Abstract: The present invention provides high-density arrays including mask layers and methods of manufacturing the same. The arrays are formed on a polymeric substrate and include a mask layer. Various linking agents, linking agent coatings, and/or reactants may be provided on the mask layer. Where present, the linking agents and reactants preferably operate together to capture a desired analyte which can then be detected based on an electromagnetic signal, e.g., fluorescence, that is emitted by the analyte in response to excitation energy incident on the array. With the mask layer in place, the signal-to-background ratio provided by the arrays can be increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides high-density arrays including mask layers and methods of manufacturing the same. The arrays are formed on a polymeric substrate and include a mask layer. Various linking agents, linking agent coatings, and/or reactants may be provided on the mask layer. Where present, the linking agents and reactants preferably operate together to capture a desired analyte which can then be detected based on an electromagnetic signal, e.g., fluorescence, that is emitted by the analyte in response to excitation energy incident on the array. With the mask layer in place, the signal-to-background ratio provided by the arrays can be increased.

Abstract: High-density, miniaturized arrays including high surface areas. Arrays described include substrate with a coating of linking agents, as well as arrays with reactants affixed to the substrates. Methods of manufacturing high-density arrays of reactants. The methods include the use of oriented, heat shrink films and elastomeric materials. Methods of functionalizing a substrate with linking agents for subsequent affixation of reactants are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: High-density, miniaturized arrays including high surface areas. Arrays described include substrate with a coating of linking agents, as well as arrays with reactants affixed to the substrates. Methods of manufacturing high-density arrays of reactants. The methods include the use of oriented, heat shrink films and elastomeric materials. Methods of functionalizing a substrate with linking agents for subsequent affixation of reactants are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An improved face mask that is retained by a carriage and harness assembly, thereby allowing the face mask to drop down from the face of the wearer.

Abstract: Microtextured elastomeric materials having at least one elastomeric core layer or region and at least one skin layer wherein the skin layer has a semi-crystalline or amorphous polymer and an elastomeric block copolymer or pressure sensitive adhesive, the combination of which is less elastic than the core layer and will undergo permanent deformation at the stretch percentage that the elastomeric laminate will undergo. The materials are suited for use in applications such as respirators.

Abstract: Methods of detecting bacteria including the use of an immobilized enzyme substrate, and the immobilized enzyme substrate.

Abstract: Respiratory devices having first and second lines of demarcation bisected by a fold. The devices are capable of being folded in a first substantially flat configuration for storage (e.g., in a pocket) and are capable of being unfolded in a second ready-to-wear configuration so that a portion of the device covering the nose and the mouth is off-the-face. Processes for making such devices include folding a preform over a bisecting axis and cutting the preform at desired angles and sealing the cuts together to form the mask.

Abstract: A method for partitioning an aqueous biological liquid sample into discrete microvolumes for detection and enumeration of microorganisms is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of hydrophilic liquid-retaining zones of a culture device, where each liquid-retaining zone is surrounded by a portion of a hydrophobic “land” area. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.

Abstract: A heat exchanger utilizing active fluid transport of a heat transfer fluid is manufactured with multiple discrete flow passages provided by a simple but versatile construction. The microstructured channels are replicated onto a film layer which is utilized in the fluid transfer heat exchanger. The surface structure defines the flow channels which are generally uninterrupted and highly ordered. These flow channels can take the form of linear, branching or dendritic type structures. A cover layer having favorably thermal conductive properties is provided on the structured bearing film surface. Such structured bearing film surfaces and the cover layer are thus used to define microstructure flow passages. The use of a film layer having a microstructured surface facilitates the ability to highly distribute a potential across the assembly of passages to promote active transport of a heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: Azlactone-functional supports are used to provide cell selection from a mixture such as bone marrow or peripheral blood having a desired target cell population. An azlactone-functional support is derivatized by covalently coupling to the support a biologically active substance that binds the target cells. A mixture containing the target cells is contacted with the derivatized support to bind the target cells to the biologically active substance, and unbound remaining mixture is removed from the support. Bound cells may be eluted from the support to obtain purified target cells. Biologically active substances include antibodies, lectins, proteins, antigens and avidin. The biologically active substance may directly or indirectly bind cells in the mixture. Indirect binding may be through a second, intermediary biologically active substance that is bifunctional.

Abstract: A process for preparing a molded article that includes: (a) bringing a moldable material and an open molding tool comprising a molding surface into line contact with each other to imprint a microfluid processing architecture pattern onto the moldable material and thereby form a molded article; and (b) separating the molded article from said molding surface. The invention also features various microfluid processing architecture-bearing, polymeric articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tentering nonwoven webs during annealing. The nonwoven web of thermoplastic fibers is restrained on a tentering structure at a plurality of tentering points distributed across an interior portion of the web, rather than just along its edges. The nonwoven web is annealed while restrained on the tentering structure to form a dimensionally stable nonwoven fibrous web, dimensionally stable up to at least the heatsetting temperature. The annealed nonwoven fibrous web is then removed from the tentering structure. In one embodiment, the tentering structure restrains the nonwoven fibrous web in a non-planar configuration during the annealing process. The tentering structure includes a plurality of tentering points projecting distally from a tentering support. The tentering points are positioned to be engaged with an interior portion of the web, thus restraining the web during annealing.

Abstract: A computer controlled method for predicting acoustical properties for a generally homogeneous porous material includes providing at least one prediction model for determining one or more acoustical properties of homogeneous porous materials, providing a selected prediction model for use in predicting acoustical properties for the generally homogeneous porous material, and providing an input set of at least microstructural parameters corresponding to the selection model. One or more macroscopic properties for the homogeneous porous material are determined based on the input set of the microstructural parameters and acoustical properties for the homogeneous porous material are generated as a function of the one or more macroscopic properties and the selected prediction model.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of compounds having the general structure: wherein: Z1 and Z2 each independently represent an arene nucleus, which has from 5 to 14 ring atoms; G1 and G2 each independently represent a metal ligating group; R represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an acylamino group, an alkoxy group, a sulfonamido group, an aryl group, a thiol group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, an alkylamino group, an arylamino group, an amino group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, an alkylsulfoxyl group, an arylsulfoxyl group, an aryloxyl group, a hydroxyl group, a thioamido group, a carbamoyl group, a suffamoyl group, a formyl group, an acyl group, a ureido group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, a silyl group, or a sulfoalkoxy group; L1 represents a nitrogen heterocycle; L2 represents a monodentate or polydentate (e.g.

Abstract: Microbial spores having increased sensitivity to sterilants are provided. An additive such as a dipeptide, oligosaccharide, and/or polyhydroxyalcohols are added to the spores wherein the additive is bound to sterilant-sensitive sites in the spores. The additive increases sensitivity of the spores to a sterilant. More than one additive can be utilized to alter the sensitivity of the spores to a sterilant. Biological indicators comprising the microbial spores and a solid support are also disclosed and those spores having a dipeptide specifically bound to sterilant-sensitive sites in the spores have an altered sensitivity to a sterilant. Furthermore, a method is disclosed for altering the sensitivity of microbial spores to a sterilant comprising drying the spores at a temperature between 35° C. and 55° C. in a liquid composition having an amount of the additive therein.

Abstract: An assay device for detection and enumeration of microorganisms. The device includes absorbent discs on a substrate, an inoculation vehicle to inoculate the discs with sample and an optional coversheet. Methods of use are also disclosed.