Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using high-mass matrix assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry for the quantitative analysis of the amount of aggregation (dimers, trimers or multimers) of antibodies or other therapeutic proteins in purified pharmaceutical samples or complex biological matrices, as well as to the use of this method for characterization of antibodies, drug development and quality control of therapeutic proteins, including automated high throughput applications.

Abstract: A method for quantifying the permanganate-reducing compounds (PRCs) in an acetic acid sample is disclosed. The method comprises establishing a correlation between permanganate absorbances of standard samples and their PRC contents and determining the PRC content of the acetic acid sample by measuring its permanganate absorbance of a reaction mixture containing a standard permanganate solution and the acetic acid sample. The permanganate absorbance is obtained by subtracting the manganese dioxide absorbance from the absorbance of the mixture.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the operating state of a curable composition utilizes an acoustic wave or signal transmitted into a container holding the composition. In one embodiment, characteristics of a reflected component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated to pre-determined values indicative of one or more operating states, or degrees of curing, of the composition. In another embodiment, characteristics of a transmitted component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated. The characteristics include, for example, the speed of sound through the curable composition or the attenuation of the acoustic signal reflected by or transmitted through the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide to apparatuses and media used in drug elution studies and methods for making and using them. One embodiment of the invention is a drug elution method that can be used for in-vitro studies of a matrix impregnated with a compound such as a drug blended polymer matrix. Such methods and materials can be used for example to assess and control the manufacturing process variability of drug eluting implantable devices such as cardiac leads.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for measuring pH of low alkalinity samples. The present invention provides a sensor array comprising a plurality of pH indicators, each indicator having a different indicator concentration. A calibration function is generated by applying the sensor array to a sample solution having a known pH such that pH responses from each indicator are simultaneously recorded versus indicator concentration for each indicator. Once calibrated, the sensor array is applied to low alkalinity samples having unknown pH. Results from each pH indicator are then compared to the calibration function, and fitting functions are extrapolated to obtain the actual pH of the low alkalinity sample.

Abstract: An assay method and device can perform at least one (e.g., at least two) assays on a single aliquot of a sample liquid. The device can mix a sample liquid with assay reagents including magnetically susceptible particles. The device is configured to create a sample liquid-air interface with the sample liquid. The magnetically susceptible particles can be located (via an applied magnetic field) at the liquid-air interface when a second liquid contacts the interface to form a liquid-liquid interface. The magnetic particles travel across the liquid:liquid interface to the second liquid. The magnetically susceptible particles are configured to transport an analyte across the interface into the second liquid. An assay for the analyte is performed in the second liquid. An assay for another analyte can also be performed in the sample liquid.

Abstract: Latently detectable tracers for use in fluid conducting and containment systems wherein the interaction between the tracer and a biomacromolecule produces a detectable signal. More specifically, the latently detectable tracers monitor flow through such systems. Methods for monitoring the flow of fluid using the tracers, and a kit for use in monitoring the flow of fluid in such systems, including the tracers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing a temperature difference between a high-temperature and a low-temperature substrate includes interposing a heat transfer facilitating layer which has a higher thermal conductivity than air and can hold particles between the substrates, and maintaining close contact between the high-temperature substrate, the heat transfer facilitating layer, and the low-temperature substrate, wherein formation of an air layer can be at least substantially prevented between the high-temperature substrate and the heat transfer facilitating layer, and between the low-temperature substrate and the heat transfer facilitating layer.

Abstract: A container having an indicator for detecting the presence of chemical elements is provided. In one embodiment, the container comprises a cavity therein for receiving an article having a first metallic element, the cavity being substantially sealed from a surrounding environment outside the container. An indicator is disposed within the sealed cavity, the indicator having a second metallic element with a standard potential less than the standard potential of the first metallic element, whereby a change in state of the second metallic element alerts an operator to the presence of a predetermined chemical element within the container.

Abstract: A method for identifying a product includes providing a solid body (10) fabricated from at least a molecularly imprinted polymer having molecular sized cavities (12) adapted to selectively receive and bind molecules (50) having a specific taggant molecular structure (51), the molecular sized cavities (12) disposed on a portion of an exterior surface (11) of the body (10), and applying to the surface of the body a composition containing indicator molecules (50) having a taggant moiety (51) at one end and a marking function group (53) tethered to the taggant moiety (51) by a molecular chain the taggant moieties (51) engaging and binding to the molecular sized cavities (12) so as to mark the portion of the surface (11) of the body (10) with the indicator molecules (50) bound thereto, the marking functional groups (53) rendering the marked portion of the surface (11) perceptible with or without detection instrumentation.

Abstract: Test methods are provided for evaluating the performance of cookware. One example test evaluates the durability of the cookware's grate-contacting surface, and includes a heat-abrasion phase on a cooking device's grate, a food-baking phase using a cooking-surface staining food item and/or a common food-cooking substance, and/or a solution-soaking phase using a caustic solution. Another example test evaluates the release performance of the cookware's cooking surface, and includes a release phase using a food item that tends to stick to cooking surfaces, a food-baking phase using salt and grease, a tiger paw phase, and/or an automatic dishwasher phase. And another example test evaluates the searing performance of the cookware's cooking surface, and includes searing a piece of meat on the cooking surface and evaluating the color/darkness of the meat piece itself and/or a fond made from the cooked-on meat residue against standardized colors/darknesses.

Abstract: An indicator that reacts with at least one gaseous compound in such a way that the color of the indicator is changed. The indicator is a layer formed on a substrate and including metallic silver and/or metallic copper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of selecting and/or developing particulate material for a composition comprising the particulate material and a matrix by using at least one homogeneous interaction parameter alone or in combination with at least one heterogeneous interaction parameter. These parameters may comprise at least one interfacial potential property value, at least one value derived from an interfacial potential property value, at least one component of an interfacial potential property value, or combinations thereof for a particulate material and for the matrix. Process and performance maps, as well as methods for mapping, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing product consistency of a particulate material or the product containing the same, by measuring and/or analyzing at least one interfacial potential property value of the particulate material. The method may be used as a QA/QC method to insure product consistency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of specifying a batch, lot, or shipment of particulate material by using at least one interfacial potential property value to specify the batch, lot, or shipment of particulate material. A method of representing a grade, brand, or type of particulate material is also disclosed. At least one morphological value and/or chemical value may also be included. The values can be included on a product specification sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of printing a substrate, comprising (a) printing onto the substrate at least one time temperature indicator with chromic properties based on an azo coupling reaction between a capped diazonium component and a coupling component.

Abstract: Relates to a measuring apparatus (4) and corresponding methods carried out in e.g. hybridization systems for determining fluid parameters provided by a laboratory system (1). The measuring apparatus (4) comprises a measuring unit (5) and a processing unit (6) for determining the fluid parameters provided by the laboratory system (1) and the measuring unit (5) is accomplished to be able to be integrated into this laboratory system (1). The measuring apparatus (4) according to the invention is characterised in that the measuring unit (5) comprises a measuring block (15) without a reaction room (34) and at least one sensor (17). The measuring block (15) comprises hollow spaces (16) for receiving or guiding fluids (13) provided by the laboratory system (1). The at least one sensor (17) is arranged, for determining physical and/or chemical parameters of fluids (13) located in the hollow spaces (16), on or in fluidic operative connection with these hollow spaces (16) of the measuring block (15).

Abstract: The enumeration and analysis of residual white blood cells in a sample of leukocyte-reduced blood products is conducted by forming a suspension of the leukocyte-reduced blood products with a sufficient amount of a lysing reagent. The lysing reagent comprises a buffer with a low molar concentration, and a non-ionic surfactant. The suspension of leukocyte-reduced blood products and the lysing reagent is incubated for a sufficient time at a temperature sufficient to selectively lyse the platelets and red blood cells without damaging the white blood cells. The white blood cells of the lysed blood products are then contacted with a suitable dye to stain the white blood cells and the number of stained white blood cells is measured. The lysing reagent is free of harsh organic solvents which can damage the plastic components of automated clinical analyzers.

Abstract: A device and a method for collecting blood and separating blood plasma as a liquid sample using a channel that absorbs the liquid sample by capillary forces. To obtain a uniform filling of the channel with the liquid sample and an effective separation, deaeration takes place in a transverse direction to the main filling direction or to the longitudinal direction of the channel, immediately downstream of a separation device in an inlet region of the channel.

Abstract: A method for measuring in-situ the viscosity of a fluid within a vessel using an apparatus using a motor driven impeller paddle immersed in the fluid. A chemical or biological agent is added to the fluid. The impeller paddle is rotated and the rotational positions of impeller drive shaft and the paddle are sensed. The rotational speed of the shaft is determined and the deflection angle of the impeller paddle relative to the shaft is determined. The viscosity of the fluid is determined by a computer from a look up table containing deflection angle for fluids of known viscosities. The measurements are periodically repeated for a predetermined number of iterations to determine the change in viscosity caused by reaction of the fluid with the chemical or biological agent and the results are reported to a user.

Abstract: For successful wound healing to occur, the newly formed skin must generate tensile strength through collagen deposition. Measurement of collagen in the granulating wound bed may be predictive of successful wound healing. Existing methods for collagen measurement either require specialized equipment, or do not allow for discrimination of potential interfering molecules. Herein described is an accurate, specific and reliable method to extract and quantify collagen from tissue utilizing high pressure liquid chromatography techniques. The method is sensitive enough to measure the small amounts of collagen found in newly healing wounds.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for monitoring the status of a cell that consumes oxygen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of confining the cell in a sensing volume, measuring dynamically intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell, and determining the status of the cell from the measured intracellular or extracellular signaling of the cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing the type of a blood sample and a variety of blood components are provided wherein a transmission spectrum of the sample is collected over a predetermined wavelength range. For blood typing, this spectrum is then compared with a set of control spectra collected from control blood samples having known blood types, from which the type of the blood sample can be determined. Further methods and apparatus are provided for determining the viability of and for cross matching a platelet unit Additional method and apparatus permit analysis of the sample for the presence of a contaminant, Particles can also be counted in the sample, even when present in low concentrations, including white blood cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide to apparatuses and media used in drug elution studies and methods for making and using them. Such methods and materials can be used for example to assess and control the manufacturing process variability of drug eluting implantable devices such as cardiac leads. One embodiment of the invention is a drug elution method that can be used for in-vitro studies of a matrix impregnated with a compound such as a drug blended polymer matrix. A related embodiment of the invention is an apparatus that is used for example to facilitate the practice of the above-noted methods by inhibiting the evaporation of dissolution media from the vessels in which elution is observed.

Abstract: A product shelf life monitoring system comprises a label substrate bearing upon a limited portion of its area an active indicator composition responsive to varying temperature over time to effect a visible change in color density or the like. The susceptibility of the indicator composition to similarly respond to incidence of vagrant ultraviolet light is ameliorated by application of an area of ultraviolet light absorbent composition in register above the indicator composition and extending at most only slightly beyond the periphery of the area of indicator composition. In this manner, the remaining area of the label is preserved for ultraviolet light responsive implementations, and only a minimal, economical amount of ultraviolet light absorbent composition is expended.

Abstract: A method of providing a droplet in contact with a magnetically responsive bead and having a reduced quantity of a substance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of extracting all metabolites existing in a biological sample to detect a comprehensive difference between metabolites of a control group and a test group, thereby verifying significance thereof. More particularly, the invention comprises a first step of analyzing a fraction extracted with a solid phase extraction method, a fraction obtained by extracting the remnant fraction with a liquid-liquid extraction method and fractions extracted with the liquid-liquid extraction method at two pH different from each other after the hydrolysis, with a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; a second step of converting the chromatogram result into numerical values capable of being statistically processed; and a third step of analyzing the numerical values with a principal component analysis (PCA) and a discriminant analysis (DA) to detect a difference between the control group and the test group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for the detection of traces of human or animal blood. The aforementioned composition comprises a luminol compound, an oxidizing agent and a base which are diluted in a preferably aqueous solvent. Said composition is characterized in that: the luminol compound is present in a quantity providing a concentration of between 1 and 20 mmoles/l in the end composition, the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide which is present at a concentration of between 25 and 100 mmoles/l in the end composition, the base is soda, NaOH, which is present at a concentration of between 25 mmoles/l and 500 mmoles/l in the end composition. The invention also relates a kit and a method for preparing said composition. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of detecting and locating traces of human or animal blood.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the operating state of a curable composition utilizes an acoustic wave or signal transmitted into a container holding the composition. In one embodiment, characteristics of a reflected component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated to pre-determined values indicative of one or more operating states, or degrees of curing, of the composition. In another embodiment, characteristics of a transmitted component of the acoustic signal are measured and correlated. The characteristics include, for example, the speed of sound through the curable composition or the attenuation of the acoustic signal reflected by or transmitted through the composition.

Abstract: In order to check the hermeticity of a closed cavity of at least one micrometric component, said component includes a structure made over or in one portion of a substrate, a cap fixed to one zone of the substrate to protect the structure, and an indicator element whose optical or electrical properties change in the presence of a reactive fluid. The indicator element may be a copper layer for an optical check or a palladium resistor for an electrical check. The micrometric component is placed in a container which is then hermetically closed. This container is filled with a reactive fluid under pressure, which is oxygen for the optical check and hydrogen for the electrical check. The component in the container is subjected to a reactive fluid pressure higher than 10 bars for a determined time period, and to thermal (T>100° C.) or optical (?<500 nm) activation. After this time period, an optical or electrical check of the indicator element determines the hermeticity of said cavity.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the expiration of goods includes a substrate and an unreacted composition affixed thereto which is intrinsically reactive to one or both of its thermal environment and the length of time following activation. The reactivity results in a color formation of the composition with the color formation being a single color upon reaction to one of said thermal environment or length of time and multiple colors upon reaction to both. The device may be a label affixed to a container containing the goods to be monitored or may be printed directly on a container.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing tests on materials, the apparatus comprising a leaktight receptacle defining an inside volume, the receptacle being provided with an opening and the ability to provide leaktight contact between the edges of the opening and a portion of a surface of a test piece of a material disposed outside the receptacle. The receptacle also has the ability for introducing at least one chemical agent in order to create, within the inside volume, a test chemical environment to which the surface portion of the test piece is exposed; and with a drain for draining the introduced chemical agent(s). The receptacle is also provided with a bottom including a surface that is inclined or conical and that co-operates with the drain to enable the introduced chemical agent(s) to be removed totally or in part. The apparatus is used in a method for carrying out tests on materials.

Abstract: A pre-dosed, pre-packaged mixing system and associated method for mixing, storing, and dispensing a two-part dental composition that becomes less stable upon mixing. The mixing system includes a pre-dosed, pre-packaged quantity of a first component contained within a first chamber, and a pre-dosed, pre-packaged quantity of a second component contained within a second chamber. The chambers are separated by separation means so as to separate the two-components prior to mixing. Once mixed, the practitioner is able to record a mixing and/or expiration date on at least a portion of the mixing system so as to indicate a shelf-life of the less stable mixed dental composition.

Abstract: A method of treating a waste material or soil by contacting the waste material or soil with an effective amount of corn ash to lower metal leaching in a Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure test to below the hazardous waste characteristic criteria producing a treated waste material or soil, wherein the corn ash contains an effective amount of one or more orthophsophates. Preferably, the corn ash is substantially free of polyphosphates. The waste material or soil is a hazardous waste containing one or more metals being Cd, Pb and Zn. The waste material is generated by a foundry or steel mill.

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: A method for detecting local shear stress values using molecular rotors that allows for an extremely sensitive determination of a shear stress field or a flow field, even at very low flow rates. In one embodiment, molecular rotors may be adhered to a fiber optic probe or other solid surface, and the fluorescence emission of those molecular rotors may be probed at a location of the fiber optic probe tip or other solid surface. In another preferred embodiment, rotors may be adhered to another solid surface, such as any glass or polymer substrate that may be pre-functionalized (e.g., quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass) to create a probe that may then be used for in vivo as well as in vitro viscosity measurements. In another embodiment, molecular rotors may be dissolved in a target solution, and emission intensity obtained by one of several techniques.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensitive composite sensing material based on cerium oxide with or without additives to enhance sensitivity to hydrogen, reduce cross-sensitivities to interfering gases, or lower the operating temperature of the sensor, and a device incorporating these hydrogen sensitive composite materials including a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a coating of hydrogen sensitive composite material applied over the electroded surface. The sensor may have in integral heater. The sensor may have a tubular geometry with the heater being inserted within the tube. A gas sensor device may include a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a dual sensor element to cancel unwanted effects on baseline resistance such as those resulting from atmospheric temperature changes. The hydrogen sensitive composite material or other gas sensitive materials may be used in the dual element gas sensor device.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the expiration of goods includes a substrate, a coating of polydiacetylene, said coating having properties of (1) changing from a first color irreversibly to a second color immediately upon being subjected to a specified temperature and (2), upon activation upon contact by an activating agent, changing from said first color to said second color at a temperature lower than said specified temperature after a time delay of at least one hour and an activating agent on a portion but not all of said coating.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide to apparatuses and media used in drug elution studies and methods for making and using them. Such methods and materials can be used for example to assess and control the manufacturing process variability of drug eluting implantable devices such as cardiac leads. One embodiment of the invention is a drug elution method that can be used for in-vitro studies of a matrix impregnated with a compound such as a drug blended polymer matrix. A related embodiment of the invention is an apparatus that is used for example to facilitate the practice of the above-noted methods by inhibiting the evaporation of dissolution media from the vessels in which elution is observed.

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: A chemical indicator device for use in detecting exposure to an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, comprising a substrate or support upon which is disposed a chemical indicator composition (ink) for detecting an oxidizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide. The chemical indicator composition further comprises an indicator dye that achieves a distinct range of different color changes with clear transitions between colors, upon exposure to different doses of the oxidizing agent, thus allowing for both a qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment of exposure to the agent.

Abstract: A screening tool and a screening method of a substance which is useful as an agent for improving the memory, an agent for improving learning ability, and/or an antidementia agent; a polypeptide, a polynucleotide, a vector, and a cell which may be used in the above screening; and a novel agent for improving the memory, a novel agent for improving learning ability, and/or a novel antidementia agent are disclosed. The above screening tool is composed of a calcium-permeable nonselective cation channel or a cell expressing the channel.

Abstract: A microfluidic device allowing for multiple discrete reactions sites and allowing for sequential reactions and sample analysis along with methods for device fabrication and use is provided. The microfluidic device provides a micro-total analysis system on a single substrate and has multiple reaction sites allowing for cascade reactions and analysis on a single chip using micro-quantities of sample and reagents. The microfluidic device provides discrete sites for immobilization of cognitive agents including enzymes, binding proteins, nucleic acids and the like as well as methods for quantitative analysis. The invention also provides methods for the fabrication of the device.

Abstract: The ionic conjugates include an inorganic particle electrostatically associated with a macromolecule which can interact specifically with predetermined chemical species or biological targets.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for stimulating and increasing the production of saliva during immunoassay tests for drugs or other analytes wherein a scent or odor capable of stimulating saliva production is incorporated into a device for obtaining an oral sample from a test subject. The scent or odor may be impregnated into the oral sample collection device or may be part of an attachment to such a device, and the scent or odor is disposed in such a manner so as to maximize the exposure of the scent to the test subject and thus stimulate the production of saliva. The method and device of the invention are advantageous because the increased production of saliva will facilitate the testing of an oral sample for drugs or other analytes and will increase the likelihood of obtaining a complete and accurate result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening for variant peptides using mass spectrometry (MS). The present invention also relates to a system and a kit for performing the method.

Abstract: A reagent and colorimetric autoanalyzer are provided for determining nitrate concentration using an EPA approved method. Methods of determining nitrate concentration using a reagent and a calorimetric autoanalyzer are also provided. The device and use thereof allows for the automated and accurate determination of nitrate in a sample, resulting in a non-hazardous method that is not labor intensive to determine the amount of nitrate in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is a flow cell and method for use in microfluidic analyses that presents highly discrete and small volumes of fluid to isolated locations on a two-dimensional surface contained within an open fluidic chamber defined by the flow cell that has physical dimensions such that laminar style flow occurs for fluids flowing through the chamber. This process of location specific fluid addressing within the flow cell is facilitated by combining components of hydrodynamic focusing with site specific cell evacuation. The process does not require the use of physical barriers within the flow cell or mechanical valves to control the paths of fluid movement.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a surfactant in a microelectronic process is disclosed. Specifically, the monitoring of a surfactant occurs by studying the fluorescence or electromagnetic emission of a sample collected from a microelectronic process.