Abstract: A sample loading cartridge (1) for a microfluidic device comprises a cartridge body (10) with a sample reservoir (20) configured to house a volume of a liquid sample (3) and a sample port (30) in connection with the sample reservoir (20). The cartridge (1) also comprises an output channel (40) extending from the sample reservoir (20) and a feedback channel (50) connected to the sample reservoir (20) and to the sample port (30). The cartridge body (10) comprises a detection portion (60) aligned with the feedback channel (50) to enable detection of any sample (3) in the feedback channel (50). The flow resistance of the feedback channel (50) is lower than the flow resistance of the output channel (40) to cause liquid sample (3) received in the sample port (30) to enter the feedback channel (50) with substantially no liquid sample (3) entering the output channel (40).

Abstract: Flow apparatuses comprising a separation channel, a downstream flow separator, a detection zone, an observation zone, and a waste channel. The separation channel has first and second flows in contact and allows lateral movement of components between contacting first and second flows. The downstream flow separator is in communication with the separation channel and diverts a part of the first fluid flow, the second fluid flow, or both, from the separation channel. The detection zone comprises a detection channel downstream of and in communication with the flow separator and configured to receive a plurality of diverted flows from the flow separator and a label channel configured to label the diverted flows from the flow separator. The observation zone is configured to record an analytical signal indicative of the quantity and the electrical properties of the component. The waste channel is at the downstream end of the observation zone.

Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes a housing unit capable of housing a plurality of reagent bottles each of which has an IC tag on one surface of short-side side surfaces thereof, an antenna used to communicate with the IC tag, a detector that detects the presence or absence of a reagent bottles, and a control unit. The housing unit includes a housing container cooled by a cooling machine, a heat insulating material, a reagent tray provided with a plurality of reagent bottle holding portions that hold the reagent bottles, a disk rotatably holding the reagent tray, and a driving unit driving the disk, and when it is unable to communicate with the IC tag of the reagent bottle installed in the reagent bottle holding portion where the reagent bottle is detected by the detector, the control unit determines that the reagent bottle is installed in a reverse direction.

Abstract: An automatic analysis device includes a processing unit 3 which performs the treatment on a specimen before analysis of the specimen, supply equipment which supplies a reagent to a reaction vessel 11 disposed in the processing unit 3, a liquid temperature adjusting unit 1 which adjusts a temperature of the reagent supplied to the reaction vessel 11 by the supply equipment, a control unit 201, and a first temperature detection unit 4 which detects at least one temperature of a temperature of the air within the processing unit 3 and a temperature of the reagent supplied to the reaction vessel 11, in which the liquid temperature adjusting unit 1 and the control unit 201 execute temperature adjustment of the reagent based on a first temperature detected by the first temperature detection unit 4.

Abstract: A method for differentially lysing a liquid sample or target material using an augmented oxidizing agent (AOA), which includes a quantity of electronically modified oxygen derivatives (EMODs). The method reduces or eliminates total dissolved solids (IDS), total suspended solids (TSS), Biologic Oxygen Demand (BOD), microbial concentration, biofilms and other content in the liquid target material known or suspected to contain animal fluids, blood and blood cells and suspected or known to contain eukaryotic cells, microbial cells, bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, prions, organic matter, minerals, proteins or associated structures. The BOD, TDS and TSS can be lowered or eliminated as desired. This action is directly proportional to the quantity of EMODs in the AOS applied to the liquid target material.

Abstract: System for protecting and securing bags for bulk high pressure processing equipment including at least one tube provided with holes, covers for evacuating and connecting the ends of the tube or tubes, the tube or tubes being anchored to the covers, a protector for the bag adapted to lengthen the outlet path of the processed product once the depressurization of the equipment is produced, and a fitting for the protector for connecting the protector to the cover on the side from which the product in the bag comes out.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to devices, and methods for quantifying thiol content in a sample containing a mixture of proteins or protein isoforms. The method includes conjugating a portion of the sample with free thiol detection binders, separating the contents in the portion of the sample into separated protein isoforms, detecting fluorescence signals associated with each separated protein isoform, and quantifying, based on the fluorescence signals, a relative amount of free thiol associated with each separated protein isoform. In some instances, the method includes quantifying the amount of each separated protein isoform based on absorbance signals associated with each separated protein isoform. In some instances, the fluorescence and/or absorbance signals associated with protein isoforms conjugated with detection binders can be compared with the corresponding signals associated with unconjugated protein isoforms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting, delaying, or reversing cellular senescence that includes having an isolated cell flow through a microchannel, and crashing the cell in flow into an impact surface installed on a flow path of the cell to apply a physical impact to the cell, resulting in inhibiting, delaying, or reversing senescence of the cell, while maintaining high biological activity, and in particular, it relates to a method that can further increase the value of a stem cell as a therapeutic cell for various degenerative diseases by maintaining undifferentiated state of the stem cell even during a long-term culture period to maintain multipotency, and to the cells obtained by the method.

Abstract: An electronic-sensing & magnetic-modulation (ESMM) biosensor device and methods of using the same, where the device incorporates electrical, microfluidic, and magnetic subsystems. The device and methods of using such a device can be applied to high throughput point-of-care screening for the quantification and evaluation of a subject's immune response to pathogenic infections, which can be useful for: early diagnosis, stratifying high-risk subjects infected with a pathogen; and determining the status or effectiveness of a therapeutic response.

Abstract: Various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods and compositions (e.g., kits) for the identification of subjects with misfolded proteins in their urine. For example, methods and compositions for determining that a urine sample from a pregnant woman contains or does not contain misfolded are provided. In some embodiments, the presence of misfolded proteins in a urine sample from a pregnant woman is an indication of preeclampsia.

Abstract: Novel organoselenium selective ligands are presented and designed to determine metal ions in a sample. These ligands are used as complexing agents in a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure of copper and zinc ions. The procedure has a shortened extraction time, minimal organic solvent types, and lower amounts of solvents, as well as easy operation and high enrichment efficiency.

Abstract: A microfluidic detection unit comprises at least one fluid injection section, a fluid storage section and a detection section. Each fluid injection section defines a fluid outlet; the fluid storage section is in gas communication with the atmosphere and defines a fluid inlet; the detection section defines a first end in communication with the fluid outlet and a second end in communication with the fluid inlet. A height difference is defined between the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet along the direction of gravity. When a first fluid is injected from the at least one fluid injection section, the first fluid is driven by gravity to pass through the detection section and accumulate to form a droplet at the fluid inlet, such that a state of fluid pressure equilibrium of the first fluid is established.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of characterizing a urine sample from a subject.

Abstract: Air-matrix digital microfluidics (DMF) apparatuses and methods of using them to prevent or limit evaporation and surface fouling of the DMF apparatus. In particular, described herein are air-matrix DMF apparatuses and methods of using them in which a separate well that is accessible from the air gap of the DMF apparatus isolates a reaction droplet by including a cover to prevent evaporation. The cover may be a lid or cap, or it may be an oil or wax material within the well. The opening into the well and/or the well itself may include actuation electrodes to allow the droplet to be placed into, and in some cases removed from, the well. Also described herein are air-matrix DMF apparatuses and methods of using them including thermally controllable regions with a wax material that may be used to selectively encapsulate a reaction droplet in the air gap of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sanitizing system for a vehicle includes an ultraviolet light source mounted on the vehicle and configured to irradiate an irradiation target with an ultraviolet ray so as to sanitize the irradiation target and a control unit configured to control the ultraviolet light source to be turned on and off. The sanitizing system may further include an illumination light source configured to illuminate the irradiation target of the ultraviolet light source. The control unit may turn on the illumination light source when the ultraviolet light source is turned on. The control unit may be configured to carry out a first detection that an occupant outside the vehicle approaches the vehicle and turn on the ultraviolet light source in response to the first detection.

Abstract: Provided are a stable triazolinedione adduct, a method for producing the same, a method for producing an ene compound, and a method for analyzing an ene compound. A triazolinedione adduct that is stable until the time of use and can be reacted while reverting to a triazolinedione compound at the time of use. Specifically, a triazolinedione adduct represented by formula (1). (In the formula, R1 is an organic group, and A is a fused ring of three or more rings including at least one aromatic ring.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an odor identification system including an operation array unit including at least two or more sensors which interact with odor causative substances included in an odor factor of a gas sample, a sensor data processing unit processing data obtained by interaction with the odor factor in the operation array unit, an odor factor information storing unit storing information of the odor factor and the interaction pattern information of the odor factor in advance, and a pattern identification unit identifying the odor factor on the basis of an interaction pattern while referring to the pattern processed by the sensor data processing unit and the information of the odor factor information storing unit, and collating the interaction pattern with the known odor information, wherein the odor of the object to be measured is contained.

Abstract: A system for concentrating particles in an air stream includes an air channel having a first open end and a second open end. The air channel may be enclosed by a channel wall extending from at least the first open to the second open end. Two or more heater elements may be positioned between the first open end and the second open end. The heater elements may be positioned near a periphery of the air channel and cooperatively configured to force particles in the air stream away from the periphery and towards an interior region of the air channel. Particles in the air stream may be thermophoretically forced towards the interior region of the air channel when the heater elements are heated and thermal gradients emanating from the heater elements are generated.

Abstract: A sliding removable coaxial capillary microfluidic chip and a preparation method therefor. The chip comprises a substrate which has a hole as a window; an alignment platform I and II are respectively fixed on both sides of the window, and the alignment platform I is internally provided with a circular groove I and a square groove I formed successively on the same axis; the alignment platform II is internally provided with a circular groove II and a square groove II formed successively on the same axis; both ends of a square capillary are respectively placed in the square groove I and II, one circular capillary enters the square groove I through the circular groove I, one end of another circular capillary is placed in a sliding platform, and the other end slides through the sliding platform and enters the square groove II through the circular groove II.

Abstract: We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.