Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.

Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.

Abstract: Container having a base portion defining a compartment and a lid portion moveable between an open position for access to the compartment and a closed position to cover the compartment. The base portion includes a bottom panel, a back panel extending from the bottom panel to a back panel upper edge, and back side tabs extending from the back panel and defining opposing sides of the base portion. The base portion further includes a front base panel extending upwardly from the bottom panel to a front angle panel, the front angle panel extending upwardly and inwardly from the front base panel to a free end. The lid portion is hingedly-coupled to the upper edge of the back panel. The container further includes a cutter disposed on the front angle panel. A blank and method for forming the container from a sheet of blank material is also provided.

Abstract: A florescent bulb bag having a body with first and second elongated panels extending along a first axis and composed of material having top, bottom and side edges that are connected to one another along their bottom and side edges in overlying relation to one another and defining a cavity therebetween that is accessible via through the top edges; and a plurality of elongated sleeves formed in the cavity each of which extends along respective, parallel axes and all of which are parallel to the first axis, wherein each sleeve is sized and shaped to comfortably receive one fluorescent bulb therein.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: Container having a base portion defining a compartment and a lid portion moveable between an open position for access to the compartment and a closed position to cover the compartment. The base portion includes a bottom panel, a back panel extending from the bottom panel to a back panel upper edge, and back side tabs extending from the back panel and defining opposing sides of the base portion. The base portion further includes a front base panel extending upwardly from the bottom panel to a front angle panel, the front angle panel extending upwardly and inwardly from the front base panel to a free end. The lid portion is hingedly-coupled to the upper edge of the back panel. The container further includes a cutter disposed on the front angle panel. A blank and method for forming the container from a sheet of blank material is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for determining concentrations of a target molecule and a variant thereof in a sample. The sample can comprise or be suspected to comprise a target molecule and at least one variant thereof and is exposed to one or more recognition elements that bind to the target molecule and/or the at least one variant. A signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the target molecule and/or a signal is detected that is associated with the binding of the at least one variant to the one or more recognition elements. The concentration of the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof is determined based on the signals. The system can comprise a receiver adapted to receive a sample comprising or suspected to comprise a target molecule and the at least one variant thereof, the receiver comprising one or more recognition elements that bind to one or more epitopes in the target molecule and/or the at least one variant thereof.

Abstract: Organoboron ligands have been reacted with rare earth metal ions to form complexes. These ligands enhance the metal ion's luminescence, wherein enhancement of luminescence can be turned off selectively by the presence of fluoride or cyanide and luminescence at a different wavelength is turned on. Methods of detection of fluoride, cyanide and biological markers are described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a strip of absorbent paper product. The method includes: providing a strip that has a strip width, which has a first dimension, disposed between a first edge and a second edge and a centerline extending in a longitudinal direction equidistant between the first edge and the second edge; imparting a pattern of first design elements in a central region wherein each first design element comprises a visual center point and the pattern has a pattern centerline in the longitudinal direction, the pattern of first design elements being disposed within a central width having a second dimension, the second dimension being less than the first dimension, and the central region extending laterally outwardly on each side of the centerline; and, imparting a plurality of second design elements on the strip, wherein at least one of second design elements is disposed in the central region.

Abstract: A strip of absorbent paper product includes a first edge and a second edge defining a strip width. The strip has a centerline extending in a longitudinal direction and equidistant between the first edge and the second edge, and a central region extending in the longitudinal direction and having a central width. The central region extends laterally outwardly on each side of the centerline. The strip can have a first edge region and a second edge region that extend outward from the central region. A first design element is disposed in the central region and includes a visual center point. The strip can also have at least two second design elements. At least one of second design elements can be disposed in the central region, and another second design element can be disposed in the first edge region or the second edge region.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polymer surfaces whose level of protein binding is less than about 50-80 ng/cm2 are achieved by: (1) applying a coating solution composed of a solvent and a non-ionic surfactant having a HLB number of less than 5 to the surface; and (2) drying the surface to remove the solvent and thereby bring the surfactant into direct contact with the hydrophobic polymer. The combination of a low HLB number and the drying step have been found to produce low binding surfaces which can withstand multiple washes with water and/or protein-containing solutions Alternatively, the low binding surfaces can be produced by applying the non-ionic surfactant to the mold surfaces which contact molten polymer and form the polymer into a desired shape, e.g., into a multi-well plate, a pipette tip, or the like. Further, the low binding surfaces may be produced by incorporating non-soluble, non-ionic surfactants having an HLB number of less than or equal to 10 into a polymer blend prior to molding the article.

Abstract: An aqueous agricultural pesticide composition contains: (a) a water soluble or water dispersible deposition control agent, in an amount effective to provide improved anti-rebound properties and selected from: (i) dextrins and tamarind gums, (ii) derivatized polysaccharide hydrocolloids, except derivatized guars, having a molecular substitution of greater than or equal to about 0.1, (iii) proteinaceous hydrocolloids, (iv) lignins and lignin derivatives, except alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium lignosulphonates, and (v) lipid polymers, and (b) an effective amount of a pesticide.

Abstract: A method for detecting point mutations or base substitutions in a nucleic acid polymer is especially useful for detecting such mutations in the highest melting domain (HMD) of a double-stranded nucleic acid polymer and is particularly suited for use with RNA. The method involves the steps of:(a) preparing a solution containing a double-stranded nucleic acid polymer comprising a duplex of a single-stranded nucleic acid polymer to be analyzed and a cThe invention described and claimed in this application was made with government support under Grant #DK-38381 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The U.S. government has certain rights in the invention.