Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for HCV typing, e.g., genotyping and/or subtyping. The compositions and methods of the invention can be used to assign an HCV isolate to one of at least five HCV genotypes (for example, selected from genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6), or assign an HCV isolate to one of at least six subtypes (for example, selected from subtypes 1a/b/c, 2a/c, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a or 6a), where the methods of the invention use only a single typing probe to make the HCV type assignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and reagents for modifying the emission of light from labeled nucleic acids for the purpose of real time detection, analysis, and quantitation of nucleic acid sequences, e.g., using singly labeled probes. These methods and reagents exploit advantageous properties of thiazine dyes and diazine dyes. Furthermore, the use of these light emission modifiers in background reduction, nucleic acid duplex stabilization and other uses is also described. Related kits, reaction mixtures and integrated systems are described.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating various diseases caused by micro-vasculature circulation problems, including, but not limited to, vascular insufficiency, phantom pain, diabetic neuropathy, neuropathic pain, autoimmune/inflammatory diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's Disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, sarcoidosis), urinary retention, lymphoedema, and chronic renal insufficiency. Specifically, there is disclosed a treatment providing an effective amount of an acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor compound (or combination of compounds) to treat one or a plurality of microvasculature diseases.

Abstract: A system for determining a reagent solution quality indicator includes a reagent solution source for supplying the reagent solution to an emissions catalyst configured to receive a NOx-containing gas therethrough, means for determining a flow rate of NOx reduced from the gas by the catalyst, means for determining a flow rate of the reagent solution into the catalyst, and a control circuit determining the reagent solution quality indicator as a function of the NOx flow rate and the reagent solution flow rate. The system may additionally be configured to diagnose reagent solution quality by configuring the control circuit to monitor the reagent solution quality indicator over time and produce a fault value if the reagent solution quality indicator crosses a reagent quality indicator threshold, and to diagnose the catalyst by producing another fault value if the catalyst capacity point falls outside of a catalyst capacity point threshold.

Abstract: To produce hydrocarbons from an offshore production site, a well is drilled into hydrocarbon bearing strata from a non-permanent floating vessel and is then capped. Keying off a template positioned on the well, a base unit is attached to the seabed by driving foundation piles therethrough into the seabed. A tower is installed onto the base unit by attaching lower ends of flex legs of the tower with upper ends of respective foundation piles at locations above the seabed. A deck and topsides are installed to an upper end of the tower. The platform need not be fully compliant until the topsides are installed and operational.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions the comprise nucleotides and/or nucleosides having blocking groups at 2?-positions of sugar moieties. Methods of synthesizing these nucleic acids are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of extending primer nucleic acids and sequencing target nucleic acids. The methods include the use of 2?-terminator nucleotides to effect chain termination. In addition to related reaction mixtures and kits, the invention also provides computers and computer readable media.

Abstract: The invention relates to detectable labels useful for detection of nucleotide sequences. Specifically, the invention relates to labeled-imidazole-PEG compounds, such as nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids incorporating such compounds, and methods utilizing such compounds. The invention further relates to kits comprising labeled imidazole-PEG compounds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the order and delivery of goods in which the goods are transported to one or more storage containers that are maintained in a drive-up storage, retrieval, and dispensing mechanism. Goods are ordered via the Internet, telephone, or other electronic method, retrieved from a warehouse or store, and transported to the storage container by truck or by a regional train system designed for passenger use. The storage container accepts packages, which are placed into a plastic storage box and moved by an elevator assembly to a particular storage bin located in a matrix of bins arranged in columns and rows. When a customer arrives to pick up a package, he or she drives up to the device and communicates with the system via a keypad and display screen to identify the order and present appropriate identification of the person or other means of maintaining security.

Abstract: An offshore jacket or compliant tower and method of installing an offshore jacket or compliant tower where the foundation piles do not initially support the jacket. The foundation piles are driven into the sea floor. Two or more temporary support piles are driven into the sea floor. Two or more docking piles are driven into the sea floor and extend a greater height above the sea floor than the foundation piles and the temporary support piles. The jacket, which includes flexpiles, is lowered into position such that it receives the docking piles. The docking piles locate and position the jacket above the temporary support piles and the foundation piles. The jacket is provided with vertical steel tubes that correspond to the location of the temporary support piles. A bulkhead in each vertical steel tube is vertically located such that the jacket is supported and leveled by the temporary support piles and not the foundation piles.

Abstract: A deep water offshore drilling platform having a jacket secured to driven skirt piles at an elevation above the sea floor of at least 100 feet and upwards of 300 feet. A series of connecting plates transfer the structural forces of the platform from the jacket to the skirt piles at these elevated connections. Due to the transfer of these forces, the size and weight of the jacket below this elevation may be significantly reduced to lower the cost of the platform. Additionally, the well casing is an integral component of the supporting members of the platform and the upper region of this well casing is expanded and oriented vertically to provide spacing for the well head and to eliminate the need for more costly slant-well drilling.

Abstract: In the installation of a jacket or substructure component of an offshore platform on the sea floor over an underwater fixture containing one or more wellheads, a jacket is first ballasted to rest in a vertical orientation on the sea floor. Power winches are mounted atop the jacket above the water line and anchored mooring lines are connected to the winches via fairlead sheaves which define points of attachment for the mooring lines to the jacket. The jacket is deballasted to float with a near sea bottom clearance and is maneuvered horizontally with the power winches toward the underwater fixture. Docking guides carried by the jacket engage vertical guideposts driven drilled into the sea floor at preselected locations relative to the underwater fixture to align the jacket with the underwater fixture. The jacket is then lowered into the desired on-bottom position during controlled ballasting procedures. Finally, piles are driven through hollow jacket columns to anchor the jacket to the sea bottom.