Abstract: A method for identification of biochemical markers associated with cervical remodeling over the course of pregnancy of humans includes obtaining Raman signals from the cervix of each of a group of humans with pregnancy at each phase of pregnancy; finding Raman signatures corresponding to each type of cervical tissue from the obtained Raman signals; and identifying biochemical markers associated with cervical remodeling at each phase of pregnancy corresponding to the Raman signatures.

Abstract: A rotary pump comprising a housing (1) defining an annular chamber with inlet and outlet ports (12;11), a flexible annular diaphragm (3) forming one side of the chamber spaced opposite an annular wall of the housing (1), and a partition (13) extending across the chamber. The diaphragm (3) comprises an outer surface which engages the annular wall of the housing (1), and an inner surface opposite the first surface, wherein the outer surface is configured to be pressed progressively against the opposite wall of the housing (1), by a rotating means, to force fluid around the chamber. The rotary pump also comprises a reinforcement ring (4) surrounding the rotating means, and which comprises an embedded portion (30) embedded in an inner portion of a central region of the diaphragm (3), and a support portion (34) having a radially outwardly facing surface (35) which faces and supports the inner surface of the diaphragm (3) adjacent to the reinforcement ring (4) during operation of the rotary pump.

Abstract: A rotary pump comprising a housing (1) defining an annular chamber with inlet and outlet ports (12;11) spaced apart around the chamber, a flexible annular diaphragm (3) forming one side of the chamber spaced opposite an annular wall of the housing (1), the diaphragm (3) being sealed at its edges to the housing (1), a partition (13) extending across the chamber from a location between the inlet and outlet ports (12;11) to the diaphragm (3). The diaphragm (3) is configured to be pressed progressively against the opposite wall of the housing (1) to force fluid drawn in at the inlet port (12) on one side of the partition (13) around the chamber and to expel it at the outlet port (11) at the other side of the partition (13). The outer face of the annular diaphragm (3) has a trough (40) at the part of the diaphragm (3) which faces the inlet port (12) and/or at the part of the diaphragm 3 which faces the outlet port (11).

Abstract: A method for identification of biochemical markers associated with cervical remodeling over the course of pregnancy of humans includes obtaining Raman signals from the cervix of each of a group of humans with pregnancy at each phase of pregnancy; finding Raman signatures corresponding to each type of cervical tissue from the obtained Raman signals; and identifying biochemical markers associated with cervical remodeling at each phase of pregnancy corresponding to the Raman signatures.

Abstract: A rotary pump comprising a housing (1) defining an annular chamber with inlet and outlet ports (12;11), a flexible annular diaphragm (3) forming one side of the chamber spaced opposite an annular wall of the housing (1), and a partition (13) extending across the chamber. The diaphragm (3) comprises an outer surface which engages the annular wall of the housing (1), and an inner surface opposite the first surface, wherein the outer surface is configured to be pressed progressively against the opposite wall of the housing (1), by a rotating means, to force fluid around the chamber. The rotary pump also comprises a reinforcement ring (4) surrounding the rotating means, and which comprises an embedded portion (30) embedded in an inner portion of a central region of the diaphragm (3), and a support portion (34) having a radially outwardly facing surface (35) which faces and supports the inner surface of the diaphragm (3) adjacent to the reinforcement ring (4) during operation of the rotary pump.

Abstract: A rotary pump comprising a housing (1) defining an annular chamber with inlet and outlet ports (12;11) spaced apart around the chamber, a flexible annular diaphragm (3) forming one side of the chamber spaced opposite an annular wall of the housing (1), the diaphragm (3) being sealed at its edges to the housing (1), a partition (13) extending across the chamber from a location between the inlet and outlet ports (12;11) to the diaphragm (3). The diaphragm (3) is configured to be pressed progressively against the opposite wall of the housing (1) to force fluid drawn in at the inlet port (12) on one side of the partition (13) around the chamber and to expel it at the outlet port (11) at the other side of the partition (13). The outer face of the annular diaphragm (3) has a trough (40) at the part of the diaphragm (3) which faces the inlet port (12) and/or at the part of the diaphragm 3 which faces the outlet port (11).

Abstract: An insect capturing assembly for capturing insects on a ceiling includes a pole that can be gripped and directed upwardly toward a ceiling. A bottle is removably coupled to the pole such that the bottle is positioned adjacent to the ceiling when the pole is directed upwardly toward the ceiling. The bottle is oriented collinear with the pole such that an opening in the bottle is directed toward the ceiling. Thus, the opening can surround an insect on the ceiling thereby facilitating the bottle to capture the insect. The bottle has a division therein to define a top half of the bottle that is removably coupled to a bottom half of the bottle, and the top half is removable from the pole for emptying the bottom half.

Abstract: A method of removing an alumina layer around a main pole layer during perpendicular magnetic recording head fabrication is disclosed. The alumina etch sequence includes immersing a substrate in a series of aqueous solutions purged with an inert gas to remove oxygen thereby avoiding corrosion of the main pole. Initially, the substrate is soaked and heated in deionized (DI) water. Once heated, the substrate is immersed in an etching bath at about 80° C. and pH 10.5. Bath chemistry is preferably based on Na2CO3 and NaHCO3, and N2 purging improves etch uniformity and reduces residue. Thereafter, the substrate is rinsed in a second DI water bath between room temperature and 80° C., and finally subjected to a quick dump rinse before drying. Inert gas, preferably N2, may be introduced into the aqueous solutions through a purge board having a plurality of openings and positioned proximate to the bottom of a bath container.

Abstract: A method of removing an alumina layer around a main pole layer during perpendicular magnetic recording head fabrication is disclosed. The alumina etch sequence includes immersing a substrate in a series of aqueous solutions purged with an inert gas to remove oxygen thereby avoiding corrosion of the main pole. Initially, the substrate is soaked and heated in deionized (DI) water. Once heated, the substrate is immersed in an etching bath at about 80° C. and pH 10.5. Bath chemistry is preferably based on Na2CO3 and NaHCO3, and N2 purging improves etch uniformity and reduces residue. Thereafter, the substrate is rinsed in a second DI water bath between room temperature and 80° C., and finally subjected to a quick dump rinse before drying. Inert gas, preferably N2, may be introduced into the aqueous solutions through a purge board having a plurality of openings and positioned proximate to the bottom of a bath container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for indexing nucleic acid sequences to aid computer based searching of nucleic acid sequences by indexing a nucleotide sequence by the presence of unique Kmers in the sequence. The method of the present invention comprises utilizing an algorithm to automatically index a nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for indexing nucleic acid sequences to aid computer based searching of nucleic acid sequences by indexing a nucleotide sequence by the presence of unique Kmers in the sequence. The method of the present invention comprises utilizing an algorithm to automatically index a nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A device for rotating a length of pipe to make or break a pipe joint is provided. The device is adapted at its upper end to be connected to a top head drive drilling machine, and at its lower end to be connected to the first threaded pipe in a drill string. The device comprises a central shank, a movable arm and a gripping assembly. The movable arm is hinged to and extends about the central shank, and can move to an open or a closed position with the movement of the device. The gripping assembly is mounted on the movable arm and is adapted to contact the first threaded pipe when the movable arm is in the closed position. The device is rotated by means of the top head drive, causing the pipe joint between the first two threaded pipes in the drill string to be broken. The movable arm then swings open and the first threaded pipe can be disconnected from the device.

Abstract: A die for the formation of semi-closed channels or other complex configurations comprises a male die member and a female die member. The male die member includes a generally circular mandrel, and elastic, workpiece-retaining pressure means; while the female die member includes an elastically deformable matrix having an open, generally U-shaped forming groove in the upper surface thereof. In operation, the workpiece is driven by the mandrel into the forming groove, and the matrix elastically deformed by matrix deforming apparatus to substantially close the forming groove and wrap the workpiece around the mandrel to form the desired channel. The pressure device retains the workpiece in place during forming while allowing sliding movement of the workpiece to prevent damage to the latter. Following channel formation, the mandrel is withdrawn from the forming groove and the matrix returns to its un-deformed position to re-open the forming groove and enable the ready removal of the workpiece from the die.