Abstract: The invention relates to a process for determining the degree of branching of modified polymers wherein the polymers are modified in the sense that their degree of branching after polymerization was increased once more, wherein the modified polymers are treated with a polar transformation mixture comprising a compound of general formula (I) R1—S—S—R1?? (I) wherein the Mooney viscosity (ML 1+4 at 100° C.) of the polymers is determined before and after the treatment with the polar transformation mixture and the degree of branching is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to electronically neutral metal complexes as luminescent labels. The positive charge of the metal ion in the complex is neutralized by the negatively charged groups that are covalently linked to the nitrogen-containing diimine ligands, such as 2,2-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline and their derivatives. The electronic neutrality reduces the impact of the metal complexes on the biological and/or biochemical activities of the labeled biomolecules, while the intensity of luminescent emission under electrochemical excitation is enhanced. These luminescent metal complex labels are useful in bioanalytic methodology development, with luminescence as the signal modality, such as electrochemiluminescence.

Abstract: Novel Zr-based metal-organic framework (MOF) chemosensors useful for detection, recognition, removal, and separation of heavy metals are provided. Also provided are methods for preparation of the chemosensors and processes for detection, recognition, removal, and separation of heavy metals using the chemosensors.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a sample to be tested to determine the presence of or to quantify an analyte in the sample, employing a reaction which produces a reaction medium derived from the sample and which possesses fluorescence properties, the reaction medium being located within a well, the reaction medium and the well forming an analysis assembly which possesses fluorescent properties in response to illumination by a light source producing a light signal, the light source being movable along a surface S1 of the well.

Abstract: The present invention is generally in the field of measuring and indicating techniques and relates to a time-temperature indicator and methods of manufacturing and use thereof. More specifically, the time-temperature indicator comprises a time temperature indicator comprising at least one metal layer or metal containing layer and in direct contact to the metal layer or to the metal containing layer at least one doped polymer layer, wherein the dopant is an acid, a base or a salt or a photolatent acid or a photolatent base which dopant is added to the polymer, and/or at least one polymer layer wherein a polymer is functionalized with acidic or latent acidic or basic or latent basic groups; or a time temperature indicator comprising at least one polymer layer containing metal particles and a photolatent acid or a photolatent base, or at least one polymer layer containing metal particles wherein the polymer is functionalized with latent acidic or latent basic groups.

Abstract: An analytical system includes a laser disposed to direct light toward a microfluidic feature disposed in a feature layer of a multiple layer test cartridge, a sensor to receive reflections from capping layers disposed about the microfluidic feature in the feature layer, and a controller to determine a depth of the microfluidic feature as a function of the received reflections.

Abstract: A device and system for automatic handling of a sensor strip by a part of a meter that includes a sensor strip having a first section, a second section, and an intermediate section. The sensor strip includes at least a first opening about a first end thereof and a second opening about a second end thereof. A meter part includes a pair of pivoting catches configured to engage and grasp a sensor strip from a container containing a plurality of sensor strips. The sensor strip may thus be removed from a container for testing without need for manual handling of the strip by a user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methodology for revealing binding sites between proteins, proteins and nucleic acids, or proteins and small molecules. The disclosure provides rapid and direct positive identification and sequencing of the contact region between such molecules, and can be applied to individual interacting pairs, as well as large-scale or global interactions.

Abstract: Compositions are provided comprising: 1) a solid metal oxide support having surface hydroxyl groups; 2) a silyl-containing compound bound to the solid metal oxide support through a silanol bond with the surface hydroxyl groups; and 3) a bis(glyoxime)-transition metal complex bound to the solid metal oxide support. These compositions can be used to make a colorimetric relative humidity-indicating sensor. A method of adjusting the colorimetric response of a moisture-indicating composition and a method of detecting moisture are also provided.

Abstract: A method of fluorometrically detecting the concentration of chemical components in oxidizing formulations is disclosed. In a particular embodiment the detection is of the stabilizing component of picolinic acid, present in such formulations, although any component which fluoresces may be detected. According to the invention sample preparation of the oxidizing formulation includes adding to said sample an excess of reducing agent to bind peracid, and in the case of picolinic acid, adding to said sample an excess of terbium chloride. The sample then is subjected to radiation to induce fluorescence and the concentration of said chemical component is determined by a linear relationship between fluorescence emitted and the concentration of the target chemical.

Abstract: Fluorescent Schiff base compounds comprising a xanthene dye based moiety and an alkyl imidazole moiety. Methods of assessing these fluorescent Schiff base compounds as fluorescent probes for metal ions in Cu2+ chemosensing applications, methods of preparing the fluorescent Schiff base compounds and methods of detecting Cu2+ ions with the same are also provided.

Abstract: A container for selective transport of samples of biological material or of biological origin suitable for containing at least a fluid or liquid and/or for containing at least a portion of a collecting device, the container having a selective passage portion configured to prevent exit of a fluid or liquid from the container, through the passage portion, at least in at least an operating sealed condition defined at least by a rest state of the container or by a first value of mechanical shaking of the container and/or by a first value of relative centrifugal force to which the container is subjected, and configured selectively to enable exit of the fluid or liquid from the container, across the passage portion, at least in an operating passage condition, defined at least by a corresponding second state of mechanical shaking of the container and/or wherein the container is subjected to a corresponding second relative centrifugal force.

Abstract: A method is provided for of preparing a glass bead mixture using inert nanoparticles to improve flow rates of the glass beads for purposes of manufacturing an immunodiagnostic test element, such as a column agglutination test cassette. The immunodiagnostic test element includes a plurality of test columns including an aqueous reagent in each test column.

Abstract: A method, a labeling reagent, sets of labeling reagents, and labeling techniques are provided for the analysis of ketosterol biomarkers such as bile acid precursors from human plasma, serum or whole blood. This method is used for new born screening for Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis (CTX). Methods for labeling, analyzing, and quantifying ketosterol biomarkers are also disclosed as are methods that also use mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A de/anti-icer composition comprises one or more de/anti-icer moieties and a marker material, the marker material being selected such that, after application of the de/anti-icer composition to a traveled surface, the amount of the marker material at or on the traveled surface at a given time correlates to the amount of said one or more de/anti-icer moieties on the said surface at such time. The presence of the marker material enables the user readily to determine the concentration of the de/anti-icer moiety or the freezing point of liquid on the traveled surface. Methods of using such compositions for concentration and/or freezing point determination of de/anti-icer materials applied to traveled surfaces are described, together with systems and kits of parts utilizing such compositions.

Abstract: In a method of resolving a contribution ratio to soil contamination by a plurality of polluters through a sequential extraction scheme and a stable isotope analysis scheme, Pb stable isotopes are eluted at 5 types of “cation exchange fraction”, “carbonate fraction”, “iron-oxide and manganese hydroxide-fraction”, “organic matters and sulfide fraction”, and “residual fraction” existing at other types and separated from each other in each step. The Pb stable isotopes obtained in each step are analyzed. The contribution ratio to soil contamination by the polluters is resolved through a predetermined resolving equation using the content of a Pb stable isotope in each step based on the content ratio of the Pb stable isotopes. The Pb stable isotopes are 206Pb and 207Pb.

Abstract: A microfluidic structure in which a plurality of chambers arranged at different positions are connected in parallel and into which a fixed amount of fluid may be efficiently distributed without using a separate driving source, and a microfluidic device having the same. The microfluidic device includes a platform having a center of rotation and including at least one microfluidic structure. The microfluidic structure includes a sample supply chamber configured to accommodate a sample, a plurality of first chambers arranged in a circumferential direction of the platform at different distances from the center of rotation of the platform, and a plurality of siphon channels, each of the siphon channels being connected to a corresponding one of the first chambers.

Abstract: A compound, or a protonate or salt thereof, having a formula I of: wherein Y represents an optionally substituted aromatic group; n is 1 or 2; a is 0 to 4; R1 and R2 are each independently H; optionally substituted alkyl; optionally substituted aralkyl; acyl; phosphonyl; —SO2R12; —C(O)R13; —C(O)OR14; —C(O)NR15R16; —C(O)CH2R17; or —C(S)—NR18R19; —S(O)R20; or —SO2NR21R22, wherein R12-R22 are each independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted aryl, or —C(O)R23, wherein R23 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aralkyl, or optionally substituted aryl; and each R3 is independently optionally substituted alkyl, halogen, optionally substituted alkoxy, optionally substituted carboxyl, amide; amino; or nitro.

Abstract: Methods and kits for detection of alkylating agents are described. The present invention discloses methods and kits comprising sensors for the rapid detection of chemical agents (e.g., alkylating agents) at low concentrations. The methods are useful for the detection of alkylating agents such as field fumigants such as methyl bromide or methyl iodide. The detection can advantageously be performed by a change in light absorbance of the sensor moiety using the naked eye.

Abstract: The field of the invention relates to a device for incubating a sample. The present disclosure provides an incubator for shaking and/or heating at least one sample. The device comprises at least one inductor placed below an induction heating plate. A heat conducting plate is mounted onto the induction heating plate. The device further comprises a moving arrangement for placing the sample onto the heat conducting plate.