Abstract: An abnormality of a state in a system between a combustion tube and a detector can be detected without increasing device cost.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to control chamber pressure during pipette rinsing having lower pressure recovery time. Pressure control apparatus includes pipettes to dispense liquid, a manifold chamber to supply liquid to the pipettes, a flow control valve in each flow path, a pump to supply the liquid, a pressure sensor to provide measured pressure, and a flow controller, which in a calibration mode, decreases a pump drive setting if measured pressure is high, increases the setting if measured pressure is low, and stores the pump drive setting for the individual combined operational state if the pressure is within predetermined pressure threshold limits, or in a testing mode, determines if the measured pressure is within the threshold limits for a previously-commanded state combination, and adjusts the pump drive setting if not within the threshold limits for a next time. Methods for operating pressure control apparatus are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (1) for determining a content of H2S in a process gas comprising H2S. The method (1) comprises extracting (2) a sample of the process gas, performing oxidation (4) of at least a major portion of H2S of the sample, whereby oxidation products comprising elemental sulfur are formed, analysing (6) the oxidized sample by optical absorption spectroscopy at wavelengths above 310 nm, and determining (8) the content of H2S in the process gas based on the analysing. The invention further relates to a system (100) for determining a content of H2S in a process gas comprising H2S, and use of system (100).

Abstract: A sensitive and selective, in-line method to measure and validate the sulfur content at ppb levels in both the liquid and gas phase of an analyte. The method includes patterning graphene, for example to form a mesa structure comprising horizontal or vertical lines or an array of multidentate star features; functionalizing the patterned graphene and attaching nanoparticles to the functionalized graphene to form a device; exposing the device to an analyte in the gas or liquid phase; detecting a change in electrical response when sulfur is present in the analyte; and recovering the device for future use. Also disclosed is the related sulfur detector.

Abstract: A handheld medical analyzer works with different disposable application cartridges to perform a variety of interrogations on specimen samples. One application includes attaching a biological microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) cartridge that generates blood coagulation profiles indicative of particular forms of coagulation disorders. The device makes coagulopathy testing simpler for small hospitals, clinics, ambulances, remote locations and individuals and permits for a larger number of parallel or serial devices operating simultaneously. One insertion of a cartridge actuates an oscillating circular motion to generate a blood coagulation profile based on a change in rotational motion as blood coagulates in a sample. Change in rotational motion is analyzed through a video camera such as in a smartphone and is plotted to show an amplitude over time. Actuation of the BioMEMS can be achieved by magnetic actuation of a motor controlled by an iPhone or a smart phone to provide a specific rotational pattern.

Abstract: A control method of an intelligent sterility test pump, a sterilization method and its application. The control method includes monitoring the real-time current of a DC drive motor through a current detection module, to adjust the rotating linear velocity of a peristaltic pump head in real time; when the peristaltic pump head is in a state of pushing a liquid to be tested, reducing the rotating linear velocity of the peristaltic pump head; and when the peristaltic pump head is in an idling state, increasing the rotating linear velocity of the peristaltic pump head. A sterilization method includes the control method of the intelligent sterility test pump. Application of the sterilization method in preparation or detection of foods and medicines.

Abstract: A device and method for calibrating a delivery device includes providing a container A containing a nitrite, providing a container B containing an acid, releasing the contents of containers A and B, allowing the nitrite and acid to mix, waiting for a predetermined time, allowing air to combine with the mixture, and using NO and traces of NO2 to check and calibrate NO and NO2 sensors.

Abstract: A blood coagulation analyzing method according to one or more aspects may include: calculating a coagulation time based on data representing a coagulation curve of a change in an optical detection value of a blood specimen added with a reagent for starting a coagulation reaction; calculating an index value related to derivatives calculated concerning the coagulation curve represented by the data used in the calculating the coagulation time; and determining whether an early reaction error has occurred based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the index value to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an analytical method that makes use of an oxygen-containing source having a predetermined content of an isotope of oxygen ZO, which is not the same as natural composition and distribution of oxygen isotopes, to detect and/or quantify oxygen in oxidizable compound(s). The analytical method allows detecting and/or quantification with relatively high precision and accuracy oxygen in oxidizable compound(s), even at low content. The method is easy to implement and can be used for in-line analysis.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices are described that include a microfluidic channel, a first array of one or more magnets above the microfluidic channel, each magnet in the first array having a magnetic pole orientation opposite to a magnetic pole orientation of an adjacent magnet in the first array, and a second array of one or more magnets beneath the microfluidic channel, each magnet in the second array having a magnetic pole orientation opposite to a magnetic pole orientation of an adjacent magnet in the second array. The first array is aligned with respect to the second array such that magnetic fields emitted by the first array and second array generate a magnetic flux gradient profile extending through the channel. An absolute value of the profile includes a first maximum and a second maximum that bound a local minimum. The local minimum is located within the microfluidic channel or less than 5 mm away from a wall of the microfluidic channel. Methods of using the new devices are also described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing recycled concrete aggregate (RCA).

Abstract: A permeative amine/acid introduction device (PAID) is placed after a conventional KOH eluent suppressed conductometric anion chromatography (SCAC) system. The PAID converts the suppressed eluites from the acid form to the corresponding salt. For example, when the analytes are acids, they are converted to the corresponding ammonium salt (NR2H+HX?NR2H2++X?) and allows very weak acids HX (pKa?7.0) that cannot normally be detected by SCAC to be measured by a second conductivity detector following the PAID. Permeative reagent introduction is dilutionless, can be operated without pumps and provides good mixing with low band dispersion (as small as 30 ?L). An exemplary amine is diethylamine (DEA), which was chosen as the amine source due to its low pKb value (pKb 3.0), high vapor pressure, and low toxicity and low odor.

Abstract: A chemical pattern recognition method for evaluating the quality of a traditional Chinese medicine based on medicine effect information, comprising: collecting chemical information of a traditional Chinese medicine sample, obtaining medicine effect information reflecting a clinical therapeutic effect thereof, performing spectrum-effect relationship analysis on the chemical information and the medicine effect information, and obtaining an index significantly related to the medicine effect as a feature chemical index; dividing the traditional Chinese medicine sample into a training set and a test set; using a pattern recognition method to extract a feature variable from samples of the training set by taking the feature chemical index as an input variable; building a pattern recognition model using the feature variable; and substituting feature variable values of samples of the test set into the model, and completing chemical pattern recognition evaluation of the quality of the traditional Chinese medicine.

Abstract: A diagnostic test system, including: a diagnostic test assembly and a diagnostic test apparatus to perform a test on a biological or environmental sample; the diagnostic test assembly includes: a sample preparation reservoir to receive the sample into a sample preparation fluid, such that a swab carrying the sample can be used to stir the preparation fluid and to wash the swab; a sample dispensing mechanism for insertion into the sample preparation reservoir; a closure to seal the sample preparation reservoir; at least one diagnostic test reservoir coupled to the sample preparation reservoir; and at least one seal between the sample preparation reservoir and the diagnostic test reservoir to prevent fluid movement between the respective reservoirs; wherein the sample dispensing mechanism is operable to disrupt the seal to allow sample fluid to enter the diagnostic test reservoir from the sample preparation reservoir, and to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid.

Abstract: The analyzing apparatus includes a reactor, a detector, a carrier gas supplier, a carrier gas flow rate adjustor, a flow control program memory, and a flow rate controller. The detector communicates with an internal space of the reactor, and detects a target substance generated by reaction of a specific component in the internal space. The carrier gas supplier supplies, to the internal space, carrier gas for transporting the target substance generated in the internal space. The carrier gas flow rate adjustor adjusts a carrier gas flow rate supplied from the carrier gas supplier to the internal space. The flow control program memory stores a flow control program set to increase the carrier gas flow rate during measurement from the process of introduction of a sample into the internal space to the process of detection of the target substance by the detector.

Abstract: A device and method for separating serum or plasma from blood cells in a whole blood specimen. The present invention uses a cap with a reservoir, such that blood cells are packed into the cap when the specimen container is centrifuged. When the cap is removed, the blood cells are also removed, and the serum or plasma is left in the specimen tube where it can be readily extracted by a pipette which is able to reach all the way to the bottom of the specimen tube minimizing the dead volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for non-destructively identifying a characteristic of a Gallus Gallus domesticus embryo in ovo, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a sample of material associated with an egg comprising the embryo, and (b) measuring a score value for the presence of, and concentration of at least a first biomarker in the sample indicative of the characteristic of the embryo, and (c) applying a threshold to the score value and concentration obtained in (b) to identify the characteristic for the embryo associated with the presence and concentration of the biomarker, wherein an at least first biomarker comprises an amino compound having a molecular weight in the range of from 140 to 190 g/mole, wherein step (c) further comprises: (i) correlating each relevant biomarker signal with a reference biomarker by matching the spectrum of each correlating signal with the expected spectrum of the correlating reference biomarker using a similarity measure, to define at least one positively correl

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for compositional analysis of algal biomass, specifically weight percent elemental composition. In at least one embodiment, a method for compositional analysis of an algae sample includes flash combusting a first portion of the algae sample to provide a carbon wt %, a hydrogen wt %, and a nitrogen weight %. The method includes pyrolysing a second portion of the algae sample to provide an oxygen wt %. The method includes scanning a third portion of the algae sample using x-ray fluorescence to provide an elemental intensity. The method includes normalizing the elemental intensity using the carbon wt %, the hydrogen wt %, the nitrogen wt %, and/or the oxygen wt %.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mine dust real-time detection system based on double-photoacoustic spectrometry and a detection method. The mine dust real-time detection system based on double-photoacoustic spectrometry includes a first sampling unit, a first photoacoustic detection cavity, a second sampling unit, a second photoacoustic detection cavity, a signal unit and a processing unit; the first sampling unit is used for sampling in respective, the first photoacoustic detection cavity provides a photoacoustic effect field to substances sampled by the first sampling unit, the second sampling unit is used for sampling in respective, the second photoacoustic detection cavity provides the photoacoustic effect field to substances sampled by the second sampling unit, the signal unit is used for providing a laser signal, and the processing unit is used for collecting and processing a photoacoustic signal.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods for single-step detection of target molecules in a sample. The methods and assays of the subject invention employ a dye-displacement strategy, in which aptamers complexed with a cyanine dye for sensitive and rapid detection of targets of interest. In the presence of a target, aptamer-target binding liberates the non-covalently bound aptamer-binding dye, resulting in optical changes that can be observed spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye. The methods and assays of the subject invention enable the colorimetric detection of targets of interest regardless of their structure, sequence, target-binding affinity, and physicochemical properties of their targets.