Abstract: A system for automatically forming chunks and spears at high speed from unpeeled fruit items is provided. The fruit is sliced into unpeeled wedges. The unpeeled wedges are conveyed into a plurality of staggered transverse chunking blades, wherein the flesh, but not the peel, is cut sequentially from the center of each wedge outwardly, flattening each wedge. A peel removal knife is located to sever the peel of each wedge from the center outwardly after the transverse chunk cutting blades have cut the flesh. Spears may be formed by deleting some of the transverse chunking blades.

Abstract: A system for automatically forming chunks and spears at high speed from unpeeled fruit items is provided. The fruit is sliced into unpeeled wedges. The unpeeled wedges are conveyed into a plurality of staggered transverse chunking blades, wherein the flesh, but not the peel, is cut sequentially from the center of each wedge outwardly, flattening each wedge. A peel removal knife is located to sever the peel of each wedge from the center outwardly after the transverse chunk cutting blades have cut the flesh. Spears may be formed by deleting some of the transverse chunking blades.

Abstract: A system for automatically forming chunks and spears at high speed from unpeeled fruit items is provided. The fruit is sliced into unpeeled wedges. The unpeeled wedges are conveyed into a plurality of staggered transverse chunking blades, wherein the flesh, but not the peel, is cut sequentially from the center of each wedge outwardly, flattening each wedge. A peel removal knife is located to sever the peel of each wedge from the center outwardly after the transverse chunk cutting blades have cut the flesh. Spears may be formed by deleting some of the transverse chunking blades.

Abstract: A system for automatically forming chunks and spears at high speed from unpeeled fruit items is provided. The fruit is sliced into unpeeled wedges. The unpeeled wedges are conveyed into a plurality of staggered transverse chunking blades, wherein the flesh, but not the peel, is cut sequentially from the center of each wedge outwardly, flattening each wedge. A peel removal knife is located to sever the peel of each wedge from the center outwardly after the transverse chunk cutting blades have cut the flesh. Spears may be formed by deleting some of the transverse chunking blades.

Abstract: A hand orthosis assembly comprising a substantially rigid splint member having an inner wrist portion configured to receive a person's inner wrist and an arcuate palm portion extending from the wrist portion to receive the person's cupped hand. The arcuate palm portion may defining a cavity adapted to releasably retain a tool or recreational device, or an interchangeable insert releasably retained within the cavity, for generally gripping a tool or recreational device for functional use. The assembly may additionally include two or more protrusions extending from an outer perimeter of the arcuate portion for maintaining the persons' fingers in generally correct alignment. The assembly may also include a hook portion extending from the arcuate palm portion, having an assisting member extending therefrom for handling objects. The assisting member may be magnetic or affixed to magnetic material.

Abstract: A hand orthosis assembly comprising a substantially rigid splint member having an inner wrist portion configured to receive a person's inner wrist and an arcuate palm portion extending from the wrist portion to receive the person's cupped hand. The arcuate palm portion may defining a cavity adapted to releasably retain a tool or recreational device, or an interchangeable insert releasably retained within the cavity, for generally gripping a tool or recreational device for functional use. The assembly may additionally include two or more protrusions extending from an outer perimeter of the arcuate portion for maintaining the persons' fingers in generally correct alignment. The assembly may also include a hook portion extending from the arcuate palm portion, having an assisting member extending therefrom for handling objects. The assisting member may be magnetic or affixed to magnetic material.

Abstract: A system for generating recombinant, human parainfluenza virus, particularly infectious, recombinant, human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) is provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a clone comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a full-length, positive sense, anti-genome of HPIV, and at least one support clone comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the HPIV P protein and the HPIV L protein. In another embodiment, the system further comprises a support clone which comprises a nucleotide sequence that encodes the HPIV NP protein. The present invention also provides a MAH clone which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding the full-length, positive sense, anti-genome of HPIV-3. The clone also comprises an RNA polymerase promoter operatively linked to the HPIV-3 antigenome-encoding sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the clone further comprises a nucleotide sequence which encodes a ribozyme immediately downstream from the sequence encoding the HPIV-3 anti-genome.

Abstract: A nucleic acid construct comprising at least two copies of a nucleic acid sequence encoding an autocatalytic peptide cleavage site is disclosed. This site preferably comprises the amino acid sequence DX(D,E)XNPGP. A method of exposing an animal to an antigenic amino acid sequence is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow cytometry system includes a flow tube through which particles marked with different fluorochromes pass from a first location, illuminated by a red laser, to a second location, illuminated by a blue laser. A "red" photodetector is optically coupled to detect red fluorescence from both locations. "Yellow" and "green" photodetectors respectively detect yellow and green fluorescence from the second location, while a "scattered light" detector detects scattered light from the second location. During a sample run, the red photodetector can output pulses that correspond primarily to APC fluorochrome at the first location and to PerCP at the second location respectively. A delay device delays the APC pulse relative to the PerCP pulse so that the peaks can be scaled and subtracted in the analog electrical domain to remove APC/PerCP crosstalk. The delay is calibrated using a set of APC tagged cells.

Abstract: A memory packaging scheme for high speed computer systems includes, several memory module sockets mounted to a printed circuit board and interconnected by a common set of address, data and control transmission lines within the printed circuit board. The transmission lines are interrupted at each connector. Cooperating memory modules, such as SIMM memory modules are installed in sequence into one or more of the module sockets in accordance with the requirements of the computer system. Installation of a memory module into a memory socket closes the open circuits for each one of the transmission lines at the memory socket, extending the uninterrupted length of the transmission lines to the next memory socket in the sequence.

Abstract: A walking course 10 has a generally oblong base 11 with a perimeter handrail 15 mounted on base 11 and extending around a closed and generally oval walking path. A central handrail 20 also mounted on base 11 extends along the inside of the walking path. A gate 25 in perimeter handrail 15 allows a person to enter walking course 10 from outside base 11; and base 11, handrails 15 and 20, and gate 25 are dimensioned so that a person can enter the path and walk round and round the path for exercise while gripping and guiding on both of handrails 15 and 20. Gate 25, which can be latched closed for safety while a person is using course 10, also preferably includes a seat 30 for resting if necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting particles comprises a nozzle or the like for forming discrete droplets of particles from a flowing liquid stream containing those particles. A detector is provided for detecting particles in the stream. A charging electrode, responsive to the detector, charges some droplets of selective interest with a positive electrical charge and some with a negative electrical charge. Electrical deflecting plates deflect charged droplets of selective interest. Droplets of selective interest, charged with opposite polarities, are collected in a collection well inside which the electrical charge is substantially neutralized. A method for sorting particles, such as cells or the like, substantially in accordance with the above-described apparatus is another aspect of the present invention.