Abstract: A planar micro-reagent cartridge comprises a base layer having a fluid receiving cavity formed in a top surface thereof and a fluid disposed within the cavity, and intermediate layer and a top layer. The intermediate membrane layer is bonded to the base layer to seal the fluid receiving cavity and form a fluid reservoir pump chamber. The intermediate layer comprises a resiliently deformable flexible region that overlies the fluid receiving cavity and is configured to be depressed in response to application of pressure, and a rupturable valve region that overlies the fluid receiving cavity. A top layer is bonded to the intermediate layer, the top layer having an opening that exposes the deformable flexible region of the intermediate membrane layer and at least one channel that together with the intermediate membrane layer forms a fluid conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with the rupturable valve region of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A method for performing a multi-stage dilation of optical fibers is described, the method comprising performing successive dilation steps such that the adiabatic condition is maintained throughout the fiber. There is also described various optical devices employing such multi-stage dilated optical fibers, as well as methods of manufacture of the optical devices.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ion source probe assembly (10) includes an outer casing assembly (14) adapted for attachment to an atmospheric pressure ion source chamber of a mass spectrometer and a docking probe (12) for detachable connection to the outer casing. The arrangement is such that in its docked condition or position the probe extends through, and in sealing engagement with the outer casing. In this docked condition or position, a sample holder (28) carried by the docking probe (12) is presented within the ion chamber. When the docking probe is detached from the outer casing the casing can be sealed off relative to the ion source chamber.

Abstract: Graphical objects presented by a computer system are captured by monitoring execution of an application on the computer system, and capturing one or more graphical objects of a graphical user image presented by the computer system and associated with the application. The one or more graphical objects are captured automatically in accordance with a pre-defined set of rules for the application.

Abstract: A method for performing a multi-stage dilation of optical fibres is described, the method comprising performing successive dilation steps such that the adiabatic condition is maintained throughout the fibre. There is also described various optical devices employing such multi-stage dilated optical fibres, as well as methods of manufacture of the optical devices.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ion source probe assembly (10) includes an outer casing assembly (14) adapted for attachment to an atmospheric pressure ion source chamber of a mass spectrometer and a docking probe (12) for detachable connection to the outer casing. The arrangement is such that in its docked condition or position the probe extends through, and in sealing engagement with the outer casing. In this docked condition or position, a sample holder (28) carried by the docking probe (12) is presented within the ion chamber. When the docking probe is detached from the outer casing the casing can be sealed off relative to the ion source chamber.

Abstract: A vascular filter device comprises a support; and a filter comprising one or more filter elements configured to capture thrombus passing through a blood vessel. A holder holds the filter in a closed filtering state and releases to convert the filter to an open state after a period of time. The filter is adapted to retain thrombus after said conversion. In one case the filter elements are arranged to remain in a closed state after release by the holder, because they are blocked by a retained clot from opening fully, and the filter elements are biased to the open state with a bias level which is counter balanced by force exerted by a retained clot under action of blood flow.

Abstract: A method of producing a tumorigenic mouse cell, the tumorigenicity of which depends on a recombinant gene of interest is disclosed. The method involves: (a) providing a conditionally tumorigenic mouse cell containing a recombinant oncogene operably linked to an inducible promoter, wherein (i) expression of the recombinant oncogene is necessary and sufficient for the tumorigenicity of the tumorigenic mouse cell, and (ii) the inducible promoter is in the uninduced state; and (b) introducing into the cell a recombinant gene of interest that functionally complements the oncogene, thereby restoring tumorigenicity without expression of the inducible recombinant oncogene. Also disclosed is a method of testing a compound for anti-tumor effects.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for identifying cancer tissue sensitive to treatment with an inhibitor of Notch receptor activation. The method comprises determining the level of HeyL gene expression in a sample derived from the cancer tissue, wherein an elevated level of HeyL gene expression alone in the sample indicates sensitivity to the cancer tissue to treatment with an inhibitor of Notch receptor activation.

Abstract: An optical wavelength meter for measuring wavelength of an optical beam includes two periodic out of phase fine optical filters (44, 45), using, for example Fabry Perot etalon filters, Fizeau filters, fibre Bragg gratings or photonic crystals. The phases of the periodic responses are arranged such that a peak (5109 or trough (511) of one response coincides with a slope (522) of the other response so that a slope portion of a response may always be chosen for measurement. A coarse filter (43) is provided to unambiguously define on which cycle of the periodic response of the fine filters a measured wavelength lies. Synchronized clock signals are provided to measure output of the filters using, for example, photodiodes (421, 422, 423, 424), at a rate of (1,000 to 10,000) wavelength measurements per second.

Abstract: A reporter gene operably linked to a transcriptional control element that is up-regulated by a tumor-induced transcription factor is disclosed. This reporter gene construct can be used to detect tumor formation in vivo in an experimental animal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a plunging jet bioreactor (1) comprising a mechanism (4), (5) adapted in use to form culture fluid into a hollow flow stream and to introduce into the hollow of the flow stream an oxygen-containing gas. In some embodiments the mechanism comprises concentrically arranged outer (4) and inner tubes (5) wherein the inner tube is in flow communication with the culture fluid container whereby the culture fluid flows over the inner tube to form the hollow flow stream into which the oxygen from the inner tube is introduced.

Abstract: The use of molecules relating to the GP131 (ceramide kinase) gene for treating cancer and other hyperproliferative conditions is disclosed. Non-human mammals harboring a genetic modification relating to the GP131 gene, and their use as experimental cancer models, are disclosed.

Abstract: A tuneable multi-section semiconductor laser 100 is characterized by applying currents in step-wise increments to sections 101, 102, 103 of the laser respectively and measuring power output by the laser to determine values of the applied currents corresponding to stable operating conditions for which the laser emits radiation at wavelengths remote from mode boundaries 51, 52; 141, 142 of the laser. The wavelength of the emitted radiation is measured and variations in the applied currents required to cross a mode boundary such that the laser undergoes a mode jump to emit radiation at a significantly different wavelength are also measured. These values are stored in a look-up table for use of the laser under the characterizing conditions and state of ageing of the laser. The applied currents are changed, to cause a predetermined incremental change in wavelength of the emitted radiation, within the said mode boundaries, and the further values are also stored.

Abstract: A method of producing a tumorigenic mouse cell, the tumorigenicity of which depends on a recombinant gene of interest is disclosed. The method involves: (a) providing a conditionally tumorigenic mouse cell containing a recombinant oncogene operably linked to an inducible promoter, wherein (i) expression of the recombinant oncogene is necessary and sufficient for the tumorigenicity of the tumorigenic mouse cell, and (ii) the inducible promoter is in the uninduced state; and (b) introducing into the cell a recombinant gene of interest that functionally complements the oncogene, thereby restoring tumorigenicity without expression of the inducible recombinant oncogene. Also disclosed is a method of testing a compound for anti-tumor effects.

Abstract: A method of producing a tumorigenic mouse cell, the tumorigenicity of which depends on a recombinant gene of interest is disclosed. The method involves: (a) providing a conditionally tumorigenic mouse cell containing a recombinant oncogene operably linked to an inducible promoter, wherein (i) expression of the recombinant oncogene is necessary and sufficient for the tumorigenicity of the tumorigenic mouse cell, and (ii) the inducible promoter is in the uninduced state; and (b) introducing into the cell a recombinant gene of interest that functionally complements the oncogene. Also disclosed is a method of testing a compound for anti-tumor effects. The method includes producing tumorigenic mouse cells the tumorigenicity depends on expression of a recombinant gene of interest, implanting the cells in mice and obtaining tumors from the implanted cells, administering test compounds to the mice, and determining anti-tumor effects, if any, of the compounds.

Abstract: A method of producing a tumorigenic mouse cell, the tumorigenicity of which depends on a recombinant gene of interest is disclosed. The method involves: (a) providing a conditionally tumorigenic mouse cell containing a recombinant oncogene operably linked to an inducible promoter, wherein (i) expression of the recombinant oncogene is necessary and sufficient for the tumorigenicity of the tumorigenic mouse cell, and (ii) the inducible promoter is in the uninduced state; and (b) introducing into the cell a recombinant gene of interest that functionally complements the oncogene. Also disclosed is a method of testing a compound for anti-tumor effects. The method includes producing tumorigenic mouse cells the tumorigenicity depends on expression of a recombinant gene of interest, implanting the cells in mice and obtaining tumors from the implanted cells, administering test compounds to the mice, and determining anti-tumor effects, if any, of the compounds.

Abstract: An optical wavelength meter for measuring wavelength of an optical beam includes two periodic out of phase fine optical filters (44, 45), using, for example Fabry Perot etalon filters, Fizeau filters, fibre Bragg gratings or photonic crystals. The phases of the periodic responses are arranged such that a peak (5109 or trough (511) of one response coincides with a slope (522) of the other response so that a slope portion of a response may always be chosen for measurement. A coarse filter (43) is provided to unambiguously define on which cycle of the periodic response of the fine filters a measured wavelength lies. Synchronized clock signals are provided to measure output of the filters using, for example, photodiodes (421, 422, 423, 424), at a rate of (1,000 to 10,000) wavelength measurements per second.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for using High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) channel context information to simultaneously process multiple HDLC channels. Preferred embodiments of the present invention enable a single network processing engine to process multiple HDLC channels. The current state of the HDLC channel can be evaluated, stored, and restored, which means that the processing of a channel can be halted, the channel state read and stored, and the state of a different channel written to the processing engine. This allows the engine to begin processing a new channel, and then, at a later stage, restore the state of the original channel and resume processing.

Abstract: A hybridized optoelectronic device having a multi-section laser and a wavelength measuring component such that stable operational characteristics remote from mode boundaries may be determined and stored in a look-up table. A fast means of characterizing the device using sampling techniques is also disclosed. The device may incorporate a frequency-locking component to enable the laser to emit radiation at predetermined frequencies.