Abstract: The present invention provides a method for combining a fluid delivery system with an analysis system for performing immunological or other chemical of biological assays. The method comprises a miniature plastic fluidic cartridge containing a reaction chamber with a plurality of immobilized species, a capillary channel, and a pump structure along with an external linear actuator corresponding to the pump structure to provide force for the fluid delivery. The plastic fluidic cartridge can be configured in a variety of ways to affect the performance and complexity of the assay performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for combining a fluid delivery system with an analysis system for performing immunological or other chemical of biological assays. The method comprises a miniature plastic fluidic cartridge containing a reaction chamber with a plurality of immobilized species, a capillary channel, and a pump structure along with an external linear actuator corresponding to the pump structure to provide force for the fluid delivery. The plastic fluidic cartridge can be configured in a variety of ways to affect the performance and complexity of the assay performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for combining a fluid delivery system with an analysis system for performing immunological or other chemical of biological assays. The method comprises a miniature plastic fluidic cartridge containing a reaction chamber with a plurality of immobilized species, a capillary channel, and a pump structure along with an external linear actuator corresponding to the pump structure to provide force for the fluid delivery. The plastic fluidic cartridge can be configured in a variety of ways to affect the performance and complexity of the assay performed.

Abstract: A device mounting rail for use in mounting a peripheral device in a computer system comprises first and second elongated sides. The first elongated side engages the peripheral device when the device mounting rail is used to mount the peripheral device in the computer system. The second elongated side engages a retaining wall within the computer system when the device mounting rail is used to mount the peripheral device in the computer system. The second side is also compressible toward the first side to generate a spring force. When the device mounting rail is used to mount the peripheral device in the computer system, the spring force maintains the peripheral device in a substantially rigid relationship to the retaining wall of the computer system.

Abstract: The present system and method are directed to a computerized system for selection, preparation and management of forms. The system and method are especially advantageous in a call center environment dealing with a large volume of customers and multiple forms. The system and method include the display of scripted questions to users at work stations that elicit the input of data regarding the customer, the data being utilized by the system to select, prepare and print relevant forms. A uniform interface including an omnibus script is provided to all users, and the system obviates the need for user selection of applicable forms for particular customers.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis device as well as a process for fabrication of the device is disclosed. The capillary electrophoresis device comprises a device body structure having a plurality of reservoirs arrayed thereon for loading a sample, and a plurality of rows of grooves transversely defined to be connected with the reservoirs for receiving at least a capillary electrophoresis chip. The capillary electrophoresis chip comprises a straight main separation channel, an injection channel, and a plurality of sample transport channels defined thereon in liquid communication with the reservoirs. After an electrode means is applied, the sample can be transported into the separation channel for detection and analysis.

Abstract: A process of forming a nitrocellulose film on a carrier includes the steps of (i) atomizing a nitrocellulose solution to form a plurality of fine nitrocellulose particles and (ii) evenly spraying the nitrocellulose particles on the carrier to form the nitrocellulose film. The film has a predetermined thickness. The nitrocellulose solution is atomized by an ultrasonic spraying nozzle to control a size of each of the nitrocellulose particles to be sprayed on the carrier. The nebulizer can be air-assisted by inert air to control characteristics of the nitrocellulose spray pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a fluidic cartridge including a first and second substrate and an intermediate interlayer is provided. The intermediate interlayer is sealedly interfaced between the first and second substrates to form therein a plurality of channels of capillary dimensions. The apparatus further includes an open reservoir, a pump chamber and a reaction chamber. The open reservoir and reaction chamber are each connected to the pump chamber through the channels. The open reservoir and reaction chamber are in fluid communication with each other via the channels. The apparatus further comprises a fluid flow controlling structure, formed in the fluidic cartridge, which restricts a flow of a fluid through the reaction chamber to one direction. The apparatus further comprises a linear actuator for providing a pumping action in the pump chamber to pump the fluid to flow between the open reservoir and reaction chamber via the plurality of channels and pump chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to airport advertising. Airports are divided into the “landslide” to which the general public is permitted and which includes the terminal(s), car parks etc., and the “airside” from which the public is excluded and which includes runways, taxiing area, apron etc. Billboards (7) which are substantially flush with the ground surface are located in the airside, preferably adjacent the runways (2, 3, 4). The billboards (7) are preferably between the runway extremities and a take off/touch down zone (5). Alternatively the billboards are adjacent taxiways or taxiing areas. The billboards can be provided with movable images and/or interior lighting. A typical billboard size is 50 metres×50 metres (0.25 hectares).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for near net warm forging relatively small, complex shaped parts, such as automotive rocker arms, is disclosed. Die and punches are provided, which collectively have surfaces corresponding to the surfaces of the as-forged parts. Centralized workpieces, e.g., a transverse cylinders having a length-to-diameter ratio of approximately 1:1, are placed in cavities of the dies, and the punches are cycled through forging strokes to form the as-forged parts. The as-forged parts may have draft angles of 0-2.degree. and surface-to-surface transitions with radii of less than or equal to about 1mm, and may also have substantially parallel side surfaces.

Abstract: A female die and a punch for forming relatively complex parts from axi-symmetrical workpieces, and the method of using the female die and punch to form the parts from the workpieces are disclosed. The female die and punch are used in a forging apparatus to near net warm forge parts that include curved surfaces with at least one protrusion offset from the longitudinal central axis of the part, or other complex part configuration. The female die includes curved inner surfaces that form the curved surfaces on the part and a recess to form the protrusion. The punch includes a forming surface at the bottom that is shaped to move material of the workpiece into regions of the cavity that form the protrusion. The volume of the part is substantially equal to the volume of the workpiece.

Abstract: A female die of a closed die set for use in near net warm forging a part includes a cavity having a tapered upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is configured to support a workpiece at a preliminary position in the cavity, and to cause the workpiece to be pre-bent as it is moved through the upper portion of the cavity by a punch. The lower portion has a constant length and width so that the workpiece remains in the pre-bent shape during movement through the lower portion to the bottom end of the cavity. The workpiece is finally formed at the bottom end of the cavity to produce the part.

Abstract: A female die of a closed die set and a punch for near net warm forging complex shaped parts such as lugs from axi-symmetrical workpieces are disclosed. The punch includes a bottom forming surface having opposed chamfer surfaces which move workpiece material laterally in the cavity, prior to and during warm forging, such that the die cavity is substantially evenly filled. Consequently, the resulting parts are evenly filled without requiring that the workpieces fit snugly in the die cavity.

Abstract: An inspection plug assembly includes an elastomeric outer sleeve which may be compressed into the skin of an insulating jacket for forming a seal between the assembly and the jacket by mechanically anchoring the assembly to the jacket, without requiring the use of adhesives. The plug includes pull tabs to facilitate removal of the plug from the sleeves. A lanyard may be attached to the plug and the jacket without disturbing the sealing function.

Abstract: A device to secure binoculars to a tripod having a rectangularly shaped base plate of a durable material, a rectangularly shaped compressible resilient pad made of a high density closed cell foam material operably attached to the top side of the base, a holding plate situated centrally to the resilient pad and operably attached to the base, the holding plate securing the central point of an elongated flexible holding strap. The opposite ends of the strap emerging from under the holding plate provide a pair of loops to receive the monocular barrels of a pair of binoculars. The ends of the straps pass through individual openings at each end of the base not covered by the pad. At each end of the holding strap is a hook type cloth fastening material and a loop type cloth fastening material, each end of the strap passing through a respective oval opening to return on itself, the hook and loop fastening means engaging, thus securing the binoculars in place.

Abstract: A structure having a movable panel (5) has a support frame (8) having side portions (8b) slidably mounted on supports to allow sliding movement of the frame (8) between a retracted and an extended position. The movable panel (5) is mounted on the frame (8) via interengaging track means preferably comprising a track of part-circular cross-section (1) and arcuate means (2). The arcuate means (2) allow a first tilting of the movable panel (5) from a flush-fitting plane to an inclined plane on sliding movement of the frame (8) from the retracted to the extended position, and also allow a subsequent second tilting of the movable panel (5) from the inclined plane to a non-flush plane substantially parallel to the flush-fitting plane. The interengaging means (1,2) allow lateral sliding of the movable panel (5) in the non-flush plane. Thus one end of the movable panel (5) may be transferred between planes before the opposite end, enabling one person to handle large panels with ease.

Abstract: An improvement in the production of methotrexate as set out in Ellard U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,325. It has been found that magnesium oxide facilitates the coupling reaction by acting as an acid acceptor. The dense grade of magnesium oxide is preferred in molar proportions of 2 to 4 moles of magnesium oxide per mole of 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxymethylpteridine. Further, the triphenylphosphine oxide which is generated by hydrolysis of the protecting groups is removed from the reaction stream by utilization of toluene or BTX-type solvents.

Abstract: An improved pharmaceutically active derivative of a copolymer of olefin monomer and .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated polycarboxylic anhydride is prepared by reacting the copolymer with aqueous ammonia, spray drying the resulting aqueous solution of half-amide, half-ammonium salt and thermally imidating the resulting substantially dry, solid particulate product by simultaneous treatment with elevated temperature and removal of water until 5-40% of the derivative half-amide, half-ammonium salt groups are converted to imide groups.

Abstract: A rotating row marker equipped with both transverse and longitudinal imprinting projections impresses a grid-type pattern into the soil for precise placement of seeds or seedlings in a subsequent planting operation. One of the transverse projections houses an eccentric weight for gravitationally returning the row marker to a predetermined position when the row marker is raised above the earth.