Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of treating or preventing RSV infections, and more specifically, to compositions, and the use thereof, comprising one or more RSV G protein immunogen or fragment thereof capable of eliciting protective immunity without eliciting an immunopathological response or eliciting a reduced immunopathological response.

Abstract: The invention provides for a novel VZV gene, mutant VZV and immunogenic compositions based on such novel genes and mutant VZV. Also provided are proteins, diagnostic assays and methods of producing reconstructed VZV.

Abstract: The instrument to manipulate the tissue of a body of a patient has jaws (15a, 15b) that move away from each other in a parallel motion. The artiuclating means for the jaws comprises a scissor type linkage (24a, 24b, 25a, 25b) constrained within a support (11). Movement of the jaws (15a, 15b) is enacted through the reciprocating rod (14) acting upon one end of said scissors linkage.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for performing integrated reaction and separation operations. The devices have a planar substrate having a first surface with an integrated channel network disposed therein. The reaction region in the integrated microscale channel network has a mixture of at least first and second reactants located therein, wherein the mixture interacts to produce one or more products. The reaction region is configured to maintain contact between the first and second reactants contained within it. The device also includes a separation region in the integrated channel network, where the separation region is configured to separate the first reactant from the product, when the first reactant and product are flowing through the separation region.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treatment of animal feed or silage by treatment with a mixed culture of heterofermentive lactic acid bacteria and homofermentive lactic acid bacteria of the proper ratio. Bacterial strains for such treatment are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving the efficacy of a plant breeding program by selectively altering the average of a quantitative phenotypic trait in a plant population. The method employs statistical models to predict the association of genetic markers with a desired phenotypic trait. These models allow the association to be extrapolated to the progeny of the plants tested as well as plants in other families within the breeding population. After the statistical association has been determined, the genetic markers which associate with quantitative trait loci can be used to screen for plants with the desired genetic markers to use as progenitors of an F1 seed population. Alternatively, after the alleles which associate with a QTL have been identified, the coding sequences of at least one of the alleles can be cloned and introduced into a plant to create a transgenic plant line.