Abstract: An inspection method for inspecting the posture of parts mounted on a circuit board. This method consists of providing a moving unit for moving a stage holding the circuit board, a light source for irradiating the parts with a laser beam, an optical system path for irradiating the parts with the laser beam, a signal output path for outputting a reference signal by the laser beam, and a processing unit to process a signal from the optical system and signal output paths. In this method, reference signals A and B are obtained at first and second positions of the parts. This method further involves holding the parts at a first position, irradiating the optical system and signal output paths with the laser beam to detect a signal from each path, and outputting from the processing unit a first phase difference signal, corresponding to the first position, of output from each path.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing toxic materials in a safe manner. Two access ports in the apparatus are used for introducing and withdrawing the materials. In the apparatus, two valves pass the materials through a vial for mixing with a stored toxic material and a column for processing.

Abstract: A dialysis apparatus is provided including a multiwell plate, a separations membrane and a template having holes which mate with the wells. The membrane is sealed to one end of the wells by positioning the template about the outer peripheral surfaces of the wells with the membrane being frictionally held therebetween.

Abstract: The storage life of cereal grains or other products is extended by reducing biological activity in the storage enclosure. Air is oxidized in a chamber which is external to the storage enclosure. The oxidized air is propelled from the oxidizing chamber to the storage enclosure. Oxidation of the air may be produced by heat, ultra-violet radiation, or catalyzation. Heating may be done in a block provided with anodes for dissipating electrostatic charges. After being heated, the air is cooled before it is propelled to the storage enclosure. When air is oxidized by ultra-violet radiation, it is processed by an ozone decomposition system before it is admitted to the storage enclosure.

Abstract: A method for monitoring automatically, on-line chloride content in a fluid stream in an oil refinery. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for neutralizing the acids resulting from the chloride in a fluid stream. Pursuant to the method, a fluid sample is collected. To the sample is added a sulfide scavenger that will react with the sulfide that is present to create a reaction product. The fluid is then passed to a reaction or measurement cell including a chloride specific electrode. Prior to contacting the chloride specific electrode, the fluid must pass through a membrane that prevents the reaction product from flowing therethrough. The fluid that flows through the membrane is allowed to contact the chloride specific electrode. This allows the chloride content to be monitored in the fluid. The concentration of chloride can then be used to generate a signal to control the addition of a neutralizing agent to the fluid stream.

Abstract: A test kit for determining the `total compost life`, and chemical stability of a moist compost sample, includes a transparent container for holding the compost sample, and a reactant mass, located within the container in the space not occupied by the compost sample. The reactant mass includes a pH basic reactant material, and a color change indicator material, responsive to pH changes in the atmosphere within the container. After the moist compost sample is charged into the container, the container is sealed and allowed to remain undisturbed for a prescribed time period, e.g., about three (3) hours. During this time, carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and volatile organic acids are emitted from the sample into the space surrounding the chemically reactant mass. The pH basic reactant chemically reacts with the emitted carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), in ionic form, or the emitted volatile organic acids, so as to produce a color change. The nature of the color change is an indication of the carbon dioxide (CO.sub.

Abstract: In order to determine antithrombin III in body fluids by reacting the sample with thrombin and a chromogenic substrate which forms a colour by the action of thrombin and measurement of the colour formed, the reaction is carried out in the presence of denaturing agents or of the tetrapeptide Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro and an oligopeptide is used as the substrate which has a sensitivity to thrombin which is a factor of 5 to 100-fold lower compared With Tos-Gly-Pro-Arg-pNA

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting moisture in a sterilization chamber or other enclosure (including moisture present on the external or lumened surfaces of an instrument or other load placed in the enclosure). The method includes the steps of exhausting air from the enclosure under vacuum until the pressure in the enclosure is reduced from a starting pressure to a predetermined subatmospheric pressure which is above the saturation pressure of water, and then a second predetermined subatmospheric pressure which is below the saturation pressure of water or other liquid. The times taken to reach each pressure from the starting pressure are measured and their difference is calculated and compared to a reference time difference pre-established for a dry system (or, alternatively, in a known, leak-free system, only the pull-down time period to reach the second subatmospheric pressure is measured and compared to a pre-recorded reference pull-down time for a dry system).

Abstract: A container for holding a plurality of disposable pipette tips which are to be installed to a pipette rack for a pipetting apparatus is disclosed. The container includes an upper panel having a plurality of aligned openings into which the disposable tips are to be inserted, respectively, and a lower panel for regulating swing movement of the respective disposable tips held by the upper panel. The lower panel is separated from the upper panel so as to be freely movable between a first position at which the lower panel is spaced from the upper panel and a second position at which the lower panel is close to the upper panel. The container further includes four tabs which support the lower panel thereon at the first position. The tabs are formed on side panels which are connected to the upper panel. According to the container, it is possible to install the container which holes the pipette tips to the pipette rack without applying any specific force.

Abstract: A gas sensor has a gas-sensing component which changes color and/or conductivity on exposure to certain gases, which component comprises a (mono, di or tri) azatetrabenzoporphyrin. Certain (mono, di or tri) azatetrabenzoporphyrins containing a transition metal ion selected from chromium (III), vanadyl, manganese, cobalt or iron (III) are novel.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for measuring the physical properties of blood is disclosed. A waste compartment supports a platform having first and second syringe fittings. First and second syringes containing blood samples to be measured are positioned within the fittings. At least one testing station is located on the platform for subjecting blood flowing from one of the syringes to a test station, and the testing station is connected at a second end to the waste compartment. Tests on blood running through each of the blood channels may be conducted by inducing various platelet activation conditions, such as piercing a channel, or putting a platelet activating substance within a test channel. The cartridge interfaces with a test stand which will measure pressure changes within each of the test channels.

Abstract: A sample collection container having inner and outer chambers. The container may be fitted with upper and lower stoppers to provide a vacuum within the container. The device is adapted for the collection of a fluid, such as blood, in the inner chamber. The blood then passes from the inner chamber to the outer chamber upon releasing the vacuum. A concentrate of fluid components of blood, cellular debris, and contaminating microorganisms, if present, may be left in the inner chamber, and be removed subsequently from the inner chamber for testing for the presence of contaminating microorganisms.

Abstract: A method assures the quantitative or semiquantitative assessment of analytes in soils by in situ optical methods. A determination is made of the optical chemical response factors for chemicals of interest which are added in known amounts to discrete soil matrices (types) and conditions (moisture content) under controlled laboratory conditions to provide predetermined reference signals. A combination probe is provided with an optical chemical sensing device that produces chemical concentration signals representative of the concentration of a chemical of interest in a soil sample and further is provided with a strain gauge sensing device that produces strain gauge signals representative of soil type and optionally, condition of the soil sample. The combination probe is inserted into the soil sample and the optical chemical sensing device produces the chemical concentration signals and the optical strain gauge sensing device, simultaneously and in parallel, produces the optical strain gauge signals.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for purifying exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. The catalytic converter is comprised of a honeycomb monolithic catalytic element disposed in a casing. The catalytic element includes flat and corrugated metallic sheets which are formed into a cylinder by putting one upon another and spirally winding the metallic sheets. Catalyst is supported on the surface of the metallic sheets to define a plurality of axially extending gas passages through which exhaust gas flows to be purified. A metallic surface of the metallic honeycomb carrier is exposed at the outer peripheral surface of the catalytic element. The exposed metallic surface or outer peripheral surface of the catalytic element is in direct contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing, thereby preventing the catalyst from peeling off even upon gliding contact of the catalytic element with the casing while promoting heat transmission from the catalytic element to the casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring trace quantity of oxygen in a gas by reacting yellow phosphorus vapor and oxygen in a sample gas, and measuring the intensity of the light emitted by the reaction. Together with the sample gas, a constant amount of oxygen is continuously supplied to a reaction chamber so as to react with the yellow phosphorus vapor, and the intensity of the light emitted is measured. The oxygen concentration in the sample gas is determined from the difference between the value measured as above and the intensity of the light emitted by the reaction between the yellow phosphorus vapor and the added oxygen, or from the oxygen concentration obtained from the measured value and the concentration of the added oxygen.

Abstract: A color test strip for detecting predetermined substances which carries on a support at least one coloring pad and at least one pad for. The correction pad having a pH which is adjusted in relation to pH of the coloring pad. The color test strip can avoid false positive and false negative results.

Abstract: A system for determining the concentration of fructosamine in sera which consists of a first reagent in which a tetrazolium salt which reduces all reactive substances in sera including fructosamine and a second reagent which is responsive to all reactive substance in sera other than fructosamine. The difference in color change as between the two allows the determination of concentration of fructosamine.

Abstract: Compounds containing .alpha.-discarbonyl groups are rendered capable of fluorescent emission by conjugation with carboxylic acid-terminated ortho-diaminoaryl reagents. The carboxylic acid groups serve as ionizable moieties which facilitate the conjugation reaction, and are retained in the conjugation product to enable, or enhance the ability of, the conjugated compounds to be separated in chromatographic and electromigration separation processes, notably electrophoresis. Ortho-dinitro derivatives of the reagents are also disclosed, these derivatives offering the advantage of stability as well as the ability to be used directly in the reaction in the presence of a reducing agent.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte, a method of making the device, and a method of detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte. The invention features one or more supports, such as beads, which carry a thin film of polymer substrate. The polymer substrate has a sensing reagent and a porous matrix. The sensing reagent alters the optical properties of the polymer substrate in the presence of analyte.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a chemiluminescent nitrogen detector for detecting chemically-bound nitrogen in an organic compound is provided in which a discrete sample of the organic compound containing the chemically-bound nitrogen is injected into a high temperature furnace where the sample is pyrolyzed at extremely high temperatures in an oxygen rich atmosphere to form nitric oxide. The pyrolysis gases, including nitric oxide is then applied to a drying means for eliminating a substantial quantity of water vapor from the carried pyrolysis gases to insure that the dew point of the gases is below the operating temperature of a nitric oxide and ozone reaction chamber. The nitric oxide and ozone are mixed in a reaction chamber to form metastable nitrogen dioxide which instantaneously relaxes to its ground state with a resulting photo-emission of light energy.