Abstract: A method and apparatus for aseptic biological production of cells and/or microorganisms are provided. The apparatus includes a support housing having an interior chamber, a disposable flexible sterile plastic liner lining the interior chamber and a head plate attached to the liner forming a sealed chamber with the liner to form a reservoir. After use the liner can be thrown away and the apparatus can be reused with a new liner. In this way, the apparatus simplifies cleaning and ensuring validation required by pharmaceutical and food industry standards. Aerating fluid is introduced during culturing of cell or microorganisms in the reservoir. A growth characteristic can be used to vary flow rate and/or composition of the aerating fluid. Another reservoir may be used for circulation between two reservoirs.

Abstract: Apparatus (4) for converting an optical theodolite (2) into a laser theodolite, which apparatus comprises a laser diode adapter (6) for connection to the optical theodolite in place of an eyepiece of a telescope (8) of the optical theodolite, and driver means (10) for the laser diode adapter (6); the laser diode adapter (6) comprising a housing (12), a laser diode (14); a holographic image reshaping lens (51), and a focusing lens (52) in the housing (12), and an externally threaded male portion (16) for screwing into the telescope (8) in place of the eyepiece; and the driver means (10) having securing means (18) for securing the driver means (10) to the optical theodolite (2) remote from the laser diode adapter (6).

Abstract: An antenna arrangement comprises at least two antenna loops disposed in two intersecting planes disposed at an angle to define a detection region in which the antenna loops transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals and through which an object may pass. Each antenna loop includes a portion disposed in each of the two planes, and the antenna loops overlap at least in part in each of the two planes. The antenna arrangement may be coupled to a processor and/or utilization system for cooperating therewith for performing a desired function.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding a mismatch endonuclease and its method of use for the detection of mutations in targeted polynucleotide sequences are provided, which facilitate the localization and identification of mutations, mismatches and genetic polymorphisms.

Abstract: An antenna array comprises a plurality of antenna loops disposed to define a portal or passageway or other detection region in which the plural antenna loops transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals. A processor coupled to the plural antenna loops processes at least the received signals and/or transmitted signals. The plural antennas may be arrayed in a rectangular array, on hanging flexible substrates or other suitable arrangement, and may be coupled to the processor by a filter or selective switch. The processor may be coupled to a utilization system for cooperating therewith for performing a desired function.

Abstract: A plastic movable guide is disclosed wherein a reinforcing plate for reinforcing a guide body is simplified in shape, permitting easy assembly and prevention of disengagement. The movable guide is constituted by a guide body and a reinforcing plate fitted into the guide body. The guide body has a slit which receives the reinforcing plate which has a pair of recesses. A pair of windows are formed in the guide body to register with the reinforcing plate recesses. Each window has a tongue piece having a face which projects angularly into the slit and terminates in a retaining portion. When the reinforcing plate is advanced into the slit, the retaining portions of the tongue pieces are deflected out of the slit and when the plate is seated, the retaining portions are engaged in the recesses and retain the plate in the guide body.

Abstract: Digitized signatures are recorded in respective digitized signature records. Each digitized signature record includes at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof and time. Digitized signatures are identified, verified or authenticated by comparing characteristics thereof, may be indexed for facilitating comparison, may be utilized for network and Internet transactions, and may be converted to image format.

Abstract: A weeder includes an elongated shaft having a predetermined length and a longitudinal bore, a gripping mechanism provided at an upper end portion of the elongated shaft, a chuck mechanism provided at a lower end portion of the elongated shaft for pinching weeds, an operating lever mechanism for actuating the chuck mechanism, the operating lever mechanism provided at an axial portion of the elongated shaft which is adjacent the gripping mechanism, and a towing wire inserted in the longitudinal bore of the elongated shaft and coupling the chuck mechanism and the operating lever mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter sequence being an inducible promoter obtainable from apple. The promoter sequence is preferably activated in response to which agents are specific to ripening fruit and is most preferably the apple &bgr;-galactosidase (ABG1) promoter. Vectors form a further part of the invention. Also provided are host plant cells, plus methods of producing transgenic plants and fruit which incorporate antisense RNA capable of down-regulating genes involved in ripening or peptides or proteins improving fungal, insect, bacterial, viral, herbicidal, nematode, or arachnid resistance. Such transgenic plants and fruit have storage and pest-resistance properties superior to non-transgenic varieties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-functional press for welding plastic tubes and joints particularly polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene and polyvinyldifluoride tubes and joints, comprising a first fixed base and a second base, movable with respect to said first base along sliding guides, a first vise group, mounted on said first base and a second vise group mounted on said second base, a thermo-element, provided on a guide parallel with respect to said first and second base and coupled with said guide in such a way to be provided in a working position between said vise groups, and in a rest position, completely out of the operation field of said vise groups, and in a lowered position with respect to the operation field of said vise groups.

Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either ionic current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to a variety of processes, including electrokinetically induced pressure flow in a region of a microchannel that is not influenced by an electric field, sample concentration enhancement and injection, as well as improving the analysis of materials where it is desired to eliminate electrophoretic bias. Other applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences encoding peptide transporters, peptide transporters and methods of use thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for concentrating and/or positioning and/or separating particles or cells comprises placing a liquid medium containing the particles and/or cells over a surface having an electrode array associated with the surface, applying an alternating voltage to the electrode array to create an electric field above the surface within the medium to repel the particles or cells from the electrode array and thereby levitate the particles or cells above the surface, within the medium, by negative dielectrophoresis, and heating the liquid medium so as to cause convection currents to circulate within the medium which concentrate or relocate the levitated cells within the medium. Apparatus for concentrating and/or positioning and/or separating particles or cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surge protector for highspeed data networks is provided wherein a circuit board having a ground plane formed on one side of the circuit board, has respective pairs of conductive traces forming impedancematched transmission lines on the other side of the circuit board. Surge protection devices are connected in series with the conductors and with the ground plane. A compensating reactance may be provided along the transmission lines to correct for parasitic capacitance introduced by the threshold voltage conductor devices. Shielded and isolated connectors may be provided at either end of the circuit board to minimize insertion loss and provide isolation between respective transmission lines.

Abstract: An electronic circuit arrangement comprises a substrate having an electrical conductor thereon, wherein the electrical conductor includes two contacts spaced apart substantially a predetermined distance; an electronic jumper having two contacts spaced apart substantially the predetermined distance and respectively connected to the two contacts of the substrate; and an electronic device on the electronic circuit jumper and having two contacts respectively connected to the two contacts of the electronic circuit jumper.

Abstract: A pressure reducing assembly for high pressure oil wells is disclosed. The assembly includes a metallic body having inlet and outlet channels that are lined with ceramic inserts. The assembly may also include a removable pressure reducing device that is preferably formed of a ceramic material. Pipe spool pieces associated with the pressure reducing assembly transition the narrow interior flow diameter of the assembly to the larger interior flow diameter of downstream oil process piping. The spool pieces have metallic bodies, with flow channels that are lined with ceramic inserts. The ceramic inserts are disposed within the metallic spool, and are preferably designed with a flow channel taper that gradually increase the interior flow diameter from that of the outlet channel of the pressure reducing assembly to that of the process piping.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for separating, immobilizing, and quantifying biological substances from within a fluid medium. Biological substances are observed by employing a vessel having a chamber therein, the vessel comprising a transparent collection wall. A high internal gradient magnetic capture structure may be on the transparent collection wall, magnets create an externally-applied force for transporting magnetically responsive material toward the transparent collection wall. The magnetic capture structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic members and has a uniform or non-nonuniform spacing between adjacent members. There may be electrical conductor means supported on the transparent collection wall for enabling electrical manipulation of the biological substances. The chamber has one compartment or a plurality of compartments with differing heights. The chamber may include a porous wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing nucleic acids includes immobilizing nucleic probes at specific sites within a microchannel structure and moving target nucleic acids into proximity to the probes in order to allow hybridization and fluorescence detection of specific target sequences.

Abstract: A system and method are useful for conducting an exhibition at which visitors visit a plurality of booths or stations. A smart tag issued each visitor includes at least an electronic memory from which information from the memory may be provided and/or information may be received and stored in the memory. Stored information may include visitor information, exhibitor information, visit information, product/service information and data items. Smart tag control units and antenna arrays at the stations communicate with the smart tags and communicate directly or indirectly with one or more processors that process the information.