Abstract: Analysis of compositions that include saccharides having mannosamine residues, such as the capsular saccharide of N. meningitidis serogroup A, is facilitated by a method comprising the steps of: (i) hydrolysing polysaccharide in the sample, to give a hydrolysate; (ii) subjecting the hydrolysate to liquid chromatography; and (iii) detecting any mannosamine-6-phosphate separated in step (ii).

Abstract: The quality control of vaccines is an important step in the release of vaccines to patients. Problems when dealing with vaccines include stability, batch-to-batch consistency and contamination. The invention provides a method of analyzing the composition of a protein-containing sample by electromagnetic spectroscopy, and derivatizing the obtained spectrum to obtain a derivative spectrum of the sample. The derivative spectrum may optionally be compared to a reference spectrum, to assess stability, contamination etc. relative to the reference. The derivative analysis technique allows the separation and discrimination between the spectral contributions of different components, thereby allowing differences in the spectra to be assigned to particular groups of the protein, or particular contaminants etc.

Abstract: A power cable or data cable system includes an integrated electrical connection adaptor configured to be mechanically coupled to the cable system when not in use. The adaptor is coupled to the cable system using clasping features formed in the body of the adaptor or a tethering element. Thus, the adaptor is conveniently located for use and cannot be lost. In some embodiments, the tethering element serves as a cable management system that enhances portability of the cable system by bundling loops of the cable system together.

Abstract: A power cable or data cable system includes an integrated electrical connection adaptor configured to be mechanically coupled to the cable system when not in use. The adaptor is coupled to the cable system using clasping features formed in the body of the adaptor or a tethering element. Thus, the adaptor is conveniently located for use and cannot be lost. In some embodiments, the tethering element serves as a cable management system that enhances portability of the cable system by bundling loops of the cable system together.

Abstract: GPC (gel permeation chromatography) and size exclusion chromatography with detection by multi-angle light-scattering photometry (SEC-MALS) can be used to accurately measure molecular size and molar mass, respectively, of saccharide conjugates. The invention provides (a) a process for measuring the molecular size of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analysing the sample by GPC, and (b) a process for measuring the molar mass of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analysing the sample by SEC-MALS.

Abstract: GPC (gel permeation chromatography) and size exclusion chromatography with detection by multi-angle light scattering photometry (SEC-MALS) can be used to accurately measure molecular size and molar mass, respectively, of saccharide conjugates. The invention provides (a) a process for measuring the molecular size of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analyzing the sample by GPC, and (b) a process for measuring the molar mass of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analysing the sample by SEC-MALS.

Abstract: The quality control of vaccines is an important step in the release of vaccines to patients. Problems when dealing with vaccines include stability, batch-to-batch consistency and contamination. The invention provides a method of analyzing the composition of a protein-containing sample by electromagnetic spectroscopy, and derivatising the obtained spectrum to obtain a derivative spectrum of the sample. The derivative spectrum may optionally be compared to a reference spectrum, to assess stability, contamination etc. relative to the reference. The derivative analysis technique allows the separation and discrimination between the spectral contributions of different components, thereby allowing differences in the spectra to be assigned to particular groups of the protein, or particular contaminants etc.

Abstract: Analysis of compositions that include saccharides having mannosamine residues, such as the capsular saccharide of N. meningitidis serogroup A, is facilitated by a method comprising the steps of: (i) hydrolysing polysaccharide in the sample, to give a hydrolysate; (ii) subjecting the hydrolysate to liquid chromatography; and (iii) detecting any mannosamine-6-phosphate separated in step (ii).

Abstract: GPC (gel permeation chromatography) and size exclusion chromatography with detection by multi-angle light scattering photometry (SEC-MALS) can be used to accurately measure molecular size and molar mass, respectively, of saccharide conjugates. The invention provides (a) a process for measuring the molecular size of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analyzing the sample by GPC, and (b) a process for measuring the molar mass of a conjugated saccharide antigen within a sample, comprising a step of analysing the sample by SEC-MALS.

Abstract: A method (300) and system for preventing private information to be collected and sent to the INTERNET without the consent of a user of a client computer. Every time the user wishes (317) to run a new application program, an isolator engine is invoked (303). The isolator engine intercepts (329) all the output operations (327) of the application program attempting to send messages to the INTERNET. Each message is compared (330-345) with a privacy list storing a series of strings (such the name of the user, his or her private e-mail address); if a match occurs, the user is asked (352) whether he or she desires to continue or abort execution of the application program.

Abstract: A method (300) and system for preventing private information to be collected and sent to the INTERNET without the consent of a user of a client computer. Every time the user wishes (317) to run a new application program, an isolator engine is invoked (303). The isolator engine intercepts (329) all the output operations (327) of the application program attempting to send messages to the INTERNET. Each message is compared (330-345) with a privacy list storing a series of strings (such the name of the user, his or her private e-mail address); if a match occurs, the user is asked (352) whether he or she desires to continue or abort execution of the application program.

Abstract: A power strip adapted to support power status reporting as well as the issuing of commands to control functional operations of the appliances. The power strip may receive a command from a remote control (for example transmitted via radio frequency or wired connection) and, in turn, issue a corresponding command (for example transmitted via infrared) to one or more appliances to cause the one or more appliances to perform a functional operation.

Abstract: A paint roller having a stretchable cylindrical paint sock, which is pulled over both ends of an outer roller tube and attached by screw-cap means, with the outer end being stretched over a swivel end-cap capable of providing a roller end angle up to about 30-degrees, thereby allowing paint to be dispensed in a corner without applying paint to the adjacent perpendicular surface. In operation, as the roller turns, the paint sock is outwardly stretched over the swivel end-cap, extending the roller sock line of contact with the wall surface, thereby continuously applying paint in a straight line along the corner.

Abstract: Portable device to interface with a printer and with a computing device. The portable device may interface with a local printer through a base mated with the portable device or with a remote printer through a wireless communication link. The portable device preferably has standard remote control capability and web browsing capability.

Abstract: A hand-held controller having a plurality of console command buttons that, in response to activation, cause the transmission of commands for the purpose of controlling the operation of a video game console. Parental control is provided by preventing the transmission of commands to the video game console in response to activation of a console command button as a function of a parental control parameter that is provided to the hand-held controller.

Abstract: A method (300) and system for preventing private information to be collected and sent to the INTERNET without the consent of a user of a client computer. Every time the user wishes (317) to run a new application program, an isolator engine is invoked (303). The isolator engine intercepts (329) all the output operations (327) of the application program attempting to send messages to the INTERNET. Each message is compared (330-345) with a privacy list storing a series of strings (such the name of the user, his or her private e-mail address); if a match occurs, the user is asked (352) whether he or she desires to continue or abort execution of the application program.

Abstract: Portable device to interface with a printer and with a computing device. The portable device may interface with a local printer through a base mated with the portable device or with a remote printer through a wireless communication link. The portable device preferably has standard remote control capability and web browsing capability.

Abstract: A combined vaccine for bacterial meningitis comprises Hib and MenC oligosaccharide conjugates.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for determining the hole or electron concentration, transition temperature, ratio T.sub.c /T.sub.c (max), or state of doping of a material capable of exhibiting superconductivity when cooled below its critical temperature, by measuring the thermopower of a sample of the material above the critical temperature of the material and determining from the thermopower the hole or electron concentration, transition temperature, ratio T.sub.c /T.sub.c (max), or state of doping of the material as to whether it is underdoped, overdoped or optimally doped. The sample may be differentially heated and/or cooled to generate a temperature difference across the sample, the temperature difference across the sample measured, the voltage across the sample measured, and the hole concentration or similar determined from the measured temperature difference and the measured voltage. Means for determining the hole concentration, transition temperature, or doping of the material is also claimed.