event of sinking and contains a double memory which stores the positions of the buoy during the drift thereof as well as information relating to the flight or crossing.

Abstract: A power-socket variable location system and method provide one or more variably-locatable electrical sockets and data connection points along a wall to enable pins of an electrical plug to be inserted at selectively variable locations along the wall to obtain electrical power. An elongate-electrical-conductor is located along the wall. A conductor-enclosure encases the electrical-conductor to prevents inadvertent contact between a user and the electrically-live conductor inside. One or more power-sockets each have pin-to-conductor-conduction-means that are able to electrically link the elongate-electrical-conductor to pins of an electrical plug inserted into the power-socket. The power-sockets can be selectively attached at any location along the conductor-enclosure such that when the pins of an electrical plug are inserted into the power-sockets, an electrical connection is made between the pins and the power source through the pin-to-conductor-conduction-means and via the elongate-electrical-conductor.

Abstract: A seismic streamer incorporates apparatus for controlling its depth of immersion for modifying and maintaining its degree of immersion, wherein, the streamer being designed for stationary use and including a power supply network, the immersion control apparatus comprises a plurality of variable buoyancy ballasts connected to the power supply network of the streamer and installed at regular intervals along the seismic streamer and each associated with a microcontroller for at least controlling buoyancy of the corresponding ballast, a plurality of pressure sensors also installed at regular intervals along the streamer, at least one receiver for one or more desired value instructions, a bus for distributing the one or more desired value instructions to the ballasts, the microcontroller associated with a given ballasts being adapted to receive at least signals originating from at least one pressure sensor located in the proximity of the ballast and instruction signals originating from the receiver for instruction

Abstract: Novel proteins from Streptococcus pneumoniae are described, together with nucleic acid sequences encoding them. Their use in vaccines and in screening methods is also described.

Abstract: A divider insert feed system having a first air knife 120 and a second air knife 125 that are capable of displacing the divider insert 230 to a cutting position 500. If the first air knife 120 does not properly position the divider insert, then the second air knife 125 is activated to displace the divider insert. If after activating the second air knife 125 it does not properly displace the divider insert, then the first air knife 120 and second air knife 125 toggle back and forth to unjam the divider insert, and properly locate it in a cutting position.

Abstract: An automated sample handling apparatus is disclosed having a pipette mechanism (6) which has an integral clamp device (27, 31, 23) suitable for picking up one or more items other than a disposable tip (8; 12) such as a plate holder (35) which can carry a microplate or other consumable item(s). A retractable drawer (14) for carrying a plurality of microplates (13) is also provided.

Abstract: In general the present invention provides various embodiments of an encapsulated seed article and a method for encapsulating a seed to form an encapsulated seed article. The encapsulated seed article may comprise one or more seeds that are encapsulated by a compressible encapsulation medium. In various embodiments, the encapsulated seed article may include a surface coating and/or an intermediate coating. In some embodiments, the encapsulated seed article may include an additive. In some embodiments, a characteristic or a combination of characteristics of the encapsulated seed article may be configured to identify a feature of encapsulated seed article. The present invention also provides various embodiments for a plurality of encapsulated seed articles having uniform seed article sizes or seed article shapes and a method for encapsulating a plurality of seeds to form a plurality of seed articles having uniform seed article sizes or seed article shapes.