Abstract: A liquid including an organic component, a stabilization component, and a preservation component is provided. The organic component, the stabilization component, and the preservation component are different components. The organic component present in the liquid includes a volatile organic solution with a refractive index of 1.5 or below. Further, the liquid is a visualization solution that provides a resolving power of a lens by 1/1.5.

Abstract: Microfluidic apparatuses, systems, devices and associated fluid manipulation and extraction devices, and methods of using them are presented. The devices may be useful for analysis of clinical, laboratory, chemical, or biological samples. A fluid application and extraction interface device may include a waste reservoir with a fluid trap extending above a waste chamber, an opening through the waste reservoir above the sample inlet, and a transfer conduit extending through the waste reservoir so that fluid may pass from the transfer conduit into the waste reservoir and be trapped within the waste chamber.

Abstract: Electromagnetic systems and corresponding methods for assembling the electromagnetic systems are described. The electromagnetic systems can be used in fluid processing systems that include a plurality of fluid containers, each configured to define a fluid chamber that receives a fluid and a plurality of magnetic particles, and a plurality of electromagnets configured to generate a magnetic field within at least one of the plurality of the fluid containers. The fluid processing system can also include a PCB board that supplies the electromagnets with electrical current by establishing an electrical connection between electrical contact terminals included on the PCB board and spring loaded connections included on each electromagnet.

Abstract: There is provided a microchip comprising: a main flow path through which a liquid containing microparticles flows; and a branch flow path that branches from the main flow path. A cross-sectional area of a portion of the main flow path is substantially constant up to a branch start position or decreases toward the branch start position, and a radius of curvature R of a side wall that connects a side wall of the main flow path and a side wall of the branch flow path is 0.5 mm or less and more than 0 mm.

Abstract: A high throughput microdroplet-based system for single cell assays in microdroplets is provided. The system integrates parallel devices and switches to enable simultaneous analysis of different cells or cell combinations, or different assay conditions, on a single microfluidic chip. Interconnections between the inlets of individual devices on a common chip enable simultaneous screening of the effect of different combinations of drugs on single cells. The use of an oil inlet and microchannels with matched total flow resistance allows the synchronous generation of droplets with the same dimensions and/or volumes.

Abstract: Exosomes comprising a modified RNA are disclosed. Aspects of the disclosure further relate to methods and compositions for using exosomes comprising a modified RNA. In certain aspects, the exosomes disclosed herein may be useful in delivering a modified RNA to a cell. In certain aspects, the exosomes disclosed herein may be useful in treating or preventing a disorder in a subject. Methods and compositions for producing the disclosed exosomes are also provided.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention is a reference cassette for a fluorescence immunoassay diagnostic device, the cassette having, arranged in a case, fluorescent glass capable of maintaining fluorescence characteristics to be constant without causing degeneration, so as to accurately provide reference measurement information about the fluorescence detection amount during testing of the measurement accuracy of the fluorescence detection of the immunoassay diagnostic device, so that testing accuracy can improve, preventing decrease in measurement accuracy and being semi-permanently usable since the denaturation or deterioration of the fluorescent glass does not occur even if the cassette is used continuously, and providing a mask having a slit so as to limit the area of the fluorescent glass to be externally exposed to a specific area, thereby generating the type of fluorescence that is the same as that of a reaction area of a sample strip to be actually used, and thus more accurate reference measurement informa

Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic “organ-on-chip” device is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the epithelial system in vivo. In particular, a stem cell-based Lung-on-Chip is described. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling differentiation of cells on-chip into lung cells, e.g., a lung (Lung-On-Chip), bronchial (Airway-On-Chip; small-Airway-On-Chip), alveolar sac (Alveolar-On-Chip), etc., for use in modeling disease states of derived tissue, i.e. as healthy, pre-disease and diseased tissues. Additionally, stem cells under differentiation protocols for deriving (producing) differentiated lung cells off-chips may be seeded onto microfluidic devices at any desired point during the in vitro differentiation pathway for further differentiation on-chip or placed on-chip before, during or after terminal differentiation.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a system and methods for automated imaging and manipulation of small animals. In exemplary embodiments, the disclosed subject matter provides a motorized picking assembly, that is coupled to a processor and adapted to remove selected small animals from a source plate and transfer them to a destination plate. The disclosed subject matter provides methods, which include identifying at least one parameter for the small organisms, selecting organisms based on the parameter and transferring selected organisms from the source plate to the destination plate. In certain embodiments, the disclosed subject matter provides a handheld self-sterilizing loop tool for the manual manipulation of small organisms.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a nozzle includes: measuring a temperature of the nozzle; comparing the temperature of the nozzle with a reference temperature; and determining whether or not the nozzle is clogged based on the temperature of the nozzle.

Abstract: Exosomes are a small type of extracellular vesicles containing nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins that are implicated in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and cardiac regeneration, and therefore serve as potentially useful biomarkers from fluids or as vehicles for drug delivery. Global bottom-up mass spectrometry-based proteomics has been previously used to profile exosome cargo for diagnostic purposes. However, the current protocols for MS analysis of extracellular vesicles and exosome proteomics are challenging due to labor-intensive sample preparation, including lengthy digestion times and removal of MS incompatible reagents, and the need for high sensitivity. To address these challenges, the present invention provides a novel, high-throughput strategy for extracellular vesicle analysis and exosome proteomics using a photo-cleavable, anionic surfactant, preferably 4-hexylphenylazosulfonate (Azo).

Abstract: A method and kit for detecting the presence of diesel exhaust fluid in fuel is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a fuel sample, combining the fuel sample with a buffered urease solution to make a test solution, agitating the test solution, allowing the test solution to separate into layers and convert urea to ammonia. The method also includes adjusting a pH of the aqueous layer of the test solution, isolating the aqueous layer, immersing, agitating and then removing a reagent strip, and allowing the aqueous layer to develop a color change for an indication of presence of ammonia from any DEF contamination.

Abstract: A device for analyzing biological samples comprises first, second, third, and fourth layers. The first layer comprises a sample chamber in which a sample is positioned. The second layer comprises first, second, and third channels. A third, porous layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer. A fourth layer composed of a substantially liquid-impermeable material is positioned between the second layer and the third layer. The fourth layer includes first and second pass-through channels that are aligned with the first and second channel, respectively. Fluids that flow in the first and second channels pass through the pass-through channels and diffuse into the sample chamber, establishing a chemical concentration gradient therein. A gas in the sample chamber can diffuse through the third and fourth layers and interact with a fluid flowing in the third channel, establishing a gas concentration gradient in the sample chamber.

Abstract: The present application relates to a microfluidic system and its method for use for the separation of motile sperm from immotile sperm or motile bacteria from immotile bacteria. The system includes a housing having a first end, and a second end, with a passage connecting the first and second ends. There is an inlet at the first end of the housing for charging fluids into the passage and an outlet at the second end of said housing for discharging fluids from the passage. There are one or more corrals within the passage, each of the corrals including a closed side and a partially open side. The closed side of the corrals is closer to the first end than the partially open side, with the closed side and partially open side defining between them a confinement region suitable for retaining motile sperm or motile bacteria.

Abstract: A monitoring device for a system for measuring process variables, in particular in liquid analysis, which measuring system comprises a sensor (2) for recording a process variable and a contactless, inductive plug-in connection (5) between the sensor (2) and a cable (6) for preferably bidirectional transfer of digital signals between the sensor (2) and a remote transducer (7), the monitoring system comprising: a coupling device (17) that can be placed on the plug-in connection (5) and operates without contact to record the signals transferred via the plug-in connection (5), an evaluation device (21) for evaluating the recorded signals, and a display device (22) for presenting the evaluated signals.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer for analyzing samples includes a lift, a part take-out station and a rack recovery station. The lift is configured to raise and lower a plurality of stacked part racks to the part take-out station and to the rack recovery station while keeping the part racks together. The part take-out station comprises a first rack separator configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks from being lowered when the lift lowers, while allowing the other part racks to lower, so that the uppermost rack is separated from the other part racks so as to remain in the part take-out station. The rack recovery station comprises a second rack separator configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks from being lowered when said lift lowers, while allowing the other part racks to lower, so as to remain in the rack recovery station.

Abstract: A mixed solution in which a compound which forms a nonvolatile membrane at a gas-liquid interface through self-aggregation is dispersed in a volatile liquid, is ejected and atomized in a gas or in a vacuum to produce a droplet particle, and a nonvolatile membrane is then formed at the gas-liquid interface by aligning the compound on a surface of the droplet particle having a reduced diameter due to evaporation of the volatile liquid in the gas or in the vacuum to stabilize the droplet particle. The method produces a novel droplet particle which stably exists in a gas or in a vacuum without collapsing or without evaporation of the volatile liquid inside the droplet particle.

Abstract: An automatic sample introduction device includes a needle, a sample loop, a mixer and a suction injection switch mechanism. The mixer is provided between the needle and the sample loop. The suction injection switch mechanism sequentially sucks first and second fluids into the sample loop through the needle and the mixer and injects the first and second fluids held in the sample loop into a predetermined injection port. A chromatograph includes the automatic sample introduction device having the above-mentioned configuration, an analysis column and a detector. The analysis column is connected to the injection port of the automatic sample introduction device, and the detector is connected to the analysis column.

Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic intestine on-chip is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the gastrointestinal system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic intestinal cell culture, which is some embodiments is derived from patient's enteroids-derived cells, is described comprising L cells, allowing for interactions between L cells and gastrointestinal epithelial cells, endothelial cells and immune cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory gastrointestinal autoimmune tissue, e.g., diabetes, obesity, intestinal insufficiency and other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. These multicellular-layered microfluidic intestine on-chips further allow for comparisons between types of gastrointestinal tissues, e.g., small intestinal duodenum, small intestinal jejunum, small intestinal ileum, large intestinal colon, etc., and between disease states of gastrointestinal tissue, i.e.

Abstract: A granule for detecting protein in pet urine comprises 60-80 parts by weight of silicone particles, 40-50 parts by weight of a filler, 10-20 parts by weight of an adhesive, 1-3 parts by weight of a bacteriostatic agent, 3-5 parts by weight of a deodorant, and 5-10 parts by weight of an tetrabromophenol blue indicator.