Abstract: A composition intended for application to a low surface energy substrate has added thereto an amount of a copolymer formulation in order to improve the quality of adhesion between the composition and the low surface energy substrate, substrates being coated with such compositions, and associated methods.

Abstract: A test strip device exhibits visual changes, such as color changes, when there is a only slight difference in the composition of liquids such as gasoline, oil, ethanol and water. Such a slight liquid composition difference usually requires a sophisticated and expensive instrument to differentiate. The test strip consists of one and more than one inverse opal films deposited on a substrate and achieves this goal of differentiation in a simple, fast and energy-free manner.

Abstract: Nucleic acid hybridization methods are disclosed. An example method comprises: immobilizing probe nucleic acid molecules on a surface; flowing target nucleic acid molecules to the immobilized probe nucleic acid molecules on said surface in a hybridization buffer solution; washing said surface with a wash solution which comprises nanoparticles; and detecting the presence of duplexes on said surface comprising a strand of one of said target nucleic acid molecules and a strand of one of said probe nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments, the target nucleic acid molecules are generated using a helicase-dependent amplification method wherein the reaction solution comprises nanoparticles.

Abstract: Asphalt compositions for roofing applications are provided, as well as filled asphalt material comprising the asphalt compositions and methods for making asphalt compositions and filled asphalt material. More particularly, the asphalt compositions comprise non-oxidized base asphalt; and a low molecular weight polyolefin present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the asphalt composition. The asphalt composition has a softening point from about 87.8 to about 160° C. (about 190 to about 320° F.), a penetration of greater than 12 deci-millimeters @ 25° C., as well as improved stain resistance and heat resistance.

Abstract: Particles, such as cells, are isolated for conducting single-particle measurement. Isolation of rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), from blood is technically challenging because they are small in numbers. An integrated microfluidic biochip, dubbed as CTC chip, was designed and fabricated for conducting tumor cell isolation. As CTCs are usually multidrug resistance (MDR), the effect of MDR inhibitors on chemotherapeutic drug accumulation in the isolated single tumor cell is measured. In this invention, label-free isolation of the rare tumor cells was conducted based on cell size difference. The major advantages of the CTC chip are the ability of fast cell isolation, followed by multiple rounds of single-cell measurement, suggesting a potential assay for detecting the drug responses based on the liquid biopsy of cancer patients.

Abstract: Asphalt binder compositions are provided comprising asphalt and a polymer blend, wherein the polymer blend comprises oxidized high density polyethylene and another polymer chosen from: maleated polypropylene, polyethylene homopolymer, high crystallinity polyethylene, and combinations thereof. Also provided are paving and roofing materials comprising the aforesaid asphalt binder compositions and an aggregate material. Methods for making and using the asphalt binder compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Asphalt compositions for roofing applications are provided, as well as filled asphalt material comprising the asphalt compositions and methods for making asphalt compositions and filled asphalt material. More particularly, the asphalt compositions comprise non-oxidized base asphalt; and a low molecular weight polyolefin present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 15 wt % based on the total weight of the asphalt composition. The asphalt composition has a softening point from about 87.8 to about 160° C. (about 190 to about 320° F.), a penetration of greater than 12 deci-millimeters @ 25° C., as well as improved stain resistance and heat resistance.

Abstract: Asphalt binder compositions are provided comprising asphalt and a polymer blend, wherein the polymer blend comprises oxidized high density polyethylene and another polymer chosen from: maleated polypropylene, polyethylene homopolymer, high crystallinity polyethylene, and combinations thereof. Also provided are paving and roofing materials comprising the aforesaid asphalt binder compositions and an aggregate material. Methods for making and using the asphalt binder compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention encompasses microfluidic microarray assemblies (MMA) and subassemblies and methods for their manufacture and use. In one embodiment, first and second channel plates are provided and are sealingly connected to a test chip in consecutive steps. Each plate includes microfluidic channels configured in a predetermined reagent distribution pattern. The test chip comprises a plurality of discrete test positions, each test position being located at the intersection between a first predetermined reagent pattern and a second predetermined reagent pattern, wherein at least one of said patterns is non-linear. The first channel plate allows the distribution of a first reagent on said test chip, wherein said first reagent is immobilized at said test positions. The second channel plate allows the distribution of a second reagent on said test chip, wherein said second reagent comprises a plurality of different test samples.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid hybridization methods for detecting target nucleic acid sequences wherein complexes comprising nanoparticles non-covalently associated with single-stranded tartlet nucleic acid molecules are incubated with immobilized probe nucleic acid molecules. Because the nanoparticles function as competitors in the hybridization reaction between the target nucleic acid molecules and the probe nucleic acid molecules. The methods provide a high degree of discrimination between a perfectly matched target sequence and a sequence having at least a single-base-pair mismatch, even when the hybridization reaction is performed at room temperature. The invention also provides microarray methods and apparatus which incorporate the nanoparticle-assisted hybridization methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a fluid chamber comprising a particle retention region for retaining at least one particle, such as a cell. The microfluidic device also comprises a plurality of electrodes extending into the particle retention region for applying a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force to controllably move the particle within the particle retention region. The invention also relates to methods of using the microfluidic device to controllably move the particle within the microfluidic device and to monitor, observe, or measure a parameter of the particle. The particle movement may be caused by a DEP force and/or a fluidic force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising one or more fluid channels, one or more fluid ports, and a V-shaped particle retention structure. The fluid channel is generally opposite the particle retention structure, fluid ports are located between the fluid channel and the particle retention structure, and the particle retention structure has sloped side walls. Fluid, including reagents, can be delivered to the microfluidic device through the one or more fluid channels or the fluid ports. The invention also relates to methods of using the microfluidic device to monitor, observe, measure, or record a biological parameter of a particle, to separate a single particle from a group of particles, to culture a cell, to treat a particle, and to move a particle back and forth in the device.

Abstract: Tools are provided for identifying outliers or variations in trade data derived from financial asset transactions, such as securities lending transactions, foreign exchange transactions, over the counter and exchange traded derivative transactions, and equity and fixed income transactions. Such outliers may provide an indication that a given trade is suspicious or potentially inappropriate from a customer relationship point of view, a regulatory perspective, or a legal standpoint. Trades identified as outliers can be utilized in regression analyses to analyze specific trades, trader-broker relationships, or other trading activity.

Abstract: Tools are provided for identifying outliers or variations in trade data derived from securities transactions, such as securities lending transactions. Such outliers may provide an indication that a given trade is suspicious or potentially inappropriate from a customer relationship point of view, a regulatory perspective, or a legal standpoint. Trades identified as outliers can be utilized in regression analyses to analyze specific trades, trader-broker relationships, or other trading activity.

Abstract: A switch in a data communications network for performing traffic generation in addition to standard switching and routing operations is disclosed. The switch uses a fixed number of test packets retained in a conventional switch buffer to produce one or more infinite packet streams transmitted to a router under test (RUT). The switching device enqueues packets in the priority queues, dequeues the packets from the priority queues, transmits the dequeued packets to the RUT, and re-enqueues a copy of the dequeued packets into the priority queues from which they were dequeued. The enqueued packets and associated pointers to packets are organized into linked lists. By re-writing a copy of each dequeued packet to the tail of a linked list and updating the pointers, the switch produces repeatable streams of test packets. The priority buffers, without the re-write operation, may also be used for conventional egress traffic.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip for carrying out live cell assays and showing observable color change is provided. The microfluidic chip has at least one fluid channel and a plurality of holes punched in a first side of the chip in fluid communication with the at least one fluid channel. Gelled medium containing live cells may be applied to the holes without obstructing the at least one fluid channel. A plain disk is applied to a second side of the chip to seal the fluid channels. Liquid to be distributed to the cells in the holes may be flowed through the at least one fluid channel by spinning the chip. The gelled medium may alternatively contain a reagent to be assayed by producing an observable change upon interaction with a second reagent when the chip is spun.

Abstract: Microarray devices fabricated using microfluidic reagent distribution techniques are provided. As described herein, the invention encompasses microfluidic microarray assemblies (MMA) and subassemblies and methods for their manufacture and use. In one embodiment first and second channel plates are provided which may be sealed to a test chip in consecutive steps. Each channel plate includes microfluidic channels configured in a predetermined reagent distribution pattern. For example, the first channel plate may have a radial (linear) reagent distribution pattern and the second channel plate may have a spiral (curved) reagent distribution pattern, or vice versa. In one embodiment the first channel plate is connected to the test chip and at least one first reagent is distributed on the test chip in a first predetermined reagent pattern. The first reagent is then immobilized on the test chip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising one or more fluid channels, one or more fluid ports, and a V-shaped particle retention structure. The fluid channel is generally opposite the particle retention structure, fluid ports are located between the fluid channel and the particle retention structure, and the particle retention structure has sloped side walls. Fluid, including reagents, can be delivered to the microfluidic device through the one or more fluid channels or the fluid ports. The invention also relates to methods of using the microfluidic device to monitor, observe, measure, or record a biological parameter of a particle, to separate a single particle from a group of particles, to culture a cell, to treat a particle, and to move a particle back and forth in the device.

Abstract: A switch in a data communications network for performing traffic generation in addition to standard switching and routing operations is disclosed. The switch uses a fixed number of test packets retained in a conventional switch buffer to produce one or more infinite packet streams transmitted to a router under test (RUT). The switching device enqueues packets in the priority queues, dequeues the packets from the priority queues, transmits the dequeued packets to the RUT, and re-enqueues a copy of the dequeued packets into the priority queues from which they were dequeued. The enqueued packets and associated pointers to packets are organized into linked lists. By re-writing a copy of each dequeued packet to the tail of a linked list and updating the pointers, the switch produces repeatable streams of test packets. The priority buffers, without the re-write operation, may also be used for conventional egress traffic.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method that uses active thermalization of a reflective element to minimize losses and provide wavelength stability. The laser comprises first and second reflectors defining an external cavity, and a compensating member coupled to at least one of the reflectors and configured to thermally position one reflector with respect to the other reflector. The compensating member may be coupled directly to the first reflector and configured to position first reflector with respect to said second reflector. The thermal positioning may be carried out by a thermoelectric controller operatively coupled to the compensating member and configured to thermally adjust the compensating member by heating or cooling thereof. The laser apparatus may comprise a gain medium having first and second output facets and emitting a coherent beam from the first output facet along an optical path.