Abstract: Methods of identifying a sequence of a polypeptide within a heterogenous mixture of polypeptides, the polypeptide being immobilized to a support and having at least one labeled amino acid residue. Methods involve detecting at least one signal or signal change from the immobilized polypeptide and subjecting the polypeptide to conditions sufficient to remove at least one amino acid residue from the polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided herein are red blood cell control compositions containing one or more populations of lysable hydrogel particles having an impedance that is substantially similar to the impedance of a human red blood cell of average diameter; and a population of hemoglobin molecules or a population of dye molecules that have substantially similar absorbance as hemoglobin; wherein (i) and/or (ii) are present in an amount that corresponds to a normal blood sample or disease state, or (i) and (ii) are present at a ratio that corresponds to a normal blood sample or disease state.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for quantifying an analyte extracted from a sample. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods that involve introducing a solvent into a capillary, introducing the capillary into a vessel including a sample such that a portion of the sample is introduced into the capillary, moving the sample and the solvent within the capillary to induce circulation within the sample and the solvent, thereby causing the analyte to be extracted from the sample and into the solvent, analyzing the analyte that has been extracted from the sample, and quantifying the analyte. In certain embodiments, the quantifying step is performed without knowledge of a volume of the sample and/or solvent.

Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the technical fields of nanoscience and fluorescence sensing, and specifically relates to a preparation method of a paper-based sensor for detecting an ammonia gas, and a use of the paper-based sensor. In the present disclosure, Zn(PA)(BPE) is first prepared, and a porous structure on a surface of the Zn(PA)(BPE) is used to adsorb an ammonia gas to improve a reaction sensitivity of the ammonia gas; then a Zn(PA)@CNQD ratiometric fluorescent substance is prepared from Zn(PA)(BPE) and CNQD through embedding, and finally dissolved in ultrapure water (UPW) to obtain a solution; and the solution is added dropwise on a filter paper, and the filter paper is purged with nitrogen, such that the solution is loaded on the filter paper to obtain a ratiometric fluorescent paper-based sensor.

Abstract: A method of measuring at least one biomechanical property of a reproductive cellular structure is provided. The method includes illuminating the reproductive cellular structure with radiation; detecting at least a portion of radiation scattered from the illuminated reproductive cellular structure; analyzing a frequency spectrum of the detected scattered radiation to identify at least one Brillouin frequency shift in the frequency spectrum; and determining the at least one biomechanical property based on the Brillouin frequency shift. The method further includes determining a viability index of the reproductive cellular structure based on the at least one biomechanical property.

Abstract: Methods and corresponding apparatus and systems for assessing cellular metabolic activity are disclosed. In one aspect, a cell can be illuminated with optical radiation in order to cause multi-photon excitation of at least one endogenous metabolic cofactor in that cell and cause the excited metabolic cofactor to emit fluorescent radiation. A detector can be used to detect the fluorescent radiation emitted by the excited endogenous metabolic cofactor. A computer processor can analyze the fluorescent radiation to derive the following parameters: (1) using a computer processor to analyze the intensity of the fluorescent radiation, (2) a fluorescence lifetime of at least one of the excited metabolic cofactor, (3) a parameter indicative of mitochondrial clustering in the cell. These parameters can be used to assess at least one metabolic process of the cell.

Abstract: This disclosure describes single-use test cartridges, cell analyzer apparatus, and methods for automatically performing microscopic cell analysis tasks, such as counting and analyzing blood cells in biological samples. A small measured quantity of a biological sample, such as whole blood, is placed in a mixing bowl on the disposable test cartridge after being inserted into the cell analyzer. The analyzer also deposits a known amount of diluent/stain in the mixing bowl and mixes it with the blood. The analyzer takes a measured amount of the mixture and dispenses in a sample cup on the cartridge in fluid communication with an imaging chamber. The geometry of the imaging chamber is chosen to maintain the uniformity of the mixture, and to prevent cells from crowding or clumping as it is transferred into the imaging chamber by the analyzer. Images of all of the cellular components within the imaging chamber are counted and analyzed to obtain a complete blood count.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting an antimicrobial surface coating on a substrate including the steps of applying an anionic agent to a surface of the substrate, allowing the anionic agent to bond to antimicrobial surface coating present on the substrate, removing unbonded anionic agent, subjecting the surface of the substrate to a predetermined process to effect a change in the bonded anionic agent, observing the change, and verifying, based on the observed change, the presence of antimicrobial surface coating on the substrate. Further disclosed are antimicrobial surface coating solutions, methods for their application, and methods for reactivated antimicrobial surface coatings.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to a segmented pipette tip adapter that includes a plurality of plate segments and a junction between adjacent plate segments. Each of the plate segments often includes a proximal surface, a distal surface, edges, one or more nozzles disposed on the proximal surface, and one or more tubular projections disposed on the distal surface. Each of the nozzles often includes a nozzle bore, each of the tubular projections often includes a tubular projection bore, each of the plate segments often includes a plate bore disposed at each of the nozzles, and each nozzle bore often is aligned with a tubular projection bore and a plate bore. Each junction often is between adjacent edges of a pair of adjacent plate segments.

Abstract: An object is to provide a flow analyzer which makes it possible to, without carrying out a complicated pretreatment, analyze mercury and analyze a sample containing mercury with accuracy equivalent to that of a conventional method. The object is attained by a flow analyzer including a sample introduction section (1), a reagent introduction section (3), and an analysis section (4), the flow analyzer further including: a heating section (5) that carries out a heat treatment with respect to a sample to which a reagent has been added; a cooling section (6) that cools the sample which has been subjected to the heat treatment and which is transferred inside a tube; and a gas-liquid separation section (7) that removes gas which is present in the tube after cooling.

Abstract: A device for detecting freshness of a perishable item is provided. The device includes at least one sensor for detecting an analyte of interest in the perishable item. The device further includes an integrated circuit for converting information detected by the sensor into a signal. The device also includes an antenna portion for receiving and transmitting the signal from the integrated circuit. The at least one sensor, integrated circuit and antenna portion are printed on a single sheet such that the device is unitary.

Abstract: Provided are methods for rapid detection of microbial contaminants in fresh foods, involving obtaining a product sample (preferably at or near the time of harvest of the product), applying, prior to any chilling of the sample or the product, an amount of a enrichment medium sufficient to cover the sample surfaces to provide a non-chilled sample for incubation, incubating the non-chilled sample for a time period and at a temperature sufficient to allow for amplification and enrichment of a non-cold-shocked target microbe, followed by recovering all or a portion of the enrichment media, concentrating the target microbes from the recovered enrichment medium, and detecting the concentrated target microbes.

Abstract: Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a vitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally directed to ionizing a vitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more vitamin D metabolites in a single assay.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of tamoxifen and its metabolites in a sample by mass spectrometry. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of N-Desmethyl Tamoxifen. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of N-Desmethyl Tamoxifen and other tamoxifen metabolites. In some aspects, the methods provided herein determine the amount of tamoxifen, N-Desmethyl Tamoxifen, and other tamoxifen metabolites.

Abstract: Systems and methods of in vivo and in vitro radical protein foot-printing using an opto-fluidic array are presented. These teachings may be used to, for example, study three-dimensional protein structure or bio-kinetics. Radical dosimetry including an optional intrinsic standard is used. Real-time feedback based on an internal standard provides comparability between different experiments and in vivo and in vitro analysis results in data that is representative of actual biological conditions.

Abstract: “The present disclosure provides methods and systems for sequencing proteins. One or more methods disclosed herein may use linkers having an amino acid-reactive group and an additional reactive moiety that may be used to couple a polymerizable molecule. The linker may couple to a polymerizable molecule and an amino acid of a peptide and a capture moiety via the polymerizable molecule, followed by cleavage of the amino acid from the peptide. Further processing and analysis may be conducted using, for example, nanopores or nanogaps.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for sequencing proteins. One or more methods disclosed herein may use linkers having an amino acid-reactive group and an additional reactive moiety that may be used to couple a polymerizable molecule. The linker may couple to a polymerizable molecule and an amino acid of a peptide and a capture moiety via the polymerizable molecule, followed by cleavage of the amino acid from the peptide. Further processing and analysis may be conducted using, for example, nanopores or nanogaps.

Abstract: Aspects of the application provide methods of identifying and sequencing proteins, polypeptides, and amino acids, and compositions useful for the same. In some aspects, the application provides methods of obtaining data during a degradation process of a polypeptide, and outputting a sequence representative of the polypeptide. In some aspects, the application provides amino acid recognition molecules having a shielding element that enhances photostability in polypeptide sequencing reactions.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensitive and cost-effective hydrogen sensor manufactured by a simple method from organometallic precursors.

Abstract: Chemical test methods for evaluating the alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) of an aggregate or an aggregate within a particular concrete job mix design by exposing the aggregate to a simplified system with the same or simulated long-term pore solution conditions is provided. ASR is a chemical reaction occurring between alkaline hydroxides within cement paste and certain types of amorphous silica found in mineral aggregates. Causing an accumulation of internal pressure within concrete structures due to the formation of a hygroscopic gel through the absorption of water, ASR leads to expansion and cracking of concrete. The present test method determines the reactivity index (RI) of a given aggregate, or an aggregate as it is to be used in a proposed concrete job mix design by determining the average concentrations of calcium, aluminum, and silicon across multiple tested samples, wherein the RI is the ratio of the concentrations of silicon to that of aluminum and calcium combined.