Abstract: A system for optimising the cycling conditions used to control a polymerase chain reaction assigns membership values for denaturation, annealing and extension events in order to determine the relative contribution of each event during the reaction, and using genetic algorithms to determine the optimum times required to complete each event.

Abstract: A novel tube material, and method of forming the tube, are described. The tube has an inner liner, preferably flexible, an intermediate layer of in situ molded expanding foam material, and a flexible outer liner. The tube is rigid, with the structural strength derived entirely from the intermediate layer. The preferred method of construction uses an inner core which is used to hold the inner liner in place during forming. The inner core includes a mechanism to reduce its diameter, to facilitate removal after curing of the foam.

Abstract: A method estimating a property or parameter of a nucleic acid material, which property or parameter is one to which the electrical conductivity of the nucleic acid material is related, comprises measuring the electrical conductivity of the nucleic acid material, and estimating from the measurement the property or parameter of the material by reference to a predetermined relationship between electrical conductivity and said property or parameter. This is based on the discovery that there are certain important properties of nucleic acids, the quantitative determination of which is frequently desirable, which can be assessed by measurement of the conductivity of a solution of the nucleic acid or acids. Changes in such properties may be reflected in corresponding changes of electrical conductivity. The concentration of nucleic acid in solution and the molecular weight of a species of nucleic acid are examples of important property which may be determined.

Abstract: A support structure is adapted to support vehicle-mounted equipment in an elevated stored state above ground and further adapted to mount onto a bed of a vehicle to assist in loading and off-loading of equipment. The vehicle comprises a support frame, first and second rigid leg structures mounted to the support frame, and a pair of stop elements. The first rigid leg structure includes a first pair of legs each pivotally mounted to the support frame on a respective pivot axis so that each leg includes a ground engaging portion located on one side of the axis and a second portion located on another side of the axis. Each of the legs is pivotable between a support position wherein the first portion engages the ground and stowed position wherein the leg is oriented proximate to the support frame with the second portion extending into a region between the support frame and a respective pivot axis.