Abstract: The present invention relates to optimized aptamers and methods of using these aptamers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optimized aptamers and methods of using these aptamers.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary mixer with a housing defining a mixing chamber defining a rotation axis, the housing being rotatable about the rotation axis in a rotation direction and having a longitudinal midpoint, a set of blades within the housing, wherein at least one pair of blades of the set of blades forms an angle with respect to each other, and at least one blade of the set of blades is shorter than another blade of the set of blades in the rotation direction, and a splitter blade located within the housing with respect to the longitudinal midpoint and the angle to divide material in the mixing chamber between the at least one blade of the set of blades and the other blade of the set of blades, as the cylindrical housing is rotated about the rotation axis.

Abstract: In one non-limiting aspect, the invention provides a method for detecting the quality of a biological molecule comprising forming a first mixture of ingredients comprising: (i) a first binding agent that specifically binds to a tag, wherein the first binding agent is attached to a solid support; (ii) a decoy comprising a first portion comprising the tag attached to a second portion comprising an anchor; (iii) a sensor attached to a second binding agent that specifically binds to the anchor; and (iv) a sample suspected of containing a high quality biological molecule comprising a tag, wherein the tag of the high quality biological molecule is accessible; allowing interaction of the ingredients such that the sensor provides an output signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve PGNAA substance analyzers. In one aspect, an analyzer includes: a source of neutrons; an opening to receive a substance; a gamma ray detector; and computational device(s) configured to receive spectral data of detected gamma rays, perform a regression algorithm on the spectral data using spectral responses for known atomic elements to determine coefficients of spectrum, sum effective weight values (corresponding to the coefficients of spectrum) together to form a total effective weight value for the substance being analyzed, divide effective weight values by the total effective weight value for the substance to generate effective weight-percent values corresponding to two or more respective ones of the atomic elements detected in the spectral data, and generate final weight-percent values based on a correlation of previous effective weight-percent values obtained for known samples with elemental or molecular weight-percent values obtained for the known samples.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve prompt gamma neutron activation substance analyzers. In one aspect, a detector unit for prompt gamma neutron activation analysis includes: a scintillator configured to fluoresce when impacted by gamma rays generated by absorption of neutrons by a substance to be analyzed; a photosensor configured to receive fluorescence from the scintillator; electronics coupled with the photosensor, the electronics configured to receive and process analog signals from the photosensor and output digital detection signals for the substance; and a housing containing the scintillator, the photosensor, and the electronics; wherein the housing includes interfaces configured to receive cables capable of providing power, temperature control, and digital communication signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve prompt gamma neutron activation substance analyzers. In one aspect, a detector unit for prompt gamma neutron activation analysis includes: a scintillator configured to fluoresce when impacted by gamma rays generated by absorption of neutrons by a substance to be analyzed; a photosensor configured to receive fluorescence from the scintillator; electronics coupled with the photosensor, the electronics configured to receive and process analog signals from the photosensor and output digital detection signals for the substance; and a housing containing the scintillator, the photosensor, and the electronics; wherein the housing includes interfaces configured to receive cables capable of providing power, temperature control, and digital communication signals.

Abstract: Metering valves for use in a metered dose inhaler that include a valve body, a first stem seal including a first elastomeric material, a second stem seal including a second elastomeric material different from the first elastomeric material, and a valve stem slidably engaged with at least one of the first stem seal and the second stem seal as well as sealed containers configured to contain an aerosol pharmaceutical formulation that include a container having an opening therein, a cap covering the opening in the container, a metering valve adjacent the cap, and a cap seal positioned between the cap and the container to provide a sealed container where the metering valve include at least one stem seal that includes a first elastomeric material, and the cap seal includes a second elastomeric material different from the first elastomeric material are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optimized aptamers and methods of using these aptamers.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve prompt gamma neutron activation substance analyzers. In one aspect, a substance analyzer unit includes: a source of neutrons; an opening arranged with respect to the source of neutrons to receive a substance; and a detector housing having (i) a detector configured and arranged to receive gamma rays generated by absorption of neutrons by the substance, and (ii) electronics coupled with the detector within the detector housing, wherein the electronics are configured to receive and process analog signals from the detector and output digital detection signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to improve prompt gamma neutron activation substance analyzers. In one aspect, a substance analyzer unit includes: a source of neutrons; an opening arranged with respect to the source of neutrons to receive a substance; and a detector housing having (i) a detector configured and arranged to receive gamma rays generated by absorption of neutrons by the substance, and (2) electronics coupled with the detector within the detector housing, wherein the electronics are configured to receive and process analog signals from the detector and output digital detection signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optimized aptamers and methods of using these aptamers.

Abstract: In one non-limiting aspect, the invention provides a method for detecting the quality of a biological molecule comprising forming a first mixture of ingredients comprising: (i) a first binding agent that specifically binds to a tag, wherein the first binding agent is attached to a solid support; (ii) a decoy comprising a first portion comprising the tag attached to a second portion comprising an anchor; (iii) a sensor attached to a second binding agent that specifically binds to the anchor; and (iv) a sample suspected of containing a high quality biological molecule comprising a tag, wherein the tag of the high quality biological molecule is accessible; allowing interaction of the ingredients such that the sensor provides an output signal

Abstract: The present invention relates to optimized aptamers and methods of using these aptamers.

Abstract: Methods of preparing elastomeric gasket materials for use in metered dose inhalers that include contacting an elastomeric gasket material to be used in a metered dose inhaler, which gasket material comprises one or more extractable compounds, with a solution comprising an organic solvent under conditions sufficient to extract at least a portion of at least one of the one or more extractable compounds from the elastomeric gasket material are described. Sealing gaskets made by such methods as well as metering valves, metered dose inhalers, and drug products that include such gaskets are also described.

Abstract: A sealing assembly configured to seal a rotating shaft of a turbo machine having a high pressure process gas, comprising a housing defining a bore configured to receive the rotating shaft and sealing assembly, wherein the housing is mounted to a casing of the turbo machine; a first sealing stage comprising a single dry gas seal and configured to blow down the high pressure process gas to a lower pressure; a labyrinth seal mounted longitudinally outward from the first sealing stage; and a second sealing stage mounted longitudinally outward from the labyrinth seal, wherein the second sealing stage comprises a tandem dry gas seal having a primary dry gas seal and a secondary dry gas seal axially spaced with an intermediate labyrinth seal.

Abstract: Mixed conducting ion transport membrane comprising a multi-component metallic oxide compound represented by the formula LnxA?x?A?x?ByB?y?O3-z wherein (a) Ln is an element selected from the f block lanthanides, A? is selected from Group 2, A? is selected from Groups 1, 2 and 3 and the f block lanthanides, and B and B? are independently selected from the d block transition metals, excluding titanium and chromium, wherein 0?x<1, 0<x??1, 0?x?<1, 0<y<1.1, 0?y?<1.1, x+x?+x?=1.0, 1.1>y+y??1.0 and z is a number which renders the compound charge neutral, and (b) the average grain size of the multicomponent metallic oxide is in the range of about 4 ?m to about 20 ?m.

Abstract: A sealing assembly configured to seal a rotating shaft of a turbo machine having a high pressure process gas, comprising a housing defining a bore configured to receive the rotating shaft and sealing assembly, wherein the housing is mounted to a casing of the turbo machine; a first sealing stage comprising a single dry gas seal and configured to blow down the high pressure process gas to a lower pressure; a labyrinth seal mounted longitudinally outward from the first sealing stage; and a second sealing stage mounted longitudinally outward from the labyrinth seal, wherein the second sealing stage comprises a tandem dry gas seal having a primary dry gas seal and a secondary dry gas seal axially spaced with an intermediate labyrinth seal.

Abstract: Ion transport membrane system comprising (a) a pressure vessel comprising an interior, an exterior, an inlet, an inlet conduit, an outlet, and an outlet conduit; (b) a plurality of planar ion transport membrane modules disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and arranged in series, each membrane module comprising mixed metal oxide ceramic material and having an interior region and an exterior region, wherein the inlet and the outlet of the pressure vessel are in flow communication with exterior regions of the membrane modules; (c) a gas manifold having an interior surface wherein the gas manifold is in flow communication with the interior region of each of the planar ion transport membrane modules and with the exterior of the pressure vessel; and (d) a liner disposed within any of the inlet conduit, the outlet conduit, and the interior surface of the gas manifold.