Abstract: A beverage syrup pump system is disclosed including a pump housing having an internal pumping chamber, a pump motor, and a pumping mechanism driven by the motor within the pumping chamber. The pumping mechanism receives a syrup fluid at a first pressure and discharges the fluid at a second pressure which is greater than the first pressure. Connected to the pumping chamber is a cylindrical space with a spring and a plunger having a magnet. The plunger is in contact with a quantity of the fluid at a second pressure and moves along the cylindrical space against the biasing force of the spring. Once the second pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, the corresponding fluid pressure in the cylindrical space exerts enough force on the plunger to move it past a predetermined point within the cylindrical space such that the magnet causes a reed switch in a first position switch to move to a second position and send a signal to a controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to biomarkers for assessing the disease status of a subject with an antibody-associated autoimmune disease, in particular a neurological disease such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) or LGI1-antibody encephalitis. The invention in particular looks at the presence or levels of IgM isotype antibodies which recognise a specific antigen in an anti-body-associated autoimmune disease, which is used to determine whether a subject is in a relapse.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the collection and amplification of circulating nucleic acids from a non-celluar fraction of a biological sample. Circulating nucleic acids are extracted from the non-cellular fraction and are circularized to generate single-stranded nucleic acid circles, which are then subsequently amplified by rolling circular amplification using random primers to produce an amplified library. Devices for the collection of a non-cellular fraction from a biological sample are also provided. The device includes a filtration membrane and a dry solid matrix, which is in direct contact with the filtration membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of identifying patients who are positive for CASPR2 autoantibodies which are predicted to respond to immunotherapy, the method comprising i) obtaining a sample from a subject having autoantibodies against CASPR2; and ii) screening for the presence of the allele HLA DRB1*11:01. The invention also relates to one or more novel isolated peptides, wherein the peptide comprises the sequence of any of Seq ID no: 1 to Seq ID no: 57 or a sequence having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more sequence identity with one of Seq ID no 1 to 7, preferably with one of Seq ID no 40 to 57.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of determining whether or not an individual has or is likely to develop a neurological disease and related methods and kits.

Abstract: A high-throughput system for processing biological material that comprises: a tray that supports a functionally-closed fluid path subsystem comprising, a vessel for containing and enabling the biological material to separate into two or more distinct submaterials; one or more receptacles to receive one or more of the submaterials from the vessel; a filtration device; a conduit through which one or more submaterials are transported between at least the vessel and the filtration device; and a first engagement structure; a processing unit comprising, a pumping device for moving one or more of the submaterials between at least the vessel and the filtration device via the conduit; a second engagement structure corresponding to the first engagement structure; a locking mechanism for at least temporarily holding the tray in a fixed position relative to the processing unit; a control device that automatically starts and stops the pumping device in response to one or more commands.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the collection and amplification of circulating nucleic acids from a non-celluar fraction of a biological sample. Circulating nucleic acids are extracted from the non-cellular fraction and are circularized to generate single-stranded nucleic acid circles, which are then subsequently amplified by rolling circular amplification using random primers to produce an amplified library. Devices for the collection of a non-cellular fraction from a biological sample are also provided. The device includes a filtration membrane and a dry solid matrix, which is in direct contact with the filtration membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of determining whether or not an individual has or is likely to develop a neurological disease and related methods and kits.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the collection and amplification of circulating nucleic acids from a non-cellular fraction of a biological sample. Circulating nucleic acids are extracted from the non-cellular fraction and are circularized to generate single-stranded nucleic acid circles, which are then subsequently amplified by rolling circular amplification using random primers to produce an amplified library. Devices for the collection of a non-cellular fraction from a biological sample are also provided. The device includes a filtration membrane and a dry solid matrix, which is in direct contact with the filtration membrane.

Abstract: A high-throughput system for processing biological material that comprises: a tray that supports a functionally-closed fluid path subsystem comprising, a vessel for containing and enabling the biological material to separate into two or more distinct submaterials; one or more receptacles to receive one or more of the submaterials from the vessel; a filtration device; a conduit through which one or more submaterials are transported between at least the vessel and the filtration device; and a first engagement structure; a processing unit comprising, a pumping device for moving one or more of the submaterials between at least the vessel and the filtration device via the conduit; a second engagement structure corresponding to the first engagement structure; a locking mechanism for at least temporarily holding the tray in a fixed position relative to the processing unit; a control device that automatically starts and stops the pumping device in response to one or more commands.

Abstract: A compliant cam system includes a cam having a cam body rotatable with respect to a cam rotational axis. The cam body has a cam body center spaced from the cam rotational axis. At least a portion of the cam is an elastically compressible material. A follower having at least one follower surface is in contact with the compressible material portion of the cam. A cam non-deflected condition is defined when an elastically compressible material portion outer surface is in contact with the cam follower surface prior to deflection of the elastically compressible material portion. The cam when thereafter rotated with respect to the cam rotational axis moves the cam body center toward the follower. The elastically compressible material portion deflects, defining a deflected condition, creating a biasing force acting toward the follower, and releasably frictionally engaging the elastically compressible material portion with the follower.

Abstract: A high-throughput system for processing biological material that comprises: a tray that supports a functionally-closed fluid path subsystem comprising, a vessel for containing and enabling the biological material to separate into two or more distinct submaterials; one or more receptacles to receive one or more of the submaterials from the vessel; a filtration device; a conduit through which one or more submaterials are transported between at least the vessel and the filtration device; and a first engagement structure; a processing unit comprising, a pumping device for moving one or more of the submaterials between at least the vessel and the filtration device via the conduit; a second engagement structure corresponding to the first engagement structure; a locking mechanism for at least temporarily holding the tray in a fixed position relative to the processing unit; a control device that automatically starts and stops the pumping device in response to one or more commands.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an assembly of tubular cell insulator casings is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of tubular cell insulator casings, wherein each cell insulator casing is open at a top end and configured to surround at least one of a plurality of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells, wherein said plurality of tubular cell insulator casings comprises a monolithic unit. The battery pack also includes a plurality of insulator plugs and a sump plate configured to support said plurality of insulator plugs.

Abstract: A mobile terminal is disclosed which includes a near field or RF ID tag. The mobile terminal communicates with the mobile telecommunications network and is authenticated with that network using the SIM. The mobile terminal is operable to obtain security data from the user thereof, such as a PIN or biometric data, or the mobile terminal incorporates a sensor such as a light sensor, pressure sensor, heat sensor, skin resistant sensor or inertial sensor. The input device or sensor is used to confirm the identity of the user or to evaluate whether the user wishes to use the near field tag to make a payment or obtain entry to a building. Data from the sensor is passed to the SIM, which issues a command enabling the near field tag, via link. The near field tag may then be read by a reader. The near field tag may be automatically disabled after being read by the reader, after a predetermined time, or when the stimulus to the sensor is no longer present.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the collection and amplification of circulating nucleic acids from a non-cellular fraction of a biological sample. Circulating nucleic acids are extracted from the non-cellular fraction and are circularized to generate single-stranded nucleic acid circles, which are then subsequently amplified by rolling circular amplification using random primers to produce an amplified library. Devices for the collection of a non-cellular fraction from a biological sample are also provided. The device includes a filtration membrane and a dry solid matrix, which is in direct contact with the filtration membrane.

Abstract: A compliant cam system includes a one-piece cam including: a cam body rotatable with respect to a cam rotational axis and a having a cam body center spaced from the cam rotational axis and an outer surface; and a deflecting arm freely extending from the cam body having a free end elastically deflected toward the cam body in an arm deflected condition. A follower has at least one follower surface in direct contact with the cam outer surface at the deflecting arm. An arm non-deflected condition is defined when the outer surface is in direct contact with the cam follower surface prior to deflection of the deflecting arm. The cam when thereafter rotated with respect to the cam rotational axis acts to move the cam body center toward the follower thereby deflecting the deflecting arm to the deflected condition creating a biasing force acting toward the follower.

Abstract: A cell module and modular cell tray apparatus for a modular electrochemical device that are more easily manufactured and serviced. A cell module is provided having a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cell module includes an electrically conductive carrier element having a plurality of apertures, wherein each aperture is configured to accept a top portion of an electrode body of an electrochemical cell. A modular cell tray apparatus is provided having a plurality of the cell modules. The cell tray apparatus includes an electrically insulating tray having rows of cell receptacles to accept the cell modules. A modular electrochemical device is provided having a plurality of the cell tray apparatuses. The modular electrochemical device includes a plurality of electrical connectors configured to electrically connect the cell modules within a cell tray apparatus, and to electrically connect the cell tray apparatuses to each other.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an assembly of tubular cell insulator casings is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of tubular cell insulator casings, wherein each cell insulator casing is open at a top end and configured to surround at least one of a plurality of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells, wherein said plurality of tubular cell insulator casings comprises a monolithic unit. The battery pack also includes a plurality of insulator plugs and a sump plate configured to support said plurality of insulator plugs.

Abstract: A mobile terminal is disclosed which includes a near field or RF ID tag. The mobile terminal communicates with the mobile telecommunications network and is authenticated with that network using the SIM. The mobile terminal is operable to obtain security data from the user thereof, such as a PIN or biometric data, or the mobile terminal incorporates a sensor such as a light sensor, pressure sensor, heat sensor, skin resistant sensor or inertial sensor. The input device or sensor is used to confirm the identity of the user or to evaluate whether the user wishes to use the near field tag to make a payment or obtain entry to a building. Data from the sensor is passed to the SIM, which issues a command enabling the near field tag, via link. The near field tag may then be read by a reader. The near field tag may be automatically disabled after being read by the reader, after a predetermined time, or when the stimulus to the sensor is no longer present.

Abstract: A compliant follower cam system includes a cam rotatable about a cam rotational axis continuously aligned with a cam displacement axis. The cam has a body center spaced from the rotational axis. A compliant follower has an elastically deformable first contact wall positioned proximate to a cavity. The first contact wall is directly contacted by the cam body outer surface. A compliant follower non-deflected condition occurs when a first contact wall outer surface directly contacts the cam body outer surface prior to deflection of the first contact wall, with the cam body center out of alignment with the displacement axis. Rotating the cam moves the body center toward the compliant follower into alignment with the displacement axis. The cam thereby deflects the first contact wall into the cavity defining a compliant follower deflected condition and creates a biasing force releasably frictionally engaging the first contact wall and cam.