Abstract: Unwinding systems and methods are provided for unwinding a fiber from a bobbin. The unwinding system can include an axle defining a first axis extending an axial direction, a bobbin rotatably mounted around the axle, a pulley positioned to receive the fiber from the bobbin, wherein the pulley is rotatable around a second axis, and a sensor positioned between the bobbin and the pulley. The bobbin is moveable along the axial direction, and wherein the fiber extends tangentially from a surface of the bobbin.

Abstract: Methods for coating a fiber are provided. The method can include unwinding a silicon carbide-containing fibrous material from a bobbin rotatably mounted around an axle and forming a boron nitride coating onto the silicon carbide-containing fibrous material. The bobbin is moved along the axial direction such that the silicon carbide-containing fibrous material defines an unwind angle with the axial direction, with the unwind angle being maintained between about 80° to about 100°.

Abstract: Unwinding systems and methods are provided for unwinding a fiber from a bobbin. The unwinding system can include an axle defining a first axis extending an axial direction, a bobbin rotatably mounted around the axle, a pulley positioned to receive the fiber from the bobbin, wherein the pulley is rotatable around a second axis, and a sensor positioned between the bobbin and the pulley. The bobbin is moveable along the axial direction, and wherein the fiber extends tangentially from a surface of the bobbin.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor. The apparatus is arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to detection by means of the at least one sensor of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects. The apparatus is arranged to determine a lateral offset value being a distance of the or each target object from an extended axis of the host vehicle and to over-ride triggering of the at least one action such that triggering of the at least one action is not performed in dependence on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation, in particular the selective hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, such as the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene, using a hydrogenation catalyst comprising an ordered intermetallic compound, namely an ordered cobalt-aluminum or iron-aluminum intermetallic compound. According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a catalyst comprising a support and at least one specific ordered cobalt-aluminum and/or iron-aluminum intermetallic compound supported thereon, as well as to the use of specific ordered intermetallic cobalt-aluminum and iron-aluminum intermetallic compounds as catalysts. The ordered cobalt-aluminum and iron-aluminum intermetallic compounds proved to be highly selective and long-term stable catalysts, e.g. in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene in a large excess of ethylene.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for monitoring one or more target objects in an environment external to a host vehicle by means of at least one sensor. The apparatus is arranged to trigger at least one action responsive to detection by means of the at least one sensor of prescribed relative movement between the host vehicle and the one or more target objects. The apparatus is arranged to determine a lateral offset value being a distance of the or each target object from an extended axis of the host vehicle and to over-ride triggering of the at least one action such that triggering of the at least one action is not performed in dependence on the lateral offset value.

Abstract: A method of optimizing one or more parameters in a process for considering a DNA containing sample using a method of modeling and a method of modeling itself are provided. The method of modeling the process for considering a DNA containing sample uses a graphical model. The model seeks to provide one or more optimized parameters for the consideration process. The methods aim to consider the whole process, for instance, the number of cells required for the process and/or the extraction efficiency and/or the sub-sample volume relative to the sample volume and/or the amplification efficiency and/or the optimum number of amplification cycles and/or the effect of degradation on the amount of amplifiable DNA in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation, in particular the selective hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, such as the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene, using a hydrogenation catalyst comprising an ordered intermetallic compound, namely an ordered cobalt-aluminum or iron-aluminum intermetallic compound. According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a catalyst comprising a support and at least one specific ordered cobalt-aluminum and/or iron-aluminum intermetallic compound supported thereon, as well as to the use of specific ordered intermetallic cobalt-aluminum and iron-aluminum intermetallic compounds as catalysts. The ordered cobalt-aluminum and iron-aluminum intermetallic compounds proved to be highly selective and long-term stable catalysts, e.g. in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene in a large excess of ethylene.

Abstract: A method for establishing the genotype of the locus is provided in which a series of calibration samples are analysed, the results being one of three indication types, a window being defined relative to the indication for each of the indication types, unknown samples being similarly analysed with the window that they fall within being taken to determine the indication type for the unknown sample and hence the genotype of the relevant locus. The technique provides a robust, reliable and accurate method of genotyping which is suited to automation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for providing information on the probability of DNA samples being contaminated over days, weeks and months in relation to collection, processing and analysis of DNA samples. Methods are also provided for analyzing the likelihood of a result arising due to contamination and/or determining the analysis protocol to be applied to a DNA sample and/or methods of operating databases, particularly containing DNA profiles. Improvements in accounting for sporadic and undetected contamination and improvements in the operation of DNA sampling of analysis are provided by the invention.

Abstract: Set up methods, analysis methods and monitoring methods for capillary gel arrays are provided which rigorously determine the number of capillaries for which standards should be used and/or the capillaries in which standards should not be considered and/or for which performance is impaired.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for providing information on the probability of DNA samples being contaminated over days, weeks and months in relation to collection, processing and analysis of DNA samples. Methods are also provided for analysing the likelihood of a result arising due to contamination and/or determining the analysis protocol to be applied to a DNA sample and/or methods of operating databases, particularly containing DNA profiles. Improvements in accounting for sporadic and undetected contamination and improvements in the operation of DNA sampling of analysis are provided by the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for providing information on the probability of DNA samples being contaminated over days, weeks and months in relation to collection, processing and analysis of DNA samples. Methods are also provided for analysing the likelihood of a result arising due to contamination and/or determining the analysis protocol to be applied to a DNA sample and/or methods of operating databases, particularly containing DNA profiles. Improvements in accounting for sporadic and undetected contamination and improvements in the operation of DNA sampling of analysis are provided by the invention.

Abstract: A method of optimizing one or more parameters in a process for considering a DNA containing sample using a method of modeling and a method of modeling itself are provided. The method of modeling the process for considering a DNA containing sample uses a graphical model. The model seeks to provide one or more optimized parameters for the consideration process. The methods aim to consider the whole process, for instance, the number of cells required for the process and/or the extraction efficiency and/or the sub-sample volume relative to the sample volume and/or the amplification efficiency and/or the optimum number of amplification cycles and/or the effect of degradation on the amount of amplifiable DNA in the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides improved techniques for investigating DNA samples, which offers improved sensitivity and specifity. The invention provides a method of investigating single nucleotide polymorphisms in a sample of DNA, the method comprising contacting the DNA containing sample with at least one first set of primers, amplifying the DNA using those primers to give an amplified product, contacting at least a portion of the amplified product with at least one second set of primers, amplifying the DNA using those second set of primers to give a further amplified product and examining one or more characteristics of the further amplified product, one or more of the primers of the first set of primers including a locus specific portion and a further portion, the locus specific portion of one of those one or more of the primers annealing to one side of the SNP under investigation.

Abstract: A variety of methods are provided which use a silicon or silicon dioxide channel to extract DNA from a sample and then release it at a later point. The extraction channels are simple to manufacture and reliable in use. Prior art problems with entrainment of gas, liquid and solid material within channels are addressed. The techniques provide a convenient way of controlling the amount or concentration of DNA in the eluant.

Abstract: A method for establishing the genotype of the locus is provided in which a series of calibration samples are analysed, the results being one of three indication types, a window being defined relative to the indication for each of the indication types, unknown samples being similarly analysed with the window that they fall within being taken to determine the indication type for the unknown sample and hence the genotype of the relevant locus. The technique provides a robust, reliable and accurate method of genotyping which is suited to automation.

Abstract: The invention provides allelic ladder mixtures and individual alleles suitable for use in such mixtures. The allelic ladder mixtures give improved identification and distinguishing capabilities, particularly suitable in forensic investigations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining additional information about DNA mixtures arising from a variety of sources and/or a variety of concentrations.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for providing information on the probability of DNA samples being contaminated over days, weeks and months in relation to collection, processing and analysis of DNA samples. Methods are also provided for analysing the likelihood of a result arising due to contamination and/or determining the analysis protocol to be applied to a DNA sample and/or methods of operating databases, particularly containing DNA profiles. Improvements in accounting for sporadic and undetected contamination and improvements in the operation of DNA sampling of analysis are provided by the invention.