Abstract: Techniques are provided for high precision scanning of hydrogel microparticles. The high precision is achieved by one or more modifications to the microparticle composition, or microfluidics apparatus that align the microparticles in a detection channel, or method of preparing a sample for introduction into the apparatus, or some combination. An apparatus comprises a body structure having formed therein a central channel and multiple focusing channels in fluid communication with the central channel through multiple junctions. A width of the central channel is smaller in a portion downstream of each junction. A particle comprises a hydrogel matrix and a probe molecule. The particle has an aspect ratio greater than about three. A method includes loading into a sample fluid inlet a mixture, wherein a number of particles lies within a range from about 15 to about 20 particles/?l.

Abstract: A process for purification of fluids, for example, desalination of seawater or brackish water, using organic solutes in a concentrated water solution for use in a forward osmosis process, to extract fresh water out of salt water through the forward osmosis membrane, and subsequently separating the organic solutes out of the diluted forward osmosis permeate by cloud point extraction, thereby regenerating a concentrated organic solution for recycling to the forward osmosis process, and fresh water for potable water use.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for diagnosing a cardiac complication in a patient due to coronary catheterization, comprising the steps of (a) obtaining at least one baseline sample from the patient during or after coronary catheterization, and then (b) obtaining at least one test sample from the patient after coronary catheterization, (c) determining a change of the level of an ANP-type peptide between the baseline sample and the test sample, wherein a significant decrease in the level of the ANP-type peptide according to step c) indicates a cardiac complication.

Abstract: An assay device in which to carry out a fluid-phase chemical assay, comprising means for supporting a test substrate, a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample and at least one fluid control device for controlling the movement of fluid into and/or out of the sample chamber, wherein the fluid control device comprises a fluid outlet chamber in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a displaceable flexible diaphragm the displacement of which alters the volume of the outlet chamber so as to allow and/or restrict fluid flow between the outlet and sample chambers. The invention also provides assay apparatus incorporating such a device, an assay station for use as part of such apparatus, a fluid control unit for use as part of the assay device and a method of conducting an assay which may involve the use of such apparatus and devices.

Abstract: The present invention discloses eight new reduced dimensionality (RD) triple resonance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments for measuring chemical shift values of certain nuclei in a protein molecule. The RD 3D HA,CA,(CO),N,HN NMR experiment and the RD 3D H,C,(C-TOCSY—CO),N,HN NMR experiment are designed to yield “sequential” connectivities, while the RD 3D H??,C??,CO,HA NMR experiment and the RD 3D H??,C??,N,HN NMR experiment provide “intraresidue” connectivities. The RD 3D H,C,C,H—COSY NMR experiment, the RD 3D H,C,C,H-TOCSY NMR experiment, and the RD 2D H,C,H—COSY NMR experiment allow one to obtain assignments for aliphatic and aromatic side chain chemical shifts, while the RD 2D HB,CB,(CG,CD),HD NMR experiment provide information for the aromatic side chain chemical shifts. In addition, a method of conducting suites of RD triple resonance NMR experiments for high-throughput resonance assignment of proteins and identification of the location of secondary structure elements are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for synthesis and screening of materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a parallel batch reactor for effecting chemical reactions includes a pressure chamber, an inlet port, and two or more reaction vessels within the pressure chamber. The inlet port is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, and is used for pressurizing the pressure chamber from an external pressure source. Each of the two or more reaction vessels are in isolatable fluid communication with the pressure chamber such that during a first pressurizing stage of operation, each of the two or more reaction vessels can be simultaneously pressurized through common fluid communication with the pressure chamber. In addition, during at least a second reaction stage of operation, each of the two or more pressurized reaction vessels can be isolated from each other.

Abstract: A multiwell test apparatus comprising a multiwell filter plate and having wells that fit within the wells of a single or multiwell receiver plate is provided. The multiwell filter plate also is provided with posts which fit into holes of the receiver plate. The posts and holes are shaped to fix the position of the wells of the multiwell filter plate within the well(s) of the receiver plate and to permit controlled lateral movement of the multiwell filter plate when it is partially removed from the receiver plate so that excess liquid on the wells of the multiwell filter plate can be directed into the well(s) of the receiver plate.

Abstract: A test tube holder includes a test tube insertion adapter having an adapter body and an elastic annular band and projections. The adapter body includes a flange section, an annular section, a plurality of flat spring sections whose proximal end portions are connected to the annular section and whose distal end portions extend inward in the cylindrical hollow and bent toward the axis of the adapter body and contact sections which are formed on the inner surfaces of the flat spring sections. The elastic annular band designed to bind the flat spring sections together while surrounding the outer surfaces thereof over a given range in order to bring the contact sections into contact with the outer surfaces of the test tubes. The projections projected from the outer surfaces of the flat spring sections to hold the elastic annular band in a given position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping and optionally mixing of small quantities of biological fluid wherein the pumping mechanism is segregated from the biological fluid being pumped. The micro-pump pushes the biological fluid by compressing a cartridge housing the blood and reagents with collapsible walls with a roller or ball bearing, synchronized perpendicular plungers, or an acutely-angled member to push the biological fluid by collapsing the walls of the cartridge in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A sample collection and test device that includes a container adapted to hold a fluid test sample, a lid secured to the container, a plate with a plurality of grooves and within each groove a test strip may be held, and a mechanism for securing the plate to the lid where the plate is able to pivot from a secured, inactive position within the lid to an active position within the container where the test strips contact the test sample is disclosed. Either the container or the lid may include a window in order to view the reactions on the test strips.

Abstract: A high capacity microarrayer for spotting solution onto slides in an automated microarray dispensing device. A microplate indexing device automatically moves, in sequence, a plurality of microplates to a solution removal area. A dispense head accesses each microplate at the solution removal area to remove solution from the microplate. The dispense head then moves to a slide positioning station to spot slides at the slide positioning station. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microplate indexing station has at least one input stacking chamber for stacking microplates, and at least one output stacking chamber for stacking microplates. A walking beam indexer is disposed between the at least one input stacking chamber and the at least one output stacking chamber. The walking beam indexer is for moving microplates from said at least one input stacking chamber to said at least one output stacking chamber.

Abstract: A work station for simultaneously performing multiple assays includes a base structure, a receptacle rack assembly received within a receptacle rack well formed in the base structure, a pipette tip rack assembly received within a pipette tip rack well formed in the base structure, a multiple conduit substance transfer device, and substance transfer device positioning structure. The receptacle rack assembly holds a plurality of receptacles in which a plurality of individual assays are performed, and the pipette tip rack assembly holds a plurality of contamination limiting pipette tips. The substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles or simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles. Alternatively, the substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles, and, at about the same time, simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles.

Abstract: A method of non-invasive determination of a glucose concentration in blood based on the measurements of the total impedance of the skin of a patient is disclosed. The method is based on a linear model of a first order correlation between the glucose concentration and the total impedance, the model taking into account the rate of change of the glucose concentration. The coefficients used in an approximating function are determined at the preliminary stage measurements by an invasive method.

Abstract: A method for the determination of hexavalent chromium (CrVI) in environmental and industrial hygiene samples is provided. Based on the chemical properties of chromium species in aqueous solutions, a simple, fast, sensitive, and economical field method has been developed and evaluated for the determination of hexavalent chromium (CrVI). Using ultrasonic extraction in combination with a strong anion exchange solid phase extraction (SAE-SPE) technique, the filtration, preconcentration, and isolation of CrVI in the presence of other chromium species and interferents was achieved.

Abstract: A combustion gas detection apparatus includes a transparent tube partially filled with a combustion gas sensing fluid and an inlet fitting for engagement with the radiator cap of an engine cooling system and an outlet fitting connected with a vacuum port of the engine.

Abstract: The invention concerns the study of the effect of a supercritical fluid on the transitions of a material, which consists in varying continuously or by stages according to a predetermined programme, a first parameter value selected among the super-critical fluid pressure, the temperature of a cell containing the material sample and said sample volume, while maintaining a second of said parameters at a value selected, so as to induce the transition; and in recording the variation of the first parameter, that of the third parameter and the heat flow rate in the cell; in comparing said recordings with those obtained by replacing the supercritical fluid with a neutral fluid. The figure shows a diagram of the device for carrying out said study. The invention is in particular useful for studying a polymer material transitions.

Abstract: Methods and kits for determine arginine compounds are discussed. The methods and kits of the invention can be used for the diagnosis of arginine compound associated disorders.

Abstract: A system for on line inference and control of physical and chemical properties of polypropylene and its copolymers is described. The system comprises models for the inference of physical and chemical properties that are not continuously measured and relevant models to control these properties as well as production rate, density of the reaction medium and other process variables of interest. The described control system allows to maximize production rate as well as catalyst yield in the producing process.

Abstract: An improved method for the analysis of arsenic in an aqueous sample, is disclosed. In accordance with the inventive method, arsenic is reduced to arsine gas in an acidic aqueous reaction environment and in the presence of an effective amount of an agent for increasing the rate of arsine gas production. Beneficially, metal cations are used as rate-increasing agents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the gas efflux from a substrate. In particular, one or more measuring chambers receive a gas enriched air from the substrate. A respiration system sends reference air having a known gas concentration to the measuring chamber. The reference air mixes with the gas enriched air to form a mixed air, which is returned to the respiration system. The respiration system then measures the gas efflux of the substrate over the given amount of time.