Abstract: Detectably labelled annexines and compositions thereof are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for diagnosing a disruption or activation of the hemostatic system or a prothrombotic state in an individual suspected of having a hemostatic disorder, by contacting the blood of said individual with an annexine, and detecting whether an annexine-platelet complex is formed.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for prolonging the preservation of human blood platelets at reduced temperatures. The method uses an inhibitor system that enables blood platelets to maintain their discoid shape and retain their functional integrity during storage. This is accomplished by interrupting normal platelet function during storage, so as to help keep platelets from activating and losing their shape. Before using the platelets in a transfusion, they are returned to their normal functional level by washing the inhibitor system away from the platelets.

Abstract: A rapid, simple method for preparing beads for calibrating flow cytometers which contain a known number of fluorophores per bead is presented. Briefly, the invention utilizes beads coated with a stable complex of a fluorophore and an enzyme. the enzymatic activity of a known number of beads gives an accurate measure of fluorophore density on those beads.

Abstract: A reagent for analyzing leucocytes comprises (a) at least one ionic surfactant, being either a cationic or an amphoteric surfactant, in an amount sufficient for lysing erythrocytes and causing damage to a part of cell membranes of leucocytes; (b) at least one organic compound having a hydrophobic group and an acidic group which has a negative charge in an aqueous solution in an amount sufficient for a preserving leucocyte morphology by combining with a cationic component in leucocytes; (c) a nonionic surfactant; and (d) a buffer for adjusting pH.

Abstract: The invention relates to colorimetric titration method, a titrator and colorimeter device. The titrating apparatus comprises radiant energy means for producing radiant energy. The device includes means for modulating an amplitude of an intensity of the radiant energy at a modulation frequency. The radiant energy is partially absorbed by an adjacent solution within a sample beaker having a color indicator dissolved therein. Radiant energy focusing means focuses the modulated radiant energy transmitted through the sample and beaker on radiant energy detection means. The radiant energy detection means produces a transmitted signal wherein an intensity of the transmitted signal is directly proportional to the intensity of transmitted energy. Filtering means filters the transmitted signal, such that a center frequency of the filtering means matches the modulation frequency of the radiant energy means.

Abstract: A method for improved measurement of a concentration of an analyte in a sample having an unknown concentration of the analyte includes using an affinity assay having an experimental indicator. Standard and control samples, each having a known concentration of the analyte are assayed and a response, an amount of experimental indicator emitted for each sample is detected. The unknown sample is also assayed and its response is detected. A prior probability density is supplied for the unknown concentration, along with a model for a standard curve relating an expected response to a concentration of the analyte. A posterior density, having a median, for the unknown concentration is generated based on the supplied prior density, the supplied model, and the responses for the standard samples, the control samples and the unknown samples, by applying Bayes' rule.

Abstract: An enzyme-capture assay (ECA) for rapid identification of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in clinical samples comprising contacting a clinical sample which is suspected to contain E. coli with an immobilized antibody against .beta.-D-glucuronidase which then catalyzes an enzyme substrate to produce a fluorescent product is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for spotting a biological probe onto an array. A micropipette containing a quantity of the biological probe in solution is manipulated to a position above a selected location within the array. The micropipette is pressurized sufficiently to produce a droplet of the biological probe at an open tip of the micropipette. Formation of the droplet is simultaneously visually monitored during the pressurization of the micropipette in order to estimate a volume measurement of the droplet. Upon reaching a predetermined volume for the droplet, the pressurizing of the micropipette is discontinued. The droplet of the predetermined volume is then dispensed onto the selected location.

Abstract: A direct jet monitor illuminates the jet of a flow cytometer in a monitor wavelength band which is substantially separate from the substance wavelength band. When a laser is used to cause fluorescence of the substance, it may be appropriate to use an infrared source to illuminate the jet and thus optically monitor the conditions within the jet through a CCD camera or the like. This optical monitoring may be provided to some type of controller or feedback system which automatically changes either the horizontal location of the jet, the point at which droplet separation occurs, or some other condition within the jet in order to maintain optimum conditions. The direct jet monitor may be operated simultaneously with the substance property sensing and analysis system so that continuous monitoring may be achieved without interfering with the substance data gathering and may be configured so as to allow the front of the analysis or free fall area to be unobstructed during processing.

Abstract: In a method for measuring a specified component in a specimen by reacting the specimen with a first reagent formed by binding a substance active to the specified component, with carrier particles and a second reagent formed by labelling a substance active to the specified component with a first label, and measuring the substances in the complexes obtained in the reaction, there is disclosed a method featured by labelling the carrier particles with a second label different from the first label, and detecting the second label and then the first label utilizing the detection of the second label as a trigger.This method enables a highly precise measurement without the influence of noise components in the detection of specified trace components in the specimen, utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction or a nucleic acid hybridization.

Abstract: A method of separating a first class of lipoprotein in a sample from a second class of lipoprotein in the sample including: precipitating the second class of lipoprotein; contacting the sample with a magnetically responsive particle; and placing the sample in a magnetic field until the magnetically responsive particle has sedimented, thereby causing the precipitated second class of lipoproteins to sediment, leaving the first class of lipoproteins in the supernatant of the sample.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of bacterial growth in a plurality of sample vials incorporates a single test station moveable along each of the plurality of sample vials. In one embodiment, the sensor station is movably mounted on a rod, and that rod is movably mounted on a pair of spaced rods. The rod which carries the test station may move along the spaced rods to change the location of the test station in a first dimension and the test station is moveable along its rod to change location in a second dimension. In this way, the test station may be moved through two dimensions to move serially to the location of each of the plurality of sample vials. In another aspect of this invention, a bar code is associated with each of the sample vials, and the test station makes a reading of that bar code concurrent with a determination being made as to whether there is any bacterial growth in the sample vial.

Abstract: A method for rapidly collecting kinetic rate data from a temperature scanning reactor for chemical reactions. The method, which is particularly useful for studying catalytic reactions, involves ramping (scanning) of the input temperature to a reactor and recording of output conversion and bed temperature without waiting for isothermal steady state to be established.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the remediation of sites containing coal tar compositions that contain polynuclear aromatic compounds. The remediation entails altering the coal tar compositions to substantially decrease the bioavailability of the polynuclear aromatic compounds. The process includes the contacting and blending of the coal tar with petroleum coke for a time sufficient to produce a uniform admixture. The weight ratio of the petroleum coke to coal tar is generally from about 1:1 to about 10:1. Processes are also disclosed for the determination of the proper blending ratio to achieve a necessary level of remediation.

Abstract: An extraction cartridge, for extracting a component from a composition, contains a packing composition including a buffer composition, diatomaceous earth and absorbent. The cartridge is made by heating each component to assure it is free from contaminants. The diatomaceous earth is sifted to obtain a particular particle size. The cartridge also includes frits and filters for holding the packing composition within the cartridge. All of the components of the cartridge are selected or processed to assure that no contaminants are leached into the sample being extracted. A processing system automatically processes a plurality of cartridges. The processing system, which is capable of continuous operation, includes a platform, a rack for holding the cartridges, sample vials and extraction tubes.

Abstract: A method of assay of antioxidant activity of a sample of water, which comprises monitoring the change exerted by the sample on a luminescent reaction.

Abstract: Apparatus, and process, for extracting organic fluids and solids specimens from weighed amounts of semi-solids and solids samples for collection, concentration and transfer to an analytic unit. The organic specimen is picked up by a probe assembly from a single compartment septum-sealed vial by heating and slurrying the sample, contacting with a gas; and then transferring the organic specimen with the gas to a collection device, e.g., a syringe or adsorbent trap. The specimen is then transported to an analytical instrument for analysis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preserving platelets at cryogenic temperatures with retention of hemostatic activity are provided. The compositions include a first agent for inhibiting actin filament severing and a second agent for inhibiting actin polymerization. Contacting the platelets with the first and second agents prior to exposure to cold temperature prevents cold-induced platelet activation.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a powder stream to be applied to a work piece includes a powder reservoir, a mixing chamber, a powder metering valve, a transfer conduit, and a nozzle. The metering valve allows control of the powder flow from the reservoir into the mixing chamber where it is dispersed with and entrained in an air flow entering the chamber through an aspirating inlet. The air entrained powder is then conveyed from the mixing chamber via the transfer conduit to the nozzle. The nozzle includes a controllable gas flow input and a powder stream generating passageway configured and associated with the transfer conduit to generate a reduced pressure in the conduit and mixing chamber which draws the air borne powder from the chamber into the nozzle. One or more of the individual components are adjustable to control the size, configuration, thickness or other parameters of the coating on the work piece as a result of the applied powder stream.

Abstract: An inspection system for sampling and determining the presence of residues of contaminants within plastic materials to be recycled from used plastic materials such as plastic beverage bottles or plastic food containers includes a chemical sniffing apparatus, or alternatively an optical scanner, for detecting the contaminants as the plastic materials are rapidly moved along a conveyor past a series of stations. Recycled food or beverage bottles are fed through a shredder in-line with the conveyor and the shredded plastic material from the bottles is fed to a washer. The bottles and shredded material may be tested for contaminants at any location in an in-line process. In one exemplary system first the bottles are tested prior to entry into the shredder in order to remove bottles containing gross contaminants.