Abstract: An initiator for the terminal group of the polymer product of an atom or group radical transfer polymerisation has an activated carboxyl or an amine group which is reacted with an amine or carboxyl (respectively) group containing biologically active compound. The initiator is preferably 4-(3-(2-bromo, 2-methyl-propionate)phenyl)-propionic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester or 2-bromo, 2-methyl-propionic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The monomers preferably comprise a zwitterionic monomer such as 2-methacryloxyethyl-2?-trimethyl ammoniumethyl phosphate inner salt.

Abstract: An initiator for the terminal group of the polymer product of an atom or group radical transfer polymerisation has an activated carboxyl or an amine group which is reacted with an amine or carboxyl (respectively) group containing biologically active compound. The initiator is preferably 4-(3-(2-bromo, 2-methyl-propionate)phenyl)-propionic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester or 2-bromo, 2-methyl-propionic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The monomers preferably comprise a zwitterionic monomer such as 2-methacryloxyethyl-2?-trimethyl ammoniumethyl phosphate inner salt.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive layer of material having a composition comprising lanthanum and strontium is described. The material is characterized by a microstructure having bimodal porosity. Another concept in this disclosure relates to a solid oxide fuel cell attached to at least one cathode interconnect by a cathode bond layer. The bond layer includes a microstructure having bimodal porosity. A fuel cell stack which incorporates at least one of the cathode bond layers is also described herein, along with related processes for forming the cathode bond layer.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for embolization of blood vessels, especially for benign tumours, comprises a polymeric embolic agent and, associated with the polymer in a releasable form, a local anaesthetic agent. The polymer is preferably in particulate form, such as in the form of microspheres. A suitable polymer Is a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol polymer formed by the copolymerization of PVA macromer with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The composition provides a synergistic treatment for the symptoms of tumours such as uterine fibrioids, leading to size regression as well as pain relief.

Abstract: A sample collection and testing device comprising: An elongate housing (1) having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis; an analytical element (4) retained in the housing; a sample collector assembly extending from the first end of the housing and comprising a sample collector (24) in fluid communication with the analytical element (4); a swing arm (2) attached to the housing by a pivot fitting (44), said swing arm having proximal and distal ends; and a cap (40) at the distal end of the swing arm (2); wherein the device comprises a slide to allow limited linear movement of the cap (40) substantially along the longitudinal axis of the housing (1), and wherein the pivot fitting (44) allows the swing arm to rotate about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the said longitudinal axis, whereby the swing arm (2) is movable between a sample collection configuration in which the cap (40) is remote from the sample collector (24) and a sample analysis configuration in which the cap (40) encloses t

Abstract: Systems and methods for funding a prepaid card account with a loan are disclosed. One embodiment includes, receiving, by an account manager at a host server, a request from a customer to fund the prepaid card account through obtaining a loan from a lender, comparing user data of the customer to a set of metrics to determine whether the customer meets qualifications for funding the prepaid card account through the loan, comparing user data of the customer to a set of metrics to determine whether the customer meets qualifications for funding the prepaid card account through the loan, presenting the terms of the loan to the user via the user device, and/or funding, by the account manager, the prepaid card account using the loan, responsive to the customer accepting the terms of the loan.

Abstract: A bottle is made of biodegradable material and has a plurality of collapsible pleats, adjacent pleats having regions of weakness which are circumferentially staggered along a helical line, to promote collapse of the bottle in a controlled and pre-determined way.

Abstract: A lock assembly (1) comprises a rotary latch member (3) rotatable between a first, locking, position and a second, released, position, an actuator (23) for effecting rotation of the rotary latch member, and a rotary-drive mechanism between the actuator (23) and the rotary latch member (3) for transmitting a rotary drive to the rotary latch member. The rotary drive mechanism includes first and second members (3, 5) mounted for rotation about substantially parallel axes and having overlapping peripheral portions with sets of interengaging formations (19A, 20A and 19B, 20B), each set of interengaging formations comprising a recess (19A, 19B) extending radially inwardly from a peripheral portion of one of the first and second members and a post (20A, 20B) projecting in a direction generally parallel to the axes of rotation of the members and engagable in the recess.

Abstract: A modular platform is provided for rapid preparation of various water-soluble prosthetic groups capable to efficiently introduce 18F into proteins with 18F labelling reagents.

Abstract: A telemetry unit (100) is provided for mounting to the inside of a pneumatic tire, which includes sensors for measuring the pressure and temperature within the tire and an RF transmitter for transmitting measured data to an on-board display remote location. The unit (100) includes a piezoelectric element (114) supported in a housing (112) with an actuator (136) arranged for contact with the element (114), to deflect the element (114) in response to external forces acting on the actuator (136) during rotation of the tire. For every rotation of the tire, cyclic pulses of electrical charge are generated by the deflection of the element (114). The unit (100) includes control means which controls the consumption of stored charge when measuring and transmitting data and is arranged to vary the rate of transmission of data from the unit (100) in dependence on the rotary speed of the tire.

Abstract: Antibodies are engineered by replacing one or more amino acids of a parent antibody with non cross-linked, highly reactive cysteine amino acids. Antibody fragments may also be engineered with one or more cysteine amino acids to form cysteine engineered antibody fragments (ThioFab). Methods of design, preparation, screening, and selection of the cysteine engineered antibodies are provided. Cysteine engineered antibodies (Ab) are conjugated with one or more zirconium complex (Z) labels through a linker (L) to form cysteine engineered zirconium-labeled antibody conjugates having Formula I: Ab-(L-Z)p??I where p is 1 to 4. Imaging methods and diagnostic uses for zirconium-radiolabeled, cysteine engineered antibody conjugate compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising: a water-absorbent fabric comprising at least about 10 wt. % of hydrogel-forming absorbent fibers based on the dry weight of the fabric; and an adhesion-resistant, water-permeable wound contacting surface textile layer that is substantially continuously bonded to at least one surface of said fabric. The surface textile layer may be formed by surface treatment of the fabric, or by bonding a suitable textile web to the surface of the fabric.

Abstract: A device (10) for collecting and testing biological samples comprises a housing (12) having a pivot arm (14) pivotally attached thereto and moveable from sample collection configuration in which the pivot arm projects away from the housing and the sample collector is remote from the housing to a sample analysis configuration in which pivot arm is folded back along an outer surface of the housing. A sample collector (16) such as a swab is provided at the distal end of the pivot arm for the collection of the sample. When the pivot arm (14) has been moved to the sample analysis configuration, the sample collector (16) is received in a sample receiving port (29) in the housing. A retaining clip (18) is movable from a free configuration to a retaining configuration whereby the clip retains the pivot arm in the sample analysis configuration. A fluid reservoir (56) is mounted on the retaining clip (18) so as to overlie the sample receiving port (29) when the retaining clip is in the retaining position.

Abstract: A sample collection and testing device comprising An elongate housing (1) having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis; an analytical element (4) retained in the housing; a sample collector assembly extending from the first end of the housing and comprising a sample collector (24) in fluid communication with the analytical element (4); a swing arm (2) attached to the housing by a pivot fitting (44), said swing arm having proximal and distal ends; and a cap (40) at the distal end of the swing arm (2); wherein the device comprises a slide to allow limited linear movement of the cap (40) substantially along the longitudinal axis of the housing (1), and wherein the pivot fitting (44) allows the swing arm to rotate about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the said longitudinal axis, whereby the swing arm (2) is movable between a sample collection configuration in which the cap (40) is remote from the sample collector (24) and a sample analysis configuration in which the cap (40) encloses th

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mesh based protection of an optical network is described. A method comprises protecting a first set of one or more optical sub-channels with automatic protection switching, utilizing a second and third set of one or more optical sub-channels to transmit traffic in accordance with a mesh process to transmit traffic, and transmitting traffic in the third set of optical sub-channels, which would have been transmitted in the second set of optical sub-channels, in accordance with routes determined by the mesh process in response to an alarm indicating a failure affecting the second set of optical sub-channels.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, this application provides humanized antibodies that bind to the EphB4 protein as well as uses of the antibodies for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: An undershot waterwheel is described. The waterwheel has a rotational axis and paddles rotatable about the rotational axis. At least one paddle comprises a blade that is curved when viewed parallel to the rotational axis. Optionally, the waterwheel may be mounted on a watercraft.

Abstract: A telemetry unit (100) is provided for mounting inside a pneumatic tyre. The unit (100) includes a piezoelectric power generator for supplying power to the unit (100). A piezoelectric element (114) is supported in a housing (112) with an actuator 136 arranged for contact with the element (114), to deflect the element (114) in response to external forces acting on the actuator (136) during rotation of the tire. For every rotation of the tire, cyclic pulses of electrical charge are generated by the deflection of the element (114). The charge is stored and utilized under a power consumption protocol to operate pressure and temperature sensors and to transmit data from the unit (100). The telemetry circuitry is mounted for movement with the actuator (136) and therefore contributes to the actuating mass acting on the element (114).

Abstract: A continuous belt casting apparatus is provided with a casting cavity, and at least one flexible metal belt having an elongated casting surface passing through and at least partially defining the casting cavity. A motor is provided for rotating the metal belt in the longitudinal direction of the casting surface whereby the casting surface passes through the casting cavity in the longitudinal direction. A molten metal supply device delivers molten metal continuously to the casting cavity, so that molten metal supplied to the casting cavity is solidified and removed as a continuous strip ingot from the casting cavity by rotation of the belt. The casting surface is provided with a plurality of grooves oriented in substantially the same direction. The invention also relates to a casting belt for such an apparatus and a method of casting using the apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high performing in-situ SOFC cathodes, demonstrating self-improved performance over time. Exemplary embodiments include a SOFC including an electrolyte layer, an anode coupled to the electrolyte layer and a cathode coupled to the electrolyte layer, wherein the anode is prepared by applying an anode contact layer to the anode layer and applying anode bond paste to the anode contact layer, wherein the cathode is prepared by screen printing a cathode layer on the electrolyte with or without a barrier layer, and applying cathode bond paste to the dried cathode layer and drying the cathode bond paste in an oven.