Abstract: The inventors herein disclose new heterobifunctional chromophores that are capable of coupling with two distinct moieties. One moiety may be either a signal-enhancing agent or a blocking agent. The second moiety may be one member of a specific binding pair. The invention is based in part on the surprising result that when a chromophore is used as a “cross-linker” between a signal-enhancing agent and a member of a binding pair (essentially being buried between the two), the signal of the chromophore is not quenched. This arrangement, wherein the chromophore acts simultaneously as a cross-linker and a detectable compound, provides significant advantages over previously known compounds since the chromophore is sterically hindered from interacting non-specifically with substances present in the test systems. Moreover, the chromophore can be used as a cross-linker with little or no loss of detectable signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting particular frequencies of vibration utilize a magnetically-tunable beam element having a stress-sensitive coating and means for providing magnetic force to controllably deflect the beam element thereby changing its stiffness and its resonance frequency. It is then determined from the response of the magnetically-tunable beam element to the vibration to which the beam is exposed whether or not a particular frequency or frequencies of vibration are detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a bottled water dispenser uses a refrigeration system to cool the water and an ozone generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the housing, the air carrying the ozone through a flow line to an air diffuser that is positioned inside the reservoir of the water dispenser. A time deactivates the refrigeration system and at about the same time activates the ozone generator and the blower. The blower continues to pump air for a selected time period after the ozone generator is shut down, the water in the reservoir having been sanitized. This action dispenses any ozone odor. The pump then shuts off and the refrigeration system resumes operation of cooling the water in the reservoir.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting particular frequencies of acoustic vibration utilize an electrostatically-tunable beam element having a stress-sensitive coating and means for providing electrostatic force to controllably deflect the beam element thereby changing its stiffness and its resonance frequency. It is then determined from the response of the electrostatically-tunable beam element to the acoustical vibration to which the beam is exposed whether or not a particular frequency or frequencies of acoustic vibration are detected.

Abstract: Improved methods, reagents, and kits for quantitation of HLA-DR expression on peripheral blood cells, particularly peripheral blood monocytes, are presented. Inclusion of a lysosomotropic amine, such as chloroquine, during staining stabilizes HLA-DR expression, and use of a novel anti-CD14 conjugate, anti-CD14-PerCP/CY5.5, permits the ready discrimination of monocytes. The improved methods, reagents, and kits may be used to assess immune competence, and to direct and monitor immunostimulatory therapies in septic patients exhibiting monocyte deactivation.

Abstract: The inventors herein disclose new heterobifunctional chromophores that are capable of coupling with two distinct moieties. One moiety may be either a signal-enhancing agent or a blocking agent. The second moiety may be one member of a specific binding pair. The invention is based in part on the surprising result that when a chromophore is used as a "cross-linker" between a signal-enhancing agent and a member of a binding pair (essentially being buried between the two), the signal of the chromophore is not quenched. This arrangement, wherein the chromophore acts simultaneously as a cross-linker and a detectable compound, provides significant advantages over previously known compounds since the chromophore is sterically hindered from interacting non-specifically with substances present in the test systems. Moreover, the chromophore can be used as a cross-linker with little or no loss of detectable signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a bottled water dispenser uses a refrigeration system to cool the water and an ozone generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the housing, the air carrying the ozone through a flow line to an air diffuser that is positioned inside the reservoir of the water dispenser. A time deactivates the refrigeration system and at about the same time activates the ozone generator and the blower. The blower continues to pump air for a selected time period after the ozone generator is shut down, the water in the reservoir having been sanitized. This action dispenses any ozone odor. The pump then shuts off and the refrigeration system resumes operation of cooling the water in the reservoir.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet assembly includes a cabinet shell having opposed side walls that are interconnected by a top wall and a shell bottom. Each of the side and top walls of the shell lead to front face portions which are integrally formed with return flanges for use in mounting one or more liners within the cabinet shell in a manner known in the art. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the shell bottom is spaced rearwardly of the return flanges such that a receiving slot is defined therebetween. The cabinet assembly further includes an integrated, structural reinforcing frame mounted within the cabinet shell by sliding the frame within the receiving slot and securing the frame to the return flanges. After mounting a yoder tube, a mullion bar and the liners within the cabinet shell, a plastic toe plate is attached to the reinforcing frame. The toe plate is provided with side flanges which extend about the side walls of the cabinet shell.

Abstract: Cells fixed with a fixative, reduced with a Schiff's base reducing agent and then dried in the presence of .alpha.-.alpha.-trehalose retain their light scatter and fluorescence properties and may be used, when rehydrated, as standards or controls in cellular analysis.

Abstract: A device for aiding a color blind person in the distinguishing of colors includes at least two lenses of different colors disposed so that an object may be simultaneously viewable through each of the lenses by one eye of the person.

Abstract: A push-type expanding mandrel apparatus that includes an expandable member with a tapered mandrel and a pushing member with a push rod. The body of the pushing member is held within a bore in a collet adapter that fits within the bore of a machine spindle, and the push rod enters a bore in the expanding member and tapered mandrel. Force applied to the back of the collet adapter is transferred to the pushing member at the interface of a tapered, inward facing shoulder in the bore of the collet adapter and a tapered hip on the body of the pushing member. As force is transferred to the pushing member, the push rod within the bore of the tapered mandrel exerts an outward force on the mandrel, causing leaves on the mandrel to expand outward and grip a workpiece from within a bore in the workpiece.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands to CD4. Included in the invention are specific 2'F RNA ligands to CD4 identified by the SELEX method.

Abstract: A pole top extension assembly (10) for mounting a wooden extension bayonet (37) having a rectangular cross section to the flattened top of a cylindrical wooden utility pole (21). The pole top extension assembly (10) comprising a pair of bracket members (25 and 27) each having leg portions (30) extending downwardly from the top of he wooden utility pole (21), and each bracket member further having a matingly interengageable portion (29 and 31) which couples the said bracket members together over the top of pole (21). At least one of said bracket members including a rectangular collar (35) opening upwardly to receive a bayonet member therein, with said rectangular collar having two pairs of opposite side walls (41and 43) oriented, respectively, substantially parallel and perpendicular to said leg portions (30).

Abstract: A rapid, simple method for preparing beads for calibrating flow cytometers which contain a known number of fluorophores per bead is presented. Briefly, the invention utilizes beads coated with a stable complex of a fluorophore and an enzyme. the enzymatic activity of a known number of beads gives an accurate measure of fluorophore density on those beads.

Abstract: Control of defrost cycle initiation in a refrigeration apparatus is based on the difference between the last two defrost times, taking into account the sign of the difference so that the increase or decrease in the time between defrosts corresponds to the trend in defrost times rather than on any particular defrost time or the average of defrost times. A variety of limits are included to ensure that the time between defrosts is reactive to sudden aberrational changes in defrost times, and does not exceed minimum or maximum values.

Abstract: Apparatus for altering the length of a down-hole tool assemblly is described. The apparatus comprises a main housing (1), a slide (13) movable within the housing between a retracted position and an extended position, and latching means (6,755,33,41) to releasably secure the slide (13) to the housing (1) when the slide (13) is in either the extended position or the retracted position. The latching means (6,7,33,41,55) is activated and de-activated by fluid pressure within the apparatus where the apparatus forms part of a drill string, the fluid is typically drilling mud which is pumped through the drill string and the apparatus and the pressure is changed by changing the rate of mud flow through the drill string.

Abstract: A remote controlled door lock apparatus is provided for use in connection with a conventional door lock. The apparatus includes a solenoid operated element for mounting on the door and for connection to the door lock, and a remote control element for connection to the solenoid element for remotely locking and unlocking the door lock.

Abstract: A diverter or rotary drill head has a rubber stripper assembly mounted to a stinger flange. An annular retaining collar is releasably received within the upper marginal end of the drill head main body. the retainer collar is axially spaced from a shoulder formed on the main body to form an annular area therebetween within which the stinger flange is rotatably received in low friction relationship. The retainer collar is held in assembled position by a plurality of retractable radially spaced dogs. The dogs are retracted to permit the stripper rubber, stinger flange, and stinger to be lifted free of the main body. This enables repairs to be rapidly and economically effected on the rotating parts of the diverter and provides a seal means by which well blow-outs can be diverted away from the drilling rig.

Abstract: Method and apparatus by which the cutting face of a drill bit is renewed. The drill bit has a cutting face comprised of a plurality of radially spaced apart stud assemblies, each received within a socket. A polycrystalline diamond disc forms one end of the stud assembly. The socket is in the form of a counterbore extending angularly into the bit body so that when a marginal end of the stud assembly is forced into a socket, a portion of the face of the diamond disc extends below the bottom of the bit body for engagement with the bottom of a borehole. A passageway communicates with the rear of the counterbore and extends back to a surface of the bit. Fluid pressure is effected within the passageway, thereby developing sufficient pressure differential across the stud assembly to cause the stud assembly to move respective to the socket.