Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic device capable of reacting an enzyme or other agent with a substantially purified polypeptide. In one embodiment of the present invention, the microfluic device comprises a plurality of reaction channels wherein the substantially purified polypeptide is delivered to a reaction channel. Once confined within the reaction channel, the substantially purified polypeptide engages the enzyme or agent and produces a reaction product. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reaction product is concentrated at a charged membrane prior to being removed from the microfluidic device. Additionally, the present invention provides a method of concentrating a positive analyte at a positively charged membrane and a negative analyte at a negatively charged membrane. Once concentrated, the analytes may be removed from the microfluidic device.

Abstract: An aerially deployable position marking device includes an elongated housing, a handle secured to the housing, a ground engaging portion at or adjacent the lower end of the housing and at least one locating element which may take the form of visibility enhancing elements which are nonenergized, electrically energized, visibility enhancing devices or acoustic devices or energy releasing elements which release RF signals or other sources of energy as well as other types. Appropriate sources of energy and switch or switches may be provided.

Abstract: Rollers used on conveyors and inside the zinc-pot of a steel-sheet galvanizing line are usually driven by friction between the roller and the belt or sheet. To keep rollers from stalling, the bearing diameter is minimized. The allowable bending stress in the bearing shaft limits its length. Rollers operating in high temperature furnaces or in a hot zinc pot of a steel galvanizing line often have limited or non-existent bearing lubrication. In such cases, bearings of small diameter and limited length result in high contact pressure and short lifetime. Inside a zinc-pot, bearing life often does not exceed one week of operation. Most of these bearings are designed to have a stationary bearing housing with the roller shaft rotating inside. For small diameter rollers such shafts are an integral part of the roller. For cylindrical shell type rollers, short shafts are welded to plugs, which are then welded to each end of the roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for Edman degradation using a microfluidic system to identify and characterize peptides is disclosed. A microfluidic device comprises an entrance channel through which a substantially purified polypeptide is accepted, a reaction channel engaging the entrance channel wherein the substantially purified polypeptide is digested, producing a digestion product, a reagent reservoir engaging the reaction channel, the reagent reservoir capable of delivering a reagent to the reaction channel, and an exit channel extending from the reaction channel, wherein the digestion product travels through the exit channel upon leaving the reaction channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of utilizing bi-directional capillary electrophoresis (“CE”) device. In one embodiment, cations are drawn into a first uncharged channel towards a negative electrode and anions are drawn into a second uncharged channel towards a positive electrode. The uncharged channels allows for minimal interaction between the sample and the walls of the channel which allows for minimal sample loss. The present invention also provides a method of separating anions from cations. The method comprises delivering the mixture to a bi-directional CE device. Following delivery, cations are drawn into a first uncharged channel towards a negative electrode and anions are drawn into a second uncharged channel towards a positive electrode. In one aspect of the present invention, the bi-directional CE device engages a microfluidic proteome analysis system.

Abstract: An excitation event in an oil, gas or geothermal well creates a responsive signal having lower and higher frequency components, which higher frequency component provides information about one or more characteristics of the well. Examples of such characteristics pertaining to a subterranean fracture include: breakdown pressure at fracture initiation, time it takes proppant to reach and to screenout the tip of the fracture, fracture geometry and fracture growth, fracture closure pressure, relative fluid flow through respective perforations, and horsepower requirements to perform a fracture treatment. One excitation event includes creating an excitation signal having a maximum amplitude change occurring within a time t1, which is less than a period t2 of the higher frequency component. Wavelet processing may be used to separate or distinguish the higher frequency waveform from the lower frequency waveform.

Abstract: A method of identifying an individual includes impinging radiation on perilimbal structures of the eye and employing acquired image information acquired from palisades and interpalisades for comparison with stored image information to determine if an identify match has been obtained. The palisades and interpalisades are not normally visible unless the eye and/or eyelids and forebrows are placed in a certain position thereby minimizing the risk of inadvertent delivery of this information. In a preferred approach a plurality of palisades and interpalisades are monitored in terms of at least one physical characteristic such as width, length, angular orientation, shape, branching pattern, curvature and spacing with the parameters being converted to binary data sequence form. Associated apparatus is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a microfluidic system and method to rapidly analyze large numbers of compounds or complex mixtures of compounds, particularly, low abundance cellular proteins involved in cell signaling pathways. In one aspect, an integrated microfluidic system comprises an upstream separation module (preferably, a multi-dimensional separation device), a microfluidic device for on-device protein digestion of substantially separated proteins received from the upstream separation module, a downstream separation module for separating digestion products of said proteins, a peptide analysis module and a processor for determining the amino acid sequence of said proteins. Preferably, the system comprises an interfacing microfluidic device between the downstream separation module and the peptide analysis module.

Abstract: A topical ophthalmic preparation utilizing a urea and/or urea derivative or mixtures thereof as the principle active ingredient within a range of about 0.01% by weight to about 30% by weight and a method of using the same. When applied to a mammalian eye affected with an abnormal ophthalmological surface problem resulting in epithelial cell loss, keratinization, and/or scarring, the present invention will heal epithelial defects, soften keratin, decrease scarring, enhance hydration, and have anti-mucolytic activity. The present invention provides a method for treating ocular conditions such as dryness, noninfectious keratitis, corneal or conjunctival epithelial irregularities, ocular scarring and subjective irritations.

Abstract: A topical ophthalmic preparation utilizing a urea and/or urea derivative or mixtures thereof as the principle active ingredient within a range of about 0.01% by weight to about 30% by weight and a method of using the same. When applied to a mammalian eye affected with an abnormal ophthalmological surface problem resulting in epithelial cell loss, keratinization, and/or scarring, the present invention will heal epithelial defects, soften keratin, decrease scarring, enhance hydration, and have anti-mucolytic activity. The present invention provides a method for treating ocular conditions such as dryness, noninfectious keratitis, corneal or conjunctival epithelial irregularities, ocular scarring and subjective irritations.