Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for suppressing or treating cancer, in particular to a method for suppressing or treating one or more of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and/or lung cancer. The therapy employs use of a non-cytotoxic protease, which is targeted to a growth hormone-secreting cell such as to a pituitary cell. When so delivered, the protease is internalised and inhibits secretion/transmission of growth hormone from said cell. The present invention also relates to polypeptides and nucleic acids for use in said methods.

Abstract: An active matrix electro-wetting on dielectric (AM-EWOD) device has an optically black array element structure to enhance optical detection of constituents within a liquid droplet. The AM-EWOD device includes a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate assembly having a hydrophobic layer; thin film electronics having a plurality of array elements arranged in an array of rows and columns, each of the array elements including an array element electrode and a TFT device; and an optically black material disposed between a plane of the TFT device and the hydrophobic layer. The TFT substrate assembly further includes a planarization structure that includes a component having the optically black material. The planarization structure has a planarization component disposed between the TFT device and the array element electrode, and an ionic barrier disposed between the array element electrode and the hydrophobic coating. The planarization component or the ionic barrier includes the optically black material.

Abstract: A method of performing a digital quantification of a species in an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device comprising the steps of: inputting a sample volume into the EWOD device; inputting a diluent volume into the EWOD device; performing an electrowetting operation to generate a first sample droplet from the sample volume; performing an amplification process on the first sample droplet within the EWOD device; measuring a turn-on value for the sample droplet; comparing the measured turn-on value of the sample droplet to a target turn-on value for digital quantification; calculating a dilution factor based on the comparison of the measured turn-on value of the sample droplet to the target turn-on value; performing an electrowetting operation to extract a second sample droplet from the sample volume; performing an electrowetting operation to dilute the second sample droplet with the diluent volume in accordance with the dilution factor to form a diluted second sample droplet; and performing a digital quanti

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing activated clostridial neurotoxins that are essentially free of unactivated products, to compositions comprising such and to their use in therapy.

Abstract: Polypeptides for use in suppressing cancer and cancer disorders and methods of treatment using such polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for suppressing or treating cancer, in particular to a method for suppressing or treating one or more of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and/or lung cancer. The therapy employs use of a non-cytotoxic protease, which is targeted to a growth hormone-secreting cell such as to a pituitary cell. When so delivered, the protease is internalized and inhibits secretion/transmission of growth hormone from said cell. The present invention also relates to polypeptides and nucleic acids for use in said methods.

Abstract: A microfluidic system is configured for enhanced temperature control by combining spatial and temporal temperature control. The microfluidic system includes an electro-wetting on dielectric (EWOD) device comprising an element array configured to receive one or more liquid droplets, the element array comprising a plurality of individual array elements; a control system configured to control actuation voltages applied to the element array to perform manipulation operations of the liquid droplets; and a plurality of thermal control elements located at different spatial locations along the EWOD device, at least one of the thermal control elements being variable in temperature with respect to time. The control system includes a thermal control unit configured to control temperatures of the thermal control elements to generate a plurality of thermal zones located at different spatial locations along the EWOD device, at least one of the thermal zones being variable in temperature with respect to time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides for use in suppressing cancer and cancer disorders. The treatment employs use of a non-cytotoxic protease, which is targeted to the cancer cell, and, when so delivered, the protease is internalized and inhibits secretion from the cancer cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid sequence comprising a sequence of contiguous nucleotides, wherein said sequence of contiguous nucleotides has at least 90% sequence identity to the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and wherein said sequence of contiguous nucleotides encodes a single-chain BoNT/E1 protein. The present invention also provides methods for producing soluble single-chain BoNT/E1 protein in an E. coli host cell, together with methods for producing soluble di-chain BoNT/E1 protein.

Abstract: A golf swing training device for improving the accuracy, club head speed and power of a user's swing can be customized to fit the various abilities and sizes of individual golfers. The device guides a user through the proper swing and by repeating the proper swing, the user can enhance his or her muscle memory. The golf swing training device includes a shuttle moveably mounted on an adjustably supported ring and a club moveably supported by the shuttle.

Abstract: A method for controlling a heat recovery device in an internal combustion engine, in particular, for a motor vehicle. The heat recovery device is provided with a circuit for a working medium having an evaporator of an expansion machine that is arranged in an exhaust gas flow path of the internal combustion engine, a condensor, an expansion tank, and a feed pump. The working temperature of the working medium is controlled by varying the mass flow of the working fluid as a function of at least one operating parameter. A setpoint value of the working medium mass flow of an exhaust gas flow path of an exhaust gas tract and/or an exhaust gas recirculation line is calculated on the basis of a base setpoint value for the working medium mass flow. The base setpoint value for the working medium mass flow is at least a function of the exhaust gas temperature, preferably upstream of the evaporator, and of the exhaust gas mass flow in the exhaust gas flow path.

Abstract: A system and method of maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel uses at least one sensor generating output information representative of the relative position between the vehicle rear and the trailer front. An electronic processing unit compares the measured quantity with a reference value and determines from the comparison whether the trailer deviates from a straight alignment with the vehicle. If the trailer is not aligned with the vehicle, the system can interfere with the vehicle's steering system, the trailer's brake system, or both. The sensor can be a distance sensor or a camera, and the quantity can be a distance or a marker position. As a reference value for comparison, the method can use a stored value or previously or simultaneously measured values. The method can be activated automatically or by a switch operated by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: The present invention includes a fuel cell system having an interconnect that reduces or eliminates diffusion (leakage) of fuel and oxidant by providing an increased densification, by forming the interconnect as a ceramic/metal composite.

Abstract: A single chain, polypeptide fusion protein, comprising: a non-cytotoxic protease, or a fragment thereof, which protease or protease fragment can cleave a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of a nociceptive sensory afferent; a Targeting Moiety that can bind to a Binding Site on the nociceptive sensory afferent, which Binding Site can undergo endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent; a protease cleavage site at which site the fusion protein is cleavable by a protease, which is located between the non-cytotoxic protease and the Targeting Moiety; and a translocation domain that can translocate the protease or protease fragment from within an endosome, across the endosomal membrane and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent; wherein the Targeting Moiety is BAM, ?-endorphin, bradykinin, substance P, dynorphin and/or nociceptin. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the fusion proteins, methods of preparing same and uses thereof are also described.

Abstract: A system and method of maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel uses at least one sensor generating output information representative of the relative position between the vehicle rear and the trailer front. An electronic processing unit compares the measured quantity with a reference value and determines from the comparison whether the trailer deviates from a straight alignment with the vehicle. If the trailer is not aligned with the vehicle, the system can interfere with the vehicle's steering system, the trailer's brake system, or both. The sensor can be a distance sensor or a camera, and the quantity can be a distance or a marker position. As a reference value for comparison, the method can use a stored value or previously or simultaneously measured values. The method can be activated automatically or by a switch operated by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: A system and method of maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel uses at least one sensor generating output information representative of the a relative position between the vehicle rear and the trailer front. An electronic processing unit compares the measured quantity with a reference value and determines from the comparison whether the trailer deviates from a straight alignment with the vehicle. If the trailer is not aligned with the vehicle, the system can interfere with the vehicle's steering system, the trailer's brake system, or both. The sensor can be a distance sensor or a camera, and the quantity can be a distance or a marker position. As a reference value for comparison, the method can use a stored value or previously or simultaneously measured values. The method can be activated automatically or by a switch operated by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a first crystallization chamber and a second crystallization chamber that each receives a supply of input water; wherein each of the first and second crystallization chambers is a freeze/thaw chamber in which water is alternately frozen and thawed. A refrigerant circuit alternately supplies cold refrigerant to freeze the input water in one of the crystallization chambers, and supplies heated refrigerant to the other of the crystallization chambers to thaw the purified water. The first and second crystallization chambers operate concurrently and out-of-phase whereby heat recovered from freezing in one of the crystallization chambers is transferred by the refrigerant circuit for use in thawing in the other of the crystallization chambers.

Abstract: Use of a therapeutic molecule, for the treatment of specific pain conditions, wherein the therapeutic molecule is a single chain, polypeptide fusion protein, comprising: a non-cytotoxic protease, or a fragment thereof, which protease or protease fragment can cleave a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of a nociceptive sensory afferent; a Targeting Moiety that can bind to a Binding Site on the nociceptive sensory afferent, which Binding Site can undergo endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent; a protease cleavage site at which site the fusion protein is cleavable by a protease, wherein the protease cleavage site is located between the non-cytotoxic protease or fragment thereof and the Targeting Moiety; and a translation domain that can translocate the protease or protease fragment from within an endosome, across the endosomal membrane and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent.

Abstract: A single polypeptide is provided which comprises first and second domains. The first domain enables the polypeptide to cleave one or more vesicle or plasma-membrane associated proteins essential to exocytosis, and the second domain enables the polypeptide to be translocated into a target cell or increases the solubility of the polypeptide, or both. The polypeptide thus combines useful properties of a clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum or tetanus toxin, without the toxicity associated with the natural molecule. The polypeptide can also contain a third domain that targets it to a specific cell, rendering the polypeptide useful in inhibition of exocytosis in target cells. Fusion proteins comprising the polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide and methods of making the polypeptide are also provided. Controlled activation of the polypeptide, is possible and the polypeptide can be incorporated into vaccines and toxin assays.