Abstract: A snap-action switch includes an M-blade snap spring, an actuation arm, a first bridge, and a second bridge. The M-blade snap spring includes a closed end, a double-loop end, a first outer leg, a second outer leg, a first inner leg, a second inner leg, and a cross member. The actuation arm is coupled to the first and second inner legs, and distorts the M-blade snap to exhibit snap-action movement between a first switch position and a second switch position. When the M-blade snap spring is in the first switch position, the double-loop end engages the first bridge and does not engage the second bridge, and when the M-blade snap spring is in the second switch position, the double-loop end engages the second bridge and does not engage the first bridge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising a micelle for use in biological applications, the micelle comprising: a substantially water-insoluble conjugated polymer which exhibits luminescence or fluorescence from about 300 nm to about 1500 nm of the electromagnetic spectrum: a biocompatible surfactant and/or lipid: and a MRI active agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods related generally to a patient selection process for identifying individuals for treatment of cancer, inflammation, pain, and/or related conditions.

Abstract: A holder (2) is provided intended to receive one or more samples of biological fluid for subsequent processing, for example using a robotic punch. The holder has a plastics frame having a windowed portion (3), a substrate (4) for receiving the biological fluid inset within the windowed portion, a cover (7) mounted on the frame slidable between a first position spaced from but overlying the substrate and a second position revealing the substrate and a drying agent (8) positioned on the cover on that side which overlies the substrate in the first position.

Abstract: A cell population expressing folate receptors is selectively targeted with a folate mimetic. The folate mimetic is conjugated to a diagnostic or therapeutic agent to enable selective delivery of the agent to the targeted cell population.

Abstract: A cell population expressing folate receptors is selectively targeted with a non-peptide folic acid analogue. The non-peptide folic acid analogue is conjugated to a diagnostic or therapeutic agent to enable selective delivery of the agent to the targeted cell population.

Abstract: Multi-chambered food containers having and methods of using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a multi-chambered food container having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers. The second chamber can have a food component stored therein.

Abstract: A dual piston-pump apparatus is provided having a pump chassis that includes a pair of spaced-apart, elongated piston bores, and a lead screw shaft. This shaft includes a motor driven end, and another portion thereof rotatably mounted to the chassis for rotation about a screw rotational axis. A piston drive member threadably cooperates with the lead screw shaft for selective reciprocating movement longitudinally along the screw rotational axis thereof between a first position and a second position. The drive member includes a pair of spaced-apart piston shafts, each piston shaft of which includes a respective piston head slideably received in a respective piston bore of the chassis. As the drive member is driven along the screw shaft between the first position and the second position, each piston head is simultaneously reciprocated between a dispensing condition and an aspiration condition.

Abstract: This application describes substituted 1,3,4,6,7,11b-hexahydro-benzo(a)quinolizine compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, processes for making them and their therapeutic methods.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically formatting removable media. A default media image is generated in computer memory in response to detecting unformatted media in a computer drive. The media image includes default file system structures for the media. In response to receiving a request to read the media, data is returned based on the default file system structures. However, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write information to the media, wherein the default media image in memory is committed to the media.

Abstract: A computer-driven method for the initialization of re-writable optical media is provided. Embodiments include a method for the formatting of optical media to include defining a file system and writing a UDF reader to the optical media to enable implementation on a plurality of optical media devices in a plurality of operating system environments. The optical media is initialized using either user data or initialization patterns in a background operation to allow user interaction with the optical media during initialization. Prior to initialization of the entire media space of an optical media, a session may be closed to enable compatibility of a partially initialized media. Further methods are provided to re-open a closed session to complete initialization of the media space.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically preparing removable media for content, such as by automatically formatting media such as CDs and DVDs. A drive type is determined for a drive present on a computer system. The drive type defines characteristics of the drive. In addition, a media type is detected for removable media, such as a compact disc or floppy disk, present in the drive. Similar to the drive type, the media type defines characteristics of the removable media. Based on the drive type and media type, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write to the removable media.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically preparing removable media for content, such as by automatically formatting media such as CDs and DVDs. A drive type is determined for a drive present on a computer system. The drive type defines characteristics of the drive. In addition, a media type is detected for removable media, such as a compact disc or floppy disk, present in the drive. Similar to the drive type, the media type defines characteristics of the removable media. Based on the drive type and media type, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write to the removable media.

Abstract: An invention is provided for automatically formatting removable media at the application level. The method includes intercepting a write request to write to removable media, and determining if the removable media is unformatted. When the removable media is unformatted, the removable media is automatically prepared for content. The write request is then provided to an operating system, which performs a write operation on the removable media. In one aspect, the method can determine whether the write request is directed to a supported drive, which is a drive within a predetermined set of supported drives. In this aspect, if the write request is not directed to a supported drive, the write request can be provided to the operating system without formatting the removable media.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically formatting removable media. A default media image is generated in computer memory in response to detecting unformatted media in a computer drive. The media image includes default file system structures for the media. In response to receiving a request to read the media, data is returned based on the default file system structures. However, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write information to the media, wherein the default media image in memory is committed to the media.

Abstract: An invention is provided for automatically formatting removable media at the application level. The method includes intercepting a write request to write to removable media, and determining if the removable media is unformatted. When the removable media is unformatted, the removable media is automatically prepared for content. The write request is then provided to an operating system, which performs a write operation on the removable media. In one aspect, the method can determine whether the write request is directed to a supported drive, which is a drive within a predetermined set of supported drives. In this aspect, if the write request is not directed to a supported drive, the write request can be provided to the operating system without formatting the removable media.

Abstract: A software-driven method for the initialization of re-writable optical media is provided. Embodiments include a software-driven method for the formatting of re-writable optical media to include defining a file system and writing a UDF reader to the optical media to enable implementation on a plurality of optical media devices in a plurality of operating system environments. The re-writable optical media is initialized using either user data or initialization patterns in a background operation to allow user interaction with the optical media during initialization. Methods are provided for multi-track capabilities of the optical media. Prior to initialization of the entire media space of an optical media, a session can be closed to enable compatibility of a partially initialized media in a ROM device. Further methods are provided to re-open a closed session to complete initialization of the media space.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically formatting removable media. A default media image is generated in computer memory in response to detecting unformatted media in a computer drive. The media image includes default file system structures for the media. In response to receiving a request to read the media, data is returned based on the default file system structures. However, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write information to the media, wherein the default media image in memory is committed to the media.

Abstract: A luminescent particle is described having the formula: M2[M1(POM)] wherein: M2 is a cation, M1 is an ion of a metal capable of providing a luminescent centre or a mixture of two or more thereof, and POM is a polyoxometallate, polythiometallate or polyoxothiometallate of at least one metal of group VA or VIA of the Periodic Table and, optionally, a hetero atom, X, the amounts of X, M1, M2 and POM being such as to provide overall neutrality.

Abstract: A software-driven method for the initialization and defect management of re-writable optical media is provided. Embodiments include a software-driven method for the formatting of re-writable optical media to include defining a file system and writing a UDF reader to the optical media to enable implementation on a plurality of optical media devices in a plurality of operating system environments. The re-writable optical media is initialized using either user data or initialization patterns in a background operation to allow user interaction with the optical media during initialization. Data integrity is managed over the life of the re-writable optical media through use of a write count table with entries corresponding to each packet written to the re-writable optical media and tallied to prompt packet verification upon a pre-determined number of user writes to the packet.