Abstract: A probe for non-intrusively detecting imperfections in a test object made from metallic, non-conductive, and/or composite materials. The probe may include a capacitive measuring apparatus that includes at least two coplanar electrodes, an adjustment device to adjust a spatial separation between the electrodes, and a separation device. The separation device may maintain a substantially constant distance between the at least two coplanar electrodes and the test object during test measurements.

Abstract: A probe for non-intrusively detecting imperfections in a test object made from metallic, non-conductive, and/or composite materials. The probe may include a capacitive measuring apparatus that includes at least two coplanar electrodes, an adjustment device to adjust a spatial separation between the electrodes, and a separation device. The separation device may maintain a substantially constant distance between the at least two coplanar electrodes and the test object during test measurements.

Abstract: A method for non-intrusively detecting imperfections in a test object made from metallic, non-conductive, and/or composite materials. The method uses a database with predetermined reference values and a probe that comprises a capacitive measuring apparatus with at least two coplanar electrodes. The method includes the operations of placing the at least two coplanar electrodes into a first position that is at a predetermined distance from the test object, performing a capacitive measurement to determine an effective dielectric constant, retrieving a reference value of the predetermined reference values from the database based on the test object and the predetermined distance, and detecting imperfections in the test object based on a comparison of the effective dielectric constant with the reference value.

Abstract: A heart monitor for use as a non-invasive screening tool for identifying potential atrial fibrillation in patients comprises a sensor for producing an output waveform of the patient's actual sinus rhythm, a processing unit arranged to store the normalized waveform of an ideal sinus rhythm and to compare the actual and ideal sinus rhythm waveforms and to produce an output dependant on the difference on a display. The value of the output is indicative of whether the patient is atrial fibrillation or other cardiac arrhythmia.

Abstract: The invention provides, among other aspects, compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of collagen VI; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); and disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation.

Abstract: A heart monitor for use as a non-invasive screening tool for identifying potential atrial fibrillation in patients comprises a sensor for producing an output waveform of the patient's actual sinus rhythm, a processing unit arranged to store the normalised waveform of an ideal sinus rhythm and to compare the actual and ideal sinus rhythm waveforms and to produce an output dependant on the difference on a display. The value of the output is indicative of whether the patient is atrial fibrillation or other cardiac arrhythmia.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing diseases or conditions associated with an abnormal level or activity of biglycan; disorders associated with an unstable cytoplasmic membrane, due, e.g., to an unstable dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC); disorders associated with abnormal synapses or neuromuscular junctions, including those resulting from an abnormal MuSK activation or acetylcholine receptor (AChR) aggregation. Examples of diseases include muscular dystrophies, such as Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, Becker's Muscular Dystrophy, neuromuscular disorders and neurological disorders.