Abstract: A sensor strip apparatus includes: a top plate having an entrance opening downward and a joint formed downward; a pad section including a support having a window opening downward, a reaction pad attached to the window of the support and reacting with a specimen, first and second hemolysis inhibition pads attached to the reaction pad to filter hemocytes from the specimen, a specimen pad attached to the first and second hemolysis inhibition pads to diffuse the specimen crosswise, and an adhesive film attached to the support around the first and second hemolysis inhibition pads to increase adhesion strength of the specimen pad; and a bottom plate having a second joint forcibly coupled with to the joint of the top plate, and a window configured to indentify the reaction pad through the window of the support.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides in vitro analyte meters that include a meter portion that is moveable relative to at least one other meter portion. Embodiments include moveable meters that are integrated with in vivo analyte systems. Also provided are methods, systems and kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides germania-silica-based sol-gel monoliths that form the solid-phase material for extraction, isolation, preconcentration, and separation of analytes. In one embodiment, the germania-silica-based sol-gel monolith can be used to coat surfaces of the inner walls of extraction and chromatographic columns. In a preferred embodiment, the sol-gel germania-silica monolith of the present invention is formed from hydrolysis and polycondensation of precursors comprising tetraethoxygermane, tetramethoxysilane, and polyethylene glycol. Also provided are methods of preparing the germania-silica-based sol-gel monolith of the present invention.

Abstract: A chemical indicating device (10) for detection of chloride ions in a sample is provided. The chemical indicating device (10) includes a carrier matrix (12) and an indicator (14) having silver and vanadate supported on the carrier matrix (12).

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring the combustion of fuel in a power station are provided. An actual concentration distribution of a material in a combustion chamber is measured, the actual concentration distribution is evaluated, taking into consideration a combustion stochiometry, and conclusions are drawn regarding a composition of the fuel on the basis of the evaluation that has been carried out.

Abstract: A set of volatile organic compounds is provided, comprising at least butylated hydroxy toluene or 4,6-di (1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-methyl-phenol for breath analysis. Methods of use thereof in diagnosing, monitoring or prognosing lung cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stool sample processing method and stool sample processing container the a stool sample processing container provided with a stool collection tool, a suspending solution holding portion and a processing solution holding portion, wherein stool sample preparation solutions consisting of a suspending solution and a stool sample processing solution are respectively housed in a suspending solution holding container and a processing solution holding container, after first mixing a stool sample with the suspending solution and suspending therein, a sealant is released into the suspending solution holding container by pressing on the lower portion of the processing solution holding container, and the resulting stool suspension mixes with the stool sample processing solution that stabilizes the nuclide acid.

Abstract: A plunger for mixing a biological sample with a reagent in a tube is moved up and down reciprocally to agitate the biological sample and the reagent for subsequent extraction of the material from the mixture to be analyzed. The plunger's agitation facilitates the concentration of the extracted material to reach an extent where a correct analysis is possible. The plunger of the present invention has a shape of a hollow cylinder with an aperture at the bottom, a plurality of slots formed on the cylindrical surface, and an opening formed at the top. The plunger allows a pipette to draw the extracted material in the test tube out from the opening at the top of the plunger without removing the plunger, and prevents drawing out the fragments of the sample after the biological sample and the reagent have been sufficiently mixed.

Abstract: Methods for determining the amount of vitamin D compounds in a sample are provided. The methods can employ LC-MS/MS techniques and optionally the use of deuterated internal standards. Methods for diagnosing vitamin D deficiencies are also provided.

Abstract: An optical hydrogen gas detecting membrane is prepared by sequentially depositing a platinum oxide layer and a catalytic metal layer on a transparent substrate, such as quartz glass, by vapor deposition such as the sputtering method. Palladium or platinum is used as the catalytic metal layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to droplet actuator devices and assay methods. The invention includes assay methods of conducting an assay comprising combining a sample with an umbelliferyl derivative, wherein the sample potentially comprises an enzyme capable of cleaving the umbelliferyl derivative and where the umbelliferyl derivative comprises an umbelliferyl core modified with one or more modifying moieties.

Abstract: The invention pertains generally to novel compositions and methods for constructing chemically sensitive ion channels. The compositions and methods include, for example, novel gramicidin A derivatives and their use in constructing novel ion channels for use as biosensors.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for analyzing a chemical analyte using an electrochemical cell connected to a measuring apparatus are provided. The electrochemical cell contains a solution having one or more conductive or redox active NPs (nanoparticles), one or more chemical analytes, and an indicator. In addition, the electrochemical cell contains one or more electrodes in communication with the solution. One or more catalytic ECL properties are generated by the interaction of the one or more conductive or redox active NPs and the liquid sample and measured at the one or more electrodes or with an optical detection system.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel, synergistic composition and method for reducing corrosion, particularly white rust corrosion, on galvanized metal surfaces in industrial water systems. The composition is a synergistic blend and preferably comprises from about 0 to about 10 weight percent of an amine-based white rust corrosion reducer and from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of a benzotriazole. In a method for using the synergistic blend, an effective amount of the blend is introduced onto the galvanized metal surface to form a barrier on the surface. After one or more time intervals, the composition is optionally overlayed onto the initial barrier by reintroducing an effective amount of the composition onto the galvanized metal surface.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a composition for a humidity indicating device comprising (a) an organic pH indicator dye compound, (b) a Bronsted acid or base, and (c) a polyol having the general formula HOCH2—(CHOH)n—CH2OH, wherein n can be 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said components (a), (b), and (c) do not contain halogen and/or heavy metals. Furthermore, the invention relates to a humidity indicator device comprising a sheet substrate and the composition for a humidity indicating device containing no heavy metals or halogen compounds, and to a process for preparing said humidity indicator device.

Abstract: A method for the transfer of a bodily fluid sample (such as a whole blood sample) during the determination of an analyte (e.g., glucose) in the bodily fluid sample includes applying the bodily fluid sample to a sample collection reservoir of an analytical test strip (for example, an electrochemical-based analytical test strip). During such application, the sample collection reservoir is isolated from fluid communication with a determination chamber of the analytical test strip. The analytical test strip is subsequently inserted into a test meter such that the sample collection reservoir is placed into fluid communication with the determination chamber and such that at least a portion of the bodily fluid sample is consequentially transferred from the sample collection reservoir to the determination chamber. The method further includes determining the analyte in the bodily fluid sample transferred to the determination chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for evaluating ex-situ chemical degradation of fuel cell membranes. One embodiment of a method for evaluating ex-situ chemical degradation of a membrane comprises submerging a membrane in Fenton solution in a reaction vessel with a non-reactive weight configured to maximize exposure of the membrane to the Fenton solution, sealing the reaction vessel, heating the reaction vessel at a fixed rate to a predetermined temperature, holding the reaction vessel at the predetermined temperature for a predetermined test period, cooling the reaction vessel to room temperature, removing the membrane and analyzing the Fenton solution for fluoride ions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus by which PCBs in insulating oil can be analyzed with high accuracy in a convenient, inexpensive, and rapid manner. The method for analyzing polychlorobiphenyls by measuring the concentration of polychlorobiphenyls in insulating oil comprises a step of, as pretreatment, bringing particles of a copolymer that contains divinylbenzene and a methacrylate organic monomer as monomer components into contact with insulating oil containing polychlorobiphenyls, so as to separate polychlorobiphenyls in insulating oil from oil content that is an impurity. The methacrylate organic monomer preferably has a diol type hydroxyl group.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes simulants and methods of production thereof that imitate characteristics of known explosives, including characteristics at the microscopic and macroscopic level. For instance, the present disclosure includes a simulant with the same texture, granularity, bulk density, particle density, and porosity of a known explosive. The simulants described herein provide the macroscopic bulk physical properties and the microscopic scale properties of actual explosives.

Abstract: An immobilization method for immobilizing a physiologically active substance on a solid phase carrier, the method including: bringing the solid phase carrier into contact with an acid anhydride functional group-containing silane coupling agent represented by the following Formula (I); and carrying out a process of binding of the physiologically active substance to the acid anhydride functional group while maintaining the solid phase carrier after the contact at a temperature within the range of 0° C. to 60° C.; a physiologically active substance-immobilized carrier, and a carrier for immobilization are provided. Further, a carrier including a porous material treated with an acid anhydride functional group-containing silane coupling agent represented by the following Formula (I), a blocking agent that is immobilized to the porous material; and a method for producing it is provided.