Abstract: A spinnable rotor for a high speed centrifuge includes a housing which defines a chamber interiorly thereof for receiving a whole blood sample and for containing a predetermined amount of red blood cell absorbent gel. The housing includes an upper portion and a bottom portion, the upper portion having a port formed through the thickness thereof. The upper portion has at least a portion thereof formed from a light transmissible material. A light pipe is joined to the upper portion and light transmissively communicates with the light transmissive portion of the upper portion. The light pipe extends at least partially into the chamber and has an open, lower free end. When whole blood filling the rotor chamber contacts the lower free end of the light pipe, the red color of the blood is transmissively communicated to the upper portion of the rotor housing where it is viewable by the user of the centrifuge.

Abstract: A light source for a reflectometer which is used in a chemical analyzer includes a plurality of light emitting devices. Some of the light emitting devices emit light of different wavelengths. The light emitting devices are arcuately arranged about a circle having a predetermined radius. Adjacent light emitting devices are spaced from each other a predetermined distance. The light emitting devices are positioned to direct light emitted therefrom to an illumination plane. At least two, but preferably three or four, of the light emitting devices emit light of substantially the same wavelength and are illuminated simultaneously to provide a volume of substantially homogenous irradiance at the illumination plane.

Abstract: A composition for use in a medium for detecting yeasts and molds in a test sample, the composition comprises a substrate for an aminopeptidase; and a signal moiety linked to the substrate, the signal moiety capable of providing a detectable signal when cleaved by aminopeptidase in yeasts or molds. Optionally, an aminopeptidase inhibitor is added to the composition, to reduce endogenous enzymatic activity in samples. A method for use of the composition to detect the presence or amount of yeasts and/or molds in a test sample comprises inoculating a medium comprising the composition of claim 1 with said test sample; incubating the inoculated medium under conditions suitable for the growth of yeasts or molds; and, observing any detectable signal, whereby the presence of a detectable signal indicates the presence of yeasts or molds in the test sample.

Abstract: A composition and method for detecting the presence or amount of yeasts and molds in a test sample is presented. The composition contains a substrate and an inhibitor for an aminopeptidase. The substrate has a signal moiety capable of providing a detectable signal when cleaved by an aminopeptidase in yeasts or molds. The aminopeptidase inhibitor serves to reduce the endogenous aminopeptidase activity in the test sample. The method to detect yeasts or molds in a sample includes inoculating a test sample with the disclosed composition, incubating the sample and observing any detectable signal that indicates the presence of yeasts or molds.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies specific for an epitope of an FIV-encoded antigen.