Abstract: A shotgun metabolomics approach using MALDI-tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the rapid analysis of cellular metabolites. Through the use of neutral organic solvents to inactivate endogenous enzyme activities (i.e., methanol/chloroform/H2O extraction), multiplexed extraction conditions and combinatorial alterations in matrix stereoelectronic composition and analyte interactions, multiple suites of metabolites were directly ionized and quantitated directly from biologic extracts without the need for prior chromatographic separation. Through combinatorial alterations in 9-aminoacridine charge, aromaticity and stacking, a set of multiplexed conditions was developed that allowed identification of many hundreds of peaks corresponding to metabolites from mouse heart extracts. Identification of metabolite peaks was based on mass accuracy and isomeric species were assigned based on diagnostic fragment ions present during tandem mass spectrometry for many of the identified metabolite peaks.

Abstract: A liquid crystal structure (200) comprising first and second reflective regions (214a, 214b, 214c) arranged to reflect respective first and second colours. The first and second reflective regions (214a, 214b, 214c) are disposed transversely to the direction of reflection (R). Each region includes a reflective back area and a selector (210) controllable to control light reflected from the region. Furthermore, a controllable reflector (212) is superposed over the reflective region in the direction of reflection (R) and controllable to transmit or scatter incident light.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium salts were incorporated into anthraquinone dyes via a stable linkage. The structure of the antimicrobial colorants were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and UV-vis spectrometry. The dyes demonstrated excellent antimicrobial ability against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria in aqueous solution, as indicated by very low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The colorants showed excellent stability in water under light, continuous heating as well as acidic and alkaline conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying teicoplanin A2 comprising: (i) a primary pre-purification step of purifying a filtrate of fermentation broth of a strain using a synthetic adsorbent; (ii) a secondary pre-purification step of purifying the primary pre-purification solution using a cation exchange resin having a high cross-linkage, a catalytic resin or a chelate resin; (iii) a final purification step of purifying the secondary pre-purification solution using a reversed phase resin; and (iv) a powder-forming step. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain teicoplanin A2 with a higher purity through a relatively simple process without using an excessive amount of an organic solvent.

Abstract: A method of adjusting amplification curves in a PCR experiment includes receiving a plurality of amplification curves for a sample and computing a first parameter for each of the plurality of amplification curves. The method also includes computing a second parameter for each of the plurality of amplification curves and computing a third parameter using at least a portion of the first or second parameters. The method further includes computing an offset for each of the plurality of amplification curves. The offset is a function of the first parameter and the third parameter. Moreover, the method includes adjusting at least one of the plurality of amplification curves by subtracting the offset.

Abstract: A method of processing data associated with fluorescent emissions from a microfluidic device. The method includes performing an auto-focus process associated with a first image of the microfluidic device and performing an auto-exposure process associated with the first image of the microfluidic device. The method also includes capturing a plurality of images of the microfluidic device. The plurality of images are associated with a plurality of thermal cycles. The method further includes performing image analysis of the plurality of captured images to determine a series of optical intensities and performing data analysis of the series of optical intensities to provide a series of change in threshold values.

Abstract: A method of determining a plurality of positions associated with a plurality of reaction chambers of a microfluidic device includes a) providing a baseline image; b) providing a template image of a reaction chamber; and c) selecting a region of the baseline image. The method also includes d) performing a matching process including matching the template image to one or more portions of the region of the baseline image; e) determining a position of a first chamber; and f) predicting a position of a second chamber. The method further includes g) repeating steps c) through f) for subsequent chambers.

Abstract: A system and method for inspection a substrate for various defects is herein disclosed. Polarizing filters are used to improve the contrast of polarization dependent defects such as defocus and exposure defects, while retaining the same sensitivity to polarization independent defects, such as pits, voids, cracks, chips and particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides biocidal polymers having N-halamine technology incorporated therein, which are useful for a wide range of applications. The microbiocidal polymer can be a homopolymer, a co-polymer or a grafted polymer. In certain aspects, the present invention provides polymers from acrylic amine-monomers such as acrylamide, which monomers readily form homopolymers, co-polymers, or a grafted polymer such as onto an existing textiles.

Abstract: Systems for managing workflows to perform chemical or biological reactions using microfluidic devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides heterocyclic vinylic compounds that can be used to form biocidal polymers. The polymers thus generated can used alone or can be grafted onto textiles, fabrics and polymers. The polymers are readily converted to N-halamine structures on exposure to a halogen source such as commercially available chlorine bleach. The N-halamine derivatives exhibit potent antibacterial properties against microorganisms and these properties are durable and regenerable.

Abstract: The present invention provides heterocyclic vinylic compounds that can be used to form biocidal polymers. The polymers thus generated can be used alone or can be grafted onto textiles, fabrics and polymers. The polymers are readily converted to N-halamine structures on exposure to a halogen source such as commercially available chlorine bleach. The N-halamine derivatives exhibit potent antibacterial properties against microorganisms and these properties are durable and regenerable.

Abstract: The present invention employs the use of nanotechnology to textile coloration. The textiles so produced have good fastness and greatly reduce environmental concerns. The present invention provides nanoparticle processed textiles, formulations and methods for producing them.

Abstract: A method of calculating shading correction coefficients for an imaging system from a non-uniform and unknown calibration standard is disclosed. The standard may be of two or more dimensions and divided into several parts. The standard is imaged in an initial position to obtain a set of initial image intensities corresponding to defined regions on the standard. The standard is then repositioned and imaged in one additional re-arrangement for each of its dimensions. For each re-arrangement, an set of re-arranged image intensities are obtained. The initial and re-arranged image intensities are combined mathematically to determine a shading error for each of the defined regions, based on a value selected for one or more of the shading errors. The shading errors are inverted to provide a set of shading correction coefficients. Either of the shading errors or the shading correction coefficients may be normalized to eliminate the effect of the selected value.

Abstract: A method for processing an image of a microfluidic device. The method includes receiving a first image of a microfluidic device. The first image corresponds to a first state. Additionally, the method includes receiving a second image of the microfluidic device. The second image corresponds to a second state. Moreover, the method includes transforming the first image and the second image into a third coordinate space. Also, the method includes obtaining a third image based on at least information associated with the transformed first image and the transformed second image, and processing the third image to obtain information associated with the first state and the second state.

Abstract: The present invention provides durable and regenerable antimicrobial fibers and methods for preparing the same. These fibers have excellent colorfastness and washfastness, and are environmentally friendly. The antimicrobial fibers of this invention are suitable for a variety of purposes, including medical uses, sportswear, and uniforms.

Abstract: Methods for producing silicon substrates that have a silicon surface layer with a high voidage are provided. These methods do not involve the use of hydrogen fluoride, and the silicon surface of these substrates has a voidage high enough to be regarded as defining a quantum wire. The methods for producing silicon substrates that have a surface layer with a high voidage comprise at least the steps of depositing a uniform metal coating on at least a part of the silicon substrate; immersing the coated silicon substrate in a treating solution comprising at least hydrochloric acid and nitric acid to etch the metal coated surface; recovering the silicon substrate from the treating solution after a predetermined time; and removing any part other than the region in which microgrooves are approximately uniformly distributed. Also provided are silicon substrates that have a surface layer with a high voidage which are produced by such methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides functional finishing dyes comprising at least one functional finishing group covalently attached to a traditional dye via a chemical linkage. More particularly, the present invention provides novel antimicrobial cationic dyes comprising a quaternary ammonium salt group covalently attached to an aminoanthraquinioid dye via a linker. The dyes are particularly useful for imparting a functional property to a polymer, such as an antimicrobial, anti-static, softening, water-repellent, fire-resistant, soil-repellent, anti-UV, or anti-chemical property, and for simultaneously dyeing and finishing a polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, durable and renewable biocidal wooden materials for safe food contact items, such as cutting boards and containers, to be used in home kitchens and the food processing industries. The biocidal food contact surfaces of the present invention reduce and eliminate cross-contamination of diseases and make the surfaces or wood cutting boards safer to use. The biocidal materials inactivate any microorganisms that are deposited and prevent the materials from building up biofilms.

Abstract: The present invention provides heterocyclic vinylic compounds that can be used to form biocidal polymers. The polymers thus generated can used alone or can be grafted onto textiles, fabrics and polymers. The polymers are readily converted to N-halamine structures on exposure to a halogen source such as commercially available chlorine bleach. The N-halamine derivatives exhibit potent antibacterial properties against microoganisms and these properties are durable and regenerable.