Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to attenuated negative-strand RNA viruses having an impaired ability to antagonize the cellular interferon (IFN) response, and the use of such attenuated viruses in vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations. The invention also relates to the development and use of IFN-deficient systems for selection of such attenuated viruses. In particular, the invention relates to attenuated influenza viruses having modifications to the NS1 gene that diminish or eliminate the ability of the NS1 gene product to antagonize the cellular IFN response. The mutant viruses replicate in vivo but demonstrate reduced pathogenicity, and therefore are well suited for live virus vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector characterized as being capable of delivering and expressing at least one mammalian gene into a genome of a mammalian host cell such that the expression of the gene is regulated in a tissue specific manner by cis-acting regulatory and promoter elements of the gene. A method of using this recombinant adeno-associated virus vector for therapeutic purposes is also provided.

Abstract: Agonists of A2A adenosine receptors optionally, in combination with a Type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor are effective for the inhibition of an inflammatory response in mammalian tissue, in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: The method of the present invention provides a means for protecting a patient, including a transplant patient, from reperfusion injury by administering CM101 or GBS toxin isolated from Group B &bgr;-hemolytic Streptococcus bacteria. The present invention also includes a method to protect a tissue or organ against reperfusion injury in a transplant patient.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering fractionally inspired oxygen (FiO2) to a patient in response to receiving an arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation signal (SpO2) are disclosed. The SpO2 is measured, for example, by using a pulse oximeter. An algorithm receives a signal indicating the SpO2. The algorithm determines wither the SpO2 is in the normoxemia range, hypoxemia range or hyperoxemia range. The algorithm also determines trends by calculating a slope of second-to-second changes in the SpO2. Based on the current SpO2 and the trend, the algorithm determines the appropriate FiO2 for the patient and instructs a device, such as a mechanical ventilator or an air oxygen mixer as to the appropriate FiO2 to be delivered to the patient. The system initializes various parameters with default values, but a user (e.g., a nurse) can also update the settings at any time.

Abstract: A glass-silicon column that can operate in temperature variations between room temperature and about 450° C. The glass-silicon column includes large area glass, such as a thin Corning 7740 boron-silicate glass bonded to a silicon wafer, with an electrode embedded in or mounted on glass of the column, and with a self alignment silicon post/glass hole structure. The glass/silicon components are bonded, for example be anodic bonding. In one embodiment, the column includes two outer layers of silicon each bonded to an inner layer of glass, with an electrode imbedded between the layers of glass, and with at least one self alignment hole and post arrangement. The electrode functions as a column heater, and one glass/silicon component is provided with a number of flow channels adjacent the bonded surfaces.

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 for conducting a financial transaction corresponding to a good or service includes providing a plurality of first credit or debit devices; associating a universal identifier with each of the first credit or debit devices; associating one of the first credit or debit devices with a plurality of second credit or debit cards; employing the one of the first credit or debit devices to initiate the financial transaction; selecting one of the second credit or debit cards based upon the unique identifier and the good or service; and employing the selected one of the second credit or debit cards to conclude the financial transaction.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved optical device (10;10a), eg comprising a semiconductor optically active or optoelectronic devices such as lasers, modulators, amplifiers, switching structures, or the like, mounted on a heatsink (28;28a) The invention provides an optically active device (10;10a) comprising a device body (12;12a) having an active region (14;14a) and an optically passive region(s) (20;22) provided at one or more ends (24,26;26a) of the active region (14;14a); and a heatsink (28;28a); the device body (12;12a) and heatsink (28;28a) being retained in thermal association with one another such that a first end of the at least one of the optically passive region(s) (20,22;22a) adjacent an end of the active region (14;14a) is provided within an area of the heatsink (28;28a), and a second end of the said at least one optically passive region(s) (20,22;22a) is provided outwith the area of the heatsink (28;28a).

Abstract: An enhanced fish feed and a method of feeding fish with the enhanced feed are described for particular use in fish farms. The fish feed comprises pellets which are coated with a material intended to contrast highly with conditions within cages of the fish farm and thereby become visible to fish below the surface and humans near the surface. A coating of white material, preferably a mica/titanium dioxide compound, is appropriate. The enhanced visibility of the feed increases the water feeding volume within the enclosure. This reduces fish congestion and stress upon the fish during the feeding period and increases feeding rate.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing metal doped carbon films by placing a substrate in a chamber with a selected amount of a metalorganic compound. An electron cyclotron resonance is applied to the chamber in order to vaporize the metalorganic compound. The resonance is applied to the chamber until a metal doped carbon film is formed. The metalorganic compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of an organic salt of ruthenium, palladium, gold or platinum.

Abstract: A method of micro-structuring a surface of a sample of ferroelectric material, the method comprising: (a) taking a sample of ferroelectric material having a −z face which is to be etched; (b) illuminating the −z face with ultraviolet light to define illuminated and unilluminated parts of the surface; and (c) immersing the −z face in an etchant to selectively remove the unilluminated parts of the −z face at a greater rate than the illuminated parts. The method can be carried out using pulsed ultraviolet light to etch lithium niobate crystals cut for etching on the −z face, and may further be combined with ablation to produce multi-level surface structures.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence is provided which encodes a gibberellin 2-oxidase gene which catalyses the 2&bgr;-oxidation of a gibberellin molecule to introduce a hydroxyl group at C-2 and further catalyses the oxidation of the hydroxyl group introduced at C-2 to yield the ketone derivative. Such sequences can find application in the preparation of transgenic plants with altered levels of gibberellin 2-oxidase.

Abstract: A bacterial &agr;1,2-fucosyltransferase gene and deduced amino acid sequence is provided. The gene is useful for preparing &agr;1,2-fucosyltransferase polypeptide, and active fragment thereof, which can be used in the production of oligosaccharides such as Lewis X, Lewis Y, Lewis B and H type 1, which are structurally similar to certain tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens found in mammals. These product glycoconjugates also have research and diagnostic utility in the development of assays to detect mammalian tumors.

Abstract: Peptide antagonists of zonulin are disclosed, as well as methods for the use of the same. The peptide antagonists bind to the zonula occludens receptor, yet do not physiologically modulate the opening of mammalian tight junctions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting angiogenesis within a tissue by providing exogenous SLED to cells associated with the tissue. The presence of exogenous SLED inhibits angiogenesis within the tissue, in part by interfering with the ability of vascular endothelia to expand within the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining the severity of a tumor be assaying for the presence of SLED within the tumor. To facilitate the inventive methods, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions including sources of SLED.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell in which the electrodes are patterned with small scale non-conducting gaps so as to efficiently control the number, size and location of liquid crystal domains within which the liquid crystal exhibits an azimuthal orientation with predominantly the same sign and direction in a field-on condition. By patterning one or both of the electrodes with small scale non-conducting gaps, having widths less than about 2.5 times the cell gap t, that are disposed predominantly within the liquid crystal domains, or a combination of such gaps with gaps disposed primarily along the domain boundaries, one not only can obtain excellent control of the nature of the liquid crystal domains, but also the responsiveness of the cell.

Abstract: The invention includes synthetic immunochemical haptens for the generation of antibodies, the antibodies, and the medical treatment applications for using the antibodies. The antibodies are designed to recognize the common molecular features of d-methamphetamine-like abused stimulants, and will have insignificant cross-reactivity with endogenous substrates (e.g. dopamine) or over-the-counter medications (e.g. 1-methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine). These monoclonal antibodies and their antigen binding fragments are useful in treatment plans for recovering addicts, in emergency room settings for rapidly reversing a drug overdose, in protection of fetuses or fetus from drug-abusing pregnant mothers or in a psychiatric setting to reduce the exacerbation of psychotic disorders caused by stimulant drugs.

Abstract: A catalyst system useful to polymerize and co-polymerize polar and non-polar olefin monomers is formed by in situ reduction with a reducing agent of a catalyst precursor comprising {CP* MRR′n}+{A}− wherein Cp* is a cyclopentadienyl or substituted cyclopentadienyl moiety; M is an early transition metal; R is a C1-C20 hydrocarbyl; R′ are independently selected from hydride, C1-C20 hydrocarbyl, SiR″3, NR″2, OR″, SR″, GeR″3, SnR″3, and C═C containing groups (R″═C1-C10 hydrocarbyl); n is an integer selected to balance the oxidation state of M; and A is a suitable non-coordinating anionic cocatalyst or precursor. This catalyst system may form stereoregular olefin polymers including syndiotactic polymers of styrene and methylmethacrylate and isotactic copolymers of polar and nonpolar olefin monomers such as methylmethacrylate and styrene.

Abstract: A gravity meter comprises a casing, a vacuum tube mounted in the casing in a vibration-free manner, a sensor mechanism mounted within the vacuum tube, the sensor mechanism comprising two masses of different size acting on the respective arms of a beam balance comprising a material whose shape is arranged to change in response to changes in gravity and whose shape can be restored by the application of an electrical current thereto, and detector means arranged to provide from the restoring current an output representative of changes in gravity. The material is preferably a piezoelectric material.