Abstract: An assay device incubator comprises a housing (46) defining a region within which at least one assay device is located in use, the housing defining laterally opposed sidewalls (48, 50) of at least one bay (33) in which an assay device can be located. The housing (46) includes one or more guides (49, 51) for supporting the assay device and enabling the assay device to undergo to and fro movement therealong. A vibration system (40, 60) is coupled to the at least one tray in use for vibrating the tray to and fro along the or each guide. A heating system (70) heats the region within the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a pluggable channel that can be employed to customize data communications associated with a remote method call is provided. The system includes a pluggable channel that can interact with sinks (e.g., message sinks, security sinks, transports sinks) that implement object-oriented interfaces that can be employed by a distributed object system. The system also includes a selector that can select and associate sinks with the pluggable channel, which facilitates providing a customized, pluggable channel on a per proxy basis.

Abstract: An adapter for converting an interface of a data storage device is provided. The adapter includes a first interface for connection to the interface of the data storage device and a second interface for connection to a plurality of host systems. The first interface may be an ATA or SCSI interface and the second interface may be a SSA or FC-AL interface suitable for attachment to multiple host systems. Conversion means are provided by the adapter for converting commands and data between the first and second interfaces. The adapter also has means for sorting commands and data to and from the plurality of host systems. The adapter acts as a single host system for the data storage device and includes means for retrieving error information from the data storage device in the event of a command terminating in an error.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved multiple access communications. In one form, the invention relates to an improved signal processing method and apparatus for an iterative method of determining the reception of a signal in a multi user packet based wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) communication system. In other forms the present invention provides recursive filtering for joint iterative decoding in a variety of systems and functions such as linear multiple access channel decoders, iterative equalisation, iterative joint channel estimation and detection/decoding, iterative space-time processing, iterative multi user interference cancellation and iterative demodulation.

Abstract: An SCH laser device fabricated in the (Al,Ga,In)P system has an active region disposed within an optical guiding region. The optical guiding region is disposed between an n-doped cladding region and a p-doped cladding region. The laser device is provided with optical confinement layers, which are disposed at the interfaces between the optical guiding region and the cladding regions. The optical confinement regions produce increased confinement of the optical field, and reduce the penetration of the optical field into the cladding regions. The optical confinement region on the p-side of the device also serves as a potential barrier to the transport of electrons into the p-doped cladding region. The cladding regions have a low Al mole fraction, so that they have a direct bandgap. This prevents carrier loss by trapping in the DX level in the cladding regions.

Abstract: An assay for measuring the amount of a first analyte in a sample, comprises the steps of: (i) contacting the sample with a device that comprises one or more first reaction sites which comprise a first ligand having affinity for the first analyte, and a series of second reaction sites each comprising different known concentrations of an immobilised second analyte; (ii) removing any unbound first analyte; (iii) contacting the device with a second ligand that is detectably labelled and which has affinity for the first analyte, and a third ligand that is detectably labelled and which has affinity for the second analyte; (iv) removing any unbound second and third ligands; and (v) measuring the amount of second and third ligands, wherein measurement of the third ligand is used to establish a calibration curve, used to determine the amount of first analyte present in sample.

Abstract: An assay device processing instrument comprises a plurality of processing modules. A transport system transports an assay device to each processing module, the transport system being adapted to transfer the assay device from the transport system to the module to enable the transport system to transport another assay device while the first is processed by the processing module. A control system controls operation of the transport system such that each assay device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and such that a number of assay devices can be processed in different modules simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enclosure comprising a housing and a device connecting card which is compliantly connected within the housing. The compliant connection, in use, disperses mounting stresses caused by a device in the housing.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor device comprising: an active region; and a p-doped cladding region disposed on one side of the active region; wherein an electron-reflecting barrier is provided on the p-side of the active region for reflecting both &Ggr;-electrons and X-electrons, the electron-reflecting barrier providing a greater potential barrier to &Ggr;-electrons than the p-doped cladding region.

Abstract: The invention provides a hapten, an immunogen comprising the hapten coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material, a conjugate comprising the hapten coupled to a labelling agent, as well as, antibodies raised against the aforementioned immunogen and capable of binding with MDMA.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a drying machine (10) comprising a frame structure (12), means for propelling air, and means for directing air. In this embodiment the drying machine (10) includes a flexible skirt (14) mounted about a perimeter of the frame structure (12). The frame structure (12) is a wing-type platform which includes an underlying cavity (16) which is substantially enclosed by the flexible skirt (14) to permit hovering of the frame structure (12). The propelling means includes a motor (18) which is operatively coupled to a fan (20) via a gearbox (22). The frame structure (12) is fabricated so as to define a duct (32) about the propeller (20) and the duct (32) provides a flow of air to both a main flow passage (34) and an auxiliary flow passage (36) which are separated by a dividing wall or splitter plate (38).

Abstract: An adapter for converting an interface of a data storage device is provided. The adapter includes a first interface for connection to the interface of the data storage device and a second interface for connection to a plurality of host systems. The first interface may be an ATA or SCSI interface and the second interface may be a SSA or FC-AL interface suitable for attachment to multiple host systems. Conversion means are provided by the adapter for converting commands and data between the first and second interfaces. The adapter also has means for sorting commands and data to and from the plurality of host systems. The adapter acts as a single host system for the data storage device and includes means for retrieving error information from the data storage device in the event of a command terminating in an error.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and a method for connecting a pin array and a circuit board. In particular, the invention relates to pin array connections used in connecting disk drives into disk drive enclosures. Connection is accomplished by using a multi-pinned plug connector which sequentially engages conductive surfaces at different levels within the receiving PCB. The plug connector is connected electrically at its opposing end to a second PCB.

Abstract: The invention provides haptens, immunogens comprising such haptens coupled to an antigenicity-conferring carrier material, conjugates comprising such haptens bonded to a labelling agent as well as, antibodies raised against such immunogens and capable of binding with ketamine and its primary metabolite, norketamine.

Abstract: An assay device incubator comprises a housing (46) defining a region within which at least one assay device is located in use, the housing defining laterally opposed sidewalls (48, 50) of at least one bay (33) in which an assay device can be located. The housing (46) includes one or more guides (49, 51) for supporting the assay device and enabling the assay device to undergo to and fro movement therealong. A vibration system (40, 60) is coupled to the at least one tray in use for vibrating the tray to and fro along the or each guide. A heating system (70) heats the region within the housing.

Abstract: An assay device processing instrument comprises a plurality of processing modules. A transport system transports an assay device to each processing module, the transport system being adapted to transfer the assay device from the transport system to the module to enable the transport system to transport another assay device while the first is processed by the processing module. A control system controls operation of the transport system such that each assay device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and such that a number of assay devices can be processed in different modules simultaneously.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a base and a disc rotatably attached to the base. The disc drive also includes an actuator assembly rotatably attached to said base and a device for moving the actuator assembly. A cover is attached to the base. The combination of the cover and base form a disc enclosure for enclosing the disc the actuator assembly and the device for moving the actuator assembly. The cover includes a first layer having a rubber gasket attached thereto, a second layer, and a third layer of damping material positioned between the first layer and second layer. The gasket may be attached to the cover. The gasket may also be formed integral with the cover. The cover reduces relative motion between the actuator assembly and the base while under any type of servo control that requires corrections to be implemented with the voice coil motor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a blocking layer disposed between the substrate and the active layer. The blocking layer inhibits the propagation of anti-phase domain defects (APDs) into the active layer. This decreases the density of defects in the active layer, and improves the performance characteristics of the laser device. The blocking layer is disposed either wholly within one of the layers of the laser device, or at the interface between two layers of the laser device. The bandgap of the blocking layer is preferably substantially equal to the bandgap of the layer in which it is disposed, or to the bandgap of a layer to which it is adjacent. This prevents the formation of a potential, barrier, or a potential well in the laser structure, so that provision of the blocking layer does not affect the transport of carriers through the device. In one embodiment the device is a laser device and is fabricated in the (Al,Ga,In)P system.

Abstract: An adapter for converting an interface of a data storage device is provided. The adapter has a first interface for connection to the interface of the data storage device and a second interface for connection to one or more host systems. The adapter includes a processor including conversion means for converting commands and data between the first and second interfaces. The adapter transforms the data storage device to emulate physically and logically a higher availability and higher performance native data storage device. The adapter has a first connector compatible with the first interface for attachment to the data storage device and a second connector compatible with the second interface for attachment to the one or more host systems. The first and second connectors are disposed in the adapter in a back to back arrangement. The adapter logically separates commands for the data storage device from commands for the adapter.

Abstract: An assembly and associated installation method for a server or other electronic equipment enclosure installable into a rack by a single person without adverse tolerance stack-up problems. A mounting bracket is attached to each end of a sliding rail coupled to the server or other equipment enclosure. The mounting bracket includes pins which are inserted into mounting apertures in the posts of the rack to temporarily retain and hold the sliding rail in the rack. Subsequently, a single user can then insert screws or other mechanical fasteners to securely attach the mounting bracket and sliding rail coupled thereto to the rack. The mounting bracket is fixedly secured to the rack and the sliding rail is permitted to move, translate or pivot relative to the mounting bracket to account for tolerance stack-up issues or other abnormalities in the dimensional fit between the server and rack system.