Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture indicator which includes iodide, copper, and starch.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards, wherein at least one gaming machine may be provided a plurality of bonus awards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture indicator which includes iodide, copper, and starch.

Abstract: A method for determining oxidation stability for a plurality of different lubricating oil composition samples is provided. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil compositions is generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalising genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.

Abstract: An irreversible humidity exposure dose indicator device, including a housing sealed at a first end thereof and adapted at a second end thereof to admit ambient gas ingress into an interior volume containing chromogenic material. The chromogenic material in contact with water irreversibly absorbs such water to produce a change whose extent is correlative of cumulative exposure of the device to humidity. The device may be configured as an indicator card including an intermediate permeable membrane coated on a first side thereof with a layer of a deliquescent solid and being in contact on a second side thereof with a layer containing a reactive indicator, with a water-permeable layer adjacent to the layer containing the deliquescent coating, enclosed within a water-impermeable transparent enclosure.

Abstract: A test for determining the presence of multi-valent metal contaminants, such as arsenic, mercury and chromium, when present in certain valence states and a system for removal of these contaminants from water. Multi-valent metal salts, for example, Cr+6, which are highly toxic, can be detected and potentially removed from water through a redox reaction by reaction with iron or cobalt salts to obtain a reductive elimination of the Cr+6 by conversion to Cr+3. The determination may be in the form of a test, such that a tableted composition can be introduced into water for reduction of a metal salt, such as Cr+6 to Cr+3 in order to provide a visual indication thereof. The system for the conversion of Cr+6 or other reducible metal salts to other lower valence states having less toxicity would rely upon introduction of a metal salt in the form of a reducing agent which would be introduced into the water allowing for a reduction/oxidation action to take place.

Abstract: A test device and method is described for directly determining the liquid phase water content of organic solvents and indirectly the liquid phase water content of solids. The device and method utilize a reagent composition consisting basically the dried residue of a mixture of a colorimetric indicator material, preferably a cobaltous or cuprous salt, and a polymeric water barrier material, such mixture incorporated into a matrix which is contacted with or immersed into the liquid test sample, removed therefrom and the color change of the test composition correlated with a standard color chart to give a quantitative result of the amount of water in the test sample. When the method is applied to solids, the water must first be extracted from the solid using a substantially anhydrous extracting fluid such as reagent alcohol.

Abstract: A humidity detection material includes oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu. The metal oxide is preferably in the form of a porous material. The metal oxide is formed preferably in the form of a thin film on a transparent substrate. The humidity detection material is contacted with water vapor in the presence of a gas such as air, and the optical absorbance of the humidity detection material is measured to detect the humidity. The humidity can be detected by an optical method.

Abstract: Organometallic compounds such as tricarbonyl-(.eta..sup.4 -1,3-cyclo-hexadiene)lron(O) display an infrared spectrum which varies according to the solvent polarity, pH and similar factors. By comparing the wavenumber position and shape of the peak of a test spectrum with reference spectra by interpolation or extrapolation, information is obtained about the test sample, even a quantitative analysis in some cases. More than one organometallic compound may be used in one experiment (for double checking), and/or a mixture of analytes may be investigated, for obtaining information about the combination.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte, a method of making the device, and a method of detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte. The invention features one or more supports, such as beads, which carry a thin film of polymer substrate. The polymer substrate has a sensing reagent and a porous matrix. The sensing reagent alters the optical properties of the polymer substrate in the presence of analyte.

Abstract: A method and product whereby color changing indicator salts such as cobaltous salts, preferably CoCl.sub.2 or CoBr.sub.2, are firmly adhered to sand, other particulate silicas or other carriers so that unwanted fines, material loss and solvent washing characteristic of prior indicator salt-coated carriers are eliminated. The process is carried out by thoroughly dehydrating a quantity of cobaltous salts and dissolving and storing the dehydrated cobaltous salt in absolute alcohol, preferably absolute ethanol. The absolute alcohol/cobaltous salt solution is then contacted onto a dehydrated or anhydrous carrier material and the absolute alcohol solvent is removed.

Abstract: A method and article is provided for distinguishing cosmetic sticks, especially lipsticks, containing water from those where water is absent. The method involves applying a test stick to a test paper or fabric impregnated with an indicator compound capable of changing color, forming a smear of the stick thereon and observing any change in color around an area of the smear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spot test method using a cupric chloride solution for detecting analytes in a sample which gives an immediate and distinctly colored reaction characteristic of the analyte. The invention also relates to a kit comprising the cupric chloride reagent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing for the presence and concentration of contaminants in a refrigerant. A sample of the refrigerant is withdrawn from a closed refrigeration, air conditioning or similar system and passed through a testing tube. Various sections of the tube contain provisions for the removal of oil entrained in the sample, for the removal of water contamination from the sample and for providing visual indications of the presence and concentration of a plurality of contaminants that may be present in the refrigerant.

Abstract: A kefir-like fermented milk is produced from a raw material, which contains lactose and at least one sugar, by subjecting the lactose to lactic acid fermentation with a lactic acid bacterium and the sugar to alcoholic fermentation with a yeast. The alcoholic fermentation is controlled, for example, by conducting same with a lactose non-fermenting and galactose non-fermenting yeast until all assimilable sugar sources are substantially eliminated. A gelatinous kefir-like fermented milk is also produced by controlling the alcoholic fermentation to start after addition of a gelling agent.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, refrigerant together with oil, water and any other contaminants is drawn off from a high pressure refrigeration system. The drawn off refrigerant is reduced in pressure and serially, the oil is removed, the water is removed and the amount of water and acid present is determined.

Abstract: A diffusion-controlled security tag comprising a carrier containing a solution of a compound which changes color upon diffusion or evaporation of the solvent. Preferably the carrier is enveloped in a barrier film which controls the rate of diffusion/evaporation of the solvent from the carrier such that a change in the color of the carrier indicates undesirable storage or product tampering.