Abstract: To simplify the process of preparing microscope slides, an automatic staining apparatus is disclosed. The disclosed automatic staining apparatus comprises an electromechanical automatic staining device that is coupled to a personal computer system using an interface card. An autostainer control program runs on the personal computer system. The autostainer control program allows a user to simply program the automatic staining apparatus using simple commands entered in the graphical user interface. The autostainer control program includes several features that simplify the programming such as safeguards that ensure compatible reagents are being used; automatic buffer solution requirement calculator; and the ability to determine optimal staining procedure. The electromechanical automatic staining device includes features such as dual waste bins for hazardous and nonhazardous waste storage, an automatic dispenser cleansing system; and slide clip that minimizes capillary effect.

Abstract: There are provided a fumigation determination apparatus, a fumigation determination method, and a storage medium, which facilitates determination as to whether or fumigation of exhibits is permitted. Fumigation schedule table-producing means produces a fumigation schedule table showing a schedule for fumigation. Fumigation suitability management information-producing means produces fumigation suitability management information, by adding fumigation suitability information indicative of whether or not the fumigation is permitted to exhibit management information for managing exhibits. Fumigation suitability determination means determines whether or not the fumigation is permitted, by using the above produced fumigation suitability management information and fumigation schedule table. Determination result output means outputs results of determination made by the fumigation suitability determination means.

Abstract: A method of monitoring advanced separation and/or ion exchange processes through the collection of localized data. The data is manipulated to generate preconfigured performance, maintenance, quality assurance, quality control, regulatory, cost reports, performance graphing and historical trends. The data is collected from sensors located at an equipment site and transferred to a remote located by use of the Internet, further all data received and used for generation of reports is also accessible by Internet connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining concentrations of hemoglobins additionally uses a light source 3 which emits light of a third wavelength in an orangy red wavelength region of 590 to 660 nm. The apparatus includes light receiving means 6 for receiving lights that are emitted by the light sources and transmitted through or reflected by a living tissue, attenuation ratio processing means 15 for processing attenuation ratios &PHgr; on the wavelengths based on variations of signals associated with the wavelengths output from the light receiving means, which variations are caused by a pulsation of blood, and concentration ratio processing means 16 for processing concentration ratios of at least oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin based on the output signals from the attenuation ratio processing means. The apparatus thus constructed can properly measure carboxyhemoglobin COHb, and present its concentration display and an alarm display in a simple manner, which is clinically effective.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for comparing chemical products includes a plurality of multi-code groups. Each of the multi-code groups includes a substance code indicating a chemical substance code identifying the product, a specification number code indicating a number of specifications characterizing the chemical substance, and a specification type code indicating the types of specifications, if any, characterizing the chemical substance and/or the attributes, if any, of the chemical substance. The multi-code groups for different products are compared so as to identify similarities and differences between different products based on similarities and differences between corresponding substance codes, specification number codes and specification type codes of the different products.

Abstract: A system method, and computer program product for visualizing and interactively analyzing data relating to chemical compounds. A user selects a plurality of compounds to map, and also selects a method for evaluating similarity/dissimilarity between the selected compounds. A non-linear map is generated in accordance with the selected compounds and the selected method. The non-linear map has a point for each of the selected compounds, wherein a distance between any two points is representative of similarity/dissimilarity between the corresponding compounds. A portion of the non-linear map is then displayed. Users are enabled to interactively analyze compounds represented in the non-linear map.

Abstract: A new computer implemented method for discovering structure-activity relationships has been discovered which utilizes weighted 2D fingerprints in conjunction with the PLS statistical methodology. This method produces a robust QSAR technique that can be automated. In addition, the MOLECULAR HOLOGRAM QSAR technique generates high quality QSAR models that are in many cases as good as or better than models arising from use of more complex and time consuming techniques such as CoMFA or Apex-3D.

Abstract: A microprocessor has a control unit with a housing surrounding the control unit. The invention also relates to a chip card having such a microprocessor that is protected against manipulations. At least one sensor indicates ambient states and is connected to the control unit and is provided in a region of the housing of the microprocessor. The control unit is configured in such a way that it can be placed in an inactive state if a measurement signal that indicates a predetermined ambient state is and/or is not fed to the control unit from the sensor.

Abstract: A monitoring system which collects patient physiological date is designed specifically for communication with a communication module which facilitates data transfer from the monitoring system to a remote site. The communication module has data input mechanisms to facilitate setting parameters of the monitoring system and/or the communication module. The communication module is provided with a modem member which is used to communicate with the remote site and an optional data exchange module which is designed to communicate the same information with a local computer system. The remote site may be a bulletin board system or internet site where the monitoring information can be stored by the patient using the monitoring system by patient identification or name and include monitoring readings, time and date stamp, conditions such as meal times, exercise times and therapy amounts and their associated date and time.

Abstract: A monitoring system which collects patient physiological date is designed specifically for communication with a communication module which facilitates data transfer from the monitoring system to a remote site. The communication module has data input mechanisms to facilitate setting parameters of the monitoring system and/or the communication module. The communication module is provided with a modem member which is used to communicate with the remote site and an optional data exchange module which is designed to communicate the same information with a local computer system. The remote site may be a bulletin board system or internet site where the monitoring information can be stored by the patient using the monitoring system by patient identification or name and include monitoring readings, time and date stamp, conditions such as meal times, exercise times and therapy amounts and their associated date and time.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to various aspects of a plasma process, and more specifically the monitoring of such plasma processes. One aspect relates in at least some manner to calibrating or initializing a plasma monitoring assembly. This type of calibration may be used to address wavelength shifts, intensity shifts, or both associated with optical emissions data obtained on a plasma process. A calibration light may be directed at a window through which optical emissions data is being obtained to determine the effect, if any, that the inner surface of the window is having on the optical emissions data being obtained therethrough, the operation of the optical emissions data gathering device, or both. Another aspect relates in at least some manner to various types of evaluations which may be undertaken of a plasma process which was run, and more typically one which is currently being run, within the processing chamber.

Abstract: A machine, method and medium for implementing functions using an input device in a manner that enhances efficient operation of a mechanism capable of operating in at least two states. The functions are implemented via a convenient input device, such as a mouse. One or more specified actuators of the input device implement a given function when the mechanism is in a first state, while at least one of those actuators implements a different function when the mechanism is in a second state. In embodiments of the present invention contemplating that the mechanism is a microscope system, two states in which the microscope system is envisioned to operate are a scan state and a pause state. The scan state allows the microscope system to execute a pre-defined scan sequence, while the pause state allows the microscope system to pause from that sequence.

Abstract: A chromatograph is provided for accurately identifying components of a sample even with the use of a moving average method for noise reduction. A eluding solution is supplied to a column by a pump. In a sample injector, the sample injected into the column is separated into components by the column, and converted to an electric signal by a detector. A detected output signal is subjected to data processing in a data processor. The output signal is sampled at regular intervals and subjected to moving average processing in the detector. A sample injection signal from the sample injector is sent to the detector which generates a data processing start signal that is delayed by a time equal to a delay resulting from the moving average processing for the signal. The data processing start signal is sent to the data processor which starts the data processing in response to this signal.

Abstract: A process simulator and modeling methodology employs instantaneous property measures. The instantaneous measures of various polymer properties are tracked throughout the subject polymer manufacturing system and used to calculate respective property distribution functions. For example, property distributions of composition, molecular weight, stereoregularity and long chain branching are calculated, tracked in time and location throughout the manufacturing system, and used to model the polymer manufacturing system and polymerization process performed by the system. More specifically, the present invention calculates full distribution of polymer properties from the instantaneous property measures and tracked instantaneous property distributions. This enables accurate and computationally efficient modeling of the polymerization process and manufacturing system for carrying out the same.

Abstract: A control system and a method of operating the same are introduced that globally optimize associated processes within a process facility. The control system includes a global controller, a bridge predictor and many local controllers. The global controller monitors characteristics of the associated processes and generates, in response thereto, control data for optimizing the process facility. The bridge predictor modifies at least a portion of the control data in response to relationships among the associated processes. The local controllers monitor the associated processes and operate in accordance with the control data to varying degrees to control the monitored associated processes, thereby cooperating with the global controller to optimize the process facility.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for real-time control of an analytical or diagnostic instrument, including a host computer including an operating system and at least one driver or application program for controlling the operation of the analytical or diagnostic instrument, an expert system containing a knowledge base of various states of the analytical or diagnostic instrument, relationships between data generated by the instrument and the states of the instrument, and actions to be taken in response to the existence of a certain state based on received data from the instrument, an interface between the operating system and the expert system for retrieving the data generated by the instrument through interaction with the operating system, providing the data to the expert system, and providing instructions for the driver or the application program to the operating system based on a response of the expert system to the data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a relational database system for storing biomolecular sequence information in a manner that allows sequences to be catalogued and searched according to one or more protein function hierarchies. The hierarchies allow searches for sequences based upon a protein's biological function or molecular function. Also disclosed is a mechanism for automatically grouping new sequences into protein function hierarchies. This mechanism uses descriptive information obtained from "external hits" which are matches of stored sequences against gene sequences stored in an external database such as GenBank. The descriptive information provided with the external database is evaluated according to a specific algorithm and used to automatically group the external hits (or the sequences associated with the hits) in the categories.

Abstract: A measurement system is presented for detecting the presence of one or more harmful chemical species within one or more chambers of a semiconductor wafer processing device. Chemical species of interest include oxygen (O.sub.2), nitrogen (N.sub.2), moisture (H.sub.2 O), and organic compounds associated with photoresist processing. Such organic compounds include isopropyl alcohol (CH.sub.3 CH(OH)CH.sub.3), acetone (CH.sub.3 COCH.sub.3), and ethyl-3-ethoxy propionate (C.sub.7 H.sub.14 O.sub.3). Candidate semiconductor wafer processing devices include evaporation, sputtering, and low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) devices.

Abstract: An analyzing method of a liquid chromatograph system which includes a plurality of chromatograph units each made up of a number of devices, obtains an analysis result by processing measurement data from chromatograph units using a data processor. System configurations are defined along with analysis parameters corresponding to the system configurations and stored in a main storage provided in the data processor. The stored analysis parameters are sent to chromatograph units as are requests to execute a measurement operations and, in the case of an error, requests to return peculiar information about each device. Each device of the chromatograph unit executes a measurement operation in response to a measurement operation request from the main controller and sends measurement data to the main controller for storage in the main storage in association with the analysis parameters.

Abstract: A node having an on-board microprocessor and circuits to perform a particular function in an analytic instrument system having a CANBUS and using distributed logic to control the various analysis functions, including data acquisition, system control, and data transition. The various node circuits and functions include generating a signal to control a motor by pulse width modulation and feedback, control of temperature for sample and reagent reactions (incubations), monitoring the status of instrument control panel switches and visual indicators, voltage sources, test sample location, processing calorimeter measurements, and the like. Each node includes a CAN interface and a reset circuit, which is responsive to the system controller for performing the specific node function and responding to controller commands. The reset circuit allows for reinitializing the node microcontroller on, e.g., system startup, or on demand from the system controller or any other node on the CANBUS.

Abstract: A machine, method and medium for implementing functions using an input device in a manner that enhances efficient operation of a mechanism capable of operating in at least two states. The functions are implemented via a convenient input device, such as a mouse. One or more specified actuators of the input device implement a given function when the mechanism is in a first state, while at least one of those actuators implements a different function when the mechanism is in a second state. In embodiments of the present invention contemplating that the mechanism is a microscope system, two states in which the microscope system is envisioned to operate are a scan state and a pause state. The scan state allows the microscope system to execute a pre-defined scan sequence, while the pause state allows the microscope system to pause from that sequence.

Abstract: Two control methods and systems for automatically achieving and maintaining a desired sodium/phosphate ratio and phosphate concentration of the boiler waters in a plurality of parallel industrial boilers linked by a common feedwater line for minimizing corrosion. The first control system uses an adaptive controller that models the boilers which enables the system to predict boiler pH and phosphate concentrations at any future time given the feed rates, feed concentrations of high and low sodium/phosphate stocks, blowdown rate, mass of the boiler water, initial boiler phosphate concentration and initial pH. Once these future concentrations are determined, the controller then determines a common normalized control (target) region among all the boilers and feed rates that will drive at least one of the boilers into that region in the least amount of time. Subsequent iterations of feed rates are made based on updated boiler water concentrations to drive all of the boiler waters into that target region.

Abstract: A system for acquiring and displaying which represents a two-dimensional array of data in an intuitive graphical display, where the graphical display is controlled through a plurality of display interfaces. Specifically, the system acquires data representing a phenomenon such as a plasma, processes that data and displays the data, in real-time, in one of a number of user selectable graphical formats. The data, once acquired, can be further processed by editing, filtering and smoothing. Such processed data can then be "replayed" such that a user can compare various sets of data acquired under various test scenarios. Additionally, the system is used to control and optimize a plasma within plasma generating equipment.