Abstract: Disclosed is a separation media, comprising an upstream layer, comprising fibers, wherein the upstream layer has a mean flow pore size of 8 microns or less; and a downstream layer, comprising fibers. The separation media is designed to separate red blood cells from liquid specimens such as blood and allow a filtrate, such as blood plasma, to flow from said downstream layer. Also provided is a diagnostic test device incorporating the separation media. Further disclosed is a method for separating red blood cells from a liquid specimen.

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.

Abstract: A system may include a means for administering a therapeutic agent to a subject; a means for administering a first pharmaceutically-acceptable taggant to the subject at least substantially concurrent with the therapeutic agent, the first pharmaceutically-acceptable taggant having a pharmacokinetic profile; and a means for administering a second pharmaceutically-acceptable taggant to the subject with the first pharmaceutically-acceptable taggant, the second pharmaceutically-acceptable taggant having a pharmacokinetic profile different from the pharmacokinetic profile of the first pharmaceutically-acceptable taggant.

Abstract: The invention is directed to droplet actuator devices and assay methods. The method may include immobilization of the enzymatic substrate including forming an inclusion complex with the substrate within an aqueous environment in contact with an oil.

Abstract: Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise ionizing a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. In certain preferred embodiments the methods include immunopurifying the dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites prior to mass spectrometry. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites in a single assay.

Abstract: A diesel fuel blending component primarily comprised of 1,2-(ditetrahydrofuryl)ethane (DTHFE) along with a method of manufacture is presented. The blending component will reduce PM and other emissions in a diesel engine. The component is manufactured from C5 sugar sources by first converting to furfural, then furion, and then hydrotreated to the desired product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide to apparatuses and media used in drug elution studies and methods for making and using them. One embodiment of the invention is a drug elution method that can be used for in-vitro studies of a matrix impregnated with a compound such as a drug blended polymer matrix. Such methods and materials can be used for example to assess and control the manufacturing process variability of drug eluting implantable devices such as cardiac leads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a (nano)material comprising at least one inorganic and/or organomineral layer, integrated into which is at least one type of organic or organometallic fluorescent nanocrystal that emerges from the surface of said layer so that at least one part of the fluorescent nanocrystals is in direct contact with the outside environment. These emerging nanocrystals constitute, due to their fluorescence, a signalling function, and they may thus be functionalised by grafting a biomolecule bearing a probe function, such as a half-strand of DNA, to thus produce a biochip, biocaptor or biosensor comprising such a (nano)material, a support for a biochip, biocaptor or biosensor, and a method for preparing such a nanomaterial.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to luminescent and/or optically absorbing compositions and/or precursors to those compositions, including solid films incorporating these compositions/precursors, exhibiting increased luminescent lifetimes, quantum yields, enhanced stabilities and/or amplified emissions. The present invention also relates to sensors and methods for sensing analytes through luminescent and/or optically absorbing properties of these compositions and/or precursors. Examples of analytes detectable by the invention include electrophiles, alkylating agents, thionyl halides, and phosphate ester groups including phosphoryl halides, cyanides and thioates such as those found in certain chemical warfare agents. The present invention additionally relates to devices and methods for amplifying emissions, such as those produced using the above-described compositions and/or precursors, by incorporating the composition and/or precursor within a polymer having an energy migration pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic means and methods. Specifically, the present invention encompasses a method of diagnosing the cause of cardiac necrosis in a subject comprising determining the amount of a cardiac troponin and the amount of a BNP-type peptide in a sample from a subject suffering from cardiac necrosis and comparing the amount of the cardiac troponin and the amount of the BNP-type peptide to reference amounts, whereby the cause of the cardiac necrosis is to be diagnosed. The present invention further relates to a method of determining whether a subject suffering from cardiac necrosis is susceptible for a therapy against initial heart failure and to a method for determining whether a subject suffering from cardiac necrosis is susceptible for a therapy against coronary heart disease. Also encompassed are diagnostic uses, devices, and kits.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for identifying the presence or absence of a pulmonary embolism using a combination of tests and brightline thresholds. The first test is a blood based test measuring D-Dimer concentration and the second test is a respiratory analysis that determines a carboximetry ratio. If the measured D-Dimer value is at or above a threshold indicative of concern and the carboximetry value is equal to or less than a carboximetry ratio threshold, pulmonary embolism is present. If the measured D-Dimer value is at or above a threshold indicative of concern and the respiratory analysis yields a carboximetry ratio greater than the carboximetry ratio threshold, test results are inconclusive and additional testing is required to determine whether a pulmonary embolism is present.

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: The present invention provides an assay device for performing an assay on a liquid sample using a detection conjugate capable of binding to an antigen and containing a label, said device comprising a substrate having a substrate surface, wherein the surface comprises projections substantially perpendicular to said surface, said projections having a height, diameter and distance capable of generating lateral capillary flow of a fluid in said passage, said surface comprising a sample addition zone, a reaction zone and an absorbing zone, said zones being connected by at least one fluid passage, wherein said device has a first functionality verifying feature located between the sample addition zone and the reaction zone, and a second functionality verifying feature located within the absorbing zone, and both functionality verifying features being features capable of undergoing a detectable change when contacted by the sample, said assay device further comprising at least one alignment verification zone.

Abstract: An immersion solution for a microscope, the immersion solution including a metal-halogeno complex anion containing bromine or iodine and one or more types of metal elements M selected from Sn, In, Bi, Sb, Zn and Al, and an imidazolium cation, a pyridinium cation, a pyrrolidinium cation or an ammonium cation. The immersion solution includes an ionic liquid that transmits light having a predetermined wavelength, has a refractive index of no less than 1.60 and is used for a fluorescence microscope.

Abstract: The invention provides a microcapsule array comprising a plurality of microcapsules immobilized on a surface, optionally in microwells in said surface. Each of the microcapsules comprises an outer layer or shell defining a microcapsule interior, said outer layer having a permeability towards a nanoscale species which is dependent on an environmental condition to which said array is exposed.

Abstract: A device includes first and second material facing towards each other as to form at least one focusing microstructure with a focal point located outside of the first material.

Abstract: The invention is characterized in that it has a layer of organic material sensitive to changes in pressure, voltage, deformation, gases and/or temperature; wherein said organic layer consists of at least one conductive salt or complex including a molecule A and a dopant D, said molecule A being an electron donor or acceptor organic molecule or macromolecule capable of forming a conductive salt or complex, which without doping is not conductive, and with the presence of dopant D becomes a compound that is donor or acceptor of electrons and capable of forming conductive salt or complex with the molecule or macromolecule A; and a base substrate, in close contact with said layer of organic material. The sensor device is useful in molecular electronics or plastic electronics, in particular, in the field of organic sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing particles in urine comprising is disclosed that includes: a measurement specimen preparing section for preparing a measurement specimen by using a urine sample and a stain reagent; an optical detecting section comprising a light source for emitting a light to the prepared measurement specimen, a forward-scattered light receiving element for detecting forward-scattered light emitted from the specimen, a side-scattered light receiving element for detecting side-scattered light emitted from the specimen, and a fluorescence receiving element for detecting fluorescence emitted from the specimen; and a measurement section for measuring leukocytes in urine, based on the forward-scattered light, the side-scattered light and the fluorescence detected by the optical detecting section. A method for analyzing particles in urine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for reducing a nitrogen oxide, and the control thereof.

Abstract: Mixture to be employed specifically as an agent for adding an odour to a gaseous combustible fuel such as natural gas, consisting of: at least one alkyl acrylate (I) of which the alkyl radicals contain from one to 12 carbon atoms; at least on compound of formula (II) in a quantity sufficient to inhibit the polymerization of the alkyl acrylate or acrylates(I) in the presence and/or absence of oxygen.