Author: claimsbot

1. A method for grading of a test taker’s responses to constructed response questions, comprising in combination:
grading a proper subset of the test taker’s responses to the constructed response questions, wherein the proper subset comprises previously ungraded responses;
calculating a score for the proper subset of the responses;
calculating a probability that the score is within a predetermined range of what the score would be if all the test taker’s responses were graded;
determining that the probability is greater than a threshold value; and
discontinuing grading of the test taker’s responses in response to the determination that the probability is greater than the threshold value, wherein at least one of the test taker’s responses remains ungraded after grading is discontinued, wherein at least the steps of calculating a probability and determining that the probability is greater than a threshold are performed by a processor and an associated memory, and wherein the memory stores instructions for carrying out the steps of calculating a probability and determining that the probability is greater than a threshold.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the probability includes computing a variance of the score.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one evaluator grades the proper subset of the test taker’s responses to the constructed response questions.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein multiple evaluators grade at least one of the test taker’s responses to the constructed response questions.
5. A method for grading of responses prepared by a test taker to constructed response questions in an examination, comprising in combination:
grading a proper subset of the test taker’s responses to the constructed response questions in the examination, wherein the proper subset comprises previously ungraded responses;
calculating a score for the proper subset of the responses;
calculating a probability that the test taker will pass the examination;
determining that the probability is outside a threshold range; and
discontinuing grading of the test taker’s responses in response to the determination that the probability is outside the threshold range, wherein at least one of the test taker’s responses remains ungraded after grading is discontinued, wherein at least the steps of calculating a probability and determining that the probability is outside a threshold range are performed by a processor and an associated memory, and wherein the memory stores instructions for carrying out the steps of calculating a probability and determining that the probability is outside a threshold range.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of calculating the probability includes calculating an average of grades.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the threshold range is centered at a score representing fifty percent.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein a least one evaluator grades the proper subset of the test taker’s responses to the constructed response questions.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein multiple evaluators grade the proper subset of the test taker’s responses to the constructed response questions.
10. A method for grading of a test taker’s responses to constructed response questions, comprising in combination:
grading a proper subset of the test taker’s responses to the constructed response questions wherein the proper subset comprises previously ungraded responses;
calculating a score for the subset of the responses;
calculating an error estimate of the calculated score;
determining that the error estimate is less than a threshold value; and
discontinuing grading of the test taker’s responses in response to the determination that the error estimate is less than the threshold value, wherein at least one of the test taker’s responses remains ungraded after grading is discontinued, wherein at least the steps of calculating an error estimate and determining that the error estimate is less than a threshold value are performed by a processor and an associated memory, and wherein the memory stores instructions for carrying out the steps of calculating an error estimate and determining that the error estimate is less than a threshold value.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of calculating the error estimate includes calculating a standard deviation of the calculated score.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one evaluator grades the subset of the test taker’s responses to the constructed response questions.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An integrated optical fiber amplifier system comprising:
a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction including
a first birefringent wedge having a first optical axis perpendicular to the principal direction, adapted to receive light from at least two pump light sources,

a second birefringent wedge having a second optical axis perpendicular to the principal direction, the second optical axis forming a first angle with respect to the first optical axis, adapted to deliver a combined pump light in the principal direction, and
a non-reciprocal rotating element optically coupled between the first and the second birefringent wedge and adapted to rotate a polarization of light passing therethrough by a second angle; and
an optical fiber amplifier optically coupled to the first birefringent wedge for receiving a combined pump light from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction,
the first birefringent wedge, the second birefringent wedge and the non-reciprocal rotating element being adapted to receive a signal light supplied to the second birefringent wedge in a reverse principal direction and deliver the signal light in a reverse principal direction to an optical fiber.
2. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 1 further comprising
a first lens optically coupled between the optical fiber amplifier and the first birefringent wedge; and
a second lens optically coupled to the second birefringent wedge.
3. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 2 wherein the first lens configurable for coupling to a first, a second, and a third optical fibers, and the second lens configurable for coupling to a fourth optical fiber.
4. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 3 further comprising a capillary for holding the first, the second, and the third optical fibers proximate to the first lens.
5. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 3 further comprising a capillary for holding the fourth optical fiber proximate to the second lens.
6. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 3 wherein the, first lens is adapted to direct
light received from the first optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a first input direction with a first polarization,
light received from the second optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a second input direction with a second polarization, and
light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction to enter the third optical fiber.
7. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 3 wherein the second lens if adapted to direct
light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction to enter the fourth optical fiber, and
light received from the fourth optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction.
8. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 1 wherein the first angle is substantially 45 degrees and the second angle is substantially 45 degrees.
9. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 1 wherein the non-reciprocal rotating element is a Faraday rotator.
10. An integrated two-pump combiner comprising:
a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction including a first birefringent wedge adapted to receive light from at least two pump light sources, a second birefringent wedge, adapted to deliver a combined pump light in the principal direction and a non-reciprocal rotating element, the non-reciprocal combination-device configured at least for enabling
light entering the second birefringent wedge as an e-ray in a first input direction to exit from the second birefringent wedge as an o-ray in the principal direction,
light entering the first birefringent wedge as an o-ray in a second input direction to exit from the second birefringent wedge as an e-ray in the principal direction,
light entering the second birefringent wedge as an e-ray in the reverse principal direction to exit from the first birefringent wedge as an e-ray in the reverse principal direction, and
light entering the second birefringent wedge as an o-ray in the reverse principal direction to exit from the first birefringent wedge as an o-ray in the reverse principal direction; and

an optical fiber amplifier optically coupled to the first birefringent wedge for receiving a combined pump light from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction.
11. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 10 further comprising:
a first lens optically coupled between the optical fiber amplifier and the first birefringent wedge; and
a second lens optically coupled to the second birefringent wedge.
12. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 11 wherein the first lens configurable for coupling to a first, a second, and a third optical fibers, and the second lens configurable for coupling to a fourth optical fiber.
13. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 12 further comprising a capillary for bolding the first, the second, and the third optical fibers proximate to the first lens.
14. The integrated fiber amplifier system of claim 12 further comprising a capillary for holding the fourth optical fiber proximate to the second lens.
15. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 12 wherein the first lens is adapted to direct
light received from the first optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a first input direction with a first polarization,
light received from the second optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a second input direction with a second polarization, and
light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction to enter the third optical fiber.
16. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 12 wherein the second lens is adapted to direct
light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction to enter the fourth fiber, and
light received from the fourth optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction.
17. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 10 wherein the first angle is substantially 45 degrees and the second angle is substantially 45 degrees.
18. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 10 wherein the non-reciprocal rotating element is a Faraday rotator.
19. An integrated two-pump combiner comprising:
a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction including a first birefringent wedge adapted to receive light from at least two pump light sources, a second birefringent wedge adapted to deliver a combined pump light in the principal direction, and a non-reciprocal rotating element, the non-reciprocal combination-device configured at least for enabling
light entering the second birefringent wedge as an e-ray in a first input direction to exit from the second birefringent wedge as an o-ray in the principal direction,
light entering the first birefringent wedge as an o-ray in a second input direction to exit from the second birefringent wedge as an e-ray in the principal direction,
light entering the second birefringent wedge as an e-ray in the reverse principal direction to exit from the first birefringent wedge as an e-ray in the reverse principal direction, and
light entering the second birefringent wedge as an o-ray in the reverse principal direction to exit from the first birefringent wedge as an o-ray in the reverse principal direction; and

a wavelength division multiplex filter optically coupled to the second birefringent wedge.
20. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 19 further comprising a first lens optically coupled to the first birefringent wedge; and a second lens optically coupled to the wavelength division multiplex filter.
21. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 20 wherein the first lens configurable for coupling to a first, a second, and a third optical fibers, and the second lens configurable for coupling to a fourth optical fiber.
22. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 21 further comprising a capillary for holding the first, the second, and the third optical fibers proximate to the first lens.
23. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 21 further comprising a capillary for holding the fourth optical fiber proximate to the second lens.
24. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 21 wherein the first lens is adapted to
direct light received from the first optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a first input direction with a first polarization,
light received from the second optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a second input direction with a second polarization, and
light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction to enter the third optical fiber.
25. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 21 wherein the second lens is adapted to direct
light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction to enter the fourth optical fiber, and
light received from the fourth optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction.
26. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 19 wherein the first angle is substantially 45 degrees and the second angel is substantially 45 degrees.
27. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 19 wherein the non-reciprocal rotating element is a Faraday rotator.
28. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 20 further comprising a tap filter optically coupled between the wavelength division multiplex filter and the second lens.
29. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 20 wherein the second lens has a surface coated with reflective materials.
30. A method of coupling a combined pump light created from a first polarized pump light and a second polarized pump light to an optical fiber amplifier, the method comprising:
providing a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction;
directing the first polarized pump light to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a first input direction as an e-ray and to exit from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction as a first polarized component of the combined pump light;
directing the second polarized pump light to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a second input direction as an o-ray and to exit from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction as a second polarized component of the combined pump light;
directing both the first and second polarized components of the combined pump light to enter the optical fiber amplifier;
directing a signal light to enter the non-reciprocal combination device in the reverse principal direction;
directing the signal light to exit the non-reciprocal combination device in the reverse principal direction; and
directing the signal light exiting the non-reciprocal combination device in the reverse principal direction to enter an optical fiber.
31. A method of amplifying an optical input signal using an optical fiber amplifier that has an input end and an output end, the method comprising:
providing a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction;
providing a first polarized pump light and a second polarized pump light for creating a combined pump light;
directing the first polarized pump light to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a first input directions as an e-ray and to exit from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction as a first polarized component of the combined pump light;
directing the second polarized pump light to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a second input direction as an o-ray and to exit from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction as a second polarized component of the combined pump light;
directing both the first and second polarized components of the combined pump light to enter the output end of the optical fiber amplifier; and
directing the optical input signal to pass through the optical fiber amplifier from the input end to the output end and to pass through the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction.
32. A method of coupling a combined pump light created from a first polarized pump light and a second polarized pump light to an optical fiber amplifier, the method comprising:
providing a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction;
directing the first polarized light to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a first input direction as an e-ray and to exit from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction as a first intermediate pump light;
reflecting the first intermediate pump light to pass through the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction as a first polarized component of the combined pump light;
directing the second polarized pump light to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a second input direction as an o-ray and to exit from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction as a second intermediate pump light;
reflecting the second intermediate pump light to pass through the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction as a second polarized component of the combined pump light; and
directing both the first and second polarized components of the combined pump light to enter the optical fiber amplifier.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of reflecting the first intermediate pump light includes reflecting the first intermediate pump light with a wavelength division multiplex filter.
34. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of reflecting the second intermediate pump light includes reflecting the second intermediate pump light with a wavelength division multiplex filter.
35. A method of amplifying an optical input signal using an optical fiber amplifier that has an input end and an output end, the method comprising:
providing a first polarized pump light and a second polarized pump light for creating a combined pump light;
providing a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction;
directing the first polarized pump light to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a first input direction as an e-ray and to exit from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction as a first intermediate pump light;
reflecting the first intermediate pump light to pass through the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction as a first polarized component of the combined pump light;
directing the second polarized pump light to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a second input direction as an o-ray and to exit from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction as a second intermediate pump light;
reflecting the second intermediate pump light to pass through the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal directions as a second polarized component of the combined pump light;
directing both the first and second polarized components of the combined pump light to enter the input end of the optical fiber amplifier; and
directing the optical input signal to pass through the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction and enter the optical fiber amplifier from the input end.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the step of reflecting the first intermediate pump light includes reflecting the first intermediate pump light with a wavelength division multiplex filter.
37. The method of claim 35 wherein the step of reflecting the second intermediate pump light includes reflecting the second intermediate pump light with a wavelength division multiplex filter.
38. The method of claim 35 wherein the steps of directing the optical input signal includes directing the optical input signal to pass sequentially through a wavelength division multiplex filter and the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction.
39. An integrated optical fiber amplifier system comprising:
a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction including
a first birefringent wedge having a first optical axis perpendicular to the principal direction, adapted to receive light from at least two pump light sources,
a second birefringent wedge having a second optical axis perpendicular to the principal direction, the second optical axis forming a first angle with respect to the first optical axis, adapted to deliver a combined pump light in the principal direction, and
a non-reciprocal rotating element optically coupled between the first and the second birefringent wedge and adapted to rotate a polarization of light passing therethrough by a second angle; and

an optical fiber amplifier optically coupled to the first birefringent wedge for receiving a combined pump light from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction,
a first lens optically coupled between the optical fiber amplifier and the first birefringent wedge; and
a second lens optically coupled to the second birefringent wedge,
wherein the first lens configurable for coupling to a first, a second, and a third optical fibers, and the second lens configurable for coupling to a fourth optical fiber.
40. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 39 further comprising a capillary for holding the first, the second, and the third optical fibers proximate to the first lens.
41. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 39 further comprising a capillary for holding the fourth optical fiber proximate to the second lens.
42. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 39 wherein the first lens is adapted to direct
light received from the first optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a first input direction with a first polarization,
light received from the second optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a second input direction with a second polarization, and
light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction to enter the third optical fiber.
43. The integrated optical fiber amplifier system of claim 39 wherein the second lens is adapted to direct
light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction to enter the fourth optical fiber, and
light received from the fourth optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction.
44. An integrated two-pump combiner comprising:
a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction including
a first birefringent having a first optical axis perpendicular to the principal direction,
a second birefringent wedge having a second optical axis perpendicular to the principal direction, the second optical axis forming a first angle with respect to the first optical axis, and
a non-reciprocal rotating element optically coupled between the first and the second birefringent wedge and adapted to rotate a polarization of light passing therethrough by a second angle;

a wavelength division multiplex filter optically coupled to the second birefringent wedge;
at least two sources of pump light coupled to the non-reciprocal combination device;
a first lens optically coupled to the first birefringent wedge; and
a second lens optically coupled to the wavelength division multiplex filter,
wherein the first lens configurable for coupling to a first, a second, and a third optical fibers, and the second lens configurable for coupling to a fourth optical fiber.
45. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 44 further comprising a capillary for holding the first, the second, and the third optical fibers proximate to the first lens.
46. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 44 further comprising a capillary for holding the fourth optical fiber proximate to the second lens.
47. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 44 wherein the first lens is adapted to direct light received from the first optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a first input direction with a first polarization, light received from the second optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a second input direction with a second polarization, and light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction to enter the third optical fiber.
48. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 44 wherein the second lens if adapted to direct
light received from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction to enter the fourth optical fiber, and
light received from the fourth optical fiber to enter the non-reciprocal combination-device in the reverse principal direction.
49. An integrated two-pump comprising:
a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and a reverse principal direction including
a first birefringent wedge having a first optical axis perpendicular to the principal direction,
a second birefringent wedge having a second optical axis perpendicular to the principal direction, the second optical axis forming a first angle with respect to the first optical axis, and
a non-reciprocal rotating element optically coupled between the first and the second birefringent wedge and adapted to rotate a polarization of light passing therethrough by a second angle;

a wavelength division multiplex filter optically coupled to the second birefringent wedge;
at least two sources of pump light coupled to the non-reciprocal combination device;
a first lens optically coupled to the first birefringent wedge; and
a second lens optically coupled to the wavelength division multiplex filter; and
a tap filter optically coupled between the wavelength division multiplex filter and the second lens.
50. The integrated two-pump combiner of claim 49 wherein the second lens has a surface coated with a reflective material.

What is claimed is:

1. A histamine measuring apparatus for quantitatively analyzing the concentration of histamine, comprising:
a vessel having at the bottom thereof a recess for holding an oocyte which expresses histamine receptors;
first and second electrodes for inserting into said oocyte;
a circuitry for measuring the potential of membrane of said oocyte by means of said first electrode and for flowing a current through said second electrode to said oocyte to maintain the membrane potential of said oocyte at a predetermined constant level;
a fine reacting tube with an antigen immobilized onto the inner surface thereof; and
flowing tubes for flowing a sample together with some buffer solution into said fine reacting tube to promote a histamine releasing reaction therein and for transferring the solution containing released histamine into said vessel to make contact with said oocyte in said vessel;
wherein said circuitry detects the electric response from said oocyte caused by the contact with said solution in order to determine the concentration of histamine released by the histamine releasing reaction occurred in said fine reacting tube.
2. A histamine measuring apparatus according to claim 1, in which:
said sample is a whole blood sample or mast cell suspension without pretreatment.
3. A histamine measuring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a temperature controller device for controlling the temperature of said fine reacting tube to a predetermined temperature level.
4. A histamine measuring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a temperature controller device for controlling the temperature of said fine reacting tube to a temperature ranging from 30 C. to 45 C.
5. A histamine measuring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a tubing connected to said vessel for infusing buffer solution thereto and a tubing for purging the content of said vessel.
6. A histamine measuring apparatus for quantitatively analyzing the concentration of histamine, comprising:
a vessel having at the bottom thereof a recess for holding an oocyte, which expresses histamine receptors;
a fine reacting tube with an antigen immobilized onto the inner surface thereof;
flowing tubes for flowing a sample together with some buffer solution into said fine reacting tube to promote a histamine releasing reaction therein and for transferring the solution containing released histamine into said vessel to make contact with said oocyte in said vessel; and
a circuitry for detecting electric response of said oocyte caused by the contact with said solution;
wherein said apparatus determines the concentration of histamine released by the histamine releasing reaction occurred in said fine reacting tube.
7. A histamine measuring apparatus according to claim 6, in which:
said sample is a whole blood sample or mast cell suspension without pretreatment.
8. A histamine measuring apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:
a temperature controller device for controlling the temperature of said fine reacting tube to a temperature ranging from 30 C. to 45 C.
9. A histamine measuring method for determining the concentration of histamine, comprising the steps of:
holding in a recess at the bottom of a vessel an oocyte that expresses histamine receptors;
measuring the potential of membrane of said oocyte by means of first electrode inserted into said oocyte to stabilize the membrane potential of said oocyte at a predetermined level by driving a current through second electrode inserted into said oocyte;
infusing a sample into a fine reacting tube having an antigen immobilized on the inner surface thereof to promote a histamine releasing reaction;
transferring the solution containing histamine released in said fine reacting tube to said vessel to make contact with said oocyte in said vessel;
detecting an electric response of said oocyte caused by the contact with said solution; and
determining the concentration of histamine released by said histamine releasing reaction in said fine reacting tube.
10. A histamine measuring method according to claim 9, in which:
said sample is a whole blood sample or mast cell suspension without pretreatment.
11. A histamine measuring method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
controlling the temperature of said fine reacting tube at a predetermined temperature level.
12. A histamine measuring method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of:
controlling the temperature of said fine reacting tube to a temperature ranging from 30 C. to 45 C.
13. A histamine measuring method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
determine the concentration (A) of histamine released by said histamine releasing reaction in said fine reacting tube by means of a predefined calibration curve obtained by stimulating said oocyte with a plurality of known concentrations of histamine to detect the electric response of said oocyte to predefine the correlation between said electric response and said plurality of known concentrations of histamine.
14. A histamine measuring method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
determining the histamine releasing rate given by
(AC)3
where B is a histamine concentration given by the quantitative measurement of histamine contained in the cells in said sample and released by freezing and thawing the sample stimulated by the antigen, C is a concentration of free histamine released without stimulation after adding some buffer solution instead of the antigen into the sample.
15. A histamine measuring method for determining the concentration of histamine comprising the steps of:
holding in a recess at the bottom of a vessel an oocyte that expresses histamine receptors;
infusing a sample into a fine reacting tube having an antigen immobilized on the inner surface thereof to promote a histamine releasing reaction;
transferring the solution containing histamine released in said fine reacting tube to said vessel to make contact with said oocyte in said vessel;
detecting an electric response of said oocyte caused by the contact with said solution; and
determining the concentration of histamine released by said histamine releasing reaction in said fine reacting tube.
16. A histamine measuring method according to claim 15, in which:
said sample is a whole blood sample or mast cell suspension without pretreatment.
17. A histamine measuring method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:
controlling the temperature of said fine reacting tube to a temperature ranging from 30 C. to 45 C.
18. A histamine measuring method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:
determine the concentration (A) of histamine released by said histamine releasing reaction in said fine reacting tube by means of a predefined calibration of curve obtained by stimulating said oocyte with a plurality of known concentrations of histamine to detect the electric response of said oocyte to predefine the correlation between said electric responses and said plurality of known concentrations of histamine.
19. A histamine measuring method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of:
determining the histamine releasing rate given by
(AC)B
where B is a histamine concentration given by the quantitative measurement of histamine contained in the cells in said sample and released by freezing and thawing the sample stimulated by the antigen, C is a concentration of free histamine released without stimulation after adding some buffer solution instead of the antigen into the sample.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for forming nanosized metal particles, comprising:
(i) dispersing a plurality of metal precipitates in a suitable solvent, each of said metal precipitates comprising at least one metal compound; and
(ii) adding to said solvent an effective amount of at least one peroxide to form a product consisting essentially of a plurality of nanosized metal particles in said solvent, wherein said metal precipitates are selected from the group consisting of metal oxalates, metal sulfides, metal sulfates, metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal carbonates and combinations thereof.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of metal precipitate to solvent is about 100 mg metal contents to 0.010-3.0 liters solvent.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said metal is at least one noble metal.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said at least one noble metal is selected from the group consisting of Re, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and combinations thereof.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl substituted aromatics and combinations thereof.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said solvent comprises a lower alkyl alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and combinations thereof.
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein said alkyl substituted aromatic is toluene.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said metal precipitate comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Re, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt and Au.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said metal precipitate is formed by reacting a source of metal ions with a base.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said base is selected from the group consisting of oxalate, carbonate, hydroxide and combinations thereof.
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said source of metal ions is silver and said base carbonate or hydroxide.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one metal compound is selected from the group consisting of silver carbonate and gold oxide.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said solvent contains no surfactant or at least one surfactant andor wetting agent.
14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising bubbling an inert gas through said solvent.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said inert gas is argon or nitrogen.
16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of said solvent is above ambient temperature.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said temperature is 50\xb0 C. to 100\xb0 C.
18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising separating said nanosized metal particles by centrifugation or filtration.
19. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one peroxide is hydrogen peroxide.
20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sonicating said solvent and said plurality of metal precipitates prior to adding said at least one peroxide.
21. The method according to claim 1, wherein a first portion of said at least one peroxide is added to said solvent and subsequently at least a second portion of at least one peroxide is added to said solvent.
22. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one peroxide is added to said solvent in a single step.
23. A method for forming nanosized metal particles, comprising:
(i) dispersing a plurality of metal precipitates in a suitable solvent, each of said metal precipitates comprising at least one metal compound; and
(ii) adding to said solvent an effective amount of at least one peroxide to form a product consisting essentially of a plurality of nanosized metal particles in said solvent, wherein said solvent toluene.
24. A method for forming nanosized metal particles, comprising:
(i) dispersing a plurality of metal precipitates in a suitable solvent, each of said metal precipitates comprising at least one metal compound; and
(ii) adding to said solvent an effective amount of at least one peroxide to form a product consisting essentially of plurality of nanosized metal particles in said solvent, wherein said at least one metal compound is selected from the group consisting of silver carbonate and gold oxide.
25. A method for forming nanosized metal particles, comprising:
(i) dispersing a plurality of metal precipitates in a suitable solvent, each of said metal precipitates comprising at least one metal compound;
(ii) adding to said solvent an effective amount of at least one peroxide to form a product consisting essentially of a plurality of nanosized metal particles in said solvent; and
(iii) bubbling an inert gas through said solvent.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said inert gas is argon or nitrogen.
27. A method for forming nanosized metal particles, comprising:
(i) dispersing a plurality of metal precipitates in a suitable solvent, each of said metal precipitates comprising at least one metal compound;
(ii) adding to said solvent an effective amount of at least one peroxide to form a product consisting essentially of a plurality of nanosized metal particles in said solvent; and
(iii) sonicating said solvent and said plurality of metal particles prior to adding said at least one peroxide.