Abstract: A self-orienting motion sensor in which an inner housing, preferably spherical, is free to rotate within a cavity, also preferably spherical, resting on a support in an outer housing. The inner housing has a preferred orientation due to the center of gravity being lower than the rotational center of the inner housing. Motion sensing elements are arranged within the inner housing to measure at least one and preferably three directions of motion. A signal transfer mechanism transfers signals to a recorder. The motion of the inner housing may be limited in a pre-determined range, the inner housing may include a magnet to orient it in a defined relation to the earth's magnetic field and the housing may be provided with ground engaging devices to fix the housing in the ground.

Abstract: A borehole drilling system has a well tubing actuator with a well tubing connector on a working end of the well tubing actuator, a transducer responsive to longitudinal movement of the working end of the well tubing actuator and a control system for the well tubing actuator to provide controlled longitudinal movement of the well tubing connector using a selected drilling program and feedback from the transducer. Plural lengths of well tubing are connected to the well tubing connector, with a jet drilling apparatus connected to the downhole end of the well tubing. An underreamer apparatus may be attached to the bottom hole end of the well tubing. Coiled tubing may be attached to the bottom hole end of the well tubing and directed through a whipstock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of expressing a heterologous gene in mammalian cells and a recombinant DNA construct for use in the method. The invention also relates to a method of specifically killing cells which constitutively express AFP.

Abstract: A method for desulfurizing a light sour oil by contacting the hydrocarbon fluid with a mesoporous catalyst at temperatures in the range of 20.degree.-500.degree. C. in the absence of molecular hydrogen to promote carbon--carbon and carbon-sulfur bond formation and increase the boiling point of sulfur containing hydrocarbons. The mesoporous catalyst is selected from the group consisting of alumina-silicate, alumina and silica, and is impregnated with an oxide of a metal that forms coordinate bonds with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon fluid. Suitable metals are aluminium, scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc. The hydrocarbon fluid may be contacted with the mesoporous catalyst in the presence of up to about 1 mole oxygen for each mole of sulfur in the sulfur containing hydrocarbons, or in the presence of an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of expressing a heterologous gene in mammalian cells and a recombinant DNA construct for use in the method. The invention also relates to a method of specifically killing cells which constitutively express AFP.

Abstract: A remote-controlled mandibular positioner for conveniently and precisely positioning the mandible during a sleep center or in-hospital study of patients who are candidates for mandibular positioner therapy. The remote-controlled mandibular positioner is used during sleep to perform a therapeutic titration study during full polysomnographic monitoring to determine the mandible position effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea. During the titration study, the mandible is advanced by a technician using the remote-controlled mandibular positioner until all apneas and hypopneas are eliminated. The titration study determines whether a mandibular positioner will be effective in treating a particular patient, and if so, the degree of mandibular ventral displacement required for effective treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of expressing a heterologous gene in mammalian cells and a recombinant DNA construct for use in the method. The invention also relates to a method of specifically killing cells which constitutively express AFP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of expressing a heterologous gene in mammalian cells and a recombinant DNA construct for use in the method. The invention also relates to a method of specifically killing cells which constitutively express AFP.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of expressing heterologous proteins in insect cells using an expression cassette comprising a structural gene for a heterologous protein physically attached to an insect cellular promoter and an enhancer. The cells may also express the IE-1 product. Also described herein is a method of killing insects comprising infecting the insects with a recombinant baculovirus comprising a structural gene for an incompatible protein functionally linked to an insect cellular promoter and an enhancer. The invention is also directed towards expression cassettes comprising an insect cellular promoter functionally linked to an enhancer wherein the promoter is capable of directing the expression of a heterologous protein in tissues containing the expression cassette, recombinant expression cassettes containing heterologous proteins, transplacement fragments, vectors and recombinant baculoviruses.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating liver cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an inhibitory effective amount of at least one GnRH-related compound. Pharmaceutical preparations useful for the treatment of liver cancer comprising an inhibitory effective amount of at least one GnRH-related compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also provided. A further aspect of the invention provides a method for diagnosing liver cancer by determining the presence of receptors for GnRH on a biological sample.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting or treating gastrointestinal colonization of a pathogen in an animal by administration of epidermal growth factor is described. A method of increasing weight gain in an animal by administrating epidermal growth factor is also described. The epidermal growth factor can be administered orally for example in the feed or drinking water of the animal. Since EGF is useful in inhibiting or treating intestinal colonization by a pathogen and is also effective in promoting weight gain, EGF is useful in treating a wide range of intestinal infections. In one embodiment, a method of treating or inhibiting enteric colibacillosis using epidermal growth factor is described.

Abstract: A device and method for the measurement of stiffness of cartilage, specifically intended for arthroscopic use. An tissue softness probe is formed from a stiff shaft and flexible shaft, and strain gauges continuously measure the load in the stiff shaft and the deflection of the flexible shaft as they are displaced into cartilage. The stiff shaft and flexible shaft extend away from a probe body beside each other. The stiff shaft is semi-circular in section at one end with a flat side extending along the shaft at that end, and the flexible shaft is a flat shim that is attached to the flat side of the stiff shaft. Such a design advantageously allows the more or less parallel shafts to be inserted into a human body joint for displacement against cartilage, as for example during arthroscopic surgery. The stiff shaft terminates in a plunger extending at right angles to the stiff shaft, with the tip of the plunger lying, in the rest position, between a forked tip of the flexible shaft.

Abstract: A photocatalyst compound comprising a silica-based support material having bound thereto a photocatalyst selected from the group consisting of TiO.sub.2, WO.sub.3 and mixtures thereof, the photocatalyst compound having been derivatized by reaction with an alcohol compound. The process for producing the photocatalyst compound comprises the steps of: (i) contacting a silica-based support material having bound thereto a photocatalyst selected from the group consisting of TiO.sub.2, WO.sub.

Abstract: The invention provides vaccines and methods for preventing or treating intestinal protozoal infections in an animal. In particular, vaccines and methods for prevention or treatment of giardiasis are provided. The invention also encompasses methods of preparing and methods of use of novel toxins, antibodies, vaccine strains and compositions that result from or are used in these methods.

Abstract: Vaccines and methods for preventing or treating intestinal protozoal infections in an animal. In particular, vaccines and methods for prevention or treatment of giardiasis are provided. The invention also encompasses methods of preparing and methods of use of novel toxins, antibodies, vaccine strains and compositions that result from or are used in these methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for automatically and continuously regulating the level of nasal pressure to an optimal value during OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) treatment. OSA therapy is implemented by a device which automatically re-evaluates an applied pressure and continually searches for a minimum pressure required to adequately distend a patient's pharyngeal airway. For example, this optimal level varies with body position and stage of sleep throughout the night. In addition, this level varies depending upon the patient's body weight and whether or not alcohol or sleeping medicine has been ingested.

Abstract: A filter has a conduit having an opening for flow of fluid into the conduit, a pump for pumping fluid into the conduit through the opening, electrodes spaced apart from each other across the opening such that fluid flowing through the opening passes between the electrodes; and an AC electrical source for the electrodes, the source of AC electrical energy having a frequency and voltage such that an electric field created by the AC electrical energy in the area around the electrodes imposes a negative dielectrophoretic force on target particles carried by the fluid, the negative dielectrophoretic force being opposed to the direction of fluid flow through the opening and having sufficient strength to prevent the target particles from passing between the electrodes into the conduit. The filter is mounted in a bioreactor for filtering viable cells and retaining them in culture medium.

Abstract: The invention provides vaccines and methods for preventing or treating intestinal protozoal infections in an animal. In particular, vaccines and methods for prevention or treatment of giardiasis are provided. The invention also encompasses methods of preparing and methods of use of novel toxins, antibodies, vaccine strains and compositions that result from or are used in these methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel peptides based on a thrombin receptor sequence and novel methods for synthesis of these novel peptides. These peptides, branched-chain compounds and/or derivatized solid supports containing TRPs may be used diagnostically or therapeutically.

Abstract: Use of cyclin D1 as a negative regulator of cell proliferation is disclosed. Overexpression of cyclin D1 blocks cell growth, while blocking cyclin D1 expression promotes cell proliferation.