Abstract: Crosslinkable compositions are provided that contain a) a polymeric material having at least two terminal dithiocarbamate groups or two terminal dithiocarbonate groups and b) a monomer composition that includes at least a crosslinking monomer having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups. The polymeric materials in the crosslinkable compositions undergo chain extension and crosslinking reactions when exposed to actinic radiation in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally, crosslinked compositions, articles that contain the crosslinkable compositions or the crosslinked compositions, and methods of making the articles are provided.

Abstract: Assay devices are provided including a receptacle having a sample entry port; a plunger disposed within the receptacle; at least one reagent; a membrane attached to a first surface of the plunger; a wick providing capillary force; and a detection zone. The membrane includes a target conjugate zone in which affinity components are disposed. Capture compounds are immobilized in a detection zone, which is located between the target conjugate zone and the wick. A method of detecting a target analyte is also provided, including providing the assay device; providing a sample suspected to contain a target analyte; adding the sample onto the device; allowing the sample to travel along the membrane until the sample reaches the detection zone; immobilizing the target analyte through reaction of the target analyte with the capture compounds; reacting the immobilized target analyte with a reagent to generate a detectable signal; and detecting the generated signal.

Abstract: Crosslinkable compositions are provided that contain a) a polymeric material having at least two terminal dithiocarbamate groups or two terminal dithiocarbonate groups and b) a monomer composition that includes at least a crosslinking monomer having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups. The polymeric materials in the crosslinkable compositions undergo chain extension and crosslinking reactions when exposed to actinic radiation in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally, crosslinked compositions, articles that contain the crosslinkable compositions or the crosslinked compositions, and methods of making the articles are provided.

Abstract: Controlled radical initiators, reaction mixtures containing the controlled radical initiators and various ethylenically unsaturated monomers, polymeric materials formed from the reaction mixtures, crosslinkable compositions containing the polymeric materials, and crosslinked compositions formed from the crosslinkable compositions are provided. The controlled radical initiators are bis-dithiocarbamate or bis-dithiocarbonate compounds having a single carbon between the two dithiocarbamate or dithiocarbonate groups.

Abstract: Controlled radical initiators, reaction mixtures containing the controlled radical initiators and various ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and polymeric materials formed from the reaction mixtures are provided. The controlled radical initiators are bis-dithiocarbamate or bis-dithiocarbonate compounds with a single carbon atom between the two dithiocarbamate or dithiocarbonate groups. Polymeric materials such as homopolymers, random copolymers, and block copolymers can be prepared using the controlled radical initiators.

Abstract: Controlled radical initiators, reaction mixtures containing the controlled radical initiators and various ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and polymeric materials formed from the reaction mixtures are provided. The controlled radical initiators are bis-dithiocarbamate or bis-dithiocarbonate compounds with a single carbon atom between the two dithiocarbamate or dithiocarbonate groups. Polymeric materials such as homopolymers, random copolymers, and block copolymers can be prepared using the controlled radical initiators.

Abstract: Assay devices are provided including a receptacle having a sample entry port; a plunger disposed within the receptacle; at least one reagent; a membrane attached to a first surface of the plunger; a wick providing capillary force; and a detection zone. The membrane includes a target conjugate zone in which affinity components are disposed. Capture compounds are immobilized in a detection zone, which is located between the target conjugate zone and the wick. A method of detecting a target analyte is also provided, including providing the assay device; providing a sample suspected to contain a target analyte; adding the sample onto the device; allowing the sample to travel along the membrane until the sample reaches the detection zone; immobilizing the target analyte through reaction of the target analyte with the capture compounds; reacting the immobilized target analyte with a reagent to generate a detectable signal; and detecting the generated signal.

Abstract: Assay devices are provided including a receptacle having a sample entry port; a plunger disposed within the receptacle; at least one reagent; a membrane attached to a first surface of the plunger; a wick providing capillary force; and a detection zone. The membrane includes a target conjugate zone in which affinity components are disposed. Capture compounds are immobilized in a detection zone, which is located between the target conjugate zone and the wick. A method of detecting a target analyte is also provided, including providing the assay device; providing a sample suspected to contain a target analyte; adding the sample onto the device; allowing the sample to travel along the membrane until the sample reaches the detection zone; immobilizing the target analyte through reaction of the target analyte with the capture compounds; reacting the immobilized target analyte with a reagent to generate a detectable signal; and detecting the generated signal.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that are either fluorogenic or fluorophoric. Compositions and articles that include the compounds are also provided. Additionally, methods of detecting a microorganism using the compounds are provided. The compounds are fluorinated and can be used advantageously under acidic conditions.

Abstract: Assay devices are provided including a receptacle having a sample entry port; a plunger disposed within the receptacle; at least one reagent; a membrane attached to a first surface of the plunger; a wick providing capillary force; and a detection zone. The membrane includes a target conjugate zone in which affinity components are disposed. Capture compounds are immobilized in a detection zone, which is located between the target conjugate zone and the wick. A method of detecting a target analyte is also provided, including providing the assay device; providing a sample suspected to contain a target analyte; adding the sample onto the device; allowing the sample to travel along the membrane until the sample reaches the detection zone; immobilizing the target analyte through reaction of the target analyte with the capture compounds; reacting the immobilized target analyte with a reagent to generate a detectable signal; and detecting the generated signal.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that are either fluorogenic or fluorophoric. Compositions and articles that include the compounds are also provided. Additionally, methods of detecting a microorganism using the compounds are provided. The compounds are fluorinated and can be used advantageously under acidic conditions.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that are either fluorogenic or fluorophoric. Compositions and articles that include the compounds are also provided. Additionally, methods of detecting a microorganism using the compounds are provided. The compounds are fluorinated and can be used advantageously under acidic conditions.

Abstract: Compositions that comprise water, a first indicator reagent that can be converted by a first biological activity to a first biological derivative, and a plurality of particles are provided. The first indicator reagent can comprise a fluorogenic enzyme substrate having a fluorophore selected from the group consisting of umbelliferone, 7-aminocoumarin, ?-naphthylamine, ?-naphthol, fluorescein, resorufin, 9H-(1,3-dichloro-9,9-dimethyl acridin-2-one), rhodamine 110, a derivative of any of the foregoing fluorophores, and a combination of any of the foregoing fluorophores. The particles are capable of receiving and retaining the first biological derivative from an aqueous liquid. The first biological derivative can be indicative of a microorganism. The compositions further can comprise a gelling agent. Methods of using the compositions to detect the presence or absence of a microorganism in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting the presence of a target microorganism in a liquid sample are provided. Methods comprise the steps of passing the liquid sample through a surface filter, placing the surface filter into contact with a culture device, incubating the culture device for a period of time and detecting the presence of a target microorganism. Methods may be used with an automated detection system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting the presence of a target microorganism in a liquid sample are provided. Methods comprise the steps of passing the liquid sample through a surface filter, placing the surface filter into contact with a culture device, incubating the culture device for a period of time and detecting the presence of a target microorganism. Methods may be used with an automated detection system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting the presence of a target microorganism in a liquid sample are provided. Methods comprise the steps of passing the liquid sample through a surface filter, placing the surface filter into contact with a culture device, incubating the culture device for a period of time and detecting the presence of a target microorganism. Methods may be used with an automated detection system.

Abstract: Methods and kits are disclosed for detecting microorganisms that produce glucose oxidase. The method includes providing a culture medium and a hydrogen peroxide indicating reagent comprising a chromogenic substrate that can provide a detectable chromogenic reaction indicating the presence of a microorganism that produces glucose oxidase, and additional methods are disclosed for differentiating microorganisms by the detection of an additional chromogenic reaction.

Abstract: Polypeptides which can be activated to cause the formation of pores in a lipid membrane are disclosed. Also disclosed are polypeptide compositions for the detection of target microorganisms and methods of using said compositions.

Abstract: A system for detecting microorganisms in a test sample is provided that includes a fluorescently detectable product having both acidic and basic species, wherein the fluorescently detectable product is the reaction product of (a) an enzyme substrate that comprises an enzymatically hydrolysable group and a fluorescent group and (b) a test sample comprising a microorganism having an enzyme that hydrolyzes the hydrolysable group from the fluorescent group of the enzyme substrate. The fluorescently detectable product has an excitation isosbestic point Ex?iso where the absorbance of the acid species is the same as the absorbance of the basic species. The system also includes a first light source having a wavelength of Ex?iso for irradiating the fluorescently detectable product, The fluorescently detectable product emits light at a wavelength of Em?1, and the quantity of light emitted at the wavelength Em?1 is substantially constant across a pH range of 2.5 to 8.0.

Abstract: Compounds are provided that are either fluorogenic or fluorophoric. Compositions and articles that include the compounds are also provided. Additionally, methods of detecting a microorganism using the compounds are provided. The compounds are fluorinated and can be used advantageously under acidic conditions.