Abstract: A securities processor includes a prematching process for validating an attributable security interest message placed by a market participant on a securities trading system This attributable security interest message relates to an individual security chosen from a plurality of securities traded on the securities trading system. A matching queue receives the validated attributable security interest message from the prematching process, and queues it for subsequent matching. A matching process obtains the validated attributable security interest message from the matching queue and compares it with previously-validated attributable security interest messages to determine if a match occurs between the validated attributable security interest message and one of the previously-validated attributable security interest messages.

Abstract: A fluid end for a reciprocating pump including a body having a base, a side and a longitudinal opposing side, a cylinder bore formed horizontally through the body and a vertical bore intersecting the cylinder bore defining a high stress region proximate the intersection, and a tension member extending through the body substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the tension member provides a compressive load on the body reducing the stresses encountered in the region during operation of the fluid end.

Abstract: A system for performing hybridization assays comprises a cartridge for housing a flow through device, where the cartridge includes a test fluid chamber for facilitating a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the flow through device, and a fluidics station to deliver the test fluid mixture to the cartridge. The cartridge has a chip holder that holds the flow-through device, which has an array of microchannel passages. The chip holder has a support for placement of the flow though device, the test fluid chamber for directing a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the array of microchannel passages of the flow through device, and a first port that receives the test fluid mixture. The cartridge has a sealing system for preventing the leakage of the test fluid around the flow through device. The test fluid chamber is defined in part by a spade-like surface having an inlet for the test fluid mixture.

Abstract: A system for performing hybridization assays comprises a cartridge for housing a flow through device, where the cartridge includes a test fluid chamber for facilitating a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the flow through device, and a fluidics station to deliver the test fluid mixture to the cartridge. The cartridge has a chip holder that holds the flow-through device, which has an array of microchannel passages. The chip holder has a support for placement of the flow though device, the test fluid chamber for directing a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the array of microchannel passages of the flow through device, and a first port that receives the test fluid mixture. The cartridge has a sealing system for preventing the leakage of the test fluid around the flow through device. The test fluid chamber is defined in part by a spade-like surface having an inlet for the test fluid mixture.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing device (1) comprises a cartridge (2) having an outer casing (11) and a plurality of sensors (6) arranged one upon another in a stack. The cartridge has a first dispensing end (13) and a second opposing end (14) spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge includes a first aperture (15) for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture (16) opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member (25). The first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means (17) which are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing. The sealing means have first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces. The device has a housing (34) for receiving the cartridge.

Abstract: A test device for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid to be applied thereto, the device comprising a plurality of test members arranged in at least one stack and electrodes for engaging with electrode tracks on a test member. A pusher pushes a single test member from the stack so that it can engage with the electrodes. An actuation member is connected to the pusher, and moves it when operated by a user. The at least one stack of test members is enclosed in a magazine which is initially sealed by a moisture impermeable seal. A cutter is provided for slitting the seal and permitting a test member to be pushed from the magazine by the pusher when the first test member from the magazine is to be used.

Abstract: A composition comprising a plastics material, an inorganic particulate solid such as aluminium trihydrate and a coupling modified of formula A-(X—Y—CO)m(O—B—CO)nOH wherein A is a moiety containing a terminating ethylenic group with one or two adjacent carbonyl groups; X is a direct bond, O or N; Y is C1-18-alkylene or C2-18-alkenylene; B is C2-6-alkylene; m is from 1 to 4 and n is from 0 to 5 provided that when A contains two carbonyl groups adjacent to the ethylenic group then X is N. Specific examples of coupling modifiers are ?-carboxyl ethylacrylate and 5-carboxy pentyl maleimide.

Abstract: A bag is provided for containing a liquid intended to be supplied in a controlled manner to some other site, for example to a medical patient. The main bag portion has a pair of overlying side walls joined together around their edges, the side walls having integral extensions which together define an outlet region in communication with the interior of the main portion of the bag. The extensions are bonded together to define a tube-like passageway extending throughout the outlet region from the interior of the bag. The extensions are adapted to permit the connection thereto of a peristaltic pump device co-operable with the tube-like passageway to control the out-flow of liquid from the bag.

Abstract: A test device for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid comprises: a housing (2) having an opening and containing a stack of sensors (16); a transport member (4) rotatably mounted in the opening of the housing, having an axis of rotation which spans the opening; a spring (24) which urges the stack against the transport member; and sealing means (20, 34) for making a moisture tight seal between the transport member and the sensors when the transport member is in a specified rotational position. An outer surface of the transport member has a recessed region (12) which is adapted to receive a single sensor from the stack. Rotation of the transport member with a sensor in the recessed region transports the sensor to a location where it can be connected to a meter (6, 8) and receive a drop of fluid to be tested.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump mechanism comprises a base plate (11) having a generally planar surface for supporting a pump tube (12) to extend at least partially around a circular path defined on said surface, an operating section (10) connectable to the base member (11). At least one rotatable pumping element (21) is mounted on the operating section (10) locally to compress the pump tube (12) and roll around the circular path when the operating section (10) is connected to the base member. A power drive causes the pumping element (21) to roll around the circular path, the pumping element (21) being of conical shape and mounted on the operating section (10) so that the axis of the element is substantially co-incident with the centre of the circular path. In this way essentially no slippage takes place between the pumping element and the base plate.

Abstract: A sensor dispensing device (1) comprises a cartridge (2) having an outer casing (11) and a plurality of sensors (6) arranged one upon another in a stack. The cartridge has a first dispensing end (13) and a second opposing end (14) spaced a fixed distance apart, and the cartridge includes a first aperture (15) for the ejection of a sensor closest to the first end and a second aperture (16) opposed to the first aperture, for access by a pushing member (25). The first aperture and the second aperture are each provided with compliant sealing means (17) which are at least partly disposed outside the outer casing. The sealing means have first and second sealing surfaces which are capable of co-operating to releasably form a substantially moisture-tight seal when acted upon by suitable clamping forces. The device has a housing (34) for receiving the cartridge.

Abstract: A system for performing hybridization assays comprises a cartridge for housing a flow through device, where the cartridge includes a test fluid chamber for facilitating a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the flow through device, and a fluidics station to deliver the test fluid mixture to the cartridge. The cartridge has a chip holder that holds the flow-through device, which has an array of microchannel passages. The chip holder has a support for placement of the flow though device, the test fluid chamber for directing a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the array of microchannel passages of the flow through device, and a first port that receives the test fluid mixture. The cartridge has a sealing system for preventing the leakage of the test fluid around the flow through device. The test fluid chamber is defined in part by a spade-like surface having an inlet for the test fluid mixture.

Abstract: Optically active 2-substituted tetrahydropyran-4-ols or esters thereof may be prepared using esterases or hydrolases from the corresponding racemic mixtures of esters or alcohols. This provides a route to the corresponding optically active ketones. The racemic mixtures are preferably in the cis-form. such mixtures may be produced by reacting but-3-ene-1-ol with an aldehyde in the presence of an acid.

Abstract: A bag is provided for containing a liquid intended to be supplied in a controlled manner to some other site, for example to a medical patient. The main bag portion has a pair of overlying side walls joined together around their edges, the side walls having integral extensions which together define an outlet region in communication with the interior of the main portion of the bag. The extensions are bonded together to define a tube-like passageway extending throughout the outlet region from the interior of the bag. The extensions are adapted to permit the connection thereto of a peristaltic pump device co-operable with the tube-like passageway to control the out-flow of liquid from the bag.

Abstract: A system in an electronic securities market includes a configurable look-up table that has assignment entries that assign each of a plurality of securities to one or more securities processors in the system. Whenever an order is received that involves a specific security, a security look-up process accesses the configurable look-up table to determine which securities processor the specific security is assigned to. Once determined, a messaging process, which is responsive to the security look-up process, sends the received security order to the securities processor to which the specific security is assigned.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump mechanism comprises a base plate (11) having a generally planar surface for supporting a pump tube (12) to extend at least partially around a circular path defined on said surface, an operating section (10) connectable to the base member (11). At least one rotatable pumping element (21) is mounted on the operating section (10) locally to compress the pump tube (12) and roll around the circular path when the operating section (10) is connected to the base member. A power drive causes the pumping element (21) to roll around the circular path, the pumping element (21) being of conical shape and mounted on the operating section (10) so that the axis of the element is substantially co-incident with the centre of the circular path. In this way essentially no slippage takes place between the conical surface of the pumping element and the planar surface of the base plate.

Abstract: An electrical fuse includes a pair of terminal portions and a fusible link extending between the pair of terminal portions. The fusible link includes a fusing portion and a modifying portion in contact with the fusing portion. The modifying portion is formed of a material having a lower melting point than the fusing portion, and the fusible link includes a hole extending therethrough and defining an open-sided receptacle. A side of the open-sided receptacle forms one side of the fusing portion, and the modifying portion is disposed within the substantially open-sided receptacle.

Abstract: A test device for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid to be applied thereto, the device comprising a plurality of test members (8) arranged in at least one stack and electrodes (26) for engaging with electrode tracks on a test member (8). A pusher (16) pushes a single test member from the stack so that it can engage with the electrodes. An actuation member (6) is operably connected to the pusher (16), and moves it when operated by a user. The or each stack of test members is enclosed in a magazine (10) which is initially sealed by a moisture impermeable seal (20), and means (22, 24) are provided for breaking the seal (20) and permitting a test member (8) to be pushed from the magazine (10) by the pusher (16) when the first test member (8) from the magazine (10) is to be used.