Abstract: Disclosed are a novel 8-hydroxyquinoline acetamide compound, an 8-hydroxyquinoline thioamide and use thereof. More specifically, disclosed are a novel 8-hydroxyquinoline thioamide compound suitable for use as a selective chemodosimeter that shows considerably high detection sensitivity to mercury ions, an 8-hydroxyquinoline acetamide compound as an intermediate thereof, preparation thereof, and a chemodosimeter for mercury ion-selective detection, the chemodosimeter comprising the 8-hydroxyquinoline thioamide compound. The compounds as disclosed herein exhibit considerably effective fluorescence specificity of an off-on type, detect a micromole of mercury ions from chemical and biological aqueous systems, and allow 100% desulfurization within 5 minutes, thus being considerably useful in the chemical industry.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for harvesting algae in continuous fermentation. There is a harvester including a main moving belt, a plurality of rollers, and a motor for driving the main motor belt. There is a reactor tank and a vacuum extractor for applying a vacuum over a width of the main moving belt to extract biomass and to dry the main moving belt. The main moving belt has one end in the reactor tanks and another end extended into the vacuum extractor. The algae contained in the reactor tank is collected for further processing, including oil extraction. With algae harvested in the large-scale manner of the present invention, a more efficient oil extraction method can be used because of the concentration, temperature, and pressure can be more easily controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring changes in cell volume generally includes introducing cells into a chamber having a volume between 2 and 100 times the volume of the introduced cell. A first electrically conductive extracellular fluid is introduced into the chamber and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first fluid is exchanged with a second electrically conductive extracellular fluid and a current is applied. The voltage induced by said current flow is measured. The first induced voltage result and the second induced voltage result are used in conjunction with known voltages induced by such current flows to monitor changes in the volume corresponding to fluid flow between the cell and an extracellular fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for harvesting algae in continuous fermentation. There is a harvester including a main moving belt, a plurality of rollers, and a motor for driving the main moving belt. There is a reactor tank and a vacuum extractor for applying a vacuum over a width of the main moving belt to extract biomass and to dry the main moving belt. The main moving belt has one end in the reactor tanks and another end extended into the vacuum extractor. The algae contained in the reactor tank is collected for further processing, including oil extraction. With algae harvested in the large-scale manner of the present invention, a more efficient oil extraction method can be used because the concentration, temperature, and pressure can be more easily controlled.

Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly for packaging a volume of substance to be preserved by cryogenic vitrification characterized in that it comprises a sheathing (2) including a thin tube (6) having a predetermined internal diameter (Di) and a predetermined length (L); a support (3) comprising a zone for receiving said predetermined volume, said support (3) capable of being introduced inside said thin tube (6); and a plunger (4) for pushing forward said support (3), said support (3) then taking up a predetermined position in said thin tube (6) with an interval between each end (21, 22) of said support (2) and the neighboring end (8, 9) of said thin tube (6).

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, provides a culture vessel which includes a body having at least a first edge at least partially perimetrically bounding the body, and at least a first seal extending from the first edge. The first seal is breachable and fluid-tight, and disposed obliquely to the first edge so as to subtend an acute angle therewith. The first seal separates the body into first and second chambers. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a culture vessel is provided which allows for volume expansion in situ.

Abstract: Amino-containing materials can be attached to polymeric materials having a pendant amine capture group that includes a fluoroalkoxycarbonyl group. An amino-containing material can react with the pendant amine capture group by a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The product of the reaction is an alcohol and a pendant group that contains a carbonylimino group. The reaction results in the connection of the amino-containing material to the polymeric material. The polymeric materials are often disposed on a surface of a substrate and the connection of the amino-containing material to the polymeric material results in the immobilization of the amino-containing material on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bioartificial liver system comprising a fixed-bed bioreactor packed with gel beads containing hepatocytes of an animal, a plasma reservoir, a plasma separator, and an efflux chamber, wherein the plasma reservoir is located at a position higher than the bioreactor, a ventilation filter in contact with atmosphere is provided at the top of the plasma reservoir, and the top of the plasma reservoir is directly connected to the efflux chamber via a connecting line. The inventive system satisfactorily performs the essential liver functions without the problems of gel bead damage or channeling.

Abstract: A mixing machine includes a mixer body including a head portion that extends over a bowl receiving location. An output member extends downward from the head portion toward the bowl receiving location. A drive system is linked to the output member for effecting planetary rotation of the output member. A bowl guard support is at an underside of the head portion. The bowl guard support provides a circular support path in the form of a groove extending about a periphery of the bowl guard support. A bowl guard assembly includes a housing member and a catch member extending from a surface of the housing member. The catch member is received within the groove to maintain a vertical position of the bowl guard assembly while permitting rotation of the bowl guard assembly. The catch member is movable relative to the housing member and is biased into the groove to seat therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alkylphenol-aldehyde resins containing oligo- or polymers having a repeat structural unit of the formula where R1 is a branched alkyl or alkenyl radical which has from 10 to 40 carbon atoms and bears at least one carboxyl, carboxylate and/or ester group, R2 is hydrogen or R1 R3 is hydrogen or an alkoxy group of the formula -(A-O)m—H, A is a C2- to C4-alkylene group, m is from 1 to 100, R4 is hydrogen, a C1- to C11-alkyl radicals or a carboxyl group, R5 is C1-C200-alkyl or -alkenyl, O—R6 or O—C(O)—R6, R6 is C1-C200-alkyl or -alkenyl, n is from 1 to 100 and k is 1 or 2.

Abstract: It is intended to easily dispense a minute amount of nonvolatile liquid. In a preferred embodiment, in dispensing of mineral oil (nonvolatile liquid), dispensing is conducted in the condition that the amount of air contained in a tip (70) is small by aspirating a larger amount of mineral oil (40) than a single dispensing amount in the tip (70) of a nozzle (28).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for analysis of individual particles in a microfluidic device. The methods involve the immobilization of an array of particles in suspension and the application of experimental compounds. Such methods can also include electrophysiology studies including patch clamp recording, electroporation, or both in the same microfluidic device. The apparatus provided includes a microfluidic device coupled to a multi-well structure and an interface for controlling the flow of media within the microchannel device.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward a lubricity additive for fuel compositions that is a mixture of an amine having at least one alicyclic group and a monocarboxylic acid having up to 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The methods are disclosed to introduce catalysts and fluids into an apparatus and/or media to effect remediation of contaminants, improve soil fertility and permeability, control undesirable pests, or create useful chemicals or food. Aerobic metabolism of compounds in a media is facilitated through the transfer of fluids, such as air. The apparatus and methods provide an environment for select organisms, including refugia and nutrient substrate. The biodegradable composition of the apparatus is partially transformed by catalytic treatment. Catalysts or remediation agents are produced in-situ, for specific applications that provide a range of retention, activation, activity, and release profiles.

Abstract: A thermal cycling instrument for PCR and other reactions performed on multiple samples with temperature changes between sequential stages in the reaction procedure is supplied with a thermal block to provide rapid changes and close control over the temperature in each sample vessel and a pressure plate incorporated into a motorized lid that detects anomalies in the reaction vessels or in their positioning over the thermal block, and automatically adjusts the plate position to achieve an even force distribution over the sample vessels.

Abstract: A suspension storage container 10 has a flat portion across a specific region including the tail end. The flat portion has an outer peripheral wall 13 forming a flat outer peripheral surface and partition walls 14 that extend in the flat cross section of the outer peripheral wall 13 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the major axis direction of the flat cross section to partition a chamber inside the outer peripheral wall 13 into plural chambers S1 through S3 aligned side by side in the major axis direction. A suspension K is stored only in part of all the chambers S1 through S3, that is, the chamber S2, and a sealing film 21 having the outline almost identical with the outline of the outer peripheral wall is laminated to the tail end surfaces of the outer peripheral wall 13 and the partition walls 14.

Abstract: A thermal cycler includes a bearing element, a heating element, a first cooling element, and a temperature controller. The bearing element carries at least one reaction mixture. The heating element raises the temperature of the reaction mixture. The heating element includes a housing, at least one carbon nanotube structure and a pair of electrodes. The carbon nanotube structure and the pair of electrodes are accommodated in the housing. The pair of electrodes is electrically connected to the carbon nanotube structure. The first cooling element cools the temperature of the reaction mixture. The temperature controller is electrically connected to the heating element and the first cooling element. The temperature controller controls the operation of the heating element and the first cooling element.

Abstract: The use of fuel compositions comprising selected hydrocarbon oils as carriers for detergents has been found to reduce deposit formation as well as prolong the functionality of fuel injectors. The selection and utilization of particularly characterized hydrocarbon oils as detergent carriers reduces intake valve deposits and combustion chamber deposits, in comparison to conventionally used carrier fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multistory system for using waste carbon dioxide and waste heat to facilitate cultivation of photosynthetic organisms. In particular, the present invention relates to a multistory system with the incorporation of upconverting and downconverting luminescent materials and other components suitable for enhancing growth of photosynthetic organisms.

Abstract: An incubator including a temperature-controlled room adjusted to a predetermined environment condition for culturing a sample of an incubation container at inside of the temperature-controlled room, the incubator including a shifting mechanism for moving a position of the incubation container at inside of the temperature-controlled room by a motor, a temperature adjusting section for adjusting a temperature at inside of the temperature-controlled room, an operating information generating section for generating operating information with regard to a position of operating and a time period of operating the motor prior to operating the motor, an estimated variation outputting section for outputting an estimation variation of a temperature state by operating the motor based on the operating information, and a controlling section for controlling the temperature adjusting section to cancel a temperature change of an amount of the estimated variation in synchronism with operating the motor.