Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for injection of analytes into a separation channel for resolution and detection. Samples can be preconditioned and concentrated by isotachophoresis (ITP) before the injection is triggered by a detected voltage event. Separation of analytes from other sample constituents can be enhanced using skewing channel ITP.

Abstract: The formation of acrylamide during heat treatment in the production of a food product is reduced by treating the raw material with an enzyme before the heat treatment. The enzyme is capable of reacting on asparagine as a substrate.

Abstract: The formation of acrylamide during heat treatment in the production of a food product is reduced by treating the raw material with an enzyme before the heat treatment. The enzyme is capable of reacting on asparagine or glutamine (optionally substituted) as a substrate or is a laccase or a peroxidase.

Abstract: The inventors have developed a method of altering the amino acid sequence of a fungal alpha-amylase to obtain variants, and they have used the method to construct such variants. The variants may be useful for anti-staling in baked products. Accordingly, the invention provides a method of constructing fungal alpha-amylase variants based on a comparison of three-dimensional (3D) structures of the fungal alpha-amylase and a maltogenic alpha-amylase. One or both models includes a substrate. The invention also provides novel fungal alpha-amylase variants.

Abstract: A cartridge having a distal end provided with a mechanical coding. The coding has the form of a circular protrusion where the circular outer diameter is dedicated a specific concentration of insulin contained in the cartridge. The distal end of the cartridge is fitted in to a circular contour in the housing. The outer diameter of the protrusion on the distal end of the cartridge is chosen as a larger diameter for a higher concentration of insulin. In this way only a cartridge containing the correct concentration or a lower concentration fits into a delivery system designed for a specific concentration of insulin.

Abstract: The inventors have developed a method of modifying the amino add sequence of a CGTase to obtain variants. The variants may form linear oligosaccharides as an initial product by starch hydrolysis and a reduced amount of cyclodextrin and may be useful for anti-staling in baked products. The method is based on a comparison of three-dimensional (3D) structures of the CGTase with the structure of a maltogenic alpha-amylase where one or both models includes a substrate. The invention also provides novel CGTase variants.

Abstract: The formation of acrylamide during heat treatment in the production of a food product is reduced by treating the raw material with an enzyme before the heat treatment. The enzyme is capable of reacting on asparagine or glutamine (optionally substituted) as a substrate or is a laccase or a peroxidase.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise microfluidic devices, instrumentation interfacing with those devices, processes for fabricating that device, and methods of employing that device to perform PCR amplification. Embodiments of the invention are also compatible with quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (“qPCR”) processes. Microfluidic devices in accordance with the invention may contain a plurality of parallel processing channels. Fully independent reactions can take place in each of the plurality of parallel processing channels. The availability of independent processing channels allows a microfluidic device in accordance with the invention to be used in a number of ways. For example, separate samples could be processed in each of the independent processing channels. Alternatively, different loci on a single sample could be processed in multiple processing channels.

Abstract: An optical detection system for a microfluidic device and a dry-focus microfluidic device compatible with the compact optical detection system are described. The system includes an LED; means for collimating light emitted by the LED; an aspherical, fused-silica objective lens; means for directing the collimated light through the objective onto a microfluidic device; and means for detecting a fluorescent signal emitted from the microfluidic device. The working distance between the objective and the device allows light from an external LED or laser to be brought in along a diagonal path to illuminate the microfluidic device. The dry-focus microfluidic device includes multiple channels and multiple closed optical alignment marks having curved walls. At least one of the channels is positioned between at least two of the marks. The marks are illuminated for alignment and focusing purposes by light brought in on a diagonal path from an external white LED.

Abstract: A microfluidic system and method for employing it to control fluid temperatures of fluids residing within microchannels of a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device is provided with a top layer and a bottom layer and microchannels configured therebetween. Temperature of the fluid within the microchannels is controlled in various ways including the use of electrical resistive heating elements and by providing zones located in contact with the top and bottom layers of the microfluidic device for circulating heat transfer of fluid therein.

Abstract: The addition of a lipoxygenase and a lipolytic enzyme active on polar lipids to a dough has a synergistic effect on the volume and/or crumb color of an edible product made by leavening and heating the dough, e.g. by baking or steaming.

Abstract: A system tracks ownership data for data resources coupled on a network. The system includes a data extractor for extracting data resource communication activity data from a plurality of network activity data sources, a database of organizational data resource ownership data, and a communication activity report generator for correlating extracted data resource communication activity data and organizational data resource ownership data so that ownership of communication activity may be tracked. The data extractor obtains network activity data from a variety of data sources such as firewalls, routers, servers, PBXs, softswitches, media gateways, SS7 signaling points, integrated access devices, and calling card imports. Network activity data about communication activity may be obtained directly from the data resources initiating the communication activity or from data sources that handle communication activity initiated by a data resource.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling analytical instruments are provided. A sequence of steps can be utilized to specify wells of a microfluidic device, mobility to be applied to fluid in the wells, and the duration to apply the mobility. For example, fluids can be sequentially run past down a main channel to a detection zone of the microfluidic device in order to analyze the fluids. In order to increase the efficiency of the analysis, fluids can be processed in parallel by running one fluid down the main channel while another fluid is loaded to the main channel.

Abstract: Analytical systems and methods that use a modular interface structure for providing an interface between a sample substrate and an analytical unit, where the analytical unit typically has a particular interface arrangement for implementing various analytical and control functions. Using a number of variants for each module of the modular interface structure advantageously provides cost effective and efficient ways to perform numerous tests using a particular substrate or class of substrates with a particular analytical and control systems interface arrangement. Improved optical illumination and detection system for simultaneously analyzing reactions or conditions in multiple parallel microchannels are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices for spatially separating at least first and second components in a sample which in one exemplary embodiment comprises introducing the first and second components into a first microfluidic channel of a microfluidic device in a carrier fluid comprising a spacer electrolyte solution and stacking the first and second components by isotachophoresis between a leading electrolyte solution and a trailing electrolyte solution, wherein the spacer electrolyte solution comprises ions which have an intermediate mobility in an electric field between the mobility of the ions present in the leading and trailing electrolyte solutions and wherein the spacer electrolyte solution comprises at least one of the following spacer ions MOPS, MES, Nonanoic acid, D-Glucuronic acid, Acetylsalicyclic acid, 4-Ethoxybenzoic acid, Glutaric acid, 3-Phenylpropionic acid, Phenoxyacetic acid, Cysteine, hippuric acid, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, isopropylmalonic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, 3,

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for injection of analytes into a separation channel for resolution and detection. Samples can be preconditioned and concentrated by isotachophoresis (ITP) before the injection is triggered by a detected voltage event. Separation of analytes from other sample constituents can be enhanced using skewing channel ITP.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying components of a mixture by labeling the individual components with fluorescent agents having different fluorescence lifetimes. The components are subsequently separated, fluorescent labels detected and their lifetimes measured. Based on the measured fluorescent lifetimes, the components of mixtures of small organic molecules, polymers, peptides, saccharides and nucleic acids can be identified.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying components of a mixture by labeling the individual components with fluorescent agents having different fluorescence lifetimes. The components are subsequently separated, fluorescent labels detected and their lifetimes measured. Based on the measured fluorescent lifetimes, the components of mixtures of small organic molecules, polymers, peptides, saccharides and nucleic acids can be identified.

Abstract: A perimeter weighted golf club head which has a body (40) defining a hosel (42), a heel (44), a ridge (46) of top (74), a sole (48) and toe (50). The combination forming a front face (52) and rear wall (54). The rear wall contains an integral mating surface (56) around which a weighted skirt (60) is attached. The skirt completely surrounds the periphery of the front face of the body and is of a metal heavier in equivalent mass weight than the body base material. The skirt material includes but is not limited to tungsten, depleted uranium, lead and their alloys in the base state or sintered together. The skirt is attached to its mating surface by brazing, swaging or using structural adhesives. A second embodiment includes a hollow (66) around the perimeter in which molten lead is poured. A third embodiment utilizes a segmented weighted skirt in a number of pieces to customize the head to the golfer. Both iron-type and wood type golf club heads are included in this invention.