Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a method for determining a production level of a polypeptide of interest by a cell or cell colony, comprising obtaining an image of one or more cells or cell colonies; and analyzing the image to detect a signal associated with the polypeptide of interest; wherein a signal level is determined for each cell or cell colony based on signal values from a predefined area surrounding the cell or cell colony, the signal level being indicative of the production level of the polypeptide of interest by the cell or cell colony.

Abstract: The terahertz camera has a fixed objective lens (2) and a plurality of detectors (3) positioned at the focal plane of the objective lens (2). Each of the detectors (3) is mounted on a movable support (10) so that the antenna is capable of movement across the focal plane of the objective lens (2) and is provided with a flexible waveguide (4) for connecting the output of the detector (3) with signal processing means. Each detector (3) is also provided with a retroreflector (6) which is reflective at frequencies other than terahertz frequencies. During use of the camera, the retroreflector (6) of each detector (3) is illuminated at non-terahertz frequencies so that the spatial position of each detector (3) and hence the spatial source of signals generated by the detector can be accurately identified. The terahertz camera is particularly suited for use in security installations and in chemical and food processing industries.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: Dried, singulated cellulose pulp fiber is produced by introducing wet pulp steam and air into a jet dryer. The air is heated to a temperature of 250° C. to 600° C. Steam is injected at a nozzle pressure of from 344 KPa (50 psig) to 4,137 KPa (600 psig). The pulp is removed from the jet dryer and separated from the air. The product formed has advantageous properties such as low fines count, improved kink curl and twist, and high permeability.

Abstract: Dried, singulated cellulose pulp fiber is produced by introducing wet pulp steam and air into a jet dryer. The air is heated to a temperature of 250° C. to 600° C. Steam is injected at a nozzle pressure of from 344 KPa (50 psig) to 4,137 KPa (600 psig). The pulp is removed from the jet dryer and separated from the air. The product formed has advantageous properties such as low fines count, improved kink curl and twist, and high permeability.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter can determine the information to be communicated to the third party from the client. The third parties are instructed to contact the service provider to collect their contact information. The contact information collected is sued as a basis for follow up calls to insure compliance and adherence to the product.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter involves method and system for creating a survey for clients to be administered to third parties. The client provides information as to the survey parameters. The survey is placed in an automated audio format and administered to third parties. Options available include the use of a knowledge base that allows a structure to aid in survey generation. Vocal personas are used that make the surveys easier to use and seem more creditable.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter is a method and system for marketing a client's product for an alternative purpose. The information about the alternative purpose of the product is collected and input into an automated system. The method and system then informs third parties about the client's product along with suggested alternative uses.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter involves marketing a client's product to third parties. The client defines the information to communicate to the third parties. Said information is entered into an automated system which third parties are able to contact at their discretion. When the third party contacts the system, the system relays the advertisement to the third party.

Abstract: We disclose a method of detecting a polypeptide of interest produced by a cell or a cell colony, the method comprising: (a) exposing the polypeptide to a class marker capable of identifying a class of polypeptides to which the polypeptide of interest belongs; (b) exposing the polypeptide to a specificity marker capable of identifying a specific binding ability of the polypeptide of interest; and (c) detecting binding of the polypeptide to the class marker or the specificity marker or both.

Abstract: The terahertz camera has a fixed objective lens (2) and a plurality of detectors (3) positioned at the focal plane of the objective lens (2). Each of the detectors (3) is mounted on a movable support (10) so that the antenna is capable of movement across the focal plane of the objective lens (2) and is provided with a flexible waveguide (4) for connecting the output of the detector (3) with signal processing means. Each detector (3) is also provided with a retroreflector (6) which is reflective at frequencies other than terahertz frequencies. During use of the camera, the retroreflector (6) of each detector (3) is illuminated at non-terahertz frequencies so that the spatial position of each detector (3) and hence the spatial source of signals generated by the detector can be accurately identified. The terahertz camera is particularly suited for use in security installations and in chemical and food processing industries.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A system for viewing 3-D images that comprises an image source (50), a computer (105) and a television screen (110). The television screen is divided into a plurality of sections (115-130), with each section displaying an image representative of a certain depth in the image, as provided by the computer. Image display elements comprising optical fiber bundles (200-215) or lamps, (e.g. 520) and leads (e.g. 540) convey individual depth images from the television screen to a plastic block (225) in which the fiber bundles terminate or the lamps are positioned. The individual fiber bundles terminate at predetermined depths within the plastic block, with those conveying the nearest part of an image terminating at the front of the block, as viewed by an observer (220). The fiber bundle or lamp conveying the greatest depth in the image terminates near the rear portion of the block, as seen by an observer.

Abstract: Dried, singulated cellulose pulp fiber is produced by introducing wet pulp steam and air into a jet dryer. The air is heated to a temperature of 250° C. to 600° C. Steam is injected at a nozzle pressure of from 344 KPa (50 psig) to 4,137 KPa (600 psig). The pulp is removed from the jet dryer and separated from the air. The product formed has advantageous properties such as low fines count, improved kink curl and twist, and high permeability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A transducer suitable for generating signals in the terahertz region has a resonant cavity (4) with apertures (6) aligned with cold cathode source (2) being a field emitter array. The resonant cavity (4) consists of an inner cylindrical region (8) and an outer toroid region (9) that includes a slot antenna (11). To achieve signal generation in the terahertz region, the cavity (4) is fabricated using an etched polymeric material.

Abstract: A waveguide structure is fabricated by patterning active elements on a semiconductor wafer (21). The upper surface of the wafer (21) and the active elements are then coated by a dissolvable positive resist polymer. The polymer is etched using conventional techniques to produce a former for the structure of the waveguide channel and subsequently the polymer former is coated (26) and electroformed (27) using a suitable metallic material. Finally, the polymer former is dissolved leaving an open channel (25) the boundaries of which are defined by the electroformed structure. The waveguide structure has the advantage that the active elements are integral with the waveguide structure and lie in a common fabrication plane which means that if the depth of the waveguide varies the active elements remain in the same plane. The waveguide structure is particularly suited for use at terahertz frequencies.

Abstract: A transducer suitable for generating signals in the terahertz region has a resonant cavity (4) with apertures (6) aligned with cold cathode source (2) being a field emitter array. The resonant cavity (4) consists of an inner cylindrical region (8) and an outer toroid region (9) that includes a slot antenna (11). To achieve signal generation in the terahertz region, the cavity (4) is fabricated using an etched polymeric material.