Abstract: This invention discloses a constitutive promoter from the Taro bacilliform virus (TaBV) for expression of foreign or endogenous coding sequences in plants, including dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants. The invention also discloses a chimeric nucleic acid construct comprising the promoter of the invention operably linked to a foreign or endogenous polynucleotide that codes for a protein of interest or a transcript capable of modulating expression of a target gene. The invention further discloses transformed plant cells, as well as differentiated plants and plant parts, containing the construct. Methods for diagnosis and treatment of viral infections, especially badnaviral infections, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a peptide having at least about 75% amino acid homology with the sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 2. The peptide of the invention also can include an amino acid homology with the sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 2 corresponding to at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90% or can include the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 2. The peptide of the invention can further include an amino acid sequence selected from the sequences shown in SEQ ID Nos: 1, 3 or 4-6.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling myopia are provided. The devices and methods relate to the inventors discovery of the relationship between near work, the forces applied to the eye by the eyelids and myopia. The devices include a contact lens comprising a region that disperses force applied to the eye by an eyelid. The devices also include a device designed by measuring first wavefront aberrations of an eye before pre-near work and measuring second measured wavefront aberrations of the eye post-near work. The methods include a method for controlling myopia including identifying optical changes associated with near work and correcting the optical changes with an optical device.

Abstract: An isolated protein complex is provided which includes a growth factor, growth factor binding protein and vitronectin. Preferably, the isolated protein complex includes an insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 or insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 and vitronectin. Also provided are methods of modulating cell proliferation and/or migration by administering said protein complex for the purposes of wound healing, skin repair and tissue replacement therapy. Conversely, by using agents that disrupt growth factor protein complexes formed in vivo, growth factor-driven cell proliferation and/or migration may be suppressed such as for the purposes of treating cancers, psoriasis, atherosclerosis and wounds prone to hypertrophic scarring.

Abstract: A method of estimating contact forces between the wheels of a railway wagon and a rail track, for use in determining information such as the likelihood of derailment. Accelerations of the body of the wagon are measured using motion sensors located at suitable points on the body. Forces on the side frames of the wagon are calculated based on the accelerations of the body and predetermined parameters of the body. Forces on the wheels of the wagon are calculated based on the accelerations of the body and predetermined parameters of the body. The contact forces between the wheels and the rails are then calculated based on the forces calculated for the side frames and the wheels. The calculations are carried out using an inverse model of the wagon system. Equipment which implements the method is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and agents for profiling or stratifying an individual or group of individuals with respect to a neurological, psychiatric or psychological condition, phenotype or state, including a sub-threshold neurological, psychiatric or psychological condition, phenotype or state. More particularly, the present invention utilizes genetic means to profile or stratify individuals with respect to a neurological, psychiatric or psychological condition, phenotype or state. The present invention enables the identification of individuals at risk of these disorders thus affording the opportunity for early intervention. In addition, the subject invention allows the prediction of drug or other treatment response and adverse reactions.

Abstract: The invention provides protein and nucleic acid sequences of Chlamydia species which are particularly suitable for diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of Chlamydia or Chlamydophila infection in mammals, particularly humans. The invention particularly provides a pharmaceutical composition and method for preventing or treating Chlamydia or Chlamydophila infection.

Abstract: A novel composition for use in treating a wound, burn or other skin condition comprises one or more compounds of formula (I), wherein: m = 0-6, n = 6-100, Q, R and R? may be independently selected from, C1-5 alkyl, OU, UOCH2CH3, CH2CH3, UOCH3, OH, O(CH2)y(OU)yCH3, (OCH2CH2)yOU, (OCH2CH2)yOH, UOH, UOU?, UCO2U?, CO2U, UCO2COU, CO2H, UCO2H, COX, UCOX, UCO2 R?, CO2COU, Aryl, ArylU, ArylUU, ArylUU?U?, NH2, UNH2, NHU, NUU?, NO2, UNO2, UCONH2, CONH2, UCONHU?, CONHU, UCONU?U?, CONU?U?, halogen, PO4H3, PO4H3-z, PO4H3-zU (z = 0, 1, 2 or 3), PU3, P U?U?U??SH, SO2 and SO3H; wherein U, U?, U? and U?? may be independently selected from any alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group where the number of carbon atoms is between 1 and 31; wherein X=halogen; wherein y=1-100; provided that Q, R and R? can not all be C1 alkyl; and wherein the compound of formula (I) is present in an amount of at least 1% of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention features a method and device for measuring characteristics of the human eye, particularly spherical refractive error. The device comprises a recorded hologram of an array of elements each bearing an identifying indicia. When the reconstructed hologram is viewed by a subject each of the indicia appear at different virtual distances. By indicating which indicia appear to be in focus the spherical refractive error of the eye and the range of accommodation is determined. The indicia are conveniently numbers that indicate dioptres. Also described is an apparatus for working the method. The apparatus can also be used to determine cylinder power and axis, binocular refraction and stereopsis.

Abstract: A motion analysis system (10) in which sensor elements (20) attached to movable body segments record movement parameters including angular velocity and acceleration. A control device (40) receives the movement parameters and determines an overall motion of the movable body segments. The overall motion is analysed against an acceptable motion model to determine whether the overall motion is within acceptable limits. The sensor elements (20) and control device (40) are lightweight and can be worn during normal movement activities thereby allowing monitoring of work-based activities, such as lifting or typing. The invention is useful for detecting and correcting problems leading to lower back disorders and repetitive strain injuries.

Abstract: This invention discloses a constitutive promoter for expression of foreign or endogenous coding sequences in plants, including dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants. The invention also discloses a chimeric nucleic acid construct comprising the promoter of the invention operably linked to a foreign or endogenous polynucleotide that codes for a protein of interest or a transcript capable of modulating expression of a target gene. The invention further discloses transformed plant cells, as well as differentiated plants and plant parts, containing the construct. Methods for diagnosis and treatment of viral infections, especially badnaviral infections, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new family of antimicrobial proteins is described. Prototype proteins can be isolated from Macadamia integrifolia as well as other plant species. DNA encoding the protein is also described as well as DNA constructs which can be used to express the antimicrobial protein or to introduce the antimicrobial protein into a plant. Compositions comprising the antimicrobial protein or the antimicrobial protein per se can be administered to plants or mammalian animals to combat microbial infestation.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to DNA encoding an anti-microbial protein from Macadamia integrifolia and variants of the protein that are less sensitive to Ca++. The invention further relates to constructs comprising the DNA, and host cells, plants and plant material comprising such constructs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assessing tissue oedema, in particular lymphoedema, by measuring bioelectrical impedance at a single frequency. Comparison of a single frequency bioelectrical impedance measurement taken at an anatomical region affected by tissue oedema to that taken at an anatomical region unaffected by tissue oedema is a reliable indicator of the presence or possible presence of lymphoedema. The present invention further provides an apparatus for determining the presence of tissue oedema.

Abstract: The present invention discloses compositions and methods for detecting organisms of the Chlamydiaceae family, including species of Chlamydia and Chlamyclophila, in the persistent phase of their developmental cycle and for the diagnosis of chronic or persistent infections caused by such organisms. The present invention also discloses methods for screening agents that are useful inter alia for modulating a gene whose expression is altered in the persistent phase of the chiamydial developmental cycle or for modulating the level and/or functional activity of an expression product of that gene. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of infections, including chronic infections, caused by chamydial organisms using the aforesaid modulatory agents and optionally agents that are effective in modulating the expression of a gene associated with the lytic phase of said developmental cycle or in modulating the level and/or functional activity of an expression product of that gene.

Abstract: A sampling tool is used to collect a sample from the surface of an insulator in a high voltage installation during live line conditions. The sampling tool comprises a sampling head mounted to one end of a hot stick. Sampling cartridges are interchangeably mountable to a pivoted block on the sampling head. The block is biased by a spring to urge the cartridge into contact with the surface of the insulator when a trigger on the sampling head comes into contact with the insulator. One cartridge includes a planing blade for collecting a sliver of material from the insulator surface. An alternative cartridge has a swab and an abrasive pad interchangeably insertable thereon for collecting a material sample from the insulator surface.

Abstract: The invention relates a DNA molecule which is a partial fragment of an intergenic region of a BBTV component or alternatively which DNA molecule is derived from said intergenic region whereby the DNA molecule is capable of promoting, enhancing, regulating, or modifying transcription of a non-BBTV gene.

Abstract: Paraxial rays and marginal rays entering the eye do not share a common point of focus in emmetropes, adults usually having a slightly positive spherical aberration. There is provided a method of treatment and prevention of myopia by inducing positive spherical aberration in the myopic eye. The cornea 30 of a myopic eye 31 is fitted with a lens 32 having its outer surface 34 formed having increasing dioptric power away from the axis 35 of the lens and cornea 30. Paraxial light rays 36 entering the central portion 37 of the lens 32 are focused on the retina 40 of the eye 31, producing a clear image of an object. Marginal light rays 41 entering the peripheral portion 42 of the cornea 30 are focused in a plane between the cornea 30 and the retina 40, and produce positive spherical aberration of the image on the latter. This positive spherical aberration produces a physiological effect on the eye which tends to inhibit growth of the eye, thus mitigating the tendency for the myopic eye to grow longer.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA molecules consisting essentially of a nucleotide sequence or part thereof which are asosciated with the genome of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 (SEQ ID NOS: 49-54, 27-37, 55-60, 38-48, and 9-23, respectively) of the specification attached herewith.

Abstract: A distribution apparatus for transporting an article struck from sheet metal is disclosed, which includes a receiving head having a recess for receiving the article struck from the sheet. The recess includes a resilient interference feature extending inwardly beyond the boundary of the article to be received. Transporting apparatus is further provided for transporting the receiving head to a selected destination and, finally, a discharging element is included for discharging the article from the receiving head at the selected destination.