Abstract: A device for observation and analysis of a cross-sectional portion of a stream of material, which may be either a particle or a fluid stream, includes a laser light source for generating a beam of light. A focusing lens is disposed in an optical path between the laser source and the stream and a plano-cylindrical lens of a selected focal length is disposed in the optical path between the focusing lens and the stream. The focusing lens and the plano-cylindrical lens convert the beam of light from the laser light source to a plane of light which may be projected through the stream to illuminate a selected cross-section of the stream for observation and analysis thereof.

Abstract: A device (2) used to transfer the liquid contents (156) of a glass ampule (8) to a vial (10) includes a telescoping ampule body (12, 14) defining a collapsible, substantially air-tight region (22) within which the ampule is housed, which collapses when one part (12) is threaded onto the other part (14). This collapse increases the pressure within the collapsible region housing the ampule. The ampule is broken within the region, such as at the end of the collapsing of the telescoping members by snapping off the tip (64) of the ampule and breaking the base (48, 53) of the ampule. When used with a vial, a vial (10) is mounted to the ampule body via a vial body (80, 92). A vial spike (120) passes through the vial septum (128). The ampule body and the vial body defines a flow path (74, 100) between the vial spike and the ampule region. Once the flow path is open, the liquid from the ampule within the region flows along the flow path and into the vial because of the pressure created within the region.

Abstract: A highly specific and sensitive electrode for the determination of ultra-low levels of mercury and an analytical system based on such electrode. The electrode is a glassy carbon electrode spin-coated with a monolayer of a highly sensitive reagent for the detection of mercury. The analytical method based on the use of this type of electrode is a voltammetric method. Concentrations of the order of as low as about 2.10.sup.-12 Moles mercury can be detected and measured. The reagent is 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo-[8.8.8]hexacosane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sampling and determining the presence of certain substances, such as residues of contaminants in containers. The method includes steps of: injecting compressed air into said containers in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof; evacuating a sample of the container contents so displaced by applying suction thereto; and analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain residues therein. The compressed air is injected through a nozzle into an opening in the containers to displace a portion of the container contents and form a sample cloud outside of the container. The sample cloud is then at least partially evacuated by suction and the sample is analyzed for the presence of contaminants such as nitrogen containing compounds or hydrocarbons. In one embodiment about 90% of the sample evacuated is diverted from the analyzer and recirculated into the air injector.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing tracking errors in magnetic tape holds a magnetic tape in a condition useful for examining the magnetic tape to measure the configuration of recorded tracks on the recording surface of the tape.

Abstract: An optical location system for locating the position of a moving object in a defined area. An optical transmitter is attached to the moving object. A stationary receiver has a number of sensors for receiving a signal from the transmitter. One sensor has a field of view of the entire area. Other sensors have partially blocked fields of view, with the blocking being accomplished with nonopaque strips of decreasing width. These strips are arranged so that the detection or nondetection of light by the sensors can be digitally coded in a manner that corresponds to sections of the area.

Abstract: A liquid transfer device of disposable one-time use form to conduct a biochemical diagnostic or other assay comprises two liquid flow channels (10,110,210; 20,120,220) leading from a respective pair of channel ends to a common site (30,130,230) and operable to deliver liquid to this site in sequentially timed manner following simultaneous application of such liquid to the channel ends. Typically respectively different reagents (11,111,211; 21,121,221) are incorporated in the two channels, and a third reagent (31,131,231) at the common site, whereby a sample to be assayed in respect of a particular content can be applied to the site, immobilized by the third reagent, subsequently subjected to one channel reagent to detect any of the content of interest, and finally subjected to the other channel reagent to exhibit for the user any detected content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling and determining the presence of certain substances, such as residues of contaminants in containers. The method includes steps of: injecting compressed air into said containers in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof; evacuating a sample of the container contents so displaced by applying suction thereto; and analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain residues therein. The compressed air is injected through a nozzle into an opening in the containers to displace a portion of the container contents and form a sample cloud outside of the container. The sample cloud is then at least partially evacuated by suction and the sample is analyzed for the presence of contaminants such as nitrogen containing compounds or hydrocarbons. In one embodiment about 90% of the sample evacuated is diverted from the analyzer and recirculated into the air injector.

Abstract: A process for preparing a .sup.13 C-labelled compound which comprises reacting an alcohol .sup.13 C-labelled carbon source compound and a substrate in the presence of an enzyme system consisting of oxidase belonging to EC1 group and capable of converting the alcohol .sup.13 C-labelled carbon source compound to an aldehyde .sup.13 C-labelled carbon source compound, lyase belonging to EC4 group and capable of synthesizing a carbon-carbon bond and at least one of isomerases belonging to EC5 group and capable of isomerizing substrates to obtain a .sup.13 C-labelled compound specifically labelled with .sup.13 C in a specific carbon position.

Abstract: Compositions, such as liquid therapeutic or diagnostic compositions, and methods for their preparation and involving their use. The compositions comprise an effective amount of gelatin from cold water fish skin as a protein base. The indicated gelatin provides many significant advantages and improvements, including for instance its high stabilizing effect on labile organic substrates included in the compositions, and its low temperature gelling properties which provide improved compositions which do not substantially gel during refrigeration. Further representative advantages relate to its behavior as a zwitterion thus reducing or eliminating needs for buffers, and its surprising behavior similar to human serum protein in protein analyses such as the biuret procedure.

Abstract: This device provides a honeycomb structure in which stress concentration on a flat plate in the area of weld with a corrugated plate is avoided in the outer side area of the honeycomb structure, for example, the first and second layers from the outside thereof, whereby cracks and exfoliation of the flat plate are avoided in the area of the weld and the core is also protected from slipping out.In honeycomb structure 5, corrugated plate 3 and flat plate 1 are disposed alternately and welded to form a wound block. In the range of at least not less than two layers from the outside in the honeycomb structure 5, two sheets of flat plate 1 are used in a pair so that they overlap without welding therebetween.

Abstract: A pipette tip storage and dispensing system has a series of pipette tip holder cards each of which has a plurality of openings for holding a set of pipette tips extending partway through the openings in an upright orientation. The openings in each card match those in the other cards, and cards loaded with pipette tips can be stacked vertically with the pipette tips in one card extending into the open upper ends of the tips in the next adjacent card of the stack, to minimize storage space. An alignment device is arranged to hold the pipette tips in a card in a vertical orientation as the card is removed from the top of the stack and transferred to a pipette tip holder tray so that the pipette tips can be lowered into aligned openings in the holder tray with the card resting on the top wall of the tray.

Abstract: There are essentially three aspects to the present invention. In a first aspect, there is provided solid-phase calibration materials for selectively imparting predetermined inorganic or organic carbon levels to a fluid stream by dissolution, comprising solids that are sparingly and selectively soluble in the fluid stream. In a second aspect, the same materials may be used as standards for calibrating an on-line or off-line carbon analyzer at predetermined TIC and TOC levels in a fluid stream. In a third aspect, there is provided a calibration system that utilizes the standards to impart predetermined levels of selected TIC and TOC levels in a fluid sample stream. In one form of the invention, a process is provided for automatically calibrating analytical instrumentation with respect to total organic carbon and total inorganic carbon.

Abstract: At least one dimension of the transverse cross-section of an object is measured in a predetermined direction by scanning the cross-section at constant speed with a laser beam which is moved in the plane of the cross-section but remains perpendicular to this direction. Successive pulses are generated representing the times, opto-electronically detected, at which the downstream side beam disappears and reappears. An electronic window is generated from said pulses during each of the time intervals of interception of the beam by the object. Clock pulses are counted during each of the windows and each of the counts obtained is compared with a predetermined digital threshold to validate the respective measurement.

Abstract: A reagent to be used in detection of occult blood comprising a mixed solution of sodium carbonate, 3-amino phthalic acid hydrazide, and iron and sodium derivative of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The use of a class of non-azo 1,8-naphthalimide dyes for the detection and quantitation of a paramagnetic metal cation in a non-aqueous medium and some of the dyes that will complex with a paramagnetic metal cation. The concentration of the paramagnetic metal cation is determined by monitoring differences in the detected fluorescent emission spectra of the non-azo 1,8-naphthalimide dye solution when it is mixed with paramagnetic metal cations present in the non-aqueous medium. The detected fluorescent emission spectra will vary in relation to the presence or amount of the paramagnetic metal cation in the mixture.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a device which explores without contact the inner contour of the frame rim (16) and employs an optical device (30) for sensing the image of characteristic points of the rim inner contour, an analyzer for analyzing the sensed images for determining the spatial coordinates of the characteristic points, and a calculating device for reconstituting the shape and/or the profile of the contour of the frame rim from these spatial coordinates.

Abstract: A single projector is used to project a grating pattern on the surface of the object being measured, and the grating pattern is recorded simultaneously by two cameras from two different directions relative to the direction of projection. Both cameras record images of the same object areas. The fringe phases of the image patterns recorded by each of the two cameras are computed separately; and the object coordinates, which are computed from the combination of the computed fringe phases of both cameras, are unambiguous within a large measured range.

Abstract: A robotic arm calibration system is described which comprises a video line scan camera vision system used in conjunction with a plurality of novel "N"-shaped targets in an automated tape storage library. The targeting system of the present invention provides, with a single horizontal video scan of the target, all of the data necessary to enable calculation of a reference point of the robotic arm with respect to each target to thereby obtain precise robotic arm calibration in relationship to the library system workspace. The position of the robotic arm is determined using the vision system in conjunction with calibration targets which are located within the tape cartridge library, in addition to a target located on the robotic arm. The present system functions independently of the spacing between the arm retrieval mechanism and the tape cartridge storage cells.

Abstract: Payload customers for the Space Shuttle have recently expressed concerns about the possibility of their payloads at an adjacent pad being contaminated by plume effluents from a shuttle at an active pad as they await launch on an inactive pad. As part of a study to satisfy such concerns a ring of inexpensive dosimeters was deployed around the active pad at the inter-pad distance. However, following a launch, dosimeters cannot be read for several hours after the exposure. As a consequence factors such as different substrates, solvent systems, and possible volatilization of HCl from the badges were studied. This observation led to the length of stain (LOS) dosimeters of this invention. Commercial passive LOS dosimeters are sensitive only to the extent of being capable of sensing 2 ppm to 20 ppm if the exposure is 8 hours. To map and quantitate the HCl generated by Shuttle launches, and in the atmosphere within a radius of 1.