Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting the presence of a retrovirus in a biological sample comprising the steps of: a) contacting the biological sample with an RNA template and a complementary DNA primer under conditions whereby the RNA template and the DNA primer will anneal and a DNA strand will be synthesized as an extension from the DNA primer if reverse transcriptase is present in the sample; b) amplifying the synthesized DNA; and c) detecting the amplification of the synthesized DNA, the amplification of the synthesized DNA indicating the presence of reverse transcriptase in the biological sample, thus indicating the presence of a retrovirus in the biological sample.

Abstract: An operator switches over an application and inputs data through a keyboard 1. Each of CRTs 2 and 3 displays the application and the data inputted by the input unit. A control unit 11 executes processing and switchover of the application, executes processing of the input data and the input key from the keyboard 1, and executes display processing on the CRTs 2 and 3.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for sealing a corner of a fabric article. The invention includes a conveyor for maneuvering the fabric article along a predetermined path and has an air gun positioned adjacent to the path. The air gun has maneuvering means for motion about the path. The air gun blows air onto the corner of the fabric article as the article is maneuvered along the path adjacent to the air gun.

Abstract: A reusable pallet for use with a reusable anchoring device for securing a load. The anchoring device comprises a strap and clamping mechanism for selectively receiving and clamping to the strap and, alternatively, releasing the strap. The pallet includes a base and one or more housings fixed to the base for receiving the clamping mechanism. Each housing has an opening for receiving the clamping mechanism and providing access to the clamping mechanism so that the clamping mechanism can be manipulated in the housing, and an aperture for receiving the strap, the aperture being sized to prevent the clamping mechanism from passing through the aperture.

Abstract: A marine sheetpile system and method for providing same includes the use of plastic-coated wood wales and wood piles in conjunction with plastic sheetpile sections to provide a sheetpile configuration which is resistant to wood having and other undesirable animals or environments.

Abstract: A bioreactor carrier is provided composed of a water absorption gel of a crosslinked N-vinylcarboxamide resin which has a great moisture content and excellent physical strength, is not eroded by microorganisms and is easily mass-produced on an industrial scale. The gel is obtained by swelling and gelling a crosslinked N-vinylcarboxamide resin made from an N-vinylcarboxamide such as N-vinylacetoamide. The swollen gel may be in the form of beads of 1.0 to 20 mm, and the resin when swollen with water has a water absorption coefficient of 500 to 3500%. Resin beads may be swollen in a suspension of a biocatalyst such as animal cells, plant cells, microorganisms or protozoans to bind and immobilize the biocatalyst to form a bioreactor. The microorganisms can be nitrate bacteria, denitrification bacteria or Hyphomycetes, and the bioreactor may be used to treat waste water or for deodorizing.

Abstract: The switch-mode dc power supply includes a series circuit, a rectifier, an output smoothing circuit, detection circuit, an adding circuit, a triangular wave generator and a control signal generator. The series circuit includes a primary winding of a HF transformer, a semiconductor switching element and a current detection unit connected between two output terminals of a rectifier/smoothing circuit. The rectifier is connected to an end of a secondary winding of the HF transformer. The output smoothing circuit is connected between the rectifier and other end of the secondary winding. The detection circuit is connected to a connection point between the rectifier and the output smoothing circuit. The adding circuit is connected between the detection circuit and a connection point between the semiconductor switching element and the current detection unit. The adding circuit has a current mirror and a current detector. The triangular wave generator is connected to the adding circuit.

Abstract: Customizing a presentation of a set of control elements, such as toolbar, by using a graphical user interface element representing the toolbar control elements, such as a quick customize (QC) menu. This customization approach allows a user to access the QC menu to select which control elements are to be displayed on the toolbar. The controls presented by the QC menu are typically associated with the control items of a particular toolbar or a corresponding set of commands. For convenient user access, the QC menu can be exposed on the toolbar via a special control or an entry point and typically lists the control elements available for the toolbar in order of appearance on the toolbar. For example, the QC menu can present the toolbar's default commands or controls, controls that are "top" or frequently used candidates for the toolbar, and any controls currently on the toolbar.

Abstract: Managing electronic mail messages in a client-server environment. A database, stored at the client, maintains a central archive of message-related information in connection with messages located on the server to support current and future message communication operations between the client and the server. Message-related information is retrieved from the server. Based on the message-related information, a determination is made as to whether the message has been downloaded from the server to the local message store located at the client. In response to determining that the message has not been downloaded, the message is downloaded from the server to the local message store. Data fields in the client-based database are populated with the message-related information, and indications are provided in the client-based database that the message is present on the server and that the message has been downloaded. During subsequent client-server sessions, the database is then consulted for managing, the messages.

Abstract: An automated method of providing a callout in a display field of a visual display. The processor designates first and second display locations in the display field and, responsively to a set of formatting criteria, automatically brings a callout into existence. The callout has a stem region and an annotation region, with the stem region having a first vertex displayed proximally to the designated first display location and a second vertex displayed proximally to the annotation region, and the annotation region being displayed proximally to the designated second display location. The processor can designate the first or second locations responsively to input accepted from a pointing device. The annotation region can contain an annotation that pertains to an item displayed in a vicinity of the first designated display location. The callout can be manipulated, in particular by rotation, with the callout being accurately displayed throughout the manipulation (so-called WYSIWYG display).

Abstract: An improved outlet tube device for a urinary drainage bag is disclosed wherein an outlet valve mechanism is contained with a rigid housing fixed securely to the drainage bag, rather than just being clamped to the outlet tubing, and thus cannot become separated from the bag. The outlet valve can be opened only by positive action on the part of the medical care personnel, thereby assuring that urine will be discharged only in a controlled manner. Further, because the valve mechanism does not require that a substantial length of tubing with a freely movable end be used in conjunction with the outlet port, there is no need to engage the free end of the tubing with a keeper. Thus the possibility of the tubing springing back to its straight configuration and flicking residual urine on the attending medical personnel is eliminated. In one embodiment the outlet tube device comprises a pinchcock-type valve which is fixedly mounted to the bag and which is normally operative to clamp off the outlet tube.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel culture method and device in which living cells or subcellular biocatalysts are immobilized by the opposition of a centrifugal force field and a liquid flow field. The immobilized cells or biocatalysts are ordered into a three-dimensional array of articles, the density of which is determined by the particle size, shape, intrinsic density and by the selection of combinations of parameters such as liquid flow rate and angular velocity of rotation.

Abstract: An excavation pit lining consisting of a slit wall of a hardening single-phase slit wall material with an exposed surface on the pit side, and also of vertical support elements placed at a distance in the single-phase slit wall material, whereby the slit wall forms a panel wall between the support elements and where the single-phase slit wall material has at least one water-retentive, lightweight aggregate.

Abstract: The present invention is a fenestrated craniotomy drape including a main sheet, translucent anesthesia side screens, a gusset forming the corners of the anterior edges of the drape, a run-off collection pouch whose back side is pressed flat and affixed to the drape, with a back side fenestration surrounding the fenestration of the main sheet, and a front side fenestration, and adjustable tube holders. The drape optionally includes a layer of a fenestrated absorbent material between the drape and the pouch, a solids screen and drain port in the pouch, and a ductile material about the edges of the front side fenestration of the pouch that holds the pouch open. The back-side fenestration of the pouch and those of the drape and the absorbent material are covered by an incise sheet, located between the back side of the pouch and the drape. The adhesive side of the incise sheet facing the patient is covered by a releasable backing.

Abstract: Suggestions may be ordered by their associated costs so that the best suggestions may be displayed to the user and so that, in certain instances, a misspelled word entered by the user may be automatically replaced with a suggestion. To begin generating suggestions and costs, the user input and dictionary word (path of a trie) are considered in parallel. State variables are maintained such as the current cost of the dictionary word and the number of letter positions that have gone unmatched up to the current pointer position, also referred to as the offset. If the offset is zero and the next letters match, the cost associated with the dictionary word is maintained equal to zero. However, if the offset is zero and the next letters of the user input and the dictionary word do not match, then a cost for the dictionary word may not yet be determined. Otherwise, if the offset is greater than zero, possible paths in the trie and associated costs for the paths are determined.