Abstract: An oxygen-free copper alloy comprising oxygen-free copper and, micro-alloyed therein, about 1-250 ppm tin (Sn) and/or about 1-150 ppm manganese (Mn). The invention also relates to the use of said copper alloy.

Abstract: An ozone deodorizing/sterilizing device is proposed which includes an air pump for supplying pressurized air, an ozone generator for producing ozone by silent discharge, and an ozone spray device having a spray nozzle for atomizing water with the pressurized air containing ozone as a driving fluid and spraying it with air. The spray nozzle is formed to atomize water by setting the nozzle hole diameter so that water will be atomized into ultrafine volatile fog drips and fog drips will be sprayed within a predetermined range from the spray nozzle and the target space to be sterilized will be kept from getting wet.

Abstract: An autoclave 41 comprises a chamber 42 in which medical equipment, for example, an endoscope is stored, a steam feeder 43, a vacuum pump 44, and a control unit 45. The steam feeder 43 feeds steam to the chamber 42. The vacuum pump 44 depressurizes the inside of the chamber 42. The control unit 45 controls the steam feeder 43 and vacuum pump 44. The autoclave 41 executes a first depressurization process that includes a step of depressurizing the chamber 42, an autoclaving process which succeeds the first depressurization process and in which the chamber 42 is pressurized, and a second depressurization process that succeeds the autoclaving process and includes a step of depressurizing the chamber 42. The autoclave 41 thus autoclaves the medical equipment stored in the chamber. Even when the medical equipment is autoclaved, deterioration of the internal parts of the medical equipment deriving from humidity can be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay device which allows the presence of analytes to be detected in a liquid dairy product by tangential capillary migration of the said dairy product, comprising a solid support (1) which has a first and a second end and on which the following membranes are fixed in succession starting from the first end:

Abstract: A sensor may include a membrane to deflect in response to a change in surface stress, where a layer on the membrane is to couple one or more probe molecules with the membrane. The membrane may deflect when a target molecule reacts with one or more probe molecules.

Abstract: The device (10) for the stepwise transport of liquid, particularly of sample liquid to be analyzed, through several reaction chambers located in series in terms of flow while utilizing capillary forces comprises at least one channel (14) through which liquid is transportable on the basis of capillary forces. Further, the device (10) comprises at least two closed vent holes (38,40,42) which are in fluid communication with the channel (14) at connection sites (22,24,26) spaced from each other along the channel (14). The connection sites (22,24,26) divide the channel (14) into several channel sections (44,46,48). The fluid connections between a respective channel section (44,46,48) and the vent holes (38,40,42) allocated thereto can be opened separately.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for the tight and reversible connection of at least one capillary (13) to a micro-fluidic component (2). The device comprises a rigid part (11) comprising means of positioning the capillary (13) so that it can be connected to the micro-fluidic component (2), means for attaching and positioning the rigid part with respect to the micro-fluidic component, a flexible seal (16) placed between the rigid part (11) and the micro-fluidic component (2) and through which the capillary (13) passes, the flexible seal (16) and the rigid part (11) making the tightness of the connection when the rigid part (11) is pressed by the attachment means onto the micro-fluidic component (2).

Abstract: A microplate liquid handling system requiring minimum installation area, helping to avoid waste of various reagents, and making it possible to perform dispensing the various reagents in the shortest possible time. The microplate liquid handling system has a main frame body provided with a moving mechanism, a dispensing mechanism, and a stage. On the stage, a microplate, two dispensing tip containers, and two reagent vessels are mounted. Formed in the microplate are 12×8 wells, i.e., 96 wells in total, arranged in matrix. The microplate, the dispensing tip containers, and the reagent vessels are substantially of the same, rectangular configuration. Each of the two dispensing tip containers is capable of accommodating 12×8 dispensing tips in total in a matrix fashion.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes a sample introduction section, a conveying section, and a plurality of analysis units. In this automatic analyzer, when one or more analysis units suffer failures, it is possible to set the aforementioned analysis units to a power-off enable mode from the screen of an operation section. The analysis unit that has been set to the power-off enable mode becomes separated from the analyzer system operation and the information network in the analyzer system, whereby an analysis operation of the entire analyzer system is allowed to be continued, with the individual power source for the above-described analysis unit turned off.

Abstract: A transfer and positioning apparatus includes a positioning assembly located between the tracks of a dual lane conveyor and upstream of a lane changer. The positioning assembly includes a retractable shaft for stopping a carrier along a first conveyor adjacent the assembly. A pair of gripper arms are pivotally mounted to move between an open position permitting the carrier to pass along the conveyor track, and a closed position with forward ends in contact with the a specimen container on the carrier to position the container in a reference location for direct processing. The lane changer includes a shuttle depending from an overhead support with a pair of arms for receiving and shifting a specimen carrier from one conveyor to a second conveyor of a dual-conveyor track. The shuttle is operable to retain a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor and to release a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor.

Abstract: The instant invention is point of care device for performing an assay test. The device is a reader employing a cartridge receptive to plain single window, plain double window, stick single window, and stick double window assay devices.

Abstract: A coupling system can utilize a first receptacle and a second receptacle to couple syringes together. Syringes can be used to mix viscous material and/or dispense the viscous material. Furthermore, a kit can be provided that contains parts used in mixing and/or dispensing viscous material.

Abstract: In reagent reaction experiments using microplates, the operator cannot just set dispensing tips in all the fixing holes of the dispensing tip container. It is necessary to carry out the time-consuming task of deciding in advance on a suitable arrangement of positions for the dispensing tips. It is also necessary for the operator to carry out the time-consuming task of determining in advance the quantity of reagent used and how the reagent is to be arranged. These problems are solved by providing a control device that includes a dispensing tip arrangement calculator and reagent quantity and arrangement calculator, and that can inform the operator of these results. The dispensing tip arrangement, the reagent quantity used, and the reagent arrangement is calculated from the information set in advance on specific reagent, the quantity of reagent dispensed into one well of the microplate, the range of wells in the microplate into which reagent is dispensed, and the direction of dispensing.

Abstract: In reagent reaction experiments using microplates, a desired period of time can be set for determining the time to introduce a reaction stop solution after introduction of a reagent. The set time is measured starting from the introduction of the reagent and the reaction stop solution is introduced immediately after expiration of the set time. A control device for an automatic liquid handling system having the above-described reaction time managing feature is also provided with a self-diagnosing function that is capable of determining whether scheduled processes are executable or not during the time set before execution of the processes and informing an operator of the results of determination.

Abstract: The disclosed pin-lifter can selectively lift pins partially out of a printhead of a spotting instrument and thereby prevent the lifted pins from contacting the substrate during any printing. Methods of using pin-lifters to increase the rate of production of compact microarrays are disclosed.

Abstract: Assay systems and components, and methods of using same. The assay system preferably includes one or more of the following components: i) an apparatus for retaining/positioning an assay plate; ii) a device for detecting proper alignment of an assay plate; iii) an apparatus for training a probe to locate and aspirate reagents and/or one or more samples; iv) a fluid handling device for aspirating reagents; v) an apparatus for detecting the presence/absence of a reagent comprising a fluid handling manifold having both a transparent light path and a fluid conduit defined therein and vi) a positive displacement pump having a pump chamber improved to contain one or more of: bypass means; cleanout means; and/or gas and sediment removal means.

Abstract: A device for blowing a vapor-containing air stream into a pre-selected space that has a housing having a channel leading to an outlet and a container for liquid mounted in the housing. A heated vaporization chamber in the housing communicates with said a channel. A nozzle sprays a fine mist of a liquid into the vaporization chamber. A blower in the channel blows a stream of air through said channel and out the outlet. A controller senses the temperature of the heater and maintains the blower and nozzle inactive until the temperature sensed reaches a predetermined level. The rate of liquid fed to the nozzle is controlled.

Abstract: A vertical, fixed-bed ammonia converter wherein a fixed-bed catalyst zone is configured into two mechanically separated catalyst volumes and two gas streams that operate in parallel. The design maintains the ratio of gas flow to catalyst volume so that there is no catalyst effectiveness penalty. The catalyst beds and gas flow paths are configured so that gas flow is downward through each catalyst volume. Each fixed-bed catalyst zone in the present invention can hold the catalyst in an annular space formed between two concentric shrouds arranged around a shell and tube heat exchanger. The two catalyst beds associated with each zone are situated above one another along the length of an interstage heat exchanger. Pipes or conduits are disposed through the beds to effect the parallel gas flow configuration, or alternatively, annular flows are created via passages through the internal shrouds that contain the catalyst beds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating exhaust gases, which can be arranged in the exhaust-gas stream from an internal combustion engine or in the exhaust-gas line from stationary combustion installations and which has a feed-line connection stub and a discharge-line connection stub. Feed-line connection stub (3) and discharge-line connection stub (4) are held on the housing (6) which contains a filter material which has at least one fabric layer made from metal wires or metal fibers. For diversion, for retention of particulates from the in the incoming exhaust-gas stream (1) and for muffling in the exhaust-gas stream and for purification of exhaust gases, in the housing (6) there are shaped bodies (8) which consist of metallic materials (19.1, 19.2) as composite material (19), the empty spaces (11, 16, 17) which are present in the housing (6) being filled with metallic fiber material.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying equipment for a diesel engine comprising a first continuous regeneration type DPF (12) in an exhaust passage (7) of an engine (2), a second continuous regeneration type DPF (13) in a bypass passage (101), a switching valve (102) for switching the flow path of an exhaust gas, an exhaust temperature raising means, an exhaust temperature area detection means, and a control means for controlling the exhaust temperature raising means and the switching valve (102), wherein the control means operates the exhaust temperature raising means and at the same time executes the post-injection, and, furthermore, controls the switching valve (102) so that the exhaust gas passes through the second continuous regeneration type DPF (13) , in the case where the exhaust temperature area of an engine (2) detected by the exhaust temperature area detection means is in an extremely low temperature area (Z2) of which the exhaust temperature is lower than that of a predetermined temperature area.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas purifying apparatus includes an outer cylinder, a plurality of cylinder-shaped supports, and a catalytic layer. The cylinder-shaped supports are disposed in the outer cylinder, and have an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface. At least two of the neighboring cylinder-shaped supports contact with each other with the outer peripheral surfaces. The catalytic layer is loaded on at least one of the outer peripheral surface and inner peripheral surface of the cylinder-shaped supports. At least one of the cylinder-shaped supports has a ring-shaped cross-section with a cut-off, and is disposed in the outer cylinder in such an elastically deformed state that it expands in the centrifugal direction. Thus, the exhaust-gas purifying apparatus not only shows a high exhaust-gas purifying ability, but also is good in terms of the assemblage easiness. Moreover, the exhaust-gas purifying apparatus exhibits improved misfire resistance.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas purifying apparatus includes a mantle, a support, and a catalytic layer. The support is disposed in the mantle, and is formed as at least one shape selected from the group consisting of cylinder shapes and corrugated shapes. The catalytic layer is loaded on at least one of the surfaces of the support. Moreover, the support includes at least two support elements disposed in the axial direction of the mantle, and the two support elements neighboring in the axial direction of the mantle are disposed out of phase with each other in the peripheral direction of the mantle. The exhaust-gas purifying apparatus shows not only an enhanced exhaust-gas purifying ability but also high misfire resistance.

Abstract: A method concentrating energy to produce large velocity, high pressure and/or high temperature conditions, including the steps of forming a resonant cavity inside a container, filing the resonant cavity with a liquid having a compressibility that is smaller than that of water at room temperature; coupling energy into the resonant cavity at a frequency which drives the resonant cavity at or near a resonant mode thereby creating one or more velocity nodes in the resonant cavity; and capturing a quantity of material or mixture of material in the resonant cavity at one of the velocity nodes.

Abstract: An electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes an ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. At least one of the first and second arrays is removable from the housing for cleaning.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (E) for systems having a heat generating furnace (F) includes at least one heat exchanging arm (10) formed from an inner (12) and an outer (14) concentric tube with an inner (16) and outer (18) passageway separated by a common wall (20). The inner concentric tube (12) has a first end (22) with a fluid flow outlet (24) for discharging an exhaust fluid (26) and a second end (28) with a fluid flow inlet (30) for receiving an input (32) of the exhaust fluid. The outer concentric tube (14) has a first end (34) with a fluid flow (36) inlet for receiving an input of an intake (38) fluid flow and a second end (40) with a fluid flow outlet (42) for discharging the intake fluid (38). The exhaust fluid (26) flows through the inner concentric tube (12) in a direction substantially opposite to the intake fluid flow (38) through the heat exchanger arm (10).

Abstract: A process for catalytically reacting a fluid reactant mixture in a multi-tubular reactor system to form a fluid product, whereby the reactant mixture is led through at least one reactor tube (20) containing a fixed bed of solid particulate catalyst and surrounded by a heat-exchange fluid, and whereby an upstream portion of the reactor tube is dedicated to pre-heating the reactant mixture and/or a downstream portion of the reactor tube is dedicated to post-cooling the product, characterised in that the upstream portion and/or downstream portion of the reactor tube (20) contains a heat-exchanging essentially rod-shaped insert (50), the insert having a length of from 1 to 20%, preferably 1 to 50%, of the total length of the reactor tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid library or protein or peptide library in the form of a two-dimensionally resolved grid-type arrangement with a plurality of grid elements. Every grid element contains, on the statistical average, a defined number of nucleic acid types or protein or peptide types having a respective specific sequence structure. The inventive library is further characterized in that the grid elements are configured as capillary hollow spaces. The capillary axes of said capillary hollow spaces are in parallel to one another and the openings of different capillary hollow spaces are arranged in a grid area. The invention further relates to various uses of such a library.

Abstract: A continuous process for the hydrothermal conversion of a solid starting iron compound selected from the group of iron oxides, iron hydroxides, iron oxyhydroxides, and mixtures thereof into a solid product iron compound with different physical, chemical, and/or structural properties.

Abstract: Oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is employed to support combustion in furnaces (16) and (26) of part of the hydrogen sulphide content of a first feed gas stream. Sulphur vapour is extracted in condenser (32) from the resulting gas mixture so as to form a sulphur vapour depleted gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen and water vapour. The sulphur vapour depleted gas stream is passed into a catalytic reduction reactor (40) in which all the residual sulphur dioxide is reduced to hydrogen sulphide. The resulting reduced gas mixture has water vapour extracted therefrom in a quench tower (52). The resulting water vapour depleted gas stream flows to a Claus plant for further treatment typically together with a second geed gas steam comprising hydrogen sulphide. Employing both furnaces (16) and (26) makes it possible to obtain highly effective conversions to sulphur of the hydrogen sulphide on the feed gas without having the recycle any of the water vapour depleted gas.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for reducing the level of hydrogen sulphide in a liquid or gas by treatment of the liquid or gas with an H2S-scavenger product derivable by the reaction of a carbonyl group-containing compound with an alcohol, thiol, amide, thioamide, urea or thiourea. The carbonyl group-containing compound is preferably formaldehyde, and preferably the product is derivable by reaction of formaldehyde with an amine-free alcohol or urea selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, n-butanol, a sugar, a low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol, castor oil fatty acid and urea. More especially, the scavenger product is used with an amine, especially monoethanolamine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for reducing NOx in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine. The purpose of this invention is to convert engine out NOx (approximately 90% NO in diesel exhaust) into roughly a 50:50 mixture of NO and NO2, while simultaneously oxidizing engine-out hydrocarbons which interfere with the reduction of NOx by urea or ammonia. The present invention demonstrates that a 50:50 blend of NO and NO2 is reduced more rapidly and with higher efficiency than a gas stream which is predominantly NO. In addition, catalyst in an engine exhaust that is a 50:50 mixture of NO and NO2 is far more resistant to hydrothermal deterioration than using NO alone. In another embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle exhaust system utilizing the method of the present invention is provided.

Abstract: In operating the carbon monoxide removal reactor or the fuel reforming system, there is provided a technique for removing carbon monoxide in a stable manner for an extended period of time.

Abstract: A method for mixing a compound in a closed-batch mixer includes predetermining a minimum temperature of a mixer body for starting a mixing cycle; predetermining a preheating temperature for a thermal-regulation system of the mixer as a first set point; predetermining a working temperature for the system as a second set point; predetermining a thermal-hysteresis value of the mixer body; predetermining a first temperature of the mixer body for switching the system from the first to the second set point; predetermining a second temperature of the mixer body for switching the system from the second to the first set point; directly measuring mixer-body temperature using continuous, real-time measurement; comparing the mixer-body temperature to the first and second temperatures; and switching the system from the first to the second set point or from the second to the first set point, if required, as a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for the production of nitrogen trifluoride from a fluorine reactant and an ammonium ion source that is dispersed within a liquid-phase reaction mixture containing one or more perfluorocarbon fluids is disclosed. In certain preferred embodiments, the fluorine reactant is introduced to the reaction mixture at a temperature that ranges from 90° C. to 120° C. In these embodiments, the percentage yield of nitrogen trifluoride is about 80% or greater.

Abstract: A method for the production of nitrogen trifluoride from a fluorine reactant and an ammonium ion source that is dispersed within a liquid phase reaction mixture containing one or more perfluorocarbon fluids is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the fluorine reactant is introduced to the reaction mixture at a temperature that ranges from 90° C. to 120° C. In this embodiment, the percentage yield of nitrogen trifluoride may be about 80% or greater.

Abstract: A modified, mesophase pitch-based carbon fiber is disclosed which includes carbon nanotube reinforcements in an amount ranging from about 0.01 percent to about 1.0 percent by weight. Although the reinforcements actually decrease the excellent tensile modulus of the unmodified fiber, they provide a random microstructure, which can decrease brittle failure of the fiber caused by propagation of a flaw.

Abstract: Coagulation spinning produces structures such as fibers, ribbons, and yarns of carbon nanotubes. Stabilization, orientation, and shaping of spun materials are achieved by post-spinning processes. Advantages include the elimination of core-sheath effects due to carbonaceous contaminants, increasing mechanical properties, and eliminating dimensional instabilities in liquid electrolytes that previously prohibited the application of these spun materials in electrochemical devices. These advances enable the application of coagulation-spun carbon nanotube fibers, ribbons, and yarns in actuators, supercapacitors, and in devices for electrical energy harvesting.

Abstract: The invention provides a flue gas desulfurization apparatus includes at least one activated carbon fiber board 20 provided in a catalyst unit 6, the board being formed by alternatingly juxtaposing one or more plate-like activated carbon fiber sheets and one or more corrugated activated carbon fiber sheets so as to provide vertically extending conduits, wherein water for producing sulfuric acid is supplied, through a capillary phenomenon, to the activated carbon fiber board 20 provided in the catalyst unit 6. The flue gas desulfurization apparatus attains removal of sulfur oxides (SOx) by adding a minimum required amount of water to the activated carbon fiber board 20 so as to attain uniform water distribution and can reduce the amount of water required for removing sulfur oxides (SOx).

Abstract: A process is described for generating hydrogen through the oxidation of fuels that contain chemically bound hydrogen, in particular hydrocarbons, having the following process steps: a) introducing the fuel (1) as well as the oxidation agent (2) into a reactor (3) having a porous material (4′) that is embodied in such a way that flame propagation in a direction opposite the direction of flow is prevented, and b) reacting the fuel with the oxidation agent in partial oxidation so that hydrogen is obtained in gaseous form.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides a complex comprising a) a compound formula I: 1

Abstract: Methods are described for conjugating radioiodinated peptides to non-metabolizable carbohydrates with improved yields and qualities of conjugates. Radioiodinated residualizing antibody conjugates comprising a carbohydrate-appended peptide are also provided. The instant radioiodinated residualizing antibody conjugates are particularly stable in vivo and are suitable for radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for performing magnetic resonance imaging on a subject and directly mapping electromagnetic activity of neural firing of the subject via the magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for diagnosis or therapy of medical conditions, or for tissue engineering, involving angiogenesis accompanied by the expression of E-selectin. More specifically, compounds are used that are selective for E-selectin binding with no significant ability to bind to P-selectin.

Abstract: Sulfonated diarylrhodamine compounds are useful as fluorescent labels of nucleosides, nucleotides, polynucleotides, and polypeptides. The compounds find particular application in the area of fluorescent nucleic acid analysis, e.g., automated DNA sequencing and fragment analysis, detection of probe hybridization in hybridization arrays, detection of nucleic acid amplification products, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a siloxane-based resin prepared by hydrolyzing and polycondensing a cyclic siloxane compound, a silane compound having three hydrolysable functional groups and a silane compound having three hydrolysable functional groups and one heat-labile functional group, in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst and water. Also, disclosed herein is a method of forming an insulating film between interconnect layers of a semiconductor device using the siloxane-based resin thus prepared, whereby an insulating film having low dielectric constant as well as excellent mechanical properties can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of pressurised metered dose inhalers (MDIs) having part or all of their internal surfaces consisting of stainless steel, anodised aluminium or lined with an inert organic coating; and to compositions to be delivered with said MDIs.

Abstract: Systemic delivery of insulin to a mammalian host is accomplished by inhalation of a dry powder of insulin. It has been found that dry insulin powders are rapidly absorbed through the alveolar regions of the lungs.

Abstract: Systemic delivery of insulin to a mammalian host is accomplished by inhalation of a dry powder of insulin. It has been found that dry insulin powders are rapidly absorbed through the alveolar regions of the lungs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the inhalation delivery of aerosols containing small particles. Specifically, it relates to the delivery of drug containing aerosols having particles with a mass median aerodynamic diameter less than 1&mgr; for inhalation therapy. In an aspect of the present invention the drug containing aerosol comprises particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter between 10 nm and 1&mgr;. Preferably, the particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter between 10 nm and 900 nm. More preferably, the particles have a mass median aerodynamic diameter between 10 nm and 800 nm, 10 nm and 700 nm, 10 nm and 600 nm, 10 nm and 500 nm, 10 nm and 400 nm, 10 nm and 300 nm, 10 nm and 200 nm, or 10 nm and 100 nm.