Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for segregating particles on the basis of their ability to flow through a stepped passageway. At least some of the particles are accommodated in a passage bounded by a first step, but at least some of the particles are unable to pass through a narrower passage bounded by a second step, resulting in segregation of the particles. The apparatus and methods described herein can be used to segregate particles of a wide variety of types. By way of example, they can be used to segregate fetal-like cells from a maternal blood sample such as maternal arterial blood.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for segregating particles on the basis of their ability to flow through a stepped passageway. At least some of the particles are accommodated in a passage bounded by a first step, but at least some of the particles arc unable to pass through a narrower passage bounded by a second step, resulting in segregation of the particles. The apparatus and methods described herein can be used to segregate particles of a wide variety of types. By way of example, they can be used to segregate fetal-like cells from a maternal blood sample such as maternal arterial blood.

Abstract: A method for valuing a link-hosting webpage is provided. The method includes the act of receiving, on a computer system, at least one keyword. The method also includes the act of receiving, on a computer system, at least one identifier of a webpage, the webpage having been previously identified as a link-hosting webpage. The method also includes the act of accessing information about the webpage over a computer network. The method also includes the act of determining an importance of the webpage based on the at least one keyword and the information about the webpage. The method also includes the act of displaying the importance on a computer-based user interface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for segregating particles on the basis of their ability to flow through a stepped passageway. At least some of the particles are accommodated in a passage bounded by a first step, but at least some of the particles are unable to pass through a narrower passage bounded by a second step, resulting in segregation of the particles. The apparatus and methods described herein can be used to segregate particles of a wide variety of types. By way of example, they can be used to segregate fetal-like cells from a maternal blood sample such as maternal arterial blood.

Abstract: A locking device for a wheelchair wheel configured to prevent the locking assembly being stuck in a locked condition when the wheel abuts another object. The locking assembly comprises a base plate mounted on the wheelchair frame adjacent a locking rotor attached to the wheel hub, a locking pin for engagement with one of a plurality of locking apertures on the locking rotor and a cam mechanism on the base plate that extends and retracts the locking pin from engagement with the rotor. The cam mechanism comprises a lock stub mounted on the base plate that receives the locking pin in one end thereof and a lock lever pivotally mounted on the opposite end thereof. The lock stub has a cam path in which a cam follower pin, attached to the lock lever, travels to extend or retract the locking pin outward from the base plate towards the locking rotor.