Abstract: An automatically loading cord reel device which includes a cord reel housing, a rotatably contained spool with indexing slots, and a coiled spring which is coupled to said spool. A spring loaded indexing lever interacts with the indexing slots on the spool. The spool is pre-wound a fixed number of turns and the pre-wound device includes an exposed portion of a cord attachment device which is attached to the spool and extends out from a cord reeling aperture in the reel housing. The embodied cord attachment device includes a tongue-shaped strip of flexible material with an circular aperture and connected distally extending slot formed therethrough the exposed end portion of the tongue. A locking pin aperture also extends through the exposed portion of the tongue for receiving a locking pin. The pre-wound spool is thereby held in place by the locking pin to prevent unwinding.

Abstract: An integral biomolecule preparation device which accomplishes all of the nucleic acid separation steps, including centrifugation, reagent addition, and pipeting, automatically without human intervention to fully automate the DNA separation procedure.

Abstract: Compounds are described of the formula ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is C.sub.3-6 alkyl or C.sub.1-3 alkylthioC.sub.1-3 alkyl;R.sup.2 is an optionally substituted C.sub.1-6 alkyl or C.sub.1-6 alkoxy group, aryl, heteroaryl, arylC.sub.1-4 alkyl, heteroarylC.sub.1-4 alkyl or a side-chain of a natural .alpha.-amino acid;R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, CHR.sup.4 COR.sup.5 (where R.sup.4 is a side-chain of a natural .alpha.-amino acid and R.sup.5 is hydroxyl, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy or NHR.sup.6 where R.sup.6 represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group) or a group (CH.sub.2).sub.n X (where n is 1 to 6 and X is hydroxyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, heteroaryl or a group NR.sup.7 R.sup.8 where R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are each hydrogen or C.sub.1-6 alkyl or the group NR.sup.7 R.sup.

Abstract: An automated manufacturing cost estimating method and system with indirect cost allocation which identifies a material in an initial state for manufacturing a product in a final state; defines an operation for converting the material from its initial state into the final state of the product; calculates the direct labor cost for each operation based on direct labor hours and calculates the indirect cost specifically allocated for each operation based on consumption of overhead cost elements by the operation; and sums the cost calculated for each operation to determine the total cost of manufacture of a part.