Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning fecal matter from the interior of an extracted animal intestine is disclosed. The apparatus has a horizontal tube member for supporting an intestine; support members attached to opposite sides of said tube member for supporting the side portions of a slit intestine; a transporter mounted below and adjacent to the bottom side of said tube for moving intestines from adjacent the distal end of said tube towards the proximal end; a cutting blade mounted above said tube member; and a plurality of nozzles arranged at transversely opposite sides of said tube member for directing fluid downwardly and about the top side of said pipe member. A method for cleaning animal intestines using such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A homogeneous fluorescence-based nucleic acid detection and quantitation system is provided to measure nucleic acid in protein solutions. The process relies on the intercalation of a non-fluorescent dye into a double-stranded nucleic acid helix or single-stranded nucleic acid. The dye fluoresces after intercalation and the intensity is a direct measurement of the amount of nucleic acid present in the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning fecal matter from the interior of an extracted animal intestine. The apparatus has a water supply conduit, a water tube connected to the water supply conduit and at least one outlet for discharging water into an intestine surrounding the tube, and a transporter for moving intestines from one end of the tube towards the opposite end. A method for cleaning extracted tubular animal intestines by placing an animal intestine over a water tube, discharging water from the tube into the intestine and passing the tubular intestine along and off the tube without reversing the direction of movement is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the degradation of a fluorescence labeled nucleic acid such as DNA (F-DNA), RNA (F-RNA) or DNA/RNA substrate. The label may be covalently attached to the relatively high volume substrate at one position or many positions. The nucleic acid is then put in contact with another substance and activity is detected by Fluorescence Polarization.

Abstract: A "navigation protocol" is implemented via a computer program to provide communication and invocation capability among object-oriented application programs and precompiled library routines, collectively referred to as `programs`. Each application program is "registered" with the operating environment during its installation; registration entails updating a registration-table data structure with information about 1) a program identifier; 2) an object-type identifier identifying a class of objects; and 3) an action identifier, e.g., a menu entry, identifying an action which the program can perform on objects of the class specified by the object-type identifier. A user can manipulate an object by selecting the object and requesting that a list of all actions performable on the object be displayed, then selecting one of the displayed possible actions.

Abstract: The invention provides a viscosity cup with an upward extending tube or lip, which provides a cut off point for paint draining through an orifice, providing more consistent viscosity measurements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modified Taq DNA polymerase and methods for its use.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring and collecting data in a multi-tier computer system, a database operation message, referred to as an "open" message is transmitted to a database cache computer with a list of data items in the database cache computer to be monitored on a change-of-state basis. The database cache computer responds by monitoring the data items and returning unsolicited "change data" messages containing only states for data items which have changed over the monitoring period. The change data messages are sent back periodically without the need for polling by a higher-level computer. The monitoring process is terminated by closing data records in the higher-level computer which generates a "close" message to the database computer to terminate the transmission of the change data messages. Also disclosed is a database cache computer and a user interface computer for carrying out the method.

Abstract: In a multi-tier computer system, a database configuration message is transmitted from a cell controlling computer to a database cache computer to designate certain data items to be monitored at one or more station-level computers. The database cache computer is connected via a local area network to the station-level computers. The station-level computers monitor the data items and generate unsolicited messages containing changed states for data items which have changed over the monitoring period. The database cache computer receives the unsolicited message and interprets the data therein to update the relevant data items. The unsolicited messages are sent back periodically without the need for polling by the database cache computer. If desired, the data in the unsolicited messages can be limited to data which has changed since the last update of the relevant data items.

Abstract: The robot is composed of a figure simulating a boxer which is mounted to a post. A first arm is mounted to the post for pivoting in a vertical plane. A second arm is mounted to a vertical rod mounted within the figure. A prime mover causes the rod to rotate and as it does so, the second arm rotates in a horizontal plane. A roller is connected to the rod and periodically contacts the second arm thereby causing the arm to elevate. Gravity causes the second arm to fall when it is not contacted by the roller. The roller is so positioned to the rod that it causes the second arm to elevate when the first arm is behind the figure and allows the second arm to fall when the first arm is in front of the figure.