Abstract: A floral arrangement system for assembling, preparing and arranging pre-selected floral materials into a pre-selected floral arrangement includes a pattern system which includes a material list for instructing a user on obtaining pre-selected floral materials; a tool list for instructing the user on assembling tools to be used with the system; an integrated measurement means for measuring pre-selected floral materials to pre-selected lengths; an instruction means for instructing the user on preparing and arranging the materials into the preselected floral arrangement; and at least one placement pattern including pre-selected floral graphic placement pattern symbols showing the placement of each floral material.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for reversibly aggregating particles suspended in a liquid medium. The method comprises combining the liquid medium containing the particles with a polyionic polymer capable of aggregating the particles under conditions suitable for such aggregation. Thereafter, the particles are contacted with a chemical reagent capable of cleaving the polyionic polymer under conditions sufficient to reverse the aggregation. Optionally, magnetic particles are added to the liquid medium in the present method under conditions for non-specific binding and the medium including the aggregates is subjected to a magnetic field gradient to separate the aggregates from the medium. The compounds of the present invention are polyions. The aggregation of the particles is reversible upon contact with chemical agents which cleave at least some of the bonds within the polyionic polymer.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for reversibly aggregating particles suspended in a liquid medium. The method comprises combining the liquid medium containing the particles with a polyionic polymer capable of aggregating the particles under conditions suitable for such aggregation. Thereafter, the particles are contacted with a chemical reagent capable of cleaving the polyionic polymer under conditions sufficient to reverse the aggregation. Optionally, magnetic particles are added to the liquid medium in the present method under conditions for non-specific binding and the medium including the aggregates is subjected to a magnetic field gradient to separate the aggregates from the medium. The compounds of the present invention are polyions. The aggregation of the particles is reversible upon contact with chemical agents which cleave at least some of the bonds within the polyionic polymer.

Abstract: Novel compounds and assay methods are provided for determining the presence of lithium in serum, plasma, urine or other sample without deproteinization. The novel compounds are water soluble derivatives of TMC-crownformazans and provide signal enhancement by increased absorbance of the dye-lithium complex over the dye anion.

Abstract: Carbonyl derivatives of acetaminophen are provided for use in homogeneous enzyme immunoassays for acetaminophen. The derivatives are conjugated to antigenic substances for the preparation of antisera specific to acetaminophen, and to enzymes for the preparation of enzyme conjugates which compete with acetaminophen for antibody binding sites in a typical assay.

Abstract: Conjugates of salicylic acid and certain poly(amino acids), which are either antigenic or enzymes, are provided. Antibodies raised against the antigenic poly(amino acids) and the enzyme conjugates are used as reagents in immunoassays.

Abstract: A non-pressurized, self-sealing coffee maker and a method for using the coffee maker with microwave energy is provided. The coffee maker is vented such that there is no danger associated with steam pressure. The coffee maker uses a vented siphon system which allows discontinuance of microwave energy after the siphon action has been initiated. The apparatus itself also includes a gravity transfer device which allows water to drip directly on the ground coffee and prevents scorching.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a biological sample on a support is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hollow chamber with internal and external surfaces and a first and second end. The first end is open and is adapted for attachment to the first closure means. The second end is either closed or open. If open, the second end is adapted for attachment to a second closure means. The apparatus provides means for maintaining the support in contact with a liquid medium at all times regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides means for maintaining the original orientation of a non-integral support regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus is useful for isolating and culturing microorganisms.

Abstract: Assay methods are provided for determining an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The method is carried out using a composition that includes a conjugate of a first sbp member with a particle. A luminescer is reversibly associated with a nonaqueous phase of the particle. Where the first sbp member is not complementary to the analyte, a second sbp member that is capable of binding to the first sbp member is employed. Unbound conjugate is separated from conjugate that is bound to the analyte or to the second sbp member. A reagent for enhancing the detectability of the luminescer is added and the light emission of the luminescer acted on by the reagent is measured.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a biological sample on a support is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a hollow chamber with internal and external surfaces and a first and second end. The first and is open and is adapted for attachment to the first closure means. The second end is either closed or open. If open, the second end is adapted for attachment to a second closure means. The apparatus provides means for maintaining the support in contact with a liquid medium at all times regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides means for maintaining the original orientation of a non-integral support regardless of the orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus is useful for isolating and culturing microorganisms.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for reversibly aggregating particles suspended in a liquid medium. The method comprises combining the liquid medium containing the particles with a polyionic polymer capable of aggregating the particles under conditions suitable for such aggregation. Thereafter, the particles are contacted with a chemical reagent capable of cleaving the polyionic polymer under conditions sufficient to reverse the aggregation. Optionally, magnetic particles are added to the liquid medium in the present method under conditions for non-specific binding and the medium including the aggregates is subjected to a magnetic field gradient to separate the aggregates from the medium. The compounds of the present invention are polyions. The aggregation of the particles is reversible upon contact with chemical agents which cleave at least some of the bonds within the polyionic polymer.

Abstract: Fluorescent antigen conjugates are provided comprising antigens covalently bonded to at least one 2,7-dialiphatic substituted-9-phenyl-6-hydroxy-3H-xanthen-3-one, wherein the 1- and 8-positions are unsubstituted. Also provided are novel fluorescent compounds absorbing at wavelengths in excess of 500 nm, having active functionalities for linking to the antigen. Finally, methods are provided for analyzing antigens in serum, whereby serum interference is avoided.

Abstract: Tricyclic antidepressant functionalized compounds are provided for conjugation through a side chain to antigenic compounds, particularly poly(amino acids), and enzymes. The antigenic conjugates are employed for the production of antibodies and together with the enzyme conjugates find particular use in immunoassays for the determination or detection of the total amount of tricyclic antidepressants present in a sample.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for use in a chromatographic system wherein a component of a mixture is paritioned between a liquid phase and an immobile phase. The device is comprised of a chromatographic material. In the chromatographic system the component traverses at least a portion of the chromatographic material. The device generally has at least one longitudinal edge substantially corresponding to the direction of traverse of the component. The longitudinal edge includes means for controlling the shape of the front of the traversing component.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for use in a chromatographic system wherein a component of a mixture is partitioned between a liquid phase and an immobile phase. The device comprises at least one strip of a bibulous material. In the chromatographic system the component traverses at least a portion of the strip. The strip generally has a longitudinal edge substantially corresponding to the direction of traverse of the component. The longitudinal edge has the characteristic of substantially the same rate of traversal by the component along this edge when compared to the rate of traversal of the component along the body of the strip. The strips are prepared from a sheet of a bibulous material by non-deformative or non-compressive cutting of the sheet. The preferred cutting means is a laser beam.

Abstract: Novel compounds and assay methods are provided for determining the presence of lithium in serum, plasma, urine or other sample without deproteinization. The novel compounds are water soluble derivatives of TMC-crownformazans and provide signal enhancement by increased absorbance of the dye-lithium complex over the dye anion.

Abstract: Background interference which disrupts the measurement of an analyte in enzyme immunoassays with samples is substantially diminished. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the serum sample is treated with a sufficient amount of a peracid compound, either organic or inorganic, for a time and under conditions sufficient to reduce or eliminate background interference contributed by serum components other than analyte. The peracid compound is readily quenched, without adversely affecting the assay compositions. In another embodiment of the invention a liqand for the interfering component of the sample, such as unconjugated enzyme which is inactive but antigenic, is mixed with the sample to be analyzed. The presence of the liqand substantially reduces or eliminates background interference from components of the sample other than analyte.

Abstract: A novel agglutination assay is provided which brings together through the intermediacy of the binding of specific binding pair members particles which differ by having different members of a signal producing system. The signal producing system is characterized by having two enzymes which are related by having the product of one enzyme being the substrate of the other, where the reaction of the second enzyme results in a product providing a detectable signal, desirably including a scavenger for the product of the first enzyme. The amount of product providing the detectable signal which is produced is related to the amount of analyte in the media. The composition and ratio of particles can be provided in reagent kits to optimize the assay results.

Abstract: Serum is passed through a column containing alkylated silica gel. The column is then washed with a mixture comprising from about 50 to 85 volume percent of an aqueous buffered medium of pH from about 3.5 to 5.0 and from about 15 to 50 volume percent of an organic solvent containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and from 1 to 5 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. The tricyclic antidepressant drug is removed from the column with an eluent mixture comprising from about 0 to 75 volume percent of an aqueous buffered medium of pH of about from 6 to 8 and from about 25 to 100 volume percent of one or more organic solvents containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and from 1 to 5 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. In this way, a tricyclic antidepressant drug sample, free from interfering metabolites, for use in assay determinations is obtained.

Abstract: Unsymmetrically substituted 6-hydroxy-3H-xanthen-3-ones for use as fluorescers or quenchers, particularly conjugated to provide reagents in competitive protein binding assays. Substituents are aliphatic groups bonded to an annular carbon atom through carbon or oxygen.