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: A leak detection dye carrier is formed using a two-stage process (53). In a first stage, the dye carrier (52) is saturated with a mixture (54) of a dye powder and an evaporable solvent, such as alcohol. The solvent is permitted to evaporate leaving dispersed dye solids (56) on the dye carrier (52). In a second stage, the dye carrier (52) and dispersed dye solids (56) are immersed in a wet bath (58). The method may be a hybrid of dry and wet systems of placing dye onto a substrate carrier in which the wet bath is a mixture of a dye and a solvent, such as a system lubricant. Alternatively, the immersion of the dye carrier in the second stage may be limited in duration to prevent the dye solids in the first stage from being dissolved.

Abstract: Provided herein are 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 include, but are not limited to, components optimized to facilitate molecular access to cells and cell constituents within the biological sample. Also provided herein are 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 include, but are not limited to, components optimized to facilitate removal or etching of the embedding media from the biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indicator composition for evaluating cleaning of a medical instrument that includes an extracellular matrix component and hemoglobin, as a contamination model having cleaning profile resembling an actual contaminant adhered to a medical instrument such as a surgical instrument.

Abstract: There are described solid compositions or examining drug solubility comprising bile salts and phospholipids, optionally containing buffer components suitable for preparation of intestinal media that simulate the composition of the intestinal fluids in fasted and fed states.

Abstract: A complex, which has been formed by at least two pieces of a ligand and a first metal ion, is bound with a carrier. A second metal ion is then added onto the carrier, a new complex being thereby formed. A substance that contains a Group-15 or Group-16 atom, which has metal coordinating capability, is then fixed to the first metal ion and the second metal ion.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles associated with a spectroscopy-active (e.g., Raman-active) analyte and surrounded by an encapsulant are useful as sensitive optical tags detectable by surface-enhanced spectroscopy (e.g., surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy).

Abstract: A visual indicating paste for detecting the level of hydrocarbons in a storage container is disclosed. The visual indicating paste is a physical mixture of a non-polar dye, a high molecular weight carrier, a whitening agent and a filler material.

Abstract: Erythrocytes from a vertebrate animal other than a human that have been size reduced and treated with a fixing agent by conventional methods to resemble human platelets are further treated to achieve a size distribution that is detected in a consistent manner by different methodologies of blood cell counting. The further treatment includes heating to a denaturing temperature followed by a second treatment with a fixing agent. The resulting cells are useful as controls for calibrating and checking the accuracy of automated blood cell counting equipment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the identification of an article, the method including the step of applying at least one identification particle to the article, wherein the identification particle on the article is not evident to the casual observer, but is evident on close inspection of the article, preferably with the naked eye. The identification particle is less than 500 microns in size and is reflective and has lustre. The reflective particle is not evident to the casual observer, but the sparkle thereof picked up by the naked eye on careful inspection.

Abstract: Standard reference materials and related methods are described for quality testing and calibration of instruments used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of hemoglobin and glycated hemoglobin as well as other analytes of interest in animal tissue samples. The reference solutions of the disclosure utilize a synthetic cruor in combination with an Hb peptide chain.

Abstract: A thermal indicator material which comprises a plurality of polythiophenes having a second low temperature color and a high temperature color. The polythiophenes are structured and arranged to exhibit a color change from the second low temperature color to the high temperature color when the thermal indicator material is exposed to a temperature that meets or exceeds a pre-determined temperature and to exhibit a color change from the high temperature color to a first low temperature color when the thermal indicator material is exposed to a decline in temperature from a temperature that meets or exceeds the predetermined temperature to a temperature of within the range of between about 5 to 20° C. below the pre-determined temperature that occurs in a time period of greater than 2.0 seconds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a temperature monitoring system including a circuit board and a thermochromic coating covering at least a portion of the circuit board, wherein the thermochromic coating is capable of indicating a temperature gradient on the circuit board. The thermochromic coating may comprise a color forming leuco dye, an activator, and optionally a deprotecting agent.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive paint comprises a binder for forming a polymer matrix, a transition metal complex embedded in the binder and displaying a temperature dependent fluorescence, the fluorescence of the transition metal complex showing a maximum relative temperature sensitivity per Kelvin at a first temperature, and a rare earth complex also embedded in the binder and displaying a temperature dependent fluorescence, the fluorescence of the rare earth complex showing a maximum relative temperature sensitivity per Kelvin at a second temperature. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature by 50 to 150 Kelvin so that the overall temperature range covered by both complexes as temperature probes is extended.

Abstract: A packing composition (110) for inserting into a fluidic device (100), the packing composition (110) comprising a packing material (114) adapted for separating different components of a fluid and an elastic network (115) in which the packing material (114) is embedded.

Abstract: An irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 0.7 wt % to 0.9 wt % toluidine red, 7 wt % to 32 wt % cobalt aluminium spinel and glass, 7 wt % to 32 wt % cobalt chromite spinel, alumina, purple gold and frit, 37 wt % to 41 wt % acrylic resin, 20 wt % to 23 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The solvent comprises a mixture of 80% 1-methoxy-2-propanol and 20% dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. A particular irreversible temperature indicating paint comprises 0.78 wt % toluidine red, 19.55 wt % cobalt aluminium spinel and glass, 19.55 wt % cobalt chromite spinel, alumina, purple gold and frit, 39.1 wt % acrylic resin, 21.1 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 a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A composition includes at least one visual indicator dye and a surfactant. Upon dilution of the composition with a volume of water a diluted product is formed, and wherein: i) the extinction coefficient of the composition is less than the extinction coefficient of the diluted product measured at a wavelength from about 400 nm to about 700 nm; ii) a ratio of an absorbance measured between about 550-650 nm and an absorbance measured between about 395-440 nm increases upon increasing dilution of the composition; and/or iii) the pKa of the composition is greater than the pKa of the diluted product. Additionally, methods for changing the visual perception of a composition comprise diluting a composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns new monolithic shaped bodies, a method for their preparation as well as their use especially for the selective purification and separation of biopolymers. A chromatographic separation material is provided with the new monolithic shaped bodies that allows a selective, efficient and reproducible purification and separation of biopolymers.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an indicator composition comprising at least one iodide salt, at least one binder, at least one carbonate salt and/or at least one sulfate salt, and at least one antioxidant. The indicator composition may contain at least one dye, complexing agent, inhibitor, and/or solvent. A sterilization indicator comprising the foregoing indicator composition is disclosed. The sterilization indicator may be used for monitoring sterilization processes involving oxidative chemistries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen peroxide indicator that includes a substrate on which is disposed an indicator composition that includes at least one of a select group of colorants. As a result of contact with hydrogen peroxide, the colorants change color, and even become colorless, thereby providing an indication of the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: In the x-ray fluorescence analysis of minerals, ores and other materials, chemicals containing lithium and boron are melted together at high temperatures to produce lithium borate compounds which are then cooled and reduced in size to a powder or coarse material. Such material is known as x-ray flux and is usually represented or specified in the final commercial product as ratios of lithium tetraborate to lithium metaborate. The x-ray flux is melted with materials to be analyzed and cast into discs which are then analyzed by an x-ray fluorescence spectrograph. In this invention, thulium has been added, mixed and melted with the x-ray flux such as to function as an internal quantitative standard for the analysis of nickel ore, nickel concentrates or other nickel containing substances, when such flux is mixed and melted with the nickel containing samples to be analyzed.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing an analytical standard used for microbeam X-ray fluorescence analysis which includes: a mixing step A in which an element is added to a base material, and the base material and the element are mixed by stirring to obtain a mixed solution; a deaeration step B in which the mixed solution is deaerated; a freeze step D in which the mixed solution is slowly frozen; and a cutting step F in which a thin section is cut out from the frozen mixed solution. In order to surely remove bubbles from the mixed solution, the deaeration step B may contain a stationary step in which the mixed solution is allowed to stand still at room temperature; or the stationary step includes a removal step in which gas contained in the mixed solution which is allowed to stand still is removed with a suction apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aggregate composed of a plurality of nanoparticles of a transition metal and a plurality of cyanine dye molecules that are interacting non-covalently. The nanoparticles are capped with a capping molecule, while the cyanine dye molecule can be cationic, anionic, or neutral cyanine dye. Methods of making such aggregates and for using them in detection of an analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for classifying leukocytes in animal blood is described. In the method, a measurement sample is prepared by mixing a canine or feline blood sample with a lysing reagent. Erythrocytes are lysed and leukocytes are shrunk in the measurement sample. The data correlated with the size of leukocytes in the measurement sample are measured. The leukocytes, on the basis of the measured data, are classified into a first group containing lymphocytes, a second group containing neutrophils and monocytes and a third group containing eosinophils.

Abstract: An artificial lipid bilayer membrane formation device is disclosed, which includes: an upper solution chamber (first solution chamber) and a lower solution chamber (second solution chamber), both of which are filled with aqueous solution. It further includes a partition wall disposed between the upper solution chamber and the lower solution chamber so as to part the upper and lower solution chambers from each other. The partition wall has an opening, and a first lipid solution is applied to a portion around the opening, thereby forming an artificial lipid bilayer membrane on the opening. Further, in the formation device, a tubule for lipid substitution is attached to the partition wall so as to be positioned on a bulk phase of the artificial lipid bilayer membrane. A second lipid solution is added via the tubule, thereby forming an artificial lipid bilayer membrane whose lipid composition is changed.

Abstract: A lytic reagent composition and methods for differential analysis of leukocytes are disclosed. In embodiments, the analysis may utilize optical measurements in flow cytometry based hematology analyzers. The reagent system includes an anionic surfactant in a hypotonic solution, an inorganic buffer to maintain the pH in a range from about 6 to about 10, and optionally a leukocyte stabilizer. The reagent system is used to lyse red blood cells and stabilize the leukocytes to enable multi-part differentiation of leukocytes in a near physiologic pH environment on a flow cytometry based hematology analyzer using axial light loss, light scatter intensity, high-numerical aperture side scatter, and time-of-flight measurements.

Abstract: A leak detection dye carrier is formed using a two-stage process (53). In a first stage, the dye carrier (52) is saturated with a mixture (54) of a dye powder and an evaporable solvent, such as alcohol. The solvent is permitted to evaporate leaving dispersed dye solids (56) on the dye carrier (52). In a second stage, the dye carrier (52) and dispersed dye solids (56) are immersed in a wet bath (58). The method may be a hybrid of dry and wet systems of placing dye onto a substrate carrier in which the wet bath is a mixture of a dye and a solvent, such as a system lubricant. Alternatively, the immersion of the dye carrier in the second stage may be limited in duration to prevent the dye solids in the first stage from being dissolved.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system comprising a chiral mobile phase used to separate enantiomeric molecules present in a sample is disclosed herein. In one aspect, the mobile phase comprises a chiral solvent. In another aspect, the mobile phase includes a chiral solvent but also a buffering agent. The liquid chromatography system described herein includes both high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) as well as high pressure capillary liquid chromatography (CapLC).

Abstract: The present invention provides a reference solution for use in instruments that determine hematocrit levels in biological samples by measuring the resistance and/or conductivity of the biological samples. A reference solution according to the invention achieves conductivities representative of known hematocrit levels in blood, while maintaining tolerable levels of interference with the measurement of other analytes in the reference solution.

Abstract: A reagent for classifying leucocytes, including: a) at least one of surfactant selected from a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and the combination thereof; b) an organic compound having phenyl or heterocyclic group, wherein when the surfactant is a cationic surfactant, the organic compound is an organic compound having an anionic group; when the surfactant is an amphoteric surfactant or a combination of amphotheric and cationic surfactant, the organic compound is an organic compound having an anionic or cationic group; c) a buffer for adjusting pH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reagent for classifying leukocytes including (a) at least one surfactant capable of lysing erythrocytes and partly damaging the cell membrane of leukocytes, (b) at least one organic compound bearing an anionic group capable of binding to the cationic component present in the leukocytes to provide morphological differences between the leukocytes, and (c) a buffer for adjusting pH to 2˜8. Also disclosed is a method for classifying leukocytes into four groups.

Abstract: With respect to evaluation of the efficacy of cleaning of a medical apparatus, the present invention provides a cleaning evaluation filth for a medical apparatus, the filth simulating a body fluid in a human body cavity and exhibiting good reproducibility of evaluation of the efficacy of cleaning. With respect to the cleaning evaluation filth of the present invention, proteins and lipids having concentrations for forming at least bile and serum, which are primary components for constituting a human digestive juice, are produced by dispensing reagents of proteins and lipids.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of using ion-detecting microspheres containing an ionphore and a chromoionphore in clinical laboratory instrumentation such as flow cytometry for sample analysis. In one embodiment, the microspheres are contacted with a flowing stream of a sample under conditions that allow the ion-selective ionophores to complex with the ions in the sample, and to cause deprotonation of the chromoionophore. The complexes are then exposed to an excitation wavelength light source suitable for exciting the deprotonated chromoionophore to emit a fluorescence signal pattern. Detection of the fluorescence signal pattern emitted by the deprotonated chromoionophore in microspheres containing the complexes allows for determination of the presence of the target ions in the sample. In one embodiment, lead ion-detecting microspheres are provided that can detect nanomolar levels of lead ions with response times on the order of minutes.

Abstract: A water leak disclosing agent and a water leak detection method are disclosed. The water leak disclosing agent is a pigment-containing colored tablet or a pigment solution, wherein the pigment material stains the water if it is put thereinto so it is adopted as the disclosing agent for water leak detection. In accordance with the water leak detection method, the colored tablet is plunged into a water pipe or a floorslab of a floor or a bathroom is filled with the pigment solution. As a result, the leaky position can be identified easily and correctly according to the color of the oozed colored liquid.

Abstract: A method of using an inert fluorescent tracer in a system that contains liquids in contact with solid surfaces and wherein said system contains a corrosive environment, is described and claimed, as is a method of using an inert fluorescent tracer to trace the corrosive material itself. Combinations of inert fluorescent tracers in corrosive materials are also described and claimed.

Abstract: There are provided a portable press powder for latent fingerprints using natural minerals capable of taking latent fingerprints from a surface of a material object, the latent fingerprints being left when the material object is touched with a hand but invisible to the naked eye, and a method for preparing the same. The portable press powder for latent fingerprints according to the present invention can be useful to take clear fingerprints in more economical manner since it is safe to human body and the powder scattering is low when compared to the conventional blackish powders, and thus, it is environment-friendly, easy to take fingerprints and easy to handle a powder.

Abstract: The immersion oil has refractive index which is 1.70 or more, and is low autofluorescence. Preferably, the main ingredient is iodine compounds (diiodomethane), and a solid having a high refractive index such as sulfur and the like is dissolved or dispersed into the immersion oil. The production method of the immersion oil has a purification process, in which impurities are removed preferably by adsorbent, distillation or recrystallized. In the method of preservation of the immersion oil, it is always contacted with the adsorbent. The preservation container of the immersion oil contains an adsorbent which is always contacted with the immersion oil.

Abstract: A tracing agent for use in a water system having starch; water; water soluble dye; wherein the starch, water and water soluble dye are blended to form a dyed starch paste and wherein the dyed starch paste is extruded from an extruder to create a dyed starched foam.

Abstract: Disclosed are cellular hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) normal and abnormal (high) controls for use in detecting Hb A1c levels. The present invention also relates to methods for generating cellular Hb A1c controls using red blood cells and methods for using the cellular controls. The present invention encompasses several methods for the preparation of Hb A1c cellular controls including: (1) a boronate method where the glycation occurs non-specifically; (2) a stabilized diabetic blood method where the glycation occurs specifically on Hb A1c, and (3) the glycation of normal blood method that is achieved by controlling conditions such that glycation occurs predominantly on Hb A1c. These methods produce cellular Hb A1c controls with desirable stability and that can be detected on a variety of instruments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the marking of materials with coded microparticies, wherein coded microparticles which are obtainable by (i) polymerization of at least one water-soluble monoethylenically unsaturated monomer in the presence of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least two double bonds in the molecule by inverse water-in-oil suspension polymerization, doped nanoparticles being used as the suspending medium, (ii) emulsion polymerization of water-insoluble monoethylenically unsaturated monomers with from 0 to 10% by weight, based on the monomer mixture, of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least two double bonds in the molecule, doped nanopartices being used as an emulsifier for stabilizing the disperse phase, (iii) polymerization of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer together with a copolymerizable dye which has an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, and, if appropriate, agglomeration of these partices or (iv) agglomeration of at

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lanthanide-halide based humidity indicator and method of producing such indicator. The color of the present invention indicates the humidity of an atmosphere to which it is exposed. For example, impregnating an adsorbent support such as silica gel with an aqueous solution of the europium-containing reagent solution described herein, and dehydrating the support to dryness forms a substance with a yellow color. When this substance is exposed to a humid atmosphere the water vapor from the air is adsorbed into the coating on the pore surface of the silica gel. As the water content of the coating increases, the visual color of the coated silica gel changes from yellow to white. The color change is due to the water combining with the lanthanide-halide complex on the pores of the gel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for the stabilization of sulphur-containing amino acids and/or for the inhibition of the continuous formation of sulphur-containing amino acids in withdrawn blood, to the use of suitable substances and compositions therefor as well as optionally for the determination of sulphur-containing amino acids in blood, to a process for these purposes, as well as to a blood collecting device applied appropriately to these processes.

Abstract: A color change paint and varnish removal formulation is provided. The formulation comprises: at least one penetrant, at least one carrier and at least one colorant whereby the formulation is applied to the target area and as the surface of the formulation dries, the carrier partially dehydrates emitting white light as the colorant migrates away from the dehydrating surface and there is a color change to indicate that the stripping action of the formulation has ceased and is ready for the scraping and removal step.

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 method for screening newborns using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The method improves the current protocols that use tandem mass spectrometry by assuring accurate and consistent results at the clinical level through enhanced quality controls and quality assurance protocols as applied to the scan profiling and sample preparation of blood spots from newborns. Specific additives are used in precise concentrations of internal standards, employing detailed controls adapted to distinguish twenty metabolites, which are scanned and vigorously compared to known spectra results. Revealing peaks, metabolite concentration, and scan intensities in the quality assurance steps are then compared to a range of thresholds to determine whether or not the sample is contaminated, drug-ridden, diagnosable, or unacceptable. All spectra results and quality assurance flags are organized in spreadsheet form and exported to a database where values are compiled and stored for daily output results and trend analysis.

Abstract: A multi-analyte calibration solution having known amounts of sodium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and ethyl alcohol, with pH adjusted within a range between about 7.8 and 8.4.

Abstract: An immersion liquid for microscopy using water immersion objectives has a refractive index in the range from 1.25 to 1.4 and a kinematic viscosity of greater than 20 mm2/s at 20° C.

Abstract: The invention describes materials useful for calibrating methods, and standards, calibration verification, linearity, and quality control materials for any method used to detect lipids and/or lipoproteins. This invention describes methods for producing, and compositions produced thereby, stable lipid controls, standards, and reagents including a stabilizing amount of TDPA, and further including a known amount of a substantially pure constituent of interest, including total cholesterol (CHOL), triglycerides (TRIG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), APO lipoprotein A (APO-A), APO Lipoprotein B (APO-B), low density lipoprotein (LDL), apolipoprotein a Lp(a) and other lipoprotein moieties useful for calibrating, standardizing, verifying, quality control, and the like, relating to use of an instrument for assessing the level of such constituents in a sample.

Abstract: A cyanide-free lytic reagent composition and method of use for measuring the total hemoglobin concentration and white blood cells in a blood sample are disclosed. The lytic reagent composition includes a quaternary ammonium surfactant to lyse red blood cells and release hemoglobin and a ligand to form a stable chromogen with the hemoglobin. The lytic reagent composition has a pH in a range of 3 to 10. The lytic reagent composition can also include a second quaternary ammonium surfactant. The ligand can be malic acid, malonic acid, ethylene diamine, N,N-diethylethylene diamine, N,N?-diethylethylene diamine, diethylene triamine, tetraethylene pentamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,3-pentanediamine, 2-methylpentamethylenediamine, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, 4-aminoacetophenone, bis-hexamethylenetriamine, pyridazine, or 3,6-dihyroxypyridazine.

Abstract: To provide a hardness measurement reagent unaffected by an M alkalinity in hardness measurement. A hardness measurement reagent as a one-solution type reagent includes a dye chosen from Eriochrome Black T (EBT) and Calmagite, triethanolamine, a glycol compound, and a pH buffer, in which the pH buffer includes a combination of amines selected from primary amines and secondary amines and a salt of a weak base.