Abstract: A method of determining whether one or more forms of a nucleic acid analyte are present in a sample. The method includes dissolving an amplification reagent with a first solvent, where the amplification reagent contains oligonucleotides sufficient to amplify and detect a first region of a first form of the analyte, where the first solvent contains one or more oligonucleotides which, in combination with the oligonucleotides of the amplification reagent, are sufficient to amplify and detect a second region of a second form of the analyte, where the one or more oligonucleotides of the first solvent are insufficient to amplify and detect the first or second form of the analyte, and where the first and second regions each comprise a different nucleotide base sequence.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system analyzes a sample with the aid an associated computer system or processor which utilizes a relatively small compound deconvolution data library. The deconvolution library has a specific predefined order. The specific order of the compounds in the library is established based on predetermined knowledge of the sample being tested by the mass spectrometer. A deconvolution technique utilized by the computer system automates a deconvolution technique that would be utilized by an experienced process chemist for a similar sample and associated fragmentation or cracking pattern. The deconvolution technique steps through the deconvolution library's order of compounds and compares each compound's stored spectral data with the sample's spectrum. If it is determined that a compound's spectrum is found in the sample's spectrum, then at least one complete peak associated with the found compound's spectrum is removed from the sample's spectrum.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system analyzes a sample with the aid an associated computer system or processor which utilizes a relatively small compound deconvolution data library. The deconvolution library has a specific predefined order. The specific order of the compounds in the library is established based on predetermined knowledge of the sample being tested by the mass spectrometer. A deconvolution technique utilized by the computer system automates a deconvolution technique that would be utilized by an experienced process chemist for a similar sample and associated fragmentation or cracking pattern. The deconvolution technique steps through the deconvolution library's order of compounds and compares each compound's stored spectral data with the sample's spectrum. If it is determined that a compound's spectrum is found in the sample's spectrum, then at least one complete peak associated with the found compound's spectrum is removed from the sample's spectrum.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system analyzes a sample with the aid an associated computer system or processor which utilizes a relatively small compound deconvolution data library. The deconvolution library has a specific predefined order. The specific order of the compounds in the library is established based on predetermined knowledge of the sample being tested by the mass spectrometer. A deconvolution technique utilized by the computer system automates a deconvolution technique that would be utilized by an experienced process chemist for a similar sample and associated fragmentation or cracking pattern. The deconvolution technique steps through the deconvolution library's order of compounds and compares each compound's stored spectral data with the sample's spectrum. If it is determined that a compound's spectrum is found in the sample's spectrum, then at least one complete peak associated with the found compound's spectrum is removed from the sample's spectrum.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer system analyzes a sample with the aid an associated computer system or processor which utilizes a relatively small compound deconvolution data library. The deconvolution library has a specific predefined order. The specific order of the compounds in the library is established based on predetermined knowledge of the sample being tested by the mass spectrometer. A deconvolution technique utilized by the computer system automates a deconvolution technique that would be utilized by an experienced process chemist for a similar sample and associated fragmentation or cracking pattern. The deconvolution technique steps through the deconvolution library's order of compounds and compares each compound's stored spectral data with the sample's spectrum. If it is determined that a compound's spectrum is found in the sample's spectrum, then at least one complete peak associated with the found compound's spectrum is removed from the sample's spectrum.

Abstract: My invention relates to an improvement of a siphon head for use on a flat roof for a building having a recessed drain. The drain includes an inverted cup-shaped drain member with peripherally spaced elongated drain slots. The siphon head is comprised of a soft pliable elastomeric material including a relatively flat foot flange adapted to rest flatwise on a roof to be drained, and a dome shaped head portion centrally located and integrally formed with the relatively flat foot flange. The relatively flat foot flange extends outwardly in a relatively flat plane beyond the head portion and surrounding the head portion in all directions. The head portion is open on its top side providing an annular edge for nested engagement with the drain with a portion of the elongated slots lying below the edge, and other portions of the elongated slots lying above the edge. The edge is in snug nested engagement with the drain while the relatively foot flange is supported on the flat roof.

Abstract: A roof draining system including a series of portable siphon heads which can be placed anywhere on a flat roof where there is a ponding area that no longer can be drained by any pre-existing water drainage system, a series of upstanding pipes, and a second series of roof top pipes each connected at one end to one of the siphon heads and each connected at an opposite end to one of the upstanding pipes. A control valve structure is connected to the upstanding pipes. The control valve structure has a series of solenoid operated valves each connected to one of the upstanding pipes at one end. Manual discharge valves are each connected at an opposite end of one of the pipe tees. An electrical timer is operatively connected to each of the solenoid operated valves. Siphon pumps are each positioned in line with and operatively connected between one of the solenoid operated valves.

Abstract: Rare earth-transition metal (e.g., iron) scrap (e.g., Nd-Fe-B scrap) is flux (slag) remelted to reduce tramp non-metallic impurities, such as oxygen and nitrogen, and metallic impurities, such as Li, Na, Al, etc., picked up by the scrap from previous fabrication operations. The tramp impurities are reduced to concentrations acceptable for reuse of the treated alloy in the manufacture of end-use articles, such as permanent magnets. The scrap is electroslag or inductoslag melted using a prefused, rare earth fluoride-bearing flux of CaF.sub.2, CaCl.sub.2 or mixtures thereof or the slag resulting from practice of the thermite reduction process to make a rare earth-iron alloy.

Abstract: Rare earth-transition metal (e.g. iron) scrap (e.g. Nd-Fe-B scrap) is melted to reduce the levels of tramp oxygen and nitrogen impurities therein. The tramp impurities are reduced in the melt by virtue of the reaction of the tramp impurities and the rare earth to form dross on the melt. The purified melt is separated from the dross for reuse. The oxygen and nitrogen of the melt are reduced to levels acceptable for reuse of the treated alloy in the manufacture of end-use articles, such as permanent magnets.

Abstract: A particulate mixture of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and RE.sub.2 O.sub.3, where RE is a rare earth element, is reacted with an excess of HF acid to form an insoluble fluoride compound (salt) comprising REF.sub.3 and FeF.sub.3 present in solid solution in the REF.sub.3 crystal lattice. The REF.sub.3 /FeF.sub.3 compound is dried to render it usable as a reactant in the thermite reduction process as well as other processes which require an REF.sub.3 /FeF.sub.3 mixture. The dried REF.sub.3 /FeF.sub.3 compound comprises about 5 weight % to about 40 weight % of FeF.sub.3 and the balance REF.sub.3 to this end.

Abstract: A siphon head for siphoning smooth or rough textured roof surfaces which is preferably comprised of a soft pliable elastomeric material such as rubber. The head includes a relatively flat foot flange adapted to rest flatwise on a roof to be drained. The flange is of an annular shape. A dome shaped head portion is centrally located and integrally formed with the relatively flat foot flange. The relatively flat foot flange extends outwardly in a relatively flat plane beyond the head portion and surrounds the head portion in all directions. The head portion is closed on its top side and has an interior cavity. An opening is located on an underside of the head portion in communication with the cavity for receiving fluids to be siphoned. A discharge nozzle is positioned in fluid receiving communication with the interior cavity and extends radially away from the head portion atop the foot flange.

Abstract: An improved method for the preparation of high-purity rare earth-iron alloys by the aluminothermic reduction of a mixture of rare earth and iron fluorides.