Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide: a staining agent for tissue staining which has an improved fluorescence signal evaluation accuracy; and a tissue staining kit comprising the staining agent. The staining agent for tissue staining contains, as a staining component, dye-resin particles comprising thermosetting resin particles and a fluorescent dye immobilized on the resin particles, wherein the resin particles contains a substituent having an electric charge opposite to that of the fluorescent dye and forms an ionic bond or a covalent bond with the fluorescent dye, and the dye-resin particles have a particle size variation coefficient of 15% or less.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for staining samples of biological material for accurate analysis of the sample. Biological material is applied to a substrate, such as a microscope slide. The biological specimen is then stained with a selected staining composition, which may be gentian violet for a Gram's Stain analysis. The stained biological material is at least partially decolorized and the level of decolorization is analyzed optically. If necessary, the decolorizing step and the optical analysis steps are repeated until a selected level of decolorization is obtained.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein features a substrate arm and gripper, a platform having a top surface located opposite the substrate when the substrate arm is in a specimen processing position and featuring at least one fluid port located on a surface of the platform facing the substrate and at least one vacuum port located on the surface of the platform facing the substrate, and during operation, the apparatus is configured to (a) dispense a first quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port to fill a separation between the substrate and the platform, (b) dispense an additional quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port into the separation to displace a portion of the first quantity of fluid, and (c) remove the portion of the first quantity of fluid from the separation through the at least one vacuum port.

Abstract: A magnetic particle based separation and assaying method uses at least two sets of magnetic particles placed in solution within a container and characterized respectively by a coercive field e1 and e2, wherein e1 is greater than e2. The first magnetic particles with a larger coercive field e1 will be used as carrier to handle the second affinity magnetic particles having a lower coercive field e2. A magnetic particles handling method includes the step of applying an external magnetic field having a polarity and amplitude that varies with time to cause the said carrier magnetic particles to be in relative motion within the container driving thereby the affinity particles to form an homogenous suspension of particles in perpetual relative movement with the respect to the liquid.

Abstract: The current invention provides a method for directly converting histopathologically processed biological samples, tissues, and cells into a multiuse biomolecule lysate. This method allows for simultaneous extraction, isolation, solubilization, and storage of all biomolecules contained within the histopathologically processed biological sample, thereby forming a representative library of said sample. This multi-use biomolecule lysate is dilutable, soluble, capable of being fractionated, and used in any number of subsequent experiments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a quick extraction kit adapted to a procedure of detecting pesticide residues in agricultural products and a method of obtaining a primary test liquid from an agricultural sample by the quick extraction kit. The quick extraction kit comprises a pipe, a first powder mixture layer and a second powder mixture layer. The method of taking primary test liquid is performed as follows. First, obtaining fragments of the agricultural sample. Second, adding an extraction solvent into the fragments of the agricultural sample to obtain a sample solution. Third, adding the sample solution into the pipe. Finally, driving the sample solution to export from the pipe to become the primary test liquid. The quick extraction kit and the method solve the problem of being unable to quickly obtain the result of detecting pesticide residues.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for direct-acting dynamic mechanical analysis that accomodates sample distortion due to environmental (e.g., temperature) variation.

Abstract: A sample extraction apparatus for extracting samples from a target ground in order to assess whether liquefaction occurs in the target ground, includes: a casing; a holding sleeve, installed inside the casing, for holding the samples; and a vibrator configured to apply vibration accelerations corresponding to different seismic intensities to the samples in the casing, respectively, after the casing is inserted into the target ground to hold the samples of the target ground in the holding sleeve, so that a different liquefaction condition is provided for each sample, whereby said apparatus is configured such that, after having applied different vibration accelerations to the samples in the casing inserted into the target ground, respectively, said apparatus can resultantly extract the samples so that a liquefaction assessment can be made under a plurality of seismic conditions.

Abstract: A hardness tester includes: a tester main body, an inputter receiving an operation input from a user, a controller controlling an entirety of the hardness tester including the inputter, and a display which displays a predetermined image by being controlled by the controller. The controller includes a measurement procedure suggester and a suggestion switcher. The measurement procedure suggester suggests a procedure for measuring an indentation dimension value to the user. When receiving an operation input for proceeding to a subsequent procedure via the inputter, the suggestion switcher switches suggestions from the measurement procedure suggester and suggests the subsequent procedure to the user.

Abstract: The present invention is one that, even while cooling exhaust gas without dilution, makes it possible to accurately measure particle concentration, and provided with: a particle concentration measurement device; a sampling cooling pipe that cools the exhaust gas collected from an exhaust gas transfer pipe to a measurable temperature of the particle concentration measurement device without dilution, and introduces the cooled exhaust gas into the particle concentration measurement device; a temperature sensor that detects temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into an exhaust gas inlet; and a calculation device that, from the detected temperature by the temperature sensor and the temperature of the exhaust gas introduced into the particle concentration measurement device, corrects measured particle concentration by the particle concentration measurement device in real time to calculate the particle concentration of the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas transfer pipe.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing blood samples, and more specifically for performing a white blood cell (WBC) differential analysis. The systems and methods screen WBCs by means of fluorescence staining and a fluorescence triggering strategy. As such, interference from unlysed red blood cells (RBCs) and fragments of lysed RBCs is substantially eliminated. The systems and methods also enable development of relatively milder WBC reagent(s), suitable for assays of samples containing fragile WBCs. In one embodiment, the systems and methods include: (a) staining a blood sample with an exclusive cell membrane permeable fluorescent dye, which corresponds in emission spectrum to an excitation source of a hematology instrument; (b) using a fluorescence trigger to screen the blood sample for WB Cs; and (c) using measurements of (1) axial light loss, (2) intermediate angle scatter, (3) 90° polarized side scatter, (4) 90° depolarized side scatter, and (5) fluorescence emission to perform a differentiation analysis.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for analyzing blood samples, and more specifically for performing a basophil analysis. In one embodiment, the systems and methods include: (a) staining a blood sample with an exclusive cell membrane permeable fluorescent dye; and then (b) using measurements of light scatter and fluorescence emission to distinguish basophils from other WBC sub-populations. In one embodiment, the systems and methods include performing a basophil cluster analysis of the blood sample, based on the combination of light scatter and fluorescence measurements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing blood samples, and more specifically for performing a nucleated red blood cell (nRBC) analysis. The systems and methods screen a blood sample by means of fluorescence staining and a fluorescence triggering strategy, to identify nuclei-containing particles within the blood sample. As such, interference from unlysed red blood cells (RBCs) and fragments of lysed RBCs is substantially eliminated. The systems and methods also enable development of relatively milder reagent(s), suitable for assays of samples containing fragile white blood cells (WBCs). In one embodiment, the systems and methods include: (a) staining a blood sample with an exclusive cell membrane permeable fluorescent dye; (b) using a fluorescence trigger to screen the blood sample for nuclei-containing particles; and (c) using measurements of light scatter and fluorescence emission to distinguish nRBCs from WBCs.

Abstract: A method whereby one or more fluorescent dyes are used to bind and stain nucleic acids in certain blood cells, such as, for example, white blood cells, nucleated red blood cells, and reticulocytes, and to induce fluorescent emissions upon excitation of photons from a given source of light, such as, for example, a laser, at an appropriate wavelength. More particularly, this invention provides a method whereby a fluorescent trigger is used in a data collection step for collecting events that emit strong fluorescence, in order to separate white blood cells and nucleated red blood cells from red blood cells and platelets without the need for using a lysing agent.

Abstract: A particle analysis apparatus for flow cytometry, which contains a flow cell having a flow channel for flowing a sample solution containing particles to be analyzed, a light source device for emitting an irradiation light, an optical system for irradiating the irradiation light on an irradiation segment in the flow channel, and a light receiving device for detecting the light obtained thereby. A light source of the light source device is LED, and an electrode formed on a light extraction surface thereof mainly contains a plurality of electric conductor lines arranged in parallel to each other.

Abstract: Adhesion testing of coatings to the cylinder bore of an engine block. An adhesion testing fluid is dispensed from a nozzle that simultaneously rotates so that the fluid impinges about a substantial inner periphery defined by the coated cylinder bore. The performance of a referee coated engine block is used to provide parameters for one or more production-oriented engine blocks. This allows for rapid evaluation of a sizable sample of such production-oriented engine blocks. The fluid-dispensing nozzle is configured to simultaneously provide complete circumferential coverage of the cylinder bore with high-pressure/high-velocity fluid through rotational movement of the nozzle within the bore. By keeping the production-oriented engine blocks stationary during the test further improves testing efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an optical pane transparent to infrared radiation. The pane includes first and second sides, a periphery, and a retention region. A frame defines an opening that can accept the pane and includes a pane retention region. Additionally, a retainer is configured to secure the optical pane in the opening and includes a retaining surface mated to the pane support surface of the frame and configured to support the optical pane at the retention region. The pane, frame and retainer are configured to have mating features which can include a bead, a retaining ridge, a labyrinth configuration and protrusions, recesses, channels, or steps or a combination of these features.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a grain transilluminating device capable of detecting all of the cracks whose orientations are variously different depending on grains without causing a sample dish to be rotated.

Abstract: Polarized light characteristics are detected and mapped to an application, such as product identification. A process of reflecting a directed light emission through a polarizing filter, and sensing the processed light emission having particular characteristics is provided. The characteristics of the sensed light emission is associated with a “color code” that is cross-referenced within a database of color codes.

Abstract: An optical coupler includes at least one input waveguide and a plurality of output waveguides. The optical coupler spatially disperses optical signals carried on the input waveguide according to wavelength to the output waveguides. The input waveguides and the output waveguides are arranged to provide crosstalk between optical signals carried on the output waveguides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the quality of a component (10) produced by means of an additive laser sintering and/or laser melting method, in particular a component (10) for an aircraft engine. The method comprises at least the steps of providing a first data set, which comprises spatially resolved color values, which each characterize the temperature of the component (10) at an associated component location during the laser sintering and/or laser melting of the component (10), providing a second data set, which comprises spatially resolved color values corresponding to the first data set, which color values each characterize the temperature of a reference component at an associated reference component location during the laser sintering and/or laser melting of the reference component.

Abstract: An NDIR gas-sensor arrangement for measuring a target-gas concentration comprises a variable-power infrared-radiation emitter that can project radiant energy from one side of a space containing the target gas and through the space to the other side thereof, a infrared-radiation receiver on the other side of the space and positioned to be irradiated by the radiant energy projected by the emitter through the space for emitting a signal corresponding to radiation received, and a filter between the receiver and the space and permeable only to radiation of a wavelength range that corresponds to the target gas. A controller connected to the radiation receiver calculates the target-gas concentration on the basis of the signal from the receiver to the controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus comprising: a measuring head (10) having a slot (18) for receiving a measurement cell (26) and means (28) for emitting electromagnetic radiation, and means (32, 36) for detecting radiation from said emission means (28) after it has passed through the measurement cell (26); means (16) for translatably driving and means (12, 14) for translatably guiding, allowing the substantially vertical longitudinal movement of the measurement head (10); at least two recesses (44) each intended for receiving a measurement cell (26) and arranged one above the other in a longitudinal direction, the recesses (44) as well as the driving means (16) and the guiding means (12, 14) being configured such that during the translational movement of the measurement head (10) along the nominal travel thereof each recess is placed inside the slot (18) of the measurement head (10).

Abstract: A multidimensional spectrometer provides broadband white light pump and probe pulses to allow acquisition of multidimensional spectral information over a wide range commensurate with solar-related chemical processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting an object. The apparatus comprises a wave generator and a detection system. The wave generator is positioned away from an object. The wave generator emits an ultrasonic wave in a direction towards a location on the object such that the ultrasonic wave encounters a portion of the object. The detection system is positioned at a same side of the object as the wave generator. The detection system detects a feature response of a feature within the portion of the object to the ultrasonic wave encountering the portion of the object.

Abstract: A system (102) for determining properties of a sample (114) comprises a LIBS detector (104,106) and an infra-red absorption detector (108,110) for interrogating a sample (114) to generate LIBS spectral data and infra-red absorption spectral data respectively; and a data processor (112) adapted to apply at least one chemometric prediction model, each constructed to link, preferably quantitatively link, features of both LIBS and absorption spectral data to a different specific property of the sample, to a combined dataset derived from at least portions of both the LIBS and the absorption data to generate therefrom a determination, preferably a quantitative determination, of the specific property linked by that model.

Abstract: The invention provides differential refractive index detectors and methods for the use of differential refractive index detectors. In an exemplary embodiment, a differential refractive index detector includes a flow cell body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a flow axis extending between the proximal and the distal end. The flow cell body includes a first chamber and a second chamber and the fluid conduits coupled to the flow cell body can be tapered to reduce dispersion.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for enhanced OCT measurement is described. The invention provides for using an OCT system with two or more optical sources with different wavelengths from each other to analyze tissue and measure scattering characteristics and absorption properties of a target. Embodiments include using multiple differential states: multiple wavelengths; multiple pressure wave environments; and multiple temperatures. Embodiments also include using temperature stabilization and speckle reduction by means of subjecting the target to one or more pressure waves.

Abstract: An optical transformation module includes a light generator generating a parallel light beam to be incident onto a surface of an inspection object and changing a wavelength of the parallel light beam, and a rotating grating positioned on a path of the parallel light beam and rotatable by a predetermined rotation angle such that the parallel light beam is transformed according to the wavelength of the parallel light beam and the rotation angle of the rotating grating to have a desired incidence angle and a desired incidence position onto the surface of the inspection object.

Abstract: A detection system includes a planar plasmonic element for analyzing an analyte, the plasmonic element having dielectric and metallic regions, the plasmonic element emitting light that carries detected information; and a planar two-dimensional image sensor positioned in non-parallel angled relationship with respect to a plane of the plasmonic element to enhance a spatial image resolution for the light that carries detected information with respect to at least a portion of the light.

Abstract: A gas-sensor arrangement for measuring a target-gas concentration has first and second separate nondispersive infrared-radiation emitters to one side of a space containing the target gas and set to project respective first and second beams of infrared light from the one side through the space to the other side thereof. An infrared-radiation receiver on the other side of the space is positioned to be irradiated by the radiant energy projected by the emitters through the space for emitting a signal corresponding to radiation received, one of the emitters being optically farther from the receiver than the other of the emitters. A filter between the receiver and the space and is permeable only to radiation of a wavelength range that corresponds to the target gas. A controller connected to the radiation receiver determines the target-gas concentration on the basis of the signal from the receiver.

Abstract: A biomolecular assay includes a substrate with a metallic layer on at least one surface thereof. The metallic film includes nanocavities. The nanocavities are configured to enhance signals that are representative of the presence or amount of one or more analytes in a sample or sample solution, and may be configured to enhance the signal by a factor of about two or more or by a factor of about three or more. Such signal enhancement may be achieved with nanocavities that are organized in an array, randomly positioned nanocavities, or nanocavities that are surrounded by increased surface area features, such as corrugation or patterning, or nanocavities that have quadrilateral or triangular shapes with tailored edge lengths, or with a plurality of nanoparticles. Methods for fabricating biomolecular substrates and assay techniques in which such bimolecular substrates are used are also disclosed.

Abstract: A low-noise fluorescence image and a low-noise luminescence image are acquired even if a luminescent substance having a high luminescence level is used. Provided is a measuring apparatus including an illumination optical system that radiates excitation light coming from an excitation light source onto a specimen A, an image acquisition portion that acquires an image by measuring light generated at the specimen, and an image processing portion that, based on a first image, which is acquired by the image acquisition portion without radiating the excitation light, and a second image, which is acquired by the image acquisition portion while radiating the excitation light, generates a fluorescence image by removing a luminescence component from the second image.

Abstract: A method includes calibrating color bleed factors of optical detector channels of a sample processing apparatus through processing a color bleed calibration substance which includes a plurality of different size fragments replicated from different groups of DNA loci, wherein fragments in a same group are labeled with a same fluorescent dye, and fragments in different groups are labeled with different fluorescent dyes having different emission spectra, wherein the different size fragments are processed during different acquisition times.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include separating a measured Raman shift signal into mechanical and thermal components when a uniaxial compressive load is applied in situ. In some embodiments, in situ uniaxial compressive loads are applied on examined specimens from room temperature to 150° C. In alternate embodiments, Raman shift measurements are performed as a function of strain at constant temperature and/or as a function of temperature at constant strain levels. It was realized that the Raman shift measured at a given temperature under a given level of applied stress can be expressed as a summation of stress-induced Raman shift signal and temperature-induced Raman shift signal measured separately. Such a separation of Raman shift signal is utilized by various embodiments to measure localized change in thermal conductivity and/or mechanical stress of structures (e.g., semiconductor structures) under applied stress.

Abstract: Provided is a method of forming a monolayer of nanorods on a substrate, wherein the nanorods are at least substantially vertically aligned, the method including providing a droplet of a solution including the nanorods on a substrate, and controlling the temperature and the evaporation of the solution such that the internal region of the droplet is kept at near equilibrium status to allow formation of the monolayer of nanorods. Also provided is a monolayer of nanorods on the substrate thus obtained. Also provided is an optical arrangement and use of the optical arrangement.

Abstract: The invention provides kits and methods for assessing an automotive fluid and for determining if or when an automotive fluid should be or is in need of being replaced. The kit contains a test medium that may be a paper separated into two or more distinct, separable sections or compartments containing thereon an effective amount of at least one chemical or substance that effect or facilitate a color change in the presence of one or more substance, metal or impurity such as, for instance, iron, copper, or nickel. The test medium may be arranged in a substantially cubical form and contain multiple layers of test medium.

Abstract: A sensor system, and a method of detecting a target analyte, comprises a chemically functionalized block copolymer, and a target analyte. The block copolymer exhibits a color change in the visible spectrum upon exposure to the target analyte.

Abstract: A gas sensor, a refrigerator having the gas sensor, and a method for controlling the gas sensor recognizes the ripening degree of a target food on the basis of a variation in color using a pH indicator having a color that is changed with pH variation generated when the pH indicator reacts with target gas, a refrigerator having the gas sensor. The gas sensor for detecting target gas includes: a base provided for gas permeation; and a detection unit provided at the base, and is discolored in response to pH variation generated when reacting with target gas having permeated the base.

Abstract: An autonomous remote sensor for analyzing a fluid in a body of water comprises: a vessel, wherein the vessel moves through the body of water; and an analyzer, wherein the analyzer: (A) is located on or adjacent to the vessel; (B) incorporates one or more Integrated Computational Elements (ICE); and (C) is capable of determining at least one property of the fluid by at least contacting the fluid with radiated energy and detecting the interaction between the radiated energy and the fluid. A method of analyzing a fluid in a body of water comprises: providing a vessel, wherein the vessel moves through the body of water; and determining at least one property of the fluid using the analyzer. The analyzer can also have a spectral resolution less than 4 nm.

Abstract: detect a fine defect in reviewing To review a fine defect detected by another inspection apparatus, there is disclosed a method for reviewing a defect including a light capturing step that illuminates a sample with light under plural optical conditions, while varying only at least one of illumination conditions, sample conditions, or detection conditions, and detects plural lights scattering from the sample; a signal obtaining step that obtains plural signals based on the lights detected; and a processing step that discriminates a defect from noise according to a waveform characteristic quantity, an image characteristic quantity, or a value characteristic quantity created using the signals and derives the coordinates of defect.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed to detect and measure cracks in the lining of a container. A typical apparatus includes a scanning device to acquire a cloud of data points by measuring distances from the scanning device to a plurality of points on the surface of lining material and a controller to fit a polygonal mesh and a minimum surface through the cloud of data points, a crack being detected by a portion of the polygonal mesh containing a connected group of polygons that extends past the minimum surface beyond a threshold distance.

Abstract: The present specification discloses an X-ray system for processing X-ray data to determine an identity of an object under inspection. The X-ray system includes an X-ray source for transmitting X-rays, where the X-rays have a range of energies, through the object, a detector array for detecting the transmitted X-rays, where each detector outputs a signal proportional to an amount of energy deposited at the detector by a detected X-ray, and at least one processor that reconstructs an image from the signal, where each pixel within the image represents an associated mass attenuation coefficient of the object under inspection at a specific point in space and for a specific energy level, fits each of pixel to a function to determine the mass attenuation coefficient of the object under inspection at the point in space; and uses the function to determine the identity of the object under inspection.

Abstract: A sample holder for the examination of small particles contained in a suspension using X-rays or electron beams is depicted and described, wherein the sample holder includes a single-crystal substrate extending in a plane, the dimensions of which in the plane are several times larger than the dimensions perpendicular to the plane, wherein the substrate includes a first and a second surface, which run parallel to the plane, and wherein the substrate includes through-holes, which extend perpendicular to the plane and which run from the first to the second surface.

Abstract: A sensor including a fluorinated receptor can be used to identify an analyte through shift in 19F NMR resonance of the receptor when the receptor interacts with the analyte.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an abnormal state of a battery are provided. An entropy calculator is configured to calculate an information entropy based on battery estimation information and battery measurement information. The battery estimation information corresponds to an output required from the battery, and the battery measurement information is collected from the battery. A battery abnormality determiner is configured to determine whether the battery is in the abnormal state based on the information entropy.

Abstract: There is provided a blood condition analyzing device including an erythrocyte quantitative evaluation unit configured to evaluate a hematocrit value and/or a hemoglobin amount on the basis of an electrical characteristic of a blood sample at a frequency of 2 to 25 MHz.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for determining the composition of liquids, including the identity of one or more drugs in the liquid, the concentration of the drug, and the type of diluent using immittance spectroscopy. These devices, systems and methods are particularly useful for describing the identity and, in some variations, concentration of one or more components of a medical liquid such as intravenous fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensing structure including a sensing unit, a periphery circuit, and a connecting circuit. The connecting circuit connecting the sensing unit and the periphery circuit includes a connecting pattern. In an embodiment, the connecting pattern has at least two line widths. The line width of a part of the connecting pattern connecting the periphery circuit is greater than the line width of a part of the connecting pattern connecting the sensing unit. In an embodiment, the connecting pattern includes a mesh pattern having at least two mesh densities. The mesh density of a part of the mesh pattern connecting the periphery circuit is greater than the mesh density of a part of the mesh pattern connecting the sensing unit. In an embodiment, the connecting circuit includes lines between and connecting a single sensing series of the sensing unit and a periphery wire of the periphery circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a housing; a first connector coupled to the housing and having a first plurality of contacts; a second connector coupled to the housing and having a second plurality of contacts; and a circuit electrically connected to at least one of the first contacts and at least one of the second contacts. The circuit is encapsulated within the housing. The circuit is configured to generate an output signal in response to a resistance sensed at the at least one of the first contacts.