Abstract: This disclosure relates to new assay methods for analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood samples for detection, e.g., early detection, and/or monitoring of disease, e.g., cancer. The methods provide ultra-high sensitivity and specificity, and include the use of microfluidic isolation of CTCs and digital detection of RNA derived from the CTCs.

Abstract: A cooling tray includes a container, springs placed within the container to exerting a vertical thrust, a platform residing within the container and coupled to each spring, and a bowl for residing above the container. When ice is placed on the platform, the plurality of springs are each compressed such that the cooling material contacts an undersurface of the bowl. As the ice melts, the water flows below the platform, and the springs decompress and maintain the remaining ice in contact with the undersurface of the bowl. In this manner, food that requires refrigeration may be served from the portable cooling tray at the appropriate temperature. A formed ice block may be used to impart greater and more efficient cooling as a greater surface area of the ice contacts the undersurface of the bowl. The bowl may be of aluminum to further increase the efficiency.

Abstract: A chafing dish includes a pan, a cover hingedly connected to the pan through a hinge shaft, a plurality of cover arms, each cover arm having one end secured to the hinge shaft and other end to the cover, and a counter balance member which encircles a part of the hinge shaft and is secured in position at both ends in a hinge assembly, thereby enabling the counter balancing of the cover at any angle from the closed state of the cover.

Abstract: A cooling tray includes a container, springs placed within the container to exerting a vertical thrust, a platform residing within the container and coupled to each spring, and a bowl for residing above the container. When ice is placed on the platform, the plurality of springs are each compressed such that the cooling material contacts an undersurface of the bowl. As the ice melts, the water flows below the platform, and the springs decompress and maintain the remaining ice in contact with the undersurface of the bowl. In this manner, food that requires refrigeration may be served from the portable cooling tray at the appropriate temperature. A formed ice block may be used to impart greater and more efficient cooling as a greater surface area of the ice contacts the undersurface of the bowl. The bowl may be of aluminum to further increase the efficiency.

Abstract: A chafing dish includes a pan, a cover hingedly connected to the pan through a hinge shaft, a plurality of cover arms, each cover arm having one end secured to the hinge shaft and other end to the cover, and a counter balance member which encircles a part of the hinge shaft and is secured in position at both ends in a hinge assembly, thereby enabling the counter balancing of the cover at any angle from the closed state of the cover.

Abstract: An insulated coffee urn having an outer shell element and an inner shell element forming a thermally-insulative chamber with said outer shell element, and an elongated electrical heating element positioned within said chamber. The heating element is variably electrically conductive depending upon the temperature within said chamber. The heating element is employed to preheat the interior of the urn to predetermined temperature prior to use, and is disconnected prior to filling the urn with brewed coffee.

Abstract: A networking database containing a plurality of records for different individuals in which individuals are connected to one another in the database by defined relationships. Each individual has the opportunity to define the relationship which may be confirmed or denied. E-mail messaging and interactive communication between individuals and a database service provider provide a method of constructing the database. The method includes having a registered individual identify further individuals and define therewith a relationship. The further individuals then, in turn, establish their own defined relationships with still other individuals. The defined relationships are mutually defined.

Abstract: A snap-locking mechanism, for being incorporated into an inexpensive hinge, which, in various forms of the invention, can be locked in a fully opened, partly opened or closed positions as preferred; the snap-locking mechanism including a snap-locking member configurated with at least one or more notches, behind which an edge of a pivotable hinged plate gets locked.