Abstract: A displacement and force sensor device using as a transducer an opto-mechanical assembly including an optical guide is claimed here. The transducer operates in bending mode, where the amount of bending induces a change in light signal intensity propagating through the transducer. The change in light signal is proportional to the bending and proportional to the force applied on the transducer after calibration of the said transducer. The transducer is free-ended and needs at least one point of contact with the test specimen to induce bending or with the material in contact with the test specimen. The sensor can give information about displacement and force. Said specimen can be solid, liquid or gas. The transducer can be incorporated into a material which stiffness is measured. The transducer is capable of sensing displacement in the sub-pm scale, with sub-ms time resolution, and to measure forces as small as 10?6 N.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA-based methods for universal bacterial detection, for specific detection of the common bacterial pathogens Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis as well as for specific detection of commonly encountered and clinically relevant bacterial antibiotic resistance genes directly from clinical specimens or, alternatively, from a bacterial colony. The above bacterial species can account for as much as 80% of bacterial pathogens isolated in routine microbiology laboratories.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA-based methods for universal bacterial detection, for specific detection of the common bacterial pathogens Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis as well as for specific detection of commonly encountered and clinically relevant bacterial antibiotic resistance genes directly from clinical specimens or, alternatively, from a bacterial colony. The above bacterial species can account for as much as 80% of bacterial pathogens isolated in routine microbiology laboratories.

Abstract: DNA-based methods employing amplification primers or probes for detecting, identifying, and quantifying in a test sample DNA from (i) any bacterium, (ii) the species Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecium, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes and Candida albicans, and (iii) any species of the genera Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Neisseria and Candida are disclosed. DNA-based methods employing amplification primers or probes for detecting, identifying, and quantifying in a test sample antibiotic resistance genes selected from the group consisting of blatem, blarob, blashv, blaoxa, blaZ, aadB, aacC1, aacC2, aacC3, aacA4, aac6?-IIa, ermA, ermB, ermC, mecA, vanA, vanB, vanC, satA, aac(6?)-aph(2?), aad(6), vat, vga, msrA, sul and int are also disclosed. The above microbial species, genera and resistance genes are all clinically relevant and commonly encountered in a variety of clinical specimens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA-based methods for universal bacterial detection, for specific detection of the common bacterial pathogens Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis as well as for specific detection of commonly encountered and clinically relevant bacterial antibiotic resistance genes directly from clinical specimens or, alternatively, from a bacterial colony. The above bacterial species can account for as much as 80% of bacterial pathogens isolated in routine microbiology laboratories.

Abstract: A tablet or pill ejector is disclosed consisting of at least three detachably secured sections in the general shape of a pen. The front end of the device is provided with a hole communicating with axially aligned bores formed longitudinally in the sections and through which a pill may be ejected quickly. An ejector rod is provided in the bores adapted to move from a cocked position to a released position wherein it passes instantly through a pill retaining member located in the front section of the device. Cocking and trigger mechanisms are provided. In an alternate embodiment the front section is provided with a revolvable barrel adapted to contain a plurality of pills for ejection. The rear end of the device may be provided with a storage compartment and cap.

Abstract: Purification of ilmenite from chromite impurities by a two step magnetic separation wherein magnetically susceptible chromite is magnetically removed, followed by an oxidizing roasting of the ilmenite and a subsequent magnetic separation of ilmenite from the remaining chromite impurities to obtain an ilmenite with 1% or less chromite.