Abstract: Human parvovirus, genus Bocavirus, associated with respiratory tract infections in children. Nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences of the virus. Methods and products for diagnosing presence of bocavirus in a sample using nucleic acid probes or primers, or specific binding members such as antibodies. Methods and products for diagnosing past or present infection of bocavirus in an individual e.g. by serology testing. Viral nucleic acid, polypeptide and/or viral particles for generating immune response in an individual, including vaccine compositions.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises first and second switch elements each including a respective electrically conductive flexible dome for selectively making an electrical connection. The second switch element is adjacent the first switch element. An actuator is movable for exerting force on the first and second switch elements, wherein the flexible dome of the first switch element makes connection to a first electrical conductor when the actuator moves a first distance and the flexible dome of the second switch element makes the electrical connection to a second electrical conductor when the actuator moves a second distance in addition to the first distance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to the sort destinations, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered.

Abstract: An ionizer includes a high voltage AC generator, and a planar ion emitter mounted on an insulating substrate and having an array of planar needles that protrude from an edge of the substrate. The high voltage AC generator may be actuated by a switch having a pair of mutually insulated planar contacts located near an edge of the insulating substrate and configured to be contacted by an electrically conductive coil spring. The coil spring is supported by a slider that is moveable toward the ion emitter from an initial position wherein the planar contacts are shorted by the spring so as to actuate the high voltage AC generator. Continued movement of the spring collects dust in its coils while breaking the switch contacts and de-energizing the high voltage AC generator.

Abstract: A variable transmission comprises a first fluid working machine (1) for connection to a prime mover (2), a second fluid working machine (5) for connection to a mechanical load (6) and a fluid system linking the first and second working machines, the fluid system having a high-pressure side (3) and a low-pressure side (4) each connected to both said first and said second fluid working machines (1, 5), a fluid accumulator (7) on the high-pressure side, a means to admit fluid from the reservoir to the low-pressure side and a pressure control valve to maintain the correct pressure in the low-pressure side, wherein the second fluid working machine (5) includes chambers of variable volume having electronically controllable valves such that each of said chambers has pumping, motoring and idling modes of operation, and the second fluid working machine (5) is operable to both source fluid to and sink fluid from each of said high-pressure side (3) and said low-pressure side (4).

Abstract: A soft edged trampoline includes a flexible mat supported from a base frame by a plurality of resiliently flexible rods. Each rod has an enlarged upper end. A plurality of fittings coupled to the mat about the periphery of the mat each include a socket cavity which receives the enlarged upper end of a flexible rod, so that the upper ends of the flexible rods are pivotally connected to the periphery of the mat.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for generating data for a two-dimensional image which identifies different classes of property of an imaged subject, this being done by separately rendering volumetric data classified into those different classes and, from all of those separate renderings, choosing one datum for use in the two-dimensional image as an image pixel. This being repeatable for each datum to be used in the two-dimensional image—thereby, for example, to selectively build-up the data for whole of the two-dimensional image as a mixture/combination of different classes of data. The data for the two-dimensional image may be color coded for visually distinguishing data of different classes. Thus when applied to the image enhancement of tissues subjected to contrast agent uptake in patients kinetic information may be incorporated into the volume renderings to enable tissues of different enhancement and kinetic characteristics to be identified as such.

Abstract: A power distribution for an array of active electronic circuits in an antenna of a mobile communications base-station is disclosed. The power distribution comprises a first conductor connectable to a first terminal of a power supply unit, and a second conductor connectable to a second terminal of the power supply unit. The first conductor and the second conductor are at least partly bare and rigid, and are routed to the antenna-embedded radios in a manner separate from each other.

Abstract: An amusement ride assembly includes a rotatable endless loop cable spanning between end stations and a drive system operable to rotate the loop cable. A passenger carrier is suspended from the cable and includes a roller mechanism to enable the passenger carrier to free-roll along the cable and an associated clamping mechanism to alternatively fix the passenger carrier to the cable. A control system may control the drive system and to enable actuation of the clamping mechanism to fix the passenger carrier to the cable when the carrier is at a position along the cable remote from the end stations.

Abstract: A reflectron lens for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and a method of making same are disclosed. The reflectron lens includes a glass tube having a conductive surface along the length of the tube. The conductive surface has an electrical resistance gradient along its length. The electrical resistance gradient provides an electric field interior to the tube that varies in strength along the length of the tube when an electric potential is applied to opposing ends of the tube. A mass spectrometer incorporating the reflectron lens, a method of making the reflectron lens, and an apparatus for removing lead from the surface of a lead silicate glass tube are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic mechanism comprises a spring-operated rod (1) having a recess (1a) and a latching member (2) engageable in the recess to block motion of the rod. A release member (4) retains the latching member engaged in the recess (1a) in a first position of the release member and allows the latching member to be disengaged from the recess in a second position of the release member (4). A magnet (5) retains the release member in the first position and the mechanism includes an element such as a spring (7) for urging the release member (4) to the second position. A coil (8) is arranged to demagnetize the magnet (5) at least such that the release member moves to the second position, the latching member (2) is disengaged from the recess (1a) and the rod (1) moves axially by spring force.

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: The invention relates to novel compositions comprising alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and methods for preventing, treating or inhibiting a malignant neoplasm expressing an alpha-fetoprotein receptor (AFPR) with or without multidrug resistance. Compositions comprising a non-covalent complex of an exogenous AFP, and at least one apoptosis-inducing agent selected from the group comprising mitochondrial membrane permeabilizing agents, mitochondrial pore opening inducing agents, ionophores, caspase 9 activators, caspase 3 activators and retinoids, are provided, wherein the at least one apoptosis-inducing agent reversibly binds to the exogenous AFP. The invention also provides for a process for butanol extraction of porcine alpha-fetoprotein obtained from blood and amniotic fluid extracted during early embryogenesis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting PRRG4- and PRRG2 associated molecules are provided as are methods of use thereof for the detection and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A ballot or sheet having an anti-copying feature provides for detecting from an image of the ballot or sheet whether the ballot or sheet is an original or is a copy. The anti-copying feature may lighten or darken, or both, when copied and may or may not be evident to the human eye. A reader comprising an imager and a processor is for reading the ballot or sheet and for determining whether the ballot or sheet is an original or is a copy, and for determining selections marked thereon. A method for reading the ballot or sheet is for determining from an image of the ballot or sheet whether the ballot or sheet is an original or is a copy, and for determining selections marked thereon.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, and bipolar disorders are disclosed. Also provided are methods for screening therapeutic agents having efficacy for the treatment of such disorders.