Abstract: A method of determining aggregates of a macromolecule monomer in a fluid containing the macromolecule, comprises the steps of: contacting a sample of the fluid with a sensing surface of an interaction analysis sensor, wherein the sensing surface is capable of specific binding interaction with the macromolecule, determining at least one kinetic parameter for the interaction of the fluid sample with the sensing surface, comparing the determined kinetic parameter or parameters with that or those determined for at least one fluid sample having a known fraction or fractions of aggregates of the macromolecule, and determining therefrom the fraction of macromolecule in the sample that is in the form of aggregate or aggregates.

Abstract: A method of determining aggregates of a macromolecule monomer in a fluid containing the macromolecule, comprises the steps of: contacting a sample of the fluid with a sensing surface of an interaction analysis sensor, wherein the sensing surface is capable of specific binding interaction with the macromolecule, determining at least one kinetic parameter for the interaction of the fluid sample with the sensing surface, comparing the determined kinetic parameter or parameters with that or those determined for at least one fluid sample having a known fraction or fractions of aggregates of the macromolecule, and determining therefrom the fraction of macromolecule in the sample that is in the form of aggregate or aggregates.

Abstract: A method of determining the binding of an oligonucleotide probe to a test nucleic acid sequence comprises the steps of: (a) providing the test nucleic acid sequence in single-stranded form, (b) contacting the test nucleic acid sequence under hybridizing conditions with a solution containing an oligonucleotide probe which is complementary to a defined portion of a standard nucleic acid sequence, (c) immobilizing to a solid support a nucleic acid fragment at least part of which is complementary to said oligonucleotide probe, (d) contacting the solution from step (b) with said solid support, and (e) determining the amount of binding of oligonucleotide probe present in said solution to its complementary nucleic acid fragment on the second solid support, said amount being inversely related to the amount of binding of the oligonucleotide probe to the test nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A method of analysing nucleic acid sequences comprises measuring by surface sensitive detection technique the binding interaction between a first nucleic acid sequence and a second nucleic acid sequence, one of the first and second nucleic acid sequences being immobilized to a solid phase surface, to determine the affinity or an affinity related parameter for the binding reaction as indicative of the extent of complementary between the first and second nucleic acid sequences. The method is characterized in that the measurement of the binding interaction is performed at annealing conditions adjusted such that the dissociation rate constant for the binding interaction corresponding to full complementarity between the first and second nucleic acid sequences is greater than about 10.sup.- per second, thereby permitting equilibrium for the interaction to be rapidly attained.

Abstract: A master decoder for use with a master smart card and at least one slave decoder for use with a slave smart card are arranged in a pay tv system, wherein the master decoder receives slave entitlement messages from a central management device and writes the slave entitlement messages to the slave smart cards when the slave smart cards are inserted in the master decoder. This ensures that the slave decoders are used within close proximity of the master decoders, such as in the same dwelling.

Abstract: A butter knife having a knife blade (10) and a handle (16) is configured at the junction between blade and handle with a transverse channel (26) whose side walls (20, 22) are substantially parallel and disposed perpendicularly to the blade. The rear wall (22) has a vertical extension which is approximately twice the vertical extension of the front wall (20), so as to form a stop when the knife blade is moved slidingly inwards on the rim (34) of a plastic tray (22) having a folded edge. The width of the chann el is such as to enable the channel to be pressed over the tray rim so as to clamp the knife firmly in a substantially horizontal position when the tray is placed on a table.