Abstract: Neisserial iron uptake proteins including transferrin binding protein A (TbpA) and B (TbpB) in both full length form and as immunogenic fragments are made recombinantly. A non-neisserial cell expresses a TbpA which is extracted from the cell under mild conditions and retains substantially the antigenicity of native TbpA on its surface. TbpB is also made recombinantly and both TbpA and TbpB are included in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an apparatus and method for selectively optimizing piezoelectric elements in an ultrasound transducer assembly for a given imaging mode. In one embodiment, a variable impedance network is interposed between an ultrasound processor and a transducer assembly and may be coupled to the transducer assembly to form either a series or a parallel connection with the transducer assembly. The network may be controlled by the processor to selectively alter the characteristics of the network. In another embodiment, the variable impedance network includes a pair of serially coupled inductors and a switch that permits one of the inductors to be controllably bypassed. In still another embodiment, the network includes a tapped inductor and a switch to permit the inductor tap to be controllably selected. In still another aspect, the inductor includes a tapped inductor having multiple taps, each tap selectable by a switch to optimize the network.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for reducing four-wave mixing induced degradation in an optical data signal traversing an optical transport network that uses Raman amplifiers. The method includes: introducing at least two Raman amplifiers into the optical transport network, each Raman amplifier having a laser source, and synchronously modulating the laser sources of the Raman amplifiers, thereby reducing four-wave mixing in the optical data signal. Modulation of the laser sources is performed at such a rate that crosstalk from the modulation to the optical data signals experiencing the Raman gain is minimized.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an apparatus and method for selectively optimizing piezoelectric elements in an ultrasound transducer assembly for a given imaging mode. In one embodiment, a variable impedance network is interposed between an ultrasound processor and a transducer assembly and may be coupled to the transducer assembly to form either a series or a parallel connection with the transducer assembly. The network may be controlled by the processor to selectively alter the characteristics of the network. In another embodiment, the variable impedance network includes a pair of serially coupled inductors and a switch that permits one of the inductors to be controllably bypassed. In still another embodiment, the network includes a tapped inductor and a switch to permit the inductor tap to be controllably selected. In still another aspect, the inductor includes a tapped inductor having multiple taps, each tap selectable by a switch to optimize the network.

Abstract: A system for generating rewards for information rendered by an information provider to a user. The system includes a receiving means to receive an information request from the user and identification means to identify the user. The system also includes a delivery means for delivery of the information requested by the user from a service provider and a voluntary reward means for allowing the user to provide a reward to the service provider. A value determination means provides a system of value for the user based upon the reward provided by the user.

Abstract: Vaccine conjugates are described comprising a capsular polysaccharide antigen conjugated to a carrier molecule, which carrier molecule is a protein associated with iron uptake by pathogenic microorganisms. The vaccine conjugate may comprise second or additional antigens also conjugated to the carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is a transferrin binding protein, in particular TbpA or TbpB. Also described are methods for conjugating the antigen/s to the carrier molecule, and to the use of transferrin binding protein in the manufacture of a carrier-antigen conjugate for vaccination. Affinity matrices comprising immobilised ligand for an iron uptake protein, and the use thereof for purifying a vaccine conjugate according to the present invention are also described.

Abstract: A method for dynamically compensating for signal loss and dispersion in an optical signal traversing though an optical network. The method includes providing a dynamic gain equalization filter (DGEQ) having a dynamically adjustable transfer function, and providing a first optical amplifier and a second optical amplifier interconnected by the DGEQ to form a dynamic amplifier site in the optical network. The method further includes controlling spectral power profile of the optical signal at an output of the dynamic amplifier site by dynamically adjusting a transfer function associated with the DGEQ.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for reducing four-wave mixing induced degradation in an optical data signal traversing an optical transport network that uses Raman amplifiers. The method includes: introducing at least two Raman amplifiers into the optical transport network, each Raman amplifier having a laser source, and synchronously modulating the laser sources of the Raman amplifiers, thereby reducing four-wave mixing in the optical data signal. Modulation of the laser sources is performed at such a rate that crosstalk from the modulation to the optical data signals experiencing the Raman gain is minimized.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of microbial infection, and in particular meningococcal disease, comprise a commensal Neisseria or an extract of a commensal Neisseria. Further methods and compositions comprise commensal Neisseria which express genes from virulent strains of Neisseria and/or heterologous gene products from non-neisserial sources. Such compositions are used in vaccine preparations for the treatment of microbial infection.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of microbial infection, and in particular meningococcal disease, comprise a commensal Neisseria or an extract of a commensal Neisseria. Further methods and compositions comprise commensal Neisseria which express genes from virulent strains of Neisseria and/or heterologous gene products from non-Neisserial sources. Such compositions are used in vaccine preparations for the treatment of microbial infection.

Abstract: An iterative process is used to set the phase prechirp of a WDM optical transport system to a system's optimal level that maximizes the signal quality. A signal degradation factor takes into account linear and non-linear effects along the optical path and is used as a receive end feedback signal to control the phase prechirp level at the transmitter site. By using the FEC corrected errors rate as the feedback signal, optimization of signal quality is performed even when the system is running error free. By using an adaptive phase prechirp transmitter, signal degradation compensation can be also performed on a per wavelength basis to compensate for the residual dispersion slope and to allow optimization of individual channels independently of the net link dispersion value.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of lymphocytosis promoting factor (LPF), filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and at least one fimbrial agglutinogen from a liquid culture of Bordetella pertussis, which comprises the steps of (a) separating the culture into cellular and supernatant fractions, (b) concentrating the supernatant fraction, (c) fractionating the concentrated supernatant fraction to isolate LPF and FHA containing fractions, and (d) isolating at least one fimbrial agglutinogen from the cellular fraction. A vaccine composition may be produced by mixing so-produced LPF, FHA and fimbrial agglutinogens produced.

Abstract: An antigenically-active cell envelope fraction from bacterial cells, especially Bordetella pertussis, may be isolated by disrupting the cells, separating the cell envelopes from the other cell components, extracting the separated envelopes with a solution of a zwitterionic surfactant and precipitating the cell envelope preparation from the resulting extract by the addition of a lower alkyl (C.sub.1 to C.sub.5) alcohol, preferably ethanol. The preferred extractant is an N, N, N-trialkyl zwitterionic compound especially an N, N, N-trialkyl-.alpha.-amino acid or an N, N, N-trialkyl amine oxide.The cell envelope fraction obtained from B. pertussis is highly protective against whole bacteria when tested by standard vaccine mouse potency assay and has a greatly reduced lipopolysaccharide content compared with either whole cells or crude cell envelopes, greatly reducing the risk of undesirable side-effects from vaccination.