Abstract: An optical well is configured to receive a test sample for examining an optical characteristic of the sample at a first wavelength in a predetermined wavelength range. The optical well includes a wall having a bottom wall portion and a sidewall portion defining a chamber for receiving the test sample, and an optical film formed into a shape so that a portion of the sidewall portion includes a first portion of the optical film, and a portion of the bottom wall portion includes a second portion of the optical film. For a normally incident light, the microlayers in each of the first and second portions have an average optical reflectance of greater than about 80% in the predetermined wavelength range. The forming results in the plurality of microlayers of the integral formed optical film having a thinnest portion and a thickest portion having a thickness difference of at least 30%.

Abstract: A recycling optical cavity is defined at least by first and second optical films and is configured to receive a test material therein. The test material is configured to emit at least a second light having a second wavelength when irradiated with a first light having a first wavelength. For at least one of s- and p-polarized incident lights incident in an incident plane, and at the first and second wavelengths: at a first incident angle, the first optical film has respective optical transmittances T11(?1) and T12(?1), and the second optical film has respective optical transmittances T21(?1) and T22(?1), wherein T11(?1)>T12(?1), T21(?1), T22(?1); and at a second incident angle, the first optical film has respective optical transmittances T11(?2) and T12(?2), and the second optical film has respective optical transmittances T21(?2) and T22(?2), wherein T21(?2)>T11(?2), T12(?2), T22(?2).

Abstract: Articles, systems, and methods for transferring liquids that may employ a robot.

Abstract: Method of assaying for an analyte in a sample, and kits for performing the assay.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a nucleic acid amplification method. The method comprises forming an enrichment culture by contacting a sample with a nutrient medium having a formulation that does not include a phosphate buffer component; holding the enrichment culture for a period of time at a temperature that facilitates growth of a target microorganism; after holding the enrichment culture, forming an aqueous composition by mixing a first volume of the enrichment culture with a second volume of a lysis buffer; contacting the aqueous composition with an effective amount of a water-insoluble material that sequesters a substance that interferes with a polymerase-mediated nucleic acid amplification reaction; subjecting the aqueous composition to a thermal lysis process; and, after subjecting the aqueous composition to the thermal lysis process, subjecting a portion of the aqueous composition to a nucleic acid amplification process. A composition for a lysis buffer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method of assaying for an analyte in a sample, and kits for performing the assay.

Abstract: Salts of Fe (II), Zn (II), or both used in methods for enriching food matrices containing antimicrobial compounds. A kit comprising salts of Fe (II), Zn (II) useful for such methods.

Abstract: Method of assaying for an analyte in a sample, and kits for performing the assay.

Abstract: A Ti—Al—Zr—O metal oxide having the formula TixAlyZrzOn, wherein x is independently 2-10, y is independently 0.5-6, z is independently 2-10, and n is independently 2x+3y/2+2z. A method of separating a mycotoxin from a matrix using a Ti—Al—Zr—O metal oxide.

Abstract: A device is provided. The device comprises a casing comprising an interior, a first opening, and a second opening; and a porous carrier comprising a sample-receiving zone and a target cell-binding zone. The porous carrier defines a first fluid pathway that extends from the sample-receiving zone to the target cell-binding zone. At least portion of the porous carrier is disposed in the interior of the casing. A second fluid pathway comprising a central axis extends through the casing from the first opening and the second opening, the second fluid pathway intersecting the porous carrier at the target cell-binding zone. The central axis is oriented orthogonally with respect to the porous carrier. Methods of using the device to detect a target microorganism are also provided.

Abstract: A composition for reducing the inhibitory effects of contaminants on nucleic acid amplification is provided. The composition includes a plurality of zirconium oxide particles, a non-ionic surfactant, and an organic iron-chelating reagent. The organic iron-chelating reagent has a first affinity constant greater than or equal to 104.2 with respect to ferric iron and a second affinity constant less than 103.8 with respect to magnesium, wherein the first affinity constant and the second affinity constant are determined in deionized water at pH 8.45 and 20° C. Optionally, the composition includes polyvinylpyrrolidone. Optionally, the composition comprises water. The composition has a pH of about 8.45 to 8.85. Methods of using the composition to prepare a sample for nucleic acid amplification are also provided.

Abstract: A composition for reducing the inhibitory effects of contaminants on nucleic acid amplification is provided. The composition includes effective amounts of ferric iron, an organic iron-chelating reagent, and a non-ionic surfactant. Optionally, the composition includes polyvinylpyrrolidone. The composition has a pH of about 8.45 to 8.85. The organic iron-chelating reagent has a first affinity constant greater than or equal to 104.2 with respect to ferric iron and a second affinity constant less than 103.8 with respect to magnesium. The first affinity constant and the second affinity constant are determined in deionized water at pH 8.45 and 20° C. Methods of using the composition to prepare a sample for nucleic acid amplification are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological sample is provided. The apparatus has a body having a processing chamber, a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a filter, a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a third one-way valve, a first fluid pathway, a second fluid pathway, and a third fluid pathway.

Abstract: A device is provided. The device comprises a casing comprising an interior, a first opening, and a second opening; and a porous carrier comprising a sample-receiving zone and a target analyte-binding zone. The porous carrier defines a first fluid pathway that extends from the sample-receiving zone to the target analyte-binding zone. At least portion of the porous carrier is disposed in the interior of the casing. A second fluid pathway comprising a central axis extends through the casing from the first opening and the second opening, the second fluid pathway intersecting the porous carrier at the target analyte-binding zone. The central axis is oriented orthogonally with respect to the porous carrier. Methods of using the device to detect a target analyte are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a nucleic acid amplification method. The method comprises forming an enrichment culture by contacting a sample with a nutrient medium having a formulation that does not include a phosphate buffer component; holding the enrichment culture for a period of time at a temperature that facilitates growth of a target microorganism; after holding the enrichment culture, forming an aqueous composition by mixing a first volume of the enrichment culture with a second volume of a lysis buffer; contacting the aqueous composition with an effective amount of a water-insoluble material that sequesters a substance that interferes with a polymerase-mediated nucleic acid amplification reaction; subjecting the aqueous composition to a thermal lysis process; and, after subjecting the aqueous composition to the thermal lysis process, subjecting a portion of the aqueous composition to a nucleic acid amplification process. A composition for a lysis buffer is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological sample is provided. The apparatus comprises a body having a processing chamber, a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a filter, a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a first fluid pathway, and a second fluid pathway. The first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway pass through the filter. A method of processing a sample using the apparatus is also provided. The method comprises placing a sample comprising a liquid into the processing chamber; urging at least a portion of the liquid through the filter; after urging the at least a portion of the liquid through the filter, urging a portion of a back-flush liquid through the filter into the process chamber to form a first processed sample; and analyzing at least a portion of the first processed sample to detect an indication of a microorganism.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological sample is provided. The apparatus includes a body having a processing chamber, a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a filter, a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a first fluid pathway, and a second fluid pathway. The first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway pass through the filter. A method of processing a sample using the apparatus is also provided. The method includes placing a sample comprising a liquid into the processing chamber; urging at least a portion of the liquid through the filter; after urging the at least a portion of the liquid through the filter, urging a portion of a back-flush liquid through the filter into the process chamber to form a first processed sample; and analyzing at least a portion of the first processed sample to detect an indication of a microorganism.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of detecting a target bacterium. The method includes forming a primary enrichment culture that includes a test sample, a primary enrichment medium and a redox dye; incubating the primary enrichment culture for a first period of time equal to eight hours or less; assessing the primary enrichment culture during the first period of time to detect whether the redox dye changes from a first state to a second state; if the second state is detected in the primary enrichment culture during the first period of time, mixing a portion of the primary enrichment culture with a secondary enrichment medium to form a secondary enrichment culture and incubating the secondary enrichment culture for a second period of time; and performing a test to detect the target bacterium using a portion of the second enrichment culture.