Abstract: Wipes, methods and kits useful for testing and/or removal of metal from surfaces (such as, dermal surfaces) are disclosed. Exemplar wipes, including the combination of a three-dimensionally textured absorbent support, a cationic surfactant, and a weak acid, are disclosed. In some examples, the cationic surfactant is isostearamidopropyl morpholine lactate (ISML), and the weak acid is citric acid.

Abstract: By using a G protein-coupled receptor protein comprising an amino acid sequence, which is the same or substantially the same as the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or a salt thereof, and an ionizable metal element or a salt thereof, an agonist for or an antagonist to the above receptor protein or a salt thereof can be efficiently screened.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the use of fluorogenic probes for development of a rapid, and cost-effective determination of lead clearance following lead hazard control activities. The invention involves the use of fluorogenic chemosensors for efficient detection of lead in dust on hard surfaces at regulatory levels. The use of methods for lead visualization based on one or more of the fluorogenic type compounds would be highly beneficial to lead abatement projects. The identification of areas of high lead concentration (hotspots) can allow work to be focused on areas that have the greatest impact on clearance. Also, a rapid and cost-effective means of determining if lead clearance has been met can improve compliance with lead abatement activities. This would decrease the amount of time and materials spent in general surface cleaning and allow the elimination of isolated areas of lead concentration that may otherwise have been missed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imprinted polymer imprinted with an organic molecule or a metal ion wherein the matrix of the polymer has been prepared from one or more monomers including bilirubin or an analogue thereof. The imprinted polymers may be prepared by polymerising one or more monomers including bilirubin or an analogue or derivative thereof in the presence of the molecule or metal ion to be imprinted or an analogue or derivative thereof, and subsequently at least partly removing the molecule or ion to be imprinted or its analogue or derivative. The polymers may be used in a method for detection and/or assay of the imprinting molecule or metal ion.

Abstract: A test method and kit are disclosed. The method is for use with an object, said method comprising the steps of: (a) treating a surface of the object to expose an undersurface area; (b) exposing the undersurface to a sulfide; and (c) visually monitoring the appearance of the sulfide to which the undersurface was exposed for a color change. The color change is indicative of the presence or absence of lead in the object. The test kit can comprise: an abrasive material; a vessel containing a water soluble sulfide solution; a lead-free color comparison chart to which the color of the sulfide can be compared; and a confirmation strip adapted to cause said sulfide to undergo a color change, when exposed to said strip, at least similar to the color change that would be produced in the sulfide on exposure to lead.

Abstract: Fine particles whose excitation light is not UV light or the like which has negative effects on a subject to be analyzed. The excitation light is emitted stably, and has excellent light emitting efficiency. Also a fluorescent probe including: fine particles containing a rare earth element excited by light having a wavelength in a range of 500 nm to 2000 nm and thereby emit up-conversion emission; and a specific binding substance which binds to the fine particles containing a rare earth element.

Abstract: A liquid analyser has a reactor portion and an associated measurement portion. A sample pump is operable to deliver a liquid sample to a reactor vessel. A base pump supplies a base solution to the reactor vessel. An ozone generator supplies ozone to the reactor vessel. The liquid sample is oxidised in the reactor vessel by means of hydroxyl radicals which are generated using the base solution and ozone to reduce complex components of the liquid sample to their lowest state in solution. The oxidised sample solution is delivered to an optical detector in the measurement portion to determine the concentration of one or more selected materials such as nitrogen, phosphorous or a heavy metal in the oxidised sample solution.

Abstract: A method of directed automated analysis of a plurality of analytes of a process solution includes providing a sample of the process solution containing a plurality of the analytes, admixing an enriched isotope spike for each of the plurality of analytes to be analyzed with the process solution sample thereby effecting admixture of the enriched ratio of isotopes with the naturally occurring ratio of each analyte to be analyzed, creating ions from the spikes, introducing the ions into a mass spectrometer for determination of the identity and quantity of each analyte and delivering the information to a microprocessor. If desired, the process solution sample may be diluted and/or subjected to the addition of reagents or standards prior to initiation of the analysis. The ions may be created by an atmospheric pressure ionization interface. The information obtained is processed in a computer which serves to control other portions of the practice of the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a sample. Preferably, the sample is a sample to be analyzed, for example for ingredient content, etc. Preferred samples include foods, cosmetics, paints, coatings, adhesives, tanning agents, fabrics, chemical compositions, dyestuffs, samples subject to forensic studies, etc. Samples prepared according to the invention method are digested in sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and one or more fluoride salts selected from LiF, NaF, RbF, CsF and KF and then preferably subjected to analysis for metal content, etc, for example using atomic absorption (“AA”) and inductively coupled plasma (“ICP”).

Abstract: A method for determining the presence or amount of a metal-labelled species in a sample may include causing the metal of the metal-labelled species in the sample to form a soluble electrochemically-active complex which is stable relative to moieties present or potentially present in the sample which will form an insoluble and/or electrochemically-inactive complex with the metal, and electrochemically measuring the formed complex to provide an indication of the presence or amount of the metal-labelled species.

Abstract: A chemical cell (40) containing silver nitrate is connected at the inlet (10) of an ion mobility spectrometer (1) so that sample gas for detection flows to the IMS via the chemical cell. When the sample gas contains arsine or phosphine, to which the IMS is not normally sensitive, this is converted by the silver nitrate in the cell (40) to nitric acid, to which the IMS is sensitive. In order to distinguish between nitric acid produced in response to arsine or phosphine and nitric acid present in the sample gas before supply to the cell (40), the inlet (10) is switched to receive sample gas directly.

Abstract: Provided is a method of lysing a cell or a virus using a free radical. The method includes: applying an electric field to a mixture of a metal ion, a peroxide, and a cell or virus solution to increase the free radical generation, thereby lysing a cell or a virus. In the present method, cell lysis may be efficiently performed using a low electrical energy (several mV to several V). When the present method is applied to a microsystem, cell lysis can occur at a desired time and in a desired space by controlling the electrical energy, thus being suitable to realize a lab-on-a-chip (LOC).

Abstract: A method of analyzing relatively large soil samples for actinides by employing a separation process that includes cerium fluoride precipitation for removing the soil matrix and precipitates plutonium, americium, and curium with cerium and hydrofluoric acid followed by separating these actinides using chromatography cartridges.

Abstract: A highly selective and sensitive of a carbonic anhydrase-based method for measurement of zinc ion by an excitation ratiometric format based on resonance energy transfer: i.e., where the zinc ion level is transduced as the ratio of fluorescence intensities excited at two different excitation wavelengths, is provided. The method can be used very well in a fluorescence microscopy format. A detection limit of about 10 pM in zinc buffered systems, a ten to one thousand-fold improvement on the Fura indicators (which respond to Ca and Mg as well), and a one hundred thousand-fold improvement on the recently described FuraZin-1 is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides fluorogenic compounds for the detection of target metal ions wherein the compounds exhibit a Stokes shift greater than 50 nm and the detectable signal is modulated by photoinduced electron transfer (PET). The present compounds consist of three functional elements, the ion sensing moiety (chelating moiety), the reporter moiety (fluorophore or fluorescent protein) and spacer or linker between the sensing and reporter moieties of the present compound that allows for PET upon binding of a metal ion and excitation by an appropriate wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a marker useful for detection and measurement of free radical damage. Specifically, the invention takes advantage of alterations which occur to the N-terminus of the albumin molecule, a circulating protein in human blood, in the presence of free radicals. These alterations affect the ability of the N-terminus of the albumin molecule to bind metals. Methods for detecting and quantifying this alteration include evaluating and quantifying the cobalt binding capacity of an albumin containing sample, analysis and measurement of the ability of albumin to bind exogenous cobalt, detection and measurement of the presence of copper in a purified albumin sample and use of an immunological assay specific to the altered form of serum albumin which occurs following free radical damage.

Abstract: The subject application comprises methods for determining the occurrence of an ischemic event in a subject by determining an ischemia score based on the amount of at least two ischemia modified albumin markers. The ischemia modified albumin markers include complexes of fatty acids bound to albumin, albumin molecules with open Cys34 sites, albumin molecules that are products of oxidation at Cys34, albumin molecules with altered conformation or altered divalent metal binding due to the conformational change or oxidation at Cys34, and albumin molecules that have been oxidized at the N-terminus. Also included in the invention are ligands to each of the foregoing ischemia modified albumin markers. Further included are methods of determining the occurrence of an ischemic event by determining the amount of fatty acid that is complexed to albumin in a patient sample. In another embodiment, an ischemic event is determined by quantitating the relative amounts of reduced and oxidized forms of albumin Cys34.

Abstract: Methods of using genetically-transformed plants in the phytoremediation of lead are described. Unlike many organisms in which only 10-kDa ACBPs have been identified, there exists a family of six ACBPs in the model plant Arabidopsis. Other than a function in mediating the transfer of acyl-CoA esters in plant lipid metabolism, all six Arabidopsis ACBPs can bind the heavy metal lead and are therefore applicable for phytoremediation. These methods of phytoremediation will provide a cheap, simple and efficient method in the removal of contaminating lead from soil/water/environment by the growth of the ACBP-overexpressing genetically-transformed plants in the contaminated environment. There is also provided a method to remove lead from contaminated water.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the concentration and removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions are described, comprising treating the aqueous solutions with photoswitchable ionophores.

Abstract: A lytic reagent composition and methods for differential analysis of leukocytes are disclosed. In embodiments, the analysis may utilize optical measurements in flow cytometry based hematology analyzers. The reagent system includes an anionic surfactant in a hypotonic solution, an inorganic buffer to maintain the pH in a range from about 6 to about 10, and optionally a leukocyte stabilizer. The reagent system is used to lyse red blood cells and stabilize the leukocytes to enable multi-part differentiation of leukocytes in a near physiologic pH environment on a flow cytometry based hematology analyzer using axial light loss, light scatter intensity, high-numerical aperture side scatter, and time-of-flight measurements.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments concern quantifying a biomolecule conjugated to a nanoparticle. Quantifying typically comprises determining the number of biomolecules per nanoparticle. Any suitable biomolecule can be used, including but not limited to, amino acids, peptides, proteins, haptens, nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, DNA, RNA, and combinations thereof. A single type of biomolecule may be conjugated to the nanoparticle, more than one biomolecule of a particular class may be conjugated to the nanoparticle, or two or more classes of biomolecules may be conjugated to the nanoparticle. Certain disclosed embodiments comprise enzymatically or chemically digesting a biomolecule conjugated to the nanoparticle, or displacing a biomolecule using ligand-exchange chemistry.

Abstract: A method of detecting oxidants in a biological sample comprising: adding a source of ferrous ions to said sample, whereby the presence of oxidants in said sample oxidize at least a portion of said ferrous ions to ferric ions; adding a chromogenic compound to said sample, whereby said chromogenic compound reacts with at least a portion of any ferric ions present in said sample; and detecting for the product of said chromogenic compound-ferric ion reaction; whereby the detection of said chromogenic compound-ferric ion reaction product indicates the presence of oxidants in said sample. The method of detecting adulteration of a urine sample also comprises adding a source of ferrous ions to a urine sample; adding a chromogenic compound to said urine sample; detecting the presence or absence of a chromogenic reaction product; determining a concentration of said chromogenic reaction product; and determining if said concentration signifies adulteration of said urine sample.

Abstract: A bulk sample is fed with a liquid into a mixing tank (1) where it is stirred to form a dispersion. A proportion of the dispersion is recycled from the bottom of the tank through a line to the top of the tank so that at least the dispersion in the recycle loop (3) is substantially homogeneous, and a representative sample of the dispersion is taken from the recycle loop, e.g. using a slurry sampler (5).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel assays for zero-valent transition metals. The novel assays of the present invention are generally methods or processes for quantitatively and/or qualitatively evaluating the presence of zero-valent transition metals on and/or within samples. Such assays generally involve a digestion process whereby the sample is exposed to carbon monoxide. Transition metals, if present in or on the sample and if contacted by the carbon monoxide, are extracted by the carbon monoxide as metal carbonyl species, the presence of which confirms the presence of transition metals. Such novel assays have enormous predictive power in oil and gas exploration.

Abstract: A fluorescent dye-doped crystalline assay is employed for selection and detection of thiophilic heavy metal ions. While comparable in analytical performance to known solution based methodologies, the formation of crystalline analytes provides for signal amplification, and consequently, a powerful platform whose analysis is directly amenable to high-throughput video capture systems. In a microcapillary format, this assay is capable of screening hundreds of samples per day for the presence of subnanomolar concentrations of Hg2+ using a conventional fluorescence microscope.

Abstract: Stimuli-responsive magnetic nanoparticles, methods of making the nanoparticles, and methods of using the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Improved operating modes of a micro counter-current flame ionization detector (?FID) are demonstrated. By operating the flame inside the end of a capillary gas chromatography (GC) column, the effective cell volume enclosing the flame is considerably reduced and results in significantly lower gas flows being required to produce optimal sensitivity from the stable flame. In a post-column ?FID arrangement, a very lean flame is now situated on the end of a stainless steel capillary delivering 10 mL/min of hydrogen, which is opposed by a counter-current flow of only 20 mL/min of oxygen. The ?FID detection limit obtained in this stable, oxygen-rich counter-current flame mode is 7×10?11 gC/s with a response that is linear over 6 orders of magnitude. These findings are comparable to those of a conventional FID.

Abstract: Nanotubes and nanotube-based devices are implemented in a variety of applications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a nanotube is adapted to pass current between two conductive elements. In one implementation, each conductive element includes a catalyst material, wherein electrical connection is made to opposite ends of the nanotube at each of the catalyst portions. In one implementation, the electrical connection is used to detect an electrical characteristic of the nanotube, such as the response of the nanotube to exposure to one or more of a variety of materials. In another implementation, the nanotube is used for chemical and biological sensing. In still another implementation, a particular functionality is imparted to the nanotube using one or more of a variety of materials coupled to the nanotube, such as metal particles, biological particles and/or layers of the same.

Abstract: Methods for the detection and measurement of tagged (labeled) biologically active materials in a sample are described. The tagged biologically active materials are detected using an atomic mass or optical spectrometer having a source of atoms or atomic ions. Element-labeled biologically active materials, comprising antibodies, antibody Fab? fragments, antigens, aptamers, protein complexes, growth factors, hormones, receptors and other biologically active materials attached to a stable elemental tag, can be used in specific binding assays and measured by elemental spectroscopic detection. Also described are methods for the determination of metals in samples of interest using specific antibodies to isolate the target metals and elemental spectroscopy for detection and quantitation. Kits are provided comprising reagents to detect and measure labeled biologically active materials or labeled competition analytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a column packing and concentrating columns for the analysis of metallic elements, wherein the column packing is formed from swollen and cleaned macroporous adsorbent resins of high, medium or non-polarity via dynamic on-column treatment or static immersion treatment using treating solution I or treating solution II; said treating solution I is a mixed aqueous solution of 0.02˜0.06 g/L of 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridyl azo)-5-diethylamino phenol, 1.60˜1.90 g/L of Na2B4O7.10H2O, 6.0×10?3˜8.0×10?3 mol/L of HCl, and polyethylene glycol octyl phenyl ether with a volume percent of 0.3˜0.8%; said treating solution II is a mixed aqueous solution of 0.04˜0.10 g/L of 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridyl azo)-5-diethylamino phenol, 0.05˜0.08 mol/L of glycin, 0.05˜0.08 mol/L of NaOH, 0.010˜0.015 mol/L of NaCl, and polyethylene glycol octyl phenyl ether with a volume percent of 0.3˜0.8%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to sensors for detecting metal ions, and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A sensor and method for making a sensor includes providing a substrate having an adhesion layer with a first functional group operatively associated with a sol-gel composition having a second functional group, and at least one linker material for connecting the first functional group to the second functional group. In another embodiment, a sensor and method for making the sensor includes providing a sol-gel layer operatively associated with a sol-gel precursor solution that includes at least one co-polymer and at least one solvent adapted to resist the deformation of the sol-gel layer by decreasing evaporation, decreasing cross-linking, increasing intermolecular forces, or increasing elasticity.

Abstract: Provided herein are metal detection reagents including at least one ammonium salt of Formula 1: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-30 alkyl and C3-14 aryl, and X? is independently selected from the group consisting of bromide, chloride, iodide, fluoride, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate and methods of using the metal detection reagents to monitor one or more metal ion levels in a solution.

Abstract: Detection systems and methods of their use are provided. An exemplary system comprises a chamber for holding culture media, the chamber having a cellular attachment surface, and a detector disposed in the chamber comprising a surface modified with a binding agent for binding a target substance wherein the detection system is configured to detect interaction of the target substance with the binding agent. The detection can occur in either liquid or vapor phase and the subsequent action of the system is to respond in a programmed and appropriate manner to the binding event by activation of a chemical or physical responder. The system may also respond by communicating information to a control system via an alarm.

Abstract: Diamino polyacetate benzene compounds are used as a selective fluorescence probe, sensor, or binders for divalent metal ions. The compounds provide for uses as divalent metal ion sensors in diagnostic applications and binders for environmental and medical treatments.

Abstract: A method of measuring the concentration of metal ions in a sample comprising the steps of: providing a sample comprising a nonpolar, liquid hydrocarbon, suspected of containing a metal ion; adding a dye such as a spirobenzopyran dye or bathocuproine and a reducing agent to the sample; wherein the dye forms a complex with the metal ion; wherein the complex has a spectral shift in light absorbance relative to the dye; observing the spectral shift; and calculating the concentration of the metal ion in the sample.

Abstract: A formulation for preparing water samples for determining arsenic concentration by colorimetry is provided. The chemical reagents in the formulation may be provided as premeasured and premixed tablets or pills. The chemical reagents include sulfamic acid, an oxidizer, and color reagents for selectively forming molybdenum-based color complexes with arsenates and phosphates. To test for arsenic, the water samples are acidified by addition of sulfamic acid. Sulfamic acid also advantageously reduces arsenic to an arsenite state. Arsenic in the water sample is oxidized or re-oxidized to an arsenate state by addition of the oxidizer. Then, color reagents are used to selectively bind and convert arsenates and phosphates in the water samples into molybdenum-blue color complexes.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence or amount of a gadolinium chelate in a biological sample. The method includes contacting a biological sample with a dye selected from arsenazo III or chlorophosphonazo at low pH, and measuring the absorbance of the sample, thereby determining the presence or amount of gadolinium in the sample. A method for determining glomerular filtration (GFR) rate in a mammal. The method includes administering to the mammal an amount of a gadolinium chelate and determining the concentration levels of the chelate in biological samples taken from the animal at plurality of intervals following administration of the chelate. The concentration levels of the chelate are correlated to GFR.

Abstract: We disclose methods of sorting or separating mixtures of living cells (e.g., eukaryotic, prokaryotic, mammalian, pathogenic, bacterial, viral, etc.). We perform our methods by activating cell-selective photophoric labels, which photosensitize and chemically reduce a photosensitive metal compound to form metal grains, particles or crystals. The metal adheres to the cells and forms the basis for sorting or separating different cell types. Photophoric labels may include chemiluminescent agents such as peroxidase enzymes activated with peroxidase substrates capable of luminescence. Photosensitive metal compounds may be present in a light-sensitive matrix or emulsion containing photosensitizable metal compounds, which form metal grains, particles or crystals upon exposure to a developer solution. Developer solutions are formulated to substantially allow living cells to remain viable after exposure to the developing solution.

Abstract: An improved elemental mercury analyzer utilizes a fluorescence assembly in combination with a fluorescence quenching reduction mechanism to detect the concentration of elemental mercury within an emission gas sample, via fluorescence of the mercury within the gas sample, while minimizing fluorescence quenching of the gas sample. In one arrangement, the analyzer contains the emission gas sample under a vacuum or negative pressure while detecting fluorescence of the elemental mercury within the emission gas sample. By performing fluorescence detection of the emission gas sample at reduced pressure relative to the pressure of the as-sampled emission gas, the analyzer reduces the number of particle collisions within the emission gas sample over a certain period of time. Such collisional deactivation, and/or the addition of oxygen depleted gas such as nitrogen to the gas sample, reduces fluorescence quenching of the emission gas sample, improving accuracy of detection of mercury.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting probe-target substrate binding. In particular, the present invention provides a method for detecting a surface bound target complex by detecting the redox reaction of a redox transition metal complex that is catalyzed by a redox-catalyst complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active energy ray curable composition for coating optical disc, comprising a urethane (meth)acrylate compound having at least one amide group in the molecule, an ethylenically unsaturated compound other than the urethane (meth)acrylate compound and a photopolymerization initiator; and an optical disc having a cured coating layer obtained by curing the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active energy ray curable composition for coating optical disc, comprising a urethane (meth)acrylate compound having at least one amide group in the molecule, an ethylenically unsaturated compound other than the urethane (meth)acrylate compound and a photopolymerization initiator; and an optical disc having a cured coating layer obtained by curing the composition.

Abstract: A method of assigning expected recovery values to control substances used in analytical testing is disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of neutralizing the matrix of an acidic solution including at least one metal using a weak anion exchange resin is provided. The method includes the acts of: activating the weak anion exchange resin with a weakly acidic metal complexing reagent, the weakly acidic metal complexing reagent partially disassociating into protons and metal complexing anions, whereby some functional groups in the weak anion exchange resin are protonated and bind with the metal complexing anions; and neutralizing a sample of the acidic solution with the activated weak anion exchange resin.

Abstract: Novel reagent formulations and methods are described for the use of phosphonazo III to measure calcium, magnesium and sodium in biological fluids.

Abstract: Methods of analyzing mercury containing samples for inorganic and organomercurial complexes are disclosed. The methods are highly sensitive and are especially suited to samples containing significant amounts of organic matter. Kits and devices for mercury analysis are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for determining the amount of at least one metal analyte present in a liquid or gas sample of a halosilane supply (e.g., a chlorosilane supply) are disclosed herein. A sample of a halosilane supply is contacted and reacted with an aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution to produce a liquid reaction mixture. Liquid from the liquid reaction mixture is evaporated under controlled temperature and pressure conditions to near dryness. The nearly-dry residue is prepared for spectral analysis. The presence of a detectable amount of at least one metal analyte is determined for the sample.

Abstract: Porphyrins containing one or more neutral or negatively-charged, closo- or nido-carborane substituents are useful as chelators. The carbon-carbon bonds linking the boron-containing groups to the porphyrin ring make the compounds highly resistant to hydrolysis. These compounds have potential for use in selective binding to specific ligands. These compounds are highly stable, soluble in water and organic solvents, and have low toxicity.

Abstract: A novel method of conjugating chelators to biomolecules such as proteins is provided. More particularly, the invention provides compositions and methods of using those compositions for the detection, purification and transport of divalent metal cation binding biomolecules.