Abstract: The present invention provides methods for amplifying a nucleic acid from a sample containing a mixture of nucleic acids utilizing a solid support. Methods are provided utilizing user-defined primer oligonucleotides for directional amplification that assists in further manipulation of the target nucleic acid, such as sequencing. Methods are also provided utilizing blocker and displacer oligonucleotides for generating amplified target nucleic acids of defined length. One of these methods provides a first oligonucleotide and a second oligonucleotide affixed to a solid support or separate solid supports. The first oligonucleotide is blocked to prevent extension from the 3?-terminus and has a sequence complementary to a first portion of a target nucleic acid. The second oligonucleotide has a sequence that is identical to a second portion of the target nucleic acid. In this method, a sample is applied to the solid support and the target nucleic acid within the sample binds said first oligonucleotide.

Abstract: Improved methods for use in nucleic acid amplification, including multiplex amplification, where the amplification is carried out in two or more distinct phases are disclosed. The first phase amplification reaction preferably lacks one or more components required for exponential amplification. The lacking component is subsequently provided in a second, third or further phase(s) of amplification, resulting in a rapid exponential amplification reaction. The multiphase protocol results in faster and more sensitive detection and lower variability at low analyte concentrations. Compositions for carrying out the claimed methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A casting system and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus guide inclined movement of a left foot pad in a fore-aft direction on a first side of a longitudinal centerline of an exercise apparatus and inclined movement of a right foot pad in the fore-aft direction on a second side of the longitudinal centerline of the exercise apparatus such that the right foot pad and the left foot pad are transversely spaced from the longitudinal centerline by a first distance when proximate a front of the exercise apparatus and are transversely spaced from the longitudinal centerline by second distance greater than the first distance when proximate a rear of the exercise apparatus.

Abstract: A casting system and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprises an incremental weight system. The incremental weight system comprises an incremental weight and an incremental weight selector. The incremental weight selector is liftable by a weight lift and has a lever movable between a lowered position and a raised position to actuate the selector between an engaged position engaging the incremental weight such that the incremental weight is liftable with a first weight by the weight lift and a disengaged position disengaged from the incremental weight such that the first weight is liftable independent of the incremental weight.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprises a frame, a left foot link supporting a left foot pad, a right foot link supporting a right foot pad in a left foot link supporting a left foot pad. The right foot pad is linked to the left foot pad so as to synchronously move out of phase with the left foot pad through an elliptical path having an adjustable step height and an adjustable stride length. An adjustment synchronizer is operably coupled to the left foot link and the right foot link to synchronously adjust both the step height and the stride length of the elliptical path.

Abstract: Compositions, reaction mixtures, and methods for performing an amplification reaction, including multiplex amplification reaction, wherein the method comprises using one or more amplification oligomer complexes comprising linked first and second amplification oligomer members. In one aspect, the amplification oligomer complex is hybridized to a target nucleic acid, the target nucleic acid with hybridized amplification oligomer complex is then captured, and other components are washed away. Target sequences of the target nucleic acids are pre-amplified to generate a first amplification product. The first amplification product is amplified in one or more secondary amplification reactions to generate second amplification products.

Abstract: High SRI cementitious systems comprising integral concrete coloring admixtures, toppings, dry-shake hardeners, and other cementitious systems are provided. The high-SRI cementitious systems comprise one or more IR reflective pigments and other components to make-up the cementitious system, depending on the application. The high-SRI cementitious systems of the invention may be in the form of mixtures which increase the total solar reflectivity (TSR or albedo) and the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of concrete. The high-SRI cementitious systems may be toppings mixed with water for application to existing concrete surfaces, dry-shake hardeners for application to freshly-placed plastic concrete, or the IR reflective pigments may be mixed into integrally colored concrete in various forms, such as conventional cast-in-place concrete, lightweight concrete, pervious concrete and concrete building panels, pavers or masonry units.

Abstract: Improved methods for use in nucleic acid amplification, including multiplex amplification, where the amplification is carried out in two or more distinct phases are disclosed. The first phase amplification reaction preferably lacks one or more components required for exponential amplification. The lacking component is subsequently provided in a second, third or further phase(s) of amplification, resulting in a rapid exponential amplification reaction. The multiphase protocol results in faster and more sensitive detection and lower variability at low analyte concentrations. Compositions for carrying out the claimed methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Tire components comprising rubber compositions based upon cross-linkable elastomer composition, the cross-linkable elastomer compositions including, per 100 parts by weight of rubber (phr), a highly unsaturated diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a methylene acceptor of the form wherein R is selected from H, an alkyl moiety, a cycloalkyl moiety, an aryl moiety, an amine moiety or combinations thereof. The rubber compositions include a methylene donor in an amount that provides little or no change in the rigidity of the cured rubber composition. Since the methylene acceptor may be described as having antidegradant properties, then resulting rubber composition has improved resistance to degradation.

Abstract: An applicator apparatus for supporting a pad to be applied to a body is described. The apparatus includes a handle, an apparatus head attached to an end of the handle, the apparatus head including a front face and a rear face, the front face being configured to receive a disposable pad for application to the body, the disposable pad extending over substantially all of the front face and the rear face including at least one mounting hook configured to receive a portion of the disposable pad extending from the portion proximate to the front face to the rear face. The apparatus further includes the disposable pad configured for use with the apparatus head having at least one mounting hook receiving opening for receiving the at least one mounting hook on the rear face of the apparatus head.

Abstract: A tire component comprising a rubber composition having a highly unsaturated diene elastomer and a reinforcing filler with a methylene acceptor selected from 3-hydroxydiphenyl- amine, 4-hydroxydipheyl- amine or combinations thereof. Such rubber compositions further include a methylene donor, wherein a ratio of the methylene acceptor to the methylene donor may be greater than 10:1 or in other embodiments greater than 10:1 but no more than 50:1 or between 15:1 and 30:1. A method for manufacturing a tire component includes mixing together components of a rubber composition into a non-productive mix, the components including a highly unsaturated diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a methylene acceptor selected from 3-hydroxydiphenylamine, 4-hydroxydipheyl-amine or combinations thereof; and mixing a methylene donor and a vulcanizing agent into the non-productive mix to convert the non-productive mix to a productive mix.

Abstract: A tire component comprising a rubber composition having a highly unsaturated diene elastomer and a reinforcing filler with a first methylene acceptor selected from 3-hydroxydiphenylamine, 4-hydroxydiphenylamine or combinations thereof; a second methylene acceptor selected from a Novolac resin, diphenylolmethane, diphenylolethane diphenylolpropane, diphenylolbutare, a naphthol, a cresol or combinations thereof and a methylene donor.

Abstract: This invention is improved laser ablation of solid samples analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), ICP mass spectrometry, or flowing afterglow mass spectrometry. A mirror-with-hole eliminates chromatic aberration in sample viewing and allows rad-hardening for radiation hot cell analysis of nuclear waste. Other attributes facilitate comprehensively rad-hardened laser ablation. Additional improvements include large, homogeneous laser spots, long-focus objective lenses, variable laser path length with built-in re-alignment, variable demagnification ratio, higher powered SMR lasers with larger spots enabling sensitive bulk solids analysis, demountable gravitationally self sealing stack assembly sample ablation cells, and laser ablation sample changers.

Abstract: High SRI cementitious systems comprising integral concrete coloring admixtures, toppings, dry-shake hardeners, and other cementitious systems are provided. The high-SRI cementitious systems comprise one or more IR reflective pigments and other components to make-up the cementitious system, depending on the application. The high-SRI cementitious systems of the invention may be in the form of mixtures which increase the total solar reflectivity (TSR or albedo) and the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of concrete. The high-SRI cementitious systems may be toppings mixed with water for application to existing concrete surfaces, dry-shake hardeners for application to freshly-placed plastic concrete, or the IR reflective pigments may be mixed into integrally colored concrete in various forms, such as conventional cast-in-place concrete, lightweight concrete, pervious concrete and concrete building panels, pavers or masonry units.

Abstract: A casting system and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

Abstract: A casting system and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

Abstract: This invention is improved laser ablation of solid samples analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), ICP mass spectrometry, or flowing afterglow mass spectrometry. A mirror-with-hole eliminates chromatic aberration in sample viewing and allows rad-hardening for radiation hot cell analysis of nuclear waste. Other attributes facilitate comprehensively rad-hardened laser ablation. Additional improvements include large, homogeneous laser spots, long-focus objective lenses, variable laser path length with built-in re-alignment, variable demagnification ratio, higher powered SMR lasers with larger spots enabling sensitive bulk solids analysis, demountable gravitationally self sealing stack assembly sample ablation cells, and laser ablation sample changers.

Abstract: A casting system and method. The casting system can include an energy source and a hearth, which can have a tapered cavity. The tapered cavity can have a first end portion and a second end portion, and the tapered cavity can narrow between the first and second end portions. Further, the tapered cavity can have an inlet at the first end portion that defines an inlet capacity, and one or more outlets at the second end portion that define an outlet capacity. Where the cavity has a single outlet, the outlet capacity can be less than the inlet capacity. Where the cavity has multiple outlets, the combined outlet capacity can match the inlet capacity. Further, the cross-sectional area of the tapered cavity near the inlet can be similar to the cross-sectional area of the inlet.