Abstract: An adjuvant combination and a kit useful for immunization is provided. The kit contains an antigenic substance and an adjuvant combination of dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DDA-Br or DDA-Cl) with a monophosphoryl lipid.

Abstract: An excitation and detection circuit having individually controllable elements for use with a multi-element radio frequency coil. Characteristics of the driving signal, including, for example, the phase, amplitude, frequency and timing, from each element of the circuit is separately controllable using small signals. Negative feedback for the driving signal associated with each coil element is derived from a receiver coupled to that coil element.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a main diesel engine for driving the marine turbine and an electric motor. The electric motor has a nominal output that constitutes at least 20% of the nominal output of the main diesel engine. The electric motor remains continuously switched on and maintains, together with a variable-pitch propeller, the main diesel engine at a favorable operating point. The combination of the main diesel engine and the electric motor also allows for a more economical design or operation of the propulsion system.

Abstract: A course-holding, high-speed, sea-going vessel having a hull which is intended to hold payloads or passengers and at least one rotatable, preferably electric, rudder propeller (POD) which is arranged gondola-like under the hull of the vessel and has, to supply it with power, at least one motor/generator unit which is arranged in the hull of the vessel, the hull of the vessel having at least in part a bottom which rises somewhat toward the two sides of the hull, and in that the front part of the hull is designed so as to stabilize the course and movement of the vessel and ending under water, in particular in a relatively slender bow with a bulb, and in that a flow-guiding element (skegg) is arranged upstream of each rudder propeller in order both to optimize the handling characteristics and to achieve an optimized flow against the rudder propeller, which has a displacement volume for the water flowing against the respective rudder propeller.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (100) is configured to send signaling messages through a cell broadcast service (CBS). CBS message pages used to transport signaling messages are identified by assigned message identifiers. Mobile devices (114) within the communication system (100) recognize the CBS messages transporting signaling messages by the message identifiers and pass the signaling messages to an appropriate application or control program module. The message identifier may be used to specify the application or control program module to process the signaling message. The signaling messages transported by the CBS may be used in controlling a multicasting or broadcasting service. Duplicate copies of the CBS message pages may be transmitted and then buffered at the mobile device (114) as they are received until all parts of the signaling message have been received.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of M. tuberculosis derived novel proteins and protein fragments (SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17-23, 42, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72-86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, and 168-171). The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as vaccines and skin test reagents containing the polypeptides. Another part of the invention is based on the surprising discovery that fusions between ESAT-6 and MPT59 are superior immunogens compared to each of the unfused proteins, respectively.

Abstract: Therapeutic vaccines comprising polypeptides expressed during the latent stage of mycobacteria infection are provided, as are multiphase vaccines, and methods for treating and preventing tuberculosis.

Abstract: Specific genetic deletion are identified in mycobacteria isolates, including variations in the M. tuberculosis genome sequence between isolates, and numerous deletion present in BCG as compared to M. tbThe genetic markers can be used for diagnosis of M. tb. infection. One or more antigens provided from the genetic markers can be used in diagnostic assays, e.g. a serological assay.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of novel M. tuberculosis derived proteins and protein fragments. The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as vaccines and skin test reagents containing the polypeptide.

Abstract: A kit useful for immunization is described. The kit contains an antigenic substance from a Mycobacterium and an adjuvant combination of dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide and monophosphoryl lipid A.

Abstract: A ship includes a ship's hull which is intended for accommodating cargo and/or people, and at least one rotatable steering propeller as a propulsion unit. The rotatable steering propeller is arranged in a connection unit in the form of a box in the stem of the ship's hull. Electrical and mechanical components for supplying power to and controlling the steering propeller and its electric motor are at least partially combined in functional modules which are in the form of a transport container. The container is designed such that it can be functionally tested, can be accepted at its point of manufacture, and can be installed in this form at any desired location in the ship based upon the container base structure.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of M. tuberculosis derived novel proteins and protein fragments (SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17-23, 42, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72-86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, and 168-171). The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as vaccines and skin test reagents containing the polypeptides. Another part of the invention is based on the surprising discovery that fusions between ESAT-6 and MPT59 are superior immunogens compared to each of the unfused proteins, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of novel M. tuberculosis derived proteins and protein fragments. The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as diagnostic reagents containing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of novel M. tuberculosis derived proteins and protein fragments. The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as vaccines and skin test reagents containing the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention discloses fusion proteins of the immunodominant antigens ESAT-6 and Ag85B from Mycobacterium tuberculosis or homologues thereof, and a tuberculosis vaccine based on the fusion proteins, which vaccine induces efficient immunological memory.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polynucleotide carrying an open reading frame coding for an antigenic polypeptide from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, named lhp, which is placed under the control of its own regulation signals which are functional in mycobacteria, specially in mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and also in fast growing mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium smegmatis. The invention is also directed to the polypeptide LHP encoded by lhp and most preferably to suitable antigenic portions of LHP as well as to oligomeric polypeptides containing more than one unit of LHP or an antigenic portion of LHP. The invention concerns also immunogenic and vaccine compositions containing a polypeptide or an oligomeric polypeptide such as defined above, as well as antibodies directed specifically against such polypeptides that are useful as diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the identification and characterization of a number of M. tuberculosis derived novel proteins and protein fragments (SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17-23, 42, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72-86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, and 168-171). The invention is directed to the polypeptides and immunologically active fragments thereof, the genes encoding them, immunological compositions such as vaccines and skin test reagents containing the polypeptides. Another part of the invention is based on the surprising discovery that fusions between ESAT-6 and MPT59 are superior immunogens compared to each of the unfused proteins, respectively.

Abstract: A water purification and/or desalination plant for producing drinking water from a polluted water source or sea water with the aid of sunlight, which plant includes an evaporator (1) having a roof part (2) made of a light-penetrable material, and an underlying basin part (3) containing the water that is to be purified, which basin part (3) includes channels (17) for collecting water vapor that has been condensed on the inside of the roof part (2), and a reservoir (10) for purified water. The plant also includes a device for removing moist air or vapor from the evaporator and a device for condensation of the moist air or vapor outside the evaporator.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel secreted antigens from mycobacteria capable of evoking early (within 4 days) immunological responses from T-helper cells in the form of gamma-interferon release in memory immune animals after rechallenge infection with mycobacteria of the tuberculosis complex. The antigens are present in short term filtrates (ST-CF) from cultured mycobacteria belonging to the tuberculosis complex. One of these antigens, a polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 6 kDa, has been identified, and the DNA encoding the polypeptide has been cloned and sequenced. The antigens of the invention are believed useful especially in vaccines, but also in diagnostic compositions, especially for diagnosing infection with virulent mycobacteria. Also disclosed are nucleic acid fragments encoding the antigens as well as methods of immunizing animals/humans and methods of diagnosing tuberculosis.

Abstract: A process for electroelution of a gel containing charged macromolecules, such as proteins or polynucleotides, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of adjacent parallel chambers having a trapezoidal cross-section, placing a gel containing the charged macromolecules onto first open sides of the chambers, placing a semipermeable membrane onto second open sides of the chambers, filling the chambers with an elution buffer and applying a voltage difference across the chambers so that charged macromolecules in the gel migrate into the elution buffers in the chambers. Also, an apparatus for electroelution of a gel containing charged macromolecules having, preferably, a plurality of adjacent parallel chambers having a trapezoidal cross-section and vents for removing the product without disassembling the apparatus.