Abstract: Methods, devices and test kits for monitoring the ovulation cycle, involve testing the body fluid, e.g. urinary, concentration of one or more analytes. Preferably estrone-3-glucuronide and luteinizing hormone are both measured, and a reference concentration for E3G is established at about day 6 of the current cycle. Preferably, disposable testing devices are used, in conjunction with a relatively permanent electronic reader/monitor. The number of “daily” tests required per month can be minimized.

Abstract: Recombinant antibody constructs comprise the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-GD2 antibodies. These antibody constructs may be coupled to a label such as a radiolabel or to a protein such as streptavidin or pro-drug converting enzymes for use in imaging or therapeutic applications. The antibody constructs may also be transduced into T cells to produce populations of T cells which target GD2-producing tumor cells.

Abstract: An enclosure for a data storage system comprises at least first and second cast magnesium parts joined by rivets, each of which is made of a suitable material that provides compressive strength superior to that of the cast magnesium. Each rivet is of a height or thickness equal to the sum of the thickness of the parts to be riveted. Each such rivet has flat end surfaces and its body is peripherally concave between its ends. The rivet is embedded in the two parts, and the parts flow radially against the concave body of the rivet. No drilling is required, and the parts are held in carefully defined position while being joined, so that the assembled enclosure satisfies strict dimensional tolerances.

Abstract: Provided in an energy absorber (1) for bumpers (2, 3) of motor vehicles are stiffening elements (5), which have front sides (6) facing away from a rear mounting structure (4). The stiffening elements (5) have in the longitudinal direction a lateral center-to-center distance from one another that corresponds to the standard dimensions of a human leg. Side faces of the stiffening elements (5) which face one another are designed such that, in the event of collision with a leg, the stiffening elements (5) are deformable independently of one another, and in the event of collision with an object larger than a leg, the stiffening elements (5) engage one another at their side faces in a manner hindering deformation with an abrupt increase in the stiffness of the energy absorber (1). By this means, braking with a relatively low deceleration is achieved in a collision with the leg, whereas the energy absorber (1) is adequately stiff in a collision with a larger object.

Abstract: An instrument for sequencing oligonucleotides is loaded with the products of four sequencing reaction mixtures. These products are a combination of A, C, G and T reaction products for several sequencing reactions. The products of the different sequencing reactions are labeled with fluorescent tags which are distinguishable one from the other on the basis of their excitation or emission spectra. After separation of the oligonucleotides by electrophoresis, the order of the detected peaks is used to call the base sequence.

Abstract: The stoichiometric ratio of dihydric phenol to diarylcarbonate during production of polycarbonates can be evaluated by infrared analysis, preferably using an FTIR spectrometer, to detect the amount of BPA or other dihydric phenol in the mix tank. In one format of the method, one or both of two characteristic peaks, reflecting the methyl CH bonds and hydroxyl OH bonds are evaluated. These peaks occur equally in BPA monomers and oligomers, and hence are independent of the degree of oligomerization or polymerization which has occurred. For this reason, monitoring of stoichiometry can be performed on the contents of the mix tank, or on the products from or contents of any downstream reactors. Using a calibration curve, the absorbance associated with these bonds is converted into a measure of the concentration of BPA and from that to first moles and then grams of BPA in the mixture being tested. The amount of DPC is determined by subtracting the number of grams of BPA from the total initial sample weight.

Abstract: The sequence of a target DNA molecule is determined by preparing four chain termination reaction mixtures, one for each base type. The first set of fragments, indicative of the positions of a first type of base, are labeled with a first fluorescent label. The second set of fragments, indicative of the positions of a second type of base, are labeled with a second fluorescent label different from the first fluorescent label. The third set of fragments, indicative of the positions of a third type of base, are labeled with a third fluorescent label, different from the first and second fluorescent labels or with at least two labels, including at least one fluorescent label selected from among the first, second and third fluorescent labels.

Abstract: An instrument for sequencing oligonucleotides is loaded with the products of four sequencing reaction mixtures. These products are a combination of A, C, G and T reaction products for several sequencing reactions. The products of the different sequencing reactions are labeled with fluorescent tags which are distinguishable one from the other on the basis of their excitation or emission spectra. After separation of the oligonucleotides by electrophoresis, the order of the detected peaks is used to call the base sequence.

Abstract: The ground gliding vehicle has a gliding part (1) facing the ground, a supporting structure 2 placed upon it and a seating structure (3) attached to this supporting structure (2). On the supporting structure (2) and/or on the seating structure (3), means (5) for holding on are attached. The supporting structure (2) is equipped with a shock absorber (4) for absorbing bumps of the ground during a ride. The seating height (H) is adjustable by virtue of the fact, that the shock absorber (4) can be attached to several points (12.1-12.3) on the gliding part (1). The ground gliding vehicle can be folded up, in order to occupy less volume during transportation. When driving, the driver in essence sits upright on the seating structure (3) and looks in the direction of travel (x), so that his feet touch the ground each on one side of the gliding part (1). The driver can wear short—or extremely short skis on his feet. The ground gliding vehicle is steered mainly by the transfer of weight.

Abstract: A signal processing system for a strain-gauge pointing device has a reduced parts count and permits the use of relatively inexpensive low-tolerance components. The system can process signals from two or three or more strain gauges, permitting additional inputs by users without a linear increase in the number of signal processing components. The system employs an RC network to develop an offset for the signal to be provided to an analog-to-digital converter. The system performs each measurement twice, once with a particular excitation polarity and again with the opposite excitation polarity, which permits correction for drift and temperature instability.

Abstract: The integrated-optical chemical and/or biochemical sensor comprises a resonant waveguide grating structure (1.1, 1.2, . . . ), e.g., a chirped grating. By illumination with incident light (21), a resonant electromagnetic field is excited in the grating structure (1.1, 1.2, . . . ). At least one parameter of the incident light, e.g., the angle of incidence (&thgr;1) or the wavelength (&lgr;1), is varied. Light (23) excident from the grating structure (1.1, 1.2, . . . ) is detected by detectors (4.1, 4.2, . . . ). Optionally, means for providing a feedback from the detectors (4.1, 4.2, . . . ) to the light sources may be provided, thus establishing a controlled closed-loop system. Hence independent simultaneous measurements in a multiple arrangement of such sensors (S1, S2, . . . ) is made possible. Moreover, a much higher density of sensors (S1, S2, . . . ) results.

Abstract: A field replaceable unit comprises a housing having a front and a rear and is configured for sliding insertion into and out of a rack from its rear. The unit includes a connector for, in use, completing an electrical circuit from a backplane of the rack to a component of the field replaceable unit. The connector comprises a first rear projecting electrically conductive spring loaded member operative to engage an electrical pad on the backplane when the housing is inserted in the rack.

Abstract: Sequencing of a selected region of a target nucleic acid polymer in a natural abundance DNA sample can be performed in a single vessel by combining the sample with a sequencing mixture containing a primer pair, a thermally stable polymerase such as Thermo Sequenase™ which incorporates dideoxynucleotides into an extending nucleic acid polymer at a rate which is no less than about 0.4 times the rate of incorporation of deoxynucleotides, nucleotide feedstocks, and a chain terminating nucleotide. The reaction mixture also includes an unconventional nucleotide and an appropriate enzyme for degradation of nucleic acid polymers containing the unconventional nucleotide. The mixture is processed through multiple thermal cycles for annealing, extension and denaturation to produce a product mixture which is analyzed by electrophoresis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoformable sheeting consisting of a foam material or containing at least one layer of a foam material. The inventive sheeting is particularly applicable for thermoforming cups or trays for packaging and/or consuming food stuffs, by drawing or deep drawing the sheeting and expanding the foam material. The foam material of the inventive sheeting consists of a polypropylene blend containing between 50 and 100% of high melt strength polypropylene, has a density of 0.1 to 0.7 g/cm3, preferably between 0.25 and 0.5 g/cm3, and a cell number of from greater than 300 to 3000 cells per mm3, preferably between 800 and 2500 cells per mm3. The inventive sheeting can be drawn with a high drawing ration (e.g. 1.5) and expanded to be formed into containers even with difficult shapes, whereby no drawing problems arise and the containers produced show a homogeneous opaqueness.

Abstract: A handle cover for fitting over a wire bail handle affixed to a carriable container which offers several advantages over prior designs. The handle is designed to fit over the wire bail, whether or not a hollow tubular sleeve through which the wire bail passes is present, and can interact with this sleeve when present. Such interaction not only allows the handle cover to be adaptable to various wire bail handles, but can also provide additional stabilization of the handle cover relative to the bail. The handle cover is formed from two body members, at least one of which has a channel formed therein for receiving the wire bail. This channel has two end portions and a central portion. The central portion is wider than the end portions, to receive a hollow tubular sleeve if present on the bail.

Abstract: A connecting device has an attachment head and a clamping device for connecting horizontal or diagonal scaffolding elements to perforated disks of vertical post elements. The attachment head has a bearing surface on one side by which it is supported on the pipe of the post element. On the same side a horizontal slit is present, corresponding at least to the thickness of the perforated disks. The slit divides the bearing surface into two sub-surfaces. A feature is provided on the side opposite the bearing surface for welding on a pipe. The overall height of the attachment head on the side by which feature the attachment head is supported on the pipe is at least 68 millimeters. The top surface and the bottom surface of the attachment head taper continuously from the bearing surface to the feature for welding on the pipe.

Abstract: A process for carrying out a specific binding assay (for example an immunoassay) in which (a) a sample under assay, possibly containing a substance being tested for, is reacted with (b) a specific binding partner for the substance being tested for, immobilised on a solid support, and (c) a specific binding partner for the substance being tested for which is conjugated to a detectable marker, thereby to form a complex by reaction between whatever quantities are present of the substance being tested for with reagents (b) and (c), in which the marker is immobilised to the support via the substance being tested for, and is detected or assayed as an index of the quantity present in the sample (a) of any of the substance being tested for; characterised in that reaction ingredients (a), (b) and (c) are all mixed in a single step for reaction in a single reaction liquid, and competitive interference between the binding reactions of the substance being tested for and reagents (b) and (c) is avoided either by use of an

Abstract: Samples are tested for mutations in the BRCA1 gene using a hierarchical approach. First, each sample is amplified in one or more multiplex PCR amplification reactions. Each multiplex PCR reaction produces a mixture of amplified fragments. The sizes and amounts of these fragments are evaluated and compared to standard values reflecting the sizes and amounts of fragments produced when the same multiplex amplification is performed on the wild-type BRCA1 gene. Differences between the observed fragment sizes and/or amounts and those for the wild-type gene are indicative of a mutation with the BRCA1 gene of the sample. Next, one or more of the exons of the BRCA1 gene are sequenced, preferably only for those samples where no mutation was detected by analysis of the multiplex PCR fragments. The sequencing procedure can be performed by amplification and sequencing of the multiplex amplification mixture.

Abstract: Nucleic acid polymers are sequenced by obtaining forward and reverse data sets for forward and reverse strands of a sample nucleic acid polymer. The apparent base sequences of these forward and reverse sets are determined and the apparent sequences are compared to identify any deviations from perfect complementarity. Any such deviation presents a choice between two bases, only one of which is correct. A confidence algorithm is applied to the peaks in the data sets associated with a deviation to arrive at a numerical confidence value for each of the two base choices. These confidence values are compared to each other and to a predetermined threshold, and the base represented by the peak with the better confidence value is assigned as the “correct” base, provided that its confidence value is better than the threshold. The confidence value takes into account at least one, and preferably more than one of several specific characteristics of the peaks in the data set that were not complementary.

Abstract: A keyboard system is provided for use in data entry. The keyboard generates signals indicative of key closures, and also generates signals indicative of the pressure with which the user has pressed the keys. If the pressure exceeds a threshold, such as 200 grams, for a pressures averaged over a predetermined interval, such as three minutes, then this event is annunciated. In a single-user environment the annunciation is to the user. In a multi-user environment the annunciation is to a system manager. Optionally wrist support pads are also provided in front of the keyboard, each of which is equipped with a pressure sensor. The system monitors the wrist pad pressure readings to detect unfavorable combinations of wrist pad pressure and key depressions. The support pad may be shaped with a hole through which the operator places the hand, which is thus useful for teaching proper technique and assisting a user in avoiding injury.