Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for preparing double-stranded complementary DNA (cDNA) from RNA. In some embodiments, these methods allow isothermal preparation of cDNA. In some embodiments, these methods allow mesophilic or thermostable preparation of cDNA. Also described herein are compositions and methods for preparing cDNA and a library of double-stranded cDNA fragments in a single reaction vessel.

Abstract: An inlet duct for use with an engine is presented. The invention includes a duct structure, at least one spike disposed along an interior surface of the duct structure, and an inlet throat formed by one or more apexes disposed along an equal number of spikes. The inlet throat corresponds to the minimum cross-sectional area through which airflow passes as otherwise allowed by the maximal obstruction formed by the apex(es) within the duct structure. Each spike is bounded by a longitudinal ridge and a lateral ridge along an upper end and a base. The ridges intersect at the apex. A portion of each spike upstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a supersonic diffuser and downstream as a subsonic diffuser. Airflow is isentropically compressed and then expanded within the inlet duct so that greater-than-subsonic flow at an input end is reduced to subsonic flow at an output end.

Abstract: An inlet duct for use with an engine is presented. The invention includes a duct structure, at least one spike disposed along an interior surface of the duct structure, and an inlet throat formed by one or more apexes disposed along an equal number of spikes. The inlet throat corresponds to the minimum cross-sectional area through which airflow passes as otherwise allowed by the maximal obstruction formed by the apex(es) within the duct structure. Each spike is bounded by a longitudinal ridge and a lateral ridge along an upper end and a base. The ridges intersect at the apex. A portion of each spike upstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a supersonic diffuser and downstream as a subsonic diffuser. Airflow is isentropically compressed and then expanded within the inlet duct so that greater-than-subsonic flow at an input end is reduced to subsonic flow at an output end.

Abstract: An inlet duct for use with an engine is presented. The invention includes a duct structure, at least one spike disposed along an interior surface of the duct structure, and an inlet throat formed by one or more apexes disposed along an equal number of spikes. The inlet throat corresponds to the minimum cross-sectional area through which airflow passes as otherwise allowed by the maximal obstruction formed by the apex(es) within the duct structure. Each spike is bounded by a longitudinal ridge and a lateral ridge along an upper end and a base along a lower end. The longitudinal ridge and the lateral ridge intersect at the apex. In preferred embodiments, the longitudinal ridge is at least partially non-linear so as to properly conform to the interior surface of the duct structure. The portion of each spike upstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a supersonic diffuser. The portion of each spike downstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a subsonic diffuser.

Abstract: An inlet duct for use with an engine is presented. The invention includes a duct structure, at least one spike disposed along an interior surface of the duct structure, and an inlet throat formed by one or more apexes disposed along an equal number of spikes. The inlet throat corresponds to the minimum cross-sectional area through which airflow passes as otherwise allowed by the maximal obstruction formed by the apex(es) within the duct structure. Each spike is bounded by a longitudinal ridge and a lateral ridge along an upper end and a base along a lower end. The longitudinal ridge and the lateral ridge intersect at the apex. In preferred embodiments, the longitudinal ridge is at least partially non-linear so as to properly conform to the interior surface of the duct structure. The portion of each spike upstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a supersonic diffuser. The portion of each spike downstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a subsonic diffuser.

Abstract: An inlet duct for use with an engine is presented. The invention includes a duct structure, at least one spike disposed along an interior surface of the duct structure, and an inlet throat formed by one or more apexes disposed along an equal number of spikes. The inlet throat corresponds to the minimum cross-sectional area through which airflow passes as otherwise allowed by the maximal obstruction formed by the apex(es) within the duct structure. Each spike is bounded by a longitudinal ridge and a lateral ridge along an upper end and a base along a lower end. The longitudinal ridge and the lateral ridge intersect at the apex. In preferred embodiments, the longitudinal ridge is at least partially non-linear so as to properly conform to the interior surface of the duct structure. The portion of each spike upstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a supersonic diffuser. The portion of each spike downstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a subsonic diffuser.

Abstract: An inlet duct for use with an engine is presented. The invention includes a duct structure, at least one spike disposed along an interior surface of the duct structure, and an inlet throat formed by one or more apexes disposed along an equal number of spikes. The inlet throat corresponds to the minimum cross-sectional area through which airflow passes as otherwise allowed by the maximal obstruction formed by the apex(es) within the duct structure. Each spike is bounded by a longitudinal ridge and a lateral ridge along an upper end and a base along a lower end. The longitudinal ridge and the lateral ridge intersect at the apex. In preferred embodiments, the longitudinal ridge is at least partially non-linear so as to properly conform to the interior surface of the duct structure. The portion of each spike upstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a supersonic diffuser. The portion of each spike downstream of the inlet throat functions primarily as a subsonic diffuser.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a biological sample on a support is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hollow chamber with internal and external surfaces and a first and second end. The first end is open and is adapted for attachment to a first closure member. The second end is either closed or open. If open, the second end is adapted for attachment to a second closure member. The apparatus provides for maintaining the support in contact with a liquid medium at all times regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides for maintaining the original orientation of a non-integral support regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus is useful for isolating and culturing microorganisms.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for maintaining a biological sample on a support. The apparatus has a hollow chamber with internal and external surfaces and first and second ends. The first and second ends have first and second releasable closures. The apparatus maintains the support in contact with a liquid medium at all times regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus is useful for isolating and culturing microorganisms.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a biological sample on a support is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hollow chamber with internal and external surfaces and a first and second end. The first end is open and is adapted for attachment to the first closure means. The second end is either closed or open. If open, the second end is adapted for attachment to a second closure means. The apparatus provides means for maintaining the support in contact with a liquid medium at all times regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides means for maintaining the original orientation of a non-integral support regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus is useful for isolating and culturing microorganisms.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a biological sample on a support is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hollow chamber with internal and external surfaces and a first and second end. The first and is open and is adapted for attachment to the first closure means. The second end is either closed or open. If open, the second end is adapted for attachment to a second closure means. The apparatus provides means for maintaining the support in contact with a liquid medium at all times regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides means for maintaining the original orientation of a non-integral support regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus is useful for isolating and culturing microorganisms.