Abstract: The invention described herein provides methods for the detection of soluble antigens. In particular, the methods provide for the detection of soluble proteins and chemicals. In addition, the invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid sequence in a sample. Also described is an emittor cell comprising an Fc receptor and an emittor molecule for the detection of a target particle in a sample wherein the target particle to be detected is bound by one or more antibodies. Also provided is an optoelectronic sensor device for detecting a target particle in a plurality of samples.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides methods for the detection of soluble antigens. In particular, the methods provide for the detection of soluble proteins and chemicals. In addition, the invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid sequence in a sample. Also described is an emittor cell comprising an Fc receptor and an emittor molecule for the detection of a target particle in a sample wherein the target particle to be detected is bound by one or more antibodies. Also provided is an optoelectronic sensor device for detecting a target particle in a plurality of samples.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides methods for the detection of soluble antigens. In particular, the methods provide for the detection of soluble proteins and chemicals. In addition, the invention provides methods of detecting a nucleic acid sequence in a sample. Also described is an emittor cell comprising an Fc receptor and an emittor molecule for the detection of a target particle in a sample wherein the target particle to be detected is bound by one or more antibodies. Also provided is an optoelectronic sensor device for detecting a target particle in a plurality of samples.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes contacting the sample with a porous support that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample and directing a fluid through the porous support, whereby the nucleic acid component of the sample is directed through at least a portion of the porous support and is separated from the support, thereby preparing the nucleic acid component for amplification. The sample is separated from raw sample components through means that include a magnetic substrate. An apparatus suitable for conducting the method of the invention also is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to optoelectronic systems for detecting one or more target particles. The system includes a reaction chamber, a specimen collector, an optical detector, and a reservoir containing cells, each of the cells having receptors which are present on the surface of each cell and are specific for the target particle to be detected, where binding of the target particle to the receptors directly or indirectly activates a reporter molecule, thereby producing a measurable optical signal.

Abstract: In a method for the control of a connection in a communication network comprising a plurality of nodes (MSC, TSN, MG), a connection (CO) is established stepwise between nodes (MSC, TSN, MG). At least two of the nodes (MSC, TSN, MG) are adapted to insert an entity into the connection (CO), the entity affecting the connection quality, or to remove an entity affecting the connection quality from the connection. An indicator is forwarded between nodes controlling the connection (CO) wherein the indicator indicates whether the connection (CO) comprises an entity affecting the connection quality. A node which decides to insert an entity into the connection or remove an entity adjusts the indicator accordingly before forwarding it to a further node (MSC, TNS, MSC?) controlling the connection (CO). A node (MSC, TSN, MSC?) controlling the connection (CO) checks the value of the indicator when it performs a decision to insert or remove an entity. Nodes and program units for performing the method are also described.

Abstract: A method of negotiating a call capability between signalling points in a telecommunications system. The method comprises sending a capability preference or prioritised list of preferences from an originating signalling point to a terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point, at the Call Control level. A capability acceptance is returned from the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point to the originating signalling point at the Call Control level, if the terminating signalling point or signalling transfer point accepts a preference sent by the originating signalling point.

Abstract: In order to address the problem of allowing a GGSN 16 of a UMTS core network to work towards multiple Policy Control Functions (PCFs) 17 co-located with P-CSCF nodes 18 using the COPS protocol, a policy control function coordinator (PCF-C) 15 is implemented between the GGSN 16 and the P-CSCF 18. A single COPS connection is established between the GGSN 16 and the PCF-C 15, whilst a COPS connection is established between the PCF-C 15 and each of the P-CSCF nodes 18. Decisions made at the PCFs 17 are routed to the GGSN 16 via the PCF-C 17, and responses generated at the GGSN 16 are routed to the appropriate PCFs 17 via the GGSN 17. This architecture avoids conflicts which might otherwise arise with the COPS protocol.

Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid component of a sample for amplification includes contacting the sample with a porous support that deactivates a nucleic acid amplification inhibitor component of the sample and directing a fluid through the porous support, whereby the nucleic acid component of the sample is directed through at least a portion of the porous support and is separated from the support, thereby preparing the nucleic acid component for amplification.

Abstract: A method of signalling in a telecommunications system that includes a Call Control level and a Bearer Control level, where the Call Control level includes a plurality of Media Gateway Controllers and the Bearer Control level includes a plurality of Media Gateways, each of which is controlled by a Media Gateway Controller. The method includes allocating to each Media Gateway at least one address that corresponds to one of a plurality of different addressing formats, and conveying these addresses between peer Media Gateway Controllers by encapsulating them using a Network Service Access Point addressing format.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices for separating and/or detecting targets from biological, environmental, or chemical samples.

Abstract: A piercing device for use with a jewelry bar is provided. The piercing device is removably connectable to the jewelry bar so that the jewelry bar is immediately inserted into the pierced hole created by the piercing device.

Abstract: In a method for establishing a priority connection in a telecommunication network with a plurality of nodes (1-4) for processing the connection, the nodes (1-4) comprise resources, which can be attributed for processing the connection and a timer for supervising the connection establishment. An expiry of the timer releasing the resources attributed to the connection. A first of said nodes (1) receives a request to set up a priority connection and selects a first of said timers according to an expiry value specified for priority connections. The first node (1) then sends an indication of the connection priority and a queuing indication for the timer selection to a further node (2) processing the connection. The further node (2) checks whether an indication of a connection priority and a queuing indication is received and selects, according to the result of the check, a further of said timers according to an expiry value specified for priority connections.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods, compositions, and devices for separating and/or detecting targets from biological, environmental, or chemical samples.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network, a method of controlling a media gateway to handle a multiplex session, using a media gateway controller, the media gateway and the media gateway controller communicating using a standardised interface protocol, e.g. H.248, providing for a set of command messages each of which contains: a context field for identifying a context of the media gateway; a termination field for identifying one or more terminations of the media gateway; at least one descriptor for defining properties of the context; and optionally a package identity and at least one associated property.

Abstract: In order to address the problem of allowing a GGSN 16 of a UMTS core network to work towards multiple Policy Control Functions (PCFs) 17 co-located with P-CSCF nodes 18 using the COPS protocol, a policy control function coordinator (PCF-C) 15 is implemented between the GGSN 16 and the P-CSCF 18. A single COPS connection is established between the GGSN 16 and the PCF-C 15, whilst a COPS connection is established between the PCF-C 15 and each of the P-CSCF nodes 18. Decisions made at the PCFs 17 are routed to the GGSN 16 via the PCF-C 17, and responses generated at the GGSN 16 are routed to the appropriate PCFs 17 via the GGSN 17. This architecture avoids conflicts which might otherwise arise with the COPS protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to telecommunication services, and in particular, to communicating priority indications between telecommunication nodes in a telecommunication system having a separated call control and bearer control architecture. The present invention provides a number of solutions which map or assign the call level priority to the bearer level.