Abstract: A novel method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of dicarboxylic acids in biological samples is provided. The method includes the steps of esterfying the acid component of the sample and subsequently analyzing the esterified sample using tandem mass spectroscopy using atmospheric pressure ionization techniques in the positive ion mode. The method is particularly useful in the determination of methylmalonic acid in biological samples, and thus, the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Abstract: Sensor arrays, methods, and systems for detecting the presence of gas phase materials by the formation of films based on the gas phase material are disclosed. The gas phase materials preferentially deposit conductive films on receptor materials that can be detected. The invention may also provide for increased sensitivity to the deposition of conductive materials through the use of closely spaced conductive electrodes interconnected by lines of receptor material. Examples of gas phase materials that may be detected include RuO4, IrO4 and RhO4.

Abstract: A colorimetric detector for chemical and biological agents or toxins is made of a giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) having a membrane bilayer which is polymerized to stabilize the giant unilamellar vesicle and to provide extended conjugated polymer backbone, and the GUV has at least one incorporated molecular recognition site for the chemical and biological agents or toxins. The GUVs are about 10-300 microns and preferably made of a polymerizable diacetylenic GUV where the acyl chains are crosslinked. When the agents or toxins bind to the recognition site the detector exhibits a color change. The detector can be used in a colorimetric detector apparatus where the samples can be present in air or in water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for high information content (HIC) analysis or screening of complex biological systems using Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS). The present methods are useful for analyzing complex biological mixtures containing both high molecular weight molecules (e.g., polynucleotides, proteins, polysaccharides) and low molecular weight molecules (e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides, lipids, oligosaccharides, steroid hormones, catabolic and metabolic intermediates) permit the elucidation of molecular differences between complex biological samples, and permit the identification of biologically active molecules (e.g. therapeutically active drugs, etc.).

Abstract: An apparatus provides for the detection, the determination of the location or the spatial distribution, and/or the quantification of an amount of a chemical species by allowing the chemical species to come into contact with a fluid medium contained in a permeable capillary, transferring the content of the capillary after the contact to a detector, and detecting the chemical species as the content of the capillary is transferred to a detector. The fluid medium can contain a selected reagent that selectively interacts with the chemical species to produce an optically detectable interaction product. The location and amount of the chemical species are determined from a characteristic of the chemical species or its interaction product measured on the content of the capillary and the time at which the characteristic is detected.

Abstract: Techniques to modify and apply aerogel coatings are described, including the application of spray-coated aerogels. The approach eliminates several of the wet chemical techniques previously needed for processes such as MALDI processing, and simplifies the automation of processes such as continuous monitoring in a sensor based format. With respect to MALDI processing, the preferred embodiment uses an acid-doped silica aerogel coated tape as the collection media as well as the matrix support. Although aerogels are disclosed as a preferred matrix material, other materials may alternatively be used, including linoleic acids, oleic acids, PEG (polyelthylene glycol), preferably in tape format.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of facilitating the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of a human patient by measuring the ECP level in the patient's blood, and determining whether the patient is within the heat pattern group or the non-heat pattern group based on the measure ECP level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for monitoring the surface concentration of a drug in a polymer blend matrix and the reaction kinetics of the biodegradable polymers. Detailed information on surface concentration, degradation rates, degradation kinetics and mechanism, is provided by using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF SIMS) measurements. Also provided is a method for determining oligomers in hydrolyzed biodegradable polymers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single test system and method for determining the integrated glycemic condition of a subject by measuring the concentration of glucose and the level of protein-bound glucose in a subject's body fluid, such as whole blood. The glucose concentration is indicative of the subject's immediate glycemic condition, whereas the protein-bound glucose concentration is indicative of either intermediate or long-term glycemic condition. Optionally, other analytes indicative of glycemic condition, such as ketone bodies or fatty acid derivatives, can also be measured. The present invention also provides a method of diagnosing diabetes. The invention additionally provides a method for analyzing the concentration of fructosamine in less than or equal to five minutes without the use of a reaction accelerator.

Abstract: A method for determining the quantity of phenol extracted into an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide uses a measurement of the pH of the solution, from which the equivalents of phenol relative to alkali metal hydroxide in solution is determined. A method for optimizing the use of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide in a phenol recovery process uses pH measured to regulate the feed rate of the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method involving the automatic, online dilution of polymer and/or colloid solutions, such that, when the diluted polymer stream flows through suitable detectors, non-equilibrium processes, such as polymerization, degradation and aggregation, can be monitored. The dilution involves a reacting or stock solution of polymer and/or colloid, and at least one solvent. The online dilution technique can also be used to assess the effects of solvent quality and other solutes on polymer/colloid characteristics and reactions, and also permits equilibrium characterization of polymers/colloids by making a single stock solution of the polymer/colloid.

Abstract: Methods for assessing a patient's risk of having or developing coronary heart disease based on lipoprotein measurements measure and identify values for lipoprotein subclass constituents and analyze according to predetermined test criteria to identify when there is an increased and/or decreased risk of having and/or developing coronary heart disease associated wit the measured lipoprotein subclass constituent values.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for the chemiluminescent assay of a variety of analytes of interest. The methods are adaptable to the determination of microbial species in both liquid samples and on solid surfaces. The disclosed methods can be used with rapid, self-contained chemiluminescence assay devices, or can be used with novel sampling devices and conventional microbial analysis techniques involving growth of microbial samples on appropriate culturing media. The specificity of the methods can be enhanced with the use of immunospecific reagents. The sensitivity of the technique can be increased by 3 to 6 orders of magnitude by first converting all DNA in the sample to inorganic phosphates before generating the emission signal. The breadth of applicability of the disclosed methods can be enhanced through the selection of appropriate enzyme-catalyzed reactions where one of the products of enzymatic oxidation is hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence and amount of carbon monoxide, comprising the use of infrared spectroscopy to compare the spectra of the test gas containing carbon monoxide and the reference gas. The reference gas is the test gas from which carbon monoxide had been removed by conversion using catalysts. The presence and quantity of carbon monoxide is determined by deducting the spectrum of the reference gas from the spectrum of the test gas. The catalysts comprise nanoparticles of gold precipitated on a metal oxide or hydroxide carrier. An apparatus implementing this method.

Abstract: A multiwell plate scanner comprises a detector for measuring an attribute of a sample which is scanned continuously over wells of a multiwell plate. An signal obtained during the scan may be sampled and digitized based on detector position over the multiwell plate. The scanner is also disclosed for scanning microarrays, bio-chips and areas of samples not having physical separations. The scanner may be used in a high throughput screening system comprising a storage and retrieval module, a sample distribution module, a reagent distribution module, and a detector which incorporates the scanner. The screening system may further comprise a transport module and a data processing and integration module for transporting samples between the components of the system and for controlling system operation. Another aspect of the invention is a system and method for performing an assay to detect the effect of a reagent on a target.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of an analyte in tissues. The method involves compensating for a change in the value of an optical property of the tissues, such as, for example, the scattering coefficient, resulting from a change in the hydration status of the tissues.

Abstract: A method of determining the proportion of short-chain branching in an olefin copolymer process stream is disclosed. The short-chain branching may also be determined as a function of molecular weight in a sample having a range of molecular weights. In the method, at least two olefin copolymer training samples are provided. The respective samples have different, known proportions of short-chain branching. The infrared (e.g. FT-IR) absorbance spectra of the training samples in a wavenumber range are obtained. Calibration information is determined from the training samples by chemometrically correlating the differences in the infrared absorbance spectra of the training samples to the differences in the degree of short-chain branching in the training samples. This step generates calibration information that allows the degree of short-chain branching in a sample to be determined once its infrared absorbance spectrum is obtained.

Abstract: A method of determining the composition of a sample including heavy oil or bitumen and water using low-field NMR. The NMR spectrum of the sample is taken at relatively low and high temperatures and the oil or water content is determined from the spectra and differential spectrum.

Abstract: A fluorescence-based method for highly sensitive and selective detection of volatile organic compounds such as vapors of benzene, alcohol, chloroform, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) that is a simulant of Sarin, Soman and other chemical warfare agents, is proposed. The method employs the effect of strong fluorescence change in thin films of aggregated porphyrins. In one preferred embodiment, the aggregation of porphyrin molecules leads to initial depression of chromophore emission due to self-quenching effect. The binding of analyte molecules to porphyrin sensitive layer forms porphyrin-analyte complexes, which destroy initial aggregate structure and induce the strong fluorescence enhancement. Aggregate-sensing films usually provide higher and faster response than porphyrins isolated in a polymer matrix. That results in strong enhancement of the florescence quantum yield and shift of the fluorescent spectrum in the direction of shorter wavelengths.

Abstract: A method for the automatic monitoring and control of the content of surfactants of an aqueous process solution, wherein, under program control: a sample having a predetermined volume is taken from the aqueous process solution; the content of surfactants in the sample is determined utilizing measuring equipment capable of analyzing the sample; the results of the analysis are output by the system; the functional capacity of the measuring equipment is checked by determining the surfactant content of one or more standard solutions if the results of the analysis of the content of surfactants on two consecutive drawn samples differs by a preselected value; and corrective action is automatically taken if the check of the measuring equipment reveals any problems. Bath maintenance measures may be initiated automatically or by request from a remote location according to pre-determined criteria. The method reduces the number of staff for bath monitoring and bath maintenance and increases process safety.