Abstract: A thermochromic polymer-based temperature indicator composition which comprises a polythiophene and a carrier medium. The composition is characterized in that the polythiophene is present in the medium in an amount of about 0.05 to about 5.0% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The structure of the compound is designed such that when the composition is placed in a heat-exchange relationship with an article, the composition will exhibit a color change when a design temperature or a temperature beyond the design temperature is reached in the article.

Abstract: The oxygen detecting composition of the present invention includes a layered silicate, a cationic surfactant, an organic colorant, a reducing agent, and optionally a basic substance. The oxygen detecting composition is suitable for indicating the presence or absence of oxygen or the degree of oxygen concentration by its reversible color change because of its high light resistance, high heat resistance, transparency and translucency.

Abstract: Automated staining equipment that can mix reagents is used to spray a Romanowsky stain onto slide mounted specimens which are then briefly centrifuged. The centrifugation step removes excess stain leaving only a thin film. Depending on the time of the centrifugation step, most of the organic solvent and part of the water in the stain are evaporated by airflow through the equipment. This greatly accelerates the staining reaction and preserves water soluble structures such as the granules in basophilic leukocytes. For optimal performance, this staining procedure requires a thiazin-eosin stain with about 90% to about 40% organic solvent, such as methanol, and only about 10% to about 60% water. This is a unique staining reagent in Romanowsky staining.

Abstract: A stabilization reagent composition, particularly desirable for stabilizing blood samples containing platelets, comprises reactants that generate multiple species of formaldehyde-ammonium complexes; at least one inhibitor of phosphatase enzymatic activity; and at least one inhibitor of protease enzymatic activity. Blood samples and other tissues are stabilized by this composition. Such stabilized samples are produced by methods for stabilizing the tissue by contacting the sample with the composition. Methods for assessing the efficacy of such stabilizing reagents are also included in this invention.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for use in the analysis and quantitation of conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in patient or other samples. The compositions have the general formula: wherein: R1 and R2 are independently selected from alkyl and aryl, R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, tauryl, aryl, and glucoronyl, and R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are each independently selected from hydrogen and alkyl, and are resistant to oxidation, as occurs in bilirubin upon exposure to light and air. These properties make them ideal for use in calibration and control solutions for use in medical and research bilirubin analysis, or other applications where stable reagents for bilirubin analysis is desirable.

Abstract: A safety label for use with chafing fuel cans capable of providing the user with information about the current physical characteristics of the can, including as they relate to temperature, employing the use of thermochromic materials dispersed within a media such as ink or paint. The thermochromic materials are capable of undergoing a sharp, reversible visible metachromism between the temperatures of −40° C. and 80° C. The method of manufacturing safety labels according to the invention include the steps of applying informational indicia on the safety label, and then covering such indicia with the media containing the thermochromic materials dispersed therein. When the chafing fuel can is ignited, the media with the thermochromic materials visually undergoes a metachromism, rendering the media invisible, thereby revealing the informational indicia applied with the non-thermochromic ink.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for evaluating the properties of hydrogen to improve the safety of hydrogen fuel, and provides a method for selecting proper odorants for hydrogen. Odorized hydrogen containing suitable odorants in appropriate concentrations with hydrogen are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting proteins on polyacrylamide gels, comprising the steps of sensitizing the proteins with a dye composition comprising an acidic organic dye as a silver ion sensitizing agent, and optionally, a basic organic dye as an auxiliary agent, and washing them, and then silver staining complexes of the protein-dye, and to the dye composition for the same.

Abstract: An irreversible temperature indicating paint comprise 15 to 18 wt % cobalt ammonium phosphate, 5.0 to 6.0 wt % sodium alumino sulpho silicate, 8.5 to 10.5 wt % silica, 7.0 to 8.5 wt % alumina, 0.5 to 0.7 wt % toluidine red, 35 to 43 wt % acrylic resin and 19 to 23 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. A particular irreversible temperature indicating paint comprising 16.4 wt % cobalt ammonium phosphate, 5.5 wt % sodium alumino sulpho silicate, 9.4 wt % silica, 7.8 wt % alumina, 0.6 wt % toluidine red, 39.1 wt % acrylic resin and 21.1 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The irreversible temperature indicating paint has at least six color changes in the temperature range 550° C. to 1250° C. The irreversible temperature indicating paint is used to determine the temperatures to which various parts of turbine blades, turbine vanes or other components are subjected in operation of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents for use in an automated environment for cell conditioning of biological samples wherein the cells or tissues are predisposed for access by reagent molecules for histochemical and cytochemical staining procedures. The reagents comprise components optimized to facilitate molecular access to cells and cell constituents within the biological sample. The present invention also provides reagents for use in an automated environment for removing or etching embedding media by exposing a biological sample to be stained in histochemical or cytochemical procedures without the dependence on organic solvents. The reagents comprise components optimized to facilitate removal or etching of the embedding media from the biological sample.

Abstract: An Agent for the removal of turbidity and biological samples including 0.5-10 mM Phenol, 0.5-15% polyoxyethylated triglyceride and at least one non-ionic tenside in a range of 0.5-15% capable of dissolving the polyoxyethylated triglyceride.

Abstract: An irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 25 wt % to 50 wt % cobalt silicate, 0 wt % to 20 wt % alumino silicate, 0.5 wt % to 5 wt % toluidine red, 25 wt % to 40 wt % acrylic resin and 10 wt % to 20 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The solvent comprises a mixture of 80% 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 20% dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. The irreversible temperature indicating paint has at least five colour changes in the temperature range 1050° C. to 1350° C. A particular irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 33.8 wt % cobalt silicate, 16.9 wt % alumino silicate, 2 wt % toluidine red, 30.8 wt % acrylic resin and 16.5 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The irreversible temperature indicating paint is used to determine the temperatures to which various parts of turbine blades, turbine vanes or other components are subjected in operation of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: Fluorescent monomers are described and claimed which are synthesized by reacting a substituted or non-substituted naphthalic anhydride with an amine and with a moiety containing a polymerizable group. Such monomers are useful for the preparation of tagged treatment polymers. Such tagged treatment polymers are useful as scale inhibitors in industrial water systems.

Abstract: A reagent for detecting exogenous oxidants in urine comprises tetramethylbenzidine, an acidic buffer, a catalyst, a medium for carrying out chemical reactions, and a resinous material. The reagent may be utilized in liquid form or may be applied to a test strip.

Abstract: Methods for detecting biopolymers in a matrix are disclosed, which involve contacting the matrix with a sensitizing reagent, which may include one or more optionally substituted heteroaromatic compounds; contacting the matrix with one or more reduceable metal salts to stain the biopolymer; and detecting the stained biopolymer. Also disclosed are compositions for carrying out the invention and compositions made according to the invention. Also disclosed are kits for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: An air-barrier agent for an aqueous reagent or an aqueous specimen having as an effective component a mixture of a chain hydrocarbon and a silicone oil immiscible with the aqueous reagent as well methods of using and making the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to an enhancement solution for an assay technology using lanthanide ions or their chelates as labels and dissociative fluorescence enhancement as a tool for detection, wherein said enhancement solution comprises a &bgr;-dietone of formula I 1

Abstract: A collection container and method for collecting a predetermined volume of a biological sample, and particularly a whole blood sample, includes at least one gene induction blocking agent in an amount effective to stabilize and inhibit gene induction. The gene induction blocking agent is able to stabilize nucleic acids in the biological sample at the point of collection to block ex vivo gene induction in the sample when stored at room temperature. The stabilizing agents include cationic compounds, detergents, particularly cationic detergents, chaotropic salts, ribonuclease inhibitors, chelating agents, organic solvents, organic reducing reagents, and mixtures thereof. The biological sample is collected directly from the animal and immediately mixed with the gene induction blocking agent without any intermediate processing or handling.

Abstract: A low formaldehyde containing aqueous blood diluent contains an effective amount of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid derivative, or combinations thereof; an effective amount of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; and an effective amount of 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane. Advantageously, less than about 1 parts per million of formaldehyde is produced in this multipurpose diluent. A method of analyzing a blood sample containing blood cells is conducted by forming a diluted blood sample by mixing a blood sample containing blood cells with this diluent and analyzing the diluted blood sample to determine a physical parameter of the blood cells.

Abstract: An aqueous control liquid is provided that contains glucose at a known concentration and cyclodextrin. A method is also provided that binds a wetting agent from a region of a test element that comes into contact with a sample. The method includes contacting the region with a control liquid that has a substance selected from the group of cyclodextrin derivatives and dispersed materials having a specific surface of 100 m2/g to over 1000 m2/g. A method for controlling the function of a measuring system having test strips and a measuring instrument for the determination of glucose in liquid samples is provided that includes contacting the test strip with a control liquid containing glucose at a known concentration and at least one substance selected from the group consisting of cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives and detecting a signal caused by the glucose contained in the control liquid.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica, at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups, and at least one metal ion. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes.

Abstract: A collection container and method for collecting a predetermined volume of a biological sample, and particularly a whole blood sample, includes an effective amount of at least one stabilizing agent. The stabilizing agent is able to stabilize nucleic acids in the biological sample at the point of collection to prevent enzymatic degradation of the nucleic acids. The stabilizing agents include cationic compounds, detergents, particularly cationic detergents, chaotropic salts, ribonuclease inhibitors, chelating agents, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radio-opaque composition including a polymer or monomer, wherein the polymer or monomer has a non-leachable radio-opaque moiety. The non-leachable radio-opaque moiety is covalently attached to the polymer or monomer.

Abstract: The calibration fluid is composed of a biocompatible electrolyte that, at 37° C., exhibits a concentration of bicarbonate ions that lies in the normal physiological range of the concentration of the bicarbonate ions of the blood, exhibits a pH value that lies within a pH value range within 2 through 13 containing the value 7.41 and has a specific ionic strength. In order to enable a calibration of the sensor with a higher precision compared to a known calibration fluid of this type both in vivo as well as in vitro, the ionic strength of the fluid at 37° C. is selected such that it lies in the normal physiological range of the ionic strength of the blood.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.

Abstract: Chemical indicator inks for steam-formaldehyde sterilization processes. The chemical indicator ink contains at least one primary organic dye selected from the group consisting of Congo red, Benzo purpurin B, Chicago sky blue 6B, Direct red 75, Evans blue, Naphthol blue black, Nitro red, and combinations thereof. The organic dye undergoes an irreversible color change when exposed to formaldehyde vapor in the presence of steam, but will not change color when exposed to other sterilization processes. The chemical indicator ink can further contain at least one secondary organic dye which does not undergo a color change when exposed to formaldehyde vapor in the presence of steam.

Abstract: A lytic reagent composition for measuring nucleated blood cells in a blood sample is described. The lytic reagent composition contains a quaternary ammonium surfactant, an ethoxylated phenol, and an ethoxylated alcohol. When mixed with a blood sample, the lytic reagent composition lyses red blood cells and enables a differentiation of nucleated red blood cells from other cell types by DC impedance measurement. The lytic reagent composition can further contain an organic ligand for determining total hemoglobin concentration of a blood sample photometrically. Further disclosed is a lytic reagent system including the lytic reagent composition and a diluent. In addition, a single reagent composition containing salts is also disclosed, which can be used without a separate diluent. The lytic reagent compositions can be used for concurrent measurement of nucleated red blood cells, WBC, and hemoglobin of a blood sample.

Abstract: An improved blood suspension media for hematological compositions, having particular utility with a red blood cell component for devices using electronic and optical means for blood determinations, and processes for using the suspension media. The suspension media finds particular utility in providing the hematology control product with a stable and consistent MCV and RDW for an extended product shelf life.

Abstract: A composition for simulating and evaluating chemical agent contamination which can be used to safely train military personnel in handling chemical agent contamination. It has a vapor generating component having a vapor pressure of from about 0.1 to about 30 mm Hg at 25° C.; a fluorescent dye; and a solvent which uniformly disperses the vapor generating component and fluorescent dye.

Abstract: The dyes of the present invention are useful for many purposes that include markers or tags for detecting the presence of a molecule or compound to which they are bound. The dyes may be either red-excitable or blue-excitable. The dyes of the invention are particularly well suited for staining of nucleic acids. For example, these dyes are particularly suitable for staining of RNA in reticulocytes. In another exemplary application, these dyes are suitable for staining DNA in nucleated red blood cells. Typically, when used in staining of nucleic acids, the dyes are formulated into reagent solutions. In addition, the invention provides compositions and methods for facilitating rapid transport of dye molecules through a cell membrane. Such rapid staining requires that a sample be contacted with a dye composition of the invention in the presence of at least one surfactant and optionally, a sulfonic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Protective solution for use in a fixation method for the paraffin section technique and comprising (i) at least one amino acid and (ii) at least one sugar compound.

Abstract: The invention discloses a composition and method of absorbing and/or detecting the presence of ignitable liquids. The composition includes a hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophobic long-chain carboxylic acid and, optionally, a hydrophobic solvent indicator dye and a hydrophobic white metallic oxide. The composition may be applied to an area suspected of containing an ignitable liquid and allowed to remain on the area for a time period sufficient to react with the ignitable liquid. If an ignitable liquid is present, the composition will form an aggregate by agglomeration with the ignitable liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is an additive preparation which contains an additive, an organic acid, a metal carbonate compound, and a surfactant agent which is capable of rendering the surface of a collection device to have properties that cause the surface to repel the adsorption of components of a body fluid sample. The preparation effervesces when in contact with a body fluid sample, thereby efficiently dispersing the additive and surfactant in a body fluid sample.

Abstract: A control and system for blood testing, including a control having stabilized blood cells that have been introduced into a suspension including an aggregating agent and preferably a surfactant. The control and system is used advantageously for indirect acute protein plasma measurement, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate testing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fixative composition, the use of the fixative composition in preparing cytological or histological specimens, and a method of preparing particulate matter, such as cytology, hematology and microbiology specimens, for examination by collecting the particulate matter in a uniform layer, preferably a monolayer, and fixing the particles in a composition according to the present invention. The cytological, hematological, microbiological and histological fixative composition of the present invention contains an aldehyde crosslinker, a polyol and a detergent. The method of the present invention for preserving the particulate or histological specimen uses the fixative composition containing an aldehyde crosslinker, a polyol and a detergent.

Abstract: An irreversible temperature indicating paint comprise 15 to 18 wt % cobalt ammonium phosphate, 5.0 to 6.0 wt % sodium alumino sulpho silicate, 8.5 to 10.5 wt % silica, 7.0 to 8.5 wt % alumina, 0.5 to 0.7 wt % toluidine red, 35 to 43 wt % acrylic resin and 19 to 23 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. A particular irreversible temperature indicating paint comprising 16.4 wt % cobalt ammonium phosphate, 5.5 wt % sodium alumino sulpho silicate, 9.4 wt % silica, 7.8 wt % alumina, 0.6 wt % toluidine red, 39.1 wt % acrylic resin and 21.1 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The irreversible temperature indicating paint has at least six colour changes in the temperature range 550° C. to 1250° C. The irreversible temperature indicating paint is used to determine the temperatures to which various parts of turbine blades, turbine vanes or other components are subjected in operation of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: Sensors and/or taggants feature high optical gain materials which are disposed in a high scattering environment. These materials, when adequately excited, emit intense and spectrally narrow light that is dependent on the chemical environment in which high gain materials are dispersed. When two materials are placed in the same high scattering environment, the spectal emission properties of each emitter will depend on the chemical composition of the surrounding medium. The switching or transferring of energy from one emitter to the other when the chemical environment is changed in a specific manner is enabled and a shift in the spectral emissions can be detected and/or predicted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for associating information with an article, an isotopic labeling composition to label an article with information using at least two different isotopes of an element, and an article labeled with the labeling composition. In the labeling composition, the isotopes of the labeling composition have an abundance ratio that is detectably different from the natural abundance ratio thereof. By detecting the abundance ratio(s) of the isotopes in the labeling composition, via laser ablation/magnetic spectroscopy, an NQR spectrometer, an NMR spectrometer, an IR spectrometer, or a microwave spectrometer, information about the article can be determined. The invention may be used to identify, authenticate or determine the source or origin of an article or to provide detailed information about an article.

Abstract: The control of the present invention involves a gentle chemical removal of red cells, leaving an intact white cell preparation. The preservation steps, namely the use of cross-linking agents as aldehydes, involve a step-wise process starting with very low concentrations of a cross-linking agent. The fixation part of the process outlined in this disclosure has also been applied to non-mammalian blood cells and therefor would appear to be a universal procedure for preparing all types of vertebrate blood cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and to a method for extracting DNA. More specifically, the present invention relates to a composition and to a method to extract DNA from dried biological samples on solid substrates, including but not limited to, buccal smears, semen and especially blood. The method can be conducted in a single-tube. The DNA extracted in accordance with the present invention can be used for DNA amplification reactions, DNA sequencing, DNA restriction analysis and DNA hyridization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for investigating the behavior of particles or droplets in a gas-vapor mixture inside a flow device, which is useful for studying cloud dynamical and microphysical processes. The invention allows adjustment and/or control of the thermodynamic system parameters based on the observed behavior of an internal standard with known properties, thus achieving a well-defined vapor concentration and saturation field inside the flow device. By injecting particles or droplets to be investigated into this well defined flow device, and measuring the size of the particles or droplets, the activation and growth or shrinking behavior of the particles or droplets may be determined using a mathematical model of the fluid, thermodynamic, and chemical conditions of the flow device.

Abstract: A blood component deposition-preventing agent and a blood coagulation accelerator are provided, which are substantially indifferent to blood coagulation activity and serum chemistry parameters. Also provided is plastic blood test ware and a blood test matrix which do not confound measured values. A blood component deposition-preventing agent comprising a random copolymer of a monomer component (a) giving a water-soluble homopolymer and a monomer component (b) giving a water-insoluble homopolymer, a blood coagulation accelerator comprising a substantially blood-insoluble antimicrobial composition comprising a carrier and, as supported thereon, an antimicrobial metal, and a blood test ware or matrix carrying them on its inside wall or surface are provided.

Abstract: A control serum for a dry process is provided that dose not show misfit in measurement values by the dry process and a wet process. The above-mentioned control serum is obtained by freezing or freeze-drying a control serum without dialysis.

Abstract: The invention provides a class of samples that model the human body. This family of samples is based upon emulsions of oil in water with lecithin acting as the emulsifier. These solutions that have varying particle sizes may be spiked with basis set components (albumin, urea and glucose) to simulate skin tissues further. The family of samples is such that other organic compounds such as collagen, elastin, globulin and bilirubin may be added, as can salts such as Na+, K+ and Cl−. Layers of varying thickness with known index of refraction and particle size distributions may be generated using simple crosslinking reagents, such as collagen (gelatin). The resulting samples are flexible in each analyte's concentration and match the skin layers of the body in terms of the samples reduced scattering and absorption coefficients, &mgr;ms and &mgr;ma. This family of samples is provided for use in the medical field where lasers and spectroscopy based analyzers are used in treatment of the body.

Abstract: An aqueous tissue clearing solution for use in making biological tissues transparent is provided. The aqueous tissue clearing solution is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide, diatrizoate acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, glucamine, &bgr;-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, sodium diatrizoate, and derivatives of polyoxyalkalene. The aqueous tissue clearing solution is used to make tissue transparent for viewing through microscopy.

Abstract: A thermochromic polymer-based temperature indicator composition which comprises a polythiophene and a carrier medium. The composition is characterized in that the polythiophene is present in the medium in an amount of about 0.05 to about 5.0% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The structure of the compound is designed such that when the composition is placed in a heat-exchange relationship with an article, the composition will exhibit a color change when a design temperature or a temperature beyond the design temperature is reached in the article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemical indicator that is used to determine whether instruments and other products to be sterilized have experienced a sterilization treatment process or to confirm whether sterilization has been efficiently performed, by the color tone change of the indicator when sterilizing medical instruments and other products and the like by a hydrogen peroxide low temperature plasma sterilizing method.

Abstract: A reagent for measurement of leukocytes and hemoglobin concentration in the blood includes a cationic surfactant in an amount sufficient to lyse erythrocytes and denature hemoglobin, at least one of the following hemoglobin stabilizers: (a) sulfosalicylic acid, or its salt, in an amount effective for promoting the conversion of hemoglobin into methemoglobin, (b) 0.2 to 10.0 g/L of a water-soluble chelating agent having a nitrogen atom and a carboxyl group, and (c) piperazine, or its salt, in an amount effective for promoting the conversion of hemoglobin into methemoglobin, and a buffer for maintaining pH at 4 to 6.