Abstract: A lectin-binding substance measurement method is a method for measuring a lectin-binding substance in a sample, and includes: a capturing step of bringing a capture carrier including a water-insoluble carrier and a molecule immobilized on the water-insoluble carrier, the molecule being a molecule capable of capturing a lectin-binding substance, into contact with the sample to cause the capture carrier to capture the lectin-binding substance; a washing step of removing contaminants unbound to the capture carrier; a releasing step of releasing the lectin-binding substance from the capture carrier to obtain a prepared sample; and a measuring step of measuring the lectin-binding substance in the prepared sample by using a lectin.

Abstract: Sample processing methods and systems to collect a biological sample. A device may be configured collect a predetermined volume of a sample in sample chamber and seal the chamber upon activation. The device may be further configured to mix the mix the sample with a predetermined volume of a reagent and/or mix the sample and the reagent in a pre-determined ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid handling device which can prevent an inclination of a rotary member. The fluid handling device includes: a substrate; a circular first groove disposed on the substrate; a second groove connected to the first groove; a third groove connected to the first groove; a film joined to the substrate so as to cover the first groove, the second groove and the third groove; and a joining area where the film and the bottom of the first groove is joined, the joining area being disposed between a connecting portion of the second groove and a connecting portion of the third groove in the first groove. The surface of the film in the joining area is located closer to the bottom of the first groove than the surface of the film in an area joined to the substrate of the film.

Abstract: An electronic smoking article or electronic vaping article includes a reservoir containing a liquid material and having an outlet, a capillary having a capillary inlet and a capillary outlet, the capillary inlet of the capillary in communication with the outlet of the reservoir, a heater operable to heat the capillary to a temperature sufficient to at least initially volatilize liquid material contained within the capillary, and a shuttle valve between the outlet of the reservoir and the capillary inlet. The shuttle valve is operable to prevent release of liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in a closed position and is operable to release liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in an open position.

Abstract: A lectin-binding substance measurement method is a method for measuring a lectin-binding substance in a sample, and includes a measuring step of bringing a blocked labeled lectin including a water-soluble carrier made of a first water-soluble polymer and a labeling substance and a lectin immobilized on the water-soluble carrier into contact with the sample.

Abstract: A device and a method are disclosed for collecting and culturing fish embryos and evaluating combined toxicity of thiamethoxam and tetraconazole. An embryo collection component and an embryo culture component are provided on a base plate. The embryo collection component includes a collection tray detachably connected to a bottom of a culture tube. The embryo culture component includes a cavity plate with a stopper inside and a top plate provided with a culture well. A bottom of the culture well is provided with a leakage hole; and after the top plate is installed into the cavity plate, the stopper occludes the leakage hole. The new device is used to carry out the combined toxicity effect test of thiamethoxam and tetraconazole on zebrafish embryos, which can be used to avoid development of pesticide mixtures that have a good preventive effect but pose increased toxicity risk to the ecological environment.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method for measuring peracetic acid concentration in an aqueous solution, including: combining, in a reactive solution, 4-(methylthio)aniline and at least one reactive species to produce a chromophore, wherein the at least one reactive species comprises a chromotropic acid disodium salt; placing the chromophore in an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution comprises peracetic acid, wherein peracetic acid within the aqueous solution reacts with the chromophore; and measuring a concentration of peracetic acid within the aqueous solution, wherein the measuring comprises quantifying a colorimetric change of the aqueous solution caused by the peracetic acid reacting with the chromophore. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning dye molecules on a surface of a metal/metal oxide nanocomposite substrate by irradiating the substrate with UV-visible light. The cleaning of the adsorbed dye molecules is confirmed using an ultrasensitive optical method.

Abstract: A system includes an analysis system at a first location and one or more remote sampling systems at a second location remote from the first location. A sampling system can be configured to receive a remote liquid sample. The system also includes a sample transfer line configured to transport gas from the second location to the first location. The sample transfer line is configured to selectively couple with a remote sampling for supplying a continuous liquid sample segment to the sample transfer line. The system can further include a sample receiving line at the first location. The sample receiving line is configured to selectively couple with the sample transfer line and the analysis system to receive the continuous liquid sample segment and supply the sample to an analysis device.

Abstract: An automated analysis device is provided with a casing accommodating an analysis device. A cover is axially supported with freedom to pivot, between a closed position and an upwardly-open open position, about a support shaft provided at one side of the casing. A closing device is capable of inhibiting opening of the cover in the closed position, and is provided with a projecting portion that protrudes from a front surface of the cover toward the rear, a lock lever which is axially supported with freedom to pivot about a pivoting support shaft, and which pivots from the work surface in a direction approaching the projecting portion to engage with the projection portion, thereby inhibiting opening of the cover. A safety cover can thus be locked securely.

Abstract: A system for opening a secure specimen sample bottle includes a base having a first area and a first raised hollow portion for receiving and holding the specimen sample bottle. The first raised hollow portion has a groove formed along an outer surface thereof. The system includes a cutter for cutting a first portion of the specimen sample bottle. The cutter has a handle at a first end and a second end portion that receives the first portion of the specimen sample bottle and a blade for cutting the first portion. The second end portion has a flange with a raised rail formed along an inner surface of the flange, with the raised rail being received within the groove to couple the cutter to first raised portion during performance of a cutting operation.

Abstract: A titration apparatus includes a titration measuring cell with a titration vessel, a valve device, and a first pump for sucking liquid through a first fluid line into a temporary storage container and transporting it via a second fluid line into the titration vessel. The temporary storage container is arranged in a fluid path between the first pump and the valve device. A third fluid line connects the first pump to the temporary storage container and is filled with a working liquid that does not affect the titration. A second pump conveys a volumetric solution into the titration vessel. An electronic controller controls the first and the second pumps and the valve device to convey a liquid from the first liquid supply into the temporary storage container to transport the liquid into the titration vessel and transport the volumetric solution into the titration vessel to carry out titration.

Abstract: A receiving frame for a support plate for pipette tips that is formed from two opposing longitudinal walls and two opposing transverse walls, each has an upper side and a lower side and laterally enclose an interior space is disclosed. The upper sides of the longitudinal walls and transverse walls together form a circumferential support surface on which a support plate for pipette tips can be reversibly placed. The receiving frame has a footprint on the lower side of the longitudinal walls and the transverse walls.

Abstract: Methods for forming samples of noble metal bipyramid nanocrystals having very low size and shape polydispersities from samples of mixed noble metal nanocrystals are provided. The samples include those comprising high purity, substantially monodisperse, plasmonic gold bipyramid nanocrystals. Also provided are methods of growing secondary twinned metal nanocrystals using the noble metal bipyramid nanocrystals as seed particles. Like the seed bipyramid nanocrystals from which they are grown, the secondary nanocrystals are twinned nanocrystals and may also be characterized by very low size and shape polydispersities. Secondary twinned nanocrystals grown by these methods include enlarged metal bipyramid nanocrystals and nanocrystals with anisotropic “dumbbell” shapes having a variety of tip geometries. Methods for using noble metal bipyramid nanocrystals as plasmonic heaters to heat reaction solutions via plasmonic-photothermal radiation-to-heat conversion are also provided.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (FDA Classifications: “Sputum Specimen [In-Home] Self-Collection Device” and “In Vitro Medical Diagnostic Device”) and method for self-collection, transport, decontamination and storage preservation of expectorated sputum specimens, to optimize specimen quality and reliability of clinical laboratory stain interpretation, culture and molecular diagnostic tests, thereby improving laboratory support for pathogen-specific treatment (antibiotic stewardship).

Abstract: A pipette tip system is disclosed and includes a pipetter and a pipette tip. The pipetter has a suction lumen with an opening and an ejection bar that slides relative to the suction lumen. The pipette tip has a distal end with a distal end opening and a proximal end with a rim that defines a proximal opening adapted to receive the pipetter. The pipette tip also has a central lumen extending from the proximal end opening to the distal end opening and a pipette tip wall extending from the rim forming the central lumen. The pipette wall comprises a low-force stretch region with a plurality of thinning channels to allow for the stretching of the pipette tip wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic technology enabling rapid and economical manipulation of reactions on the femtoliter to microliter scale.

Abstract: A flow cell for confining molecules in a fluid. The flow cell includes an upper substrate, an upper support member, a center substrate, a membrane, a lower support member and a lower substrate. The lower support member comprises an imaging chamber it is positioned below the membrane and above the lower substrate. In one embodiment the membrane comprises a nanopore and nanoscale groove extending through the membrane. In another embodiment the lower substrate comprises an upper face in communication with the imaging chamber, and the upper face comprises a plurality of nanoscale grooves extending partially through the lower substrate. In both embodiments the upper substrate, upper support member, center substrate and membrane are displaceable through the imaging chamber, thereby causing molecules in the imaging chamber to be confined or trapped through the nanoscale groove(s) of the membrane or of the lower substrate.

Abstract: A system and related methods for monitoring and dosing peroxycarboxylic acids, particularly peracetic acid, in food processing applications based upon desired concentration of the processing solution. The concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid measured and additional peroxycarboxylic acid being added to the processing solution if the measured concentration is below a threshold level of the desired concentration, and additional water being added to the processing solution if the measured concentration is above a threshold level of the desired concentration. The system and related methods capable of being used in utilized with either live stream or static, storage tank based systems, to keep the concentration of peroxycarboxylic acid at or near desired concentration levels while experiencing less variation than experienced with conventional flow-based or hand-mixed systems.

Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction, a liquid aerosol formulation, a heater operable to at least partially volatilize at least a portion of the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol, a power supply operable to apply voltage across the heater, at least one light emitting diode, a charging button assembly including a conductive post operable to form a first external, electrical contact at an upstream end of the electronic smoking article, and a second external, electrical contact including a portion of an outer surface of the outer housing at the upstream end of the electronic smoking article. The first and second external, electrical contacts charge the power supply.