Abstract: A seal (8) which is produced from an elastomer and comprises a contact plate (9) which rests against the outside of the housing and forms a sealing surface (10) surrounding an outlet orifice (12) is inserted into an orifice (7) at the lower end of a housing (2) of an ink cartridge (1). A ring (11) adjacent to the top of the contact plate (9) surrounds a passage connecting to the outlet orifice (12) and leading into the interior of the housing and carries an all-round collar (13) projecting over the edge of the orifice (7) on the inside of the housing, so that the seal (8) is snapped into the orifice (7). Once the ink cartridge (1) has been inserted into a receptacle (24) of an adapter (22), with which it forms an inkjet printing head, the sealing surface (10) presses against a frame which surrounds a receiving orifice (27) of the adapter (22), which receiving orifice is connected to a nozzle plate, so that the ink path is reliably sealed.

Abstract: A synchronous optical network (SONET) framer includes a frame dimension unit and a programming interface. The frame dimension unit can be programmed with a frame dimension through the programming interface. The SONET framer converts a data stream to and/or from a frame format based on the frame dimension programmed into the frame dimension unit. For instance, in various embodiments, a SONET framer can be programmed to support a variety of SONET frame sizes and to provide a number of testing and design advantages.

Abstract: A hydraulic door opening mechanism for overhead bi-fold doors is herein disclosed. The door opening mechanism mounts a hydraulic pump, pressure reservoir, valve manifold, and a hydraulic motor or cylinder on a first door panel. The door opening mechanism is pre-assembled with the doorframe prior to mounting the door in the door opening.

Abstract: Background luminescence is reduced from a solution containing unbound luminescent probes, each having a first molecule that attaches to a target molecule and having an attached luminescent moiety, and luminescent probe/target adducts. Quenching capture reagent molecules are formed that are capable of forming an adduct with the unbound luminescent probes and having an attached quencher material effective to quench luminescence of the luminescent moiety. The quencher material of the capture reagent molecules is added to a solution of the luminescent probe/target adducts and binds in a proximity to the luminescent moiety of the unbound luminescent probes to quench luminescence from the luminescent moiety when the luminescent moiety is exposed to exciting illumination. The quencher capture reagent does not bind to probe molecules that are bound to target molecules and the probe/target adduct emission is not quenched.

Abstract: A transfer device, which is usable for inserting a web into a web processing machine, includes at least one transport chain that is displaceable in a guide element. At least one driving device engages the transport chain while it is in the guide element. The guide element has at least one section, which is adjacent the driving device, that can be moved or displaced in a lateral direction in relation to the direction of transport. Each point of this section is displaceable in a direction of movement away from the driving device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method enable imaging multiple fluorescent sample particles in a single flow channel. A flow channel defines a flow direction for samples in a flow stream and has a viewing plane perpendicular to the flow direction. A laser beam is formed as a ribbon having a width effective to cover the viewing plane. Imaging optics are arranged to view the viewing plane to form an image of the fluorescent sample particles in the flow stream, and a camera records the image formed by the imaging optics.

Abstract: A circuit is described for balancing a power supply having a positive bus with a positive voltage, and a negative bus with a negative voltage. The circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. Switching circuitry alternately connects the positive bus and the negative bus to the primary winding of the transformer thereby generating a secondary voltage of opposite polarity on the secondary winding of the transformer. Recycling circuitry is also included which is coupled to the secondary winding of the transformer and the positive and negative buses. When the secondary voltage is greater than the positive voltage, power is transferred from the negative bus to the positive bus via the transformer and the recycling circuit. When the secondary voltage is less than the negative voltage, power is transferred from the positive bus to the negative bus via the transformer and the recycling circuit.

Abstract: Single fluorescent molecules in a flowing sample stream are distinguished and identified using only a single laser excitation wavelength. A sample stream is formed containing a dilute mixture of single molecule fluorophores, wherein each one of the fluorophores is serially ordered in the sample stream. The sample stream is illuminated with s single excitation wavelength laser effective to excite each fluorophore one at a time. Fluorescence emission photons from each said fluorophore are detected. A burst size is determined for each fluorophore to identify each fluorophore. A pulsed laser may be used, where burst size and an intra-burst fluorescence decay rate for each fluorophore are determined simultaneously from the detected fluorescence emission photons. The burst size and the decay rate are correlated to identify each fluorophore.

Abstract: The detectability of luminescent molecules in solution is enhanced by reducing the background luminescence due to impurity species also present in the solution. A light source that illuminates the solution acts to photolyze the impurities so that the impurities do not luminesce in the fluorescence band of the molecule of interest. Molecules of interest may be carried through the photolysis region in the solution or may be introduced into the solution after the photolysis region.

Abstract: The detectability of luminescent molecules in solution is enhanced by reducing the background luminescence due to impurity species also present in the solution. A light source that illuminates the solution acts to photolyze the impurities so that the impurities do not luminesce in the fluorescence band of the molecule of interest. Molecules of interest may be carried through the photolysis region in the solution or may be introduced into the solution after the photolysis region.

Abstract: An analyte fluid stream with first molecules having relatively low molecular weight and a corresponding high coefficient of diffusion has reduced diffusional defocusing out of an analyte fluid stream. The analyte fluid stream of first molecules is associated with second molecules of relatively high molecular weight having a relatively low coefficient of diffusion and a binding constant effective to associate with the first molecules. A focused analyte fluid stream is maintained since the combined molecular weight of the associated first and second molecules is effective to minimize diffusion of the first molecules out of the analyte fluid stream.

Abstract: A method is provided for sizing DNA fragments using high speed detection systems, such as flow cytometry to determine unique characteristics of DNA pieces from a sample. In one characterization the DNA piece is fragmented at preselected sites to produce a plurality of DNA fragments. The DNA piece or the resulting DNA fragments are treated with a dye effective to stain stoichiometrically the DNA piece or the DNA fragments. The fluorescence from the dye in the stained fragments is then examined to generate an output functionally related to the number of nucleotides in each one of the DNA fragments. In one embodiment, the intensity of the fluorescence emissions from each fragment is linearly related to the fragment length. The distribution of DNA fragment sizes forms a characterization of the DNA piece for use in forensic and research applications.

Abstract: Method for rapid-base sequencing in DNA and RNA with two-base labeling and employing fluorescent detection of single molecules at two wavelengths. Bases modified to accept fluorescent labels are used to replicate a single DNA or RNA strand to be sequenced. The bases are then sequentially cleaved from the replicated strand, excited with a chosen spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, and the fluorescence from individual, tagged bases detected in the order of cleavage from the strand.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a switching power supply comprising a transformer with a primary and two secondaries, a switching transistor in series with the primary, a rectifier and filter on one secondary to provide regulated output power, a feedback control circuit that monitors the secondary and adjusts the duty cycle of an on-off control signal to the switching transistor to maintain a constant output at the terminals, and a monitor that detects when the power level flowing through the switching regulator has dropped to a predetermined minimum and then linearly turns on a load to the transformer. Transistor is typically a power MOSFET. The monitor tracks a summing junction current before any slope compensation is added. Load is a shunt regulator that is activated when the summing junction current falls below 12% of full scale. Alternatively, the predetermined value of 12% is adjustable.

Abstract: In a tailgate assembly, a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the assembly in response to a torque generated by a moment arm of the tailgate assembly and a force resulting from the jolting of the truck as it travels over rough terrain.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a switching power supply with high voltage positive and negative power inputs, a system ground, a sensing resistor placed between the negative power input and system ground, first and second load outputs with the first load output connected to the positive power input, and a comparator having first and second comparison inputs and a comparison output with the second comparison input connected to the system ground. A constant-current source is connected to the first comparison input of the comparator. A power MOSFET switch transistor has its drain connected to the second load output, its source connected to the system ground, and its gate controlled by the comparison output of the comparator. And a control resistor is connected between the second power input and said first comparison input of the comparator.

Abstract: In a tailgate assembly, a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the assembly in response to a torque generated by a moment arm of the tailgate assembly and a force resulting from the jolting of the truck as it travels over rough terrain.

Abstract: A voltage regulator generates an output voltage between an output line and an output reference voltage from an input voltage between an input line and an input reference voltage. The voltage regulator combines a self excited series resonant oscillator and a switching regulator control circuit. The self excited series resonant oscillator includes an oscillator circuit which produces an oscillating signal. The oscillating signal is rectified to produce a rectified signal. The rectified signal is filtered to produce the output voltage on the output line. The switching regulator control circuit switches the self excited series resonant oscillator on and off at a duty cycle which maintains the output voltage on the output line at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method is provided for the rapid base sequencing of DNA or RNA fragments wherein a single fragment of DNA or RNA is provided with identifiable bases and suspended in a moving flow stream. An exonuclease sequentially cleaves individual bases from the end of the suspended fragment. The moving flow stream maintains the cleaved bases in an orderly train for subsequent detection and identification. In a particular embodiment, individual bases forming the DNA or RNA fragments are individually tagged with a characteristic fluorescent dye. The train of bases is then excited to fluorescence with an output spectrum characteristic of the individual bases. Accordingly, the base sequence of the original DNA or RNA fragment can be reconstructed.

Abstract: Method for reducing quenching effects in analytical luminescence measurements. Two embodiments of the present invention are described which relate to a form of time resolution based on the amplitudes and phase shifts of modulated emission signals. In the first embodiment, the measured modulated emission signal is substantially independent of sample quenching at sufficiently high frequenices. In the second embodiment, the modulated amplitude and the phase shift between the emission signal and the excitation source are simultaneously measured. Using either method, the observed modulated amplitude may reduced to tis unquenched value.