Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the non-destructive testing of workpiece surfaces of a workpiece by means of fluorescent penetrant testing or dye penetrant testing. The method comprises applying a penetrant to the region of the workpiece surface to be examined, thereby allowing the penetrant to penetrate into possible recesses in the workpiece surface, applying a developer to the region of the workpiece surface to be tested; bleaching the penetrant by a gaseous or liquid oxidant; and visually assessing the penetrant that has remained in the recesses present in the workpiece surface.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting a complex comprising a membrane protein bound to a therapeutic agent by mass spectrometry. The method comprises: (a) providing a solution comprising a detergent micelle in which said complex is contained; (b) providing a mass spectrometer comprising a nanoelectrospray ionization source, a mass analyzer and a detector; (c) vaporizing the solution using the nanoelectrospray ionization source under conditions such that the complex is released from the micelle; (d) ionizing the complex; (e) resolving the ionized complex using the mass analyzer; and (f) detecting the resolved complex using the detector. Also provided is a solution comprising a detergent micelle in which a complex is contained, wherein the complex comprises a membrane protein bound to a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Provided is a protein concentration assay method that uses a protein indicating reagent and that enables highly accurate assay. The protein concentration assay method includes: optically analyzing a color exhibited after a sample to be assayed and a protein indicating reagent are brought into contact with each other; measuring pH of the sample to be assayed; and assaying a concentration of protein in the sample based on the result of the optical analysis, the measured value of pH, and data for protein concentration assay, wherein the protein indicating reagent is a protein indicating reagent whose color varies with pH and a concentration of protein, and the data for protein concentration assay include information indicating a way to assay the result of the optical analysis corresponding to the measured value of pH.

Abstract: Methods for making designed carbohydrate affinity columns and lectin columns are provided. Reducing sugar of choice is dissolved in pH 6.0 acetate buffer and injected onto a primary amino group functionality column. The column is washed with pH 6.0 acetate buffer and the column effluent monitored with a variable wavelength UV detector. Lectin columns are made by injecting appropriate lectin to the designed carbohydrate and the lectin binds to this scaffold. The lectin column is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying ammunition type and/or weapon type used to fire the ammunition from gunshot residue. This method involves providing a sample including a gunshot residue, subjecting the sample to spectroscopic analysis to produce a spectroscopic signature for the sample, and identifying the spectroscopic signature to ascertain the type of ammunition and/or the type of weapon used to fire the ammunition. A method of establishing reference spectroscopic signatures for ammunition type and/or weapon type used to fire the ammunition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic switching device that includes an upstream microfluidic channel configured to contain a liquid having particles therein and a plurality of outlet channels coupled to the upstream microfluidic channel at a junction. A dead-end side channel or LCAT is oriented generally perpendicular to the upstream microfluidic channel and coupled to the upstream microfluidic channel at the junction, the dead-end side channel having a gas contained therein. The device includes a transducer configured to apply an external source of acoustic energy. Actuation of the transducer effectuates symmetrical oscillation of a gas/liquid boundary at the junction. Preferably, the junction comprises a bifurcation with two outlets. Further, the LCAT has a leading edge and a trailing edge and wherein the trailing edge of the LCAT is substantially aligned with the bifurcation.

Abstract: An interchangeable disposable measuring cassette for insertion into a measuring apparatus for detecting target molecules in a liquid sample by measuring fluorescence emission has a flow measurement cell in which an excitation radiation provided by the measuring apparatus produces an evanescent field in the liquid sample beyond a boundary layer for the liquid sample and the measurement cell. To be better able to ensure that no sample liquid can cross from the measurement cell into the measuring apparatus, the measuring cassette includes a body including an optically transparent material and a base in contact with the underside of the body. The measurement cell is formed by a cutout provided in the body, the base, or both. The areas on which the body and the base are on top of one another around this cutout are connected to one another directly and in fluid-tight fashion by laser welding.

Abstract: Labeling reagents, sets of labeling reagents, and labeling techniques are provided for the relative quantitation, absolute quantitation, or both, of ketone or aldehyde compounds including, but not limited to, analytes comprising steroids or ketosteroids. The analytes can be medical or pharmaceutical compounds in biological samples. Methods for labeling, analyzing, and quantifying ketone or aldehyde compounds are also disclosed as are methods that also use mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (I) and compounds of the general formula (II) Use of compounds (I) or (II) as visible or invisible markers, for staining materials, in the laser welding of materials, for detecting bases, acids or pH changes, as a dispersing assistant, pigment additive for organic pigments and intermediates for the production of pigment additives, in heat management or energy management, in photovoltaics or in optical data storage.

Abstract: Systems that employ microdroplets are used in embodiments for Microdroplet Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ESI MS). Thus, a method of detecting an analyte includes providing an oil composition comprising oil and an aqueous microdroplet comprising the analyte, the oil composition comprising a surfactant to stabilise the aqueous microdroplet in the oil composition; and performing ionisation mass spectrometry analysis of the oil composition.

Abstract: A method of rapidly detecting trace materials including biohazards, toxins, radioactive materials, and narcotics in situ is disclosed. A corresponding apparatus is disclosed. A trace of the material is collected on a pad of the card component, collected by swiping the pad on suspected surface or exposure to the suspected air volume. A novel card component is disclosed that when inserted in a chemical detection unit (CDU), releases reaction chemicals from flexible walled capsules in desired sequence. The exposed pad containing trace material and chemicals are heated in the chemical detection unit to produce a spectral pattern that is analyzed by the optical electronics in the CDU and results are displayed, stored and/or transmitted over a communications network.

Abstract: A microfluidic system with a plurality of sequential T-junctions for performing reactions in a plurality of droplets (plugs) of micro- to femtoliter volumes is disclosed. The microfluidic system is configured such that the plurality of plugs are flowing through a loading component, with the loading component splitting the plurality of plugs at each of the plurality of downstream T-junctions and each inlet of the plurality of detachable holding components is configured to be operably coupled with at least one of outlets of the plurality of downstream T-junctions so that the holding components received a plurality of split plugs in the immiscible carrier fluid from the loading component.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for the collection and analysis of analytes from samples. In one embodiment an extraction chamber is provided that includes a sample holder and an extraction lid that allows for simultaneous multifiber solid phase microextraction of analytes from a sample held in the sample holder. Methods of collection and analysis include using simultaneous multifiber solid phase microextraction of analytes from a sample.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pinhole inspection apparatus, system and method for a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell, which can easily detect the position of a pinhole using water and a pH test paper from discoloration caused when the water is in contact with the pH test paper through the pinhole, thus solving the existing problems and allowing the membrane electrode assembly to be reused after the inspection. In particular, a lower fixture is configured to support the membrane electrode assembly and water is uniformly distributed on an upper surface of the membrane electrode assembly. A pH test paper is inserted between the membrane electrode assembly and the lower fixture and discolored upon coming in contact with water that passes through a pinhole in the membrane electrode assembly, thus detecting the presence and position of the pinhole.

Abstract: Biomarkers and/or risk assessments identify patients having an increased risk of certain clinical disease states including, for example, CHD, type 2 diabetes, dementia, or all-cause death (ACD) using NMR signal to measure a level of “GlycA” in arbitrary units or in defined units (e.g., ?mol/L) that can be determined using a defined single peak region of proton NMR spectra. The GlycA measurement can be used as an inflammation biomarker for clinical disease states. The NMR signal for GlycA can include a fitting region of signal between about 2.080 ppm and 1.845 ppm of the proton NMR spectra.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of estimating a property of a hydrocarbon comprising the steps of: preparing a liquid sample of a hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon having asphaltene fractions therein; precipitating at least some of the asphaltenes of a hydrocarbon from the liquid sample with one or more precipitants in a chromatographic column; dissolving at least two of the different asphaltene fractions from the precipitated asphaltenes during a successive dissolution protocol; eluting the at least two different dissolved asphaltene fractions from the chromatographic column; monitoring the amount of the fractions eluted from the chromatographic column; using detected signals to calculate a percentage of a peak area for a first of the asphaltene fractions and a peak area for a second of the asphaltene fractions relative to the total peak areas, to determine a parameter that relates to the property of the hydrocarbon; and estimating the property of the hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the amount of various materials in a liquid sample. Because the apparatus is particularly resilient it can be used repeatedly with very harsh liquid samples such as boot water from an oil refinery. The apparatus uses at least one volume and/or concentration independent optical analysis method to determine at least one of: the pH, amount of chloride, and/or amount of iron in the sample. The optical property can be colorimetric, fluorescent or both and result from adding dyes, complexing agents, turbidity inducing compounds, and other optically effecting reagents to the sample. Because the measurements are concentration and volume independent they can be done continuously, quickly, and avoid the inconvenient start and stop procedures in prior art measurement regimens.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for treating a polypeptide including a cysteine residue for enhancing the sensitivity of detection thereof in mass spectrometry using charged particles. A mass spectrometry method for a polypeptide including a cysteine residue is provided which includes treating the polypeptide including a cysteine residue with a cyanation agent, treating the cyanated polypeptide with a base, and then desorption ionizing the base-treated polypeptides using charged particles for mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A method is described for determining the antioxidant power of biological fluids such as saliva, serum, plasma, urine, sweat, tears and vegetal fluids, such as fruit, vegetables, beverages derived therefrom. Said method proved to be particularly suitable when evaluating the antioxidant power of saliva, which presents particular complexities from the analytical viewpoint. Furthermore, the present invention concerns a specific reagent and a kit for implementing said method, which comprises said reagent.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sample and staining processing including compression and dynamic movement of liquids in a fluidically moving substantially contained liquid bridge perhaps between a hydrophobic wand and a hydrophilic sample support element. Embodiments may include low volume reagent and perhaps even low volume buffer wash in sample processing. In addition, antibodies can be conjugated with nanoparticles and can be used in sample processing. Exposing a sample with or without movement to AC, DC, or even a permanent magnet field may improve staining. Staining with nanoparticle reagents could be quantified using a microscope with a magnetometer below the slide viewing area. The detection of nanoparticles attached to the chemistry may facilitate the quantification of cancerous cells stained in the tissue.