Abstract: A computer readable memory medium comprising program instructions for developing and testing a connectivity driver for an instrument is provided. The program instructions are executable by a processor to record transmissions to or from the instrument, place raw data from each recorded transmission into a primary field, and generate a secondary field associated with the primary field. The secondary field includes at least one of: a time that the transmission was transmitted at, a direction the transmission was transmitted in, a content of the transmission, and a state of the connectivity driver during the transmission. The program instructions are also executable by a processor to modify the content of the first or secondary fields, and play the modified transmission from computer readable memory medium in order to debug the communications software.

Abstract: A method for graphically developing a connectivity driver is provided. The method includes inputting a hardware message and a first delimiter into computer readable memory medium and generating a first graphical diagram in response. The graphical diagram includes a first branch having a primary parsing node. The first branch represents the discrete record field within the hardware message. The primary parsing node represents the discrete record field within the hardware message and contains information on how to separate the discrete record field from the hardware message. The method also includes graphically assembling a second graphical diagram in response to user input. The second graphical diagram includes a first state node and a second state node. The first state node is connected with the second state node via a transition. The method also includes converting the first and second graphical diagrams into program code from which the connectivity driver is executed.

Abstract: Recombinant antibodies, including chimeric antibodies, specific for hepatitis C (HCV) antigenic proteins are provided. The recombinant antibodies specifically bind to diagnostically relevant regions of HCV proteins and are thus suitable for use, for example, as diagnostic reagents for the detection of HCV, and/or as standardization reagents or positive control reagents in assays for the detection of HCV. The recombinant antibodies can also be used in the treatment or prevention of a HCV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutical acceptable salts or solvates thereof, wherein G1, R2, R3, R4, R5, n, p, q, Ar1, and Ar2 are defined in the description. The present invention relates also to methods of making said compounds, and compositions comprising said compounds which are useful for inhibiting kinases such as IGF-1R.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus and method for purifying a protein. The apparatus involves the use of a capture chromatography resin, a depth filter arranged after the capture chromatography resin, and a mixed-mode chromatography resin arranged after the depth filter. The method involves providing a sample containing the protein, processing the sample through a capture chromatography resin, a depth filter, and a mixed-mode chromatography resin. A membrane adsorber or monolith may be substituted for the mixed-mode chromatography column.

Abstract: A method for increasing the throughput, or the precision, or both the precision and the throughput, of a flow cytometer, or of a hematology analyzer employing a flow cytometer, by utilizing the technique of laser rastering. Laser rastering involves sweeping a laser beam across a flowing sample stream in a hematology analyzer. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the method of this invention comprises an optical module comprising a source of light, a scanning device, a lens or system of lenses, a flow cell, detectors, and filters; and an electronic module comprising preamplifiers, analog signal conditioning elements, analog-to-digital converters, field-programmable gate arrays, digital signal processing elements, and data storage elements.

Abstract: Probe sets and methods of using probes and probe sets for selectively detecting high grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma or low grade dysplasia from biologic samples are described. Methods of the invention include contacting a biological sample obtained from a subject with a set of chromosomal probes to selectively detect an esophageal carcinoma or precursor lesion in the sample, if any, under conditions for specifically hybridizing the probes to their nucleic targets present in the sample. The presence or absence of high grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma or low grade dysplasia is thereafter specifically determined from the hybridization pattern detected for the set of chromosomal probes to the biological sample.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for suturing of body lumens allow the suturing of vascular puncture sites located at the distal end of a percutaneous tissue tract. An elongated articulated foot near a distal end of a shaft is inserted through the penetration and actuated so that the foot extends along the lumenal axis. The foot carries suturing attachment cuffs, and needles are advanced from the shaft through the vessel wall outside of the penetration and into engagement with the needle cuffs after the foot has been drawn proximally up against the endothelial surface of the blood vessel. The cross-section of the shaft within the tissue tract can be minimized by laterally deflecting the needles as they leave the shaft, while tapered depressions within the foot can guide the advancing needles into engagement with the cuffs. The cuffs lockingly engage the needles and can be withdrawn proximally along the needle paths and through the tissue tract so as to form a loop of suture across the puncture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing the risk or severity of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants. The method comprises (a) measuring skin carotenoid levels in preterm infants, preferably by Raman Spectroscopy, and then (b) administering supplemental carotenoids to those infants in need thereof, wherein the supplemental carotenoids comprise lutein, lycopene, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin. The supplemental carotenoids may be provided by an infant formula comprising, on a ready-to-feed basis, from about 100 to about 2000 mcg/liter of total carotenoids, wherein the total carotenoids include at least about 50 mcg/liter of lutein. The formulas may further comprise docosahexaenoic acid.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the quantity of an analyte initially present in a chemical and or biological reaction as well as a computer implemented method and system to automate portions of the analysis comprising mathematical or graphical analysis of an amplification reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides HCV polymerase inhibiting compounds having the formula (I): where R1 is cyclobutyl-N(Ra)—, n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, and at least one R5 is RaSO2N(Rj)alkyl-. In a non-limiting example, a compound of the present invention is N-[(3-{1-[(cyclobutyl)amino]-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-quinolin-3-yl}-1,1-dioxo-1,4-dihydro-1?6-thieno[2,3-e][1,2,4]thiadiazin-7-yl)methyl]methanesulfonamide. The present invention also features compositions comprising the compounds of the present invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers or tautomers thereof, and methods of using the same to treat or prevent HCV infection.

Abstract: A system and method for the tracking of medical instrument, components, assemblies, and sub-assemblies thereof, and maintenance information relating to the foregoing. According to the system, radio frequency identification tags are attached to or affixed on the medical instrument itself for the purpose of locating, identifying, monitoring, tracking the medical instrument and updating the maintenance and replacement activities relating to the medical instrument. In addition, radio frequency identification tags are attached to or affixed on the components, the assemblies, and the sub-assemblies, of the medical instrument in order to locate, identify, monitor, track the components, the assemblies, and the sub-assemblies and update the maintenance and replacement activities relating to these components, assemblies, and sub-assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an HCV polymerase inhibiting compound having the formula (I) and a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of said compound. The present invention also provides a method for inhibiting hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase, a method for inhibiting HCV viral replication, and a method for treating or preventing HCV infection. Processes for making said compounds, and synthetic intermediates employed in said processes, are also provided.

Abstract: An optic module verification device for normalizing between X photon counters, including a verification tray with X verification wells and a modular photon emitter in each verification well. Each photon emitter includes a spring, a Beta source disk, a scintillator disk adjacent the Beta source disk, and a neutral density filter over the scintillator disk, all of which are encapsulated in a cylindrical chamber with the filter adjacent an opening on one end of the chamber and the spring biasing the Beta source disk and the scintillator disk toward the opening. The device is periodically used for normalization, and may be updated when emitted photons fall below a desired level by replacing the scintillator disk and then determining a new normalized reference values for each photon emitter.

Abstract: A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the level of liquid in a container in an analytical instrument, typically an automated analytical instrument in a laboratory. The apparatus comprises: (a) an electrically conductive support; (b) an electrically conductive platform rising up from said electrically conductive support, said platform capable of supporting at least one container that is capable of containing a liquid, said platform having an area less than that of the electrically conductive support; (c) an electrically conductive element, such as, for example, the electrically conductive tip of a probe, the distance between the electrically conductive platform and the electrically conductive element capable of being reduced or increased by relative movement between the electrically conductive element and the electrically conductive platform; and (d) a capacitance sensor coupled to the electrically conductive element (c) and arranged to provide an electrical signal representing the capacitance.

Abstract: A method for increasing the throughput, or the precision, or both the precision and the throughput, of a flow cytometer, or of a hematology analyzer employing a flow cytometer, by utilizing the technique of laser rastering. Laser rastering involves sweeping a laser beam across a flowing sample stream in a hematology analyzer. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the method of this invention comprises an optical module comprising a source of light, a scanning device, a lens or system of lenses, a flow cell, detectors, and filters; and an electronic module comprising preamplifiers, analog signal conditioning elements, analog-to-digital converters, field-programmable gate arrays, digital signal processing elements, and data storage elements.

Abstract: Compounds having the Formula (I) are useful for inhibiting protein tyrosine kinases. The present invention also discloses methods of making the compounds, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treatment using the compounds.

Abstract: An isolated nucleotide sequence or fragment thereof encoding the porcine intrinsic factor, wherein the porcine intrinsic factor comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 85% amino acid sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 6, and SEQ ID NO: 9. The invention also encompasses an isolated nucleic acid sequence or fragment thereof comprising, or complementary to, a nucleotide sequence having at least 85% nucleotide sequence identity to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, and SEQ ID NO: 7. The porcine intrinsic factor can be use is an assay to determine the quantity of vitamin B12 in a biological sample.

Abstract: Novel compounds of formula 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof inhibit cytochrome P450 monooxygenase.