Abstract: A method for manufacturing a casted article is presented. The method includes steps of forming a casted article by a liquid metal cooled directional solidification process, removing a metallic material from a surface of the casted article and inspecting the surface of the casted article. The surface of the casted article is inspected for the presence of the metallic material by exposing the surface to a visualization reagent. A system for manufacturing the casted article is also presented.

Abstract: An appliance using water including an incoming water valve is provided. The appliance includes a sensor disposed in-line to an incoming flow of water received from the incoming water valve and is configured to sense a degree of hardness in the incoming flow of water. The sensor includes a sensing element disposed on a substrate. The sensing element includes a sensing matrix, an indicator for one or more chemical species in flow of water, and a selectivity component that reacts reversibly with one or more chemical species in the water. The sensor also includes a light source configured to direct light through the substrate and the sensing matrix. The sensor further includes a light detector configured to receive transmitted light from the substrate and the sensing matrix and to generate a signal representative of selective wavelengths of the light indicative of one or more chemical species in flow of water.

Abstract: A diversity switch combiner for use in systems for receiving multi-carrier wideband signals is arranged to determine, during a guard interval, which antenna provides the strongest carrier, for each of a plurality of carrier frequencies. A switch is then operated to select, for the subsequent symbol, that antenna which provides the greatest number of strongest carriers.

Abstract: A diversity switch combiner for use in systems for receiving wideband signals is arranged to split the received signal into separate channels each carrying a respective frequency band. Respective switch means are provided for each channel in order to switch the input of each channel between different antennas. A switch control determines the switch setting in accordance with the result of a comparison operation, preferably performed during a guard period, in which the signal qualities for different settings are compared.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) especially where R1 is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or heterocyclyl-alkyl group, are shown to have activity as sodium channel blockers or as antifolates. Some novel compounds where R1 is an aralkyl or hetero-cyclyl-alkyl are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a noninvasive optical determination of the pH of a substance in a compartment in a closed system comprising a compartment wherein a substance resides which is permeable to at least one wavelength of light, a light source and light detecting device configured to obtain spectral data for a substance for at least one wavelength, a processor adapted to determine the pH of the substance by correlating the spectral data with predetermined spectral data for a known substance at a known pH at the at least one wavelength, and wherein the processor is further configured to control the release of the substance from the compartment to its end use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that facilitate dissolving a hyperpolarized agent within a polarizer and transporting it to a receiver is provided. The methods include delivering water to a hyperpolarized agent contained within a polarizer, forming a hyperpolarized aqueous solution, transporting the aqueous solution through a fluid path system out of the polarizer, filtering the aqueous solution through a partical size exclusion filter to a receiver, and modifying the pH of the filtered hyperpolarized aquous solution with a dissolution medium contained in the receiver. Also disclosed herein are apparatuses for dissolving a hyperpolarized agent comprising a vial for containing a hyperpolarized imaging agent therein, a dissolution fluid path, a delivery fluid path, a particle size exclusion filter, and a receiver connected to the particle size exclusion filter and positioned to receive the filtered aqueous solution of the hyperpolarized imaging agent.

Abstract: Methods for applying sensor materials to optical storage media substrates are disclosed. After exposure to a sample of interest, the resulting sensors may be read in optical storage media drives for quantitative analysis of physical, chemical and biological parameters of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for automated quality control of a substance comprising a compartment wherein a substance is located, a monitoring device coupled to the compartment and configured to monitor at least one quality control parameter prior to an end-use of the substance, and a processor coupled to the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to communicate data to the processor for comparing at least one quality control parameter to an end-use value, and wherein the processor is further configured to control the release of the substance from the compartment to its end-use.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate assembly for use in a detector system. The substrate assembly includes a substrate; a sample reception structure secured to the substrate; a test window extending through the substrate; and a fluid channel defined by a surface of the substrate and extending from the sample reception structure to the test window.

Abstract: A device for dynamic filtration of a pharmaceutical product is provided. The device includes a resin configured to selectively retain one or more components from a mixture having the pharmaceutical product, where the resin is configured to be activated by a medium of the mixture. The device further includes at least one positioning material disposed adjacent to the resin, where the positioning material is configured to provide mechanical support to the resin to at least partially retain the resin in position. In certain embodiments, the device does not require conditioning immediately prior to filtration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for automated quality control of a substance comprising a compartment wherein a substance is located, a monitoring device coupled to the compartment and configured to monitor at least one quality control parameter prior to an end-use of the substance, and a processor coupled to the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to communicate data to the processor for comparing at least one quality control parameter to an end-use value, and wherein the processor is further configured to control the release of the substance from the compartment to its end-use.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a noninvasive optical determination of the volume of a fluid in a compartment within a closed system comprising a compartment wherein a fluid resides which is permeable to at least one wavelength of light, a light source and light detecting device configured to obtain spectral data for a fluid for at least one wavelength, a processor adapted to determine the volume of the fluid by correlating the spectral data for a fluid at a known path length with the spectral data for the fluid at an unknown path length and wherein the processor is further configured to control the release of the substance from the compartment to its end use.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a noninvasive optical determination of the pH of a substance in a compartment in a closed system comprising a compartment wherein a substance resides which is permeable to at least one wavelength of light, a light source and light detecting device configured to obtain spectral data for a substance for at least one wavelength, a processor adapted to determine the pH of the substance by correlating the spectral data with predetermined spectral data for a known substance at a known pH at the at least one wavelength, and wherein the processor is further configured to control the release of the substance from the compartment to its end use.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient.

Abstract: An apparatus that allows for separating and collecting a fraction of a sample. The apparatus, when used with a centrifuge, allows for the creation of at least three fractions in the apparatus. It also provides for a new method of extracting the buffy coat phase from a whole blood sample. A buoy system that may include a first buoy portion and a second buoy member operably interconnected may be used to form at least three fractions from a sample during a substantially single centrifugation process. Therefore, the separation of various fractions may be substantially quick and efficient.

Abstract: A Platelet Rich Plasma separator assembly is disclosed. The assembly can include a cylindrical outer wall closed at the top by an upper plate and closed at the bottom. A bottom plate having an upper surface sloped down to a central opening. The top edge of the inner wall terminates at a distance from the upper plate to define an annular erythrocyte passageway therebetween. The inner wall has an outer surface and an inner surface that slopes radially inward from its top edge to its bottom at an angle of from 0.2 to 5 degrees with a central axis of the inner wall. A cylindrical depth filter is positioned between the inner surface of the outer wall and the outer surface of the inner wall in communication with the inner wall through the erythrocyte passageway.

Abstract: An appliance using water including an incoming water valve is provided. The appliance also includes a sensor disposed in-line to an incoming flow of water received from the incoming water valve and is configured to sense a degree of hardness in the incoming flow of water. The sensor includes a substrate and a sensing element disposed on the substrate. The sensing element includes a sensing matrix, an indicator for one or more chemical species in a flow of water, and a selectivity component that reacts reversibly with the one or more chemical species in the water. The sensor also includes a light source configured to direct light through the substrate and the sensing matrix. The sensor further includes a light detector configured to receive transmitted light from the substrate and the sensing matrix and to generate a signal representative of selective wavelengths of the light indicative of the one or more chemical species in the flow of water.

Abstract: A sensor including a substrate and a sensing element disposed on a substrate is provided. The sensing element includes a sensing matrix in contact with a flow of water, an indicator for one or more chemical species in the flow of water, and a selectivity component that reacts reversibly with the one or more chemical species. The sensor also includes a light source configured to direct light through the substrate and the sensing element. The sensor further includes a light detector configured to receive transmitted light from the substrate and the sensing matrix and to generate a signal representative of selective wavelengths of the light indicative of the one or more chemical species in the flow of water.