Abstract:
Process for the synthesis of block polymers, homopolymers and copolymers of narrow polydispersity having formula (1) by contacting selected vinyl monomer(s), vinyl-terminated compound(s) and free radicals in which effective control of production of polymer is achieved by controlling the mole ratio of vinyl monomer(s), vinyl-terminated compound(s) and free radicals relative to one another; and polymers produced thereby.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of displaying changes in pressure or tension at positions along a body lumen. The method comprises the step of providing data that represent the changes in pressure or tension at the positions along the body lumen as a function of time. Further, the method provides the step of displaying a representation of the body lumen with a visual property that is a measure for the changes in pressure or tension along the body lumen.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming an image from millimetre waves. A field of view scanned using two geometrically orthogonal, intersecting copolarized fan beams (110, 120) to receive millimetre wave radiation. The received millimetre wave radiation from said fan beams are then cross-correlated (250, 650). Also, a method and antenna (400, 610) for receiving millimetre wave radiation are disclosed. The antenna includes first and second fan beam antennas (410, 420) for receiving millimetre wave radiation and a filter (430, 440) for rotating polarization of incident millimetre wave radiation through 90 degrees received by the second fan beam antenna (410). The respective first and second beams (110, 120) intersect and are co-polarized and geometrically orthogonal to each other. Still further, a millimetre wave imaging system (600) and method are also disclosed, which utilise an antenna (610) for receiving millimetre wave radiation, process the received millimetre wave radiation from the antenna (610), and build up the image (682) using a filtered, cross-correlated signal.
Abstract:
Pain responsiveness in animal or human patients under anaesthesia is measured to determine depth of anaesthesia by monitoring jaw tension. A load cell (1) located by a plate (2) and a scroll (3) is placed between the jaws of the patient so that jaw tension is applied via actuating members (4) to the load cell (1). The output from the load cell is used to present a graphical representation of a function of jaw tension over time.
Abstract:
Methods and means are described to modify fiber characteristics in a fiber producing plant, such as cotton, based on the use of a novel type of sucrose synthase protein or related nucleic acids.
Abstract:
The present invention provides antifungal and antibacterial peptides, especially antifungal peptides obtained from insect species, particularly lepidopterans. The present invention also provides methods of using these antifungal peptides to treat or prevent fungal growth for a variety of purposes such as; protecting plants from fungal infections, treating fungal infections of animals, especially humans, and prevention of food spoilage. In particular, the invention provides transgenic plants that produce an antifungal peptide, said plants having increased resistance to fungal infections/growth.
Abstract:
This invention relates to biocompatible, biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethane or polyurethane/ureas comprising isocyanate, polyol and a conventional chain extender and/or a chain extender having a hydrolysable linking group and their use in tissue engineering and repair applications, particularly as stents and stent coating.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a biocompatible polymer composition for use in biomedical applications comprising a base molecule, a linker molecule and at least one initiator compound, said base molecule having at least two differing functionalities, and said linker molecule having a functionality reactive with at least one functionality of said base molecule, the first of said at least two functionalities of said base molecule enabling a first curing stage of said polymer composition by reaction with said linker molecule, and the second and any further functionality of said base molecule enabling second and further curing stages of said polymer composition, said first, second and any further curing stages being capable of activation simultaneously or independently of each other as required. The invention further provides uses of the polymer compositions of the invention in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, dry delivery, as a bioadhesive in wound healing, as bone substitutes or scaffolds, as cements in dental and periodontal applications and as anti-adhesives or protective barriers.
Abstract:
The present invention relates a method of generating modified binding moieties comprising a cytokine binding domain consisting of a first FnIII-like domain and a second FnIII-like domain in which at least one amino acid residue within the cytokine binding domain in modified such that the binding characteristics of the cytokine binding domain are altered, and/or, the solubility and/or stability of the binding moiety is improved. The invention also relates to binding moieties and to the use of such binding moieties as affinity reagents, diagnostic reagents, therapeutic agents and protein scaffolds.