Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for determining whether a patient is suitable for prostate surgery, including novel pathology reports and tissue samples. If a patient has a suspicious prostate, a needle biopsy is performed that enables one to map where a tissue anomaly lies with respect to a prostate sextant location, and how far it lies from the prostate capsule. The present method enables a physician to determine if a patient is suitable for prostate surgery, i.e., has at least one malignant tissue anomaly that has not penetrated or is not about to penetrate the prostate capsule. In a preferred form, the present method can enable the physician to determine if a nerve-sparing prostate surgery can be performed on a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a segmented, combination level and square that has a rotating joint. In a preferred embodiment, this hand tool provides the user with many optional tools in one. The tool can be configured as a level, a T-square, a framing square, a T-bevel, or a pocket square. In a preferred embodiment, this multi-segmented combination tool also provides the user with a convenient way not only to configure a level, in one inch increments, to any length from several inches to at least ten feet in length, but also to create more than one tool at a time such as a T-level and a framing square. In other preferred embodiments, the user is provided with optional features that enable them to carry on-site a single tool that can perform all tasks needed to do general construction layout such as roof framing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved solar energy concentrating system and to a preferred novel focal collection zone for such a system. In general, the system comprises a moveable solar energy collector supported above a cylindrically arcuate solar energy concentrating reflector. The solar energy collector has a compound parabolic non-imaging shape. In a preferred embodiment, instead of positioning the collector to rotate about the center of curvature of the reflector and to extend down halfway between the center of curvature and the reflector, in the present invention, the solar energy collector extends further down according to a particular algorithm.

Abstract: A substantially pure human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit nicking enzyme (GBNE) has been purified from human blood serum. GBNE nicks the beta-subunit of human chorioinic gonadotropin at either Arg-44 or Gly-47, is an arginine specific metalloprotease, has an apparent molecular weight of between 150,000 and 430,000 daltons, and is partially inhibited by phenanthroline or leupeptin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roof module having an integral solar energy concentrator. The present modules can be combined to form a weathertight roof with an integral solar concentrator. Radiant solar energy can be collected from this modular roof using reflected solar energy collectors, among other solar energy concentrating or energy transferring elements. The present invention results in a lower weight and easier to install system for placing solar energy concentrators atop a structure, and thus, lower the cost collecting radiant solar energy from atop a building or roofed structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved solar energy concentrating system incorporating replaceable solar energy concentrating reflectors. Prior systems typically required a structurally stable solar energy concentrating panel. The present invention uses a combination of structurally stable backing panels and flexible solar energy concentrating reflectors to significantly reduce the ease and cost of replacing reflectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved moveable-collector, solar energy concentrating system incorporating an automatic safety means. In the present invention, if there is a failure in a solar-heated fluid transfer system, a failure in the positioning means for a reflected solar energy collector, or a failure in power to the system, then the collector is automatically moved out of an optimal position in a predetermined focal collection zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical apparatus and a uniaxial method for rapidly measuring spectroscopically labelled specific binding analytes in a reaction assay mixture that contains unbound label without requiring the physical separation of the unbound label from the reaction mixture or sequential reagant additions and incubations. Moreover, the technique is equally applicable to measurements in either serum or whole blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for preferentially entraining a lipase or protease substantially into cheese curds when making curds and whey. An insoluble enzyme particle size of at least about 0.20 microns is selected or formed, and upon curd formation the insoluble particle will substantially be entrained therein, thus, leading to a substantial reduction in the amount of enzyme lost in the whey without the need to add additional complexing or immobilizing agents.

Abstract: Isoenzyme control reagents and methods for making same stabilized by means of plexiform stabilizing means. The preferred plexiform stabilizing means is selected from the group consisting of monosaccharide and disaccharide reducing sugars. The most preferred isoenzyme control reagent comprises the isoenzyme of interest obtained from selected tissue, preclarified human sera, stabilizing cofactor, a chelating agent means, a weak nonphosphate buffer and lactose as the most preferred plexiform stabilizing means.

Abstract: Reagents useful for steroid receptor assays containing both progesterone and estrogen receptors and methods. The reagents of the instant invention contain both estrogen and progesterone receptors in a stabilized format. A preferred embodiment includes target tissue material obtained from calf uteri having the required receptors, HEPES suspending buffer, a binding site activation inhibitor, dithiothreotol, plexiform stabilizing matrix means and an amount of inactive protein added as necessary to meet predetermined total protein levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel thermostable alpha amylase having a low requirement for calcium ions, and a novel Bacillus microorganism that produces it extracellularly. This amylase is useful in high temperature, low calcium applications, e.g., in detergent compositions.