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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: Tissue sample management systems include a central network, a medical professional system, and a pathology lab system for processing a tissue sample in a matrix having a sectionable code. At least the pathology lab system includes at least one imaging device, and the central network is configured to process images from the at least one imaging device to identify and record at least the sectionable code of the matrix. Methods for tissue sample processing include providing a matrix having a sectionable code and measurement marks, the matrix for receiving a tissue sample, and identifying the sectionable code from an image taken of the tissue sample in the matrix. Tissue sample-receiving matrices include a sectionable alphanumeric code or bar code, a tissue sample receptacle, and measurement marks formed along a sidewall thereof. The matrices include one or more proteins and one or more lipids.

Abstract: A method for assessing an effect, such as a treatment, disease, or passage of time on a cellular unit of an organism includes providing a sample including a cellular unit subject to the effect in a supporting medium in a hermetically sealed container. The container is deoxygenated to induce at least one of a predetermined amount of hypoxia and a predetermined rate of oxygen consumption in the medium. Values for variables associated with the medium and/or the cellular unit are determined at each of a plurality of different times. Various combinations of the predetermined amount of hypoxia, the predetermined rate of oxygen consumption, the values for the variables associated with the medium and/or cellular unit, and the times and then correlated to generate a multi-dimensional surface. This surface is compared with another surface correlating corresponding values relating to another cellular unit such as one not subject to the effect.

Abstract: A method for in vitro simulation and evaluation of platelet adhesion in blood-contacting medical devices is disclosed, including the following steps: (1) using a glycerin aqueous solution with a mass percentage concentration of 40% in an extracorporeal circulation circuit to simulate a viscosity and hydrodynamic characteristics of blood, and adding fluorescent particles with a diameter of 3 ?m to 5 ?m to the solution to simulate platelets; (2) after the solution circulates in the circuit for a specified time period, removing flow passage components of a tested device, and observing the deposition of the fluorescent particles on a blood-contacting surface inside the device by naked eyes and photographs; and (3) using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique to apply laser light on a device surface deposited with the fluorescent particles and in contact with blood, and using charge-coupled device (CCD) camera imaging to photograph the aggregation and adhesion of laser-induced fluorescent particles.

Abstract: A standard calibration solution includes water, a non-alcoholic solvent that is mixed with water, and a steroid hormone, and a content of the non-alcoholic solvent is 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less. The standard calibration solution is used for quantitative measurement using a mass spectrometry device.

Abstract: A sterilization system and method for sterilizing an oral appliance is disclosed. As part of the system, a sterilization case is provided, which includes a case body, a rechargeable battery, and at least one ultraviolet light. The case body includes a top portion and a bottom portion movably connected to one another, and the case body is sized and shaped to house the oral appliance. The at least one ultraviolet light is mounted in the case body, is powered by the rechargeable battery, and, in use, sterilizes the oral appliance.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described herein for processing polynucleotides in a sealed path environment. The apparatuses include optical sensors to monitor operations and to track material usage for good manufacturing practice.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, reagents, kits, systems, system components, and methods for performing assays. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an assay composition for detecting luminescence, which comprises an alkyl diethanolamine, for example, N-butyldiethanolamine (BDEA). In emodiments, the assay composition comprises 2-dibutylaminoethanol (BDAE).

Abstract: The present invention is methods and assays for identifying single proteins from a sample, without the use of affinity reagents. The methods and assays combine endopeptidase-based component of conventional peptide mapping with single molecule labeling and a microreactor array platform. The invention also includes kits for performing the methods and assays.

Abstract: A particle separation device comprises, inside a plate-like base body, a straight main flow path including a flow inlet and a plurality of branch flow paths. The flow inlet includes a sample flow inlet and a pressing flow inlet. The sample flow inlet is connected to the main flow path via a first bending part, a first straight part, a second bending part, and a second straight part. Widths in the first bending part and the first straight part are larger than widths in the second bending part and the second straight part. The widths in the second bending part and the second straight part are larger than a width in the main flow path. The pressing flow inlet is connected to the side surface of the main flow path via a third straight part, a third bending part, a fourth straight part, and a fifth straight part.