Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nucleobase polymer functionalizing reagents, to mobility-modified sequence-specific nucleobase polymers, to compositions comprising a plurality of mobility-modified sequence-specific nucleobase polymers, and to the use of such polymers and compositions in a variety of assays, such as, for example, for the detection of a plurality of selected nucleotide sequences within one or more target nucleic acids. The mobility-modifying polymers of the present invention include phosphoramidite reagents which can be joined to other mobility-modifying monomers and to sequence-specific oligonucleobase polymers via uncharged phosphate triester linkages. Addition of the mobility-modifying phosphoramidite reagents of the present invention to oligonucleobase polymers results in unexpectedly large effects the mobility of those modified oligonucleobase polymers, especially upon capillary electrophoresis in non-sieving media.

Abstract: An optical amplifier suitable for use in optical communication systems such as for telecommunications or cable television provides, for purposes of wavelength division multiplexed communications, the ability to amplify optical signals in both the C band, L band, and S band using conventional EDFA amplifiers. The S band, normally not amplifiable by EDFAs, here is amplified by converting the S band signal to a C band optical signal, providing optical amplification by an EDFA, then reconverting the amplified C band optical signal back to the S band in the same or a subsequent amplifier stage. The wavelength converters are, for instance, periodically poled lithium niobate devices using three-wave mixing, and employing difference frequency generation techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nucleobase polymer functionalizing reagents, to mobility-modified sequence-specific nucleobase polymers, to compositions comprising a plurality of mobility-modified sequence-specific nucleobase polymers, and to the use of such polymers and compositions in a variety of assays, such as, for example, for the detection of a plurality of selected nucleotide sequences within one or more target nucleic acids. The mobility-modifying polymers of the present invention include phosphoramidite reagents which can be joined to other mobility-modifying monomers and to sequence-specific oligonucleobase polymers via uncharged phosphate triester linkages. Addition of the mobility-modifying phosphoramidite reagents of the present invention to oligonucleobase polymers results in unexpectedly large effects the mobility of those modified oligonucleobase polymers, especially upon capillary electrophoresis in non-sieving media.

Abstract: A composition comprises a blend of (a) a first crystalline fluoroplastic which is an ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, in an amount between 30 and 70 weight %; (b) a second crystalline fluoroplastic which is a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride, in an amount between 30 and 65 weight %; and (c) a fluorinated thermoplastic elastomer which is a block copolymer having at least one elastomeric segment comprising tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and hexafluoropropylene repeat units in a mole ratio 45-90:5-50:0-35 and at least one nonelastomeric segment comprising tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene repeat units, in an amount between 5 and 25 weight %. The fluorinated thermoplastic elastomer acts as a compatibilizer for the two fluoroplastics. The composition exhibits improved flexibility, tensile strength, and/or elongation.

Abstract: Electrically conductive polypyrrole and its derivatives are prepared by polymerizing compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen, halogen, R.sup.4, --OR.sup.4 or --SR.sup.4 ; and R.sup.4 is aryl of 4 to 12 carbons or aliphatic of 1 to 20 carbons; comprising reacting the compound of formula I in the presence of an initiator, the initiator comprising a 2-substituted pyrrole nucleus which has a lower oxidation potential than the compound of formula I and which is capable of being incorporated into the polymer resulting from the polymerization reaction; a chemical oxidant or an applied electrochemical potential; and a solvent.