Abstract: A baler for compacting fibrous materials or other compactable materials having a platen operable by two compression devices. One compression device is at least one hydraulic cylinder with a piston rod attached to the platen which performs compaction. The other compression device is at least one hydraulic cylinder with a piston rod which is attached to the platen and performs tramping. The apparatus provides rapid tramping before compaction by the selective activation of only the second compression device. Both cylinders function through a common hydraulic fluid reservoir and solenoid valve.

Abstract: A process for determining both the presence and number of copies of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample being analyzed. In this process, amplification of a target nucleic acid sequence produces single-stranded DNA that is efficiently detected by nucleic acid probe hybridization and is present in an amount that is proportional to the number of copies of the target sequence originally present in a sample.

Abstract: Methods for recognizing gestures made by a conductive object on a touch-sensor pad are disclosed. Tapping, pushing, hopping, and zigzag gestures are recognized by analyzing the position, pressure, and movement of the conductive object on the sensor pad during the time of a suspected gesture, and signals are sent to a host indicating the occurrence of these gestures. Signals for compensating for unintended motion of the conductive object on the touch-sensor pad during the gestures are also sent to the host.

Abstract: A proximity sensor system includes a sensor matrix array having a characteristic capacitance on horizontal and vertical conductors connected to sensor pads. The capacitance changes as a function of the proximity of an object or objects to the sensor matrix. The change in capacitance of each node in both the X and Y directions of the matrix due to the approach of an object is converted to a set of voltages in the X and Y directions. These voltages are processed by circuitry to develop electrical signals representative of the centroid of the profile of the object, i.e, its position in the X and Y dimensions. Noise reduction and background level setting techniques inherently available in the architecture are employed.

Abstract: Methods and kits are described that allow the efficient capture and detection of targets employing the dA-dT and related affinity pairs from samples potentially containing large amounts of poly(rA) and/or poly(dA).

Abstract: A process is provided for isolating and purifying biologically active RNA from a biological sources containing RNA, DNA and other cellular materials. The process involves contacting the RNA-containing source with particles comprising siliceous material, such as finely-divided glass, in the presence of a binding solution comprising concentrated, acidified chaotropic salt. Under these conditions, RNA, but not DNA, binds selectively to the siliceous material, and can be separated easily from the other components of the sample. Preferably, the selective binding process is applied to biological cells containing RNA of interest. Intact cells are disrupted by exposing them to a lysing solution comprising, as its main component, concentrated, acidified chaotropic salt. The RNA is then isolated and purified from the lysate using the selective binding process of the invention.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning system is disclosed for cleaning the automatic insertion area of a loom. In a typical weaving operation, there are a number of successive rows of individual looms (11). In accordance with the present invention, there is a main vacuum line (28) routed transverse to the rows of looms and secondary vacuum lines (26) extending along the rows of looms. Electropneumatic valves (29) are provided to selectively connect and disconnect the individual secondary lines so that an intermittent vacuum may be placed on the looms of successive rows in a cyclic manner. The vacuum cleaning system includes a vacuum manifold (46) connected by a branch line (40) to a secondary vacuum line (26). A balancing valve (42) is included in each branch line (40) to balance the vacuum at each loom so that generally equal vacuum is applied to the looms along the row. A number of individual, directional lines (A, 72, 74, 76, ) are connected to manifold (46).

Abstract: Message RNA is immobilized directly from cells onto filter material. Immobilization is carried out by solubilizing cellular components with a chaotropic salt, passing the resultant solubilized cellular components through a filter which selectively binds message RNA and baking the filter containing bound message RNA. The chaotropic salt is preferably sodium iodide, potassium iodide or sodium perchlorate. Prior to solubilizing, the cells may be washed and lysed. The bound message RNA can be hybridized to a labeled probe and the amount of message RNA measured. Prior to baking, the filter containing bound RNA may be incubated in a solution which acelylates basic protein and other molecules which might interfere with molecular hybridization.