Abstract: The invention features a method of adjusting the concentration of at least one but not all of a plurality of analytes in a fluid sample to match a known working range of detection of an analyte assay system, where each of the plurality of analytes may or may not be present within an expected initial concentration range having a high end and a low end, and at least one analyte has a high end expected concentration range that exceeds the high end of the working range of the assay system. The expected concentration of the high concentration analyte is adjusted by a proportional scaling constant, ?, so that the high end of the adjusted expected concentration range is less than or equal to the high end of the working range, without adjusting the expected concentration range of at least one other of the plurality of analytes.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acid, or fragments thereof, encoding the retinoblastoma polypeptide, the retinoblastoma polypeptide itself, methods of detecting a defective retinoblastoma gene in human patients, and methods of treating these patients.

Abstract: The invention features an electrode array (7) in which pairs of electrodes (1) are geometrically arranged so that the broadest faces of the exposed electrodes are not directly opposing to each other. Rather, the broadest facing surfaces of the electrodes in the array are parallel, adjacent, or offset at an angle. The electrode geometry of an electrode array of the invention permits electrodes to be in close proximity, thereby lowering series resistance, while minimizing the possibility for short circuits that can cause electrical leakage. An electrode array of the invention can be used in an electrochemical cell, such as a battery, e.g., a lithium battery, a capacitor, a flow-through capacitor, or a fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention features a method of playing a card game using a deck of numbered cards. Each player is dealt a predetermined number of cards, so that each player possesses a card set, or “hand” of cards. The remaining cards form a draw pile, and one card from the draw pile is turned face up to start a separate discard pile. The object of the game is for each player to remove cards from its card set by discarding a card that is either a multiple or a divisor of a card shown on the top of a common discard pile.

Abstract: The invention addresses the needs of a professional service provider to organize and display items at or on his or her work stations that are of both a personal and professional nature, in a manner that is compact, efficient, and tidy. The apparatus includes a substantially rigid frame having a plurality of openings and/or receptacles which are adapted to receive objects, for example, scissors or shears, pens, pencils, or a pad of note paper, as well as an assortment of optional holders adapted to receive and display, for example, business cards, a professional license, professional announcements and fee schedules. The device further includes an externally accessible media storage sleeve configured for viewable display of a flat media display item, for example a photograph.

Abstract: This invention relates to nucleic acid, or fragments thereof, encoding the retinoblastoma polypeptide, the retinoblastoma polypeptide itself, methods of detecting a defective retinoblastoma gene in human patients, and methods of treating these patients.

Abstract: The invention features a method of determining whether one or more members of an analyte family are present in a sample. The method makes use of a test zone binder, e.g., a receptor that can bind one or a plurality of analytes within an analyte family, the analytes family defined by similar structural binding sites. Members of an analyte family can have different detection level requirements and, therefore, additional analyte binders can be employed to adjust test sensitivity for a subset of the analytes in the analyte family individually, so that each analyte can be detected only if it is present in the sample above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention features a self-contained, portable apparatus for performing precision grinding operations on metal disks of up to, e.g., 54 inches in diameter. The apparatus can be attached to the surface of the disk to be refinished and is leveled using special precision leveling adjusters. During operation, the adjusters are turned in precision increments to set the depth of cut. The grinder is then rotated on an arm about the center of the disk, by the use of a hydraulically driven speed reducer, rotor, bearing assembly. In a further aspect, the invention includes a dressing assembly for performing dressing-truing on a vitreous wheel when the wheel is in grinding position. The in position dressing assembly dresses a grinding wheel at up to 0.00125-inch increments.

Abstract: A security flashlight for emergency light situations, with a handgrip area, which area incorporates one or more radial pressure switches, which are activated between on and off positions by designated hand grip pressure, without longitudinal movement of the user's hand.

Abstract: The invention features an electrochemical device which includes at least two capacitor electrodes 16, each of which includes a conductive material characterized in that at least ten percent (10%) of the overall surface area of the conductive material is an edge plane. In contrast to a basal plane, the electric field along an edge plane is distorted so as to exhibit an ‘edge effect or ‘fringe effect. Capacitor electrodes 16 with many edges, points, corners, or fractal surfaces exhibit greater capacitance per unit volume or mass amount of capacitor electrode material, than do materials in which the surface area of the material is predominately basal plane. An electrochemical device of the invention can be, for example, an electrochemical cell, e.g., a battery, a capacitor, or a flow-through capacitor.

Abstract: A flow-through capacitor and method for the purification of fluids, like soft water. The capacitor includes anode-cathode electrodes (3) composed of a low surface area electrode material having a surface area between 10 to 1000 square meter per gram BET (Brunauer Emmett Teller method) to form one or more cells.

Abstract: Low viscosity methacrylic-urethane oligomers useful as a styrene monomer substitute in unsaturated resin compositions, are prepared by reacting a hydroxy ethyl or propyl methyl methacrylate monomer with an elastomeric urethane prepolymer having free NCO groups.

Abstract: The invention features a polyamine epoxide adduct, prepared by admixing a source of epoxy group with a polyamine, and allowing the epoxy groups to react with the terminal amino groups of the polyamine so as to form the polyamine epoxy adduct. The polyamine epoxide adduct of the invention can be used as a component for preparing a polyurea polymer, thereby providing the resulting polyurea polymer with improved adhesiveness and greater chemical resistance to acidic conditions. Polyurea polymer coatings prepared from polyamine epoxide adducts demonstrate better chemical resistance and adhesion when applied to substrates than do conventionally prepared polyurea formulations.

Abstract: Flow-through capacitors are provided with one or more charge barrier layers. Ions trapped in the pore volume of flow-through capacitors cause inefficiencies as these ions are expelled during the charge cycle into the purification path. A charge barrier layer holds these pore volume ions to one side of a desired flow stream, thereby increasing the efficiency with which the flow-through capacitor purifies or concentrates ions.

Abstract: A flow-through capacitor and fluid for the purification system wherein the flow-through capacitor comprises a plurality of individuals, electrolyte-isolated cells (7), and the cells are electrically connected in series in a cartridge holder.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for forming a film about a foldable sheet material and an article immobilized on the base portion of the sheet material. The sheet material and article on a load board are moved sequentially by the apparatus through a load station, a film wrap station and a film seal and cut station.

Abstract: A test device, system and method, the device composed of an elongated, toothbrush-shaped, transparent, plastic housing and a lateral-flow test strip for the detection of an analyte, such as a beta-lactam in milk, in the housing, the housing having an expansion cavity to receive expanded, liquid-contacted, absorbing material in the test strip, and to control lateral flow rate and times in the test strip.

Abstract: A composite polyurethane foam structure and method of preparing the composite structure, which structure includes a semirigid-rigid polyurethane foam layer having bonded, free, unreacted, ethylenically unsaturated groups like allyl or acrylic groups. The structure includes a cured, unsaturated resin composition layer which is chemically bonded to one or both surfaces of the polyurethane foam layer through the polymerization of the allyl or acrylic group in the foam surface with the polyester resin composition.