Abstract: Some embodiments relate to herbicide compositions and methods of inducing phytotoxicity in a plant, by administering an aqueous composition to foliar portions of the plant. This aqueous composition includes at least one nutrient, and at least one adjuvant, and has a pH of about 4 to about 7. In some embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises an organic or mineral acid. In some embodiments, the phytotoxicity is topical. In some embodiments, the phytoxicity is systemic. Without being limited by theory, the nutrient is absorbed by the plant in excess, thereby killing the plant.

Abstract: A transistor includes a semiconductor substrate having an intrinsic active device, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The transistor also includes an interconnect structure formed of layers of dielectric material and electrically conductive material on the semiconductor substrate. The interconnect structure includes a pillar, a tap interconnect, and a shield structure positioned between the pillar and the tap interconnect formed from the electrically conductive material and extending through the dielectric material. The pillar contacts the first terminal and connects to a first runner. The tap interconnect contacts the second terminal and connects to a second runner. The shield structure includes a base segment, a first leg, and a second leg extending from opposing ends of the base segment, wherein the first and second legs extend from opposing ends of the base segment in a direction that is antiparallel to a length of the base segment.

Abstract: A quantitative PCR (qPCR) instrument for combined qPCR and melt curve (dissociation and/or association curve) analysis, the instrument having at least one optical channel, the instrument comprising: a fluorescence excitation source; a fluorescence detector having a signal output; an electronic analogue signal amplifier having an input coupled to said fluorescence detector signal output; and an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) having analogue input coupled to an output of said analogue signal amplifier; further comprising a quantified automatic gain control (AGC) loop coupled between said signal output of said fluorescence detector and said analogue input of ADC, wherein said AGC loop is configured to apply a determined, numerical gain value to a fluorescence signal for said analogue input of said ADC; and a system to scale a digital output of said ADC responsive to said numerical gain value and to provide a digital fluorescence level signal from said scaled digital output.

Abstract: An embodiment of a transistor die includes a semiconductor substrate a drain region, a channel region, a drain terminal, and a conductive gate tap. The conductive gate tap includes a distal end that is coupled to a gate structure over the channel region. A first segment of the drain region is adjacent to the distal end of the gate tap. The drain terminal includes a drain runner formed from one or more portions of the patterned conductive layers. A plurality of drain pillars electrically connects the drain runner to second and third segments of the drain region, and a plurality of second drain pillars electrically connect the drain runner and the third drain region segment. The build-up structure over the second drain region segment between the first and second drain pillars is devoid of electrical connections between the drain runner and the drain region.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to herbicide compositions and methods of inducing phyotoxicity in a plant, by administering an aqueous composition to foliar portions of the plant. This aqueous composition includes at least one nutrient, and at least one adjuvant, and has a pH of about 4 to about 7. In some embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises an organic or mineral acid. In some embodiments, the phytotoxicity is topical. In some embodiments, the phytoxicity is systemic. Without being limited by theory, the nutrient is absorbed by the plant in excess, thereby killing the plant.

Abstract: We describe a quantitative PCR (qPCR) instrument for combined qPCR and melt curve (dissociation and/or association curve) analysis. The instrument has at least one optical channel; a fluorescence excitation source; a fluorescence detector; an electronic analog signal amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the fluorescence detector; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having analog input coupled to an output of the analog signal amplifier. The instrument further comprises a quantified automatic gain control (AGC) loop coupled between the signal output of the fluorescence detector and the analog input of the ADC. The AGC loop is configured to apply a determined, numerical gain value to a fluorescence signal for the analog input of the ADC. The instrument also includes a system to scale a digital output of the ADC responsive to the numerical gain value and to provide a digital fluorescence level signal from the scaled digital output.

Abstract: There is described a method of extracting DNA and/or RNA from a cell or capsid, the method comprising contacting the cell or capsid with a composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound including a silicon-containing functional group. The quaternary ammonium compound may be of general formula (I) or a derivative salt thereof wherein L is a linking group; each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is independently selected from H or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or alkoxy group; and n is 0 or 1. A PCR promoting agent may be provided. The method may be one of 1 detecting and/or diagnosing a disease or medical condition.

Abstract: We describe a quantitative PCR (qPCR) instrument for combined qPCR and melt curve (dissociation and/or association curve) analysis. The instrument has at least one optical channel; a fluorescence excitation source; a fluorescence detector; an electronic analogue signal amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the fluorescence detector; and an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) having analogue input coupled to an output of the analogue signal amplifier. The instrument further comprises a quantified automatic gain control (AGC) loop coupled between the signal output of the fluorescence detector and the analogue input of the ADC. The AGC loop is configured to apply a determined, numerical gain value to a fluorescence signal for the analogue input of the ADC. The instrument also includes a system to scale a digital output of the ADC responsive to the numerical gain value and to provide a digital fluorescence level signal from the scaled digital output.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for diagnostic, experimental and other laboratory procedures and methods associated therewith. In particular, the invention provides a sample container for a fluid sample comprising a support, a receptacle which, together with the support, defines a sample space, and heater means affixed to said support in thermal contact with, but electrically insulated from, the sample space. The containers are particularyl suitable for use in PCR procedures.

Abstract: A system for optimising the cycling conditions used to control a polymerase chain reaction assigns membership values for denaturation, annealing and extension events in order to determine the relative contribution of each event during the reaction, and using genetic algorithms to determine the optimum times required to complete each event.

Abstract: A method estimating a property or parameter of a nucleic acid material, which property or parameter is one to which the electrical conductivity of the nucleic acid material is related, comprises measuring the electrical conductivity of the nucleic acid material, and estimating from the measurement the property or parameter of the material by reference to a predetermined relationship between electrical conductivity and said property or parameter. This is based on the discovery that there are certain important properties of nucleic acids, the quantitative determination of which is frequently desirable, which can be assessed by measurement of the conductivity of a solution of the nucleic acid or acids. Changes in such properties may be reflected in corresponding changes of electrical conductivity. The concentration of nucleic acid in solution and the molecular weight of a species of nucleic acid are examples of important property which may be determined.

Abstract: A programmable digital circuit is provided for bus control of a fast microprocessor such as a V33 microprocessor. The digital circuit includes a bus controller, a wait state controller and a clock generator generating a processor clock and a system clock with but a small skew between them.

Abstract: A load sensing gasket having a gasket body defining a service opening for fluids and having a load sensor encased in a cavity in the body. The gasket body comprises a first gasket layer providing a first outer gasketing surface and a first inner surface, a second gasket layer providing a second outer gasketing surface and a second inner surface, the inner surfaces together defining the cavity and side walls for defining a perimeter for the cavity. The load sensor includes confronting electrodes and a pressure sensitive electrically resistive material between the electrodes and conductors extending outwardly of the perimeter. A seal between the first and second gasket layers around the load sensor seals the electrodes in the cavity from fluids when the gasket is in use.

Abstract: A gasket, such as an exhaust manifold gasket, having improved recovery, sealability and stiffness characteristics. The gasket has two embossed metallic layers and an intermediate compressed expanded graphite layer having a density of at least about 70 pounds per cubic foot. The embossments of the metallic layers are vertically aligned, the vertically aligned embossments extending in the same direction. The embossments are positioned around a clear-through service aperture.

Abstract: A high temperature resistant gasket assembly comprises a metallic sheet member defining a plurality of openings, including at least two bolt holes through which bolts are adapted to pass and at least one high pressure opening for surrounding a high pressure zone to be sealed. The metallic sheet member defines a surface zone adjacent the high pressure opening. A metallic wire is disposed on a surface zone of the metallic sheet member closely adjacent to the high pressure opening to effect a seal at the surface zone. Preferably, the metallic sheet is of a low carbon steel and the wire is a copper wire. A second metallic sheet member of substantially the same shape, form and material as the metallic sheet member may be positioned to overlie the metallic wire, and to confront the first sheet member to form a sandwich with the wire between the sheet members. The second sheet member has a second surface zone complementary to the first surface zone.