Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including measuring hematocrit within a blood sample, by performing a first measurement on a first portion of the blood sample. Mean corpuscular volume in the blood sample is measured, by performing a second measurement on a second portion of the blood sample, the second portion being diluted with respect to the first portion. A red blood cell count per unit volume within the blood sample is determined by dividing the hematocrit measured within the first portion by the mean corpuscular volume measured within the second portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including placing a first portion of a biological sample into a source sample portion chamber of a sample carrier, and placing a second portion of the biological sample into a diluted sample portion chamber. The second portion of the biological sample is diluted with respect to the first portion of the biological sample. Using an optical measurement device, a bulk-level measurand of the sample that relates to a parameter of the biological sample as a whole is measured, by performing a measurement upon the first portion of the biological sample. Microscopic images of the second portion of the biological sample are acquired. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method includes lysing the red blood cells of a whole blood sample, oxidizing the free hemoglobin in the lysed sample, and cleaving FVH from the hemoglobin A1C to form an electrochemical test solution. A first portion of the electrochemical test solution is reacted with fructosyl peptide oxidase and a reduced ruthenium mediator to form a first reaction product. A first electrical property of the first reaction product is measured, the measurement being indicative of hemoglobin A1C in the blood sample. A second portion of the electrochemical test solution is reacted with ferrocyanide to form a second reaction product. A second electrical property of the second reaction product is measured, the measurement being indicative of total hemoglobin in the blood sample. Hemoglobin A1C, total hemoglobin, and % HbA1C are determined based on the first and second electrical properties. Also provided are systems and components useful in performing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: Methods are described for measuring the amount of one or more of vitamin A, ?-tocopherol, and the combination of ?-tocopherol and ?-tocopherol in a sample. More specifically, mass spectrometric methods are described for detecting and quantifying one or more of vitamin A, ?-tocopherol, and the combination of ?-tocopherol and ?-tocopherol in a sample.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions of novel analogs of red blood cells that are distinguishable from white blood cells in a hematological instrument and processes for manufacturing such analogs. The processes for creating the compositions include washing, shrinking, and fixing cells at temperatures at or below room temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analysing hydrocarbons, with the implementation of a gas chromatography separation according to a first controlled temperature profile, to separate a sample into a plurality of analytes and the detection of at least one of said analytes by measurement of a variation of the resonance frequency of at least one resonator of nano-electromechanical system (NEMS) type covered with a functional layer made to vibrate at the resonance frequency thereof, under the effect of an adsorption or desorption of the analyte by the functional layer, the resonator being subjected to a second controlled temperature profile, lower than the first profile.

Abstract: A rapidly curable liquid gel for collecting an analyte from a sampling surface includes a polymer precursor mixture including a monomer and/or an oligomer; and an additive to enhance extraction of the analyte from the sampling surface. A kit for collecting an analyte from a sampling surface may include the rapidly curable liquid gel and a portable device for rapidly curing the gel. The rapidly curable liquid gel is cured to thereby form a peelable sampling film, and the sampling film is removed from the sampling surface, thereby collecting the analyte. In one embodiment, the rapidly curable liquid gel is UV-curable, the polymer precursor mixture further includes a photoinitiator compound, and the portable device includes a UV light source configured to emit UV light of a wavelength range absorbed by the photoinitiator compound.

Abstract: An analysis method and device including detecting at least one particle of matter in a fluid inside in a reaction chamber and correlating a change in the particle to a physicochemical property of the matter.

Abstract: A reagent test paddle includes a contamination detection medium, a reference color bar, at least one chemical test medium, and a unique identifier. The contamination detection medium includes a reagent that changes color in the presence or when exposed to a hostile or inhospitable environment. Each chemical test medium includes a regent that is responsive to a respective analyte in a biological sample. The reference color bar includes reference color samples of different colors. The unique identifier, like a serial number, identifies the particular paddle and its chemical test medium so it can be uniquely and anonymously associated with a user.

Abstract: A solid phase microextraction device is disclosed, including a substrate having at least one planar surface, a sorbent layer disposed on at least a portion of the at least one planar surface, a tapering tip extending from the substrate, a receptacle mount configured for removable attachment to an emplacement of a receiving device, and a clocking feature configured for fixing a radial orientation of the at least one planar surface with respect to the receiving device. A solid phase microextraction device repository is disclosed including a wall surrounding a chamber, a plurality of orifices disposed in the wall configured to receive and retain the device, and a plurality of clocking feature interfaces disposed in the wall. A solid phase microextraction device manipulator is disclosed, including a manipulator shaft, an emplacement configured to removably engage a receptacle mount, an electrically conductive contact disposed at the emplacement, an ejector, and a clocking feature interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cell and bead processing or analysis are provided. A cell or bead can be subjected to conditions sufficient to change a first characteristic or set of characteristics (e.g., cell or bead size). The cell or bead can further be subjected to conditions sufficient to change a second characteristic or set of characteristics. In some cases, crosslinks are formed within the cell or bead.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay to determine a percentage rumen undegraded protein in a food product by comparing the percentage of modified protein content to the total crude protein content of the food product. The total crude protein content extracted from a food product sample prior to conducting gel electrophoresis to separate modified protein content from the total crude protein content. The gel band intensities of the separated protein contents analyzed to enumerate a ratio that is used to derive a correlated percentage numen undegraded protein for a given food product sample. The diagnostic assay capable of being provided onsite for quick, cost-efficient and accurate results.

Abstract: A separating column (12) for hippuric acid analysis is filled with a filler in which 123 ?mol/g or more of ?-cyclodextrin is chemically bonded to a silica matrix. By using such a filler for the separating column (12) in which 123 ?mol/g or more of ?-cyclodextrin is chemically bonded to the silica matrix, hippuric acid, o-methyl hippuric acid, m-methyl hippuric acid, p-methyl hippuric acid, and mandelic acid can be separated without using a mobile phase containing cyclodextrin.

Abstract: A method of measuring a plurality of chemical elements in a baobab fruit pulp can include crushing and homogenizing baobab fruit pulp; sieving the homogenized baobab fruit pulp to obtain baobab fruit fine powder; adding the baobab fruit fine powder to each of prepared plurality of acid mixtures to obtain a plurality of solutions; heating each of the plurality of solutions to digest the baobab fruit fine powder in each of the plurality of solutions; cooling the plurality of solutions; filtering the digested baobab fruit fine powder from each of the plurality of solutions to obtain a plurality of filtered digested baobab fruit fine powders; diluting each of the plurality of filtered digested baobab fruit fine powders with water to obtain a plurality of mixtures; and measuring the plurality of chemical elements in each of the plurality of mixtures using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Abstract: A water-containing simulated lunar soil preparation and water content measurement system and method is provided. The system includes a water-containing simulated lunar soil preparation unit, a low-pressure environment simulation unit, and a water content analysis unit. The water-containing simulated lunar soil preparation unit includes a preparation pipeline, a low-temperature lunar soil cold trap, and a low-temperature water ice cold trap. Both ends of the preparation pipeline are connected with the low-temperature lunar soil cold trap and the low-temperature water ice cold trap through a first opening and closing valve and a second opening and closing valve, respectively. The low-pressure environment simulation unit includes a low-pressure pipeline provided with a vacuum pump. Both ends of the low-pressure pipeline are connected with the preparation pipeline and the water content analysis unit through a first pneumatic valve and a second pneumatic valve, respectively.

Abstract: Analyte collection and testing systems and methods, and more particularly to testing systems and methods that achieve significant improvements in the detection of fluorescence signals in the reader by modulating the applied optical excitation. Also described herein are optical detection apparatuses and methods for removable photonic chips that do not require translation for calibration when coupling the photonics chip with the sensing system. Also described herein are methods and apparatuses for accurately calibrating a dilution factor when reading from a photonics chip.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of preparation of lipoproteins from a biological sample, including HDL, LDL, Lp(a), IDL, and VLDL, for diagnostic purposes utilizing differential charged particle mobility analysis methods. Further provided are methods for analyzing the size distribution of lipoproteins by differential charged particle mobility, which lipoproteins are prepared by methods of the invention. Further provided are methods for assessing lipid-related health risk, cardiovascular condition, risk of cardiovascular disease, and responsiveness to a therapeutic intervention, which methods utilize lipoprotein size distributions determined by methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including a reactionware and an analytical device for analysing a reaction, the analytical device including at least a plurality of reaction sensors and the analytical device is configured for placement of a plurality of sensors in the reaction space of the reactionware, and optionally the reaction headspace of the reactionware, and the reactionware is a reaction flask having one or more necks, and the analytical device is held in a neck of the reaction flask.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biochemistry, more particularly to proteomics, more particularly to protein sequencing, even more particularly to single molecule peptide sequencing. The invention discloses methods for single molecule protein sequencing and/or amino acid identification using cleavage inducing agents which are not specific for one particular amino acid, cleave polypeptides step by step from the N-terminus onwards and provide information on the identity of the cleaved amino acids based on the kinetics.

Abstract: A coagulation test device for measuring clotting time and clot characteristics of a whole blood sample under different hemostatic conditions. Results of the test are used as an aid in management of patients with coagulopathy of unknown etiology in order to help the physician determine appropriate clinical action to arrest bleeding in a patient.