Abstract: A method of extruding products comprises varying the rate of flow of at least one material (12) through an extrusion aperture in a die (10). The method may be used to produce an extrudate body (16) whose cross-sectional area varies along its length or to produce an extrudate body comprising two or more different materials in which the proportions of the materials varies along its length. Apparatus (11) for carrying out the method comprises an extrusion die (10) defining an extrusion aperture and a material delivery system for delivering the material(s) to the die in a suitable condition for extrusion. A control system is operative to vary the rate of flow of the material. The control system may comprise a flow control mechanism (240) in a supply path for the first material upstream from the die (10). The flow control mechanism (240) may be operative to vary the volume of the supply path and may comprise a fluid actuated resiliently deformable flexible element.

Abstract: A method of treatment for the prevention or therapy of a protein aggregation disease includes the administration in combination of a first active medicament and a second active medicament, wherein the first active medicament is active to impede aggregation of amyloid protein and the second active medicament is active to disaggregate previously formed aggregates of amyloid protein.

Abstract: A manually operable sensor for providing control signals to an electronic device. A fabric has a length substantially longer than its width with insulating yarns and electrically conductive yarns included therein, such that the conductive yarns define three conductive tracks running the length of the fabric. The conductive tracks are configured to interface with an electronic device at a first end and, at a second end, an active region of the fabric forms part of a sensor assembly that is receptive to a manually applied pressure. The sensor comprises first and second conductive regions to which a first and a second conductive track are connected respectively, to apply an electric potential to each conductive region. A conductive path is formed between a connected conductive track and the third conductive track of said active region when manual pressure is applied to one of the conductive regions.

Abstract: A method of microbial enhanced oil recovery from an oil-bearing formation that involves treating the water that is to be injected into the oil-bearing formation to enable microbial activity and adding oxygen to aid microbial activity. The treatment applied to the water is based, at least in part, upon establishing at least one condition in the oil-bearing formation favorable to microbial activity that enhances movement of oil from the oil-bearing formation.

Abstract: A manually operable position sensor is shown, for providing control signals to an electronic device, such as an audio player. A fabric ribbon (101) has a length substantially longer than its width with insulating yarns and electrically conducting yarns included therein. The conducting yarns define three conductive tracks (103, 104, 105) running the length of the fabric. The conductive tracks are configured to interface with an electronic device at a first end. At a second end, an active region of the fabric forms part of a sensor assembly that is receptive to a manually applied pressure.

Abstract: Aggregating proteins such as IgG, are bound selectively in the presence of the non-aggregated protein using a polyionic binding agent such as dextran sulphate or pentosan (anionic), or polyamine compounds such as pDADMAC (cationic) under selective binding conditions including the use of n-lauroylsarcosine at mildly alkaline pH, and may then be assayed.

Abstract: A method for use in a computer system is provided that links a patient with patient-related data that is displayed on a graphical user interface. The method includes first determining if a digital watermark is required. If a digital watermark is required, the current background color for the display of patient-related data is obtained, along with an intensity value. The subject matter for the watermark is also obtained. The color of the digital watermark is calculated, based upon the obtained background color and intensity value. The digital watermark is then rendered on the display.

Abstract: A sensor having a rigid connector connectable to an interface device for interfacing with a processing device. The rigid connector is configured to convey information to the interface device, the information identifying a property of the sensor. An interface device connectable to the rigid connector of a sensor and configured to receive information conveyed by the connector, the information identifying a property of the sensor. A method of interfacing a sensor to a processing device. The information conveyed by the connector may identify the ability of the sensor to identify a position in one dimension or to identify a position in two dimensions, or the ability of the sensor to identify manually applied presses or manually applied gestures. The sensor may be a fabric position sensor or a flexible circuit sensor.

Abstract: An interferometer comprises a source of a light beam, and a beam splitter for splitting the light beam from the source into at least first and second beams. A first (reference) reflector is positioned in the path of the first light beam. A second reflector, comprising a convergent lens and a mirror, is positioned in the path of the second light beam following reflection from a target. At least one detector is provided for detecting fringes formed by interference of the first and second light beams following reflection from the first and second reflectors respectively.

Abstract: A method for the capture from a sample of micro-organisms having a hydrophobic surface, which method includes contacting the micro-organisms with a capture reagent, which capture reagent has both a hydrophobic character whereby the capture reagent binds the micro-organisms by hydrophobic interaction therewith and a polar character, the capture reagent either being present on a surface and capturing the micro-organisms thereto, or being present in solution, the method then further including capturing the micro-organisms to a surface by binding the capture reagent to the surface by polar interaction between the surface and the capture reagent.

Abstract: A manually operable sensor for providing control signals to an electronic device. A fabric has a length substantially longer than its width with insulating yarns and electrically conductive yarns included therein, such that the conductive yarns define three conductive tracks running the length of the fabric. The conductive tracks are configured to interface with an electronic device at a first end and, at a second end, an active region of the fabric forms part of a sensor assembly that is receptive to a manually applied pressure. The sensor comprises first and second conductive regions to which a first and a second conductive track are connected respectively, to apply an electric potential to each conductive region. A conductive path is formed between a connected conductive track and the third conductive track of said active region when manual pressure is applied to one of the conductive regions.

Abstract: A manually operable position sensor is shown, for providing control signals to an electronic device, such as an audio player. A fabric ribbon (101) has a length substantially longer than its width with insulating yarns and electrically conducting yarns included therein. The conducting yarns define three conductive tracks (103, 104, 105) running the length of the fabric. The conductive tracks are configured to interface with an electronic device at a first end. At a second end, an active region of the fabric forms part of a sensor assembly that is receptive to a manually applied pressure.

Abstract: A method of treatment for the prevention or therapy of a protein aggregation disease includes the administration in combination of a first active medicament and a second active medicament, wherein the first active medicament is active to impede aggregation of amyloid protein and the second active medicament is active to disaggregate previously formed aggregates of amyloid protein.

Abstract: A linear sensor (101, 201) comprising electrically conductive textile fibers (103, 105, 205, 207) and electrically insulating textile fibers (106, 208). The sensor comprises at least two conductive elements (102, 104, 204, 206) having electrically conductive textile fibers (103,105, 205, 207). The sensor also has electrically insulating textile fibers (106, 208) spaced to separate the two electrically conductive elements when no pressure is applied to said sensor, and to allow electrical conduction between the two conductive elements under the application of pressure.

Abstract: A sensor having a three layer construction comprising a first knitted conductive textile plane, a second conductive textile plane and an intermediate separating plane penetrable by the first knitted conductive textile plane to allow the first conductive textile plane and the second conductive textile plane to make electrical contact under a mechanical interaction. The intermediate separating plane defines structural endpoints from which the first knitted conductive textile plane deforms towards the second conductive textile plane under a mechanical interaction. The first knitted conductive textile plane has conductive yarn knitted to form a repeating pattern of stitches each comprising a stitch looping portion SLP having a looping portion footprint LPF. Within the sensor, there is at least one of a plurality of described dimensional relationships between stitches of the first knitted conductive textile plane and structural endpoints of the intermediate separating plane.