Abstract: A method for use in connection with installing a cable into a conduit having a first conduit end and a second conduit end, comprising the steps of —providing the cable with a metallic attribute, —providing within or proximate to the conduit, sensing means for sensing the metallic attribute, —introducing the cable into the first conduit end and driving it towards the second conduit end and —detecting that the sensing means has sensed the metallic attribute by sensing a change in inductance levels of the sensing means.

Abstract: A blowing head for installing blown cable, comprising a low-inertia motor using electrical current, operable to obtain the advance of the cable within the blowing head, adjusting means operable to vary the level of current of the motor, and low-inertia sensing means to sense movement and changes in the level of movement of the cable within the blowing head, wherein in use the adjusting means varies the level of current used by the motor in response to changes in the level of movement sensed by the sensing means, and wherein the varying level of current does not exceed a maximum current level.

Abstract: A device for use with apparatus for installing a cable into a tube, the apparatus including means to mechanically drive the cable into the tube, the device being suitable for directing an air flow into the tube and comprising a bore into which the air flow is directed, the bore having a length and a longitudinal axis, shielding means to reduce air flow from the bore along the longitudinal axis of the bore, wherein the shielding means extends the length of the bore, and wherein the bore is formed from the shielding means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to testing a passive optical network having a head end and a plurality of terminals, which terminals are connected to the network at a respective plug and socket arrangement located at customer premises. A test device is provided having a standard plug for connection in place of a terminal in the socket of the relevant customer premises. An identification device is provided in the socket. The test device is arranged to (i) read the identity of the identification device and (ii) test the line and transmit a result to the head end together with the identity so that the line to the customer premises can be tested remotely. When the line has been tested, the test device can be removed. Because the test device uses an existing connection, the optical (insertion) loss is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method to promote regeneration or repair of the central or peripheral nervous system following injury The present invention concerns the use of a leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated protein (LGIn), or an analog or derivative thereof, to promote the regeneration or remyelination of neurons after injury to the central nervous system LGIns are endogenous proteins secreted by central neurons that promote regeneration of neurons after injury to the central nervous system The present invention includes an assay to measure the interaction of LGIn with LINGOn and p75NTRn as well as to identify factors that enhance or disrupt these interactions The invention further includes cell lines capable of expressing LGIn, LINGOn and p75NTRn molecules, as well as the proteins purified from these cells.

Abstract: A records component reader comprising a member comprising a front-facing surface and a rear-facing surface, a transceiver disposed on the front-facing surface, for projecting a reading field enabling an interrogation to be sent to the records component and a response to be received from the records component, the transceiver being arranged in use to adaptably curve about a surface of an item including a records component, and shielding means for confining the sending of the interrogation and the receipt of the response within the reading field.

Abstract: Cable is installed into a duct, by increasing cross-sectional areas of subducting provided in the duct, so as to allow the cable to be received into the subducting, and then decreasing the cross-sectional area of the subducting containing the cable so as to reduce the volume occupied by the subducting in the duct. Cables may be inserted into the subducting, for example, by forcing compressed gas through the subducting, which simultaneously inflates the subducting.

Abstract: A fiber unit coating apparatus includes a chamber into which an uncured resin coated fiber unit is passed. Microspheres mixed with air are fed into the chamber via ducts and apertures. As a result rapid and even application of the microspheres can be achieved, and the system allows controllable application of the microspheres by varying the rate of flow of the air/microsphere mixture. Positive pressure chambers are provided to prevent the microspheres from blocking the inlet and outlet points where the fiber unit enters and leaves the chamber.

Abstract: A blowing head for installing an optical fibre unit into a tube, including driving means for driving the optical fibre unit into the tube, the driving means having a plurality of driving surfaces, wherein one or more attic plurality of the driving surfaces are resiliently biased with a predetermined force toward the other driving surface or surfaces, and wherein in use the optical fibre unit moves between the plurality of driving surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for installing a cable into a tube with the assistance of a fluid drag acting on the cable within the tube, the apparatus including:—installation means for driving the cable into the tube, wherein in use the cable is resistant to being conveyed to the installation means, and—reduction means for reducing the conveyance resistance of the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to testing a passive optical network having a head end and a plurality of terminals, which terminals are connected to the network at a respective plug and socket arrangement located at customer premises. A test device is provided having a standard plug for connection in place of a terminal in the socket of the relevant customer premises. An identification device is provided in the socket. The test device is arranged to (i) read the identity of the identification device and (ii) test the line and transmit a result to the head end together with the identity so that the line to the customer premises can be tested remotely. When the line has been tested, the test device can be removed. Because the test device uses an existing connection, the optical (insertion) loss is reduced.

Abstract: A fiber unit coating apparatus includes a chamber into which an uncured resin coated fiber unit is passed. Microspheres mixed with air are fed into the chamber via ducts and apertures. As a result rapid and even application of the microspheres can be achieved, and the system allows controllable application of the microspheres by varying the rate of flow of the air/microsphere mixture. Positive pressure chambers are provided to prevent the microspheres from blocking the inlet and outlet points where the fiber unit enters and leaves the chamber.

Abstract: An installation for terminates a network cable of a public communication network at customer premises. The network cable is terminted and a connector allows a connection to be made between the public communication network and the customer premises via the termination. The termination is enclosed within an external wall of the customer premises. A first closeable access aperture is provided to permit access to the termination from outside the customer premises, and a second closeable access aperture is provided to permit access to the termination from within the customer premises.

Abstract: A method of installing a cable into a conduit, the conduit having more than one bore size, comprising the steps of—introducing air to flow in a direction into and through the conduit, and—changing an air pressure level of the air within the conduit from a first pressure level to a second pressure level by either venting a part of the air from the conduit or adding to the air within the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method to promote regeneration or repair of the central or peripheral nervous system following injury The present invention concerns the use of a leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated protein (LGIn), or an analog or derivative thereof, to promote the regeneration or remyelination of neurons after injury to the central nervous system LGIns are endogenous proteins secreted by central neurons that promote regeneration of neurons after injury to the central nervous system The present invention includes an assay to measure the interaction of LGIn with LINGOn and p75NTRn as well as to identify factors that enhance or disrupt these interactions The invention further includes cell lines capable of expressing LGIn, LINGOn and p75NTRn molecules, as well as the proteins purified from these cells.

Abstract: A cable lead out device (10) suitable for use within a bore (13) through a wall (60), the device comprising a body to guide a cable, the cable having a minimum permitted bend radius, along a passageway in the bore, the passageway being defined by the body and extending in an arc from a first point within the bore via the mouth of the bore to a second point outside of the bore, wherein the first point is sited within the bore at a location so that the cable guided along the passageway arcs substantially at its minimum permitted bend radius. The device (10) consists of a tube portion (12), a neck (26) having an engaging end (24), a horn portion (14) having an arc-shaped passageway (15) and a terminating end (16). The device (10) is suitable for electrical and optical cables.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assay for identifying compounds that modulate a neuronal apoptotic pathway, the assay comprises: a) contacting HSP90 protein with a probe to form a probe: HSP90 complex, the probe being displaceable by a test compound; b) measuring a signal from the probe so as to establish a reference level; c) incubating the probe:HSP90 complex with the test compound; d) measuring the signal from the probe; e) comparing the signal from step d) with the reference level, a modulation of the signal indicating that the test compound binds to HSP90. Also disclosed is a probe which is labeled with a detectable label and/or an affinity tag.

Abstract: A wall plug is suitable for connecting an item of telecommunications equipment to a telecommunications network. The equipment and the network are separated by a wall, the wall including a bore communicating through the wall. The device includes a hollow body in the form of a tube engageable in the bore, the tube including a termination to terminate a cable connected to the telecommunications network. A connection is made to a connector of the item of telecommunications equipment, the termination and connection being so arranged that with a cable terminated on the termination, connection of the connector to the connection provides an interconnection between the equipment and the network.

Abstract: A device for use with apparatus for installing a cable into a tube, the apparatus including means to mechanically drive the cable into the tube, the device being suitable for directing an air flow into the tube and comprising a bore into which the air flow is directed, the bore having a length and a longitudinal axis, shielding means to reduce air flow from the bore along the longitudinal axis of the bore, wherein the shielding means extends the length of the bore, and wherein the bore is formed from the shielding means.

Abstract: A blowing head for installing blown cable, comprising a low-inertia motor using electrical current, operable to obtain the advance of the cable within the blowing head, adjusting means operable to vary the level of current of the motor, and low-inertia sensing means to sense movement and changes in the level of movement of the cable within the blowing head, wherein in use the adjusting means varies the level of current used by the motor in response to changes in the level of movement sensed by the sensing means, and wherein the varying level of current does not exceed a maximum current level.