Abstract: Primers and methods for adapter-mediated multiplex amplification of the IS6110 insertion element of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) complex and a 16S rDNA target common to essentially all mycobacteria are described. In certain embodiments, the primers are optimized for efficient multiplex amplification in thermophilic SDA. The multiplex Strand Displacement Amplification methods of the invention are capable, in a single amplification reaction, of simultaneously identifying M. tuberculosis and providing a screen for substantially all of the clinically relevant species of mycobacteria. Also disclosed are internal control sequences designed for coamplification with the two targets, allowing assessment of amplification efficiency and/or quantitation of the targets.

Abstract: A method of treating a solid material containing a substance of economic importance so as to recover or extract the substance from the material involving the following: forming a conducting mixture of the solid with a liquid so that at least some of the substance of economic importance is dissolved in the liquid, applying an electrical potential difference between at least two electrodes in contact with the mixture at spaced apart locations so as to impart opposite charges to the respective electrodes thereby attracting the liquid containing the dissolved substance to one of the electrodes, removing the liquid from an area surrounding or from a vicinity of the one electrode, and treating the liquid containing the substance of economic importance so as to recover or extract the substance. The liquid used is at least partially conducting. The present method is particularly useful for extracting or recovering gold from gold-containing or gold bearing ores.

Abstract: A bath shaker (10) is provided for agitating liquid baths. The bath shaker (10) incorporates a "flexible parallelogram" mode of movement wherein a bath shelf (20) is attached to and supported by two, parallel opposing flexible arms (112). Present on each flexible arm (112) is a first attachment portion (124) sandwichedly held by an upright extension (120) and a first hold plate (110), the arrangement causing the first attachment portion (124) to serve as a flexible hinge. A drive mechanism (16) produces a reciprocating action of the bath shelf (20) through the use of an eccentric (80) and a pivoting lever (46) attached to both the eccentric (80) and the bath shelf (20). The flexible parallelogram arrangement defines the reciprocating motion to be substantially rectilinear and makes for an entirely noiseless mode of travel, while producing an extremely smooth transition between reciprocations.

Abstract: A fluidized bed condenser for use in condensing zirconium tetrachloride or hafnium tetrachloride vapor into solid zirconium tetrachloride or hafnium tetrachloride includes a scraper assembly. The scraper assembly includes at least one scraper arm located adjacent an inlet through which fluid zirconium tetrachloride or hafnium tetrachloride enters the condenser vessel. A cleanout rod is also mounted on the vessel to clean out the inlet, and the scraper includes a cleanout assembly for preventing build up of solid material in a solid outlet area defined in the vessel.