Abstract: A method of counting thrombocytes contained in a sample of blood, the method having the steps: mixing said sample with: fluorescent markers suitable for bonding specifically with the thrombocytes; and an agent for inhibiting activation of said thrombocytes; introducing the sample (E) into a fluidic chamber (CF) having at least one transparent face; acquiring at least one digital image (IN) of said sample by fluorescence microscopy under stationary illumination; and counting the thrombocytes (T) present in said or each image by image processing computer means (O). Apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method of counting thrombocytes contained in a sample of blood, the method having the steps: mixing said sample with: fluorescent markers suitable for bonding specifically with the thrombocytes; and an agent for inhibiting activation of said thrombocytes; introducing the sample (E) into a fluidic chamber (CF) having at least one transparent face; acquiring at least one digital image (IN) of said sample by fluorescence microscopy under stationary illumination; and counting the thrombocytes (T) present in said or each image by image processing computer means (O). Apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic substrate comprising at least one pathway for sample flow; and at least one thermal transfer member which is capable of cycling between at least two temperatures. The thermal transfer member is adapted to heat at least a portion of the sample pathway while a sample is flowing along said at least a portion of said sample pathway. Provided also are methods of carrying out biochemical protocols using such a device.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic substrate comprising at least one pathway for sample flow; and at least one thermal transfer member which is capable of cycling between at least two temperatures. The thermal transfer member is adapted to heat at least a portion of the sample pathway while a sample is flowing along said at least a portion of said sample pathway. Provided also are methods of carrying out biochemical protocols using such a device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compounds usable as liquid crystals in liquid crystal display devices utilizing the electrically controlled birefringence effect.These compounds comply with formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents an alkoxy or alkyl radical with 1 to 12 carbon atoms and Z represents a single bond or a radical chosen from among: ##STR2## provided that R.sup.1 represents an alkyl radical when Z represents a single bond and R.sup.2 represents an alkyl radical with 1 to 12 carbon atoms.They can be obtained by reacting an acid chloride of formula R.sup.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel compounds usable as liquid crystals in liquid crystal display devices utilizing the electrically controlled birefringence effect.These compounds comply with formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents an alkoxy or alkyl radical with 1 to 12 carbon atoms and Z represents a single bond or a radical chosen from among: ##STR2## provided that R.sup.1 represents an alkyl radical when Z represents a single bond and R.sup.2 represents an alkyl radical with 1 to 12 carbon atoms.They can be obtained by reacting an acid chloride of formula R.sup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixture comprising a nematic liquid crystal and a non-mesomorphous compound. The non-mesomorphous compound makes it possible to improve the elastic behavior of the nematic liquid crystal by increasing the value of the ratio K.sub.33 /K.sub.11, in which K.sub.33 represents the elastic bending constant and K.sub.11 the elastic fanning constant of the liquid crystal. The non-mesomorphous compound can be in accordance with the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which can be the same or different, represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and n is an integer between 2 and 16 and can be associated with liquid crystals or liquid crystal mixtures containing a 1-(alkylcyclohexyl)-2-(alkylfluorobiphenylyl)-ethane. These mixtures can be used as a liquid crystal in a display device.