Abstract: An analysis card containing two mutually separate chambers separated by a frangible partition that is arranged within the card and made of an absorbent and preferably plastic material for absorbing light energy having at least a predetermined wavelength, and converting it into heat energy capable of at least locally removing the material.

Abstract: A vessel holds a liquid content for exposure to prescribed light energy. The vessel has a region transparent to the prescribed light energy. The liquid content of the vessel includes a solution comprising a material undergoing reduction oxidation as a result of exposure to the prescribed light energy, and a reducing agent for the photoactive material. A device measures optical absorbance of the vessel and the liquid content. The device operates in a first instance to measure a first optical absorbance value before exposing the vessel and the liquid content to the prescribed light energy. The device also operates in a second instance to measure a second optical absorbance value after exposing the vessel and the liquid content to the prescribed light energy, to obtain a difference between the first and second optical absorbance values. The difference comprises an illumination characteristic for the vessel with respect to the prescribed light energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for modulating flux of combustibles reacting with oxygen impinging on a calorimetric gas sensor. The method includes the steps of enclosing a sensing element and a reference element of a calorimetric gas sensor with an apparatus having at least one aperture to allow combustibles to enter and impinge on the sensing element and reference element, periodically restricting the aperture of the apparatus to modulate the flux of combustibles entering at a predetermined frequency to produce an AC output signal from the calorimetric gas sensor, and measuring the sensor output at the frequency at which the aperture is restricted.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the cleaning of the downwardly extending pendants and swags of beads of a chandelier in situ by ultrasonic cavitation. The cleaning apparatus is provided with a top member detachably connected to a bottom member. The bottom member can be of one size and configuration and be interchangeable with top members of various sizes and configurations. Apparatus is also provided for lifting the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus vertically upwardly to locate the cleaning apparatus for the cleaning of certain preselected chandelier pendants or swags, holding the cleaning apparatus in that position while the pendants or swags are being subjected to ultrasonic energy, and then lowering the cleaning apparatus vertically downwardly so that the cleaning apparatus can be repositioned for the ultrasonic cleaning of further preselected pendants and swags.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the concentration of nutrients such as nitrite and nitrate in aqueous media, e.g. the upper layers of the ocean where the concentrations of such nutrients are relatively low (i.e. in the tens of nanomoles per liter or less). The method is believed to be capable of such measurement capabilities at near real time sampling rates. The measurement of nitrite includes (a) treating an aliquot of the aqueous medium with a reagent that acidifies the aliquot, converts nitrite in the aliquot to nitrosium ion, and reacts with the nitrosium ion to yield a chemical species which fluoresces and (b) fluorometrically analyzing the resulting aliquot/reagent mixture to determine the concentration of such chemical species in the mixture, and thus to determine the concentration of nitrite in the aliquot and the aqueous medium from whence it came. The reagent is preferably an acidified solution in which the active ingredient is aniline.

Abstract: A method for forming a solid state humidity sensor is disclosed which comprises the steps of: (a) dissolving a tungstate salt into an aqueous solution; (b) adjusting the pH of the aqueous tungstate salt solution to below 8.5; (c) forming one or a pair of electrodes on an insulating substrate; (d) placing the substrate into the pH-adjusted aqueous tungstate salt solution and heating the aqueous solution containing the substrate at temperatures above 70.degree. C. to thereby form a pyrochlore-type crystalline tungsten trioxide film over the electrode or pair of electrodes; and (e) forming another electrode over the pyrochlore-type crystalline tungsten trioxide film if only one electrode is formed during step (c).

Abstract: In a holder for Petri dishes with a basic support at least partially surrounding the Petri dishes, the latter are secured against falling out of the basic support because said basic support has a substantially C-shaped cross-section and the Petri dishes are surrounded to the extent of over 180.degree. around their circumference.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically drawing a blood sample from a sealed container having an internal pressure below that of atmospheric pressure comprises an aspirating needle which serves to pierce the sealed container to aspirate liquid from the container, and to vent the interior of the container to the surrounding atmosphere through a suitable vent line connected to the needle. Such apparatus further comprises a vacuum pump connected to the needle through an aspiration line for aspirating blood from the sealed container. To warn the user of the possibility that fluid (e.g. cleansing diluent) in the aspirating needle has been drawn into the sealed container in the event of a vent line failure, apparatus is provided for detecting the pressure in the container immediately after the aspirating needle has pierced the container seal, and for comparing this pressure with a predetermined nominal value (typically, the negative pressure rating of the vacuum pump).

Abstract: Impurity distributions in microelectronic structures formed from an aluminum-containing material are determined. A passivation layer, e.g., a titanium/titanium nitride layer or a borphosphosilicate glass (BPSG) layer, is formed on a substrate. A layer of the aluminum-containing material is formed on the passivation layer. The layer of the aluminum-containing material is then exposed to a phosphoric acid solution to remove aluminum from the layer of the aluminum-containing material and leave a precipitate on the passivation layer. The precipitate is then analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrograms and/or Auger analysis to determine a distribution of impurities in the layer of the aluminum-containing material.

Abstract: An electro-optical instrument for measuring a quantitative physical parameter of a sample in a diagnostic cartridge is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing and maintaining a desired temperature of a sample holder includes a non-deformable support, a deformable diaphragm secured to the lower surface of the support and a thermal regulable heater in thermal connection with the diaphragm. The apparatus can be positioned above the upper surface of a sample holder and, upon inflation of the diaphragm, a seal is formed between the diaphragm and the sample holder. When the thermoregulable heating element is activated, the sample holder is maintained at the desired temperature. The temperature can be coordinately regulated with a block heater that heats the underside of the sample holder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a field kit for the detection of analytes and to a method for using such a field kit. The field kit comprises a tray and lid adhered to the surface of the tray. Reaction-reagent compartments are formed by recesses in the tray when the tray is adhered to the lid. Probe compartments may also be included if desired. In operation, the tray and lid are bent at a score line to open the wells containing the reaction reagents. The lid is bent to form an A-shaped structure so that the kit may be placed in an upright position for use. A portion of the lid is peeled back from the tray to release probes and other, non-liquid components, if present.

Abstract: A hollow, frustum-shaped disposable device is used in an apparatus for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample of a biological fluid. The smaller end of the frustum has a porous membrane, to which a sample of the fluid may be applied. Preferably, a reagent in the membrane reacts with the analyte to cause a color change. The device is mounted on a meter, which measures the color change and computes from the change the analyte concentration in the sample. The apparatus permits remote dosing of the device, which minimizes the likelihood of cross-contamination between the user and the meter. Devices can be mounted on the meter and released from the meter without touching them, to further protect against contamination.

Abstract: Fecal and/or urinary contamination in meat and poultry can be detected by internalizing into a suitable livestock system a material containing a marker substance, and detecting for the presence or absence of the marker substance on meat values. Typically, the detection is carried out upon slaughter of the livestock and preparation of its meat values for consumption. As an illustration, a flour substance may be included in livestock feed, and, in turn, its presence or absence detected on the meat values under appropriate light conditions as an indicator of fecal contamination. For example, the flour substance may be flourescein, the presence or absence of which may be detected on the processed meat or poultry by ultraviolet light. A detection kiosk may be employed to assist in the detection.

Abstract: In order to avoid measurement signal drift, a gas sensor has a gas sensitive layer which is provided on its upper side with a measuring electrode structure and on its lower side with an electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A luminometer for determining the composition of a specimen sample includes an annular guide path for sample containing cuvettes within a light tight housing. A rotor moves spaced segments through the guide path with the cuvettes positioned between the segments. The luminometer further includes one or two detector assemblies coupled to the housing and positioned to view and detect light emitted by cuvettes as they pass along the guide path between segments. A cuvette is advanced around the housing via the rotor and rotor segments and when the cuvette reaches a predetermined position on the housing, a reagent, such as a base, is added to the cuvette to initiate a chemiluminescent reaction within the cuvette and provide an emission of light energy in a predetermined spectral range. The luminometer has a waste aspiration probe to remove the contents of the cuvette after it passes the detector.

Abstract: At least two pivoting jets (55a, 55b, 55c) of cleaning liquid, each directed between two successive lines of tubes substantially perpendicular to the rows of tubes, are sent, in succession, from locations situated inside the bundle of the steam generator, into a space between two successive rows of tubes so as to sweep the tube plate between a central part vertically in line with the space between the two rows of tubes and two outer parts situated at the periphery of the bundle and along the length of the space between the rows of tubes. The flow rate of cleaning liquid is at least equal to 20 1/min, per jet. The invention applies in particular to the cleaning of the tube plate of a steam generator of a pressurized-water nuclear reactor.

Abstract: A process and arrangement are disclosed for cleaning the surface of airpls (44). A large manipulator arranged on a truck (8) is moved towards the airplane (44) up to a predetermined position within its range of action and is parked in that position. A rotary brush-bearing head (18) is moved over the surface of the object by means of an articulated mast (13) arranged on the truck (10) and constituted of several extension arms (12, 12', 12", 12"', 14) that may swivel or slide with respect to each other at turning knuckles and/or prismatic joints and of a multiple joint (16) arranged at the last extension arm (14).

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a target analyte includes a sampling device, a holder, a light source, a light detector, and a quantifier (ammeter). The device has reading and sampling portions connected by a transfer portion. The holder has a housing, including a tray, which has a compartment adapted to seat the sampling device and an opening extending therethrough, slidable therein. The sampling portion is aligned with the tray opening when it is seated. When the tray is closed, the tray opening is aligned with the light detector and the light source. Once the sampling portion is exposed to a sample, carrier liquid is introduced to the sampling portion. While the carrier travel to the reading portion, the target analyte picks-up a labeling luminescent agent contained in the transfer portion. The reading portion captures the labeled target analyte. The non-captured elements exits the reading portion, leaving only the target analyte bound to the luminescent agent, which glows when exposed to light.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of organic and inorganic deuterium-tagged compounds is disclosed. The process comprises heating a deuterium oxide-solution of an organic or inorganic compound, the solution having a pH of from about 10 to about 1 to a temperature and pressure so that a supercritical reaction mass forms and one or more deuterium atoms of the deuterium oxide solvent exchanges with one or more protons of the organic or inorganic compound. After cooling the reaction solution formed from the supercritical reaction, the organic or inorganic deuterium-tagged compound is separated.