Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that inhibit thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) degrading ectoenzyme and/or enhance, and/or mimic the biological actions of TRH. The compounds find therapeutic application, particularly in conditions involving neuronal cell injury and disturbances in neurobiological function.

Abstract: Methods for treating or preventing infections from coagulase-negative staphylococci using proteins and polypeptides from coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteria such as S. epidermidis, including proteins designated SdrF, SdrG and SdrH, and their effective fragments such as their respective A domains, are provided. Methods are also provided wherein antibodies that recognize the SdrG protein or its ligand binding A region are used to treat or prevent staphylococcal infection, and these methods can also be utilized to prevent the formation of infections on indwelling medical devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming patterns and structures in target materials are described. The method produces a pattern or structure in a target material by contacting a stamp including one or more features with a target material using a normal load sufficient for keeping the one or more features in contact with the target material, and providing a cyclic shear force in an amount sufficient to extrude the target material and form a negative relief of the one more features in the target material. The systems and methods can be used to produce a variety of articles including, but not limited to, semiconductor integrated electrical circuits, integrated optical, magnetic, mechanical circuits and microdevices.

Abstract: A method of preparing an array of conducting or semi-conducting nanowires may include forming a vicinal surface of stepped atomic terraces on a substrate, and depositing a fractional layer of dopant material to form nanostripes having a width less than the width of the atomic terraces. Diffusion of the atoms of the dopant nanostripes into the substrate may form the nanowires.

Abstract: A semiconductor photodetector (1) for detecting short duration laser light pulses of predetermined wavelength in a light signal (2) comprises a micro-resonator (3) of vertical Fabry-Perot construction having a Bragg mirror pair, namely, a front mirror (5) and a rear mirror (6) with an active region (8) located between the front and rear mirrors (5,6). An N-type substrate (11) supports the rear mirror (6). The light signal (2) is directed into the active region (8) through the front mirror (5) while a pump beam (17) is directed into the active region (8) at an end (18) thereof. The spacing between the front and rear mirrors (5,6) is such as to cause light of the predetermined wavelength to resonate between the mirrors (5,6).

Abstract: Proteins and polypeptides from coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteria such as S. epidermidis, including proteins designated SdrF, SdrG and SdrH, and their effective fragments such as their respective A domains, are provided which are useful in the prevention and treatment of infection caused by coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteria such as S. epidermidis. The SdrF, SdrG and SdrH proteins are cell-wall associated proteins that specifically bind host proteins and which each have a highly conserved motif of which the consensus sequence is TYTFTDYVD (SEQ ID NO: 16). The proteins and polypetides may be useful in generating antibodies for the diagnosis and treatment of coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive medium (1) includes a substrate (2) which has been treated to provide a miscut vicinal surface (3) in the form of terraces (4) and steps (5) of atomic and nanometer scale. There are discrete separated spacer nanowires (7) provided by an intermediate partial spacer film on each terrace (4) against each step (5). A further main film (11) provides main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)). A thin protective layer (15) covers the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) which form two separate subsets of main nanowires with different exchange interaction with the substrate and thus a different response to an external magnetic field. In use, when an external magnetic field (H) is applied the response of the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) changes as the exchange coupling with the substrate (2) varies and the magnetisation on the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) change. This is shown by the arrows while prior to the application of the external magnetic field, they might, for example, be aligned.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for liquid droplets that includes a dispenser connected to a liquid carrying pipe which in turn is connected to a source of pressurized liquid. The dispenser has an elongated body member having a main bore connected to the liquid carrying pipe. At the other end, the main bore has a valve seat that is connected to a nozzle having a nozzle bore terminating in a dispensing tip. An elongated valve boss of ferromagnetic material covered with a soft polymer is mounted in the main bore and has a cross-sectional area less than that of the main bore. A separate valve boss actuating coil assembly has upper and lower coils that are separate from the main body that can be unplugged from both coils and from the liquid carrying pipe. As such, the main body can be a disposable member.

Abstract: Peptide derivatives useful as inhibitors of activity of thyrotropin-releasing hormone-degrading ectoenzyme (TRH-DE) are of formula Ia: wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 4-, 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring having one or more heteroatoms, in which at least one carbon atom of the ring is substituted with O or S; X1 is —CO— or —CS— or —CH2CO— or CH(R4) wherein R4 is H or optionally substituted alkyl or —COOH or —COOR11 wherein R11 is optionally substituted alkyl; X2 and X3 (which may be the same or different) are —CO— or —CS—; Z is —CH2— or —S— or —O— or —NH—; Q is O or S; R2 is H or optionally substituted alkyl or an optionally substituted carbocyclic ring; R3 is H or optionally substituted alkyl or an optionally substituted mono- or polycyclic ring, optionally having one or more heteroatoms in the ring(s) and optionally being a fused ring; or R2 and R3 together form an optionally substituted mono- or polycyclic ring optionally having one or more heteroatoms in the ring(s) and optionally being a

Abstract: The isolation of genes and proteins from Staphylococcus aureus is provided, and the nucleic acids coding for specific regions of the S. aureus CIfA protein are described. The nucleic acids encode proteins that can be useful as vaccines or in pharmaceutical compositions for application to prevent infection, promotion of wound healing, blocking adherence to indwelling medical devices, or diagnosis of infection.

Abstract: Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochip 50 comprises a microchannel 51 having a liquid outlet port 1, bubble release port 2 and a liquid outlet port 3 with an associated bubble release port 4. A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannel 50 which various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assembly 60 comprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip 50. An inverted microscope 65, digital camera 66 and recorder 67 are provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation of the fibrinogen binding protein gene from Staphylococcus aureus and to the use of the fibrinogen binding protein and antibodies generated against it for wound healing, blocking adherence to indwelling medical devices, immunization or diagnosis of infection.

Abstract: A laser diode (1) having an optical path (15) defined in an active layer (2) which is sandwiched between a substrate layer (3) and a top layer (4) and defined by a ridge (14) formed in the top layer (4) outputs laser light of a single predetermined wavelength. Refractive index altering grooves (21) extending transversely in the top layer (4) are provided at spaced apart locations for altering the refractive index of the active layer (2) along the optical path at partial reflecting locations (20) for causing partial longitudinal reflections of the laser light generated in the optical path (15) so that standing waves or harmonics thereof of the single predetermined wavelength are set up between the respective partial reflecting locations (20) and a first mirror facet (8) in the optical path (15).

Abstract: A laser diode (1) for outputting light of a single mode comprises a substrate layer (5), a cladding layer (6) and a compound light propagating layer (7) comprising first, second, third and fourth layers (9 to 12). A wave guiding region (15) of refractive index lower than its adjacent regions is defined by the third layer (11) by two quantum wells (16) positioned at the anti-node of light of a single mode which is propagating in the third layer (11) for propagating and amplifying the single mode light. A central ridge (17) locates the wave guiding region transversely of the direction of light propagation. The wave guiding region (15) can also be defined by shaping the top cladding layer (6) by forming an elongated central channel through the central ridge (17).

Abstract: Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which are cross-reactive to both coagulase-positive staphylococcus bacteria, such as S. aureus and to coagulase-negative bacteria, such as S. epidermidis and S. hemolyticus, are provided which can recognize surface proteins from both coagulase-positive and coagulase negative staph bacteria. The antibodies may be generated from surface proteins that have been isolated on the basis of characteristics that may be common between S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, and these recombinant surface proteins are used to generate the antibodies of the invention. There is also provided vaccines and methods which utilize these proteins and antibodies for the treatment or protection against a wide variety of staphylococcal infections.

Abstract: A liquid outlet link assembly is provided for liquid delivery output rates below 10 &mgr;l per minute so as to smooth out the flow from a positive displacement pump which has an immediate step pumping rate which is relatively substantially larger than the delivery rate required through the liquid outlet means. Essentially, this liquid link assembly has a bubble of air or some other pressure activated expansion means which initially contracts on the step pump such as a syringe pump operation and then gradually expands over time, allowing a steady output rate through the link assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrrolobenzoxazepines, pyrrolobenzthiazepines and related compounds having the ability to induce apoptosis, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and to their use as anti-tumour agents.

Abstract: A semiconductor self-pulsating laser diode (1) comprises a wave guiding layer (2) sandwiched between lower and upper cladding layers (4, 5). A current blocking layer (8) defining a slot (10) through which pumping current is directed through the laser diode between upper and lower contact plates (5, 6) defines an active wave guiding region (15). The current blocking layer (8) is shaped by the formation of longitudinally extending recesses (12) for defining the active wave guiding region (15) such that a central pulse light generating region (17) is formed surrounded by an outer light propagating region (18). As the laser diode is continuously pumped, an effective step change in refractive index between the wave guiding layer (2) and the outer light propagating region (18) is formed, and the carrier density and refractive index profiles across the active wave guiding region (15) vary as each light pulse cycle progresses.

Abstract: Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochip 50 comprises a microchannel 51 having a liquid outlet port 1, bubble release port 2 and a liquid outlet port 3 with an associated bubble release port 4. A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannel 50 which various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assembly 60 comprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip 50. An inverted microscope 65, digital camera 66 and recorder 67 are provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.

Abstract: Biological assays using various constructions of biochips are disclosed to mirror in vivo situations. The biochip 50 comprises a microchannel 51 having a liquid outlet port 1, bubble release port 2 and a liquid outlet port 3 with an associated bubble release port 4. A multiplicity of tests can be performed often by coating the bore of the microchannel 50 which various adhesion mediating proteins or the use of chemoattractants. The assay assembly 60 comprises a syringe pump feeding the biochip 50. An inverted microscope 65, digital camera 66 and recorder 67 are provided. A sample liquid containing cells in suspension is injected slowly through the biochip and the effect of the assay recorded over a long period.