Abstract: This disclosure provides various software and systems for efficiently maintaining aggregates. In one aspect, a system performing a computer implemented method identifies a first change to transactional data in a business application and automatically adds an aggregate record to an aggregate data structure based on the first change. The system then identifies a second change to the transactional data in the business application, the second change comprising an update to key figures associated with the first change. The system can prohibit an update to the aggregate record in the aggregate data structure based on the second change and automatically adds a second aggregate record to the aggregate data structure based on the second change to the transactional data, where the second aggregate record comprises the update to the key figures.

Abstract: This disclosure provides various software and systems for efficiently maintaining aggregates. In one aspect, a system performing a computer implemented method identifies a first change to transactional data in a business application and automatically adds an aggregate record to an aggregate data structure based on the first change. The system then identifies a second change to the transactional data in the business application, the second change comprising an update to key figures associated with the first change. The system can prohibit an update to the aggregate record in the aggregate data structure based on the second change and automatically adds a second aggregate record to the aggregate data structure based on the second change to the transactional data, where the second aggregate record comprises the update to the key figures.

Abstract: A first data storage schema in which a characteristic in a first dimension table is mapped by a first table and a second table can be received and a second data storage schema can be received. The first table maps the characteristic to a first object that include attributes to which time information is irrelevant to data processing activities and the second maps the characteristic to a second object that includes attributes to which time information is relevant to data processing activities. The second data storage schema includes a fact table including at least some facts drawn from the first data storage schema and a second dimension table that includes at least some characteristics drawn from at least one of the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A disposable reaction vessel for performing nucleic acid amplification assay. The disposable reaction vessel has a penetrable cap that can be penetrated by an automated pipettor to aspirate a portion of an amplified reaction product. The disposable reaction vessel contains the reagents necessary to perform a nucleic acid amplification assay. A patient specimen is added to the unit dose reagents in the disposable reaction vessel and the penetrable cap is closed. The disposable reaction vessel containing the reaction mixture and the specimen undergoes amplification, typically by placing it in a thermal cycler. After amplification the intact disposable reaction vessel is transferred to an automated analyzer where an automated pipettor penetrates the closure membrane and aspirates a portion of the amplified sample for further processing, without removal of the reaction vessel cap. This avoids the generation of potentially contaminating aerosols or droplets.

Abstract: A disposable reaction vessel for performing nucleic acid amplification assay. The disposable reaction vessel has a penetrable cap that can be penetrated by an automated pipettor to aspirate a portion of an amplified reaction product. The disposable reaction vessel contains the reagents necessary to perform a nucleic acid amplification assay. A patient specimen is added to the unit dose reagents in the disposable reaction vessel and the penetrable cap is closed. The disposable reaction vessel containing the reaction mixture and the specimen undergoes amplification, typically by placing it in a thermal cycler. After amplification the intact disposable reaction vessel is transferred to an automated analyzer where an automated pipettor penetrates the closure membrane and aspirates a portion of the amplified sample for further processing, without removal of the reaction vessel cap. This avoids the generation of potentially contaminating aerosols or droplets.

Abstract: The method for thermal cycling of nucleic acid assays includes a blended fluid stream produced from a plurality of constant velocity, constant volume, constant temperature fluid streams wherein to provide a variable temperature, constant velocity, constant volume fluid stream which is introduced into a sample chamber for heating and cooling samples contained therein. By diverting and altering the ratio of the constant temperature fluid streams relative to one another, the blended fluid stream is rapidly variable in temperature, providing for almost instantaneous temperature change within the environment defined by the sample chamber.

Abstract: A disposable device suitable for performing automated solid-phase diagnostic assays which employs microparticles to complex an analyte and where the microparticle complex becomes retained and immobilized on a fibrous matrix such that the presence of analyte on the microparticles can be detached by optical means.

Abstract: A method for performing a microparticle diagnostic assay in a device having a shallow sample well for receiving a sample and reagents for forming a reaction mixture, a read well positioned adjacent to said sample well and separated from said sample well by a wall which is constructed and arranged such that when wash fluid is injected into said sample well, sample and reaction mixtures are washed from said shallow sample well, over the wall and into said read well. The steps of the method comprise forming microparticle analyte complexes in said shallow sample well; washing said microparticle analyte complexes from said shallow sample well over the wall and into said read well where a fibrous matrix retains and immobilizes said microparticle analyte complexes; adding to said read well an indicator substance capable of forming an assay signal when said microparticle analyte complexes are present; and detecting said assay signal produced by said indicator substance.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing a chemiluminescence assay involving the immobilization of a chemiluminescent reaction complex to a solid, porous element. The solid, porous element is preferably treated to provide an immobilizing interaction with the chemiluminescent reaction complex wherein the chemiluminescent reaction complex is thereby immobilized to the solid, porous element. The activating and reading of the chemiluminescent reaction are separately performed by evenly distributing a concentrated chemiluminescent activating solution to form a puddle on the surface of the porous element to which the chemiluminescent reaction complex is immobilized.

Abstract: A disposable device suitable for performing automated solid-state diagnostic assays which employs microparticles to complex an analyte and where the microparticle complex becomes retained and immobilized on a fibrous matrix such that the presence of analyte on the microparticles can be detected by an optical device.