Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gas sensor, including: a gas collecting chamber including: (a) a nanoporous wall including alumina, on a portion of the gas collecting chamber in the near vicinity of the solid propellant fuel; a micro pump attached to the gas collecting chamber; and a gas analysis device connected to the gas collecting chamber. The gas analysis device measures both type and concentration of gases collected in the gas collecting chamber via the nanoporous wall, the gases measured being selected from the group consisting of CO, CO2, NO, N2O, NO2 and combinations thereof. The present disclosure also relates to a method of sensing propellant degradation in solid fuel and a method of using a gas collecting chamber to sense such degradation.

Abstract: A method for the calibration of a device for measuring the total organic carbon content (TOC) of an aqueous solution by measuring resistivity. The method includes the following steps, in the presence of a reference TOC analyzer: (a) producing a calibration point by a measurement carried out on ultrapure water by the device and the analyzer; (b) producing a plurality of calibration points, each calibration point corresponding to a measurement of the resistivity of a solution having a given content of photo-oxidizable compound, by the device and the analyzer, in order to establish a correlation between the values measured by the device and the analyzer; and (c) calibrating the device by at least one algorithm, based on the measurements carried out in the previous step.

Abstract: A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals include a foil layer and are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals.

Abstract: A small-scale dynamic simulator for crude oil refinery desalters has a pressurized oil deviblis configured to hold a supply of crude oil and a water deviblis configured to hold a supply of wash water. At least one chemical feed pump selectively adds emulsion breaker chemicals to the desalter simulator and a low shear metering pump is configured to pump crude oil and wash water through the desalter simulator. An emulsion forming device forms a crude oil-wash water emulsion that is then received in a desalter vessel. The desalting vessel is fitted with electric grids which simulate those found in electric desalters. The emulsion is resolved within the desalter vessel with the assistance of the emulsion breaker chemicals so the wash water and crude oil form distinct phases, with substantially desalted crude oil removed from an upper portion of the desalter vessel and substantially oil-free wash water removed from a bottom portion of the desalter vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the early detection or monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease. The invention provides biomarkers based on lipid profiles of biological samples and methods for using the biomarkers for the detection of neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus that measure the concentration of glycated hemoglobin by an optical technique. A wavelength in which the molecular extinction coefficient of oxyhemoglobin agrees or substantially agrees with the molecular extinction coefficient of deoxyhemoglobin is adopted as a measurement wavelength. Preferably, the measurement wavelength is set at from 417 to 421 nm. In the present invention, the concentration of glycated hemoglobin is measured by making use of column chromatography and of using a sample prepared from red blood cells in blood.

Abstract: A method and kit for determining a concentration of iron in brake fluid when contacting a calorimetric reagent such that a color results. The level of iron can be used to determine the amount of active corrosion within a brake system and determine if special service procedures are required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining whether or not a mammal is affected with a lung cancer. The method for determining whether or not a mammal is affected with a lung cancer of the present invention includes the steps of: (a) measuring a concentration of 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid contained in the urine excreted from the mammal; and (b) determining that the mammal is affected with a lung cancer if the concentration measured in the step (a) is 13.2 ?M or more.

Abstract: A method of measuring HbA1c is provided that, even with a whole blood sample after storage, measurement accuracy substantially equal to a whole blood sample right after collection can be maintained. Whole blood is stored in a presence of a glycolytic inhibitor and protease is added to the stored whole blood sample to cleave hemoglobin in the whole blood sample. Then a glycated part of a hemoglobin fragment thereby obtained is treated with fructosyl amine oxidase. Thereafter, a glycation degree of HbA1c is determined by measuring a redox reaction between the glycated part and the fructosyl amine oxidase. Further, instead of storage of the whole blood in a presence of the glycolytic inhibitor, a strong electrolyte substance such as KCl, K2SO4, KNO, NaCl, Na2SO4, NaNO, MgCl2, MgSO4, Mg(NO)2, etc. is added to the whole blood after storage and a protease treatment is performed in a presence of the strong electrolyte substance.

Abstract: The invention provides an accurate, economical, automatable, high throughput method for the determination of the concentration of glycosaminoglycan anticoagulants, including low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) anticoagulants, in aqueous solutions. A method for cleaning a unit of manufacturing equipment used in the preparation of a LMWH to obtain an acceptable residual concentration of LMWH is further provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to estimate the concentration of a non-fluorescent substance (e.g. haemoglobin) in a fluorescent assay by separately estimating the non time dependent alteration attributed to inherent filter effects from the time dependent alteration caused by the assay chemistry. Such a method obviates the requirement for a separate photometric or other measurement thereby simplifying the methodology and associated instrumentation.

Abstract: Lumenectomy material is tested to determine the presence or likelihood of a condition of a patient. The lumenectomy material is in the form of at least one continuous tissue strand collected in vivo from an inner surface of a body lumen of the patient. The presence of at least one marker of a disease is determined. The disease may be hypertension, hyperlipidemia, depression, obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, kidney damage, or diabetes. The patient is identified as having or as likely to develop the disease if a marker of the disease is identified in the lumenectomy material of the patient.

Abstract: A collection container and a method for collecting a biological sample, particularly whole blood, includes at least one stabilizing agent in an amount effective to stabilize and inhibit protein degradation and/or fragmentation. The stabilizing agent is able to stabilize proteases in the biological sample, particularly at the point of collection, by inhibiting protein degradation and/or fragmentation in the sample when the sample is stored. The stabilizing agent includes one or more protease inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention provides a calibrating method for use in a method of determining the quantity of an analyte labeled with an accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) isotope in a test sample. The samples can include, for example, urine, faeces, plasma or blood. The analyte can be, for example, a drug or metabolite of a drug.

Abstract: A method of analyzing vitamin E components in a lipoproteinby subjecting a lipoprotein-containing sample to ion exchange chromatography to separate the lipoprotein, reacting the separated lipoprotein to a pretreating solution containing an organic solvent and a surfactant to liberate vitamin E components, and then subjecting the liberated vitamin E components to reverse phase chromatography. Also described is a method of judging various pathological conditions such as the pathological conditions of diabetes, the risks of coronary artery diseases, and the pathological conditions of myocardial infarction using levels of vitamin E components in the lipoprotein as an index.

Abstract: Method for the automatic analysis of a blood sample in which: an analysis solution containing the blood sample, a diluent, and at least one compound to lyze the erythrocytes; at least one compound to stabilize the haemoglobin in the form of a chromogenic complex, is formed in a single dilution and analysis tank, the haemoglobin level is measured in this analysis solution by spectrophotometry in the tank after the lysis of the erythrocytes; and an appropriate quantity of this analysis solution is taken from the tank on which a leucocytic differentiation is carried out by an optical elements characterized in that the analysis solution also contains at least one compound to protect the leucocytes, allowing the distinguishing of at least four main leucocyte sub-populations. A haematological analysis apparatus for the implementation of such a method is disclosed.

Abstract: The fluidic system of the preferred embodiment includes a sheath pump to pump sheath fluid from a sheath container into an interrogation zone, a sheath volume measurement device to measure the fluid in the sheath container, a waste pump to pump the sheath fluid and a sample fluid as waste fluid from the interrogation zone into a waste container, and a waste volume measurement device to measure the fluid in the waste container. The system also includes a controller connected to the sheath pump, the waste pump, and the volume measurement devices. The sheath pump and/or the waste pump draw sample fluid from a sample container into the interrogation zone, which functions to provide a location for the fluidic system and an optical system of the flow cytometer to cooperatively facilitate the analysis of the sample fluid.

Abstract: A device includes a sensor array and a processor is automatically calibrated. The sensor array collects data from a pattern using at least one of a capacitive measurement and a radio frequency measurement. The pattern is included on a calibration storage device. The processor receives the data from the sensor array and calibrates the device in accordance with the data.

Abstract: A method for detecting the onset of ovulation in a female mammal is provided. The method includes contacting mouth air of the female mammal with an arylmethane test chromogen in an amount effective to undergo a rapid and detectable color change in the presence of one or more volatile sulfur compounds. The color of the test chromogen is compared to a control color that corresponds to a pre-ovulatory sulfur content. The difference in color between the test chromogen and the control color is correlated to the onset of ovulation.

Abstract: A method for confirming the active intake of marijuana and its active component ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (“?9-THC”) by detecting the amount of 11-nor-?9-THC carboxylic acid (“THCA”) in oral fluid at the picogram per milliliter (pg/ml) level using chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (“GC/MS/MS”).