Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming agarose or cored agarose beads. The process involves dissolving/gelation the agarose in a suitable liquid, mixing it with a hydrophobic liquid to form an emulsion and maintaining that emulsion at a temperature equal to or greater than the gelation point of the agarose, passing it through a static mixer to create agarose droplets and solidifying the agarose droplets in a second bath of hydrophobic liquid. The beads can then be washed and used or further processed to crosslink the agarose and/or add various functionalities on to the agarose. Another method for solidifying the agarose droplets is by using a heat exchanger to cool the stream continuously after it exits the static mixer. A similar process is used for the “cored” beads except cores, preferably in bead form, are introduced to the agarose before it enters the first hydrophobic liquid so that the agarose forms a coating on the cores.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a web-based management system for print and copy services with advertisements are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a document from a user of a web-based print and copy service to store at a main server of the web-based print and copy service, associating the document with an account of the user, the account to enable access privileges to the web-based print and copy service, determining one or more advertisements to target at the user based on an advertising profile associated with the user, merging the one or more advertisements with the document into a final document, presenting an access link for the final document to the user when the user accesses the account of the user, and providing the final document to the user when the user selects the access link associated with the document.

Abstract: Media and devices, such as anion exchangers including such media, wherein the media is a membrane having a surface coated with a polymer such as a polyallylamine. The resulting membrane offers stronger binding of protein impurities and superior removal of host cell proteins from biological samples than conventional ligands based on quaternary ammonium salts, including trimethylammonium ligands. Also described is a chromatography scheme and method for purifying monoclonal antibodies, wherein the anion exchange sorber is placed downstream of an affinity column (such as Protein A or Protein G affinity column) and optionally one or more polishing devices such as cationic exchange columns. Little or no dilution of the cation exchanger pool (or affinity column exchange pool where no cation exchanger is used) is necessary to lower the conductivity of the sample. The sorber functions well to strongly bind host cell proteins and other impurities in biological samples even at high conductivities and pH.

Abstract: A belt and pulley drive system for a personal wheeled vehicle has a drive pulley for fixed attachment to a rotating power source and a driven pulley for fixed attachment to a wheel of the vehicle. Each of the drive pulley and the driven pulley have a belt engagement face including a plurality of cogs arranged at an oblique angle on the belt engagement faces. An endless belt extends between the drive pulley and the driven pulley and has a plurality of cogs affixed to an inner face of the endless belt that are arranged at a like oblique angle with respect to the cogs on the drive and driven pulleys for positive intermeshing engagement with the cogs on the pulleys.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an asymmetric chromatography media suitable for separations applications, particularly as packed bed, fluidized bed or magnetized bed chromatography media. In certain embodiments, the asymmetric chromatography media comprises asymmetric particles, preferably beads, having at least two distinct, controlled pore size distributions. Preferably one of the distinct pore size distributions is in an internal region of the particle, and the other is in an external region or coating on the particle. These distinct pore size distributions can be modified with uniform or alternatively unique functional groups or mixtures of functional groups. The present invention allows for the control over pore size distribution within an asymmetric porous particle by providing a distinct internal region, preferably in the form of a bead, and a distinct external region, preferably in the form of a coating on the bead.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming agarose or cored agarose beads. The process involves dissolving/gelation the agarose in a suitable liquid, mixing it with a hydrophobic liquid to form an emulsion and maintaining that emulsion at a temperature equal to or greater than the gelation point of the agarose, passing it through a static mixer to create agarose droplets and solidifying the agarose droplets in a second bath of hydrophobic liquid. The beads can then be washed and used or further processed to crosslink the agarose and/ or add various functionalities on to the agarose. Another method for solidifying the agarose droplets is by using a heat exchanger to cool the stream continuously after it exits the static mixer. A similar process is used for the “cored” beads except cores, preferably in bead form, are introduced to the agarose before it enters the first hydrophobic liquid so that the agarose forms a coating on the cores.

Abstract: An all terrain wheel for a wheelchair includes an integral wheel body having an annular rim, a central hub, and an array of struts extending radially between the hub and the rim. An outer face of the rim includes a circumferential groove sized and configured for fitted receipt of an inflatable inner tube and tire assembly on the rim. The outer face extends axially on opposite sides of the groove to outboard and inboard circumferential edges, forming an outboard rim portion with an integral handrail and an inboard rim portion, thereby providing an enlarged ground engaging surface which discourages sinking of the wheel into sand, mud, snow, grass and like soft terrain. Transverse ribs on the outer rim face provide traction as well as a thumb grip when manually propelling the wheel. A flat face of the struts is disposed generally transverse to the plane of the wheel so that the struts function as paddles for providing propulsion in water as the wheel is rotated.

Abstract: An all terrain wheelchair for outdoor recreational use is made of non-corrosive materials, such as polyethylene plastic, stainless steel and aluminum, and includes opposite frame members, a collapsible hinged brace assembly fitted between the frame members which locks in an expanded box configuration to hold the opposite frame members apart, defining an operable position for use of the wheelchair. The front and rear wheels include wide rims having horizontal ribs to provide increased traction and surface contact area when traversing soft terrain. Removable armrests are provided to aid ingress and egress of a person in and out of the wheelchair. A shade cover mounts to the frame members to provide protection from the sun and rain. In the expanded, locked position, the box shaped brace assembly provides a storage area under the seat and includes hinged doors at the rear and an open front to provide access to an interior of the box structure.