Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for use in simultaneously amplifying at least 11 specific STR loci of genomic DNA in a single multiplex reaction, as are methods and materials for use in the analysis of the products of such reactions. Included in the present invention are materials and methods for the simultaneous amplification of 16 specific loci in a single multiplex reaction, comprising the 10 AmpFISTR® SGMplus® STR loci, the Amelogenin locus, and 5 new STR loci, including methods and materials for the analysis of these loci.

Abstract: A gas generator insulated by a vacuum-jacket vessel.

Abstract: 1. A powder bed additive layer manufacturing system including a linear traversing re-coater and a build plate characterised in that the build plate is mounted for rotation, relative to the re-coater or movement about an axis.

Abstract: Circuits and related methods are provided for buffering reference voltages from noise associated with output driver transistors. In one example, an output driver buffer circuit includes an output driver transistor adapted to adjust an output voltage of an output pad. The circuit also includes a pre-driver circuit connected to a gate of the output driver transistor. The pre-driver circuit is adapted to receive a reference voltage to control the output driver transistor. The pre-driver circuit includes a precharged capacitor, a first switch adapted to connect the capacitor to the gate, and a second switch adapted to connect the reference voltage to the gate. The second switch is adapted to operate following a time period after the capacitor is connected to the gate. The capacitor is adapted to buffer noise associated with the output driver transistor during the time period.

Abstract: A thermo-insulation article for a heat absorptive element, e.g., a water-cooled pipe, in a furnace has two parts joined to form a member for covering the pipe. Each part has an interconnected reticulated metal structure embedded in a refractory material. A thermo-insulating mat mounted over inner surface of the parts has a thermal conductivity lower, e.g., equal to or less than 25% lower, than thermal conductivity of the refractory material of the part. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the thermo-insulating mat has a thermal conductivity equal to or less than 0.15 Btu's/hour/ft/degrees Fahrenheit, and the refractory material has a thermal conductivity in the range of 0.30-0.60 Btu's/hour/foot/degrees Fahrenheit. A surface of the mat is embedded in the refractory material and, optionally, a protective layer covers outer exposed surface of each of the mats to protect the mats during shipping and handling.

Abstract: A full length mattress pad is provides improved patient support for all parts of the user's body through provision of a support surface supplement for use with existing support surfaces, such as for use on top of a conventional mattress or hospital bed. The pad has a body of resilient material having a relatively flat, planar lower surface for being received on top of the existing support surface, and has a length at least generally the same as that of the mattress, or at least long enough to support the full length of a user. An inclined upper surface is defined by the body of resilient material, and has a plurality of different longitudinal sections. The plurality of different longitudinal sections collectively define a predetermined angle of inclination for the inclined upper surface which is relatively constant along the entire length of the body of resilient material relative to its planar lower surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stairway system comprising: a plurality of spaced apart treads; a handrail above said treads comprising: a) at least two segments; b) a hidden fastener joining said segments, said hidden fastener having an axis; and at least one baluster between said treads and said handrail. In the preferred embodiment, the handrail further comprises a structure for preventing rotation about said axis of said hidden fastener of one of said segments with respect to another of said segments. Also in the preferred embodiment, the stairway system comprises a lateral support for supporting the handrail. A system for and method of joining a handrail having at least two segments is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for graphically presenting information representative of the operation of a communication system to a user monitoring the performance of the system. The method comprises the steps of simultaneously displaying information representative of the operation of the system at a plurality of test points to the user. For each of the test points, information representative of the operation of the system at a plurality of different bandwidths is simultaneously presented to the user during the displaying step. For each bandwidth associated with a given test point, a graphical image representative of the operation of the system at the given test point is presented to the user simultaneously during the displaying step.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided to facilitate the exchange of multimedia-formatted information between an employer and an employment seeker, in which the information is provided in a multimedia format, in which the multimedia-formatted information is received from the employment seeker via a station, the multimedia-formatted information is uploaded from the station to a data center via a first communications network, and the employer is provided with access to the multimedia-formatted information via a second communications network.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention discloses an explosive material comprising a mix of a first quantity of explosive and a second quantity of explosive. The first quantity of explosive consists of a large particulate size explosive. The second quantity of explosive consists of a small particulate size explosive. The combination of the first and second quantity of explosives results in an explosive mixture having a density greater than either the first or second quantity of explosive. The explosive material is encapsulated within a bonding agent to form a pelletized explosive. The explosive material can be comprised of approximately 50% by weight of the first quantity of explosive and approximately 50% by weight of the second quantity of explosive.

Abstract: High-fidelity transcoding techniques are described. For example, a video transcoder obtains re-coding data set elements for source format compressed video and uses the elements for coding decisions and/or equivalent parameters when compressing the video in a target format. This allows syntax elements and coding decisions to be maintained across the two formats, including picture types, intra/inter macroblock coding types, field/frame coding decisions, and/or quantization levels. This helps the transcoder match quality in the compressed video between the source and target formats, reducing transcoding losses. At the same time, the transcoder gives the target format encoder the freedom to exploit additional compression opportunities to reduce overall bitrate. The transcoder may apply proportional rate control so as to produce output at a constant or relatively constant bitrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shutter for use in physical vapour deposition apparatus having a chamber. The shutter, generally indicated at 5, is located in a side housing 6 of the vacuum chamber 7, whilst sputtering is taking place. Once the substrate 2 is treated, the substrate is removed from the chamber and the shutter is brought in to an operative position above a wafer pedestal or support 1. The shutter is mounted on an arm 8 using a fixing boss 10, the arm and the boss being magnetically coupled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically actuating wellbore tools using two-way acoustic communication is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a relay, switch or other electromechanical device comprises delaying a change of state of the relay, switch or other electromechanical device until at least one electrical parameter associated with contacts thereof is within a desired range. The life of the relay, switch or other electromechanical device is increased and/or the current rating thereof is increased.

Abstract: A system whereby a user can obtain access, by way of a service provider on the internet to which the user is connected and through which provider the user may be connected to one or any of a number of internet content providers which make a charge for their services, the time of connection to the, or each provider being noted and an account raised and details provided to the user.

Abstract: A Collapsible Rotary Blister Sealer with Rolling Heater Coating is disclosed. The disclosed blister sealer comprises a lightweight, tubular frame, detachable legs and a lightweight, modular turntable. Further disclosed is a sealer that is mountable on a table-top or other horizontal surface. Said disclosed turntable is height-adjustable; easily removable, and further includes an indexing means for stopping said turntable at predetermined angular positions. The disclosed press of the present blister sealer may be height- and pressure-adjustable, and said frame may further include a strut to further strengthen said frame when greater pressures are desired from said press. It is further disclosed that said sealer include a unique heater plate assembly that permits easy access to the heating coils and further may include a protective sheath to prevent damage to said heater plate assembly.

Abstract: A sputter apparatus (10) includes a chamber (13a) housing a target (11), a work piece support (12) and a process area (14) between the target and the support. The apparatus further includes an inlet (24) for process gas and a pumping outlet (27) from the process area. The inlet substantially surrounds the support and the apparatus includes a pumping outlet separate from the inlet. The inlet is shielded from the process area.

Abstract: A magnetic assembly (15) is mounted on a lead screw (12) on one side of a spunter target (14). A further lead screw (11) carries a counter weight (16). The lead screws can be rotated by a stepper motor (13) to adjust the lateral positions of assembly (15) and weight (16). The stepper motor and hence the assembly (15), can be rotated about a vertical axis by shaft (17) and motor (18) so that a magnetic field can be swept around the target (14). The position of the assembly (15) is varied in accordance with a process characteristic.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shutter for use in physical vapour deposition apparatus having a chamber. The shutter, generally indicated at 5, is located in a side housing 6 of the vacuum chamber 7, whilst sputtering is taking place. Once the substrate 2 is treated, the substrate is removed from the chamber and the shutter is brought in to an operative position above a wafer pedestal or support 1. The shutter is mounted on an arm 8 using a fixing boss 10, the arm and the boss being magnetically coupled.

Abstract: A pedestal for mounting semiconductor fabrication equipment within a clean room. The pedestal includes a base frame sitting on a waffle slab and utility connections. The equipment can readily be connected to the utility connections when positioned on the pedestal. The utility connections are located at the periphery of or across part of a face of the pedestal to thereby define a service area within the periphery.