Abstract: The invention provides a LAMP assay for detection of meningococcal disease, the test comprising at least one nucleic acid primer set capable of detecting Neisseria meningitides in a LAMP based molecular test, the primer set being chosen from the primer sets listed in Table 1 as LAMP SETS 1 to 12 comprising SEQUENCE IDs from ID: 1 to ID: 69. Each assay consists of a primer set including of one pair of forward (HP) and reverse (BIP) inner primers, forward (F3) and reverse (B3) outer primers. The assay may also include loop forward (LF) and/or loop back (LB) primers to accelerate the reaction. Neisseria meningitides serotypes A, B, C, Y and W135 can be detected using the assay of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a LAMP assay for detection of meningococcal disease, the test comprising at least one nucleic acid primer set capable of detecting Neisseria meningitides in a LAMP based molecular test, the primer set being chosen from the primer sets listed in Table 1 as LAMP SETS 1 to 12 comprising SEQUENCE IDs from ID:1 to ID:69. Each assay consists of a primer set including of one pair of forward (FIP) and reverse (BIP) inner primers, forward (F3) and reverse (B3) outer primers. The assay may also include loop forward (LF) and/or loop back (LB) primers to accelerate the reaction. Neisseria meningitides serotypes A, B, C, Y and W135 can be detected using the assay of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a LAMP assay for detection of meningococcal disease, the test comprising at least one nucleic acid primer set capable of detecting Neisseria meningitides in a LAMP based molecular test, the primer set being chosen from the primer sets listed in Table 1 as LAMP SETS 1 to 12 comprising SEQUENCE IDs from ID:1 to ID:69. Each assay consists of a primer set including of one pair of forward (FIP) and reverse (BIP) inner primers, forward (F3) and reverse (B3) outer primers. The assay may also include loop forward (LF) and/or loop back (LB) primers to accelerate the reaction. Neisseria meningitides serotypes A, B, C, Y and W135 can be detected using the assay of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enhanced THz electromagnetic source structure achieving a very high aspect ratio of 500 to 1 of electron beam width to electron beam thickness of the electron beam moving in the direction across the grating structure while maintaining its cross-section. The structure comprises a magnetic circuit providing a unique low magnetic field slot placed in a steel core for the placement of an electron gun, thus allowing the electron beam to be focused without the interaction of a magnetic field while still supporting a high magnetic field in the grating region. Additionally, the structure comprises an electrostatic shield preventing potential difference between the anode voltage and the grounded steel core from affecting the focusing of the electron beam.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for collecting biological aerosols from an air sample include a hollow tube adapted for pumping a liquid through an interior volume to an outer surface and a collection surface disposed on the outer surface and adapted for collecting the airborne particles from the surrounding air sample. Collection efficiency is enhanced by a charging mechanism that applies a charge to the airborne particles such that the airborne particles are deflected toward the collection surface. Embodiments of operation for the apparatus include the steps of providing the air sample, directing the air sample toward the hollow tube, and applying a charge to the airborne particles such that the airborne particles deposit on the collection surface/outer surface of said hollow tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for airborne particle sorting is provided comprising a charging system adapted for applying an electrostatic charge to the particles, such that particles of at least a first group are deflected to a greater extent than particles of a second group are deflected. A focusing system is adapted for electrostatically focusing substantially at least the particles of the first group into a focused stream that is narrower than the input air stream. A deposition system is adapted for substantially depositing the particles of the first group from the focused stream upon a target surface, where the target surface may be transported to an analysis system capable of analyzing the particles deposited thereon.

Abstract: An inhaler disc cartridge comprises a carrier disc with radially outwardly extending resilient fingers, each with a medicament powder dosage. A sealing disc and an indexing ring are bonded to the disc. A cam sequentially and manually deflects a selected finger causing it to snap against an anvil to release the dosage by momentum energy transfer. In other embodiments, a cassette includes a carrier substrate reel of deposited powder dosages with a dosage sealing tape. The substrate comprises a belt with a plurality of transversely extending triangular fingers, each finger tip with a dosage thereon. Each finger is snapped in sequence against an anvil while a clamp secures the belt as the fingers are deflected. The spring fingers are corrugated in one embodiment cooperating with an anvil having channels and a device for inducing agglomeration breakup air streams through the channels.

Abstract: A recognition system which obtains and analyzes images of at least one object in a scene comprising a wide field of view (WFOV) imager which is used to capture an image of the scene and to locate the object and a narrow field of view (NFOV) imager which is responsive to the location information provided by the WFOV imager and which is used to capture an image of the object, the image of the object having a higher resolution than the image captured by the WFOV imager is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system that obtains and analyzes images of the irises of eyes of a human or animal in an image with little or no active involvement by the human or animal is disclosed.

Abstract: A modeling arrangement for an anatomical organ is provided with a plurality of substructure models corresponding to predetermined substructures of the anatomical organ. Such substructures may include representations of organs, volumes, vessels, and fluids which assume predetermined shapes with the anatomical organ being modeled. The arrangement is provided with one or more members which define the surface of the anatomical organ being modeled; the members being couplable to a base member. Preferably, all of the members, including the base member, which support the substructures are formed of a transparent material, preferably one of the type marketed under the Plexiglas trademark. The modeling arrangement may be used in conjunction with written instructions to form a self-learning system which is particularly useful for students of anatomy. In one highly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a biological brain, particularly the fore-brain portion, is represented by the inventive modeling scheme.