Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding electrical coils (electromagnets) is described. A self-propelled and self-referencing winding vehicle uses features on a winding bobbin to guide the direction and/or orientation of the vehicle, while laying electrical conductor material (e.g., high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes) as it traverses the bobbin. The vehicle may wind electrical coils with complex shapes. In some embodiments, the self-propelled, self-referencing (SPSR) vehicle may perform other magnet fabrication and assembly procedures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding electrical coils (electromagnets) is described. A self-propelled and self-referencing winding vehicle uses features on a winding bobbin to guide the direction and/or orientation of the vehicle, while laying electrical conductor material (e.g., high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes) as it traverses the bobbin. The vehicle may wind electrical coils with complex shapes. In some embodiments, the self-propelled, self-referencing (SPSR) vehicle may perform other magnet fabrication and assembly procedures.

Abstract: A method, an interconnect and a system for processing data is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) receiving a request to perform a data transaction between a master unit and a slave unit, b) receiving an indication of a quality of service requirement associated with said data transaction; c) determining an interconnect quality of service level achievable when transmitting said data transaction over the interconnect logic having regard to any other pending data transactions which are yet to be issued; d) determining a slave quality of service level achievable when responding to said data transaction once received by said slave unit from said interconnect logic; and e) determining whether the combined interconnect quality of service level and the slave quality of service level fails to achieve the quality of service requirement and, if so, reordering the pending data transactions to enable the quality of service requirement of each data transaction to be achieved.

Abstract: A method, an interconnect and a system for processing data is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) receiving a request to perform a data transaction between a master unit and a slave unit, b) receiving an indication of a quality of service requirement associated with said data transaction; c) determining an interconnect quality of service level achievable when transmitting said data transaction over the interconnect logic having regard to any other pending data transactions which are yet to be issued; d) determining a slave quality of service level achievable when responding to said data transaction once received by said slave unit from said interconnect logic; and e) determining whether the combined interconnect quality of service level and the slave quality of service level fails to achieve the quality of service requirement and, if so, reordering the pending data transactions to enable the quality of service requirement of each data transaction to be achieved.

Abstract: A secure depository (10) for deposit of commodities (100), such as documents, thereinto such as for delivery to third parties or for document destruction. The depository (10) provides a secure storage area (24) therewithin, a receiver (52) into which documents are deposited by a customer, a self-pay mechanism such as a credit card reader (54) that communicates credit card payment by the customer to a financial clearinghouse that enables transfer of funds from the customer's account to a depository management account, a mechanism (80 to 92) enabled by the self-pay mechanism to permit movement of the deposited document into the secure storage area (24), and a locked access door (30) openable by authorized personnel to remove deposited documents and further processing thereof. Such depositories are situatable at sites easily accessed by persons and small offices and businesses, such as at grocery stores and banks, enabling consumers to obtain secure further processing of small volumes of documents.

Abstract: A method is provided for the identification of polymorphic markers in a population. The method includes genotypically characterizing a first sample of a population, selecting one or more individuals of the first sample based upon the genotypic characterization, fabricating a microarray with genomic DNA from each individual selected, and genotyping a second sample of the population using each fabricated microarray as a reference, thereby identifying the polymorphic markers in the population. Also provided is a method for the identification of polymorphic markers in a bacterial population. The method includes phenotypically characterizing a first sample of a population, selecting one or more individuals of the first sample based upon the phenotypic characterization, fabricating a microarray with genomic DNA from each individual selected, and genotyping a second sample of the population using each fabricated microarray as a reference, thereby identifying the polymorphic markers in the population.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the detection of polymorphisms in a DNA sequence based on nucleotide differences. DNA sequences from different sources are amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using primers based on strand biased, over represented oligonucleotide sequences and differences in the nucleotide sequences of the amplification products determined. Also disclosed are methods for the identification of individuals, or the species, strain or serotype of an organism using the method of the present invention. In addition, kits are disclosed for the determination of polymorphisms using the method of the present invention. The ability to determine genetic polymorphisms has widespread application in areas such as genome mapping, genetic linkage studies, medical diagnosis, epidemiological studies, forensics and agriculture.