Abstract: A silica substrate for subjecting a sample to electrophoresis has an —OH concentration of less than 100 parts per million.

Abstract: A non-linearly frequency-converted Q-switched laser is “injection seeded” with short pulses from another laser, called a seed laser. Radiation produced by the Q-switched laser is frequency converted in a non-linear process. The injection seeding can enhance peak power and frequency conversion efficiency while reducing damage to a non-linear medium used to frequency convert radiation generated by the Q-switched laser.

Abstract: An automated capillary zone electrophoretic system is disclosed. The system employs a capillary cartridge having a plurality of capillary tubes. The cartridge has a first array of capillary ends projecting from one side of a plate. The first array of capillary ends are spaced apart in substantially the same manner as the wells of a microtitre tray of standard size. This allows one to simultaneously perform capillary electrophoresis on samples present in each of the wells of the tray. The system includes a stacked, dual carrousel arrangement to eliminate cross-contamination resulting from reuse of the same buffer tray on consecutive executions from electrophoresis. The system also has a container connected to the detection end of the capillaries. The container is provided with valving which facilitate cleaning the capillaries, loading buffer into the capillaries, introducing samples to be electrophoresced into the capillaries, and performing capillary zone electrophoresis on the thus introduced samples.

Abstract: According to a method of determining a size of a sample polynucleotide, a sample polynucleotide is subjected to electrophoresis in the presence of a fluorescent compound having a first fluorescence spectrum. Detection of light of the first fluorescence spectrum is indicative of the presence of the sample polynucleotide. One or more size standards are also subjected to electrophoresis, optionally in the presence of the sample polynucleotide. If more than one size standard is used, the different size standards typically have different mobilities. The size standards are generally essentially or completely free of polynucleotides. Migration coordinates, e.g., migration times, of the sample polynucleotide and size standard(s) are determined. A size of the sample polynucleotide can be determined using the migration coordinate of the sample polynucleotide and the migration coordinate(s) of the size standard(s).

Abstract: A laser apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a Neodymium-doped lasing material having first and second surfaces and a passive Q-switch optically coupled to the second surface. The first-surface is substantially transparent to a pump radiation and substantially reflective to laser radiation generated by an interaction between the pump radiation and the Neodymium-doped lasing material. The laser radiation is characterized by a vacuum wavelength corresponding to an atomic transition from the 4F3/2 level to the 4I9/2 level of Neodymium in the lasing material. The second surface transmits at least a portion of the laser radiation. The lasing material and Q-switch are configured to produce pulses of the laser radiation characterized by a pulse length of greater than zero and less than about 1.5 nanoseconds and a pulse repetition rate greater than about 100 kHz. A PQSL laser, an apparatus for generating blue light and a display system based on the laser apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An amusement device has a display and an input device and includes a memory and a controller. The memory stores a plurality of games and a system control program. The controller is operatively coupled to the memory, the input device and the display. The controller controls the display based upon the system control program retrieved from the memory and based upon inputs from the input device. The controller is configured to grant a user a block of time for accessing the amusement device; permit the user to selectively retrieve from the memory and play a first game from the plurality of games during the block of time; and permit the user to selectively retrieve from the memory and play a second game from the plurality of games that is different than the first game during the block of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for commercial advertising and treating environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in heavy user environments utilizing a fire resistant housing and high efficiency particle air filters (HEPA) is provided. The structure of the housing provides for efficient and effective use in heavy user environments, and functions to enable selective forms of advertisement. A filter system is provided in the housing to filter particle and gas-phase ETS contaminants. A fragrance, air freshener, deodorizer or the like can also be dispensed. A DC battery powered fan is used to draw ETS up and through apparatus and across HEPA filters and carbon filter. The filtering capacity and commercial grade design specifications are targeted toward heavy ETS environments. This apparatus more effectively directs ETS smoke over filter components, to remove ETS particle contaminants and provides design features for commercial advertisement.

Abstract: A right-angle gluer for applying a transverse bead of an adhesive to a blank being conveyed in a machine direction orthogonal to the transverse direction of glue application. The right-angle gluer includes a coating head operable for applying the transverse adhesive bead and a pivotal mounting assembly that permits adjustment of the positioning and orientation of the coating head relative to the machine direction. The right angle gluer further includes a backup plate positioned upstream of the coating head that reduces or prevents buckling of the conveyed blanks.

Abstract: A right-angle gluer for applying a transverse bead of an adhesive to a blank being conveyed in a machine direction orthogonal to the transverse direction of glue application. The right-angle gluer includes a coating head operable for applying the transverse adhesive bead and a pivotal mounting assembly that permits adjustment of the positioning and orientation of the coating head relative to the machine direction. The right angle gluer further includes a backup plate positioned upstream of the coating head that reduces or prevents buckling of the conveyed blanks.