Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for quantitative detection of mercury vapor in gas samples using a film of nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of an amalgam nanoparticle is sensitive to adsorbed mercury mass. The equilibrium mass of mercury on a gold nanoparticle is a function of the surrounding vapor concentration and the temperature of the gold. A device that introduces a temperature-controlled gold nanoparticle film to a controlled flow of sample gas responds predictably to a given mercury vapor concentration when optically probed in situ. Controlling the temperature of the film allows for control of adsorption and desorption rates. Equilibrium plasmonic mercury detection, described herein, removes the cycling necessary for many gold-based mercury analyses. Methods are given for the operation and analysis of the temperature-stabilized gold nanoparticle mercury sensor.

Abstract: A method, and milking system, for managing a herd of dairy animals including N groups, wherein N?2, and the method includes: A) determining a content of a substance in the milk for a group of dairy animals, and B) performing an animal-related operation for the group, based on the content of the determined substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for estimating denatured serum proteins in milk that has undergone a heat treatment. The method has the following successive steps: (a) rendering a sample of the milk transparent, (b) measuring diffusion in the transparent sample in order to deduce a first denatured serum protein (DSP) index representative of the concentration of denatured serum proteins.

Abstract: A method of testing for discerning substitution of carbohydrate ester includes the step of providing a predetermined amount of a solution. Further, the method also includes adding ammonium hydroxide and sodium borohydride to the solution. The method also includes the step of transferring the solution to an ammonium ion exchange cartridge and collecting the eluate from the cartridge. Also included in the method is the step of analyzing the sample in a mass spectrometer to produce a mass spectrum. Further, the method includes calculating the amu of phosphate and sulfate substitution of the ion and comparing it to the actual amu of the found ion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical H+-sensor, comprising an H+-indicator material, wherein the H+-indicator material is present between a support material and a H+-permeable layered structure, the layered structure comprising an H+-permeable hydrophilic layer and an H+-permeable cation exchange layer. Further, the invention relates to a method for determining the H+-concentration, e.g. expressed as pH, in a product or sample thereof, the method comprising contacting the product or sample with an optical H+-sensor according to the invention, measuring an optical property of the indicator material, and determining the H+-concentration of the product or sample based on said optical property.

Abstract: A machine for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food products such as ice creams, whipped cream, yogurt and the like comprises a container for a basic product of the consumer food product, a feed and treatment circuit for the basic product, comprising a feed pump, dispensing means positioned at an outfeed end of the feed and treatment circuit, and a device for checking the bacterial load of the product during production/dispensing; an electronic control unit controlling and regulating the various steps for measuring the bacterial load.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze) in food consumable by humans and animals are provided. Also provided are methods and systems for inactivating Aze in food and byproducts, as well as other methods for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders associated with Aze.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and accurately determining the fat and oil content of a sample using microwave drying and NMR analysis is disclosed. The method and apparatus incorporate a low mass, porous, hydrophilic and lipophilic sample pad that ensures that the entire sample is subjected to NMR analysis. The method and apparatus according to the invention are suitable for rapidly determining the fat and oil content of samples collected during a production process and for process or quality control.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical detection system for detecting at least one target chemical species, including a self-sensed cantilevered probe array having a plurality of self-sensed cantilevered probes, at least one chemical-sensitive coating material applied to at least one cantilevered probe in the cantilevered probe array, and an interface circuit that is coupled to the cantilevered probe array. At least one cantilevered probe in the cantilevered probe array exhibits a shifted cantilevered probe response when the cantilevered probe array is exposed to the target chemical species and the interface circuit actuates the cantilevered probe. A handheld chemical detection system and a method of operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method for determining the bioactivity of TGF-? in a sample of milk, raw protein source, or nutritional composition is provided. The method includes particular reconstitution steps, centrifugation steps, incubation steps, and activation steps. The bioactivity of the TGF-? in the sample may be measured in a HT-2 cell bioassay or a cellomics bioassay.

Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte in a sample is provided, which comprises: a collecting chamber containing an opening for collecting a liquid sample; a detecting element for detecting an analyte in the liquid sample; and a lid for covering the opening of the collecting chamber. The device further comprises an indicating device thereon to indicate whether or not the lid covers at an appointed position. The operation of the device is very simple.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and distributes playing cards according to the pseudo-random playing card sequence. For example, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and prints playing cards in order of the pseudo-random playing card sequence. Further, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence based on a house advantage. Yet further, the method, apparatus and article can generate a promotional message on one or more playing cards.

Abstract: A gaming machine according to the present invention includes: a gaming portion in which a plurality of main dice roll and stop; a timer capable of measuring time; a station having an input device with which a player can place a normal BET and a side BET different from the normal BET, based on a prediction of the outcomes of dice; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the processing of (A) starting acceptance of the normal BET and the side BET from the input device provided in the station, (B) measuring the time from when the acceptance was started in the processing (A) by using the timer, (C) terminating the acceptance of the normal BET and the side BET from the input device provided in the station, when the time measured in the processing (B) reaches a predetermined value, (D) determining whether or not the side BET has been placed by using the input device provided in the station, since the acceptance was started in the processing (A), (E) increasing the predetermined value when determining

Abstract: A method for assaying the antioxidant capacity of a skin care product, the method including preparing an emulsion base, dissolving a sample of a skin care product into the emulsion base to form a homogeneous emulsion mixture, adding a detection probe to the homogeneous emulsion mixture, adding reactive oxygen species generator and/or reactive nitrogen species generator to the homogeneous emulsion mixture, measuring the fluorescence intensity change of the detection probe in the presence of the sample over time, in the presence of the standard over time, and in the presence of a blank over time, and calculating the initial rate of oxidation of the detection probe to determine the antioxidant capacity of the sample of the skin care product.

Abstract: A new method and system for transporting and sorting multiple reagent packs used in conjunction with an immunodiagnostic instrument is provided. The new system includes a multiplicity of reagent packs; a gantry movably mounted on a rack structure for carrying a gripper mechanism, wherein the gripper mechanism has gripping jaws for engagement with the reagent pack; a power assembly for actuating the respective movement of the gantry, the gripper mechanism and the gripping jaws; a storage nest having a multiplicity of compartments, each adapted for storing a one of the respective reagent packs; and a pipetting nest having a multiplicity of compartment, each adapted for retaining a respective one of the reagent packs for simultaneous pipetting. Methods of using the system and a novel reagent pack used in connection with the new system are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for determining an allergic response by determining the extent of degranulation of human IgE sensitized cells upon activation by allergens in food products.

Abstract: Certain features, aspects, examples and embodiments described herein relate to adapters for securing drinking apparatuses for individuals of all ages (infants, children, adults, and seniors) such as nipples, sippers, and straws, to commercially available beverage containers to aid in the consumption of the contained liquid. Other features, aspects, examples and embodiments relate to devices and kits useful for the detection of analytes in milk samples such as small molecules, metal ions, endotoxins, and bacteria.

Abstract: The content of casein in milk is determined by two measurements of infrared absorbance in a milk sample by infrared spectrometry before and after a separation of the casein. The casein content is calculated by use of absorbance data recorded during the two absorbance measurements. The new method is considerable faster than the known wet-chemical methods, such as the normal wet chemical reference method for casein determination in milk using a Kjeldahl nitrogen determination of the milk sample, then a coagulation of the milk, and finally a Kjeldahl nitrogen determination of the filtrate. Further the new method provides a more reliable accuracy than the know determination using a single infrared analysis of a milk sample.

Abstract: The content of casein in milk is determined by two measurements of infrared absorbance in a milk sample by infrared spectrometry before and after a separation of the casein. The casein content is calculated by use of absorbance data recorded during the two absorbance measurements. The new method is considerable faster than the known wet-chemical methods, such as the normal wet chemical reference method for casein determination in milk using a Kjeldahl nitrogen determination of the milk sample, then a coagulation of the milk, and finally a Kjeldahl nitrogen determination of the filtrate. Further the new method provides a more reliable accuracy than the know determination using a single infrared analysis of a milk sample.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating cheese comprising using a rapid extraction method and an IR spectra analysis of the cheese are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining the level of B vitamins in a test sample. The methods can include the steps of obtaining a water soluble vitamin fraction by extraction in acidic aqueous solution of a test sample, wherein the vitamin fraction comprises one or more B vitamins having at least a predetermined minimum concentration; adding a vitamin standard comprising one or more B vitamins of known quantity to a portion of the vitamin fraction of the test sample, wherein said vitamins in the vitamin standard comprise an isotope label and wherein the vitamin standard is added in an amount sufficient to determine the level of the corresponding vitamins in the test sample; and determining the level of one or more vitamins in the test sample corresponding to one or more of the vitamins in the vitamin standard using mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of probiotics for the preparation of a carrier for balancing the skin's immune function. In particular, the present invention pertains to the use of probiotic micro-organisms for balancing the skin's immune function under stress conditions, such as a exposure to ultraviolet radiation, specifically for enhancing the skin's immune activity and reducing the tendency to develop allergic reactions under such conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a sample. Preferably, the sample is a sample to be analyzed, for example for ingredient content, etc. Preferred samples include foods, cosmetics, paints, coatings, adhesives, tanning agents, fabrics, chemical compositions, dyestuffs, samples subject to forensic studies, etc. Samples prepared according to the invention method are digested in sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and one or more fluoride salts selected from LiF, NaF, RbF, CsF and KF and then preferably subjected to analysis for metal content, etc, for example using atomic absorption (“AA”) and inductively coupled plasma (“ICP”).

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge apparatus with a built-in sample tube reader and methods for rapidly obtaining measurements of creamatocrit, fat content and/or energy (caloric) content from low-volume fresh and frozen milk specimens.

Abstract: A sensor and method for making a sensor includes providing a substrate having an adhesion layer with a first functional group operatively associated with a sol-gel composition having a second functional group, and at least one linker material for connecting the first functional group to the second functional group. In another embodiment, a sensor and method for making the sensor includes providing a sol-gel layer operatively associated with a sol-gel precursor solution that includes at least one co-polymer and at least one solvent adapted to resist the deformation of the sol-gel layer by decreasing evaporation, decreasing cross-linking, increasing intermolecular forces, or increasing elasticity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and accurately determining the fat and oil content of a sample using microwave drying and NMR analysis is disclosed. The method and apparatus incorporate a low mass, porous, hydrophilic and lipophilic sample pad that ensures that the entire sample is subjected to NMR analysis. The method and apparatus according to the invention are suitable for rapidly determining the fat and oil content of samples collected during a production process and for process or quality control.

Abstract: A light gun includes a trigger unit; a grip coupled to the trigger apparatus; and a barrel unit coupled with the trigger apparatus. The trigger unit has a trigger and a hammer, and the barrel unit includes a light emitting unit which emits a light bullet in response to generation of an impact by the hammer when a trigger operation is carried out by pulling the trigger.

Abstract: A sample for NMR measurement of moisture and fat and oil contents is disclosed. The sample includes an organic portion containing at least some fats and oils, a pad that is substantially transparent to microwave radiation and is free of atoms that would interfere with or mask the NMR response of the protons in the fats and oils in the sample, and a sheet material that is free of atoms that would interfere with or mask the NMR response of the protons in the fats and oils in the sample, with the sheet material being wrapped around the organic portion and the pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the concentration of formaldehyde in an exhaust stream from turbines, internal combustion engines and the like, which apparatus includes a portable housing having a sample gas inlet through which a sample gas for analysis is introduced into the portable housing and an analysis system disposed in the portable housing suitable for analyzing the sample gas for the presence of formaldehyde in the sample gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and accurately determining the fat and oil content of a sample using microwave drying and NMR analysis is disclosed. The method and apparatus incorporate a low mass, porous, hydrophilic and lipophilic sample pad that ensures that the entire sample is subjected to NMR analysis. The method and apparatus according to the invention are suitable for rapidly determining the fat and oil content of samples collected during a production process and for process or quality control.

Abstract: A system to detect spoilage of a food product is described in this invention. The present invention can be used to see if a food product is spoiled, by mixing a part of the food product with an indicator of food spoilage within a separate transparent compartment of the food container, which is visible to the consumer.

Abstract: Described is a method for calibrating a spectrophometric apparatus and determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. This method involves incorporating at least one primary calibration algorithm that uses an order of derivative of absorbance obtained for at least one of a standard set of wavelengths, on a second apparatus. The absorbance values of the sample are measured on the second apparatus at three or more wavelengths from a wavelength calibration table. Interpolated absorbance values are derived from the measured absorbance values for wavelengths from a standard set of wavelengths. A derivative of the interpolated absorbance values is obtained, using the same order of derivative used by the first apparatus. Followed by calculating a concentration of the Analyte in the sample, by applying the Primary Calibration Algorithm to the derivative.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and accurately determining the fat and oil content of a sample using microwave drying and NMR analysis is disclosed. The method and apparatus incorporate a low mass, porous, hydrophilic and lipophilic sample pad that ensures that the entire sample is subjected to NMR analysis. The method and apparatus according to the invention are suitable for rapidly determining the fat and oil content of samples collected during a production process and for process or quality control.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring calibration of a spectrophotometric apparatus including one or more calibration algorithms for one or more analytes. This method includes measuring absorbance of a quality control material with the apparatus to obtain a measurement, where the quality control material exhibits an absorbance spectra having a negative slope for a continuous spectral segment from about 5 nm to about 200 nm in length, and where the spectral segment includes a principal calibration wavelength for the one or more analytes. The method then involves calculating one or more concentration values from the measurement using the one or more calibration algorithms, followed by comparing the one or more concentration values with an assigned value given to the quality control material for each of the one or more analytes, and determining if there is a violation of a pre-established quality control rule. In this way one or more calibration algorithms of the apparatus may be monitored.

Abstract: Production of proteins not normally secreted through conventional pathways such as membrane proteins including, for example, CFTR associated with cystic fibrosis, is now made possible by collection of such protein from the milk of lactating transgenic animals.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for evaluating the hot treatment to which a proteinic nutrient such as milk is subjected. It consists in the following steps: a) taking a sample of said nutrient and adding thereto an ionic strength pad and appropriate pH for obtaining a precipitate of proteins denatured by the hot treatment and a transparent supenatant containing proteins which are still soluble; b) analysing the tryptophan present in the supernatant; and c) analysing the fluorescent by-products derived from the advanced Maillard reaction present in the supernatant. The invention is useful in methods for hot treatment of proteinic nutrients.

Abstract: A ball selector and display device comprising a plurality of prize balls, a ball holder adapted to hold the balls in an individually controlled manner, a controller adapted to select a prize ball, a display mechanism adapted to display the selected prize ball to the player; and a positioning mechanism in communication with the controller adapted to position the selected prize ball relative to the display mechanism. The ball selector and display device may be combined with a jumbled ball display wherein the balls displayed by the ball selector and display device appear to originate from the jumbled ball display. The ball selector and display device may also be combined with a game apparatus that is adapted to allow players to play a game. In this embodiment, the ball selector and display device may provide a bonus award for the player. Several games are also provided that may be used with the ball selector and display device.

Abstract: A sensor is provided that is useful for assaying a component of a biological fluid such as blood, urine or milk, and comprises a chamber having an inlet, a liquid containing portion and a vapor containing portion. The liquid and vapor containing portions are in fluid communication. A pressure monitor is in communication with the vapor containing portion and measures pressure change within the vapor containing portion, such as carbon dioxide partial pressure changes which are related to concentration of urea in blood, urine or milk when the enzyme is urease. A method of analyzing a component such as urea in a biological fluid is also provided. Where the biological fluid is dairy milk, milk urea nitrogen to a prediction error of about +/−1 mg/dl may be repeatedly measured in the physiological range of from about 6 to 24 mg/dl.

Abstract: It has been discovered that one can predict the likelihood a child will outgrow an allergy, especially a food allergy, by screening for IgE antibodies immunoreactivities with linear versus conformational epitopes. The child is first screened using standard techniques to determine what antigens the child is allergic to. The immunoglobulins in the sample from the patient are then characterized either using the natural purified antigen, recombinant antigen, reduced and alkylated antigen, proteolytic fragments of the antigen or synthetic peptides of between four and 40 amino acids in length, preferably six to ten amino acids, which can be immobilized for rapid and accurate screening. The antibodies from the patient, typically present in a serum or plasma sample, are reacted with the protein or peptides to determine which peptides are bound by the antibodies. These antibodies are then characterized to determine if the epitopes they bind are linear or conformational.

Abstract: Unopened packages, containing an edible food product pre-treated with a heat shock preservation process, can be sanitized in a hospital dishwasher by a method that includes washing the package outer surface with detergent, rinsing the package surface with a solution containing a sanitizing agent, and drying the package outer surface. The method is applicable to various food products, e.g. individual milk or juice packages, distributed to patients in hospitals. Use of the method permits unopened food packages handled by the patient to be supplied to other patients without worrying that germs and contaminants might be transmitted from one hospital patient to another hospital patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining foaming behavior of a liquid by use of a gas, which includes supplying the gas to an amount of the substantially gas-free liquid to form a foam and analyzing one or more properties of the foam, wherein the gas is supplied through a grid provided with holes having a diameter of 25 to 100 .mu.m, which holes are located at a mutual distance of 5 to 15 times the diameter of the holes.

Abstract: Aminoglycosides such as aminoglycoside antibiotics are detected and separated by non-immunoaffinity binding to an immobilized binding protein which is preferably lysozyme or .alpha.-lactalbumin. Aminoglycosides are detected in a biological sample such as milk or a fermentation broth by contacting the sample with the binding protein immobilized on a solid carrier such as particles of carboxylated latex to bind the aminoglycosides to the binding protein, adding a label that binds to the aminoglycosides and measuring the label. In another embodiment, the binding protein containing bound aminoglycosides is separated from the sample, the aminoglycosides are removed from the binding protein, a label is added to the aminoglycosides and the label is measured. Aminoglycosides are removed from a sample by passing the sample through a bioreactor containing the binding protein immobilized on a solid carrier to bind the aminoglycosides to the binding protein and recovering the sample free of aminoglycosides.

Abstract: A method and device for the detection of allergenic substances in food products. The device comprises a dining mat, such as a doily, formed of an absorbent material and small spots of reagents are applied to isolated zones on the mat. Each reagent is characterized by the ability to change its characteristics when contacted by an allergenic substance. A label can be applied to the mat adjacent each reagent indicating the respective allergenic substance. In use, a small amount of a food product is applied to a reagent and if the food product contains the allergenic substance, the reagent will change its appearance indicating the presence of the allergenic substance in the food product.

Abstract: Both a method and a kit for testing the fitness of a polyolester lubricant of the type used in a refrigerant compressor are provided. In the method of the invention, a solution for indicating an excess acidity of the polyolester lubricant is obtained by mixing a color acidity indicator, such as alizarin, with a sufficient amount of an alkaline to neutralize the inherent acidity of the lubricant. The resulting solution changes color only upon the presence of an excess acid condition associated with a compressor malfunction, such as burn out. Both the method and the kit are particularly well adapted to determine the fitness of polyolester lubricants of the type prepared by the reaction of trimethylolpropane with a mixture of a branched and a linear acid.

Abstract: The invention is a method of monitoring for the presence of certain constituents of food processing streams by measurement of fluorescence. The constituent monitored can be a fluorescing impurity of a food product, or the food product itself if such naturally fluoresces. Moreover, losses of the constituent to be monitored may be determined by concurrent measurement of fluorescence of a fluorescent material added to the food process stream. The method is applicable to the following food processing streams among others: meat, vegetable oil, sugar beet, sugar cane, grain, poultry, fruit and soybean processing streams. Upon determination of a variation of the fluorescing constituent to be measured, the food process can be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: The invention relates to measuring the decrease in phosphorylation of the fatty acid binding protein (FABP) found in the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) of bovine or human milk to detect growth hormone treatment in animals. MFGM of cows treated with recombinan+bovine somatotropin (bST) displays weaker FABP autophosphorylation activity than non treated cows. MFGM isolated from cows treated with bST have significantly reduced levels of phosphorylated FABP. The bST test of the present invention can be used not only to determine whether the animal producing the milk has been treated with bST, it can also be used to determine the efficacy of bST on milk production. Dairy managers could thus base their decision on whether to continue bST treatment on such a test.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the percentage of free fatty acids in cooking fats and oils. A kit for this analysis includes a test cylinder calibrated for (a) volume of test sample, (b) volume of acid-base indicator solution, and (c) a set of lines marked to be read directly as the percentage of free fatty acids in the sample.

Abstract: Early diagnosis of mastitis or garget is carried out by measuring the concentration of 3-hydroxybutyric acid in milk. Used to this end is a reagent reacting with 3-hydroxybutyric acid to show a color at a concentration of 100 .mu.mol/l or higher.

Abstract: The reagent of the invention consists of a combination of an aliphatic ketone, a detergent, a base and a denaturating agent for rendering transparent a protein and lipid containing mixture.

Abstract: The fat content of food or non-food products can be quickly and accurately determined by processes which solublize the product's fat content in tetrachloroethylene. These processes generally involve extracting the fat from a product to be tested for fat content with tetrachloroethylene, dissolving the fat/tetrachloroethylene solution in a polar organic solvent such as acetic acid, treating the resulting solution with an aqueous surfactant such as Triton X-100.RTM. in order to transfer the solution's fat content to the aqueous surfactant and thereby inducing the formation of fat globules in a resulting suspension and then testing the resulting suspension for monochromatic light dispersion. The light dispersed at the maximum turbidity of the sample is compared to a standard curve plot produced by previous tests on tetrachloroethylene solutions of a pure fat taken from samples comparable to the product being tested.