Abstract: A non-intrusive and quantitative method and apparatus for diagnosing sleep apnea and detecting apnea events by monitoring during sleep abdominal effort and thoracic effort, determining the phase of each effort, determining the difference in phase between each type of effort, and then determining the rate of phase angle change and standard deviation over time.

Abstract: A payment system and method of conducting a shopping transaction between a customer and a merchant utilizing an approval system over portable phone which controls the acceptance or rejection of the shopping transaction and a financial institution to provide credit or an account that can be debited to pay for the shopping transaction. A first communications link is used between the merchant and the computer approval system and a first customer identification code given by the customer to the merchant is transmitted over the first communications link to the computer approval system for validation thereby. If the first customer identification code is validated by the computer approval system, the computer approval system uses a different, second communications link to a portable wireless telephone that can be a cell phone to obtain the customer approval of the transaction and to obtain from the customer a second customer identification code.

Abstract: A patient's examination clothing for allowing the patient to be examined while being appropriately covered. The patient's examination clothing includes a gown having a front, a back, an upper portion, and a lower portion; and also includes a bib member being attached to the front and the upper portion of the gown; and further includes an apron member being attached to the back and to the lower portion of the gown; and also includes a plurality of fastening members being attached to the gown and the bib member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of polyvalent metal ions using a sandwich aggregation assay. One or more chelating agents capable of forming at least 2:1 or higher ratio stoichiometry complexes with polyvalent metal ions are attached to a suitable carrier such as latex particles through covalent bonds or by non-covalent interactions, such as hydophobic interactions. Upon complexation with the metal ions, the carriers of the complexing agent aggregate, causing an increase in light absorbance or light scattering which is proportional to the concentration of metal ions in the test sample. The measurement of the light absorbance or light scattering by a suitable instrument, such as a spectrophotometer or nephelometer provides a means for measuring the concentration of metal ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) which contain all or a portion of the human EDA gene for anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, probes specific for human EDA gene and methods of diagnosis of EDA gene-related disorders. The invention also relates to molecular cloning of the EDA gene.

Abstract: An analysis method and apparatus comprises feeding a stream of fluid capsules in a fluid conduit for flow therethrough by forming a film of isolating liquid on an inner surface of the conduit and randomly accessing each of a plurality of liquids selected from a sample liquid, reagents and a magnetic particle suspension to form a plurality of isolated segments from the plurality of liquids in each capsule in the conduit. The fluid capsules flow in at least one longitudinal direction of the conduit and the suspended magnetic particles are selectively magnetically retained from one segment in one capsule at a given location for placement of the magnetic particles in another segment in the one capsule during the flow of the one capsule through the conduit. The fluid capsules are then measured in the conduit.

Abstract: A chromogenic cryptand found to be especially selective in the determination of lithium in blood of the general formula (I): ##STR1## where: n=1 or 2,R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, same or different, are hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, or lower alkylidene; andQ is a chromogenic moiety capable of providing a detectable response upon complexation of said compound with lithium ion and has the structure: ##STR2## wherein: X is CH, C--OH or N; and Z is p-nitrophenylazo, 2,4-dinitrophenylazo, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylazo, p-nitrostyryl, p-benzoquinonemonoimino, bis-(4-dimethylaminophenyl) hydroxymethyl, 3-phenylisothiazolyl-5-azo, thiazolyl-5-azo; or isothiazolyl-5-azo.A reagent composition and synthesis of a preferred chromogenic cryptand are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery of a new class of compounds defined herein as "chromogenic hemispherands" useful for the measurement of ions, in particular, ions in aqueous solution, which have the structure ##STR1## wherein: R, same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;R', same or different, is lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;R", same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;Q is a chromogenic moiety capable of providing the appearance of or change in color, or which is otherwise capable of providing a detectable response in the presence of a particular cation;m is 1 to about 3;n is 0 to about 3;A is an aliphatic or aromatic subunit, e.g.

Abstract: The invention is reagents and procedures for determining an amount of cations present in a sample, the reagent including one or more chromogenic crypt and compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein k and j, either same or different, are equal to 1 to about 5;m and n, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 4;a and e, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 2;b and d, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 5;R, either same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl, or aryl; and--Q-- is ##STR2## wherein X is CH, N, or COH; and Y includes ##STR3## except that when Q is ##STR4## wherein Y is p-nitrophenylazo, 3-phenylisothiazolyl-5-azo, isothiazolyl-5-azo, thiazolyl-5-azo, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylazo, p-nitrostyryl, p-benzoquinonemonoimino or bis-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)hydroxymethyl, then the following condition cannot be present: that simultaneously b is equal to 0 to 1, d is equal to 0 or 1, j is equal to 1, n is equal to 1 or 2, a is equal to 1, e is

Abstract: The invention is reagents and procedures for determining an amount of cations present in a sample, the reagent including one or more chromogenic cryptand compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein k and j, either same or different, are equal to 1 to about 5;m and n, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 4;a and e, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 2;b and d, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 5;R, either same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl, or aryl; and ##STR2## wherein X is CH, N or COH; andY includes ##STR3## except that when Q is ##STR4## wherein Y is p-nitrophenylazo, 3-phenylisothiazolyl-5-azo, isothiazolyl-5-azo, thiazolyl-5-azo, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylazo, p-nitrostyryl, p-benzoquinonemonoimino or bis-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)hydroxymethyl, then the following condition cannot be present: that simultaneously b is equal to 0 or 1, d is equal to 0 or 1, j is equal to 1, n is equal to 1 or 2, a is equal to 1, e is equal to 1

Abstract: The invention is reagents and procedures for determining an amount of cations present in a sample, the reagent including one or more chromogenic cryptand compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein k and j, either same or different, are equal to 1 to about 5;m and n, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 4;a and e, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 2;b and d, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 5;R, either same or different, is hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention is reagents and procedures for determining an amount of cations present in a sample, the reagent including one or more chromogenic cryptand compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein k and j, either same or different, are equal to 1 to about 5;m and n, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 4;a and e, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 2;b and d, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 5;R, either same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl, or aryl; and--Q-- is ##STR2## wherein X and CH, N, or COH; and Y includes ##STR3## except that when Q is ##STR4## wherein Y is p-nitrophenylazo, 3-phenylisothiazolyl-5-azo, isothiazolyl-5-azo, thiazolyl-5-azo, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylazo, p-nitrostyryl, p-benzoquinonemonoimino or bis-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)hydroxymethyl, then the following condition cannot be present: that simultaneously b is equal to 0 or 1, d is equal to 0 or 1, j is equal to 1, n is equal to 1 or 2, a is equal to 1, e is

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery of a new class of compounds defined herein as "chromogenic cryptahemispherands" useful for the measurement of ions, in particular, ions in aqueous solution, which have the structure ##STR1## wherein: R, same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;R', same or different, is lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;R", same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;Q is a chromogenic moiety capable of providing the appearance of or change in color, or which is otherwise capable of providing a detectable response in the presence of a particular cation;a, b, m and n, same or different, are 1 to about 3; and x, y, same or different, are 1 to about 4.A test device utilizing one or more of the compounds for performing such measurements is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is reagents and procedures for determining an amount of cations present in a sample, the reagent comprising(a) one or more chromogenic cryptand compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein k and j, either same or different, are equal to 1 to about 5;m and n, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 4;a and e, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 2;b and d, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 5;R, either same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl, or aryl; and--Q-- is ##STR2## wherein X is CH, N, or COH; andY includes ##STR3## and (b) one or more interfering cation complexing compound masks.

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery of a new class of compounds defined herein as "chromogenic hemispherands" useful for the measurement of ions, in particular, ions in aqueous solution, methods of using the chromogenic hemispherands and test devices containing the chromogenic hemispherands. The chromogenic hemispherands of the invention have the structure ##STR1## wherein: R, same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;R', same or different, is lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;R", same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;Q is a chromogenic moiety capable of providing the appearance of or change in color, or which is otherwise capable of providing a detectable response in the presence of a particular cation;m is 1 to about 3;n is 0 to about 3;P is an aliphatic or aromatic subunit, e.g., --CR.sub.2 CR.sub.2 OCR.sub.2 CR.sub.

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery of a class of compounds defined herein as "chromogenic cryptahemispherands" useful for the measurement of ions, in particular, ions in aqueous solution, which have the structure ##STR1## wherein: R, same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;R', same or different, is lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;R", same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl or aryl;Q is a chromogenic moiety capable of providing the appearance of or change in color, or which is otherwise capable of providing a detectable response in the presence of a particular cation;a, b, m and n, same or different, are 1 to about 3; and x, y, same or different, are 1 to about 4.A test device utilizing one or more of the compounds for performing such measurements is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is reagents and procedures for determining an amount of cations present in a sample, the reagent comprising one or more chromogenic cryptand compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein k and j, either same or different, are equal to 1 to about 5;m and n, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 4;a and e, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 2;b and d, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 5;R, either same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl, or aryl; and-Q- is ##STR2## wherein X is CH, N, or COH; andY includes ##STR3## except that when Q is ##STR4## wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of p-nitrophenylazo, 3-phenylisothiazalyl -5-azo, isothiazolyl-5-azo, thiazolyl-5-azo, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylazo, p-nitrostyryl, p-benzoquinonemonoimino and bis-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)hydroxymethyl, then the following condition cannot be present: that simultaneously b is equal to 0 or 1, d is equal to 0 or 1, j is equal to 1, n is e

Abstract: Immunoassays featuring voltammetric measurements wherein at least one of the immunoreactants is labelled with an electroactive substance. Measurement is effectedon a pulsed-basis to maximize the signal change due to the electron transfer capabilities of the labelled immunoreactants.

Abstract: A method and reagents are disclosed for minimizing interference from halide ions in ion-selective electrode analysis. A reagent consisting of a mixture of a metal and a chelating agent is introduced to the fluid sample being analyzed. This reagent forms soluble complexes with halide ions in the fluid sample, thus minimizing their effects.