Abstract: Various devices, systems and methods for detecting a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are described herein. A method comprises introducing a fluid sample to a first surface and a second surface; exposing the first surface to a first solution; exposing the second surface to a second solution, wherein the second surface comprises an anti-infective; sampling the first solution after exposing the first solution to the first surface; sampling the second solution after exposing the second solution to the second surface; monitoring a first electrical characteristic of a first sensor exposed to the first solution sampled; monitoring a second electrical characteristic of a second sensor exposed to the second solution sampled; and comparing the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic to assess the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective.

Abstract: A honeycomb tube with a planar frame defining a fluidic path between a first planar surface and a second planar surface. A fluidic interface is located at one end of the planar frame. The fluidic interface has a fluidic inlet and fluidic outlet. The fluidic path further includes a well chamber having an well-substrate with a plurality of wells. The well chamber is arranged in the planar frame between the first or second surface and the well-substrate. The well chamber is in fluidic communication between the pre-amplification chamber and the fluidic outlet.

Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for carrying out Romanowsky-type stains, specifically Wright-Giemsa and May-Grünwald stains, quickly and efficiently. The methods greatly reduce the overall amount of time required to complete a Wright-Giemsa stain or a May-Grünwald stain of sufficient quality on a biological sample. The subject methods can be applied to both manual and automated staining procedures.

Abstract: An optical sensor and a method of operating the optical sensor are provided. The optical sensor includes a light source configured to emit a light, and a path adjuster configured to adjust a traveling path of the light to reflect the light at a first time, and allow the light to pass through the path adjuster at a second time. The optical sensor further includes a light receiver configured to receive a reference light among the reflected light, and receive, among the light passing through the path adjuster, a measurement light related to a target material.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus can have an elongate tube and a liquid partitioning unit, first port can receive an incoming flow of test liquid and a second port may be coupled to the elongate tube. The liquid partitioning unit can combine the flow of test liquid with a plurality of partitioning elements to define a plurality of discrete liquid samples for movement along and storage in the elongate tube.

Abstract: A multiple reaction parallel measurement apparatus is intended to measure a large number of reactions quickly, simply and with high accuracy. The apparatus includes: a plurality of light guiding paths corresponding to a plurality of reaction spot array elements, including a measuring end able to be in proximity of or in contact with each one of the reaction spots, and arranged to guide light generated by a reaction at the reaction spot to a connecting end; a measurement head arranged such that the measuring ends reach all together predetermined measurement positions of the corresponding reaction spots of the reaction spot array elements at a predetermined scan period; a light guiding path selector including a light guiding region optically connected to the connecting end; a light receiving unit; and a digital data converter to obtain digital data by converting image region data obtained from the light receiving unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an oxidizer, and related methods, for oxidizing polar modifiers in chromatographic mobile phases. The oxidizer enables the use of flame-based detection in chromatographic separations, such as carbon dioxide based chromatography, which employ polar modifiers, such as methanol. Upon exiting a chromatographic column, the mobile phase containing the polar modifier is flowed through an oxidizer that contains a catalyst to oxidize at least a portion of the polar modifier to a species that does not interfere with the function of the flame-based detector. The oxidizer allows for flame-based detection, such as flame ionization detection, in applications in which a polar modifier with a reduced form of carbon is used.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and their methods of use, for generating droplets are provided. One or more geometric parameters of a microfluidic channel can be selected to generate droplets of a desired and predictable droplet size.

Abstract: A system for preparing biological sample contains a body including a proximal side and a distal side, a plurality of mandrels, a plurality of resilient elements, a plurality of fluid dispensers, and one or more samples. The mandrels are moveably positioned within the body, where each resilient element engages a respective one of the mandrels. Each of the fluid dispensers is configured to engage a distal end of a corresponding one of the mandrels. Each sample comprises a solution containing one or more nucleic acid sequences contained within at least one of the fluid dispensers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of marking a hydrocarbon liquid comprising the step of adding to said liquid, as a tracer compound, a compound of Formula I or Formula II: wherein at least one of R1-R6 in Formula I and at least one of R7-R14 in Formula II is selected from: i. a bromine or fluorine atom; ii. a partially or fully halogenated alkyl group; iii. a branched or cyclic C4-C20 alkyl group; iv. an aliphatic substituent linking two positions selected from R1-R6 in Formula I to one another or two positions selected from R7-R14 in Formula II to one another; or v. a phenyl group substituted with a halogen atom, an aliphatic group or halogenated aliphatic group and none of R1-R6 in Formula I and none of R7-R14 in Formula II being a sulphonate group or COOR15, where R15 represents H, C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkynyl, C3-C15 cycloalkyl or aryl.

Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.

Abstract: Optical and electronic detection of chemicals, and particularly strong electron-donors, by 2H to 1T phase-based transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) films, detection apparatus incorporating the TMD films, methods for forming the detection apparatus, and detection systems and methods based on the TMD films are provided. The detection apparatus includes a 2H phase TMD film that transitions to the 1T phase under exposure to strong electron donors. After exposure, the phase state can be determined to assess whether all or a portion of the TMD has undergone a transition from the 2H phase to the 1T phase. Following detection, TMD films in the 1T phase can be converted back to the 2H phase, resulting in a reusable chemical sensor that is selective for strong electron donors.

Abstract: A resonating needle is adapted to be used in a device for measuring and controlling the dosage of a small quantity of fluid, includes: a needle (1) adapted to contain said small quantity of fluid; a resonating element of the piezoelectric type (2), coupled to said needle and adapted to be energized in order to detect variations of oscillation parameters of the needle and of the resonating element for the purpose of determining the dosage measurement and control.

Abstract: An aspirator adapter may comprise a cap portion configured to removably mount on a collection container, a pipette interface portion mounted on the cap portion and configured to mount a pipette to the cap portion, and a gun interface portion mounted on the cap portion and configured to interface with a pipette gun. The pipette interface portion may define a pipette interface passage extending through the cap portion and the gun interface portion defining a gun interface passage extending through the cap portion.

Abstract: In order to improve the ergonomics of a sampling pipette, the invention provides a control member intended to occupy a nominal central position in which a spring brings a locking member into the locking position thereof of the system for adjustment of the volume to be sampled, the member being able to be axially displaced towards each of the two following positions: a low position for ejecting a cone, in which the control member presses on the cone ejector, the movement from the nominal central position to the low position being carried out against the springs; and a high position for unlocking the braking ring, the movement of the control member from the nominal central position to the high position driving a disengagement element to move the locking member against the spring, until release of the braking ring.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a rotor plate to rotate around a first axis, a bucket attached to the rotor plate and to rotate around a second axis, and a stop plate to rotate around the first axis between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, the stop plate engages the bucket to fix an angular position of the bucket relative to a plane of rotation of the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly further includes a housing for a sensor array component, the housing disposed in the bucket and including a solution inlet, a solution outlet, a transfer basin, a solution retainer disposed between the solution outlet and the transfer basin, and a collection reservoir in fluid communication with the transfer basin. The solution inlet and the solution outlet to engage ports of a flow cell of a sensor array.

Abstract: A colorimetric wet chemistry analyzer for determining a concentration of an analyte of interest in a sample is provided. The analyzer comprising includes a reaction chamber configured to receive the sample and facilitate a reaction that changes a color of the sample based on the concentration of the analyte of interest. A photometric cell is operably coupled to the reaction chamber to receive the sample and direct illumination therethrough. The photometric cell has a first illumination source configured to provide illumination at a first wavelength through the photometric cell and a second illumination source configured to provide illumination at a second wavelength through the photometric cell. The second wavelength is different than the first wavelength. A photo detector is configured to detect illumination passing through the photometric cell.

Abstract: Described herein, among other things, is a method of estimating efficiency of an oligonucleotide synthesis reaction. In some embodiments, the method comprises subjecting the products of one or more oligonucleotide synthesis reactions to LC-MS to produce a series of mass spectra, analyzing the mass spectra, and estimating the overall efficiency of an oligonucleotide synthesis reaction and/or the efficiency of addition of one or more of G, A, T or C individually in an oligonucleotide synthesis reaction.

Abstract: A method for performing a biological experiment includes accessing a protocol that specifies operations and prescribes a plurality of conditions for carrying out the biological experiment in a defined space. The method includes performing the sequence of operations according to the protocol; and periodically before or as the sequence of operations are performed, obtaining observations of particular conditions of the plurality, and comparing the particular conditions as observed to the particular conditions as prescribed.