Abstract: Disclosed is a pair of primers to amplify a homologous region of the 16S rRNA of Mycobacteria. The primer pair performs better than a number of other primer pairs in a transcription-based amplification system. The amplified RNA can be detected with known probes for Mycobacteria. The primers, methods and kits are especially useful as an aid in the diagnosis of M. tuberculosis.

Abstract: A flat disc is pressed into a bore provided in a structural member that is under stress. The disc has peripheral teeth that permit to be press fit in the bore and strain gage elements oriented mutually perpendicularly to one another provide inputs to a bridge circuit for monitoring the strain in the member at a preselected location.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring strain on a pin with one or more strain gage elements disposed within an open-ended axial bore formed in the pin, wherein the strain gage element or elements is or are mounted on a plug that is inserted into the bore with an interference fit.

Abstract: A load sensing structure for weighing has a rectangular deck with four flexure members supporting the deck. Each flexure member has attachment portions secured to the deck and oppositely facing attachment portions secured to a fixed platform. U-shaped flexure intermediate portions have parallel legs or beams that are connected to one another by a rigid base of the U, and these legs are also cantilever connected to the attachment portions. Two strain gages on one such leg are so located that these gages must sense tension and compression to indicate weight in the bridge circuit. If both detect tension or both compression no weight indication will occur.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the load on a platform without error caused by variations in the location of the load on the platform, including an integral sensor block comprising a double cantilever beam having one end attached to a fixed support and the opposite end supporting the platform. The beam is divided into upper and lower portions, each portion having two flexures spaced apart along the length of the beam portion. The flexures on the lower beam portion are spaced apart by a distance greater than the distance between the flexures in the upper beam portion. Strain gage resistance elements are bonded to the outer surface of the upper portion at the flexure.

Abstract: This strain measuring apparatus shows a device to be press fitted into a hole in a member subject to stress, for the purpose of measuring the strain produced in the member by that stress. The device is a cylindrical shell with a middle portion knurled on its outer surface so that it has an overall diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the hole in which it is to be inserted. A web extends across the interior of the middle portion of the shell perpendicular to its axis. Strain gage elements are attached to the surfaces of the web.

Abstract: A strain responsive device is a folded cantilever beam having an intermediate portion with a part-cylindrical surface on its under side. The reversely folded end of the beam extends under the part-cylindrical surface. The load is applied to the folded end in alignment with the center of the part-cylindrical surface. Strain gage elements are placed on a flat surface of the beam opposite the part-cylindrical surface. These elements are symmetrically arranged so that their centers are aligned with the centers of the two halves of the part-cylindrical surface. The beam has a substantially constant strain over the length thereof where the strain gage elements are attached, within any selected margin for error. The strain is thus evenly distributed over the length of the strain gage elements.

Abstract: A load cell of the cantilever beam type with a large cylindrical hole extending horizontally through the beam and recesses around the hole to provide a thin tubular surface on which strain gauges are attached.

Abstract: A platform scale with a low overall height primarily for use as a bathroom scale. A platform receives the load to be weighed and transfers a force to a lever arrangement that converts strains due to load into an electrical signal which is then converted to a weight indication.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for measuring biochemical characteristics of microorganisms. A first chamber is provided into which is inoculated a test suspension containing an unknown organism. First passage means selectively provides liquid communication between the first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber provides for contacting the liquid suspension with a substrate reagent which is located therein. Second passage means connects the second chamber to a third and selectively allows liquid communication therebetween. The third chamber may contain a suitable detection means for identifying the biochemical characteristics of the reacted test suspension when brought into contact therewith.

Abstract: This weighing scale has a platform, a load cell supporting the platform and a base supporting the load cell. The load cell utilizes electrical strain gage elements, which are connected in an electrical circuit controlling an indicator. The scale is constructed to be unaffected by the eccentricity of the load on the platform. The scale is particularly suited for use in retail or other establishments, where loads are placed on the platform casually and rapidly, so that eccentric loading is common. The load cell comprises an integral block of material divided by milled apertures and recesses into two vertical members and three horizontal members connecting the vertical members. The platform is supported on one of the vertical members. The base is connected to the other vertical member. The upper and lower horizontal members carry most of the bending moments due to eccentric loads from one vertical member to the other.

Abstract: This weighing scale has a platform, a load cell supporting the platform and a base supporting the load cell. The load cell utilizes electrical strain gage elements, which are connected in an electrical circuit controlling an indicator. The scale is constructed to be unaffected by the eccentricity of the load on the platform. The scale is particularly suited for use in retail or other establishments, where loads are placed on the platform casually and rapidly, so that eccentric loading is common. The load cell comprises an integral block of material divided by four transversely bored holes and two horizontal slots into two relatively rigid vertical members and three relatively flexible horizontal members connecting the vertical members. The platform is supported on one of the vertical members. The base is connected to the other vertical member. The upper and lower horizontal members transfer all bending moments due to eccentric loads from one vertical member to the other.

Abstract: An improved composition and method for detecting fibrinogen, fibrinogen split products and/or fibrin split products in blood comprises utilizing killed, dyed Staphylococcus aureus cells which can be prepared by either of two methods. In the first method, Staphylococcus aureus organisms are incubated in a nutrient medium containing a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight of from 1000 to 5000 to which is added triphenyltetrazolium chloride; the growing organisms reduce the triphenyltetrazolium chloride to triphenylformazan which imparts coloration to the cells; the dyed Staphylococcus aureus cells are killed and substantially all untrapped dye is removed. In an alternate method, a suspension of Fast Black Salt K is added to a suspension of killed Staphylococcus aureus cells, and the dyed cells which result are washed to remove substantially all unfixed dye. The killed, dyed Staphylococcus aureus cells prepared by either method are suspended in an imidazole buffer to maintain a pH of 7.4.

Abstract: This force transducer is intended for use in locations where the space available is dimensionally limited in the direction of the active and reactive forces being measured. It is more resistive to forces acting at an angle with respect to those active and reactive forces than the devices of the prior art. It comprises a cylindrical block, usually steel, having a central load bearing portion adapted at one end to oppose a force acting axially of the block, and a peripheral portion concentric with the central portion and adapted at the opposite end to oppose the reactive force. The central portion and the peripheral portion are separated by two arrays of cylindrical holes, with at least three holes in each array, each hole extending parallel to the axis of the block and spaced therefrom. The two arrays of holes define at least three pairs of parallel bridging portions extending between the central load bearing portion and the peripheral load bearing portion.