Abstract: A system and related method for a regenerative braking system on a towed vehicle, such as a trailer or semi-trailer. The system provides power and braking to the respective trailer wheels, as needed, to help stabilize the trailer. Power is regenerated during braking. While batteries may be used to store the energy, the system also may use capacitive storage units, which charge and discharge large amounts of energy at a fast rate. A multiple-axis sensor system in conjunction with wheel sensors, load sensors, and proportional control of the brakes and motor power to the axles and wheels, is used to achieve superior load stabilization. The invention can be easily retrofit into new or used trailers, and is self-contained with low maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample. The cartridge provides for the efficient separation of cells or viruses in the sample from the remaining sample fluid, lysis of the cells or viruses to release the analyte (e.g., nucleic acid) therefrom, and optionally chemical reaction and/or detection of the analyte. The cartridge is useful in a variety of diagnostic, life science research, environmental, or forensic applications for determining the presence or absence of one or more analytes in a sample.

Abstract: A two-post mounting rack includes a frame bottom, a frame top, a pair of frame uprights interconnected between the frame bottom and the frame top, and a base assembly for supporting the frame bottom on a surface. One or more of the frame bottom, the frame top, the pair of frame uprights, and the base assembly are seismically hardened. Each frame upright has a closed cross-sectional shape. Each frame upright includes a flange with apertures adapted to provide a mounting location for cable management projections. The base assembly includes two separate end gusset members. Each end gusset member includes two corner gussets. Each corner gusset includes a floor plate and a riser plate. The two corner gussets in each end gusset member are connected by a bridge member. The frame top includes an upper cross-member and two lateral reinforcement plates.

Abstract: A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction includes a body having at least one flow path formed therein. The cartridge also includes a reaction vessel extending from the body for holding a reaction mixture for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel comprises a rigid frame defining the side walls of a reaction chamber. The frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber. The vessel also includes flexible films or sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. In addition, at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each to permit real-time optical detection of analyte in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample. The cartridge provides for the efficient separation of cells or viruses in the sample from the remaining sample fluid, lysis of the cells or viruses to release the analyte (e.g., nucleic acid) therefrom, and optionally chemical reaction and/or detection of the analyte. The cartridge is useful in a variety of diagnostic, life science research, environmental, or forensic applications for determining the presence or absence of one or more analytes in a sample.

Abstract: A reaction vessel having a reaction chamber for holding a sample is fabricated by producing a housing having a rigid frame defining the minor walls of the chamber. The housing also defines a port for introducing fluid into the chamber. At least one sheet or film is attached to the rigid frame to form at least one major wall of the chamber. In preferred embodiments, two sheets or films are attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form two opposing major walls of the chamber, the major walls being connected to each other by the minor walls.

Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.

Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for directing a localized biological response of a mammalian body to an implant disposed within the body. In one embodiment, a delivery system is positioned outside the body and adjacent to the implant within the body. The delivery system comprises a first tissue response modifier effective for directing a localized biological response of the body to the implant. The tissue response modifier is nonsurgically delivered from the delivery system into the body in a quantity effective to direct the localized biological response of the body to the implant. The invention also provides an implant system for long-term use comprising an implant and nonsurgical means for delivering a tissue response modifier through the epidermis of the body, the tissue response modifier effective for directing a localized biological response of the body to the implant.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sample suspected to contain a target nucleic acid sequence for a nucleic acid amplification reaction and for verifying the effectiveness of the sample preparation comprises the step of mixing the sample with sample preparation controls. The sample preparation controls are cells, spores, microorganisms, or viruses that contain a marker nucleic acid sequence. The sample mixed with the sample preparation controls is subjected to a lysis treatment, and nucleic acid released by the lysis treatment is subjected to nucleic acid amplification conditions. The presence or absence of the target nucleic acid sequence and of the marker nucleic acid sequence is then determined. Positive detection of the marker nucleic acid sequence indicates that the sample preparation process was satisfactory, while the inability to detect the marker nucleic acid sequence indicates inadequate sample preparation.

Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.

Abstract: A two-post mounting rack includes a frame bottom, a frame top, a pair of frame uprights interconnected between the frame bottom and the frame top, and a base assembly for supporting the frame bottom on a surface. One or more of the frame bottom, the frame top, the pair of frame uprights, and the base assembly are seismically hardened. Each frame upright has a closed cross-sectional shape. Each frame upright includes a flange with apertures adapted to provide a mounting location for cable management projections. The base assembly includes two separate end gusset members. Each end gusset member includes two corner gussets. Each corner gusset includes a floor plate and a riser plate. The two corner gussets in each end gusset member are connected by a bridge member. The frame top includes an upper cross-member and two lateral reinforcement plates.

Abstract: Methods for balancing multiplexed PCR reactions are provided which exploit differences in primer and amplicon Tms. The methods may be controlled by a computer process. Also provided are articles of manufacture useful in such methods and compositions containing primers and probes useful in such methods.

Abstract: An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a cartridge having a sample port and a first flow path extending from the sample port. The first flow path includes an extraction chamber containing a solid support for capturing the analyte from the sample. The cartridge has a second flow path for eluting the captured analyte from the extraction chamber, the second flow diverging from the first flow path after passing through the extraction chamber. The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber and into a waste chamber, thereby capturing the analyte with the solid support as the sample flows through the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through the extraction chamber and along the second flow path.

Abstract: A reaction vessel having a reaction chamber for holding a sample is fabricated by producing a housing having a rigid frame defining the minor walls of the chamber. The housing also defines a port for introducing fluid into the chamber. At least one sheet or film is attached to the rigid frame to form at least one major wall of the chamber. In preferred embodiments, two sheets or films are attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form two opposing major walls of the chamber, the major walls being connected to each other by the minor walls.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatuses and computer programs for verifying the integrity of a probe by comparing the fluorescence value of a probe to a threshold value. The invention also provides for methods, apparatuses and computer programs for normalizing the fluorescence value of a probe and detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample.

Abstract: Methods for balancing multiplexed PCR reactions are provided which exploit differences in primer and amplicon Tms. The methods may be controlled by a computer process. Also provided are articles of manufacture useful in such methods and compositions containing primers and probes useful in such methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions providing optimized reaction conditions for nucleic acid amplification reactions and for methods and compositions that reduce contamination of amplification reactions during set up.

Abstract: A system and related method for a regenerative braking system on a towed vehicle, such as a trailer or semi-trailer. The system provides power and braking to the respective trailer wheels, as needed, to help stabilize the trailer. Power is regenerated during braking. While batteries may be used to store the energy, the system also may use capacitive storage units, which charge and discharge large amounts of energy at a fast rate. A multiple-axis sensor system in conjunction with wheel sensors, load sensors, and proportional control of the brakes and motor power to the axles and wheels, is used to achieve superior load stabilization. The invention can be easily retrofit into new or used trailers, and is self-contained with low maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample. The cartridge provides for the efficient separation of cells or viruses in the sample from the remaining sample fluid, lysis of the cells or viruses to release the analyte (e.g., nucleic acid) therefrom, and optionally chemical reaction and/or detection of the analyte. The cartridge is useful in a variety of diagnostic, life science research, environmental, or forensic applications for determining the presence or absence of one or more analytes in a sample.