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: A multichannel system for classifying particles according to one or more characteristics of the particles includes a plurality of flow cytometry units. Each flow cytometry unit is operable to classify particles in a mixture of particles by interrogating a stream of fluid containing particles using a beam of electromagnetic radiation. Each flow cytometry unit has a sensor operable to generate a time-varying output signal indicative of at least one characteristic of the particles in the stream of fluid as the stream of fluid is interrogated by the beam of electromagnetic radiation. The flow cytometry units share an integrated platform and perhaps even a common processor for receiving and processing information from the units. The common processor is programmed to receive the time-varying output signals from the flow cytometry units substantially continuously and to process the output signals.

Abstract: A method of operating a blanching system includes steps of automatically sampling a blanching solution and mixing the sampled blanching solution with a reagent that is formulated to change at least one property according to a concentration of a metal ion in the blanching solution. This property is automatically sensed with an automated sensor and a controller is used to automatically control a concentration of metal ions in the blanching solution in response to a signal that is received from said automated sensor.

Abstract: A fluid contamination analyzer has a sample cell containing a trapping medium capable of trapping contaminants suspended in the aqueous fluid flowing through the trapping medium, a light source for illuminating the trapping medium to cause the entrapped contaminants generate a secondary radiation indicative of the identity and quantity of the contaminants, and a photodetector for receiving the secondary radiation. The fluid contamination analyzer has a reflective shell in the form of an ellipsoid extending at least partially around the sample cell and the detector, the sample cell being positioned at one of the focal points of the ellipsoid, and the photodetector at the other point of the ellipsoid to receive the secondary radiation reflected by the reflective shell.

Abstract: A flow cytometry system (1) for sorting haploid cells, specifically irradiatable sperm cells, with an intermittingly punctuated radiation emitter (56). Embodiments include a beam manipulator (21) and even split radiation beams directed to multiple nozzles (5). Differentiation of sperm characteristics with increased resolution may efficiently allow differentiated sperm cells to be separated higher speeds and even into subpopulations having higher purity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a solid perfumed preparation with high persistency in the form of microbeads and comprising a volatile aromatic raw material, or a mixture of volatile aromatic raw materials, and one or several fusible excipients. Said preparation can further comprise one of the following constituents: one or more polymers dispersible in the melted mass formed by the constituents of the preparation, one or more mineral additives, one or more surfactants, one or more antioxidants, one or more colouring agents. The invention can be used in cosmetics and in household product industries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining whether an individual is at risk for atherosclerosis, comprising the step of measuring the level of cLDL and/or autoantibody to cLDL in a sample obtained from this individual. The invention further discloses a method of reducing carbamylation in an individual with a monomeric amino acid or other enzymatic or non-enzymatic inhibitors of carbamylation. The instant invention also provides a method to decrease the level of cLDL by direct elimination of cLDL from the blood or plasma of an individual. The invention also provides a method of treating or preventing atherosclerosis in an individual by inhibiting aggregation and/or deposition of cLDL in the individual.

Abstract: Prior to adding detergent or chelant, the conductivity of water in a washing chamber is measured. The maximum concentration of hard water ions that could correspond to the measured conductivity is determined, i.e., it is assumed that all of the conductivity is from calcium and/or magnesium ions in the water even though other ions may in fact be contributing to the measured conductivity. Enough chelating agent is added to the chamber to sequester this maximum concentration of hard water ions and the conductivity is measured again. Using the two conductivity measurements, the actual concentration of hard water ions is determined. A chelant factor based on the actual concentration of hard water ions is then used to determine the amount of chelant to be added for subsequent wash cycles to sequester all of the hard water ions.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for analyzing liquid samples by forming discrete sample aliquots (boluses) in an elongated conduit which contains a hydrophobic carrier liquid. Aliquots may be analyzed by adding at least one reagent to the sample aliquot that reacts selectively with an analyte contained therein. The reaction product, which is selective for the analyte of interest and proportional to its concentration, is measured with an appropriate detector. Intrinsic sample properties of the sample may also be measured without the need for adding chemical reagents. The invention enables simple and accurate testing of samples using time honored wet-chemical analysis methods in microliter volume regimes while producing remarkably small volumes of waste.

Abstract: An analyzer analyzes a specimen on basis of an absorbance of a reaction liquid of the specimen and a reagent and includes a measuring unit that measures absorbances of two or more identifying samples having different concentrations and having absorbance characteristics such that there is no extremum in a wavelength band including a desired wavelength to be measured and also measures an absorbance of a reaction liquid; a calculating unit that calculates a gradient of a straight line indicating a relationship between the concentrations and the absorbances of the identifying samples; a correcting unit that corrects the absorbance of the reaction liquid by using a reference gradient of a straight line indicating a relationship between concentrations and absorbances of the identifying samples obtained in advance for the desired wavelength, and the calculated gradient; and an analyzing unit that analyzes the specimen on the basis of the corrected absorbance.

Abstract: A controller is provided for directing control of a process performed to control an amount of a pollutant emitted into the air. The process has multiple process parameters (MPPs) The controller includes either a neural network process model or a non-neural network process model. Whichever type model is included, it will represent a relationship between one of the MPPs and other of the MPPs. The controller also includes a control processor having the logic to determine the validity of a measured value of the one MPP based on the one model. The control processor directs control of the process in accordance with the measured value of the one MPP only if the measured value of the one MPP is determined to be valid. On the other hand, if the measured value is determined to be invalid, the control processor may direct control of the process in accordance with an estimated value of the one MPP.

Abstract: Glucose analysis instrument for diabetics, comprising a measuring device for determining glucose concentration values, a displaying device for displaying glucose concentration values, a signaling device for generating a reminder signal, and a control and evaluation device that comprises a processor and a data memory and is used to determine reminder times at which the signaling device is actuated. Event data are stored in the data memory, the event data containing information on events occurring in the life of a user of the glucose analysis instrument and on the time of occurrence of such events. The reminder times are determined by means of a reminder time determination algorithm taking into consideration event data from at least one previous day.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing the type of a blood sample and a variety of blood components are provided wherein a transmission spectrum of the sample is collected over a predetermined wavelength range. For blood typing, this spectrum is then compared with a set of control spectra collected from control blood samples having known blood types, from which the type of the blood sample can be determined. Further methods and apparatus are provided for determining the viability of and for cross matching a platelet unit Additional method and apparatus permit analysis of the sample for the presence of a contaminant, Particles can also be counted in the sample, even when present in low concentrations, including white blood cell.

Abstract: A system for transporting fuel exhibits increased safety. The system includes a fuel leak detector including: a colorimetric chemical monitor configured to change color in response to presence of a fuel or fuel component, an optical reader configured to monitor a color of the chemical monitor, and an alarm system configured to provide an alarm when a color of the chemical monitor changes by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Gas flow is controlled to a feed gas consuming device depending on whether a contaminant gas is present. In one embodiment, hydrogen gas flow from a hydrogen gas generator to a hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, gas chromatograph or a flame ionization detector, is terminated when there is chemical contaminant breakthrough in the hydrogen gas flow. The apparatus relates to the use of a sensor for detecting a predetermined concentration of a chemical contaminant such as ammonia. In one embodiment the apparatus terminates the gas flow when a concentration of ammonia in the gas flow corresponds to a breakthrough (e.g., approximately in the range of 2.0% or greater). The apparatus prevents the ammonia-contaminated hydrogen from disabling such a hydrogen consuming device that would have otherwise received the contaminated gas flow.

Abstract: Disclosed are high throughput assay systems and methods for identifying agents that alter the level of expression of proteins in mammalian cells, particularly integral membrane proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the isomer composition in an isocyanate isomer mixture, wherein a spectrum of the isomer mixture is recorded and the spectrum is entered into a chemometric calibration model.

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

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: An analyzer comprising: a specimen container setting portion including a plurality of container holders for holding a plurality of specimen containers of different types; an aspiration section for aspirating the specimen from the specimen container set in the specimen container setting portion; a sensor for detecting the presence of the specimen container set in at least one of the plurality of container holders; and a controller for determining in which of the plurality of container holders the specimen container is set based on the detection result of the sensor, and controlling the operation of the aspiration section, is disclosed. A method for aspirating a specimen is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave passes different fuels of different concentrations with different velocities. The present invention provides a detecting and controlling device where, by a non-touching method, a velocity for an ultrasonic wave in a first fuel with a first fuel concentration is measured. The velocity obtained is taken for a comparison with another velocity for the same ultrasonic wave in a fuel with a default fuel concentration so that the first fuel concentration of the fuel can be under controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and apparatus for analyzing foam decomposition in contact mode during mold filling in lost foam casting, the foam decomposition having a foam material vapor fraction and the mold filling having a mold filling speed. The method includes providing a plurality of parameter values for casting process parameters as variables of a plurality of predetermined equations, simultaneously solving the plurality of predetermined equations including the parameter values, calculating a vapor value for the fraction of the foam material that decomposes to vapor, an undercut length value designating the amount of coating exposed to gas diffusion, and a speed value for the mold filling speed, and determining whether to adjust at least one of the parameter values based on the results for the vapor value, the undercut length value, or the speed value.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer for performing qualitative and quantitative analyses of living samples, such as blood and urine, which effectively utilizes the sample and enables requested tests to be performed as many as possible, when sample deficiency is predicted as a result of measuring a sample volume in advance. The analyzer includes a unit for measuring a sample volume, and has a function of, when sample deficiency is predicted, automatically changing an analysis mode to a decrease sample assay for a part of tests, thereby reducing a sample volume required depending on the measured sample volume.

Abstract: Sensor arrays and sensor array systems for detecting analytes in fluids. Sensors configured to generate a response upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more analytes can be located on one or more surfaces relative to one or more fluid channels in an array. Fluid channels can take the form of pores or holes in a substrate material. Fluid channels can be formed between one or more substrate plates. Sensor can be fabricated with substantially optimized sensor volumes to generate a response having a substantially maximized signal to noise ratio upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more target analytes. Methods of fabricating and using such sensor arrays and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in regenerating a reactor shift bed catalyst are disclosed. The method comprises monitoring the saturation level of a reactor shift bed catalyst in a reformer; automatically detecting that the reactor shift bed catalyst has entered a saturated state; and automatically regenerating the reactor shift bed catalyst in response to automatically detecting the saturated state. The apparatus may be, in various aspects, a program storage method encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing device, performs such a method; a computing apparatus programmed to perform such a method, or a control system performing such a method.

Abstract: A method for determining a reference position for a pipetting needle which is part of an automatic analytical apparatus that includes a rotatable conveyor, conveyor driving means, an automatic pipetting unit having a needle transport device, excenter mechanism, a level detection means, and a reference member for determining a reference position.

Abstract: A method for controlling a gap in an electrically conducting solid state structure provided with a gap. The structure is exposed to a fabrication process environment conditions of which are selected to alter an extent of the gap. During exposure of the structure to the process environment, a voltage bias is applied across the gap. Electron tunneling current across the gap is measured during the process environment exposure and the process environment is controlled during process environment exposure based on tunneling current measurement. A method for controlling the gap between electrically conducting electrodes provided on a support structure. Each electrode has an electrode tip separated from other electrode tips by a gap. The electrodes are exposed to a flux of ions causing transport of material of the electrodes to corresponding electrode tips, locally adding material of the electrodes to electrode tips in the gap.

Abstract: A method for determining storage stability for a plurality of fluid lubricant samples of different compositions is provided. Each sample includes one or more lubricating oil additives, or a combination of one or more lubricant base oils and one or more lubricating oil additives. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil additives or lubricating oil compositions containing such additives are 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: An automated system and method for individually processing multiple specimens of particulate matter-containing liquid in respective containers. The containers are transported seriatim along a processing path to present them to, at least, a preprocessing apparatus (e.g., a mixing head), and then to a specimen acquisition apparatus, which removes preprocessed specimen fluid from the container for subsequent analytical testing or evaluation. Each apparatus is actuated in response to presentation of a container thereto so as to carry out its respective operation independently. An exemplary system can include, in sequential order, stations for container loading and unloading, container uncapping and cap disposal, specimen mixing, filter loading, specimen acquisition (e.g., by aspiration, and then slide printing), filter disposal, and container resealing.

Abstract: In a solution polymerization process the increase in gel content in the solution at one or more locations may be detected by monitoring the structure of a spectrum obtained by analyzing the reaction at said one or more locations using a spectrometer selected from the group consisting of infrared spectrometers, near infrared spectrometers and Raman spectrometers.

Abstract: A reference pH sensor, the preparation and application thereof. The reference pH sensor is an extended gate field effect transistor (EGFET) structure and comprises a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) on a semiconductor substrate, a sensing unit comprising a substrate, a solid-state conductive sensing layer on the substrate, and a polypyrrole layer on the solid-state conductive sensing layer, and a metal wire connecting the MOSFET and the sensing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for an a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the contamination of reaction containers which are empty or already fitted with analyte-free sampling material or sampling material having a low analyte concentration, inside a configuration of reaction containers which are spatially close to each other, when pipetting samples or reagents using an automatic sample distributor. Hardware-related measures for reducing or avoiding possible contamination are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process and system for recovering sulfur from a process gas stream initially comprising a hydrogen sulfide containing gas and an oxygen containing gas, a control process and system respectively are provided. The sulfur recovery process includes a thermal step having a beginning followed by a catalytic step having an end. The control process includes first analyzing a composition of the process gas stream at a first location between the beginning of the thermal step and the end of the catalytic step, first controlling the oxygen containing gas having regard to that first composition, second analyzing the composition of the process gas stream at a second location downstream of the end of the catalytic step, and second controlling the oxygen containing gas having regard to that second composition. The sulfur recovery system and control system therefor are provided for performing the steps of the sulfur recovery process and control process respectively.

Abstract: A device for controlling a ventilation system in the interior of a motor vehicle includes a gas concentration determining arrangement to determine the exterior concentration of a gas in the exterior air surrounding the vehicle and to determine the interior concentration of the same gas in the air contained in the interior of the vehicle, and an air flow control arrangement, via which the proportion of circulating air and the proportion of fresh air from the surroundings of the vehicle in the air delivered to the interior by the ventilation system are controlled as a function of the determined interior concentration or the determined exterior concentration. The gas concentration determining arrangement is represented by a single gas sensor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of combustion gases entering a pollution reduction process when such a process is applied to a steam generator burning fossil fuel having at least one heat exchanger. Improved operation of the pollution reduction process is achieved by controlling the temperature of combustion gases entering such a process through changes in the working fluid being heated by the combustion gases. This invention is applicable to all pollution reduction processes as associated with the combustion of fossil fuels, said processes being sensitive to the temperature of the combustion gases, said processes typically include NOX reduction processes, SOX reduction processes, and any pollution reduction process which employs a catalysis.

Abstract: The present invention is a cell-based method of identifying a set of signal transduction proteins having an intracellular localization pattern responsive to toxic compounds. The method requires identifying and screening an initial set of signal transduction proteins against a set of toxic compounds, and determining changes in intracellular localization pattern of each of the proteins. Proteins whose changes in intracellular localization pattern are redundant are discarded from the initial set, and new proteins are added to provide a new set of proteins. I repeat the method steps with new sets of proteins until the set of proteins provides me at least 5 principal components with respect to the range of compounds marketed as small organic molecules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting a milk line system and for determining the extent to which a milk line system is rinsed with a cleaning fluid, whereby in one or more places in the milk line system the electric conductivity if the cleaning fluid is determined. More in particular, according to the invention, the electric conductivity is measured in places which are difficult for the cleaning fluid to reach or at places in the milk line system which are more likely to harbor undesirable microbes. The cleaning solutions may be an alkali, detergent, hydrogen peroxide, or acid including peracetic acid, ozone, an alcohol, an aldehyde including formaldehyde, phenol and ethylene oxide, to the extent that these substances do not adversely affect materials such as the compositions of the teat cups.

Abstract: A combinatorial lubricating oil composition library is provided including at least a plurality of different lubricating oil compositions comprising (a) a major amount of a base oil of lubricating viscosity and (b) at least one lubricating oil additive. Methods for preparing same are also provided.

Abstract: A method of establishing liquid classes of complex mixtures for liquid handling equipment. The mixtures are composed of components and the equipment has equipment parameters. The first step comprises preparing a response curve for the components. The next step comprises using the response curve to prepare a response indicator for the mixtures. The next step comprises deriving a model that relates the components and the mixtures to establish the liquid classes.

Abstract: Processes and systems are provided for monitoring and blending a first stream and a second stream to produce a third stream of desired compositional characteristics. The processes and systems are found to be particularly useful for the blending of two or more hydrocarbon streams to economically produce a targeted hydrocarbon product stream meeting prescribed compositional specifications. Specifically, the processes and systems are found to be especially useful to blend a propane containing stream, having a vapor pressure lower than the vapor pressure of a targeted vapor pressure for a propane product, with an ethane containing stream. The blending processes and systems allow for production of an “on-spec” propane product stream while at the same time maximizing the value of the ethane stream. The processes and systems may incorporate continuous real-time analysis and flow control of the various streams to effectuate precise control the blending processes.

Abstract: In order to ensure optimum metering of a reagent to be metered into an exhaust gas during operation of a metering unit of a catalytic converter of a combustion system, in particular an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, in any operating state of the catalytic converter and/or in any operating state of the combustion system, a method and a device for operating a metering unit of a catalytic converter of a combustion system provide that, based on a steady-state value of the reagent quantity to be metered during a steady-state operating state of the catalytic converter and/or the combustion system, the quantity of the at least one reagent is determined and adjusted using at least one dynamic correction factor which is dependent on at least one of the performance characteristics of the catalytic converter and on at least one of the performance characteristics of the combustion system.

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: 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: Micro-reactors for selective enhancement of ligands by exponential enrichment (ISOS) include a reactant chamber defined in a fluoropolymer. A target exposure aperture controls a surface area, crystal face or orientation and surface features of a target that is exposed to a random mixture of candidate molecules. The surface area of the target can be selected based on number or concentration of candidate species to enhance candidate competition. The target surface can be formed by deposition of a thin film of a target material on a rigid substrate such as a glass plate. Selected exposure areas are typically substantially smaller than a characteristic cross sectional area of a reactant chamber volume and can be at least as small as 0.1 mm2.

Abstract: An automated sequential reaction system that can be used to either sequentially produce a plurality of different products each requiring a single reaction, or to produce a desired product that requires a series of sequential reactions. A system controller controls an automated reactant supply, a solvent supply, a reaction module, a detector, and a product collector. Prior to initiating any reaction, the system is flushed with solvent and a heat exchanger supplies the reaction module with a temperature-conditioned fluid to maintain the reaction module at a desired temperature. For single reactions, a plurality of reactants are injected into a chemical reactor included in the reaction module. As fluid exits the chemical reactor, the detector determines if the fluid is a desired chemical product or solvent, and routes the fluid to the appropriate receptacle.

Abstract: This invention relates to optomechanical systems and methods for altering, modifying or disrupting a target object. Such systems and methods are used for, for example, ablating the endogenous nucleus in a cell.

Abstract: A microchannel chip reaction control system of the present invention is characterized by being provided with a microchannel chip 1 having at least two microfluidic channels 1a and 1b for introducing reagent solutions A and B and a microfluidic reaction channel 1c formed by joining the two microfluidic channels 1a and 1b to each other, analysis means 2 for analyzing a product C obtained from the microfluidic reaction channel 1c, and control means 3 for controlling conditions for the reaction in the microchannel chip 1 on the basis of analysis results obtained from the analysis means 2.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a method for recognition of proteins and other biological molecules by imaging morphology, size and distribution of crystalline and amorphous dry residues in droplets (further referred to as “crystallization pattern”) containing predetermined amount of certain crystal-forming organic compounds (reporters) to which protein to be analyzed is added. It has been shown that changes in the crystallization patterns of a number of amino-acids can be used as a “signature” of a protein added. It was also found that both the character of changer in the crystallization patter and the fact of such changes can be used as recognition elements in analysis of protein molecules.