Abstract: The present invention is a device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs. It is comprised of a gripping element, a weight, a flexible rotary shaft having two ends, and an extension pole having two ends. The gripping element, itself, is comprised of a hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body having an inner and outer surface and a plurality of flexible, tactile members. The hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body is open at one end and closed at the other. At the open end, the plurality of flexible, tactile members are arranged about a peripheral rim at the opening. When the device is placed over a lightbulb, the flexible, tactile members capture the lightbulb. Rotating the extension pole will cause the lightbulb to rotate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass systems and methods for detecting the presence of a test pad on a test strip. Exemplary techniques involve receiving a test strip having at least one test pad, where individual test pads have a pad width with ink disposed on two ink zones at two opposing sides of the width of the pad, illuminating the at least one test pad with a light source, detecting reflected signals from the test pad, generating an image comprising of pixels of the two ink zones based on the reflected signals, detecting the presence of each of the ink zones by comparing the number of consecutive pixels against a predetermined threshold, and determining the presence of the test pad on the test strip if two ink zones are detected within the pad width.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for installing and removing partially obstructed, upward-facing lightbulbs. It is comprised of a gripping element, a weight, a flexible rotary shaft having two ends, and an extension pole having two ends. The gripping element, itself, is comprised of a hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body having an inner and outer surface and a plurality of flexible, tactile members. The hollow, three-dimensional gripping element body is open at one end and closed at the other. At the open end, the plurality of flexible, tactile members are arranged about a peripheral rim at the opening. When the device is placed over a lightbulb, the flexible, tactile members capture the lightbulb. Rotating the extension pole will cause the lightbulb to rotate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass systems and methods for detecting the presence of a test pad on a test strip. Exemplary techniques involve receiving a test strip having at least one test pad, where individual test pads have a pad width with ink disposed on two ink zones at two opposing sides of the width of the pad, illuminating the at least one test pad with a light source, detecting reflected signals from the test pad, generating an image comprising of pixels of the two ink zones based on the reflected signals, detecting the presence of each of the ink zones by comparing the number of consecutive pixels against a predetermined threshold, and determining the presence of the test pad on the test strip if two ink zones are detected within the pad width.

Abstract: A composition for the upregulation of expression of cell antigens, without inducing shedding, which comprises a protein kinase C activator is provided for this invention. Further provided by this invention is a method of detecting and treating tumor cells comprising contacting tumor cells with an effective amount of a protein kinase C activator for the upregulation of expression of antigens of tumor cells, without inducing antigen shedding, and detecting the presence of said antigen or then further contacting said tumor cells with an effective amount of an antibody directed to said antigen.

Abstract: A composition for the upregulation of expression of cell antigens, without inducing shedding, which comprises a protein kinase C activator is provided by this invention. Further provided by this invention is a method of detecting and treating tumor cells comprising contacting tumor cells with an effective amount of a protein kinase C activator for the upregulation of expression of antigens of tumor cells, without inducing antigen shedding, and detecting the presence of said antigen or then further contacting said tumor cells with an effective amount of an antibody directed to said antigen.

Abstract: A composition for the upregulation of expression of cell antigens, without inducing shedding, which comprises a protein kinase C activator is provided by this invention. Further provided by this invention is a method of detecting and treating tumor cells comprising contacting tumor cells with an effective amount of a protein kinase C activator for the upregulation of expression of antigens of tumor cells, without inducing antigen shedding, and detecting the presence of said antigen or then further contacting said tumor cells with an effective amount of an antibody directed to said antigen.

Abstract: A fire selector system for selecting between automatic and semi-automatic operation of a gun is provided. The system is mountable on a reciprocating slide of the gun and into operative relationship with the trigger bar of the gun. A member of the selector system is movable between forward and rearward longitudinal positions. The forward longitudinal position allows the member to assume an activating longitudinal position for automatic operation of the gun. The rearward longitudinal position prevents the member from assuming its activating longitudinal position, thereby effecting semi-automatic operation of the gun. The member repetitively contacts a contact area of the trigger bar as it reciprocates with a reciprocating slide of the gun during automatic operation. Further, the device is easily installed and removed from the reciprocating slide depending on user requirements.

Abstract: A composition for the upregulation of expression of cell antigens, without inducing shedding, which comprises a protein kinase C activator is provided by this invention. Further provided by this invention is a method of detecting and treating tumor cells comprising contacting tumor cells with an effective amount of a protein kinase C activator for the upregulation of expression of antigens of tumor cells, without inducing antigen shedding, and detecting the presence of said antigen or then further contacting said tumor cells with an effective amount of an antibody directed to said antigen.