Abstract: Advanced communications features are provided in a mobile communications network having at least one mobile switching center and at least one mobile station subsystem. The mobile switching center and mobile station subsystem each communicate signaling messages according to a mobile signaling protocol.

Abstract: Advanced communications features are provided in a mobile communications network having at least one mobile switching center and at least one mobile station subsystem. The mobile switching center and mobile station subsystem each communicate signaling messages according to a mobile signaling protocol.

Abstract: Advanced communications features are provided in a mobile communications network having at least one mobile switching center and at least one mobile station subsystem. The mobile switching center and mobile station subsystem each communicate signaling messages according to a mobile signaling protocol. An indication is received that a half-duplex mobile communications session is to be initiated between a first mobile station subsystem and a second mobile station subsystem. The first and second mobile station subsystems include full-duplex communications apparatus for use in full-duplex mobile communications sessions. The half-duplex mobile communications session relies on the first and second mobile station subsystems, and all of the reliance is only on the full-duplex communications apparatus. Mobile communications telephone calls are established with the first mobile station subsystem and the second mobile station subsystem.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for obtaining simplified mixtures of peptides from a sample containing a number of peptides are disclosed. The simplified sample can be easier to analyze than the original peptide sample yet it is representative of all or nearly all of the proteins present in the mixed protein sample from which the original and more complex peptide sample was derived. The methods entail the use of tagging moieties that include an amino-acid-specific reactive group (R). The tagging moieties “tag” peptides or proteins at specific amino acids (e.g., by reacting with an amino acid to form a covalent bond), ultimately allowing the isolation of peptides that contain those specific amino acids. Other methods entail the used of a reactive moiety (RP) that comprises a reagent that selectively interacts with selected proteins, either covalently or noncovalently. For example, RP can be a natural ligand for a receptor that is to be tagged or a protein that interacts with a second protein that is to be tagged.

Abstract: An amperometric glucose biosensor comprises a sensing electrode and a reference electrode arranged in a side-by-side parallel configuration on an electrically insulating sheet. A passive cover electrode is placed over the side-by-side sensing electrode and reference electrode so that the active surface of the passive cover electrode opposes the active surfaces of the side-by-side electrodes. Physical contact between the passive covering electrode and the side-by-side electrodes is prevented by insulating spacers. The sensing electrode comprises a conductive graphite track coated with a formulation comprising a redox mediator and enzyme and the reference electrode is a parallel track comprising an Ag/AgCl formulation while the passive cover electrode comprising a conductive graphite track coated with a formulation comprising the same redox mediator as used in the sensing electrode but not including an enzyme.

Abstract: Advanced communications features are provided in a mobile communications network having at least one mobile switching center and at least one mobile station subsystem. The mobile switching center and mobile station subsystem each communicate signaling messages according to a mobile signaling protocol. An indication is received that a half-duplex mobile communications session is to be initiated between a first mobile station subsystem and a second mobile station subsystem. The first and second mobile station subsystems include full-duplex communications apparatus for use in full-duplex mobile communications sessions. The half-duplex mobile communications session relies on the first and second mobile station subsystems, and all of the reliance is only on the full-duplex communications apparatus. Mobile communications telephone calls are established with the first mobile station subsystem and the second mobile station subsystem.

Abstract: A method for automatically provisioning a broadband communication service to a subscriber having a broadband modem. The method includes the step of transmitting a service request from the broadband modem to a central office, which is associated with a network service provider. The network is configured for service in response to the service request. The method further includes automatically configuring the broadband modem by transmitting a configuration signal from the central office to the subscriber. The configuration signal may be transmitted to the broadband modem over a POTS subchannel. Alternatively, the configuration signal may be transmitted to the broadband modem over a subchannel in a broadband service, such as a DMT subchannel for ADSL service.

Abstract: A packed miniature liquid chromatography column having a curved or a coiled configuration for direct coupling to liquid chromatographic equipment is disclosed. The column may be encased by a housing for protection during handling and use.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of glycoproteins and glycosylated hemoglobin in whole blood and whole blood components by means of an amperometric biosensor and an amperometric biosensor for this determination are provided. In one embodiment, whole blood is introduced into a version of an amperometric sensor having a component that removes erythrocytes. Redox mediators are used to obtain a current flow based on the oxidation of fructosamine derivatives that can be correlated with the concentration of glycosylated proteins in the fraction of the blood from which erythrocytes have been excluded. To obtain the concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin, whole blood is introduced into a version of the sensor which includes a component that produces lysis of the erythrocytes yielding a current flow proportional to the total quality of glycosylated proteins including glycosylated hemoglobin.

Abstract: A highly sensitive sensor for the amperometric assay of glucose in aqueous media having a face-to-face sandwich configuration is provided which comprises a sensing electrode strip containing a first redox mediator in an electrically conductive coating and a reference electrode strip in simultaneous contact with a reagent strip containing a second redox mediator which is sandwiched between the active electrode surfaces. An opening is provided in the reference electrode for the introduction of samples. In one embodiment, a whole blood separation membrane is interposed between the reference electrode and the reagent strip to filter red blood cells and other particles from whole blood to enable direct assay of glucose without sample preparation. The sensing electrode comprises a non-conductive support member having an electrically conductive layer containing the first redox mediator.

Abstract: An amperometric glucose biosensor having high sensitivity and accuracy over a wide range of glucose concentrations and a method for the rapid detection of glucose in urine are provided. The biosensor strip comprises an electrically conductive carbon layer, having a first redox mediator, a reagent strip containing an enzyme system for the oxidation of glucose and a second redox mediator, and a silver/silver chloride reference electrode. In a preferred form of the sensor that has high sensitivity, a sensing electrode and a reference electrode are arranged so that the electrically conductive layers of the electrodes are face-to-face and sandwich the reagent strip between them. Screening for glucose is achieved by contacting the sensor with a drop of the patient's urine and comparing the current read-out with a standard calibration curve or by automatically converting the current flow generated by the test sample to units of glucose concentration. The sensor can measure urine glucose concentrations below 3 mg/dl.

Abstract: A self contained glucose sensor is provided that generally comprises a strip type glucose sensing electrode having an active surface comprising an organic conducting redox salt dispersed in a polymeric membrane, with the membrane coating a conductive strip and a strip type Ag/AgCl reference electrode having its active surface separated from physical contact with the strip type glucose sensor and a carrier strip of water absorbent paper or film containing an enzyme system and an oxidizable dye. The water absorbent carrier strip is in simultaneous contact with both the active surface of the strip type glucose electrode and the active surface of the strip type reference electrode. When an aqueous solution containing glucose is brought in contact with the carrier strip containing the enzyme system an electrical potential, proportional to the concentration of glucose in the solution, is created which can be detected by an electrometer or other suitable device.

Abstract: A sensor for the amperometric assay of cholesterol is provided which comprises a sensing electrode containing a first redox mediator and a reference electrode in simultaneous contact with a reagent strip containing a second redox mediator. The presence of the second redox mediator greatly amplifies the current flow produced by the presence of cholesterol and produces linear correlation of current flow with concentration over an extended range. The sensing electrode comprises a non-conductive support member having an electrically conductive layer containing the first redox mediator. The reference electrode is typically a Ag/AgCl electrode formed by coating an ink containing Ag/AgCl dispersed in a resin on a non-conductive base.

Abstract: A redox electrode for the rapid detection of glucose in aqueous media and a method for its use are provided. The redox electrode comprises an electrically conductive member such as copper, and a redox membrane in direct contact with said electrically conductive member. The redox membrane comprises a polymer matrix such as PVC containing a plasticizer, and a complex of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane and tetrathiafulvalene with the complex having a burgundy-red coloration and characterized by a broad absorption from about 340 nm to about 550 nm and weaker absorption between about 650 nm to about 800 nm having about six small peaks with an absorption maximum at about 750 nm. Glucose is rapidly assayed by bringing the redox electrode and a reference electrode into simultaneous contact with an aqueous medium containing KCl, phosphate buffer, glucose oxidase, peroxidase, and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine dihydrochloride. The potential of the redox membrane is then monitored until it is stable.

Abstract: A redox electrode for the rapid detection of glucose in aqueous media and a method for its use are provided. The redox electrode comprises an electrically conductive member such as copper, and a redox membrane in direct contact with said electrically conductive member. The redox membrane comprises a polymer matrix such as PVC containing a plasticizer, and a complex of 7,7,8,8 -tetracyanoquinodimethane and tetrathiafulvalene with the complex having a burgundy-red coloration and characterized by a broad absorption from about 340 nm to about 550 nm and weaker absorption between about 650 nm to about 800 nm having about six small peaks with an absorption maximum at about 750nm. Glucose is rapidly assayed by bringing the redox electrode and a reference electrode into simultaneous contact with an aqueous medium containing KCl, phosphate buffer, glucose oxidase, peroxidase, and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine dihydrochloride. The potential of the redox membrane is then monitored until it is stable.

Abstract: An ion-selective electrode having an ion-selective membrane in direct contact with an electrical conductor is provided in which the membrane coats an uninsulated zone surrounded by insulation on the surface of a conductor which is coated with a layer of electrical insulation. The membrane overlays the insulation surrounding the insulation free zone and comprises a polymer which is generally of sufficiently similar composition to that comprising the electrical insulation layer so that it adheres to the insulation forming a membrane with increased structural strength. Embodiments of the electrode containing phosphatidylcholine in the ion-selective membrane have increased sensitivity.

Abstract: A novel toner composition with improved thermal and rheological properties, improved surface energy, and better frangibility is provided. The toner comprises a thermoplastic polymeric blend and a coloring agent. The polymeric blend is comprised of propoxylated bisphenol-A fumarate and a polyester resin with a chemically bound halogen. A preferred polyester resin with a chemically bound halogen is tetrabromo-bisphenol fumarate polyester. An improved electrophotographic imaging process using the toner particles of the present invention is also provided.