Abstract: The production of a purified extracellular bacterial signal called autoinducer-2 is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. Autoinducer-2 stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. A new class of bacterial genes is involved in the biosynthesis of autoinducer-2.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions to regulate biofilm formation. In particular, the invention relates to regulation of biofilm formation by modulating the GacA/GacS regulatory system.

Abstract: A continuous measurement-while-drilling surveying apparatus includes a fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation about the tool spin axis of the bottom hole assembly and a second fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation of the bottom hole assembly about an axis normal to the tool spin axis. The first gyroscope may be shaped as a torus to accommodate flow of drilling mud through the bottom hole assembly. The outputs of the first and second gyroscopes are processed together with acceleration signals from three accelerometers in a microprocessor which determines the orientation, velocity and position of the bottom hole assembly on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the oil and water content of a heavy oil and water emulsion includes a low field NMR spectrometer and means for determining the total amplitude of an NMR spectrum at specified T2 values.

Abstract: The invention provides autoinducer-2 analogs that regulate the activity of autoinducer-2 and methods of using such analogs for regulating bacterial growth and pathogenesis.

Abstract: The invention provides novel tumor suppressor genes, methods for making and using these and related tumor suppressor genes and proteins and peptides, and nucleic acids encoding these and related tumor suppressor proteins and peptides.

Abstract: A continuous measurement-while-drilling surveying apparatus includes a fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation about the tool spin axis of the bottom hole assembly and a second fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation of the bottom hole assembly about an axis normal to the tool spin axis. The first gyroscope may be shaped as a torus to accommodate flow of drilling mud through the bottom hole assembly. The outputs of the first and second gyroscopes are processed together with acceleration signals from three accelerometers in a microprocessor which determines the orientation, velocity and position of the bottom hole assembly on a continuous basis.

Abstract: This invention provides a purified extracellular bacterial autoinducer-2 signaling molecule, the production of which is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. The signaling molecule stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. This invention also provides is a new class of bacterial genes involved in the biosynthesis of the signaling molecule.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing neurological impairments such as multiple sclerosis includes the determination of the simultaneity threshold of a pair of sensory stimuli, such as visual or tactile stimuli, separated temporally by a stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA). The stimuli may be presented unilaterally or bilaterally. Interhemispheric transfer times may also be determined by determining the difference in simultaneity thresholds for bilateral and unilateral presentations. Simultaneity thresholds and interhemispheric transfer times are significantly elevated in patients with MS and other neurological impairments. An apparatus for delivering such sensory stimuli includes an array of visual stimuli and tactile stimulators, a computer-implemented control program and a precise timing mechanism.

Abstract: A continuous measurement-while-drilling surveying apparatus includes a fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation about the tool spin axis of the bottom hole assembly and a second fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation of the bottom hole assembly about an axis normal to the tool spin axis. The first gyroscope may be shaped as a torus to accommodate flow of drilling mud through the bottom hole assembly. The outputs of the first and second gyroscopes are processed together with acceleration signals from three accelerometers in a microprocessor which determines the orientation, velocity and position of the bottom hole assembly on a continuous basis.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of propagating Cryptosporidium in cell culture. The methods supports the complete life cycle or Cryptosporidium and produces all known forms of the parasite in addition to two novel forms. Cryptosporidium parasites propagated in vitro can be used to produce a vaccine composition for immunizing animals against Cryptosporidium infection.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing footrot, in particular bovine footrot, by administering Porphyromonas and/or Prevotella and/or subunits and/or toxins thereof or neutralizing agents such as antibodies thereto. A model useful for evaluating the effectiveness of footrot treatments or preventatives is also provided.

Abstract: Non steroidal mimetics or analogues of brassinosteroids such as brassinolide include two bicyclic subunits each having a vicinal diol group and a polar unit and linked by a linking moiety such that the vicinal diol groups and polar unit are closely superimposable on corresponding functional groups in the brassinosteroid.

Abstract: New utilities for epidermal growth factor (EGF) are described. In particular, EGF is useful in preventing gastrointestinal colonization by pathogens.

Abstract: A method of determining the composition of a sample including heavy oil or bitumen and water using low-field NMR. The NMR spectrum of the sample is taken at relatively low and high temperatures and the oil or water content is determined from the spectra and differential spectrum.

Abstract: The production of a purified extracellular bacterial signal called autoinducer-2 is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. Autoinducer-2 stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. A new class of bacterial genes is involved in the biosynthesis of autoinducer-2.

Abstract: Novel transferrin binding proteins from Pasteurella haemolytica, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel proteins are disclosed. Antibodies against the novel proteins are disclosed. The invention also relates to vaccines containing the novel proteins of the invention. The invention also provides methods for identifying substances which affect the binding of transferrin to the proteins and methods for screening for agonists or antagonists of the binding of the proteins and transferrin.

Abstract: This invention relates to treating or preventing pathogenic infections with an epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF is capable of inhibiting pathogenic colonization of pathogens in a variety of tissue or cell types. Since pathogenic colonization is essential for pathogenic infection, EGF can be used as an effective preventive and therapeutic agent for pathogenic infections, particularly in the urogenital tract.

Abstract: Bacteria are incubated to form a biofilm on projections by providing a flow of liquid growth medium across projections, the direction of the flow of liquid being repeatedly changed, and an assay made of the resulting biofilm. Bacteria are incubated to form a biofilm on projections arranged in rows, with several projections in each row, while providing a flow of liquid growth medium across each row of projections, and an assay made of the resulting biofilm. Sensitivity of the biofilm to antibacterial reagent may be determined by treating the projections with antibacterial reagent before carrying out the assay, by treating each row of projections with a different antibacterial reagent, and each of the projections in a row with a different concentration of antibacterial reagent.

Abstract: A method for testing the performance of surface coatings on the formation of biofilm and encrustation on materials. The method includes, providing a plurality of material retaining sites, providing the material retaining sites with a material, wherein the material models a surface likely to be involved in biofilm formation and encrustation deposit. The method further includes the steps of providing a liquid growth medium, wherein the liquid growth medium includes at least one microorganism, the liquid growth medium arranged to cover at least a portion of the material, and incubating microorganism and encrustation on the material retaining sites in the presence of the liquid growth medium.