Abstract: A portable detection device includes a surface sampling probe connected to a mass spectrometer, preferably mounted on a portable cart, and a transfer line for transporting samples from the probe to the mass spectrometer. The surface sampling probe is formed from a circular block or disk of metal such as copper and is provided with various holes in which cartridge heaters are located. The disk is preferably electroplated with nickel and then gold to allow for efficient heat transfer to the surface to be sampled. With this arrangement, in addition to other advantages, the presence of very low volatile or non-volatile materials may be determined.

Abstract: A router table comprises a table top, a bit mount, and a drive train. The bit mount is configured to hold a router bit such that the router bit extends from the table top defining a bit axis. The drive train is positioned under the table top and is operably connected between the bit mount and a drive coupling. The drive coupling is configured to engage a driven member, with the drive coupling defining a drive axis that is not coaxial with the bit axis. The driven member may be provided by a drive bit on a portable router secured to the table top. Operation of the portable router results in rotation of the driven member. Rotation of the driven member and associated drive coupling operates the drive train and results in rotation of the bit mount and associated router bit.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a sterile formable implant composition for application to a bone defect site comprising bioactive glass particles in an aqueous carrier solution, the bioactive glass particles being added to a viscous carrier at a concentration ranging from about 68% to about 76% (w/w), the carrier comprising a mixture of glycerol and polyethylene glycol ranging from 24% to 32% (w/w) with the ratio of glycerol to polyethylene glycol ranging from about 45:55 to about 65:35.

Abstract: A method for producing a cleaned bone graft with osteoinductivity above 2.0 suitable for transplantation into a human. The first step is sonicating a bone graft in a nonionic detergent in an ultrasonic cleaner at a temperature ranging from about 33° C. to about 37° C. and for a time period ranging from 15 minutes to 2 hours effective to produce a cleaned bone graft essentially free from bone marrow. The bone graft is sonicated in purified water in an ultrasonic cleaner at a temperature ranging from about 33° C. to about 37° C. a plurality of times to remove the detergent producing a cleaned bone graft. The bone graft is then sonicated in hydrogen peroxide in an ultrasonic cleaner at a temperature ranging from about 33° C. to about 37° C. for a time period ranging from 10 minutes to about 2 hours effective to retain osteoinductivity of the bone graft and again sonicated in purified water in an ultrasonic cleaner at a temperature ranging from about 33° C. to about 37° C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing communications in a currency-handling machine. The method includes generating an encrypted transaction message based on a bill acceptor transaction event, communicating the encrypted transaction message to a transaction controller, decrypting the encrypted transaction message and enabling the bill acceptor to accept bills.

Abstract: A method for producing a cleaned bone graft with osteoinductivity above 2.0 suitable for transplantation into a human. The first step is sonicating a bone graft in a nonionic detergent in an ultrasonic cleaner at a temperature ranging from about 33° C. to about 37° C. and for a time period ranging from 15 minutes to 2 hours effective to produce a cleaned bone graft essentially free from bone marrow. The bone graft is sonicated in purified water in an ultrasonic cleaner at a temperature ranging from about 33° C. to about 37° C. a plurality of times to remove the detergent producing a cleaned bone graft. The bone graft is then sonicated in hydrogen peroxide in an ultrasonic cleaner at a temperature ranging from about 33° C. to about 37° C. for a time period ranging from 10 minutes to about 2 hours effective to retain osteoinductivity of the bone graft and again sonicated in purified water in an ultrasonic cleaner at a temperature ranging from about 33° C. to about 37° C.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for efficient and rapid identification of cis-acting nucleic acid sequences that act in a cell-type specific manner to stimulate or repress the expression of linked genes or other neighboring sequences. The invention also provides methods for evolving novel regulatory sequences by in vitro manipulation of naturally occurring or synthetic cis acting nucleic acid sequences followed by screening and counterscreening steps. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for determining the mechanism by which cell-type specific cis regulatory sequences confer cell-type specific expression. Also provided are diagnostic methods based on the use of cell-type specific cis regulatory sequences.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for performing negative selection assays leading to the identification of cytostatic or cytotoxic agents that cause a lethal phenotype. The invention is useful also for evaluation of conditional cytotoxicity and cell-specific cytotoxicity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for performing negative selection assays leading to the identification of cytostatic or cytotoxic agents that cause a lethal phenotype. The invention is useful also for evaluation of conditional cytotoxicity and cell-specific cytotoxicity.

Abstract: Methods for identifying nucleic acid sequences that affect a cellular phenotype are disclosed. The method uses a reporter gene whose level of expression correlates with the phenotype in conjunction with a method or device for measuring the level of reporter expression. An expression library is introduced into the cells, and those cells exhibiting changes in reporter expression level are selected. Expression library inserts from the selected cells are isolated, thereby providing a sub-library enriched for sequences that affect the phenotype reflected by the reporter. Further rounds of sub-library introduction and cell selection may be carried out to provide additional enrichment. Sequences identified using this method may be used to ascertain the identity of additional molecules involved in generating the cellular phenotype.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for peptides or protein fragments displayed on scaffolds and libraries of sequences encoding peptides or protein fragments displayed on scaffolds that permit the properties of the library to be easily and quantitatively monitored are disclosed. The scaffold is a protein that is capable of emitting light. Thus, analysis of the expression of individual members of the library when they are expressed in cells may be carried but using instruments that can analyze the emitted light, such as a flow sorter (FACS), a spectrophotometer, a microtitre plate reader, a CCD, a fluorescence microscope, or other similar device. This permits screening of the expression library in host cells on a cell-by-cell basis, and enrichment of the library for sequences that have predetermined characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for performing negative selection assays leading to the identification of cytostatic or cytotoxic agents that cause a lethal phenotype. The invention is useful also for evaluation of conditional cytotoxicity and cell-specific cytotoxicity.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention are novel methods of detecting substrate-ligand interactions, and more specifically relates to methods for detecting and characterizing polypeptide-ligand interactions. By practice of this invention, protein interaction maps may be generated for humans or for other organisms.

Abstract: Methods for assaying for viral-related activity are disclosed. The assays of the invention provide for the identification of biologically active phenotypic probes and cellular targets and fragments, variants and mimetics thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the comparative assessment of the level of specific nucleic acid sequences in samples derived from different sources. More specifically, the invention relates to a method using oligonucleotides covalently linked to a solid support, such as beads, to isolate specific labeled nucleic acid sequences from complex mixtures. The methods disclosed allow quantitative comparisons of the amount of nucleic acid of defined sequence in a plurality of different samples of nucleic acid, e.g., from different cells or tissues or from genetic libraries. Nucleic acids from the samples are labeled in such a fashion that the signals can be distinguished and compared following hybridization to the oligonucleotides on the beads. According to the invention, the solid supports with the hybridized nucleic acid may be retrieved, and the target nucleic acid eluted and analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to selection systems for the identification, by functional analysis, of cell proliferation genes that are involved in viral growth and viral disease. The invention also includes methods for identifying perturbagens and cellular targets that are involved in viral growth and viral disease.

Abstract: Methods for identifying nucleic acid sequences that affect a cellular phenotype are disclosed. The method uses a reporter gene whose level of expression correlates with the phenotype in conjunction with a method or device for measuring the level of reporter expression. An expression library is introduced into the cells, and those cells exhibiting changes in reporter expression level are selected. Expression library inserts from the selected cells are isolated, thereby providing a sub-library enriched for sequences that affect the phenotype reflected by the reporter. Further rounds of sub-library introduction and cell selection may be carried out to provide additional enrichment. Sequences identified using this method may be used to ascertain the identity of additional molecules involved in generating the cellular phenotype.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for efficient and rapid identification of cis-acting nucleic acid sequences that act in a cell-type or cell-state specific manner to stimulate or repress the expression of linked genes or other neighboring sequences. The invention also provides methods for evolving novel regulatory sequences by in vitro manipulation of naturally occurring or synthetic cis acting nucleic acid sequences followed by screening and counterscreening steps. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for determining the mechanism by which cell-type specific cis regulatory sequences confer cell-specific expression. Also provided are diagnostic methods based on the use of cell-specific cis regulatory sequences.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing communications in a currency-handling machine. The method includes generating an encrypted transaction message based on a bill acceptor transaction event, communicating the encrypted transaction message to a transaction controller, decrypting the encrypted transaction message and enabling the bill acceptor to accept bills.

Abstract: Methods for assaying a cellular pathway, and more particularly a &bgr;-catenin-related pathway, are disclosed. The assays of the invention utilize particular host cells with desired &bgr;-catenin pathway elements, and results in the identification of biologically active phenotypic probes and cellular targets and fragments, variants and mimetics thereof.