Abstract: The invention is a computerized mobile robot with an onboard internet web server, and a capability of establishing a first connection to a remote web browser on the internet for robotic control purposes, and a capability of establishing a second short range bi-directional digital radio connection to one or more nearby computerized digital radio equipped devices external to the robot. The short-range bi-directional digital radio connection will typically have a maximum range of about 300 feet. In a preferred embodiment, this short-range wireless digital connection will use the 2.4 gHz band and digital protocols following the IEEE 802.11, 802.15, or other digital communications protocol.

Abstract: Novel synthetic enzyme substrates, enhanced to have improved enzymatic specificity, are disclosed. These synthetic enzyme substrates consist of a substrate peptide that has had its specificity further improved by additional synthetic moieties, selected by combinatorial chemistry techniques, that act to sterically block non-target enzymes. These “steric restrictor” moieties may be labeled to produce a detectable signal upon enzymatic reaction. These novel substrates are particularly useful for improved enzyme substrate microarrays. Specific applications for improved protease substrate microarrays are discussed.

Abstract: A tethered reagent and assay is disclosed consisting of protein receptors tethered to ligands. The protein receptors can be antibodies, enzymes, hormone receptors, integral membrane proteins, and other proteins. Ligands can be antigens, enzymatic inhibitors, hormone agonists, drugs, and other protein binding ligands. The protein receptors and ligands will each be labeled with moieties capable of detecting changes in the average distance between the protein receptors and the ligand, using detection methods in which there is a sharp fall-off in signal as a function of distance. As a result, a change in the average distance between the two label moieties, such as that caused by protein-ligand binding and dissociation, produces a change in a detectable signal produced by the reagent.

Abstract: Diagnostic dry reagent tests capable of reacting with a single drop of whole blood and reporting both glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate levels are taught. Such dry reagent tests may employ electrochemical detection methodologies, optical detection methodologies, or both methodologies. These tests help facilitate the early detection of the onset of ketoacidosis in diabetes.

Abstract: Improved processors and processing methods are disclosed for high-speed computerized comparison analysis of two or more linear symbol or character sequences, such as biological nucleic acid sequences, protein sequences, or other long linear arrays of characters. These improved processors and processing methods, which are suitable for use with recursive analytical techniques such as the Smith-Waterman algorithm, and the like, are optimized for minimum gate count and maximum clock cycle computing efficiency. This is done by interleaving multiple linear sequence comparison operations per processor, which optimizes use of the processor's resources. In use, a plurality of such processors are embedded in high-density integrated circuit chips, and run synchronously to efficiently analyze long sequences. Such processor designs and methods exceed the performance of currently available designs, and facilitate higher dimensional sequence comparison analysis between three or more linear sequences.

Abstract: The invention is a computerized mobile robot with an onboard internet web server, and a capability of establishing a first connection to a remote web browser on the internet for robotic control purposes, and a capability of establishing a second short range bi-directional digital radio connection to one or more nearby computerized digital radio equipped devices external to the robot. The short-range bi-directional digital radio connection will typically have a maximum range of about 300 feet. In a preferred embodiment, this short-range wireless digital connection will use the 2.4 gHz band and digital protocols following the IEEE 802.11, 802.15, or other digital communications protocol.