Abstract: A coalescence media for separation of water-hydrocarbon emulsions comprises an emulsion-contacting sheet formed of: (a) at least one component of the group consisting of natural fibers, cellulose fibers, natural-based fibers, and cellulose-based fibers, at least one component of the group consisting of high-surface-area fibrillated fibers, surface-area-enhancing synthetic material, glass microfibers, and nanoceramic functionalized fibers; and (c) at least one component of the group consisting of a dry strength additive, and a wet strength additive, wherein the fibrous components of the media constitute at least about 70% of the media. In preferred embodiments, the coalescence media comprises kraft fibers, fibrillated lyocell fibers, glass microfibers or nanoceramic functionalized fibers, a wet strength additive, and a dry strength additive. Preferably, the coalescence media is formed as a single, self-supporting layer from a wet-laid process using a homogenously distributed, wet-laid furnish.

Abstract: A microfluidic capsule (1) comprises a top lid (100), a middle piece (200) and a bottom piece (300) to be assembled to enclose a microfluidic substrate (400) for analysis of cells and biochemical reactions. The middle piece (200) comprises support structures in the form of support pillars (250) and walls (240) around a central light window (220) to provide mechanical support and prevent tension-induced structural deformations. When fully assembled, light windows (120, 220, 230) in the top lid (100), middle piece (200) and bottom piece (300) allows inspection of biological and/or biochemical samples positioned in the enclosed microfluidic substrate (400).

Abstract: The invention is directed to wastewater treatment and wastewater reuse. A distributed biological treatment system for modification of the sewer biofilm through the mechanism of competitive exclusion by strategic dosing with facultative bacteria is illustrated, in conjunction with a novel membrane biological reactor (MBR)/biological breeding reactor (BBR) package plant, a plurality of which are likewise designed for strategic placement throughout the sewer/collection system infrastructure. The inclusion of the MBR/BBR plants at specific locations within the distribution system provide upstream water reclamation, thereby facilitating more efficient operation of the downstream wastewater treatment plant and providing for water reuse at intermediate points within the distribution network, as well as a means for concentrating the facultative bacteria which has been dosed to various points in the system, which can then be re-inoculated to the system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polysulfone hemodialyzer with large membrane area that exhibits an unprecedented high dialytic performance over a wide molecular weight range from urea to ?2-microglobulin. There is provided a polysulfone hemodialyzer having a membrane area of >2.4 but ?3.2 m2 and a dialysate rectifying portion with specified broadening at end portion of bundle, the polysulfone hemodialyzer achieves the above object.

Abstract: The arrangement for connection of a medical device, particularly a dialysis device, to a permeate line for the supply of permeate into the device is characterized by an adapter comprising a first supply line section with a terminal coupling member for connection to the water line, a pressure sensor and two successively arranged shut-off valves, and two second supply line sections that branch off from the first supply line member by means of a branching member. Both second supply line sections are connected to two different lines of the device in such a manner that disinfection fluid flows through both second supply line sections in a disinfection process of the device.

Abstract: A tape cassette for a medical handheld device is disclosed as comprising a carrier tape, which carries test fields for assaying a sample of a human or animal bodily fluid and/or lancets as functional elements, a supply chamber, in which a supply section of the carrier tape comprising unused functional elements is positioned, a winding unit, in order to wind up the carrier tape and draw it through a tape exit opening of the chamber, so that the functional elements may be brought sequentially into a usage position. The carrier tape in the tape exit opening is oriented transversely to the supply section positioned in the supply chamber.

Abstract: An integrated process for removing sulfate from water sources, such as pretreated acid mine drainage (AMD). The multivalent cation (MVC) content of a sulfate stream is reduced by strong acid cation (SAC) ion exchange and sulfate is concentrated with a membrane system and separated as precipitate and overflow. Precipitation results from reaction of sulfate with MVC produced by regeneration of SAC with sodium chloride. The overflow is reacted with carbonate to precipitate MVC, generate sodium chloride and give a further overflow stream. This latter stream is concentrated to a level capable of being a regenerant for the SAC and when needed, used to regenerate the SAC and produce MVC for sulfate precipitation. The process minimizes the use of chemicals by treating, reconcentrating and recycling input species. Capital expenditures are minimized by precipitation of only side streams.

Abstract: A method for grafting a porous element for leucodepletion by adsorption and/or filtration of a biological fluid, such as blood or a blood component, which method comprises the steps of impregnating the porous element with a solution containing a poly(ethylene oxide) having identical or different functional end groups; and applying an ionizing treatment to the impregnated porous element so as to ensure covalent cross-linking between the poly(ethylene oxide) and the porous element.

Abstract: A dialysis cell is provided for the measurement of free thyroxine. The dialysis cell preferably includes a polyhedral housing including a top, a bottom and four sides. The dialysis cell is made up of a buffer portion and serum portion. The buffer portion includes a cavity and the serum portion includes a cavity which, when the buffer portion and serum portion are assembled together, form a central chamber. The central chamber is divided by a vertically aligned dialysis membrane held in place by two O-rings. Buffer is introduced into the dialysis cell's buffer portion through a buffer inlet extending from the dialysis cell's top side to the buffer portion's cavity. Similarly, serum is introduced into the serum portion through an inlet which extends from an opening formed on the dialysis cell's top to the serum portion's cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for osmotically assisted desalination include using a pressurized concentrate from a pressure desalination process to pressurize a feed to the desalination process. The depressurized concentrate thereby produced is used as a draw solution for a pressure-retarded osmosis process. The pressure-retarded osmosis unit produces a pressurized draw solution stream that is used to pressurize another feed to the desalination process. In one example, the feed to the pressure-retarded osmosis process is impaired water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a channel filter for separating microparticles, and more particularly to a channel filter which can easily separate a sample having various sized microparticles by using a surface topology. In the disclosed channel filter, a topology having an upward/downward reference height from a sample inlet to an outlet is continuously or discontinuously formed, and thus it is possible to efficiently separate microparticles from a sample liquid.

Abstract: A method of filtering solids from a liquid suspension comprising providing a pressure differential across the walls of permeable, hollow membranes (5) immersed in the liquid suspension contained in a vessel (8), the liquid suspension being applied to the outer surface of the porous hollow membrane (5) to induce and sustain filtration through the membrane walls. Some of the liquid suspension passes through the walls of the membranes (5) to be drawn off as permeate from the hollow membrane lumens, and at least some of the solids are retained on or in the hollow membranes or otherwise as suspended solids within the liquid surrounding the membranes (5).

Abstract: Filtration processes and systems are provided for the separation of a filterable fluid stream by a filtration membrane module with uniform transmembrane pressure and flux along the membrane and internal control of membrane fouling via intermittent periodic reduction of the pressure differential between the permeate and retentate sides of the membrane and/or backwashing cycles during separation, recovery, and/or purification of proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, biologically produced polymers and other compounds or materials from aqueous fluids.

Abstract: A method for assessing the state of Alzheimer's disease in patients is disclosed. A method for monitoring the progression of Alzheimer's disease in patients is also disclosed. The method applies detection of specific peptide markers, e.g., using mass spectrometric analysis.

Abstract: A dialyzer mount arranged to support a plurality of differently sized and/or shaped dialyzer units and to accommodate different distances between dialysate connections on the dialyzer units. The dialyzer mount, which may be located on a front panel of the dialysis unit, may include a pair of flange portions that are each arranged to engage with a respective dialysate quick-connect fitting connected to a dialysate port of the dialyzer. Each flange portion may be arranged to engage with a groove on the quick connect fitting that is located between a portion of the base of the quick connect fitting and a slide element of the quick connect fitting. One flange portion may include an adjustable support that is moveable, e.g., in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer supplies a sample and a reagent into a reaction container provided with an opening mixes a fluid which is to be measured and contains the sample and reagent supplied into the reaction container, measures a property of the fluid in the reaction container, and controls the drive for the mixer. The mixer has a vertical drive machine to move the mixing tool up and down. The control unit controls the vertical drive machine to move the mixing tool up and down in the fluid to be measured in the reaction container so as to cause upward and downward flow of the fluid which is to be measured and is positioned below the mixing tool.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system and method for the luminescence detection of an analyte in a liquid sample. The system comprises a support on which an analyte-specific substance and a reference substance are located. The analyte-specific substance is able to emit a first luminescence signal on contact with the analyte and the reference substance is able to emit a second luminescence signal which is substantially quenched by contact with the liquid sample.

Abstract: A plasma purifying device is provided that is capable of recovering blood and plasma remaining within the plasma purifying device easily and without risk of coagulation, following completion of plasma purification therapy. The plasma purifying device has a control unit controls flow rates of the air pump and a plasma pump so that a pressure of the filtration side space of the plasma separator is higher than a pressure of the blood side space while delivering blood to the blood side space of the plasma separator by continuing to operate a blood pump without stopping following completion of plasma purification and then delivers plasma remaining in a filtration side space of a plasma separator to a blood side space of the plasma separator or to a plasma circuit by supplying air from an air pump.

Abstract: A description is given of a multistage process for treating water, wherein a water stream is purified in a membrane separation stage and a downstream deionization unit having at least one concentrate chamber and at least one diluate chamber, wherein the water stream is separated in the membrane separation device into a concentrate stream and at least two permeate streams of different electrical conductivity, and wherein at least the permeate stream having the highest electrical conductivity is fed at least partially into the at least one concentrate chamber and at least the permeate stream having the lowest electrical conductivity is fed at least partially into the at least one diluate chamber of the downstream deionization unit.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a surfactant in a microelectronic process is disclosed. Specifically, the monitoring of a surfactant occurs by studying the fluorescence or electromagnetic emission of a sample collected from a microelectronic process.