Abstract: A catalytic liquid toner is electrostatically printed on an amorphous silicon layer (or a substrate that is to support such a layer), in an image-wise fashion. After the liquid toner is dried, the amorphous silicon layer is heated, preferably using rapid thermal annealing, to approximately 550° C. for about 2 minutes to cause the toned areas to be converted to polysilicon. The toner used during the printing action is a dispersion of resin particles which contain a metallic catalyst, such as palladium, nickel or chromium.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member is improved in light shock resistance by including in the charge transport layer a light shock resisting additive of triethanolamine, morpholine, an imidazole or mixtures thereof. The imaging member preferably has a charge generating layer containing hydroxygallium phthalocyanine, alkoxygallium phthalocyanine and mixtures thereof as the photogenerating particles. The method of rendering an imaging member including such a charge generating layer acceptably resistant to light shock includes forming a charge transport layer in association with the charge generating layer to contain the light shock resisting additive of triethanolamine, morpholine, an imidazole or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A photosensitive member to be used for an image-forming apparatus effectively suppresses the effect of wetting the foreign matters adhered to the surface thereof, reduces the load of the cleaning unit and prolong the service life of the photosensitive member so that the image-forming apparatus may be down-sized. In the photosensitive member, the surface free energy (&ggr;) on the uppermost surface of the photosensitive member is made between 35 and 65 mN/m and the variation of the surface free energy &Dgr;&ggr; is made less than 25 mN/m during long operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic latent image-developing toner produced by a wet granulation method, containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, and having a volume-area mean particle size (D) of 1 to 10 &mgr;m, a shape coefficient (S) of 103 to 130, and a constant (A) of 0.

Abstract: Provided are a toner for electrophotography, a method for producing it, and a method of image formation with it. The toner fuses little in the apparatus where it is produced, and its productivity is high. The toner has good characteristics including charging characteristics and coloring characteristics, and the amount of coarse grains in the toner is small. The method for producing the toner includes a step of kneading at least a toner-forming material to prepare a kneaded mixture, a step of grinding and classifying at least the kneaded mixture to prepare toner grains, and a step of mixing at least an external additive in the toner grains. In the method, an inorganic oxide containing the same metal element at least for its core is added to the system in all of the kneading step, the grinding and classifying step and the external additive-mixing step.

Abstract: The present invention related to a toner used in a toner-jetting system wherein the toner is jettingly adhered to a recording medium in a direct manner, the toner having a specific angle of repose, a specific mean roundness and/or a specific distribution of a particle size.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toner used in a toner-jetting system wherein the toner is jettingly adhered to a recording medium in a direct manner, said toner satisfying a specific relationship between an average quantity of charge (x)(&mgr;C/g) and a distribution deviation of quantity of charge (y).

Abstract: Provided is an image forming method including at least a latent image-forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on a latent image support, a developer layer-forming step of forming a developer layer on a surface of a developer support disposed opposite the latent image support, a developing step of developing the electrostatic latent image on the latent image support with the toner in the developer layer to form a toner image, and a transferring step of transferring the toner image onto a transfer material, characterized in that the latent image support is obtained by forming at least an organic photoconductive layer on a surface of an electroconductive support, the toner is composed of color particles containing at least a binder resin and a coloring agent, a volume average particle diameter of the color particles is between 2.0 and 5.0 &mgr;m, the ratio of the color particles of 1.

Abstract: A lithoprinting plate comprising a support and a recording layer which comprises a polyvalent metal ion and a hydrophilic binder polymer having a Lewis base portion containing nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur and which has an oleophilic image area and a hydrophilic non-image area which are printed in a thermal mode, wherein the hydrophilic binder polymer in the hydrophilic non-image area is three-dimensionally cross-linked by the interaction between the polyvalent metal ion and the Lewis base portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel negative-working chemical-amplification photoresist composition comprising, as the essential ingredients, (A) an alkali-soluble resin, (B) a radiation-sensitive acid-generating agent and (C) a cross-linking agent. Characteristically, the component (B) is a combination of a halogenoacid-generating compound and a bis(alkylsulfonyl) diazomethane compound in a specified proportion. By virtue of this unique formulation of the composition, the photoresist composition can give a patterned resist layer having excellently orthogonal cross sectional profile in a high photosensitivity.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive resin composition including (A) an alkali-soluble novolak resin obtained by condensing a particular combination of a first phenol having formula: wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represent an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkoxyl group or an aryl group; and a second phenol selected from the group consisting of phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol, 2,3-dimethylphenol, 2,5-dimethylphenol, 2,6-dimethylphenol, 3,4-dimethylphenol, 3,5-dimethylphenol, 2,3,5-trimethylphenol, 3,4,5-trimethylphenol, resorcinol, 2-methylresorcinol, 4-ethylresorcinol, hydroquinone, methylhydroquinone, catechol, 4-methyl-catechol, pyrogallol, phloroglucinol, thymol and isothymol with an aldehyde in the presence of an acidic catalyst; and (B) a quinonediazidosulfonic acid ester compound. This composition exhibits good resolution, developability, heat resistance, pattern shape, exposure margin and focal latitude in a well balanced state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated base for an imaging element comprising a paper having adhered to each side a biaxially oriented sheet of polyolefin polymer, wherein the top biaxially oriented sheet on the image side has incorporated therein a stabilizing amount of hindered amine light stabilizer.

Abstract: A photographic material comprises a support bearing at least one silver halide emulsion layer. The material contains in the emulsion layer or an adjacent hydrophilic colloid layer, a nucleating agent. One or more of the layers further comprises a polymeric material capable of partitioning the nucleating agent in order to control nucleation and thereby allow the level of pepper fog and raw stock keeping to be controlled.

Abstract: There is disclosed a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, which comprises a support having thereon at least one spectrally sensitized light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, wherein the silver halide emulsion layer contains at least two kinds of silver halide emulsions, which are different in the concentration of at least one nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound capable of forming a complex with silver, and wherein the emulsion layer or another hydrophilic colloid layer contains at least one hydrazine derivative, as a nucleating agent, and at least one of amine derivatives, onium salts, disulfide derivatives, or hydroxymethyl derivatives, as a nucleating accelerator. The light-sensitive material is high in sensitivity, extremely high in contrast, and high in blackening density; it makes both saving of a sensitizing dye and low dye stain possible; and the change in sensitivity is small in the production thereof.

Abstract: Copolymers and terpolyers are used in chemically amplified resists. The terpolymers are of the formula: wherein R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1 to C10 aliphatic hydrocarbon, wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon contains substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydride, and combinations thereof; R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1 to C10 aliphatic hydrocarbon, wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon contains substituents selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydride, and combinations thereof; R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; R6 is selected from the group consisting of t-butyl and tetrahydropyranyl; m and n are each integers; and wherein n/(m+n) ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.5.

Abstract: A chemically amplified resist for electron beam lithography contains the following components: a polymer with dissolution-inhibiting groups that can be cleaved with acid catalysis, a photo-reactive compound, which upon electron irradiation releases a sulfonic acid with a pKa value ≦2.5 (photo acid generator), an electron-beam-sensitive sensitizer enhancing the exposure sensitivity of the resist, such as a fluorene derivative, and a solvent.

Abstract: Organic photoprecursors of amines are provided for use in photosensitive imaging systems, finding particular application in the preparation of lithographic printing plates. Said photoprecursors generate free amines on exposure to long wavelength UV or visible radiation, have high solubility in organic solvents, and include photolabile 2-nitrobenzyl functional groups. Methods for the synthesis of the photoprecursors are described, and the use of the said photoprecursors for the production of printing plates using both positive working and negative working techniques are discussed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymer of organometallic polymerizable monomer acid or ester are useful as resists and are sensitive to imaging irradiation while exhibiting enhanced resistance to reactive ion etching.

Abstract: The present invention is a flexographic printing plate having a very low degree of thermal distortion during development. This flexographic printing plate comprises a dimensionally stable substrate and an image bearing relief layer, wherein the thermal distortion of the flexographic printing plate in both the machine and the transverse directions is less than 0.02% when the plate is developed at temperatures in the range from about 100° C. to about 180° C.

Abstract: A photocurable composition containing at least a radical polymerizable unsaturated group-bearing compound, a metal allene compound, a squalilium dye, and N,N-dimethylaniline. The photocurable composition is polymerized and cured by generation of radicals upon receipt of low energy of visible light having long wavelengths or near infrared light.

Abstract: A lithography method is applied to a lithography system comprising a charged particle beam generation section for generating a charged particle beam, a mask stage for holding a transfer mask to which the charged particle beam is applied, and a wafer stage for holding a wafer to be processed so as to face the charged particle beam generation section via the transfer mask. A fluorescent film is disposed between the transfer mask and the wafer coated with a photoresist thereon. When the fluorescent film is irradiated with the charged particle beam which passes through an opening of the transfer mask, an ultraviolet light is emitted from the fluorescent film and applied onto the photoresist film formed on the wafer.

Abstract: An improved method of forming a resist pattern permitting control of a resist profile of a chemically amplified-type resist is provided. A chemically amplified-type resist is exposed to light using a mask. The resist is then baked by PEB at a first temperature, and developed halfway. The resist is baked again at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and then fully developed. A resist pattern is thus obtained.

Abstract: Polarizing glass having localized regions or patterns of non-polarizing glass is disclosed. The glass is formed by use of reducing gas-blocking material, by local thermal heating of the glass, or by an etching technique.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of forming a metal line, involving the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a metal layer, a silicon nitride layer over the metal layer, and an oxide layer over the silicon nitride layer; depositing an ultra-thin photoresist over the oxide layer, the ultra-thin photoresist having a thickness less than about 2,000 Å; irradiating the ultra-thin photoresist with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of about 250 nm or less; developing the ultra-thin photoresist exposing a portion of the oxide layer; etching the exposed portion of the oxide layer exposing a portion of the silicon nitride layer; etching the exposed portion of the silicon nitride layer exposing a portion of the metal layer; and etching the exposed portion of the metal layer thereby forming the metal line.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for reducing the intensity of reflected rays encountered during the process of photolithography. By reducing the intensity of reflected ray, the pattern distortions associated with the interference from secondary rays can be minimized. In addition, this method for reducing the intensity of reflected ray can also eliminate the footing effect of other known methods in which the dielectric ARC layer is first deposited on the underlying layer, followed by the subsequent photolithography process of coating exposing, and developing.

Abstract: A method for patterning a layer that includes a material sensitive to water or active hydrogen. The method utilizes a photoresist that includes a photoacid generator and a polymer constructed from fragments that are heat labile when heated to a predetermined temperature, the polymer being stable at the predetermined temperature and soluble in a solvent that does not contain water or active hydrogen. The fragments are joined by acid labile links to form the polymer. The photoacid generator includes a compound that releases acid when exposed to light. In a patterning method according to the present invention, the layer to be patterned is covered with a layer of the photoresist. The regions of the photoresist layer that overlay regions of the patterned layer that are to be removed are exposed to light. The layer of photoresist is then subjected to heating at or above the predetermined temperature to expose the regions of the patterned layer that are to be removed.

Abstract: A laser addressable thermal imaging element comprising a bleachable photothermal converting dye in association with a heat-sensitive imaging medium, and a photoreducing agent for said dye, said photoreducing agent bleaching said dye on laser address of the element. The imaging element may be in the form of a colorant transfer system, a peel-apart system, a phototackification system or a unimolecular thermal fragmentation system. Also provided is a method of crosslinking a resin by leaser irradiation, which is useful in the production of colored images.

Abstract: 1-Sulfonyl-1H-benzotriazole compounds have been found to be useful as antifoggants and print stabilizers in photothermographic elements. The photothermographic elements may be used in medical imaging films or as a photomask in a process where there is a subsequent exposure of an ultraviolet or short wavelength visible radiation-sensitive imageable medium.

Abstract: An image forming method is disclosed, comprising: exposing a photosensitive functional element having a red-sensitive function, a green-sensitive function, a blue-sensitive function and an invisible light-sensitive function to obtain an R image information, a G image information, a B image information and an invisible image information, mixing said invisible image information and an RGB visible image information comprised of the R image information, the G image information and the image information to form a mixed image information, and outputting the mixed image information.

Abstract: The present invention is a photographic element including a support with a polyolefin resin layer, which is preferably polypropylene, on each surface of the support. The photographic element includes a print or backmark retaining and spliceable antistatic layer having a dry coverage of from 10 mg/m2 to 10,000 mg/m2 on one of the free surfaces of the polyolefin layers. An imaging layer may be superimposed on the other free surface of the polyolefin layers. The antistatic layer includes a (i) conductive agent, preferably a combination of an alkali metal salt and a polymerized alkylene oxide, (ii) colloidal silica, preferably aluminum modified colloidal silica and (iii) a polymeric film-forming binder with a peel strength of 200 g or above on a polypropylene surface on which the antistatic layer of the present invention is to be formed.

Abstract: A method of fusing a protective layer on a photographic element by the steps of: providing a photographic element having a silver halide light-sensitive emulsion layer; applying a hydrophobic polymeric coating to the silver halide light sensitive emulsion layer; and fusing the hydrophobic polymeric coating to the silver halide light sensitive emulsion layer to form a protective overcoat, the fusing step comprising: passing the photographic element through a nip formed between a heated fuser belt and a roller wherein the fuser belt has an overcoat containing an optional siloxane intermediate layer and a silsesquioxane polymer surface layer coated on said intermediate layer.

Abstract: This invention comprises a photographic element having a support bearing one or more silver halide emulsions and one or more DIR couplers of structure I or II below: wherein: Z is a moiety which can react with oxidized developer to release a coupling-off group; R1 is a hydrogen atom or a substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atom, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, carbonamido, carbamoyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, sulphonyl and sulphonamido groups; each of the R2 substituents is a halogen atom or a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, carbonamido, carbamoyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aryloxy, arylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, sulphonyl and sulphonamido groups; X represents the atoms required to make a second ring which is aromatic and contains at least one nitrogen atom; and n is between 0 and the num

Abstract: A silver halide color photosensitive material comprises blue-, green-, and red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers on a support, and at least one layer of the material contains a compound represented by formula (I) below in an amount that satisfies a relation X/(X+Y)≧0.

Abstract: A colour photographic material which contains at least one pyrrolo[1,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole cyan coupler of the formula (I) in which R1, X and Y have the meaning stated in the description, is distinguished by excellent reproduction of blue and cyan tones if a 2-equivalent yellow coupler is added to the layer containing the couplers of the formula (I).

Abstract: A silver halide photographic light sensitive material is disclosed.

Abstract: A silver halide emulsion comprising a dispersion medium and silver halide grains, wherein at least 60% of the total projected area of all the silver halide grains in the emulsion are occupied by tabular grains each of which have {100} faces as principal planes; an aspect ratio of at least 2.0 but less than 100; a length to width ratio (long side/short side) in a form of a right angled parallelogram of 1 to 6, wherein the right angled parallelogram is the one that is surrounded by the {100} faces at the edges of the tabular grain or that is shaped by extending the {100} faces at the edges of the tabular grain; and at least one dislocation line.

Abstract: A colour photographic silver halide material in which at least one of the blue-sensitive silver halide emulsions is spectrally sensitised with a mixture of at least one seansitising dye of the formula (I) and at least one sensitising dye of the formula (II): in which R1 means an optionally substituted thienyl, pyrroly, indolyl, furamyl or phenyl, in which R5, R6, R7, mean H or R5 and R6 together or R6 and R7 together mean the remaining members of a fused benzo ring and the residual substituent means H and R2, R3, R4, R8, R9, R10 and M have the meaning stated in the description, is distinguished by elevated sensitivity and improved latent image stabilitity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating pathogens in material are described, including methods of decontaminating human fluids prior to processing in the clinical laboratory and methods for decontaminating blood products prior to in vivo use. The techniques handle large volumes of human serum without impairing the testing results. Novel compounds for photodecontaminating biological material are also contemplated which are compatible with clinical testing, in that they do not interfere with serum analytes.

Abstract: A sperm solution including arabinogalactan is provided which is useful for separating the motile sperm, to produce sperm samples which are suitable for use in a variety of diagnostic and research applications. In one embodiment, the solution includes an effective amount of arabinogalactan to permit washing or separation of the sperm, while maintaining sperm viability during the washing or separation procedure. Using the improved sperm wash, non-sperm substances that are capable of having a detrimental effect on sperm viability, such as seminal plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells, freezing extender agents, sperm debris, and media components, can be removed from the sperm sample. The inclusion of arabinogalactan in the solution has a protective effect on sperm in a sperm sample during processing. In a preferred embodiment, the arabinogalactan is ultrarefined.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for detecting HMGI-C or HMGI(Y) as a diagnostic marker for benign or malignant tumors using a probe for a sample from a patient that recognizes HMGI-C or HMGI(Y). The method comprises the steps of (a) contacting HMGI-C or HMGI(Y) from a sample from a patient with a probe which binds to HMGI-C or HMGI(Y); and (b) analyzing for HMGI-C or HMGI(Y) by detecting levels of the probe bound to the HMGI-C or HMGI(Y). The presence of HMGI-C or HMGI(Y) in the sample is positive for a benign or malignant tumor. The present invention also pertains to a method for detecting antibodies to HMGI-C or HMGI(Y) as a diagnostic marker for benign or malignant tumors. The present invention further pertains to a method for treating benign and malignant tumors in a patient by blocking the biological activity of HMGI-C or HMGI(Y). The present invention also pertains to a method for treating obesity in a patient by blocking the biological activity of HMGI-C or HMGI(Y).

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements, comprising a plurality of wells within a frame, wherein the multi-well platform has low fluorescence background. Another aspect of the present invention is a system for spectroscopic measurements, comprising reagents for an assay and a multi-well platform for fluorescence measurements. A further aspect of the present invention is a method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a method from identifying a modulator of a biological process or target in a sample contained in a multi-well platform by detecting light emitted from the sample. Another aspect of the present invention is a composition identified by this method. A further aspect of the present invention is a method to identify a therapeutic.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polypeptides which are associated with the transcription complex NF-AT, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, antibodies which are reactive with such polypeptides, polynucleotide hybridization probes and PCR amplification probes for detecting polynucleotides which encode such polypeptides, transgenes which encode such polypeptides, homologous targeting constructs that encode such polypeptides and/or homologously integrate in or near endogenous genes encoding such polypeptides, nonhuman transgenic animals which comprise functionally disrupted endogenous genes that normally encode such polypeptides, and transgenic nonhuman animals which comprise transgenes encoding such polypeptides.

Abstract: A family of cDNA sequences derived from hepatitis C virus (HCV) are provided. These sequences encode antigens which react immunologically with antibodies present in individuals with non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH), but which are absent from individuals infected with hepatitis A virus, or hepatitis B virus, and also are absent in control individuals. The HCV cDNA sequences lack substantial homology to the sequences of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and HBV. A comparison of the sequences of amino acids encoded in the HCV cDNA with the sequences of Flaviviruses indicates that HCV may be related to the Flaviviruses. The HCV cDNA sequences and the polypeptides encoded therein are useful as reagents for the detection and therapy of HCV. The reagents provided in the invention are also useful for the isolation of NANBH agent(s), for the propagation of these agents in tissue culture, and for the screening of antiviral agents for HCV.

Abstract: Multimeric hybrid genes encoding the corresponding chimeric protein comprise a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a first pathogen linked to a gene sequence coding for an antigenic region of a protein from a second pathogen. The pathogens particularly are parainfluenza virus (PIV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A single recombinant immunogen is capable of protecting infants and similar susceptible individuals against diseases caused by both PIV and RSV.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for genotyping any HCV isolate present in a biological sample, previously identified as being HCV positive, and for classifying said isolate according to the percentage of homology with other HCV isolates, comprising the steps of: contacting said sample in which the ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides have been made accessible, if need be, under suitable denaturation, with at least one probe from about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, with said probe being liable to hybridize to a region being in the domain extending from nucleotide at position −291 to nucleotide at position −66 of the 5′ untranslated region of one of the HCV isolates represented by their cDNA sequences, with said numbering of position beginning with the first ATG codon of the open reading frame encoding the HCV polyprotein, or with said probe being complementary to the above-defined probes, detecting the complexes possibly formed between said probe and the nucleotide sequence of the HCV i

Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods for nucleic acid detection using methods such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). More specifically, the invention provides methods for simultaneous amplification and detection to enhance the speed and accuracy of prior methods. The methods involve the introduction of detectable DNA binding agents into the amplification reaction, which agents produce a detectable signal that is enhanced upon binding double-stranded DNA. In a preferred embodiment, the binding agent is a fluorescent dye. The methods also provide means for monitoring the increase in product DNA during an amplification reaction.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for preventing the emergence of multidrug resistance in tumor cells during cancer chemotherapy. In particular, it relates to the use of cytoplasmic calcium antagonists and calmodulin inhibitors, phosphoinositol-dependent phospholipase C inhibitors, and substances that inhibit activation of the transcription factor NF-&kgr;B to prevent the induction of expression of the multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) encoding P-glycoprotein by chemotherapeutic drugs. MDR1 expression, which results in tumor cell resistance to subsequent treatment with certain chemotherapeutic drugs, is shown herein to be induced in response to treatment with various cytotoxic agents, including such agents that are or are not substrates for P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux from cancer cells.

Abstract: An isolated clone consisting of sequences transcribed from the TNF-gamma gene. Also provided are human polypeptides translated from said TNF-gamma sequences and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques. Also provided are a procedure for producing soluble biologically active TNF-gamma, which may be used to treat deficiencies of TNF-gamma and diseases conditions ameliorated by TNF-gamma. Antibodies, antagonists and inhibitors of such polypeptide which may be used to prevent the action of such polypeptide and therefore may be used therapeutically to treat TNF-gamma associated diseases, tumors or metastastases are disclosed. Also disclosed is the use of said antibodies, agonists and inhibitors as well as the nucleic acid sequences to screen for, diagnose, prognosticate, stage and monitor conditions and diseases attributable to TNF-gamma, especially inflammation.

Abstract: The nucleic acid upstream of the TIGR protein encoding sequence can be used to diagnose glaucoma. Polymorphisms, base substitutions, base additions located with the upstream and within TIGR exons can also be used to diagnose glaucoma. In addition, polymorphisms, base substitutions, base additions located with the upstream and within TIGR exons can also be used to prognose glaucoma.

Abstract: A novel IS (insertion sequence) element characteristic of a virulent isolate (ET12/cblA isolate) of Burkholderia cepacia. The IS element is a hybrid of two other IS elements commonly found in isolates of B. cepacia, namely IS402 [SEQ ID NO:2] and IS1356 [SEQ ID NO:3]. The IS hybrid IS element has the sequence shown in the Figure [SEQ ID NO:1]. The fact that the hybrid IS element is characteristic of the virulent isolate means that it can be used as an indicator of that isolate. Thus, the invention includes a method of testing for an ET12/cblA isolate of B. cepacia by testing a sample for the presence of the hybrid IS element, eg. by amplification of the IS element by PCR and identification of the amplified sequence.