Abstract: An example system includes an image capture device configured to capture a sequence of images representative of a sample of microbial growth; and a processing unit having one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to pass the image data for the sequence of images through a machine learning model trained to generate one or more predicted future images of the microbial colony at a future time, the machine learning model trained using historical image data, the historical image data comprising a plurality of historical image data sets, each historical image data set of the historical image data sets comprising image data for a historical sequence of images of a corresponding historical microbial colony sample, wherein a prediction time interval between the future time and a capture time of a last image of the sequence of images is greater than each of the sampling time intervals.

Abstract: An aqueous composition, for example a composition for use as a lysis buffer, comprising zirconium oxide particles, a surfactant at a concentration greater than or equal to 0.005% (mass/volume), an organic, iron-chelating reagent having 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 (as determined in 20° C. deionized water at pH 8.45), and a buffer. The aqueous composition has a pH no less than 7.7 and less than 8.45, more particularly 7.8-8.3, in all cases when measured at 20° C. Methods of using the composition and kits comprising components of the aqueous compositions.

Abstract: An optical stack for sensing a presence of an analyte is provided. The optical stack includes a sensor material. The sensor material includes a first optical response including a first optical property having a second value in response to an excitation signal including the first optical property having a first value different from the second value. The first optical response includes a second optical property sensitive to the presence of the analyte. The optical stack includes a first optical film disposed proximate the sensor material and includes a third optical property having respective third and fourth values in response to the respective first and second values of the first optical property. The third value is different from the fourth value by at least a factor of 2.

Abstract: Primers and methods of amplifying DNA from shiga toxins stx1 and stx2 designed for use in a multiplex method and useful in detecting shiga-toxin producing E. Coli (STEC). The primers being especially designed for use in Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP).

Abstract: Primers and primer sets for amplification of Vibrio parahaemolyticus DNA and methods of detecting Vibrio parahaemolyticus using the primers and primer sets.

Abstract: A culture device comprising an oxygen sensitive luminophore, typically an oxygen sensitive phosphor, such as a porphyrin, and methods of use for culturing and enumerating microorganisms

Abstract: A composition and method of detecting an analyte in a sample using the composition, the composition including: a liquid that includes water; a plurality of first hollow glass bubbles in the liquid; a plurality of covalently attached first affinity groups that are covalently attached to at least some of the plurality of first hollow glass bubbles; and a plurality of first detector compound molecules not covalently bonded to the plurality of first hollow glass bubbles; wherein the first detector compound molecules include a first detectable group that is detected at a first wavelength; and wherein the first hollow glass bubbles have: a density of less than 0.60 gram/mole; a span of less than 1.0; and a plurality of covalently attached first affinity groups.

Abstract: An apparatus and kit for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample is provided. The apparatus and kit comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample in one or more cavity that is not substantially defined by space between a plurality of fibers. The sampling device comprises a dry coating that includes an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH of about 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. A method of use of the apparatus or kit is 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: Apparatuses and kits for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample are provided. The apparatuses and kits comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion comprises a fibrous or a foam material and is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample or a sample of residue from a surface. The sampling device comprises a dry coating or a liquid coating, the coating including an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. Methods of use of the apparatus or kit are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus (1000) and kit (1000) for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample is provided. The apparatus and kit comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having (100) a sampling portion (30) and a handling portion (20). The sampling portion (30) is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample in one or more cavity (32) that is not substantially defined by space between a plurality of fibers. The sampling device (30) comprises a dry coating that includes an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH of about 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. A method of use of the apparatus or kit is also provided.

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 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 and kit for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample is provided. The apparatus and kit comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample in one or more cavity that is not substantially defined by space between a plurality of fibers. The sampling device comprises a dry coating that includes an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH of about 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. A method of use of the apparatus or kit is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and kits for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample are provided. The apparatuses and kits comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion comprises a fibrous or a foam material and is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample or a sample of residue from a surface. The sampling device comprises a dry coating or a liquid coating, the coating including an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. Methods of use of the apparatus or kit are also provided.

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: Apparatuses and kits for the detection of ATP in a liquid sample are provided. The apparatuses and kits comprise a liquid reagent composition comprising luciferin and a sampling device having a sampling portion and a handling portion. The sampling portion comprises a fibrous or a foam material and is adapted to acquire and releasably retain a predetermined volume of a liquid sample or a sample of residue from a surface. The sampling device comprises a dry coating or a liquid coating, the coating including an effective amount of a pH-adjusting reagent that, when contacted with a liquid reagent composition having a pH 6.8 or lower, changes the pH of the liquid reagent composition to 6.9 or higher. Methods of use of the apparatus or kit are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for concentrating microorganisms with concentration agents in a sampling device and the sampling device described herein. More specifically, methods for concentrating microorganisms from large volume samples with concentration agents in a sampling device can provide for rapid, low cost, simple (involving no complex equipment or procedures), and/or effective processes under a variety of conditions.

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.