Abstract: A donated blood collection kit includes an easy-to-open closed container. Stored within the container are items necessary or useful for collecting donated blood, such as an antiseptic scrub, an antiseptic swab, test tubes, a blood collection container, a gauze pad and a sheet of pre-printed adhesive barcode labels. Each kit is assigned a unique identification when the kit is manufactured. The identification may eventually be used as the unique donor identification for a unit of donated blood that is collected using the items in the kit. The container is pre-labeled with the unique identification, such as by a barcode or an RF-ID tag. The test tubes and, if included, the blood collection container are pre-labeled with the same unique donor identification.

Abstract: The invention provides a variable focus lens formed from a ring with a front surface and a rear surface, a flexible membrane is attached to a radially inner part of the front surface, and a front cover is attached to a radially outer part of the front surface, a rear cover is provided on the rear surface of the ring, preferably integral with the ring, so that a variable volume cavity is defined between the flexible membrane, the ring and the rear cover, second flexible membrane can be provided between the ring and the rear cover, where the invention also provides a method of filling a variable focus lens, and an adjustment mechanism for varying the focus of the lens.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for categorizing test failures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a data set of a current test failure is compared with the data sets of historical test failures to result in a set of correspondence values. The current test failure is categorized with respect to the historical test failures at least in part on the basis of the correspondence values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell targeting conjugates and in particular, but not exclusively, to methods of their use in selectively eliminating and in selectively imaging target cells. The invention also relates to processes for production of the conjugates and to intermediate compounds that may be used in production of a specific class of cell targeting conjugates. In one embodiment there is provided a cell targeting conjugate comprising the following components that are covalently conjugated via a linker that is degradable within the target cells: i) a DNA minor groove binding ligand incorporating an effective Auger electron-emitting and/or gamma-emitting and/or positron-emitting atom or photoactive moiety; ii) a target cell specific protein or peptide that is capable of internalisation by target cells.

Abstract: A call completion system, method and apparatus for integrated directory assistance and voice activated dialing based upon call transfer rules. In accordance with the present invention, a call completion system can include a set of call transfer rules implicating one of a directory assistance interface and a voice activated dialer interface. The system further can include a call completion processor configured to select one of a directory assistance interface and a voice activated dialer interface based upon an evaluation of the call transfer rules for an incoming query.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving a logic circuit are described. By using a voltage reducer for connecting a power-supply to a virtual ground, the voltage reducer reduces the voltage supplied by the power-supply to the virtual ground during one phase of the clock, thereby increasing the speed and efficiency of the logic circuit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving a logic circuit are described. By using a voltage reducer for connecting a power-supply to a virtual ground, the voltage reducer reduces the voltage supplied by the power-supply to the virtual ground during one phase of the clock, thereby increasing the speed and efficiency of the logic circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods for the identification of genes and gene products that are implicated in certain disease states. According to the invention, there is provided a method for the identification of a gene that is implicated in a specific disease or physiological condition, said method comprising the steps of comparing: i) the transcriptome or proteome of a first specialized cell type that is implicated in the disease or condition under first and second experimental conditions; with ii) the transcriptome or proteome of a second specialized cell type under said first and said second experimental conditions; and identifying as a gene implicated in the disease or physiological condition, a gene that is differentially regulated in the two specialized cell types under the first and second experimental conditions. The invention also relates to novel genes and gene products identified using these methods.