Abstract: A method for self-calibrating a sound pickup process that uses a microphone array in a wearable device that also includes a loudspeaker, where the microphone array being in a physical arrangement with respect to the loudspeaker. The method obtains, for each of several microphones of the microphone array, one or more transfer functions that each represent a response of the microphone to sound from a position in an acoustic space. The method determines whether a physical arrangement of the microphone array with respect to the loudspeaker has changed and adjusts the transfer function, for at least one of the microphones of the several microphones, in response to determining that the current physical arrangement of the microphone array with respect to the loudspeaker has changed.

Abstract: A method and device for building an oligonucleotide on a solid phase resin within a filter reactor, wherein the method and device as used as a solid phase synthesis system. As part of the solid phase synthesis process, a protecting group will be removed from the 5? position of an oligonucleotide that is attached to the solid phase resin and then an activated amidite (phosphoamidite) solution is added. The activated amidite solution flows up and down, or fluidizes and mixes with the resin beads within the bed reactor and reacts at the 5? position of the oligonucleotide, wherein the phosphorous linkage found within the amidite comprises a P atom that is in an oxidation state of III. Once the activated amidite solution has been reacted, the P atom is converted from an oxidation state of III to an oxidation state of V. Any of the reactions including deblocking, coupling, oxidation, sulfurization, or capping can be fluidized or mixed to get complete contacting between the reagents and the resin.

Abstract: A Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) device and method of using the same for manufacturing peptides is taught herein. The system comprises at least two reactors, each reactor including a quantity of SPPS resin. The reactors are positioned in series. A de-protecting agent is added to the first reactor and then transferred to the second and third reactors, in series, thereby operating to de-protect the protected N-group. Wash solvent is added to the first reactor and then transferred to the second and this operation repeated several times. Likewise, an amino acid activated ester solution is added, in series, to the first, second and third reactors, thereby operating to couple the amino acid to the de-protected N-group. Wash solvent is added to the first reactor and then transferred to the second and this operation repeated several times prior to the next cycle. The use of the reactors in series reduces the overall solvent required.

Abstract: Lateral flow test strips, systems, and methods are provided for measuring the presence and levels of analytes in samples in which the analyte may be complexed, for example within an analyte-antibody complex. Test strips are provided that can decomplex the analyte from the analyte-antibody complex during the lateral flow assay, resulting in high quality assays without the need for a decomplexation pre-treatment step. Various systems and methods for improving the performance of lateral flow assays are described, which include minimization of the Prozone effect, improved dynamic range, improving sensitivity by disrupting complexation of target antigens. The resulting lateral flow system has improved sensitivity and improved dynamic range, and may utilize fluorescence. The illumination system utilizes an LED, plastic lenses and plastic and colored glass filters for the excitation and emission light.

Abstract: A fishing line feeding device for a fishing pole for easily transferring fishing line from a spool to a reel. The fishing line feeding device for a fishing pole includes a support member having a tongue portion and an elongate cross portion being attached to a top end of the tongue portion with the support member being removably supported upon a portion of the fishing pole and; and also includes lug members being spaced apart and being securely attached to the elongate cross portion for facilitating mounting of the fishing line feeding device upon the fishing pole; and further includes a spool support assembly including a shaft being securely attached to the tongue portion for supporting a spool; and also includes a fishing line handling assembly being securely attached to the lug members.

Abstract: A laboratory technique for rapidly predicting the long-term hydrophobic organic contaminant (HOC) desorption behavior in a contaminated soil or sediment useful for planning remediation schemes and/or assessing alternative remediation endpoint decisions employs a superheated water extraction technique for rapid prediction of long-term HOC desorption. The proposed method has great practical significance because desorption at ambient temperatures requires months or years, while high temperature experiments are accomplished in hours or days.

Abstract: A laboratory technique for rapidly predicting the long-term hydrophobic organic contaminant (HOC) desorption behavior in a contaminated soil or sediment useful for planning remediation schemes and/or assessing alternative remediation endpoint decisions employs a superheated water extraction technique for rapid prediction of long-term HOC desorption. The proposed method has great practical significance because desorption at ambient temperatures requires months or years, while high temperature experiments are accomplished in hours or days.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assays for the detection of nucleotide bases at predetermined locations on polynucleotides of interest. The embodiments of the invention include techniques relating to methods in which a primer extension reaction is designed to only extend a single nucleotide base. The invention, in part, relates to the improvement of adding corresponding non-labeled chain terminators to a primer extension reaction so as to increase the accuracy and reliability of nucleotide base determinations made by the assay. The invention is particularly useful when applied to assay methods in which the primer extension reaction is detected by a fluorescent dyes conjugated to chain terminators incorporated in the extension reactions. A first embodiment of the invention relates to methods for identifying a nucleotide base at the predetermined location on a polynucleotide of interest.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cutting and welding slugs to lead wires, a die has a bore therein through which the slug feedstock is stepwise advanced. The die is ferromagnetic and a permanent magnet is positioned with one magnetic pole adjacent the cutting end of the die. A knife has an opening therein for receiving the feedstock advancing out of the die when the hole and die are aligned. Rocking of the knife cuts free a slug. When the knife is rocked back into alignment, the slug positions itself on the freshly cut end of the feedstock. Advance of the feedstock then pushes the slug out of the knife and presents it to a clamp.