Abstract: The present invention relates to a bio-aggregate based building product comprising a macroporous element formed from a mixture of: a calcium carbonate derived binder and a lignocellulosic bio-aggregate. The macroporous element has an air and/or vapour and/or water open matrix with a microcapillary structure formed by the lignocellulosic bio-aggregate. The porosity of the macroporous element is at least 50% of the bulk volume of the building product. Between 40% and 80% by weight of bio-aggregate granulates forming the lignocellulosic bio-aggregate have a maximum particle size falling within the lower 50% of the particle size range. No more than 5% by weight of bio-aggregate granulates forming the lignocellulosic bio-aggregate have a maximum particle size falling within the upper 20% of the particle size range.

Abstract: A particle identification system includes: a cartridge for containing a sample with fluorescently labeled particles; illumination for illuminating a region within the cartridge to stimulate emission from particles; imager for generating wavelength-filtered electronic images of the emission within at least one measurement field of the region; and particle identifier for processing the electronic images to determine a superset of particles of interest, and fluorescently labeled particles within the superset based on properties of the particles in the at least one measurement field.

Abstract: A cartridge for detecting a target analyte in a sample includes (a) a capillary channel with a detection region configured for detection of the target analyte, (b) an inlet port configured to hold the sample before entering the capillary channel and including a dried reagents for rehydrating into the sample, the inlet port and the capillary channel being shaped in part by a common structure, and (c) a vent having a frangible seal configured to prevent flow of the sample into the capillary channel until the frangible seal is broken, the capillary channel being airtight between the inlet port and the vent.

Abstract: A particle identification system includes: a cartridge for containing a sample with fluorescently labeled particles; illumination for illuminating a region within the cartridge to stimulate emission from particles; imager for generating wavelength-filtered electronic images of the emission within at least one measurement field of the region; and particle identifier for processing the electronic images to determine a superset of particles of interest, and fluorescently labeled particles within the superset based on properties of the particles in the at least one measurement field.

Abstract: A rapid diagnostic system that delivers a panel of serologic assay results using a small amount of blood, serum, or plasma is described. The system includes a disposable cartridge and a reader instrument, based on planar waveguide imaging technology. The cartridge incorporates a microarray of recombinant antigens and antibody controls in a fluidic channel, providing multiple parallel fluorescence assay results for a single sample.

Abstract: A system for enumeration of objects such as cells in a sample is disclosed. The system uses a low-cost cartridge and a reader instrument, based on planar waveguide imaging technology. Cells of a blood sample may be stained with fluorescence-tagged antibodies and are loaded onto the cartridge where the differentially labeled cells may be distinguished and quantified.

Abstract: A rapid diagnostic system that delivers a panel of serologic assay results using a small amount of blood, serum, or plasma is described. The system includes a disposable cartridge and a reader instrument, based on planar waveguide imaging technology. The cartridge incorporates a microarray of recombinant antigens and antibody controls in a fluidic channel, providing multiple parallel fluorescence assay results for a single sample.

Abstract: A steel for use as a broachable workpiece having a substantially pearlite-free microstructure whereby the service life of the broach tool is maximized. Formation of pearlite is suppressed by alloy modification; on-line processing; off-line processing; or combinations of these techniques which control the microstructure and hardness levels. The workpiece is broached into the form of a powertrain component such as, for example, a gear or race which can be surface hardened after broaching by one of carburizing, nitriding, or induction hardening depending upon the carbon content of the steel. Disclosed are steel compositions and processing methods for making the steel, the broachable workpiece and the broached and surface hardened powertrain article.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for tightly binding nucleic acid to solid phase and corresponding processes for the utilization thereof. Nucleic acid is bound to solid phase matrices exhibiting sufficient hydrophilicity and electropositivity to tightly bind the nucleic acids from a sample. These processes include nucleic acid (double or single stranded DNA and RNA) capture from high volume and/or low concentration specimens, buffer changes, washes, and volume reductions, and enable the interface of solid phase bound nucleic acid with enzyme, hybridization or amplification strategies. The tightly bound nucleic acid may be used, for example, in repeated analyses to confirm results or test additional genes in both research and commercial applications. Further, a method is described for virus extraction, purification, and solid phase amplification from large volume plasma specimens.