Abstract: Methods, devices, and reagents are described for performing ratiometric assays for hemoglobin A1c. The methods involve a direct ratio determination between Hb A1c and normalized total hemoglobin utilizing a saturating amount of hemoglobin so that Hb A1c binds proportionately to a substrate. In some applications, the assay utilizes a proximity label system for signal generation and/or labeled magnetic beads. The methods can be configured as homogeneous or heterogeneous assays.

Abstract: Color quantification of chemical test pads and titration of analytes can be performed under different lighting conditions. In one embodiment, the lighting condition is estimated under which a digital image is captured and utilized to select a set of reference colors from which the quantified color is compared to determine the titration. In another embodiment, a plurality of comparisons are made with different lighting conditions with the result having the highest confidence level being selected to determine the titration.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for partitioning species. In some embodiments, such systems can be used for determining one or more types of cancer. For example, certain aspects are generally directed to aqueous multiphase partitioning systems that can be used, for example, for distinguishing between different types of cancers, diagnosing subjects with cancer, or the like. In some cases, such systems can be identified using solvent properties such as the solvent dipolarity/polarizability difference (??*), the solvent hydrogen bond donor acidity difference (??), the solvent hydrogen bond acceptor basicity difference (??), and the electrostatic property difference (c) between two phases of the partitioning system. These may be within certain ranges in accordance with various embodiments.

Abstract: A thermal desorption tube for use with an electrical power source that includes a tube body having a tube middle portion, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet, a heating element having a first element end and a second element end, wherein the heating element is disposed within the tube body between the gas inlet and the gas outlet, wherein the heating element has a Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) value greater than 0.003 per degree Celsius, and wherein the first element end and the second element end are configured to electrically couple to a power source, and a sorbent material disposed within the tube middle portion, wherein the sorbent material is disposed in and occupies all available space within the tube middle portion surrounding, within, and adjacent the heating element, and wherein the sorbent material is in direct contact with the heating element.

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 of detecting platinum and copper in a test sample are provided. Kits for use in detecting platinum and copper in a test sample also are provided.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a method of analyzing a sample including an analyte. The method includes injecting the sample including the analyte into a mobile phase. The mobile phase includes a metal chelator additive having a concentration between about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm. The method also includes separating the analyte using liquid chromatography and analyzing the analyte using a mass spectrometer, an ultra-violet detector, or a combination thereof.

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: Disclosed is a method for evaluating environmental erosion of thaumasite in tunnel concrete, including: acquiring natural corrosion action parameters and environmental influence action parameters, and evaluating a natural corrosion situation based on the natural corrosion action parameters to obtain an initial evaluation result; and modifying the initial evaluation result based on the environmental influence action parameters to obtain a target evaluation result.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods for detecting the presence of and amount of drugs in a sample, particularly a particle sample obtained from a subject. In particular disclosed embodiments, the particle samples are skin particle samples, saliva particle samples, and/or mucous samples isolated from a subject and analyzed using thermal desorption methods combined with a selected detection method.

Abstract: A multi-channel system for classifying particles in a mixture of particles according to one or more characteristics including a common source of electromagnetic radiation for producing a beam of electromagnetic radiation and a beam splitter for producing multiple beams of electromagnetic radiation for directing multiple beams of electromagnetic radiation to each interrogation location associated with each flow channel of the multi-channel system.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for preparing exosomes using: (i) a step for ultrafiltering a sample containing at least one exosome; and (ii) a step for subjecting the sample that can be obtained from step (i) to anion exchange column chromatography.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for cell and bead processing or analysis. A method for processing a cell or bead may include subjecting a bead to conditions sufficient to change a first characteristic or set of characteristics (e.g., cell or bead size). Such a method may further include subjecting the cell or bead to conditions sufficient to change a second characteristic or set of characteristics. In some cases, crosslinks may be formed within the cell or bead.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for determining the total organic carbon of a sample in a liquid medium includes a reactor block made of a metallic, electrically conductive, and corrosion-resistant material, the reactor block including a housing wall for accommodating a light source, the housing wall including an inlet into and an outlet from the reactor block and a flow chamber in which digestion of the sample for determining the total organic carbon occurs, the flow chamber configured to accommodate the light source and to route the sample to be irradiated with light, wherein the measuring apparatus further includes at least one conductivity measurement device, wherein the reactor block is an external electrode of the conductivity measurement device. A method for determining the total organic carbon of the sample using the measuring apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining analytes 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. In one aspect, 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. In another aspect, 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.

Abstract: A dry stick (180a, 180b, 180c) arranged to indicate at least one biomarker value of a milk sample of an animal (100) by a lateral flow test. The dry stick (180a, 180b, 180c) includes a sample pad (310) with a reagent, configured to indicate at least one biomarker value of a received milk sample of an animal (100) by changing colours when exposed for milk having the biomarker; a porous membrane (320), configured to create a capillary flow of the milk sample, from the sample pad (310) through the porous membrane (320); an absorbent pad (330) with an absorbent configured to absorb superfluous milk from the porous membrane (320); and a porous desiccant, configured to absorb moisture from environmental air.

Abstract: A flow cell with a first section and a second section, and a gasket sealing between the first and second sections. A chamber is defined in the flow cell, having a perimeter with a narrower end and a rounded wider end. An inlet passage, outlet passage, and a sensor are arranged in fluid communication with the chamber. The inlet passage directs fluid into the chamber proximal its narrow end at an angle of between about 45° and 75° relative to the plane of gasket and the outlet passage directs fluid flow out of the wider end of the chamber at an angle between about 45° and 75° relative to the plane of gasket, the inlet passage and outlet passage being angled in opposite directions. The flow cell is useful for monitoring levels of chemicals in an industrial process stream, such as lactose levels in a dairy process stream.

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: A tape (170) includes a bottom film (410), upon which dry sticks (180a, 180b, 180c) are separately arranged, which dry sticks (180a, 180b, 180c) are configured to indicate at least one biomarker value of a milk sample of an animal (100); and a top film (310) covering the plurality of dry sticks (180a, 180b, 180c), the top film (310) being arranged on the bottom film (410), the top film (310) being arranged to be peeled off an individual dry stick (180a, 180b, 180c) before application of the milk sample to the dry stick (180a, 180b, 180c).

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing an analyte extracted from a sample using an adsorbent material.