Abstract: A wall ventilation screen to be used in exterior walls of buildings or vehicles for protecting against rain water and other elements while simultaneously enabling air flow. The screen includes a plurality of air passages that enable air flow from one side of the screen to the other but preferably without linear communication between both sides through the air passages. The air passages present an upwardly traveling trajectory from an exterior or exposed space to a protected space, preferably with lateral changes of direction as well. Therefore rain water that comes directly from precipitation or splashing from an adjacent surface cannot reach a protected space. The geometry of the air passages provides protection against other environmental or man made elements.

Abstract: A ventilation screen for protecting against rain water and other elements includes a plurality of air passages. The air passages enable air flow from one side of the screen to the other but preferably without linear communication between both sides through the air passages. The air passages present an upwardly traveling trajectory from the exposed space to the protected space, preferably with lateral changes of direction as well. Therefore rain water that comes directly from precipitation or splashing from an adjacent surface cannot reach a protected space. The geometry of the air passages provides protection against other environmental or man made elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA ligands capable of binding to aflatoxin and zearalenone. The invention relates also to methods for determining the presence and concentration of aflatoxin and zearalenone in samples such as agricultural and food products, and to methods for removing or reducing the level of aflatoxin and zearalenone in samples such as agricultural and food products. The invention further relates to methods for identifying DNA ligands capable of binding to aflatoxin and zearalenone. The invention further relates to new DNA sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and an apparatus for determining the presence and concentration of an analyte in a sample and the binding of the analyte to a nucleic acid ligand that include measuring the fluorescence emitted by a rare earth element, i.e., terbium, in the presence of the analyte and the nucleic acid ligand. Specific embodiments include the use of terbium and nucleic acid ligands that specifically bind the mycotoxin ochratoxin. A, to detect and quantify ochratoxin A in, for example, food samples such as grain, wine, or beer. The detection of thrombin using terbium and a thrombin-specific nucleic acid ligand is also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising a rare earth element as a cation that facilitates the binding of an analyte to a nucleic acid ligand of the analyte.

Abstract: The presence of mycotoxins in agricultural products necessitates large scale testing of a wide range of sample material to ensure the safety of food and feed. The mycotoxin ochratoxin A represents an enablement for all mycotoxins as the level of sensitivity necessary for regulatory requirements for this compound at the part per billion level are as low or lower than any other mycotoxin. This invention describes the identification of a set of DNA ligands with sufficiently high binding affinity and specificity for ochratoxin A to enable an improvement over existing methods for the separation, concentration and quantitative determination of ochratoxin A in sample material.