Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (100) for determining the amount of a target component (2) in a sample, wherein magnetic particles (2) can bind to a contact surface (4) with kinetics that depend on the sample-amount of the target component. The method comprises at least two washing steps during which magnetic particles (2) are magnetically moved away from the contact surface (4) and corresponding measurements of the remaining amount of magnetic particles (2) at the contact surface (4). The amount of target component in the sample is estimated from at least one of such measurement results. The measurement allows to determine also high concentrations of target component for which the sensor surface (4) is saturated in a steady-state.

Abstract: A method of analysis or diagnosis of solid objects is based on real-time detection of how predefined probes interact with structures present on or in the solid object combined with the calculation of how the recorded binding curves of said probes are distributed in terms of interaction properties. The interaction properties are input to a classification algorithm which automatically determines statues of the solid object. The method is particularly advantageous for solid biological objects like tissue slices combined with antibody probes, said antibody recognizing receptors known to be over-expressed in disease states on said tissue slice.

Abstract: A method for increasing productivity and quality in production of cured polymer by a real time measurement of the progress of curing, in a mould cavity, which being filled with a compound to be cured, wherein a signal is generated by a wave at an ultrasonic or equivalent frequency, which is transmitted through the mould cavity, the time for the wave to pass through the compound in the mould and back is detected, and the detected signal being analyzed in a suitable data processing computer , to establish a graph showing a relationship between the time for the wave to pass through the compound in the mould and back, and the time of the curing of the compound. The graph is used to determine a feature of the compound by identifying at least one specific parameter of the graph, and using said parameter to control the production.

Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a first equilibrium constant of a first equilibrium reaction via MSK analysis of a second equilibrium reaction, whereby the first and the second equilibrium reaction share at least one reactant.

Abstract: A method of measuring concentration of a fuel is provided. First, a fuel cell unit having at least an anode, a cathode, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is provided. Next, a fuel is supplied to the anode, while a reactive gas is supplied to the cathode. Then, the amount of the reactive gas supplied to the cathode is adjusted and the concentration of the fuel is estimated in accordance with the consumption rate of the reactive gas in the fuel cell unit.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for quantification of a first dissociation equilibrium constant Kd1 for a complex AB between interactants A and B relative to a second dissociation equilibrium constant Kd2 for a complex CD between interactants C and D.

Abstract: A method to determine specificity of ligand binding includes comparing a solid phase carrier first extract obtained by pre-treating a sample with a ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier and a solid phase carrier second extract obtained by treating the pretreated sample again with a ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier in terms of the proteins contained therein, and identifying a protein whose content is remarkably decreased in the second extract compared to the first extract, in order to solve 1) the problem of the solubility of subject ligand, 2) the problem of the non-specific protein-denaturing effect of the subject ligand added, and the like, in antagonism experiments in target search using an affinity resin.

Abstract: Operation of a microfluidic flow device includes providing a microfluidic flow device including a body and at least one flow microchannel for transferring a mixture (G; T?) of at least two components being formed within the body, in which said mixture (G; T?) of the at least two components is caused to flow in the flow microchannel and the mixture is analyzed in at least one derived branch (B1-B6).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining a new anticoagulant therapy factors for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy to help prevent excessive bleeding or deleterious blood clots that might otherwise occur before, during or after surgery. New anticoagulant therapy factors maybe based upon the time to maximum acceleration from the time of reagent injection (TX) into a plasma sample, Embodiments include methods and apparatus for determining an anticoagulant therapy factor without requiring use of a mean normal prothrombin time determination or ISI, and may be carried out with the patient sample and a coagulation reagent.

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 method for determining the endogenous antioxidative potential (EAP) in a beverage sample, preferably beer, wine, juice or mixtures thereof, using ESR spectroscopy. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for measuring a secondary radical, preferably a hydroxyethyl radical, which is stabilized by a spin trap reagent, wherein the spin trap reagent is preferably, N-tert-butyl-?-(4-pyridyl)nitrone N-oxide (POBN). The invention also relates to the use of the method for assessing the oxidative stability of a beverage sample, to the use of a spin trap reagent, preferably POBN, for measuring the EAP, and to a kit for carrying out the method. The invention is characterized in that a method is provided which makes it possible to avoid the pH effect occurring in prior art methods and the associated influence on the generation of radicals in the beverage sample to be measured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the kinetic parameters of a catalyst powder, which include the reaction rate constants, active site concentration and intraparticle diffusivity. The measurement of the active site concentration selectively measures just the active sites and not the entire exposed atom concentration. The apparatus and method use surface concentrations less than 50% and larger than 1% the total active site concentration and a dynamic pulsed flow to avoid including weak adsorption sites not involved in the catalysis. The measurement is more accurate because (1) it uses a reactant gas and non-steady state adsorption at temperatures near to reaction temperatures, and (2) it uses the chemical kinetics expressions to extract the measured active site concentration to perform the measurement so as to count just those sites actually active for that reactant.

Abstract: A method for investigating longitudinally dependent properties of the composite catalyst bed of a laboratory scale plug flow reactor, comprises the steps of: supplying fresh reactant feed to the inlet of said composite catalyst bed; sampling and measuring the amounts of fresh reactant feed and amounts and characteristics of reaction products and byproducts at a plurality of positions along the length of said catalyst bed; based on the amounts of fresh reactant feed and amounts and characteristics of reaction products and byproducts at said plurality of positions, determining information concerning longitudinal gradients occurring in the composite catalyst bed of said plug flow reactor.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for designing, operating, monitoring and/or diagnosing a chemical reaction, particularly a hydrotreating process, using a fixed bed catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the presence or absence of interaction between at least a first and second material of interest by measuring osmotic pressure changes in an osmotic cell. Changes in osmotic pressure are determined by measuring the amount of compression exhibited by a compressible, semi-permeable material positioned in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automatically determining the endogenous thrombin potential of a blood or plasma sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for analyzing a sample by utilizing a double integration circuit (11) for outputting a physical quantity related to the output from an analytical tool (2). In the present invention, the time interval from when the output from the analytical tool (2) is inputted into the double integration circuit (11) till when the physical quantity is started to be outputted from the double integration circuit (11) differs before and after the supply of the sample to the analytical tool (2) is confirmed.

Abstract: An apparatus of measuring concentration of fuel including a catalyst layer, a diffusion layer, a fuel chamber, a reactive gas chamber, and a sensor is provided. The diffusion layer is connected to the catalyst layer. The fuel chamber is suitable for containing a fuel. The diffusion layer is between the fuel chamber and the catalyst layer. The reactive gas chamber is suitable for containing a reactive gas. The catalyst layer is between the reactive gas chamber and the diffusion layer. The fuel diffuses to the catalyst layer via the diffusion layer such that a combustion reaction of the fuel and the reactive gas is conducted in the catalyst layer to consume the reactive gas and generate a gaseous product. The sensor is disposed on the reactive gas chamber for measuring the concentration of the reactive gas or the concentration of the gaseous product in the reactive gas chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for monitoring the status of a cell that consumes oxygen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of confining the cell in a sensing volume, measuring dynamically intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell, and determining the status of the cell from the measured intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide to apparatuses and media used in drug elution studies and methods for making and using them. 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. 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. A related embodiment of the invention is an apparatus that is used for example to facilitate the practice of the above-noted methods by inhibiting the evaporation of dissolution media from the vessels in which elution is observed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the presence or absence of interaction between at least a first and second material of interest by measuring osmotic pressure changes in an osmotic cell. Changes in osmotic pressure are determined by measuring the amount of compression exhibited by a compressible, semi-permeable material positioned in the cell.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for determining the metabolism of one or more sugars and/or fatty acids, and applications thereof. Such applications include determining the rate of glycogen synthesis and glycolysis, which are believed to be early markers for predicting elevated risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Other applications include methods for screening drugs that effect sugar and/or fatty acid metabolism. The methods are useful for at least partially characterizing drugs for desirable or undesirable (toxic) characteristics. Drugs that are at least partially characterized using the methods of the invention can then be further developed in pre-clinical testing and clinical trials. Such drugs may be found to be useful in treating obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other disorders of metabolism.

Abstract: An aqueous composition having increased protein stability is obtained by: a. determining a pH at which the protein has stability at the desired temperature; b. adding to the composition at least one displacement buffer wherein the displacement buffer has a pKa that is at least 1 unit greater or less than the pH of step (a); and c. adjusting the pH of the composition to the pH of step (a); wherein the aqueous composition does not comprise a conventional buffer at a concentration greater than about 2 mM and wherein the conventional buffer has a pKa that is within 1 unit of the pH of step (a).

Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic technology enabling rapid and economical manipulation of reactions on the femtoliter to microliter scale.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting, identifying and measuring the abundance of chemical nerve agents. Methods and compositions of the present invention are capable of providing selective detection of phosphorous based nerve agents, such as nerve agents that are esters of methyl phosphonic acid derivatives incorporating a moderately good leaving group at the phosphorus. Selectivity in the present invention is provided by a sensor composition having an alpha (?) effect nucleophile group that undergoes specific nucleophilic substitution and rearrangement reactions with phosphorus based nerve agents having a tetrahederal phosphorous bound to oxygen. The present invention includes embodiments employing a sensor composition further comprising a reporter group covalently linked to the alpha effect nucleophile group allowing rapid optical readout of nerve agent detection events, including direct visual readout and optical readout via spectroscopic analysis.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for diagnosis, including prognosis, of conditions associated with decreased arginine bioavailability (which can result from dysregulated arginine metabolism, e.g., due to increased arginase activity) by assessing in a sample from a subject the ratio of arginine to one or more, usually two or more, modulators of arginine bioavailability. In one embodiment, the ratio of arginine to (ornithine+citrulline) is assessed to aid in diagnosis.

Abstract: A method of lowering the rate of a specific binding reaction in an assay for the detection and/or measurement of an analyte of interest is provided herein. In particular, the method includes providing a fluorescent conjugate of the analyte; a component capable of specifically binding to the analyte and its fluorescent conjugate; and a sample, which includes or is suspected to include the analyte. The method also includes allowing the specific binding component to interact simultaneously or at different times with the fluorescent conjugate of the analyte and the analyte in the sample, thereby forming a detectable complex due to the reaction between the fluorescent conjugate of the analyte and its specific binding component, wherein the reaction is performed in the presence of non-physiological amounts of at least one additive. The method further includes monitoring for the rate of change of the concentration of the detectable complex as a function of the amount of analyte in the sample.

Abstract: Microfluidic flow devices for determining parameters of a physical and/or chemical transformation include a body (2), at least one flow microchannel (36) for transferring a mixture (G; T?) of at least two components, such microchannel being formed within the body (2), the or each flow microchannel (36) opening out into at least one fork (D1-D6; D?1-D?6; D?1-D?n; d1-dn; d?1-d?n) enabling a tree structure to be created having a plurality of derived branches (B1-B6; B?1-B?6; B?1-B?n; b1-bn; b?1-b?n), this tree structure being asymmetrical.

Abstract: A novel method of cleaning and disinfecting organically contaminated articles such as, for instance, medical instruments, wherein the cleaning cycle consists of two sections divided by removal and replenishing the cleaning liquid, in each section of which the temperature of the cleaning liquid is raised to and maintained at between 40° C. and 60° C. for a predetermined time and the pH-value is raised to between 8.5 and 12 by adding an alkaline cleaning agent. During the second section a low-molecular peroxide compound is added to the cleaning liquid after the cleaning agent.

Abstract: A method to determine specificity of ligand binding includes comparing a solid phase carrier first extract obtained by pre-treating a sample with a ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier and a solid phase carrier second extract obtained by treating the pretreated sample again with a ligand-immobilized solid phase carrier in terms of the proteins contained therein, and identifying a protein whose content is remarkably decreased in the second extract compared to the first extract, in order to solve 1) the problem of the solubility of subject ligand, 2) the problem of the non-specific protein-denaturing effect of the subject ligand added, and the like, in antagonism experiments in target search using an affinity resin.

Abstract: A system and method of using a refractive index sensor to determine a characteristic of a sample. The operation of the system and method allow for determining a change in a bulk index of the sample, and an amount of sample adsorption, using a reflected beam from an interface of the sensor. An embodiment of a system and method further provide for identifying changes in incident angles determine from reflective measurement data of the sensor, in combination with different proportionality constants of the refractive index sensor to determine a characteristic of the sample.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining a new anticoagulant therapy factors for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy to help prevent excessive bleeding or deleterious blood clots that might otherwise occur before, during or after surgery. New anticoagulant therapy factors maybe based upon the time to maximum acceleration from the time of reagent injection (TX) into a plasma sample, Embodiments include methods and apparatus for determining an anticoagulant therapy factor without requiring use of a mean normal prothrombin time determination or ISI, and may be carried out with the patient sample and a coagulation reagent.

Abstract: A method for reacting a plurality of materials in parallel within a reactor vessel having a plurality of reaction wells formed therein. Each of the reaction wells has an open end exposed to a common pressure chamber defined by the reactor vessel. The method includes opening a cover of the reactor vessel, inserting components into the reaction wells, closing the cover of the reactor vessel to create a sealed chamber, supplying a gas substantially above atmospheric pressure that reacts with the components within the reaction wells, and releasing pressure from the reactor vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the presence or absence of reaction between a first and second material of interest by measuring osmotic pressure changes of reaction detector. The reaction detector is capable of measuring the small changes in pressure that occur due to osmotic pressure shifts during a catalytic or binding reaction at species concentrations down to approximately 10?7 M.

Abstract: A method of optical infrared thermography, and the use thereof in monitoring and characterizing the polymerization of the three dimensional sample is described.

Abstract: Methods for measuring biochemical reactions and analysis of reaction products by controlling dispersion of reagents within fluid streams such that the measuring of the biochemical reaction is substantially free of a measurable dispersion artifact. Controlling dispersion of reagents within fluid streams can include flowing multiple fluid streams each including reaction reagents into contact through a mixing region to laterally mix the fluid streams and then passing the merged, laterally mixed fluid stream through a controlled dispersion element to axially disperse the reaction reagents merged fluid stream. Controlling dispersion of reagents within fluid streams can include controlling flow rates of multiple fluid streams each including reaction reagents to create a concentration gradient that is substantially free of a measurable dispersion artifact. The biochemical reaction can occur in a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining the quality of a biological sample. A method according to the invention may be used to determine if a biological sample is suitable to use in a further biological assay demanding samples of good quality to render an accurate result. The method comprises detecting the presence of protein fragments in the biological sample by using appropriate means. The invention also relates to a kit for determining the quality of a biological sample.

Abstract: A system is provided wherein a plug flow reactor is used to make combinatorial libraries of materials. Examples of plug flow reactors include stirred tube reactors, extruders, and static mixers.

Abstract: A method for preparing receptor-coated particles is described which comprises the following steps: a) providing a support body, b) conducting a liquid containing particles into or onto the support body, c) immobilizing the particles on at least one surface area of the support body, d) conducting a liquid which contains receptors or receptor building blocks for synthesizing polymeric receptors over the immobilized particles, e) coupling the receptors or receptor building blocks location—or/and time-specifically to the immobilized particles at in each case predetermined positions of the support body, f) repeating, where appropriate, the steps (d) and (e), until the desired receptors have been synthesized on the immobilized particles at the in each case predetermined positions of the support body.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems that can be quickly and efficiently utilized to examine the kinetics of a growth and development protocol in a controlled environment, for instance in vivo. Disclosed systems can include a synthetic mineralization complex that can nucleate calcium phosphate mineral deposition in a controlled environment, for instance a controlled environment that can mimic a natural environment in which biomineralization takes place. Also disclosed are non-contact optical methods as may be utilized to examine the kinetics of a developing solid phase. Disclosed systems and methods can be beneficially utilized in high throughput screening in the development of drugs for the treatment and prevention of pathological calcifications such as osteoarthritis and atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the preparation and use of a substrate having an array of diverse materials in predefined regions thereon. A substrate having an array of diverse materials thereon is generally prepared by delivering components of materials to predefined regions on a substrate, and simultaneously reacting the components to form at least two materials. Materials which can be prepared using the methods and apparatus of the present invention include, for example, covalent network solids, ionic solids and molecular solids. More particularly, materials which can be prepared using the methods and apparatus of the present invention include, for example, inorganic materials, intermetallic materials, metal alloys, ceramic materials, organic materials, organometallic materials, non-biological organic polymers, composite materials (e.g., inorganic composites, organic composites, or combinations thereof), etc.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of analytical technique and relates to an improved procedure for determining the concentration or activity of an analyte, an analyte-dependent detection reaction being set in motion and the reaction kinetics determined being evaluated. The procedure makes possible an individual determination of the lag phase of the reaction kinetics for each measurement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma monitoring method for detecting the amount of atomic radicals generated by dissociation of a molecular raw material gas during a plasma processing conducted by introducing the molecular raw material gas and a rare gas into a process atmosphere, wherein the amount of the atomic radicals is predicted from the dissociation degree of the molecular raw material gas determined from the partial pressure of the molecular raw material gas in the process atmosphere, the luminous intensity of the rare gas, and the partial pressure of the rare gas in the process atmosphere, whereby the amount of the specific atomic radicals can be monitored easily and accurately.

Abstract: A method of determining kinetic parameters for a reversible molecular interaction between a ligand immobilized to a solid support surface and a binding partner to the ligand in solution, comprises sequentially, without intermediate regeneration or renewal of the immobilized ligand, flowing a plurality of fluid volumes containing different known concentrations of the binding partner over the solid support surface, monitoring the momentary amount of binding partner bound to the solid support surface related to time and solution concentration of binding partner and collecting the binding data, and determining the kinetic parameters by globally fitting a predetermined kinetic model for the interaction between the binding partner and the immobilized ligand to the collected binding data, which model allows for mass transport limitation at the solid support surface.

Abstract: In a cardiac monitoring method, at east an inactive natriuretic peptide (22) and an active natriuretic peptide (20) are assayed in a biological sample taken from a patient. Both the inactive and active natriuretic peptides are produced in the patient responsive to cardiac stress. A therapeutic agent (26), such as a synthetic or mimetic natriuretic peptide, is administered to the patient. The administered therapeutic agent substantially interferes with the active natriuretic peptide assay but does not substantially interfere with the inactive natriuretic peptide assay. Kinetics of the administered therapeutic agent are determined based on at least the active natriuretic peptide assay. Cardiac diagnostic information is determined based on at least the inactive natriuretic peptide assay.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for designing, operating, monitoring and/or diagnosing a chemical reaction, particularly a hydrotreating process, using a fixed bed catalytic reactor.

Abstract: Instruments for the selective and direct detection of free metals in fluids and methods to diagnose metal-related diseases and determine pharmacologic dosing regimens are disclosed.

Abstract: According to an apparatus and method for determining degradation of a reforming catalyst degradation which reforms a mixture of air and fuel, in a reformer that supplies a reformate gas to an engine of a vehicle, a temperature sensor detects a temperature of a reforming reaction portion in which is provided a reforming catalyst. An ECU then determines the extent of degradation of the reforming catalyst based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying drug-resistant and/or drug-sensitive cells, for example, breast cancer and brain tumor cells, on the basis of different ion and/or second messenger dynamics between a drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cell. For example, the invention provides measuring the comparative decay rates of a cellular ion, such as calcium, released into the intracellular compartment of drug sensitive and/or drug resistant cells. The present invention also provides methods for screening compounds that modulate the ionic dynamics of a cell as well as methods of determining drug resistance/sensitivity of cancer cells from cancer patients and/or designing cancer therapy based on of the ionic dynamics of cancer cells from a particular patient.