Abstract: An improved method for preparing nucleic acid extracts from environmental samples contaminated by polymerase inhibitors such as humic and fulvic acids is provided. The methods of the invention utilize chemical compositions capable of precipitating humic and/or fulvic acids from organic samples. The methods may be used in connection with the preparation of DNA and RNA extracts, thereby providing purified preparations suitable for amplification using PCR, RT-PCR, and other nucleic acid amplification technologies. Reagent kits for preparing a purified nucleic acid-containing extract from an environmental sample of soil, fluid, or organic particles, using the chemical compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to generate surface plasmon enhanced radiation comprises a metal film having first and second surfaces, and one or more resonance configurations formed in the metal film. An exemplary resonance configuration includes an aperture extending between the first and second surfaces of the metal film, and at least one feature that forms a non-periodic structure together with the aperture. The feature causes a variation in a dielectric function along the first surface of the metal film proximate to the aperture, and the aperture and the feature are configured so as to cooperatively facilitate a resonance condition for surface plasmon enhanced radiation generated by the apparatus, based on incident radiation that irradiates the first surface of the metal film.

Abstract: Apparatus (10), systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container (206) of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber (40) where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources (60, 70) in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber (40). A light sensing system (650) senses the intensity of illumination of the light. A radiometer (460) may be inserted into fluid treatment chamber (40) to calibrate the light sensing system (650). An electronic control system (600) utilizes an interface circuit board (606) to interface a computer circuit board (602) to a display panel (37), a user interface panel (39, 39a), a relay circuit board (640), light sensors 404 and various other sensors (649). A detector (385) senses agitating movement of a tray (90) that contains biological fluids.

Abstract: Apparatus (10), systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container (206) of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber (40) where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources (60, 70) in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber (40). A light sensing system (650) senses the intensity of illumination of the light. A radiometer (460) may be inserted into fluid treatment chamber (40) to calibrate the light sensing system (650). An electronic control system (600) utilizes an interface circuit board (606) to interface a computer circuit board (602) to a display panel (37), a user interface panel (39, 39a), a relay circuit board (640), light sensors 404 and various other sensors (649). A detector (385) senses agitating movement of a tray (90) that contains biological fluids.

Abstract: Apparatus (10), systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container (206) of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber (40) where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources (60, 70) in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber (40). A light sensing system (650) senses the intensity of illumination of the light. A radiometer (460) may be inserted into fluid treatment chamber (40) to calibrate the light sensing system (650). An electronic control system (600) utilizes an interface circuit board (606) to interface a computer circuit board (602) to a display panel (37), a user interface panel (39, 39a), a relay circuit board (640), light sensors 404 and various other sensors (649). A detector (385) senses agitating movement of a tray (90) that contains biological fluids.

Abstract: Soluble polymers and methods for the preparation thereof, wherein the polymers of the present invention have pendant acylsulfonamide amine-reactive groups that can be used for the capture of amine containing materials.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container for biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber. A drawer for holding containers of biological fluid introduces the containers into the chamber. Containers for holding the biological fluid are marked by the apparatus to indicate the status of the treatment.

Abstract: In a communication system (1), a header comprising information, preferably being related with a device-type associated commitment, is additionally provided with a signature for that information. The signature guarantees the authenticity of the header information. The signature is tamper-resistantly created in a first device (20), preferably based on at least tamper-resistant device-type specific information of the first device (20). The header information and the signature are communicated to a content provider (10), where the signature is verified before accepting the device-type associated commitment to be valid. Such signatures can preferably be used in systems using HTTP or SMTP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive foam tape. In certain embodiments the foam tape does not require the use of a release liner. Elimination of the release liner reduces the cost of the tape and also avoids problems associated with damage to the liner during traditional tape manufacturing from exposure to e-beam radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive foam tape. In certain embodiments the foam tape does not require the use of a release liner. Elimination of the release liner reduces the cost of the tape and also avoids problems associated with damage to the liner during traditional tape manufacturing from exposure to e-beam radiation.

Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive composition comprises a blend of at least one acidic polymer and at least one basic polymer. At least one of the polymers is a hot-melt adhesive. Thermally reversible crosslinks are formed between each of the two polymers. These crosslinks impart cohesive strength to the applied adhesive, without sacrificing ease of processing.

Abstract: A radiation detackifiable adhesive composition comprising a (meth)acrylate copolymer including from 85 wt. % to 97.5 wt. % of a (meth)acrylate ester and from 2.5 wt. % to 15 wt. % of a copolymerizable carboxylate monomer and a multi-functional urethane acrylate oligomer combined with the (meth)acrylate copolymer to provide from 25 parts to 40 parts of the oligomer per 100 parts of the copolymer. The adhesive composition becomes progressively detackified during exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Properties of adhesive compositions may be maintained at elevated temperatures, from about 115° C. to about 155° C., when they include a thermally stable free radical initiator to overcome premature adhesive detackification. The present invention further provides a clear adhesive coated sheet for supporting a silicon wafer during manufacture of semiconductor microchips. The coated sheet comprises a transparent film substrate coated with a radiation detackifiable adhesive composition.

Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive composition comprises a blend of at least one acidic polymer and at least one basic polymer. At least one of the polymers is a hot-melt adhesive. Thermally reversible crosslinks are formed between each of the two polymers. These crosslinks impart cohesive strength to the applied adhesive, without sacrificing ease of processing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward compositions that are chemically different after application to a substrate as compared to the composition prior to its application. A method of the invention comprises a method of transitioning a crosslinked polymer composition from a first chemical state to a second chemical state. Advantageously, compositions of the invention are relatively stable after transformation to their altered, or second, chemical state.

Abstract: Non-tacky, base polymers are plasticized into pressure-sensitive adhesives and comprise: a) about 100 parts by weight of a base copolymer having a Tg greater than about 0° C., wherein the base copolymer is formed from and comprises: (1) about 50 to 70% by weight of a high Tg comonomer component, wherein the homopolymer formed from the high Tg comonomer component has a Tg of at least about 20° C.; (2) optionally, up to about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the base copolymer of an acidic comonomer; and (3) about 30 to 50% by weight of one or more low Tg (meth)acrylate comonomer, wherein the Tg homopolymer of the low Tg comonomer is less than about 20° C., and b) about 1 to about 100 parts based on the base copolymer of a nonreactive, non-volatile, non-acrylic-based plasticizing agent.

Abstract: Apparatus (10), systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container (206) of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber (40) where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources (60, 70) in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber (40). A light sensing system (650) senses the intensity of illumination of the light. A radiometer (460) may be inserted into fluid treatment chamber (40) to calibrate the light sensing system (650). An electronic control system (600) utilizes an interface circuit board (606) to interface a computer circuit board (602) to a display panel (37), a user interface panel (39, 39a), a relay circuit board (640), light sensors 404 and various other sensors (649). A detector (385) senses agitating movement of a tray (90) that contains biological fluids.

Abstract: A radiation detackifiable adhesive composition comprising a (meth)acrylate copolymer including from 85 wt. % to 97.5 wt. % of a (meth)acrylate ester and from 2.5 wt. % to 15 wt. % of a copolymerizable carboxylate monomer and a multi-functional urethane acrylate oligomer combined with the (meth)acrylate copolymer to provide from 25 parts to 40 parts of the oligomer per 100 parts of the copolymer. The adhesive composition becomes progressively detackified during exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Properties of adhesive compositions may be maintained at elevated temperatures, from about 115° C. to about 155° C., when they include a thermally stable free radical initiator to overcome premature adhesive detackification.

Abstract: An article including at least one first layer with a first major surface and a second major surface, wherein at least one of the first and second major surfaces is a structured surface; and a cap layer in contact with a structured surface of the first layer.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing adhesion between at least two surfaces, preferably of at least two different materials, using a powdered surface preparation composition.

Abstract: Radiation-crosslinkable elastomeric compositions containing: (a) an elastomeric polymer containing abstractable hydrogen atoms in an amount sufficient to enable the elastomeric polymer to undergo crosslinking in the presence of a suitable radiation-activatable crosslinking agent; and (b) a radiation-activatable crosslinking agent of the formula: wherein: X represents CH3—; phenyl; or substituted-phenyl; or substituted-phenyl with the proviso that any substituents on the substituted-phenyl do not interfere with the light-absorbing capacity of the radiation-activatable crosslinking agent and do not promote intramolecular hydrogen abstraction of the radiation activatable crosslinking agent; W represents —O—, —NH—, or —S—; Z represents an organic spacer selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic, aralkyl, heteroaromatic, and cycloaliphatic groups free of esters, amides, ketones, urethanes, and also free of ethers, thiols, allylic grou