Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identification and tracking. The apparatus includes a receiver guide and an applicator. The receiver guide receives a selected portion, such as a fingernail, of a target subject. The target subject may be a human or an animal. The applicator semi-permanently disposes an identification code on an application surface of the target subject. The identification code includes an encoded identifier of identification information corresponding to the target subject. The described apparatus, system, and method advantageously provide better identification and tracking of identification information for the target subject.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identification and tracking. The apparatus includes a carrier medium and an identification code. The carrier medium may be semi-permanently disposed on an application surface of a target subject. The target subject may be a human or an animal. The application surface is substantially smooth and durable. The identification code is disposed on the carrier medium and includes an encoded identifier of identification information that corresponds to the target subject. The described apparatus, system, and method advantageously provide better identification and tracking of identification information for the target subject.

Abstract: A heating assembly useful in apparatus for processing reaction cuvettes for replicating specified DNA sequences, such as those using PCR, having a heating element with a heat delivering surface for compressively contacting a pliable fluid-carrying compartment of a supported cuvette. The heat delivering surface has a defined passage sized to allow the detection compartment to be situated therein so that the compartment can be efficiently heated. Fluid flow through the compartment, however, is not interfered with during the heating process due to the presence of the defined passage. In addition, the heat delivering surface can be made from optically transparent materials so that visual detection within the processor can take place.

Abstract: A cuvette and a method of use which prevent nucleic acid amplified by PCR technology from being released to the atmosphere, while still proceeding to a detection step to determine whether or not the nucleic acid is present. Detection reagents are either pre-incorporated into compartments in the cuvette or added after amplification. In the latter case, a check valve prevents amplified nucleic acid from being released. Transfer of liquids between compartments is achieved via the use of flexible compartment walls and an external pressure source, or via pistons that are part of the cuvette and operate on the compartments as a piston within a piston chamber.

Abstract: There is described a container used to extract antigens for an immunoassay, having a wall means defining open and closed opposite ends. The container is provided with dividing members located in the closed end of the container which divides the volume of the closed end into at least two separate regions. A portion of the container's wall means adjacent to the closed end is shaped and sized to cooperate with a depositing device to ensure that separate reagents are separately deposited on opposite sides of the dividing members.

Abstract: A filter providing at least two different filtering pore sizes for coarse and fine filtering, and a kit containing such filter along with an immunoassay test device containing a membrane. The membrane is used to separate bound immunoassay labels from free labels. The coarse and fine filtering are provided preferably by two different, serially arranged filters, the filter with the fine pore size being selected with a pore size similar to that of the membrane of the assay device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid-collecting compartment that is vented to allow air to escape. The compartment is improved in that a closure member is provided constructed so as to be slidable onto and off of the vent aperture with a force that is between about 0.15 newtons and about 20 newtons. To achieve this, an elastomeric member is provided in the closure member or the wall at the aperture, with selected properties of durometer, cold flow and static coefficient of friction against polystyrene.

Abstract: A process for desulfurizing carbonaceous material containing inorganic bound sulfur, organic bound sulfur, or conbinations thereof. The process comprises reacting the carbonaceous material at desulfurization conditions with a hydrogen source material in the presence of a reaction accelerator to enhance production and reactivity of atomic hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen source. The reaction is prefereably carried out in the presence of a flowing reaction medium which carries away hydrogen sulfide products and other volatile desulfurization products separating them from the carbonaceous material.

Abstract: There is disclosed a container for storing a reagent and then for reacting the reagent to produce a signal representative of the presence of an analyte, or of the amount of that analyte. The container is disposable and comprises at least one compartment having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion comprises a stored reagent and means for retaining for observation on an indicator surface a reaction product of such reagent following a reaction of the reagent with a liquid sample. The lower portion includes means for absorbing liquid extracted from the upper portion through the retaining means. The absorbing means is configured with a shape that contacts the confining means only at locations spaced inwardly away from at least two of the side walls of the upper portion, whereby the reaction product of the liquid sample and the reagent is induced to flow into the confining means away from the two side walls to produce a uniform signal.

Abstract: Osmium carbohydrate complexes prepared by reacting osmium compounds and carbohydrates and their utilization as pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning and arthritis in mammals. The osmium carbohydrate complexes may also be utilized in X-ray diagnostic procedures as contrast enhancing agents.