Abstract: The invention provides a method for the early detection of pregnancy failure, spontaneous abortion or premature birth by determinations of complement regulatory protein levels. A kit for use in rapid identification of these pregnancy complications is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for providing visual feedback to a user of an exercise machine for gauging fitness progress of the user. The system provides a user of an exercise machine with a virtual competition in which the user competes against virtual competitors based on his past performances or those of other users, either as an individual or as a member of a team. The team may also be part of a league. For an individual competing against his own past performance(s), the system may raise the level of performance required to win the virtual competition, and may also lower the level of performance required if the user is not performing well on a particular day. For an individual competing against others in either real-time or against designated results, either as part of a team or a league, the system may reduce the isolation, disconnection, and tedium often experienced by users of cardiovascular exercise equipment and provide a social outlet.

Abstract: A system and method for providing visual feedback to a user of an exercise machine for gauging fitness progress of the user. The system provides a user of an exercise machine with a virtual competition in which the user competes against virtual competitors based on past performances. The system may raise the level of performance required to win the virtual competition, and may also lower the level of performance required if the user is not performing well on a particular day. The system attempts to keep the user engaged and motivated to achieve desired fitness goals by providing real-time performance data and historical performance data displayed in a graphical manner coupled with the entertainment and excitement of a competition.

Abstract: A process for the production of a valuable compound, comprising the steps of a) fermentation of a filamentous bacterial or fungal strain (e.g. a Streptomyces strain or an Aspergillus strain) in a fermentation medium wherein a carbohydrate during fermentation is added in a cyclic pulse dosing/pause way, wherein the pulse dosing time is shorter than the pause time and b) recovery of the valuable compound from the fermentation broth.

Abstract: A glycinamide derivative of the general formula I: ##STR1## wherein: R is a linear or ramified alkyl group C.sub.5 -C.sub.18, a linear or ramified alkenyl group C.sub.5, C.sub.6, C.sub.7, C.sub.8, C.sub.9, C.sub.10, C.sub.11, C.sub.12, C.sub.13, C.sub.14, C.sub.15, C.sub.16, C.sub.17 or C.sub.18, a linear or ramified alkynyl group C.sub.4 -C.sub.10, a linear or ramified acyl group C.sub.4 -C.sub.18, a linear or ramified alkyl group C.sub.1 -C.sub.10, substituted by a phenoxy group, by a hydroxy radical, by an acetoxy radical, by a carboxy radical, by a linear or ramified alkoxycarbonyl group C.sub.1 -C.sub.4, by a carbonyl radical, by a carboxaldehyde group, by an acetal or cetal group, by one or more phenyl groups, by one or more phenyl groups substituted by a halogen atom such as fluorine, chlorine or bromine,R.sub.1 represents hydrogen, a linear or ramified alkyl group C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3, C.sub.4, C.sub.5, C.sub.6, C.sub.7, C.sub.8, C.sub.9 or C.sub.10, a linear or ramified acyl group C.sub.1 -C.